French Collection

I like Helle for one year but this is a good compromise. Hart is young enough to be the long term goalie if he improves and Levi doesn’t. The Sabres have assets to make this work and could bag a reliable C like Laughton if they move enough to the Flyers.

At half of his salary, for two years, I would give him a shot.

A family member is billeting a Russian kid for junior hockey. He had visa issues last year and missed most of the season. He is spending the summer here this time around.

Will Butcher signs with the Penguins. https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-sign-defenseman-will-butcher-to-a-one-year-contract/c-345211690?partnerId=pit-twt-penguins

I think Nylander has a limited no movement clause that kicked in July 1st. It sounds like he wants $10M per season from the Leafs and they are offering $8M.

If there are goalie problems KA may have to make a move earlier that the deadline just to be able to get to the playoffs. He may have to add goalie depth at the deadline, especially if one of Comrie/UPL are claimed on waivers or traded.

You can tell his maturity level is that of a four year NCAA guy and not an 18 year old. He spoke well during his interview and didn’t just provide hockey clichés. Seth Appert made a comment on how there is a huge weight off his shoulders now that he has signed. He wants to be in Buffalo. This kid was months away from choosing any team in the NHL and he decided to sign with the Sabres. KA must be pretty pleased with that. His upside is probably 4-5 D but that is great if it is homegrown.

As others have said he is patient and will not overpay. I think he is keeping his powder dry and will make a move or two to get the roster trimmed a bit. Teams are over the cap or up against it with rosters to fill. There will be some cap casualties and he has space to pick one or two up. He can also retain 50% of VO’s salary to make him more attractive. It is nice depth to have 9 NHL defensemen but I think he moves 1 or 2 in an upgrade. Something like Joki+ for Hanifin. Bryson will not draw any interest, especially being above minimum wage, so I would send him down. One of Comrie/UPL will probably be moved as well. I’ve been saying it forever but there is still time to weaponize the cap space.

Matthews pulls a Tkachuk and tells them he’s not extending? They would have to move him.

I guess nobody knows who the best partner for Power is yet. CC may have terrible chemistry with Power. EJ could be a great match but he is not up to 20+ minutes a night. Maybe Joki takes a step and realizes this is a make or break camp for him.

I got that vibe too. He doesn’t want to say that he’s pushed Joki and Boosh down the depth chart. He also wants to show that he deserves that opportunity.

Say the price was Rosen for one year of Hellebuyck. Rosen may never get any kind of important role with Buffalo or even develop into a good NHLer. No one sees him as the best prospect, but if he turns into a good player there are so many comparable ones in the Sabres system that it will not crater the organization. After a year of Hellebuyck maybe Levi is ready to fly solo, maybe he is not as good as everyone thought, maybe Hellebuyck loves it and wants to extend at a reasonable price. There are options and the cost may not be crazy for a good year with a great chance at a playoff run.

The other thing that Yzerman’s annual turnovers does is upset the chemistry. Every team has some change but the numbers of UFAs in and out of there seem higher than most.

I listened to his zoom call. He still enjoys the game and the locker room stuff. That’s why he’s still going. He said something I believe in, defense can be taught while offense flows from the talent. He emphasizes that the biggest step to winning is to get the entire team buying into team defense.

I thought someone here posted every game he has played vs Vegas. It wasn’t that many games but he only had a few bad ones.

That is when non playoff teams get rid of expiring contracts.

Anthony Duclair tore his around the same time last year and came back Feb.14th to play 20 games and all of the Panthers playoff run.

Quite a few people are hoping for him to go back at the deadline to provide them some depth. I watched their Cup run closely and he did step up his game after their injuries on D. With the Sabres current depth they don’t need EJ to play a lot. He can be third pairing an rotate in and out depending on matchups. Load management can keep him and the rest of the D corps healthier.

The more pressure on KC the more chance the return is diminished. He’s been there a long time but this off season may be his most challenging and his job could be on the line.

Cap space is limited everywhere, especially after these signings. I count five teams over the cap (LAK, PP, TBL, VC & VGK). CA, MC & TML are a few dollars from max with bodies to add. Quite a few teams are set in goal so the market is dwindling. Cheveldayoff isn’t desperate but there may not be much of a market at the deadline. If they are on the bubble, trading that calibre of goalie torpedoes their chances.

They would have to give up a lot, like Pesce + to get Karlsson. If San Jose retains $, even more.

Haven’t heard any Bertuzzi rumours, he’s a big piece for someone. Lots of teams in cap hell, these guys are not going to get the dollars they were hoping for.

I would take him for Joki +.

Reaves was a pylon a couple of years ago, three years is two too many. Chicago may want him to protect Bedard after 1 year of doing nothing in Toronto.

And he will be making NHL money.