dudacek

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.

Really curious about the relative quiet on the Byram front in terms of the team and the return. Everybody expects him gone, none of the Insiders have leaked anything on the where or the for who. Im still expecting a Reinhart-sequel return: 2 pieces roughly worth a late 1st+ an early 2nd in total value: That’s what the Sabres gave up for Montour who had a similar game at a similar career point. Montour also had a lesser pedigree and had achieved less in the NHL; so in theory Byram should return more. But we’ve learned around here to temper our expectations. Who is Mike Bundt and does he have sources beyond regurgitating the rumours we’ve all read around the internet?

I struggle to see a world where the Sabres can add 2 top 6 forwards and not trade multiple pieces this board does not want them to trade. They have neither the roster space, nor the cap space. Also, where do the UPL, Byram, Clifton and Muel upgrades come in?

We’re talking roughly Krebs and a 2nd?

Moot. Sounds like he's headed to Philly.

I think Rossi is a better player. Zegras does have a playmaking element that he doesn't and the Sabres also lack. Might help the PP. He's in the last year of $5.7M deal and will be an RFA at the end.

Friedman: According to multiple sources, the Anaheim Ducks are in “significant discussions” with multiple teams on a Trevor Zegras trade, and the likelihood is growing the talented 24-year-old forward could be traded this week. Do we think he'd come cheaper than Rossi? Do we like him any better? Sabres have been interested in the past

Some trade scenarios from the Athletic (pieces as part of packages): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6444484/2025/06/23/sabres-jj-peterka-trade-destinations-nhl-teams/ The Leafs: Carlo Mammoth: Kesselring Rangers Miller, Cuylle or Schneider Canucks: Garland Lightning: Cernak Flames: Andersson or Coleman Islanders: Romanov, Dobsom or Pageau Penguins: Rust Jackets: Sillinger Blues: Neighbours, Kyrou or Parayko Devils: Mercer or Nemec Senators: Pinto or Zub Article seems to be purely speculative, matching interested teams with potential targeted returns

I think people need to realize how ordinary a $7M NHL salary will be 3 years after the death of the flat cap world. There's a rude awakening coming. I think a better question is do you want to keep Tuch for $50-$60M or trade him for a lesser player and a couple picks/prospects? That's reality.

I would also think the Stars adding salary is counter to what they are looking for. Ideally they would want to save a million or 2 on JE for JJ and get a useful ELC player or two as a sweetener

Over what? Personally I would not consider trading that package for Robertson. The upgrade in one of our deepest positions is not worth the gaping long-term hole on D.

I like the Reinhart and Benson comparisons because the best skill of each is reading the game, and the biggest concerns are shot and strength. Sam's 20-year-old season he put up 42 points. I think Zach is certainly capable of the same in his 20-year-old season next year. Kinda like Sam, Brad Marchand was 23 when he broke out with 55 points and 28 when turned into a point-a-game guy. We might be waiting longer for Benson than we might like.

I think the deal with this draft is there’s one stud in Schaefer, one top 5 guy in Misa, about 10-15 similar guys that would typically go in the 5-15 range. No worries about quality in the area the Sabres are picking.

I think it’s 14 players signed, essentially Marchments contract under the cap. Good GM’s find a way but there’s also Robertson raise to consider

Byram and Power have played exactly the same amount of NHL games. Not many NHL defencemen have hit their peak before they turn 24 and play 250 games.

So Jason Botterill’s first move as a GM is sending mid-round picks for a middle-six winger from a cash-strapped team? Shocked, yes, shocked I am.

I was just in Cranbrook last week. Definitely has more of a Calgary vibe than a Vancouver vibe, and his profile is a natural for the Flames, on and off the ice. Seen a lot of Andersson/Byram speculation, but only from guys like us, not the insiders.

According to this site, the Sabres were tied for 6th in the NHL this year for fighting majors. https://www.thesportsgeek.com/blog/nhl-teams-best-fighters/ Mildly surprising, but as I implied above, not really. Only 1 player out of about of 700-800 fought 10 times last year They are saying the opposite, but maybe what people are worried about more is the result of those fights?

Fighting ain’t what it was and it’s not embedded in player DNA like it used to be. Pretty much doesn’t happen prior to pro for any of these guys other than the CHL prospects. Ill look it up, but I would not be surprised to find the over/under on career fights for NHlers is pretty small. Not an excuse for the Sabres - I agree with your basic point - just an observation that they aren’t the anomaly your post suggests.