thewookie1

The only thing I might change is I'd take Carrier's value out of the expansion draft and only stick the 6th rounder on Botts. He didn't exactly have any choice in losing a player there.

You are reaching a conclusion via incomplete information and attempting tie together the corporate side with the player side. There is nothing that hints at the Pegulas not being willing to pay players to make the team better. (Aside from ROR but that was likely more of we aren't paying for him to leave) They are mostly tone deaf, but even a child could figure out that this team needs serious assistance on the ice. Even from a purely business side angle, bringing in some shiny new players who are well thought of could do numbers for their ticket sales; which once they return will still have to work through customer fears and a low quality product. They cannot control the fans' fears over COVID but they can fix the product. A leaner organization also regards to the steamlining and getting rid of multiple redundant positions between the Bills and Sabres as they unite the ventures under the whole PSE/One Buffalo moniker. Why would you need 20 Sabres ticket sellers and 20 Bills ticket sellers when 30 One Buffalo ticket sellers are far more efficient. Another instance of this is seen by the portions of the Bills Ticket and PR staff moving into the PSE offices above the Labatt Brew House/Restaurant downtown. As for why they hired Kevyn Adams; I honestly take them at face value in saying they don't trust the NHL's people after Botterill and former/present? NHL staffer Pat Lafontaine's choice in Murray blew up in the Pegula's faces. Hence they chose quite possibly the only possible candidate for the GM chair from within their organization. Will it work, who knows but I honestly don't believe it was solely because he'd be cheap. After all, they are still paying all these contracts they fire regardless if they are working or not. At this time, I'd say part of their desire to go leaner is perhaps due to the fact they have given a blank check since they got here only to see the team nosedive and fan sentiments turn hostile. Why pay 20 scouts to fly all over the place if it hasn't given the team any noticeable advantage. Along with this, the seeming turn towards more analytics based decision making lends to an idea of a more streamlined scouting staff versus having potentially 15 different views on the value of analytics and being left frozen by over analysis. So let us see what they do once the playoffs end; then we can likely see rather or not we should be jumping off ledges.

Oh hush you; take your pessimistic attitude and stow it away on a submarine. If Kevyn Adams feels he'll help the Sabres the Pegulas will pay; they trust him. I'd personally trade #8 for Cirelli over Jokiharju but who knows if Tampa would want #8

Hmmm, that would certainly be a tough one. What is Cirelli signing for 6x6? 6x5.5? If he's only willing to sign for 5 years, then an offersheet is likely better value.

I don’t think I trade Jokiharju+ even for Cirelli only because it leaves our defense as Dahlin and the band of what ifs and maybes. If we did I would hope we’d move Risto or Montour to go get a Hanifin tier young Dman. (I really like Joker and rather not trade him in division)

I'd guess a better way to bridge both of your opinions would be to say... Don't stop dating, but don't get married

Let's see Yes, chase them down if the price is within reason: Lebanc - team player but was atrocious in +/- this year. (He was literally a -33 over 70 games; I don't take much stock in the stat but this was too huge not to mention) Dunn - they owe us from the ROR trade, they better damn pay up ? Beauvillier - Useful scorer, isn't great but is certainly good Virtanen - The more physical and slightly older version of above, less goals total but trending up Perhaps if the price isn't much: Gaudette - young with a bit of talent, mid 6 player (From Braintree, Mass.... seriously!) Bennett - Zemgus Girgensons 2.0, a tad more consistent overall play wise and a cool red mustache if he gets into the playoffs Tuch - head scratcher, ok player but is his contract too long to play with hope? (From Syracuse though) Dvorak - eerily similar to Tuch in terms of high potential but lower output that what their contract is worth Murray - often injured so buyer beware Jenner - 3C and was a -14 last year, take that however you want Anderson - was his injury the problem or was his 27 goal campaign a fluke Bjorkstrand - 40 pt guy, not much else to say McCann - Definitely some skill but at 24 years of age, his 35pt peak and play, screams 3C Stay away, nope nope so much nope: Wennberg - if he was 1 year 4mil maybe but he's 3x4.9mil per, soft as a stuffed animal and can't even put up points. He would be nothing but an anchor who takes up cap space and a roster spot. Bjugstad - Love his size, everything else points to a guy who will never be anything special. In a combined 45 games with Pittsburgh he had 10 goals and 6 assists total. His peak was 49pts and at 28 years of age I just don't expect him to ever top that. The 2C is vital, we cannot fool around at the edges and hope to be a playoff team next year. My base 2C canditate would be a guy like Chris Tierney who brings solid overall play. A Statsny or Bozak could be used if we are left desperate however. Whomever we bring in for 2C cannot, and I repeat, cannot be a reclamation project or "hopeful with new situation" type of player. They either need to be a cagey vet who is a certainly or a younger player who at minimum is a good 3C but has potential to do more with better linemates.

Wouldn’t do it, any other team sure; but the last thing I want is Risto in the division to become a threat.

With Chayka leaving Arizona, anyone there you think might get shook loose by the new regime?

Supposedly the Blue Jays are in discussions with the Sabres about using their equipment and such at the arena.

Well that sucks, literally just resubbed for $60 last week......

That it is good sir

Good PKer, other than that he won a Cup

No thank you, and use the trade rumors or offseason plan thread next time.

We must have a 2C or else that won't even matter.

I will only say that if Weir and the other 3 people in the 2018 Olympics said things of similar nature; they should be fired as well.

Well he'd be better than overpaying for a Strome brother or not bringing in anyone.

Would you do Couture(1.5mil retained) for Okposo, Johansson and #8? I'd certainly give it thought.

https://www.capfriendly.com/forums/thread/342701?post_id=1563830 Here's my most recent idea ?

Yes, from a skill point he would be; but I want to build a team that is successful. ROR could generate on his own and that is what we need at 2C, and Monahan really isn't that. Every line needs a shooter, a creator/playmaker, and some kind of grimy/grindy player willing to go into the corner. One player can be many of those things but one line needs some amount of each on a consistent basis. Eichel brings a lot of this by himself Who else can we even fathom that about: Reinhart can be all three but does so rarely Skinner is a shooter with tenacity Olofsson is a shooter with some playmaking skills Johansson is a playmaker sometimes. Monahan is a shooter and an occasional creator. (He's just a better Olofsson stylistically)

He's really not worth what his contract will likely become. He's Reinhart-lite who plays center and has all the same hangups about his skating. Even more damning though is his lack of production apart from Debrincat.

I disagree wholeheartedly, to me Joki is borderline untouchable. He's literally our only young RHD who has a lick of defensive ability. I'd certainly trade 8 and a prospect outside of Cozens to acquire a 2C but I'm not robbing Peter to pay Paul. RNH really isn't a great choice due to his contract ending at the end of 20-21. He's a good player but I'm not buying what could be a rental. He's also more of a 60 pt player based on his career statistics. Monahan isn't what we need for a 2C. He doesn't create much offense on his own but rather is a triggerman. If he were with Olofsson or Skinner I doubt much would get accomplished as you would have two shooters without a catalyst. Johnny Hockey is what makes Monahan a 1C/2C. Just watch all his goals from the past few years and watch how many are him actually bringing the puck in or running the play before scoring versus where Gudreau dances around before shuttling pass to Monahan who shovels it or guns it home. To be honest I would rather go after a slightly cheaper option in Henrique than either since he''s under contract and can personally score a goal without needing everyone to facilitate him.

I don't see the players as having any advantage money wise; there is less money/cap space to fight for; except for a handful of teams. Any leverage they have with term, many players will have problems negotiating salaries. Some may not "want" to sign first but playing safe 6 mil over 5 years is smarter than fighting for 6.6mil over 5 years and watching the cap space shrink to other contracts

Why would we waste our cap space on Eriksson just to acquire Boeser for Reinhart of all players? Reinhart is in some ways a better player than Boeser and trading 1 for the other doesn't make our team any better. The grass isn't always greener on the other side.

Here's my hypothetical.... what does the NHL do if Montreal ends up having 9+ players catch it?