Curt

Cold? Nah, It’s 110 in the Shade.

True, if you have an NHL team full of talented 19-25 year olds and a weak prospect pool, it’s different than having an NHL team full of talented 29-35 year olds and a weak prospect pool. Still it’s important to have a semi consistent influx of cheap young players on their ELC and RFA contracts.

Ok, but he has been the ice time leader for one of the best teams in the league the past 3 years. I think he is certainly one of the best 60 D in the league.

Having a 1st pair D signed for under $6M AAV for ages 29-33 is not a bad contract. It’s a pretty good contract.

I think he was great at those junk goals from the start, but has gradually expanded his game to more dangerous is other positions. To the point where he even buried a couple nice one timers last season. Something I never thought I’d see with how weak his shot was his first couple years. He is a player who has shown consistent improvement, particularly in his areas of weakness (strength, skating, shot.....), year over year. For this reason, to me, if you do move Reinhart, you must be very careful to get excellent value for him. A couple years from now, you don’t want to be looking at a top line, 70-80 point player on another team, thinking “what the F did I do???”.

Sure, you should think that about the bad players. Otherwise you could say the same thing about Eichel. I understand points about Sam not being a physical player. He isn’t really, although I wouldn’t call him soft. He isn’t afraid of physical play, will stand in front and take a beating, and as he has gotten physically stronger over the past few years, his play along the boards has gotten quite good. Even so, it’s possible that he does not really fit the style of play that the Sabres are going for. To me, the question is, does Sam bring other, unique elements to the team so that it makes sense to have him as an “exception” to the desired player type?

Just a note. He is 6’1” 190-195. Maybe he was 180 when drafted.

It is 2-way. If in the AHL, the salary is $250K.

Wake me up when they sign John Fogarty!

Ohh! Interesting that Irwin is listed as a RD. He shoots left and I think he is described as a LD other places.

No. The screenshot of that paper is from the office wall in that “Embedded “ episode. I’m sure that they take it very seriously.

Well, when they speak internally about what a Sabre is, this is what they are referring to. They defined it and post it in the offices. Whether that will in practice lead to success, I’ve no clue.

Capfriendly isn’t a depth chart. It just lists the players under contract in order of AAV.

Actually, we have a pretty solid idea of “What is a Sabre”.

But Johansson was on pace for 40 points over a full season and Sheary did produce similar to the year before he arrived, in 18-19 at least. Also, isn’t Irwin the 3LD, not Davidson?

I’ve been thinking that Reinhart does not really fit the type of game that Krueger wants to play, with a fast, aggressive forecheck. I’m wondering if they may be looking to move him based on that. On the other hand, Krueger gave him lots of ice time last season.

Welcome Chloe!

That would be very difficult to set up, as you mention, and may not be feasible right now. It’s one heck of an idea though! I like it.

Sure. He isn’t moving though. Lehner might be out for part of next season. They publicly declared that Fleury is staying. I normally wouldn’t think that’s iron clad, but their veterans have already been complaining about the callous way important players have been moved. I would think that might really push them over the edge. They already traded a 1st pair D for a 3rd round pick to move enough salary to keep Fleury instead. I think Fleury is staying put.

I would go with B. Biron (he has been an ever present figure during my Sabres fandom), and Bowman (Scotty and Stan, the family is NHL royalty)

If they brought in another goalie as good as Ullmark, I think they would be fine. Who is even available now who would be considered much better than Ullmark. Kuemper. Anyone else? I think it’s going to be mostly a 1a/1b split time type of situation. Especially with this coming season being a condensed schedule, it’s going to be more important than ever that goalie workloads are managed.

I’m not sure the characterization of “buying goals” is the right way to look at it. Makes it sound like they are just searching stat sheets sorted by goals. The Sabres certainly have filled holes in the top 6 and seem to be prioritizing improving the offense of a team that struggled to score. The forwards certainly look to be more dangerous offensively than last season. I’m not sure it’s necessary to scour much deeper than that for a strategy.

They seem to mostly be targeting forwards who can: 1) Score goals 2) Play the fast, hard forechecking and 2-way game they have mentioned they want. Eakin and Hall both play fast and aggressive.

I’m not sure that Montour signing means he is “safe”. It’s a one year deal that walks him to UFA ASAP.

Didn’t say it was definitive proof. Call it strong supporting evidence if you will.