GASabresIUFAN

I agree I would be disappointed if Dahlin isn’t locked up, but it wouldn’t ruin the off-season if KA manages to acquire a top 4 D and a good goalie. Both the Sabres and Dahlin seem committed to working a deal out and even if it doesn’t get finalized in the off-season, I suspect it would be done early in the season. If I had to rank my off-season priorities I rank them as follows 1) Top 4 D 2) Good goalie 3) Dahlin extension 4) Better D depth 5) Power extension 6) 4th line center if Krebs promoted to the 3rd line. Bonuses would be a Mitts extension, shipping off dead wood like Bryson, Comrie, UPL, and VO, and 2 D in our top 3 draft picks. While this is ultimately true, I believe your hope for success entering next season will be greatly influenced by the move KA makes (or doesn’t make) this summer.

With KO, Z and Rousek re-signed and Jost also likely to return, KA is obviously going with a status quo forward group. The team also now has a complete roster of players under contract with 13 forwards, 7 D and 3 G. In the presser KA admitted that the 3 headed goalie monster is a possibility next season. KA also said he is looking at possible deals that could involve our 1st rd pick. He also stated that he is trying to lock up Dahlin and Power and rumor has it that the Dahlin deal is done. Given this back dropped what more does KA have to do to have had a successful off-season and what additional moves would take the off-season from good to great?

I choose JJP. I think this board underestimates his upside potential. His showing at Worlds was impressive and that could be his launch point for greater NHL success. I also think Krebs is one to watch. If he plays on the 3rd line, I can see him taking a huge stride forward.

We should be celebrating two former Sabres are entering the Hall.

I’ve always liked the spaghetti parm.

I'm still waiting on McKenzie's final rankings, but with 16 published final rankings here is the consensus. 1. Bedard, 2-Fantilli, 3&4 Michkov and Carlsson 5-7, Smith, Benson, Leonard 8-11, Dvorsky, Moore, Pelikka and Reinbacher 12-18, Wood, Barlow, Perreault, Sale, Simashev, Danielson, Yager 19-23, Musty, Willander, Honzek, Cristall, Brindley, 24-28, Stenberg, Ritchie, But, Gulyaev, Heidt There is a huge cliff after Heidt. No one has consistent 1st rd grades after 28 29-32, Nadeau Dragicevic, Gauthier, Edstrom 2nd Round 33-39, Molgaard, Hrabel, Perron, Bonk, Haltunnen, Molendyk, Stramel 40-42, Sawchyn, Augustine, Ziemmer 43-50, Hameenaho, Cagnoni, Brzustewicz, Lindstein, Akey, Morin, Minnetian, Price 51-55, Whitelaw, Wahlberg, Strbak, Lardis, Nelson 56-59, Ceirnik, Rehkopf, Kantserov, Brarnason 60-63, Cataford, Dvorak, Dower-Nilsson, Barkey Other names of note: Lind, Pinelli, Suniev, Strathmann, Pitre, Cam Allen, Cowan. Sabres Mock draft 1. Moore or Wood and maybe Willander 39. Bonk 45. Lindstein 86. McCarthy 109. Ratzlaff

Why can’t they find a way to get better audio capture of the reporters questions?

The Z and KO signings should end all debate on where Greenway slots next season. Jordan will be on the 3rd line with Mitts. The only real question is who will be the 3rd member of that line; Krebs, VO, Savoie, Kulich, Rousek or someone from outside the organization.

Well with the re-signing of Z and KO, the off-season mantra is “status quo” at least up front. The Sabres have 12 forwards under contract, but VO is on the trading block. In theory KA could actually apply the status quo to the remainder of the roster as well. He has 7 D and 3 G under contract. With 22 players under contract (cap cost of approx 69 million), there is just one potential roster spot open unless some players get traded or waived. The roster still has some dead weight. Bryson, VO, Stillman, Comrie and UPL all need to be upgraded. I acknowledge that Stillman is probably staying, but one can hope. I’d also make Joki available in the right deal. A top 4 D and a good goalie to pair with Levi are the reported priorities. I still think there is some drama to be had upfront once VO is traded. That is where Krebs and Mitts play. If Mitts centers the 3rd line, Krebs centers the 4th line and Mitts’ needs a winger. If Krebs centers the 3rd line, Mitts shifts to wing and KA needs to find a 4th line center.

Primarily, but I still hoped for more improvement in the depth forward roles.

Fixed

Status quo signing. We now have 12 forwards under contract. Is this a message that they don’t think Rousek or any of the other prospects are ready to contribute? What does this mean for Jost? Honestly I was hoping for a move or two to strengthen the 4th line and to help the PK. Is adding defense and goaltending now the only priority?

I never thought of OEL as a top 4 contender. I was thinking about him as a depth addition that can play up in an emergency. I agree on Pesce and agree that OEL is likely to sign for the minimum (or close to it) to play for a "proven" contender. Still, when I compare his talent level to those players on our roster outside the top 3, it's not even close. OEL is significantly more talented. I look at guys like Bogo, but also like TNT and Mitts, who this board has been so definite were done or never going to be anything, and these firm opinions turned out to be completely wrong. I get that people who watch Van think OEL is done. He certainly isn't worth what he was getting paid and had no market value with the contract. Van did the right thing in buying him out. That doesn't mean however he is done as a player and done as a player in the NHL. If he were 35+ I'd agree to not even consider it, but at 32 he can and probably will bounce back.

Never said that. If you look at our team, we need a partner for Power and better depth. I never said OEL should be signed for the 4th slot or even signed at all. However, I do think he suffered through an injury plagued season last year and is likely to rebound as a solid 3rd pairing D. I think if healthy he’d be a better all around D on this team than Stillman, Bush and maybe even Joki; none of which should ever play in the top 4. At least when healthy OEL has the skill set to play in the top if needed. If you can get OEL on a vet minimum contract and his Medicals are good, then it’s worth at least kicking the tires. We all thought that Bogo was done as an NHL player when he left town. Instead he has proven to be decent cheap depth on a Stanley Cup winning club. OEL was a much better player than Bogo ever was, if Bogo can bounce back from his injuries and contribute, why can’t OEL.

Actually we do. Who is our 2nd puck mover if Dahlin or Power get hurt?

Rousek's issue is that he is already 24. KO slides in to where I envisioned a possible place for Rousek. I don't see him as a Z type player. Is he good enough to win a job on Mitt's 3rd line?

@thewookie1 How do you disagree with a question?

https://www.nhl.com/news/oliver-ekman-larsson-bought-out-by-canucks/c-344911236 If he plays like he did when healthy for Van in 2021-22, he could be a real asset.

Hellebuyck wants out. So do Wheeler and Schiefele. The Ice beat them to it. Apparently, everyone wants out of Winnipeg.

As with Hellebuyck, KA needs to kick the tires on all available top 4 until he finds the right guy for this team. He is going to have to pay to get what the team needs, but the window is open and he needs to get the right pieces. All the talk going forward needs to be about winning the Cup.

One thing about young players is that don’t fully physically mature until 23-25. Their ability and often willingness to play a physical game comes with maturity. How much more physical were Dahlin and Mitts last season? As Cozens, Quinn, Krebs, Power and JJP continue to physically mature so will that aspect of their games. Cozens is already tough to play against, wait until he adds another 10-15 lbs of muscle. I’m not actually worried about the Sabres being physical enough to win in the playoffs. The Sabres issues come down to roster construction - goaltending and defense. KA must get a top 4 D who can help the PK and a good goalie. If he has to send out quality assets to get the job done do be it. VO, Krebs, Rosen, Östlund, the 13 th pick, both 2nd rounders, our 1st in 2024, other prospects including Savoie should be on the table to get these deals done. I’m not saying empty the pipeline, but I am saying smart use of some of these assets and free agency should get the deals done.

He is definitely a 20 minute a night guy. Is that enough to be top 4 fur us? He can definitely help on the PK.

No, not in general. I'd prefer some Czechs to slow the Russian advance.

Mike Weber the Matt Ellis of NHL D and now the Matt Ellis of NHL Asst Coaches?

I live and work in NW Atlanta. The Braves stadium is literally across the street from my office building. The Braves built a huge live work entertainment complex around the stadium which has been a huge success. The Braves sellout most games and the plan was so good traffic isn’t much of an issue, which is a major accomplishment in Atlanta. The Braves are the new model for large metro areas. Teams must consider where their fan base lives when building new facilities. Having an entertainment district around the stadium is a huge added bonus and makes the event even more fun. When Atlanta gets their expansion team, their new stadium will be on the North side as well, because that’s where the hockey fans are. My parents retired to Scottsdale and I’ve spent a great deal of time in the Phoenix area. As to the Yotes, Tempe makes the most sense for a new hockey/entertainment complex, but unlike Atlanta, downtown Phx is still accessible. I’m actually a little surprised that the Pima tribe hasn’t worked with the NHL to build an area and entertainment complex with their Casinos near Scottsdale off the 101.