Brawndo

I would add Danton Heinen to the mix. He is a defensively responsible forward, analytics darling who put up 33 points last year. He was not qualified by Pittsburgh for cap reasons. Evolving Hockey predicts a 3 year, 2.6 Million AAV

Friedman on 32 Thoughts this AM had these predictions for Goalies around the league. Ottawa and Toronto are very far along in a Murray Trade, He was told this. Campbell ends up in Edmonton. Kuemper goes to Washington

Friedman on 32 Thoughts wondered about Colorado for Kane. They would probably need Chicago to retain 5 million and another team to retain 2.5 Million.

He specifically mentioned the later ones, but also mentioned How in tune Forsberg is with development in Sweden, so I imagine He had a lot of input with Östlund as well

Adams mentioned they deferred to Andres Forsberg, Their Swedish Scout for the Later Picks

No surprises here

Even if they miss out on Bedard and Michkov, Adam Fantilli has a lot of potential. It’s a deep draft next year

Chicago needs to start worrying about the cap floor if they move Kane. Add the possibility of moving Toews as well, it becomes a real concern.

Winnipeg Jets: B+ Even though Brad Lambert predictably fell hard in the draft, he’s still a very good — albeit imperfect — player. Lambert and McGroarty are top forwards whom I can see becoming top-nine forwards in the NHL or better. I think the Jets’ next two picks, Elias Salomonsson and Danny Zhilkin, also have solid chances to play. Tied with 5 other teams

Love the thinking, I just do not see it happening. Dallas has 18 million in cap space with Oettinger and Robertson needing new deals. With the Sabres not having their 2023 Third Round Pick, they are limited to an offer less than 4.2 Million or over 10.5. The former would be matched, the latter will that would be interesting. I would offer Eric Comrie 4 years at 3 Million AAV. Give Him an opportunity to start, especially if they cannot pull any other goalies. At the very least they would have a capable back up for four seasons at a reasonable AAV.

Given the fact that Laaksonen’s Name is rarely mentioned by Adams when He talks about the future, unfortunately, I think He’s already slid down the rankings. I believe that Lance Lysowski mentioned right after He signed His ELC, that the Sabres have until December to make a decision on whether or not He returns to the SHL. I would move Bloom and Nadeau into the should play in the NHL Category, they have skilled 4th Liners written all over them.

It’s only 350k more and if anything makes Him easier to include in a trade as He has cost certainty for two seasons.

The Sabres were willing to take on 15 Million in actual dollars to move from 16 to 7. Per a draft pick value chart from a Seattle Analytics Site, that's a difference of 148 points or the equivalent of a late first round pick. So that probably sets the price to take on salary cap dumps for the team. I think it's a good sign they maybe willing to take actual salary on in a trade for assets.

Ok be honest, Who else had to Google Taylor Lautner

Evolving Wild Contract Projection for Him was Two Years 1.58 Million AAV. Pretty damn close.

I would imagine the thought process is if Levi does become the starter in 3 years, His AAV will be low enough that Gibson Contract as a backup would not be prohibitive or Gibson could be moved.

He has good relationships with Rutherford and Ron Francis from His Playing Days and does seem to be very personable, so this would not be surprising.

I will give you that His Results have been abysmal to date, but I believe there is urgency behind the scenes to improve the goaltending. If there is any truth to the HF Rumors that the Sabres where in pursuit of Gibson and I think there is some smoke there given the fact the Sabres need a goalie and Gibson is Fifth on Frank Seravilli’s Trade Bait Board, to acquire a starting net minder with Five Years of Team Control would require a large asset in return such as a Top Prospect or the Sabres 2023 First Round Pick. Given that the negotiations supposedly got to the point where Gibson was asked to waive His M-NTC, I believe Adams was willing to move the assets necessary to close the deal which in My Opinion demonstrates urgency to improve the teams goaltending.

I’m sure there are people in the league that do not care for Him. Within six hours of being hired, He fired a majority of the Hockey Ops Department and told Chris Taylor and His Staff they will not be returning to the Amerks, despite having agreed to new contracts. That will create animosity amongst hockey circles. The problem with that is their anger is misdirected, that was on the Pegulas. He also had zero experience in a NHL Front Office, so there are probably those who feel “He didn’t put His Time in to get a GM Position” That being said, He has used His Close Relationship with the Pegulas to His Advantage and more importantly to the advantage of the organization. He brought in Karmanos, who through His Years as an AGM would have multiple relationships with other GMs and Agents, hired a Top Flight Analytics Department, and has seemed to have the entire organization pointed in the right direction. Now He just needs successfully land a quality goalie or two.

https://youtu.be/Nko6YXXnlkQ

The Amerks Coaching Staff as well as the Sabres Development Staff was in attendance at the draft and got to spend time with Kisakov. Seth Appert was on Sabres Live and mentioned that while speaking with Kisakov Appert told Him He coached against the Russian Team He was playing on in Detroit. Kisakov smiled and mentioned We won in Overtime. Apparently Tim Kennedy has Appert using Google Translate to talk with Him.

And they are scheduled to add 4 More picks in the Top 64.

Matt Pegula was the only member of the family present.

As I mentioned He is very close to the Pegulas and what Kim is going through has really shaken Forton. He really likes working with Adams and is appreciative of What He has done for the franchise, but I believe His true emotions, are more tied with Kim’s Condition