LGR4GM

This assumes they will make playoffs and be competitive based on these moves. We'll see.

My guess, he plays the right side which isn't a top 6 need. His possession metrics are questionable. He isn't particularly hard on the forecheck, and without knowing, probably isn't part of that Fast/Physical/Ferocity package that all the rest of their recent signings hint at. I think they probably like Greenway at 3 RW over a guy like Sprong.

I think Washington has had a good offseason, but I don't see or understand why Buffalo should look at it for anything. Washington made moves they had to, you could argue Adams had to make moves last year and refused. I would agree there, that he is far too slow on the uptake. That all said, Washington sucked last year, they just were able to get loser points. Recognizing they wanted to get better and making trades to do so is almost exactly what Adams did this offseason as well. PLD is the only significant move that Adams could have paralleled, and I think everyone wants him to add a top 6 forward.

While I agree that Adams is too static, I don't understand the reference to Washington. Buffalo didn't need a Logan Thompson, or either of the defenders listed, I suppose Roy would be nice but he wasn't signing in Buffalo and I don't want a soon to be 30yr old defender for 6 years. The team is 14mil over the cap and even with LTRI of Backstrom, they have a bit of work to do. I wouldn't trade a pack of peanuts for constantly disgruntled PLD. A guy who is on his 4th team after forcing his way off 3 others. Chychrum they will need to re-sign but Buffalo has Byram now so that is moot. I guess I just don't see anything that Washington did that is super amazing and masterful. They traded for a guy I don't want anywhere near my team in PLD. Roy they most likely overpaid by a couple of years but still that is nice. Chyrchum, we don't need because we already traded for Byrum. Logan Thompson we don't need because we already have UPL and added Reimer. I guess Mangipane is their best move and I do wish Buffalo was in on that. Meanwhile Adams analyzed his roster and decided the entire bottom half of it needed to be changed and then went and added Malestyn, Rafferty, Kubel, McLeod, and Zucker. The only thing that Adams has yet to do is add a true top 6 option. Personally, I think Buffalo's offseason and Washington's are comparable but I like ours slightly more because we traded less and aren't stuck with someone like PLD for another 7 years.

Well he would not be on Jukerit but would be on Tappara this year anyways. Tappara, I think, were league champions last year so they are fairly good. Could do that, I am not opposed to it at all. I want Helenius in Rochester so I can watch him more and because I want him adapting to NA ice ASAP.

Oh god and then there is Östlund who is a center. Man, is this team prospect rich at forward.

If you have enough beer

Pizza is good with beer.

Question is does Tappara want him or will they loan him to Rochester? I'd like him in NA sooner rather than later but if Wahlberg and Kulich are going to be Rochester's top 2 centers, and Tappara is going to let him be a top 2 center in Liiga, then Finland could be the best place. The good news is we are talking about him playing in a men's league regardless (would be his 3rd year in Liiga).

Defense wins championships

There's more to life than fancy stats for sure. I am just pointing out that for the last 13 years, most of the analytics community has dumped on the Sabres and the moves they made. This summer, not so much. Idk if McLeod can have the same impact that Cirelli has had, I think that is part of the risk. But for the first time in forever, I don't look at microstats and see red with some more red on top of red when we add these types of dudes. Again, analytics are not the end all be all, but they are a good starting point when the eye test has failed this team for over a decade.

I wouldn't guarantee Boston a playoff spot. Their forward core is... boring? Lacking? Beatable? https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/52/boston-bruins

Unsure. Think he's an average 2nd line player to this point.

Farabee is from Cicero NY too. He's the right age for this team. He's got 4 years left at 5 million. If he's actually a 25g 50pt player, he's worth it. Be curious why Torts doesn't like him

One thing I'd toss out, Zegras was 2nd (61pts) and 1st (65pts) in points for the Ducks the 2 years before his injury shortened season. He's never played on team with shooters like Peterka, Quinn, Thompson, Tuch. The best players he's had are Troy Terry and Frank Vetrano but Zegras was injured during Veteanos breakout year. What I'm saying is Zegras wouldn't be the be all end all he was for those 2 years in Anaheim. That said if Anaheim keeps him, their young talent around him is greatly improved. Maybe this is our Jack Eichel trade.

Russian factor far less worrisome than the NCAA factor.

I'd want to know how healed Zegras ankle and groin are. I don't think Zegras takes a particularly diligent approach to the offseason so wonder if he's grown up at all. 23 is different than 21 and tbh he sounds like last years adversity taught him a lot. I do like the player and think he'd mesh with this group well. Not crazy about losing Wahlberg. "I (zegras) started feeling some stuff,” he said. “Didn’t really know what it is. Kind of when I got back on the ice. Just skating. Might have ramped it up a little too quick or something. I didn’t take care of it like I should have and maybe been on top of it. Obviously coming back into training camp is a whole different animal. These guys are playing at a different pace than you skate in summer so that probably didn’t help too much." This was in reference to an inflammation in his groin around his joint. He implies it was made worse by his actions and by the contract issue. I'd very much want my medical staff on this if I'm trading for him. He had osteitis pubis. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5432406/2024/04/22/trevor-zegras-ducks-trade-offseason?source=user-shared-article

I'd also add that since the Lucic dirty hit, we've been begging the Sabres to seriously address toughness. Not just add some guy who punches ppl but multiple guys that can also play hockey. To question Adams for doing just that because he also made sure those guys were fast seems off. For the first time in years, Buffalo picked a set of characteristics and went out and got guys that matched that. Speed, hits, defensive micro stats, ability to play anywhere in the bottom 6. Adams pissed me off with his casual trash attitude last season. At least this offseason he's fixed the bottom 6 and given them a clear identity. Only took him 4 years.

Accept all the guys acquired are fast AND have good defensive metrics or ok ones and hit everything that moves. This is an oversimplified view to say this is all he looked at. Analytics played a role and I'm hopeful we finally have a legit 4th line.

Speaking of pizza, y'all ever gone to Jays Artisan Pizza on Delaware in Kenmore? Pretty good, recommend you get there early or do takeout.

Kulich is already blocked. He's not better than Benson, jjp, Quinn or Tuch. He's not getting a center spot with Tage and Cozens around

Had pearl a couple weeks ago. Always solid and I like several of their beers.

What if I told that Zach Benson had almost exactly as many even strength points as Bedard? I think he was like 3 less.

Yes, because Zach Benson is a winger.