LGR4GM

I guess we'll see what happens. If Karmanos goes though, we're at DEFCON 1.

He's 6' 186lbs. I wouldn't call him small. No, I think he'll go top 10 as several scouts noted they came away more impressed with Zeev than Levshunov. That said, nhl scouts are notorious for having set definitions based on player size. So could be fall to 11, yes. Should he, no. He might be the best defender in the class and he's only going to get better with age. If I were Buffalo and he's there, draft him. Worry about who of Byram and Power your trading next year.

What a ***** joke. I hope Terry sells the team.

Sennecke is going top 7 most likely IMPO. Will be interesting to see what happens with Connolly. Iginla and Lindstrom also well represented here.

One last thing, we might need 9million to get Benson under contract in another 2 years. Zach Benson is going to be an absolute stud and if he adds 20% more speed, one of the best to ever play in the blue n gold. Also very true. We could always bridge them past skinner if needed or closer to the end of Tage or Cozens deal if they need trading etc...

I want to say this is not a post disagreeing per say with the gist of what you have here. We need to add talent and figure out next year next year. As you note we shouldn't do it recklessly. I just wanted to note JJP is going to earn a bigger contract unless he falls completely flat on his face which seems unlikely. He had 50pts last year including 28g on a 12.4sh% which is very sustainable. His possession metrics show he generated more than what was generated against him. Still none of the numbers seem like massive outliers but instead a steady progression from his first season to the second. This isn't Dakota Joshua outshooting his career sh% by 10 or Reinhart doing the same by 9%. I think we realistically need to think about JJP in the 6-7 range. Now some think that Jack Quinn is harder to predict but I disagree. Quinn's injuries seem to be the concering factor and that is something to account for, it may just help us out. If they are the flukes they seem (the achilles one is crazy unlucky) than that is a guy who coming back from injury managed to increase his gpg from 0.19 to 0.33 and his apg from 0.31 to 0.37 and keep in mind Cozens was snake bitten while shooting last year. That's 27g and 30a or 57pts over an 82 game season. Once again we have a player that realistically is in that 6-7mil range. I don't think we are waiting on anything to occur is my point. Both players are at the 2nd line range of player already and for a 23yr old 25g scorer with solid metrics all around on the open market (yes they can't become UFAs) you are talking 6-7mil this summer. I want to add to the team for sure but I would be focusing on either adding a center like Ek or finding a big winger (not Tkachuk, I don't think its possible) that changes the mix. Lindholm as an example, is neither of those things and was bad last year for a guy asking for something like 8milx7yrs. The key is finding a player that fits the now and is good while also not totally ruining things going forward because the goal is not making the playoffs, it is winning the cup. JJP, Quinn, and Benson are the types of players you win cups with and I would hate to see them pushed out just as they enter their prime because we signed a 30yr UFA to a 6year deal where he is overpaid but several million.

Sam Reinhart to Evan Rodriguez right now:

He's not my cup of tea and I'd pass on him at 11 because I don't believe his offense is going to be first pairing level. I think he'll go in the 5-7 range at worse though.

That's an accurate description. It's long, the pacing is painfully slow in parts, but it truly is a sweeping spectacle. This is more fun.

All those players are 3-5yrs away.

k

and blocked.

Why the ***** do you care how myself or others interact or enjoy the sport? If you don't like it than don't do it. You have absolutely no right, authority, or any other power to waltz in here and berate people about wanting to know what players make. Your argument here in this post is lazy, useless, and the worst strawman this board may have ever produced. For some knowing, what players make and how the leagues salary works is enjoyable, if you don't, that's fine. No one is telling you that you need to know or go to those places. I thought you were making a joke when I said the Gary comment because you sounded exactly like Bettman. Clearly you were not. If don't like knowing or discussing the salary cap, than don't.

Reinhart shot 8.9% above his career average this season. That's almost 4 full standard deviations off the average so Sam is going to regress in terms of sh%. In a normal year, Reinhart gets 36g not 57. Pay accordingly.

Dude shot double his career sh% average. He's a 10g, 10-15a type of player. Pay accordingly.

Short list of non first rounders I have interest in, no particular order: Maxim Masse: RW, 6'2.25", 190lbs Eriks Mateiko: LW, 6'5", 216lbs Colton Roberts: RHD, 6'3.75", 204lbs Dean Letourneau: C, 6'6.5", 214lbs (he may go at the end of the first round) Dominik Badinka: RHD, 6'2.75", 185lbs Lukas Fischer: LHD, 6'3", 182lbs Adam Jecho: C/RW, 6'5", 201lbs Sebastian Soini: RHD, 6'2.5", 187lbs Julius Miettinen: C/LW, 6'3", 201lbs Kasper Pikkarainen: RW, 6'3", 197lbs Adam Kleber: RHD, 6'5.5", 215lbs Blake Montgomery: LW, 6'4", 181lbs Edit: These aren't guys I am saying we have to draft or will be good. Just players I want to look at more in depth.

The Sabres met with Konsta Helenius and that is an intriguing pick at 11 because he is one of the few players that projects out to center in the NHL and also has some of the checking detail and motor Buffalo is desperate for. I would also note that Helenius shoots right which in the NHL is harder to find. I think Catton has more talent but I think Helenius might end up the more well rounded pro. I am sure there would be cries from the fanbase though both for keeping 11 and for taking a 5'11" forward even if he is 189lbs already. https://thehockeywriters.com/2024-nhl-combine-heights-and-weights/ Posted this earlier but here it is again.

I think Tuch should be a 2nd line RW in the NHL and he is paid as one so I am in no hurry to trade him. JJP - Tage - Tuch can easily be considered or deployed as a 2nd line instead of first line where you put out Benson - Cozens - Quinn as your top line, you can also switch Tage and Cozens because Benson is going to be able to get the puck to Tage in shooting position.

The list of players I would trade Quinn or Benson for is short, really short. Comparing either to Kulich, Rosen, Wahlberg, Östlund or Neuchev is like comparing a Jeep Grand Cherokee with all the bells and whistles, to a Ford Focus rental from budget, and arguing they the same because they are both cars. Quinn and Benson literally drive whatever line you put them on all while being exceptionally good in the neutral and defensive zones. Quinn and Benson as early as this season might show they are our two best 200ft forwards. Note: I do see you said "the deal would have to be really good" but what I am saying is the deal would have to be great. I am talking Benson and 11 for Nathan MacKinnon. Something absurd because that is how much I would rather keep Benson and Quinn on my team. I am more apt to trade any of the other players in the forward ranks before them including Tuch, Tage, or Cozens. Quinn probably carries the most risk because of injury but I think Zach Benson is on track to be a truly special NHL player.