thewookie1

Sadly that really isn't possible. Playoff hockey isn't something teams could handle for 82 games, they can barely make it 28. The regular season is a jog where as the playoffs are a sprint the finish. Also I'd disagree the regular season is unwatchable, while the Sabres have been bad I have found plenty of entertainment bouncing around on the hockey package watching an odd assortment of games. (My father is a Blackhawks fan hence the need.) There are typically a couple snoozers but also a couple fun games as well most nights.

Sabres fans would be furious if we took Top2 D with 1 year left on his deal into UFA, a goalie with 1 year left, and a 1st. To put it simply, if Jones played better than he had this year and had 4/5 years left on his 5.4 mil contract then he'd be a superb target. However he doesn't thus an easy no.

Actually Tyrod Taylor was the QB that year. Allen was draft after the drought breaking playoff appearance. They were a scrappy group that pulled off a miracle after literally trading Dareus, Darby and Watkins and having almost 50mil in dead cap. The Sabres don't have to trade their core pieces for mediocre talents which is certainly an advantage. Other than that our equivalent would be akin to a hodgepodge of hard working vets and youngsters that are backstopped by a solid goalie tandem sneaking into the playoffs in Game 82. Unlikely but not impossible.

So what the Bills did their first time back

Sounds like some good sources. Don't listen to Jared Crabgrass though, he's the Eklund of their group.

Beniers would still be my favorite, not really all that interested in a Dman due to the wait time on them.

Very good article If we decide on Granato however I would like to see at least one seasoned former head coach as an assistant. Hell, I'd even Quinn (The former Rangers coach) as an assistant if he ends up on outside looking in on HC jobs. I don't know if his system would work in the playoffs but I do get a sense we'd at very least have a fun watch and development in all the youngsters.

I buried him in minors, if he wants he can stay in Sweden for the year. I'm maximizing my cap space next year so we can take on a cap dump but also so we never have to see Eakin again. His buyout being extremely cheap is the only reason I'm even entertaining the idea. (Effectively the savings gives us more than 1mil back in cap space.

To me the Rangers are untouchable; I don't care how badly they want Eichel; I'm just not frankly interested in sending him there. Zegras or Byfield would be important and vital pieces to trade for Eichel. Both are 1C potential players. (To be honest I see Lafreniere as a winger more than a center.)

I'd outright demand Byfield. Anyone else doesn't reach good value to me. We need a potential 1C not a 2C and a couple wingers. Their vets want to win soon, well if you want Eichel then we demand a guy who could become a 1C in his own right. After all we should know from 2008 through 2012 that without a 1C you don't get very far. Essentially, with Turcotte and Beniers we'd lack a true 1C potential player. Both of them, along with Cozens and Mitts for the matter are all 2C level prospects.

How's this? https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/2394114

Don't do it Kevyn, nothing the Rangers can offer is worth the endless torment your fans will be inflicted upon.

Part of it was highly skilled management by Sakic. Part of it was just luck. For us We have questionable at best management Almost zero luck in regards to players or prospects coming here and just exploding.

When asked, Drew Doughty told the press that he would be unhappy next year if no major moves are made to improve the roster.

If they offer a 2022 1st and a random young player then yes; holding onto Eichel regardless is more valuable. It's about denying your enemy in that case. Essentially, if the opposing divisional rival gains far more advantage from Eichel than we gain via assets then eating his contract is more valuable. Hell if I were GM I'd come out and state that to the media. Let's say that the Bruins are a 86 point team and the Sabres are a 76 point team. If Eichel makes them a 96 point team and what we get only makes Buffalo a 78/80 point team then it is more valuable to hold onto him.

If he wants his surgery I'd get in writing that he waives his NMC for next year. Then he can play another year and we don't have to fret. If he demands Boston, Rangers, or another divisional rival I'd actually rather just healthy scratch him for 4 years. The value in keeping Eichel off Boston actually outweighs the downside of having him just exist for 4 years bored out of his mind.

Danualt would be my immediate target. Hell I wouldn't mind him regardless depending on the price seeing as he's a solid 2C.

Not good enough, Byfield is the primary piece because he has true 1C potential. Turcotte has more 2C low end 1C potential. Turcotte is approximately like Cozens in terms of upside. Byfield is more congruent with replacing Eichel in the long run.

Jerk

Broken sure but disgruntled is meaningless to his value. There’s no must trade clause

My minimal requirement is Byfield Turcotte/Vilardi A Lottery protected 2021 1st A Top 3 protected 2022 1st The conditions are the 2021 Pick can be pushed off but we then get the 2022 & 2023 1st Unprotected The 2022 pick can be pushed off otherwise to an unprotected 1st in 2023

If the Kings want Eichel, I'd demand Byfield & Turcotte/Valardi We are giving them what Byfield may or may not become, and with 5 years of control on top of it. If they don't want to, then we look elsewhere. If no one is willing to give us top tier prospects then I'd just keep him. Even if we get to next year he can't force a trade. If he tries what Hall did with his NMC, you just tell him no. Eating Eichel's salary for 4 years is actually more beneficial than trading him to a division rival for garbage. Sometimes denying your opponent can be more valuable to you.

That I could probably live with, hell I'll take Brown if they up that 2nd to another protected 1st (I want a lottery protect 1st in 2022 because then there's an opportunity to grab a non-conditional 2023 1st)

Vogl confirmed earlier on Twitter that the Colorado based 2nd opinion also recommended the same treatment as the Sabres.

I've got to say that I actually side with the Sabres on the surgery situation.