dudacek

The window of a Zegras/Comtois/1st type package has passed in my mind. If a GM was willing to pay that kind of price it would have been done. Adams set the bar too high. I think we are into 2 mid-range 1sts/prospects/young player, a cap dump, and a lesser prospect/pick Something like us giving up Rosen, Johnson, Miller and a 2nd Or Schneider, Georgiev, Strome and a 2nd

I think the speed thing is right on. I also think, with the forwards at least, there is an element of hard work and no BS. The management team is definitely trying to set an identity for the club moving forward. But the key element for all of these guys is that they were acquired through the lens of "cheap" and "no long term commitment."

Curious what Russo means when he says the Wild are out. Did the bidding get to a certain level where they could no longer compete? (Good news, it means someone is bidding) Or did they simply get tired of Adams refusing to budge and decided to move ahead on another path? (Something that becomes inevitable the longer Adams waits)

Still a lot of guys out there, surprisingly enough: Centre: Stepan, Krecji, Zajac, Bozak, Brassard, Donato, Cizikas, Anisimov, Helm, Nash Wing: Ritchie, Saad, Palmieri, Perreault, Heinen, Ryan, Kahun, Galchenyuk, Tatar, Ennis, Virtanen, Kase Defence: Murray, Gustafson, Benn, Gudbranson, Smith, Vatanen, Hutton, Merrill There are a few pieces in there that might help, but I don’t see them acquiring anyone that requires them to commit to term, or “blocks” a prospect. I also don’t see the Sabres doing anything prior to the Eichel trade; they have enough bodies and there is a small chance they may acquire someone who will need space. But if there isn’t an NHL centre coming in from that trade, they are going to need one. Either from the list above, or, more likely, another Butcher-style trade.

Interesting but still… We’ve got two minor league goalies, a goalie who should be retired and a kid who looks a long way away from the NHL. Right now, two of them are in the NHL.

Who’s left now? Minnesota still has $20 million but they also have to sign Kaprizov and Fiala. Calgary has $12 million and might be in if the Sabres are willing to take something back. The Habs, Kings and knights are squeezed up against the cap and look done. The Rangers and Ducks are right around $18 million each and don’t have significant RFAs to eat it up. It looks like it’s going to be one or the other I think, and I think the Ducks missed their window. Rangers might be the last team standing and I’m not sure we’re going to like the return.

So, apparently Butcher played for Donnie on the USNDP team. As did Sean Malone. Interesting.

Still any doubters out there? Come on, speak up. Don’t be shy.

The good news is that at least 2/3 of that roster is easily replaceable if something better comes along. Not expecting the Jack trade to bring in much now other than his roster replacement. Maybe they’ve got a few other Butcher-esque moves planned?

For reference, this is the depth chart: Skinner (Eichel) Olofsson Asplund Mitts Thompson Bjork Cozens Ruotsalainen Girgensons Hinostroza Okposo Caggiula Eakin Dahlin Jokiharju Hagg Miller Bryson Butcher Pysyk Anderson Dell

Sign our 4 RFAs (Dahlin, Joki, Mitts and Asplund) and we have a full NHL roster at 14/7/2, including Jack. Not including Jack or the 4, our payroll sits at $41 million. The cap floor is a shade over $60million. What the hell is going on?

What Ullmark said is not irrelevant to the respect I have or do not have for him. That’s what I’m pondering. Adams obviously ***** this up. That’s not even a conversation.

I like to think aI know the league, but every year they seem to sign somebody I never heard of. Another (lesser) college stud who did nothing after signing as a UDFA.

This. If the bolded was true, then he should have told the Sabres that at the trade deadline, never mind this morning. He obviously gave the Sabres the sense the door was still open when he hadn’t signed by the deadline, and he literally did this after all of the Sabres legitimate backup options were gone. Adams wears it regardless, but it’s leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

You’re talking about Adams, obviously, and I agree. My posts about this were focused on Ullmark and whether or not he was being straight with the Sabres.

The integrity of the individual rests on what was said or implied in the negotiation. It’s implied that this is the same offer. How that offer was negotiated is unknown.

I have no idea what was said and not said during conversations with Linus But if he legitimately told them he wanted to be their starter, took their offer to the Bruins and said “match it and you got me” that’s bad faith and a terrible look for him.

I think Tokarski might be better than both these guys.

I was stunned when I saw Carter Hutton signed. I was positive there was no way he would ever play another game in the NHL. And then I saw this.

Another goalie who hasn’t been good in five years. I think he may have been the worst goalie statistically to play multiple NHL games last season. I think we’re in “who can still skate? Sign him!” territory now.

Anderson/Miller tandem would be ***** legendary!

I literally thought Anderson retired. He hasn’t been good in about 5 years, but he played pretty well in 2 playoff games this year. The Sabres apparently aren’t afraid of small sample sizes. (I think Jones signed with…Philly?)

From the Hope-ium Den: Georgiev might be on the market and the Jackets duo might remain an option. Gibson was apparently a target in talks with the Ducks, but I don’t have the foggiest who Anaheim’s fallback could be now. All of those options would cost and all of those teams have us over a barrel. A plan needs to become clear, and fast, or this can’t be regarded as anything other than gross negligence. Who gets to this point of the off-season without a goalie?

Minimize the monetary losses in what was sure to be a painful season at the box office, keep the payroll clear of liabilities such as hard-to-liquidate contracts, and set yourself up with access to a steady supply of cheap talent with outstanding growth potential to make yourself as attractive as possible to a new buyer. It’s so freaking obvious with every step they’ve taken, I can’t believe I’m the only one who sees it.

The plan is pretty clear now. Terry and Kim are fed up with Jack whining about his teammates and complaining that has to pretty much carry the team by himself. Adams has been instructed to keep Jack and show him what carrying a team by yourself really looks like.