dudacek

This was an interesting piece on the hows and whys of Seattle taking UFAs. https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/2021/07/12/seattle-expansion-draft-rules-UFAs-tlh If the Sabres don’t make a move, they should certainly protect Ullmark, but the benefits to Buffalo are pretty slender.

OK top 8-20 range, not elite, but in the 2nd tier of guys you definitely aren’t looking to replace. And signed to a 4- or 5-year deal.

Here are five takes I have that I’m sure many of you will disagree with: Linus Ullmark is a legitimate top 20 NHL starter Rasmus Ristolainen is a better asset than Will Borgen and the Seattle Kraken agree with me. Tage Thompson will score 20 goals one year in the NHL. Max Comtois would be a better return piece in an Eichel trade than Alex Tuch or Alex Turcotte. Owen Power will not be the Sabres pick at 1st overall. Things are about to get interesting. Go on record with some of yours.

What fool would turn down trading Risto for Taylor Hall or Nikolai Ehlers? Or make those offers? What fool would skate Ristolainen 20-plus minutes a game? It’s pretty clear that the disdain analytics people have for Risto is not universally held by NHL hockey executives. I have no idea what Risto would garner in a trade - the question fascinates me - but I believe he is worth more than than the waiver claim many would seem to think is more than his ceiling. We may see the answer soon.

I cannot get on board with the idea that Chris Dreidger and his 41-game NHL resume is somehow more attractive than Linus. They are the same age.

I just went with the fact 21 of the 31 picks in the 2nd round of Borgen’s draft year have played more than 8 NHL games. 89 picks in that draft have played more NHL games. I think you should too. Before the ED if you can get full value, after if it increases the return. Picture this scenario: Pittsburgh says they will trade you a 1st rounder for Risto, but only after the expansion draft because they want to use their protection slots. You can: A) protect Risto, expose Borgen, trade Risto for a first rounder. B) protect Borgen, expose Risto. Under this scenario, your choice is Borgen or a first rounder. I decide whether or not to protect Risto based on his potential trade return versus my opinion of Borgen as an unproven minor leaguer with #5D upside.

Risto is value in 365 days is irrelevant. That chip will be cashed long before then. Odds of that 2nd round pick having 8 NHL games under his belt by the time he’s 24? Gotta be at least 50%, no? *** These conversations are pointless because the underlying theme is the pro-Borgen camp sees him as McCabe and Risto as Meszaros, whereas the pro-Risto camp sees Borgen as Mike Weber and Risto as Tyler Myers.

Pretty sure one of the CBus goalies (Elvis?) is exempt.

And the reverse is true; it’s not just a 3rd rounder, it’s a 3rd rounder AND Risto. The Sabres are losing a player, they can’t avoid it. i doubt any GM in the league would cough up a 2nd for Borgen. I would not be surprised if a few would for Risto. Therefore, I believe Risto has more value around the league and would protect him. If you’d reject a 2nd for Borgen, then by all means protect him instead.

Signing and protecting Ullmark would be the team’s 2nd best move, IMO. There have not been any whispers of talks, but that seems normal for the Adams Sabres. The fact he wasn’t moved at the deadline indicated some willingness on both sides to make deal and there has been plenty of time to hammer something out. Best move would be handshake deal with Ullmark, adding someone like Vanicek for a 3rd now to back him up, protecting him, and signing Linus immediately after the expansion draft.

If Risto’s value around the league is a 3rd rounder or lower this makes sense. If it is higher, it does not. Just because he’s of no value to you, doesn’t necessarily mean he’s of no value.

I think this has been completely forgotten in all the other hype surrounding the Sabres. Buffalo will be exposing Dustin Tokarski in the expansion draft. UPL is exempt. Linus is an unrestricted free agent. As it appears right now, the Sabres have an open goalie spot on their expansion draft protection list and are the logical destination for any team not wanting to lose a goalie for free. Not taking advantage of this opportunity would seem stupid GMing. Do you expect Adams to make a deal, and for who?

The thought of a world where Will Borgen is one of our 3 most important defenceman is something I’d rather not have to think about.

While I’m grateful to Jeff, I can’t see any universe where @nfreeman’s statement is not true.

I think there is a big difference between disgruntled co-worker and a disgruntled captain of a team loaded with impressionable youngsters. And while I agree Jack would still compete hard on and off the ice, his personality does not strike me as being made for quiet professionalism. I think his dissatisfaction would be manifested regularly in multiple ways. It’s not an either-or situation.

People have been saying that for years too. I disagree, but I also think it’s one of the more fascinating stories out there that might finally be answered: what is Risto actually worth on an NHL open market?

Sure it does. Don’t think of it as protecting Risto, think of it as protecting the trade return. Acquiring Risto now is harder for teams because for most it creates protection problems. Demand increases after the ED. Only a handful of teams (New Jersey is one) can afford to add a defenceman right now.

Instagram won’t let me share their DMs.

Does this signal how Jeff is another veteran who wouldn’t mind moving on? 😘

If the Sabres had a deal in place why would the Skinner move be necessary?

Fans of Rasmus Asplund and Anders Bjork rejoice!

I wonder how much Jack’s dissatisfaction is hampering efforts to re-sign Sam. Sam’s role on the team and the relationship with his coach finishing last year and heading into next is pretty much optimal for him personally, and the Sabres can offer him a better contract than most teams. Having his buddy constantly nattering about how he can’t wait to move out of loserville can’t be helping his thought process. Deferring to Jack has defined Sam’s Sabres career. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised if it defines the way it ends.

Why are we taking a parody Twitter account seriously?

Is it strictly the injuries? Because over the past two years he has been clearly above average good in the games he’s played.