GASabresIUFAN

To call our goalies average is just a little bit of a stretch.

It’s the principal of the deal. KA said he wasn’t wasting assets unless it made us better. This move doesn’t accomplish that goal unless Bryson is being moved in another deal and Stillman is here to replace the depth.

Sorry, I wouldn’t have traded Bloom or Nadeau for another Bryson. Getting another Bryson doesn’t really make us better. It just gives us another warm body and we could have acquired that through a waiver claim.

Clague has already pushed Bryson out, thus Stillman has to be better than Clague and I don’t think he is. As I’ve stated, I’m perfectly ok with moving out a forward or 2 for D help, but this doesn’t move the needle at all.

We’ll see won’t we, but I’m not optimistic.

The same things can basically be written about Bryson. He has 157 NHL games under his belt. He’s a 4th rd pick who is 26th in games played from his draft class and 3rd in games played by the 4th rd picks in 2017. Only one 3rd rd pick (Morgan Geekie) has played more games than he has and he has more experience than 25 of the 2nd rd picks. Sadly, Bryson has been demoted to the 7th slot and Stillman is basically more of the same.

The sad part is: 1) I wanted (demanded) D help 2) I was willing to trade some forward depth to get the help 3) I wanted the help here before the tough March schedule. 4) KA said he wanted players who weren’t just rentals In theory this move checks those boxes, except the “help” part. He just isn’t good. He isn’t an upgrade over anyone currently on the roster. I hope DG can work his magic and get something from this guy, but that doesn’t seem likely.

He is basically on the same level as Kozak, Nadeau, and others. I’m perfectly ok with trading a forward or 2, but he promised we’d get value in return.

Based on what? KA said he wasn’t going to make a move unless the price is right. How does this deal make sense under this stated goal? I guess UPL goes down in a paper transaction until Friday to make room for this all-star.

Bear? Bear has clearly outplayed Stillman.

So Ethan Bear for a 5th didn’t make sense, but Stillman for a decent prospect (& former 3rd rd pick) makes sense. Look who has better stats for the Nucks. ….and people wonder why I’m not all in on the Adams train.

He skates well and was used in Mn to stop opposing teams.

I guess KA proved he was willing to make a move. I also guess Van wasn’t trading Schenn for Bloom.

@DarthEbriate if you model can’t react to a developing team, coaching changes or new players then your model is crap.

Where is our great analytics dept?

Ok. Wow. I feel so much better about our chances. At least he is signed through next season. Is he actually better than Bryson or Clague. If not, why make this deal.

So I basically nailed it. Kind of shocking that the band-aid approach didn't work.

Here are the Athletic's latest playoff prognostications for the East Pit - 75% NYI - 38% Fla - 36% Buf - 29% Det - 19% https://theathletic.com/3666576/2023/02/27/nhl-2022-23-stanley-cup-playoff-chances-and-projected-standings/ Of these 5 teams, Fla (64 pts) has played the 2nd most game and has the lowest winning % (.525) and they currently sit 5th in the wild card race. The NYI have played the most games (63) and has the 2nd lowest winning % (.548). Buffalo is currently in 3rd in the WC standings with 66 pts. The Sabres have the highest winning % of the group (.569), have played the least no of games and have the highest differential. To put it mildly, the Athletic's model is crap. 538 has Pitt at 60, Buffalo at 45, NYI at 37, Fla at 27, and Det at 18. https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2023-nhl-predictions/ Moneypuck has Pitt at 63, Buf at 51.7, NYI at 34.5, Fla at 30, and Det at 10. https://www.moneypuck.com/predictions.htm Hockey-reference has Buf at 57.6, Pit at 55.6, NYI at 36.5, Det at 23.6, and Fla at 12.3. https://www.moneypuck.com/predictions.htm One of the models is not like the others.

Translation:

Much may depend on whether those two even want to come back and at what prices. Add that KA could add someone like Greenway at the deadline or in the summer to take one of their jobs. For example: If the Sabres Greenway and re-sign Jost the 2023-24 Sabres forwards would look something like this L1 - Skinner TnT Tuch L2 - Mitts Cozens Quinn L3 JJP Krebs VO L4 ???? Jost Greenway On topic, where would Kulich fit next year in this scenario?

Let’s say for arguments sake that the Houser move is a precursor to KA getting a goalie for Buffalo at the deadline. At this point, assuming KA feels the prices are right and in light of Tuch’s i jury, my ideal deadline acquisitions would be Chychrun, Vejmalka and Greenway. All have two years left on their deals. All add skills we need. They would add 10.325 to the cap for the next 2 years, but if Comrie and Bryson are traded away, we’d net save 2.8 mill (after re-signing Clague for the 7th role). Even with this added payroll, our cap for next season would be 63.3 mill for 10 forwards, 7 D and 2 G. Only Jost, Z, and KO to re-sign. All that said, I’ll believe it when I see it. Less ideal would be to just add Greenway and a D like Jensen or Schenn and figure out the goaltending in the off-season. I think adding a D to replace Clague and Bryson in the top 6 is hopefully a necessity.

So Chychrun and Vejmalka to Buffalo for a 1st in 2023, a late 2nd in 2023, Rosen, Comrie, and Bryson?

So here is the deal. Subban and Comrie are being traded in separate deals. UPL is being sent down to the A to be backed up by Houser and the Sabres are acquiring Vejmalka from AZ. Comrie goes to AZ and Subban to Edm’s AHL to be available in case of emergency during the playoffs.

FYI 18 year old in the A - Kulich is currently 4th all time in points and 6th in p/gp. The guys ahead of him are Robert Dome (who didn’t pan out), followed by Pastrnak, W. Nylander, Filatov and Perfetti.

FYI: in 6 NHL starts he is 4-2 with a 2.97 and .917.