GASabresIUFAN

Yes, I'm against the move. Dump someone else who doesn't play two-way hockey and doesn't make his teammates better. Start with Skinner. If KA thinks he can't afford Mitts, he hasn't analyzed the deadwood on his roster. He is currently paying KO, Z, VO, Bryson, Comrie, Jokiharju, Krebs, and EJ 20 million. Trade Skinner and recover probably $6 mill per year for the next 3 years. That will go a long way to paying Mitts.

I'd also consider trading TNT before Mitts. This sounds counterintuitive at first since TNT is kind of a unicorn. He's big, skates well, has a wicked shot, and can stick-handle in a phone booth. However, he still isn't a good two-way player. To me, he is just a bigger better version of VO. I believe TNT's scoring is replaceable. When I look at the Sabres, I see plenty of other goal scorers. Quinn, Cozens, JJP, Skinner, and Tuch all can or have scored 30+ in the NHL. Kulich is also a goal-scorer. How many other playmakers and two-way forwards do we have other than Mitts? Benson? Maybe, but he is only 18, and years from his full potential. Östlund? Probably, but we have no idea when he'll arrive in Buffalo (if ever). I also think TNT would garner a higher return than Mitts given his 90+ point season and reasonable contract. PS: This trade deadline may be the best opportunity to move Skinner and most of his contract. He is still scoring at a good pace. Teams need scoring in the playoffs. The cap jumps next year giving teams the ability to afford his deal beyond this season and Skinner might be willing to waive him NMC to go to a playoff team after missing the playoffs all 13+ years of his career.

The thing about trading Mule (LHD) is that he has already been demoted to the 3rd pair. This makes him expendable at this point even if eventually he develops (and stay healthy) into a shutdown D elsewhere. Right now we have Dahlin (LHD) and Power (LHD) who aren't going anywhere. Clifton (RHD) has another 2 years and looks to be a solid anchor for the 3rd pair. Ryan Johnson, also a LHD, is working his way permanently into the lineup. That leaves two openings for RHDs. Also, I think Novikov (also an LHD), is looking to be close to NHL-ready, he has a similar size to Mule, is on an ELC, and could be ready for 3rd pairing duties as early as next fall.

OK, I'm ok with that. Send out some of our excess forward prospects. They aren't making the team anytime soon anyway. Trade Savoie and Rosen, keep Östlund and Kulich.

No, he doesn't get a pass because the goaltending has been an issue since KA arrived. Sure he could be selling him, but do you have any confidence that he'd get a return such as I outlined above that might improve the team?

I'll say this, if KA does trade Mitts, he needs to get a top 4 D with affordable term, and a competent 3rd line center who can win a draw, put up 50 points, and is under contract for a few years as well. If he trades him for picks and prospects, TP should stop the deal and fire KA immediately.

What strategy? Need a goaltender for 3 years, but don't do anything. Need top 4 D help for 3 years and don't do anything. This guy has no idea how to build a team. He is so far in over his head that he is sitting next to the Titanic on the ocean floor.

Logic? Kevyn Adams? LMAO. I have another idea. This time a serious one. Trade Skinner and Mule. You might have to eat 3 mill on Skinner's deal, even then that clears 10 mill off the books, gives you money to re-sign Mitts, plus extra cash to do something else. Skinner will probably accept a trade to a cup contender. Who may have to take a contract back for this season to get the deal done, but so what. I do agree with this.

We need centers, we need playmakers, and we need two-way forwards. I have an idea, let's trade the only guy on the roster who does all that, is our leading point producer, and the only guy on the roster who makes everyone he plays with better. That sounds like a great idea. I have an even better idea. Let's fire KA and hire a Team President and GM who know what the hell they are doing. PS: Mitts' best friends on the team are Cozens and Dahlin.

True, but they have larger rosters and 1st overall QBs often fail. That said, I agree about getting rid of the draft lottery. Who cares if a team tanks! It hasn't exactly helped the Sabres or really the Oilers until they got McJesus. Even the Oilers aren't true contenders IMHO. Just look at us and the Sens. Incompetent management and ownership lead to terrible results on the ice, even with top draft picks. Det, who was in the same spot as the Sabres, has good ownership and hires Yzerman, and bam their back in the playoffs.

https://www.slate.com/articles/arts/low_concept/2014/03/john_travolta_called_idina_menzel_adele_dazeem_what_s_your_travolta_name.html Click on the link to Travoltify your name (or anyone else for that matter). Taylor Swift becomes "Tyler Swillis".

Wasn’t it John Y Brown who swapped the Braves for the Celtics? Wasn’t it the former Celtics owner who moved the Braves to SD?

The first thing they teach in law school is that the answer to all questions is it depends. Questions such as; Is there a women's adult league? Is she skilled enough to play in the league? What are the checking rules in the league? etc.... The biggest issue for me is the lack of decorum by the male players. There is never a place for boarish behavior. The "it's hockey" excuse is BS. Chirping is one thing, but this sounds like they crossed the line to abusive.

Different situation. TM made his trades before the young core was in place and he traded away guys like Compter who would have been a core piece to do it.

I’m not seeing an issue in that video.

Took KA long enough to make the correct decision. Geez! Why is so obvious to everyone who follows the Sabres, but not obvious to KA and his staff?

This doesn't mean he is going to stay in Buffalo. He is a defenseman with size who skates well. Why not give him a few games to see how ready he is or isn't? It's not like we are competing for the Cup this season.

Get well soon. Ryan Johnson, the next man up. Novikov get your suitcase ready. I feel a visit to Buffalo is coming.

Clifton ?

Correct. At some point, someone has to go. You can't pay everyone 7 million per season or more. Vancouver sent Horvat packing and were the better for it. Horvat is an excellent player and I have never seen a word against him, but Van needed to change the dynamic on the roster and Horvat was traded. I'm actually for re-signing Mitts as I think he is the only Sabre with his tool kit; strong on the boards, has strong two-way play, is the most versatile positionally and maybe our best pure playmaker. Where I suggest the substractions in the top 9 are the wingers. This doesn't have to come next season, but given our pipeline of forwards, Savoie, Kulich, and Rosen specifically, moving a winger is the most replaceable piece internally. The logical target for trade is Skinner. Unfortunately, he isn't tradeable. The next most logical tradeable piece is Cozens if management believes Kulich or Östlund could step in as an NHL center in fall 2025 or fall 2026. I have also raised the idea of moving Quinn. He and JJP are in line for huge raises after next season. It may be smarter to move on from one of them instead of adding another big contract and replacing them with a prospect. None of this changes the need for a top 4 D. Ryan Johnson maybe one such player, but we still need another as Samuelsson and Clifton look like a good 3rd pairing. One other thought, once we get a top 4 D, do we trade Samuelsson and give his job to Novikov when the Russian Bear is ready?

No pressure on either side to get a deal done yet. Casey’s incentive is to continue to play well, rack up points and know that every point is probably worth another $100,000 per season here or elsewhere. Buffalo’s incentive is to let this play out see where Casey ends up, how the team end up, and how a probable extension fits into their cap and budget long-term. His trade value maybe it’s highest right now in terms of picks and prospects, but Buffalo doesn’t need those. If the Sabres chooses to move him, the odds of a hockey trade such as Casey for a top 4 D are probably easier in the off-season.

We need to look at how Van has handled their business since the last trade deadline Over the last year, Van’s GM - dumped Horvat, Tanner Pearson and 3 depth players and ended up with Lindholm, Hronek, Zadorov, Lafferty and DeSmith through 10 different important trades. He also signed UFAs Ian Cole, Blueger and Carson Soucey. Talk about an aggressively remaking his roster, We don’t need this drastic of an overhaul, but KA could learn some lessons from a GM willing to do what is necessary to build a winner.

KA should buy and sell. He should move on from RFAs Krebs and Jokiharju at the deadline or in the off-season depending on what the offers are. He should listen too trade offers for KO, EJ, Girgensons, Jost, Bryson, Comrie, and Stillman. It really doesn't matter what the return is as long as it's an "asset" He should then be a buyer. He needs to find a real 3/4 center, a top 4 D, and at least one upgrade over KO and Girgensons on the 4th line. The guy has to have some term left on his contract.

Patience