GASabresIUFAN

Ultimately he’s just a “Minor” Pekar.

Historically the team who trade acquires the best player usually “wins” the deal. That also depends on when you view the deal. Stl won a Cup by getting ROR, but TnT is now our franchise center. I think the biggest issue with such a trade isn’t the 3 pieces to get Meier, but how his big contract could negatively affect our ability to re-sign guys like JJP and Quinn when their ELCs end.

But to draft kids in the 2nd rounds, like Hurley, who weren’t good enough to even get signed is the definition of poor scouting. Also relative value. Top 10 picks are supposed to be sure fire NHLers. Maybe not stars, but at least everyday players if even in a depth role. Nylander might be the worst pick by the Sabres in this century. Zagrapan and Persson were god awful picks, but Nylander was supposed to be a key piece of TM’s rebuilding of the Sabres. We needed him to be a top 6 forward and instead got a AAAA player from a hockey family who can’t even dominate at the AHL. Truthfully had Nylander been a 3rd rd pick, he’d have never seen the NHL. So while Pekar may have not worked out, his not making it isn’t much of a loss, but the Nylander failure set the rebuild back. We were lucky that Jbot was able to turn TM’s failure into Jokiharju, who while not a star is at least a capable defenseman. PS Persson was signed and played 171 games in the AHL scoring 8g 25a. Karabacek is still playing in the Czech league and according to Hockeydb has 0 pts in 33 games this season.

Does that make the NBA a 50% league. They don’t seem to take it seriously until the playoffs.

The goal for the Sabres going forward is to be a buyer at the deadline. KA won’t acquire him unless an extension is already agreed upon.

He won’t be. His cap hit is to high for teams to fit under their cap. Hard for Van to get their asking price if so few teams can afford his cap hit. Most deals like this happen in the summer.

nah. Grigorenko (12th overall) at least played 249 NHL games. Nylander, a 8th overall pick, lasted 84. I'll see your Grigorenko and raise you a TJ Brennan and the immortal Dennis Persson

There is no question that the above is true. The question is what does KA think and how will he proceed. My guess is he'll default to the status quo.

Lol, not even close. Alex Nylander for example. Marcus Davidson, Connor Hurley, Eric Cornel, Vaclav Karabacek, and Brycen Martin. These are all top 3 round picks.

I think Meier would be an upgrade over Olofsson or Mitts. I think JJP and Quinn are off the table.

I feel better about the Bills cap situation after reading the Athletic’s article about how the Bills can get under the cap. The Bills are over next years cap by about $20 mill. Restructuring Allen’s salary to a prorated signing bonus alone gets the Bills under the cap. They can also save $10 mill cutting McKenzie, Hines and Settle. Diggs and Miller can also be restructured. Extending Morse, Hyde and Oliver can also yield cap savings. https://theathletic.com/4139776/2023/01/31/buffalo-bills-nfl-salary-cap/

If he is an available now, he’ll be available in the summer. From Van‘s standpoint, a summer deal is more likely as there will be more suitors with cap space to take on his $5 mil annual cap hit. I think t Meier situation is also more likely a summer deal for the same reason. Neither Van or SJ have to move these players. Meier is more urgent because of the size of his Q Offer as an RFA, but it’s still not a necessity. Both teams can afford to be patient to see if they get their price.

This sounds more like something for KA to look at in the off-season after Andy is gone and KA has had the remainder of the season to evaluate UPL. FYI:

Is Savoie being hampered somewhat by playing on a stacked team?

Haven’t we beaten this horse? Why would KA block UPL now that UPL is playing at an NHL level. A few months ago with Comrie hurt and UPL playing poorly in Rochester, the odds would have been much better. Now I’d say forget it. Meier is much more likely.

Hasek only played 9. Pommers played 10 but not consecutively. Hajt and Ray played in 14 straight. Ruff played 10. Is Z the longest tenured Sabres in the salary cap era? Granted we have sucked for much of that time, but still.

Interesting list of guys he mentioned. I do wonder of how many of those guys will be here in a few years. Sammy, Cozey, Tommer and Dahls are core players, but what about the rest? Also was this letter a subtle plea by Dahlin for management to make a move or two to help the team make the playoff?

One note on TNT. He was drafted as a center and played center at UConn if my memory serves. It's not like DG was the only coach who ever viewed Tage as a center.

Give him the C. Also the Sabres are 4-1 at home with a sold out arena.

Actually if I’m reading @Porous Five Hole post correctly it would take something like our 1st, Rosen and Bloom to get a deal done. I’d do that.

They could do it, but it would be tight. Mule, Skinner, Tuch, and TNT are under contract. JJP and Quinn would be on their final ELC season. Cost for these 6 is approx. 16.9 mill. VO is traded w Rosen in the Meier deal. Mitts is traded next season for D. Savoie and Kulich replace Mitts and VO in the lineup for 24-25. Meier takes 8.5 for 7 years. Cozens gets 8 for 8. Dahlin 10.5 for 8. Power bridged 6 for 4 years. Krebs, Jost, and Z get 2-3 years at 2.5. Joki extended 4 for 4. UPL extended 3 for 3. That would put us at about 75.2 for 12 forwards, 4D and 1G if my math is right. That leaves about 10 mill or more for 5-6 depth players.

While PA is being a smart ass with this thread, what are the odds that any current Sabres is still on the team in 10 years? Power or Dahlin? How many guys have actually played 10 or more straight seasons for the Sabres? Gilbert, C Ramsey, Mike Ramsay, Miller, Hasek?

Cozens was on NHL tonight and when asked what he does away from the rink he said he plays video games or goes cover to Mitts’ and Bryson’s house to hang out with the younger guys.

If SJ would take a good prospect, a 2nd and a 3rd, KA would have to listen. Our deal to acquire ROR in 2015 was ROR & McGinn for Zadorov (1st - 16th overall in 2013), Grigorenko (1st 12 overall in 2012), Compher (35th over in 2013) plus the 31st pick in 2015. ROR had one year left on his current deal at the time for $6 mill and McGinn also had a year left at 2.95. The Sabres extended ROR for 7 years at 7.5. Essentially 3 good to very good prospects and a 2nd for a roster player and a top 6 center. Meier for 3 pieces would be similar. In 3 seasons in Buffalo he had 60, 55, and 61 pts before being traded to Stl for Thompson, a 1st in 2019 (Johnson) and a 2nd in 2021 (49th -used to get Colin Miller) plus 2 cap dumps in Berglund and Sobotka.

Probably not, but he is certainly an upgrade over Bryson and Clague.