dudacek

Oh thank god. (Seriously, Davies did well in his role.)

Chicago is like Buffalo last year: needing to add some big short-term deals in order to get to the cap floor. Even after nabbing Hall, they still have $31 million cap space with only 6 spots to fill. Hall’s deal expires next year. Plus he helps them; probably their 2nd best forward after Bedard. Their roster is putrid. And maybe this too.

If the Bruins use Hall’s money to sign Bertuzzi, who are they trading to re-sign or replace Bergeron, Krecji, Orlov, Hathaway, Nosek, Orlov and Clifton? They now have $10 million under the cap to fill nine roster holes, including resigning RFAs Swayman and Frederic. Bertuzzi would probably eat up 6 or 7 on his own.

And, unfortunately, not really.

This makes sense. Hopefully it’s a price that hurts the Bruins.

And no one who watches should think Skinner or JJP are weak. They’re both 190-pounders with thick lower bodies. I really think it’s coming from people lusting for a face-puncher while forgetting Mitts and Tage aren’t skinny 20-year-olds any more. With Vic and Vinnie likely moving on, the only Sabre forwards I see getting overpowered are Quinn and Krebs. Each has a frame to get stronger and the competitive spirit to battle through. Each is better in traffic than they were a year ago.

People tend to ignore the fact the Sabres core players - Thompson Power Tuch Dahlin Mule Cozens - are a full degree bigger than the vast majority of other team’s best players. They also tend to complain about size while saying the Sabres should move on from 6’2” 215 Girgensons and 6’0” 220 Okposo. Its kinda weird.

I agree he’s getting traded but until he is, he belongs on that list, particularly when his presence - directly or indirectly - as an asset that can be used to improve the defence. I think his presence actually strengthens your argument.

I get the contract aspect when it comes to Krebs, but he’s two years into a 12-year career. He’s moving up the roster, not out. The only way his contract next summer becomes an issue is if he has the type of season those OK with trading him think he won’t have.

I don’t think it’s the only way, but it’s the most likely way and a price we can afford to pay given our depth in that area. I hope Olofsson can get it done. Not sure it’s likely.

Pretty much everyone acknowledges that trades are needed. Very few seem to want to make them yet.

Like @PASabreFan I’ve been watching us overrate our prospects for years. Unlike him, I do let myself get hyped and enjoy reading about peoples projections. They’re not all going to be Dylan Cozens or Rasmus Dahlin. I’m trying to spark some conversation around that. I’m not saying Savoie will be Ennis, but I am saying a small, exciting offensively skilled player is more likely to be Ennis than, say, Mitch Marner, who might be his best case scenario. At 19, Savoie probably has 25 pounds on Ennis, so he does have that going for him.

Archie got it. Cozens might still get better, but he’s emerged in a way these others have not. The polls are mostly inspired by posts about “I’d trade…” and “we’re not trading…” and reflect my perceptions of what I’m reading.

Those weren’t ceilings, just what I’m kinda expecting. Some of them are going to be better, some worse. To your point: also Dahlin, Tuch, Power, Thompson and Levi.

And for the 2nd tier: Krebs: Andre Savard Neuchev: Luke Adam Östlund: Curtis Brown Poltopov: Vaclav Varada Rosen: Jason Dawe Rousek: Jiri Novotny Big asterisk next to Neuchev - that’s purely based on his profile. Also, Östlund will produce more points than Brown and definitely be a centre, it’s more about the reliability, smarts and hustle there.

Most likely outcomes: Kulich = Kotalik Peterka = Max Quinn = Vanek Savoie = Ennis I will say I see the same it factor others do in Peterka and I would not be surprised if ends up the best of them all.

Talk in another thread got me wondering: With all the exciting young forwards on the Sabres, which ones are we most excited about? Who is your favourite? The most overrated? The most overlooked?

Is a good 2nd line player on a productive 2nd line more important to this team than a legitimate shutdown defenceman? Especially on a team that has Mittelstadt, Quinn, Peterka, Olofsson, Kulich, Savoie and Rosen?

I think you guys are just trying to pull @PASabreFan away from his tomatoes.

I think this sells Pesce short. In terms of ice time, Pesce was actually #2 on the Canes and they are right there with Vegas in terms of having the best D corps in the league. All of their top 4 play a lot and fairly equally. Power is more talented and certainly will be better down the road, but I doubt he was more effective than Pesce last year. And Pesce is what we think Mule will become. Plus the fit - defence-first RHD who can match up against top forwards - is ideal. None of them are sure things for me as first-liners and Quinn is the only one I feel very strongly about hitting that level. I do agree JJ has an “it” factor and very well could.

In order of what I think is most people’s preference: Legitimate top 4 defenceman. Goalie capable of carrying the load if Levi is not ready Veteran savvy, more grit throughout the lineup Faceoffs

Refresh my memory on how you’re getting Hanifin? Was it pick 13? This definitely makes the team better at no cost to the current roster. What contract would it take to convince the other two to sign in Buffalo?

And before we go too far down the rabbit hole, regardless of what my earlier post implies, I’m not an advocate of trading JJ. I’m more inclined to be a Wookie and keep all my good players when I add other team’s good players. Im more trying to have a conversation, in the spirit of the thread, on what people might might think is necessary, tolerable, or possible in order to make the kinds of improvements the team needs. I added top 4 shutdown defender who can kill penalties, a veteran leader who can win faceoffs, a middle-six winger with size and snarl, and a proven starter capable of giving a buffer to Levi - largely by using our areas of depth and strength. “But Gibson sucks” or “JJ is untouchable” are fair replies. I’d like to see other people’s options.

If he is Pominville, then isn’t a trade for Pesce kinda fair value? Considering we may have a lot of Pominvilles and we don’t have any Pesces?

I don’t think Adams would either, I was wondering if you would trade any of the Sabres youth for Pesce. To me, Pesce is a known factor; his value is established. I’d trade a Max-level player for him any day. I’d bet good money that not all of JJ Quinn Savoie and Kulich will reach Max’s level, let alone Vanek’s. It sounds like (from that group) JJ is the one you’re betting on to hit big, and that’s fine, he could be that guy. But it’s only logical that they aren’t all going to be that guy. You pick the Paul Cyr and trade him for Pesce, you’re going to win that trade big time. Is there any one of those guys you trade for Pesce, assuming a contract can be reached?