Crusader1969

I definitely would only trade Risto for a legit top 6 forward. Im not in the "just get rid of him" camp at all.

how else? I don't see any other avenue than trading Risto.

are you looking at a UFA?

Schuldt was to be the big name this year. Must not have had a good season. Doesn't look like much help coming from either the European leagues or the NCAA this year.

Kielly was at the Sabres Prospect Camp last year: Jake Kielly, G, Clarkson The 6-foot-2, 201-pound junior leads the NCAA with 22 wins in 34 games (22-10-2) and has a 1.92 goals-against average, five shutouts and .928 save percentage. He earned ECAC Hockey goaltender of the week honors three times this season. The 22-year-old is a candidate for the Hobey Baker Award and is on the watchlist for the Mike Richter Award, given to the top NCAA goalie.

Speaking of Asplund. 4 multi point games in his last 8 games. 10 points over that same time frame edit. - he just scored a goal. 11 points in last 8

By dropping to 7th last they will have a legit shot at the top 3 picks. Kakko is killing it in a pro league. He could make an EP type transition to the NHL hasek was way above better than avg. not sure who the player for Risto is. JT Miller’s name have been thrown around a lot and yes LSD is still illigal but pot isn’t

I anticipate them signing Duchene as the 2C. From Friedman’s 31 thoughts, sounded like they were interested in acquiring him at the deadline I’m also expecting them to get the #2 pick in the draft. They would land their first line RW in Kakko trade Risto for a second line LW. Skinner. Eichel. Kakko ??? Duchene. Reinhart Sheary. Mittlestadt. Olofsson/Nylander Girgensons Sobatka Okposo DAHLIN Bogo McCabe Montour Pulit Nelson / Borgen Definitely a playoff team with better than avg goaltending

100% agree. With all the heat directed at Risto/ Scandella and secondary scoring, the biggest issue may have been missed.

In new partner, do you mean Borgen?

Time to move on to 19/20. JB should start now - no more Pominville, Scandella and whoever else won’t be around next year. Lets bring up Olofsson, Smith, Borgen, Nylander and Smith for a few games at a time for each of them. When they do come up, let them play significant minutes. If Phil keeps on playing the vets - pull the plug now.

Im a big fan of Risto when he plays with aggression but that's not nearly often enough. Hopefully they can get a big time forward in return.

how many minutes does Dahlin get per game next year? in his last 23GP he is avg 22 mins. Would it be fair to say that he could get up to 25 mins per night next year. Oh, he also has 17 points in those 23GP. As they say - his is only 18 years old. When he is 23 - are we looking at a 100 point Defenceman? IMO the D should be Dahlin - Bogo McCabe - Montour Pilut - Borgen UFA Vet - Nelson

yes

i agree but 2014 is filled with a bunch of nothing, terrible draft overall.

If they can’t sign a high profile UFA then I think you are right that they will go out and make a trade and take on a bad contract to get a good young player / prospect as part of the package.

If you don’t get lucky in lottery , I don’t think there will be much difference between 4th and 12th Top 2 is what you really want this year

So we go into next season with the same forward group? I also started by saying "if" he is ready. The kid is 23 next season, played 3 seasons in the NCAA and 1 in AHL. Why is it impossible that he is NHL ready next season? no reason he couldn't complete for a roster spot next year.

whats the Projected Line up to start 2019/20? Skinner Eichel ???? Erod ??? Reinhart Sheary Mittlestadt Thompson Girgensons Larsson Okposo WHo are the candidates for the ??? Internally I would think its Smith, Olofsson and Nylander as top line wingers but you also have to look at UFA's and Trades. No one in the organization can fill the 2C role - UFA or Trade.

a big piece of the puzzle for me is Borgen. Is he ready to play in the NHL and provide someone like Dahlin a tough stay at home type to play with. If so, this definitely makes Risto available for a trade to bring in help for the forward group. I think they are 2 big pieces away from being a legit playoff team. 1 via trade 1 via free agency

I think they begin with trading Risto. They desperately need a top 6 forward and he is the only one who could fetch that. Im not anti Risto at all but don’t see anyone else worth anything

Lots of dumping on Risto the last couple of weeks. Is he a top pair guy? Probably not but still think he is a decent 2nd pair player. Plus , if he was so bad why would a smart team like Tampa be after him ?

100% on point. He isn't a perfect player at all but as a second pair RHD, dont think they can do much better. The one thing the analytics guys can't measure is "tough to play against". I believe he has more than double the hits than any other Sabres player.

not at all. you can be negative, I can't blame you for that. I just choose not to be

Maybe its wishful thinking but I see Dahlin with 20 goals next year and Mittlestadt with 55points.