GASabresIUFAN

They have competent management so it's not surprising they are succeeding. Remember it's not like they were picking from the best player on 30 or so teams. The expansion team was choosing in theory the 8th best forward or the 4th best D or the backup goalie. In addition, players on their ELC were also exempt from being drafted. If you look at the current Sabres 7 forwards - TNT, Tuch, Skinner, Greenway, Mitts, Cozens, plus Rousek would all be protected with Krebs, Quinn and JJP exempt 3 D - Dahlin, Samuelsson, Joki with Power exempt. G - UPL with Levi exempt Who would be available - KO, VO, Jost, Lyubushkin, Stillman, Bryson, Clague, and Comrie. Who are they really getting from us if the draft were held this off-season? A year from now it would look something like this 7 forwards - Tuch, Skinner, Greenway, Mitts, Cozens, Krebs and Greenway. JJP and Quinn remain exempt. We'd have to have at least one forward with a contract available with NHL experience. 3 D - Dahlin, Power and Samuelsson. Johnson exempt. Stillman, Bryson and Joki would all be RFA and therefore available, as would the player KA adds to off-season to be the 4th D. 1 G - Goalie w a contract and Levi exempt. Again, it's not like we'd be giving up much.

I’m not. That was the point of my post. The need is so obvious even Sabres management recognizes it. Granted I posted about those same two needs a year ago before last season stating if they get real goaltending and a better defenseman or 2 we were ready to be a playoff team. Instead we got Comrie and Lyubuskin. While I have some confidence KA can make the necessary moves, a veteran G and a top 4 D acquisition are going to force him out of his comfort zone.

For two years. Sarcasm?

I'm shocked.

We need more Czechs to balance our Russians.

I think he was talking a total contract value of 10-12 over the 3 years.

Not happening. Chytil received basically $100K per point from his best season (last year) when he scored 22g and added 23a for 45 points. Why would Mitts, who tailed 59 pts last year, sign for anything under 5.5? Both guys do have similar point totals for their careers (138 vs 139), but Mitts has accomplished the total in 50 fewer games (327 vs 277)

I think Otto Stenberg is a slightly better prospect comparing their draft years. Östlund was more productive in the J20, but Stenberg was significantly better in international play, especially in the WJC-18. Stenberg also played significantly more SHL games in his draft year (23) to 11 for Östlund. I have Stenberg 24th on my draft board.

I suggested this possibility weeks ago in the draft thread. Odds are that he drops some since he can't come here until 2026, but I doubt the Caps draft some one else if Michkov is available.

What % of NHL forwards have ever reached 500 goals. There are about 50 in the entire history of the nhl.

As much as I like Mitts you can't keep everyone. They have committed long-term $ to TNT and Cozens. We have Östlund, Rosen, Krebs, Kulich, and Savoie all possible 3rd line centers over the next few years. It's possible Krebs could even prove ready for that role as early as this season. What do you do if your KA and JJP and Quinn take a strong step forward and Mitts jumps to 70 points. Obviously a great problem to have, but how many can you reasonably afford to re-sign? Maybe KA nad Mitts can come to a 2-3 bridge extension to keep the band together for a few more years, but at some points someone (or 2 or 3) have to move on.

or doesn't want to be in Philly or wants to play for a contender asap.

He has also never been a big fan of UPL. Assuming for argument's sake that Levi is the real deal (I have come to believe he is), what do the Sabres really need to truly contend over the next 2-3 years while Levi gains enough NHL experience to be considered an elite No. 1. Sure Helle would be ideal for next season, but his one year deal and likely need of a long term extension vote him off the island. Hart has two years left, is a proven young goalie, and should be better on a better team. However, Danny's stupid asking price likely votes him off the island. What they need is a goalie who can play up to 40-45 games who can give us a .905 to .910 save % night most nights and that we can get under contract for 2-3 years.

LOL. Good luck with that Danny.

Just as long as we get there again before Toronto.

This question is kind of like asking if you’d be willing to trade Power for Hedman or Josi.

One real positive thing about KAs tenure so far was his aggressive approach to locking up his core. The signing of Dahlin is just another example of KA smartly locking up his core to reasonable deals I have long believe that there is a lot of similarity between baseball and hockey in drafting, developing and cost management of young players. KAs approach to the Sabres is very similar to Braves GM Andopolis’ management of the young Braves. Young studs Acuna, Albies, Riley, and Harris we’re all locked up long before they could hit free agency while other excellent players like Freeman and Swanson were allowed to leave because cheaper quality option were available in the pipeline or through trade. I fully expect Skinner to move on after his contract expires and despite how much I like Mitts, I think KA may let him leave as well after this season.

If I were Briere I won’t be moving a quality 24 year old goalie either, but does Hart want to go through a rebuild getting shelled every night? If I were Hart’s agent, I’d pull a Tkachuk and tell Danny to find him a new home because he doesn’t plan to sign an extension. Seriously what will Hart’s trade value be a year from now if gets pounded on a terrible Philly team? Of course, Hart may love Philly, but does anyone really like Philly?

Yep, that’s me always following the company line. Honestly, I think WPG most likely ability to maximize return for Helle is at the trade deadline or someone like Det who has a need, feels they are close to being a playoff team and has the cap space to extend him. KA is right to kick the tires on all good vet goalies floating around, but Levi is his guy and is cost controlled for years to come. I just don’t see a trade moving Levi to anyone as a viable idea.

KA isn’t trading Levi. This question is moot.

Fyi: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/20-mlb-players-whose-hall-of-fame-careers-were-derailed-by-injury-as-jacob-degrom-faces-another-setback/ By the way, Joe Pavelski, who reminds me a great deal of Skinner has compiled 221 goals after 30. Joe, now has 1250 NHL games, 449 goals, and 1001 points. Skinner through his 30 year old season has 932 games, 333 g, and 624 points.

What about this: Rousek, 13 & 45 for Hart, 22 and LA's 2nd in 2024.

He's had one bad year in 5 NHL seasons. His save % year by year .917, .914, .877, .905 and .907. The last two incredibly behind terrible Philly D groups and lousy overall Philly teams.

Subban is a UFA.

I never said a second would get it done for Hart. You snickered at my 13th and UPL proposal for Hart and that may be too much, but a 2nd is also clearly not enough.