dudacek

Byram to the Flames for Blake Coleman and a 2nd. That second flipped to the Hawks for Conner Murphy. UPL and Östlund to the Canucks for Demko and Forbert, Demko quickly extended. Done, easy-peasy?

Started this thread because there are signs. Agree it's a very tough call.

Not saying Sabres fans shouldn’t express how they feel; not saying that at all. But in a broader more meta sense, I don’t buy the idea that torches and pitchforks are necessary as a catalyst for change, or even the best tool as a catalyst for change. Often they result in the person on the other end hunkering down behind walls, leaning into the people and conclusions that “feel right” to them and dismissing potentially useful input because of the source.

The Kypreos Sabre “insight” offers nothing but his personal speculation about what he’s seen reported elsewhere.

I don’t think they are laughing at us or trolling us, but I do think they despise “us” (meaning the hardcore Sabre fan who “refuses to be patient” and “doesn’t understand how hard this is”.) Its pretty standard human behaviour for those who feel under siege.

Yep.

If his job is primarily to watch hockey players and talk to hockey people from around the world, I can't see how it matters at all where his base is. But I believe the correct answer is 'because the Sabres suck and all moves need to be judged through that lens.'

Given the Skinner dancing last summer, I'm tempted to take him at his word. Given the likelihood Adams is actively trying to trade Mule right now, not going to take him at his word.

'Very tough team to deal with' is so open to interpretation. 'I can't believe anyone would think Peterka is worth that much' or 'It's frustrating because they won't give me Peterka for spare parts'

I know, I was listing the ones I knew about and wondering what the other 20 odd teams had done.

Nah, Zito’s smart enough to maximize the asset.

Trading Peterka for 3 and 3 for Dobson makes some sense to me. The Isles would get Hagens and Schaefer, which would be a home run for the fan base. Not sure what you mean by “only 2 teams”. Philly, Dallas, Anaheim, Rangers, Winnipeg, Seattle…what have I missed?

I think other GMs might have hung on to Zegras a little more tightly. I can’t think of another GM more likely to be annoyed by him than Verbeek.

Yep, always best to see how the whole think plays out. Two players the Sabres could use have moved for prices the Sabres could afford: If when the dust settles we’ve improved more than Marchment and Zegras for Krebs, good.

Russians love the Rangers. Makes Schnieder and Miller more likely to be traded.

Athletic anonymously polled 50 top prospects. Among their questions: Which NHL team would you least like to draft you? One said Buffalo. Seven said Winnipeg (hi @Thorny) 2 each Montreal and Toronto. 31 said they'd be happy with whoever picked them. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6390727/2025/06/23/2025-nhl-draft-prospects-player-poll-ncaa/

Not sure what you mean by “bust”. Dude has played nearly 700 NHL games, averaging a minimum of 22 minutes a game every year. Or did you mean he will be a bust as a signing? He’s only 28, not too risky in terms of depreciation.

Not debating your point, just adding context: There are 192 top 6 forward slots in the NHL. 45 points was good for 137th in forward scoring last year.

Little surprised I haven’t seen this name attached anywhere to the Sabres, given their need for defencemen and the fact he was one of Jarmo’s last big acquisitions in Columbus. 28, 6’1” 213 - he’s a left-handed shot who usually plays RD. Unremarkable analytics but he’s always been a horse when it comes to eating minutes and in tough deployments. One of the bigger UFAs on the market projected to get around $7.5M from what I’ve seen. Not sure if he’s what we want with Power, but he’s a legit 2nd-pairing player. Basically, he’d get Mule’s role and Byram’s money. Should we be interested? Do we have a chance if we are?

You don’t think he can contribute 45 points in a consistent top 6 role? I’m pretty comfortable with that considering he put up 30 as a teen in a lesser role. Also, the only way Peca was on the Sabres 3rd line was if you defined 3rd line as “matchup line”. He led all forwards in ice time during the run to the finals with 21:44 a night.

Not sure I trust Seravalli, especially when it comes to JJ Peterka, but he reported this morning that he believes one of the teams with significant interest in Peterka is Chicago, but their overture has stalled. “They have let Buffalo know they’ve been willing to talk about #3 and it hasn’t really gone anywhere.” He says the Sabres have told teams they need roster players back; they are looking for current help.

I think it's roughly fair value. Sabres may have to make a small add. I think Dobson is more-polished, less-toolsy right-handed Power I'd probably do it, even though I doubt he's Power's partner, or much of an upgrade on Byram as Dahlin's partner. Them (effectively) leverage Byram and futures for a tough 2C and Power's partner.

They aren’t the same player, but I have a real fear that Rossi kinda slots the same way Casey Mittelstadt does: he’ll get you 50 or 60 points as your 2C and get overwhelmed in that role in the playoffs. He really slots best as a sheltered middle-sixer on a team with two matchup horses (Point/Cirelli, Barkov/Bennet), as opposed to getting leaned on in a centre spine with Norris and McLeod. I’d be happy to add him, but happier spending the price on someone else.

I have trouble reconciling a team built around the likes of Michkov and Zegras in Philadelphia. Interested in how they complement that.

Maybe the Zegras trade puts to rest the idea that teams aren’t selling right now, but conventional reportage right now is that there’s not a lot of teams angling to be the seller in a Reinhart-type trade. Maybe there are teams looking to dump a Zegras in order to chase a Marner? I just think it’s unrealistic to see the Sabres as having the “winning bid” in 4 or 5 separate transactions. Especially if they aren’t including a Tuch or a Peterka or a Kulich in order to get it done.