DarthEbriate

Every GM in the land has to be on the phone with JBot at this point looking for a great deal. Edit: But now at the deadline, a guy like Marco is really valuable for a playoff roster. And retaining salary to toss in the conditional 4th (or bump a 3rd up to a 2nd)? Well played.

Cynical me actually questions any UFA on our team who doesn't test the market, especially Girgs and Larry. Why ever would you stay in Buffalo where you've been a bottom dweller your entire career if there's a chance you could join a contender? That's not to say Buffalo can't be a contender, too. But... if you could be a 4th liner on a team that's been to the semis a couple times and has a talent-laden roster, vs. be a 3/4 on the Sabres where there's no guarantee of anything... I'd check out free agency.

If Angry Larry is going to test free agency anyway, then the GM can reward him for years of service on a bad roster by shipping him to a true contender. Likewise, if some team thinks Sheary can be a role player in the playoffs for a 4th and we've got no plans to re-sign him, then go get that 4th. You can always use it to trade up or toss in as a sweetener in a trade. Or... maybe the pick is a hit. But to just let all these expiring contracts walk isn't good GM-work. Now -- some will just walk. And some we'll re-sign. But that has to be planned for, because in general, the FA signings in the offseason cost more, so selling at the deadline is a chance to stockpile assets.

Olofsson got hurt on 1/2/2020. Skinner was already in a funk. I could have seen nabbing Kovalchuk then as a stop-gap (then demoting/cutting if need be when Golofsson returned). Instead, the Habs signed him on 1/3. It would have needed to happen fast.

It depends on who is 2C and 3C. If we have a legitimate NHL-caliber center spine above the 4C and it can just be an energy guy (Lazar) or a shootout specialist (Mitts) at under 10 minutes a night, it could be OK. But yeah, if it's Eichel-still unready Mitts-some overpriced washed up 3C-Lazar... then yes, release your anger!

When healthy, the GLO line is the most effective at its role on this team (even Eichel's line can disappear for stretches). Angry Larry is the 2nd best center we have on this team. I still move him if I can get what I think is a good value for him, because he's not my top priority to sign this offseason. (Otherwise, I'd have locked him up already.) He's not a 2C and this team needs a 2C. I need to sign Reinhart (or trade -- other thread) and Olofsson. And Larry gets a raise from this year. There will be money remaining for him, but he's not the priority for the future.

If you honor what they (JBot) fight for: yes. And looking at the schedules of each team (Toronto faces Pitt twice and Florida is on a west coast roadtrip. And we get Pitt on a Saturday morning in their lone non-national televised game [TOR, TOR, WSH the day after us....] we could easily make up ground this week.) I think even clicking you move some of the ancillary pieces you're not bringing back for chips. JBot is playing the long game and Larsson is a viable playoff commodity. He's also really important on our current roster. Historically, a rental is worth a 2nd to some desperate team. If I get offered a 2nd for Larry, I wish him well and dish him. Maybe he even returns next year. But I trust that I can find another 3/4C or promote someone.

If we don't have those trades in by midday (Pacific, 2/24) there will be hell to pay. Point-wise they're just off the cusp. 8 points back of 3rd, but also with FLA 6 points ahead. With loser points, it's hard to make up any significant ground unless you go on an 8-2 run. And the Sabres have 9 home and 14 road games left... the time to go on a run was that home stretch out of the ASG. JBot is playing the long game. His logical move is to sell off some UFAs/pieces for futures. Maybe one of those futures is next year's 2C, but he'd be negligent if he was banking on this roster making it to the playoffs on some magical year-end run, especially after not investing in it all season when a 2C would have had ample time to make a difference.

If the JBot has decided this isn't the year, then any UFA who has value around the league, who you're not interested in re-signing, or isn't interested in re-signing... you sell. You don't give away just to gut your own roster, but any offer should be taken. One third of the team is UFAs and there's no compensatory pick. If you aren't re-signing Girgs, then you rent him out for a 3rd. Then you package the pick or toss it in as a trade chip. But to just let everyone walk is poor asset management. Now, if JBot thinks this team can make it... then he should have gotten a 2C some time during the season or in the offseason.

<JBot takes off Lobot headset. Mic drops it.> “They all said I was crazy to include Berglund. They all said I couldn’t move Bogo or Moulson’s contracts. Best cap manager ever.”

Concentrate! https://giphy.com/gifs/mrw-popcorn-tin-SleotgmotWahW

Larsson would be a good acquisition for any team need a defensive center for a playoff run. He's good against Tavares, against McDavid, against Crosby. He can be playoff angry. And.... if coveted.... could get a good rental return.

Good game, 'Spacers. All the coordinates are set to win. Punch it!

Nice job on Matthews, Joker!

Used up all your energy in the comeback, eh, Leafs?

Run 'em, they're done! Fire at will, Commander!

The old man's still got some wheels... he'll make .5 past... you know... game speed. Great work, Okposo!

Step it up, Sabres. Go in, go in full throttle. Rise the occasion!

Run them, muscle them, force them. They're on a back-to-back and already showing signs of strain. Close them out. Remember the Death Star! No Death Star mode!

Eichel, Olofsson, you may fire when ready.

Alright, Eichel. Now use Golofsson as a decoy and put a turbolaser on the tower.

Woohoo! (delayed)

Back to back good shifts. Keep firing!

Now switch the deflectors on, double front. Toronto is going to go on the attack and we need to escalate to match and dismantle it.

Nice patience by Dahlin, Miller with a blast, and Angry Larry with the tap tap.