French Collection

I have no control over this so all I can do is hope. KA is reactive so nothing will shake loose until everyone else knows it too. 4 plus years should be long enough to know that rival GMs will gladly throw you an anchor rather than a lifeline. Make things happen. Maybe an offer sheet would make the other guys realize you have a seat at the table. F*** your future draft picks, get a player now. Lundell, too late, Pinto, too late…… If everyone gets upset at offer sheets then it gets changed at the next bargaining session. It is a useless tool anyway. Really, TP and his team have no respect, so why not go rogue.

If you are unable to finish your heaping helping of crow I would jump in and take some too.

I wonder what his level of frustration is? He would have insight whether it is KA wanting to win the trade, players and agents’ reluctance to consider Buffalo or plain old paralysis by analysis. I think KA should be moved out but if TP loves him and his spin then move him upstairs to be a buffer. Karmanos may be the man to take the next step. Just win and a lot of problems will solve themselves.

I read this in one of the threads and liked the sound of it. I am tired of just saying 3C, wanted to change it up. Derek Roy is a good comparable to what I am looking for. If the guy is good enough to make Cozens 3C or move him to the wing, even better. A player that is closer to 4C will be useless filling in for TNT or Cozens in the case of injuries. Right now it seems like KA is penciling Krebs as 3C and most of us agree that is a big risk. Lafferty can play 4C but Krebs could learn even more from the new guys than he did from KO and Girgs. Lafferty, Aube-Kubel and Malenstyn never came into the league expected to score and be the new shiny toys. They embrace the opportunity to play on the 4th line and muck it up. Krebs can play bigger with guys like this.

He seems unable to pull the trigger fast enough. In the Wild West he would have been the first guy dead in the street, counting his ammo while the other guy draws. It isn’t an easy job and a first time GM without a mentor is at a disadvantage. I think we would accept an overpayment in a trade to fill a hole. I am glad he didn’t overpay on a mediocre UFA because mediocre isn’t what they need in a 3C. I admit that he is up against a lot of resistance from players and agents but I will use other peoples’ word that 75% of players in the NHL do not have NMC/NTC protection. An old tradesperson I worked with used to be annoyed with how everyone seemed to stand on the sidelines until the supervisor gave them specific duties. He would just look at them and say “do something”.

I haven’t seen much of him except for a few highlights but he does sound like a disrupting type of player. I also listen to Kris Baker quite a bit and he mentions him as a future Sabre.

Not the greatest picture but that is indeed TNT.

Getting a late 20’s player on an expiring contract is different than getting an overdone Eric Staal or even a Taylor Hall with a full NTC. This player should be motivated to have a good year and to showcase his skills in order to get one more big deal. Whether he re-signs with Buffalo, leaves at season’s end or is traded at the deadline will be determined over the course of the year. Relationships can be cultivated, team success can change perspectives or another failure can bring prospects. As discussed once or twice, KA has tons of picks and prospects to get a top seven player, who is preferably a C.

Many people are craving for the 22-23 offensive numbers that this team put up. Losing Skinner and not adding at least a 20 goal 3C really hampers the possibility of doing that again. I don’t think they need to get to that level again to make the playoffs. The goal differential is where I focus on. The goaltending is better. The defense is a year older and has some depth. The head coach is better. He has a shutdown line. A slight bump up in scoring should widen the goal differential and makes this team capable of contending for one of the eight spots. The top prospects are not ready to make an impact but they may provide a spark when called upon to fill a hole due to injuries. I choose to be optimistic rather than focusing on the holes KA didn’t plug. It’s going to be a long enough summer. By the way, I still want him to trade for a 3C.

Teams will be working to sign their RFAs. Some of these signings will put them over the cap but they don’t have to make moves immediately. It could be a long two months, waiting for this to sort out. A mercenary like Tarasenko might have to sign with the Sabres.

UPL probably would prefer Reimer backing him up than Levi. Less of a threat to his #1 spot.

I was away for all of the free agent signings. Just catching up now. The Sabres just got harder to play against due to the bottom 6 signings. They still need a 3C in my opinion. Cap Friendly is no longer an option but there are other teams in the same boat after yesterday. Something good can shake loose. It feels like I’ve been saying this for years but KA has to weaponize the cap space.

Didn’t the Caps pay less to get Mangiapane?

The more I read about him the more I like him. KA loves his name, Konsta translates to steadfast, meaning run it back and pile up the prospects.

KA probably hasn’t even thought of that.

I like this kid. As many of us wanted a trade, there is some disappointment but this guy is projected as a 2-3C with an all round game. It doesn’t help us now but this guy is closer to the NHL than most picked before him. He has decent size and will be playing his second full season vs men. He also made the Finnish men’s team at the Worlds. He didn’t get much ice time but he was good enough to make it.

That is the coolest place I’ve seen for an event like this.

Flyers trade?

Yes, because I just took another dose of hopium.

Coleman could be available too. Kadri has won his Cup, Calgary in a rebuild. Buffalo is near London and need a 2-3C.

Craig Button on Sabres Live brought him up as someone Buffalo could get.

Who’s next, Robinson?

TSN’s Craig Button with a long winded story of Stamkos going to UFA. He says the best fit would be Buffalo. He could be a complimentary offensive piece that has immediate credibility upon entering the dressing room. https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/button-stamkos-will-have-a-lot-of-offers-tampa-wont-be-able-to-r~2948242 This would help attract the bottom six guys as well.

Or take a serious run at Stamkos.