GASabresIUFAN

Tage ends the shutout and wins the gold for team USA in OT. First Worlds win for USA since the 1930's.

When does Adams ever make sense? As to Rosen, he has value. Maybe it's just a 2nd or 3rd pick, maybe it's a depth NHLer, but he has value. The guys had 55 pts in 61 AHL games and has 6 pts (5 goals) in 7 playoff games. He also just turned 22. Savoie got us McLeod and Savoie's production this year was 54 pts in 66 AHL games. His NHL numbers are nearly identical to Rosens 5gms 1 ast -4. He is 21. That said, this is a D thread. Would you trade either of the young Russian D as part of a deal to get a veteran D?

Miller has 427 blocks and 568 hits over the last 4 seasons (106 blks and 142 hits per season). He is certainly a more physical player than Byram and is a better fit with Dahlin than either Byram or Power. Byram in his two full NHL season has 220 blocks and 169 hits (110 blks and 85 hits per season). As you have pointed out, pretty much anyone can play with Dahlin. Also adding Miller allows Dahlin to play on the right side where he is most comfortable. The handedness issue really goes to a pairing with Power. Power needs to play on the left side. Adding a Soucy (an RHD) or an Orlov (LHD, but plays R effectively as well) gets Power what he needs. JBD is also a RHD.

Amen Brother. @JohnC raised a trade idea on another thread that I like as well that I think belongs here. What about K'Andre Miller for Byram as the basis of a trade with the Rags. The Rags could use a 2nd offensively gifted D behind Fox and the Sabres could use a good skating physical D with some scoring ability to play with Dahlin as I outlined above. Both are RFAs with Byram likely garnering a slightly larger contract. The Rags need to save some cap space, so the Sabres would likely need to get a contract back. The Rags acquired Soucy in a trade with Van late last season. He has one year left @3.25 but has a NTC. If Adams could convince Soucy to come, Miller and Soucy for Byram and an a prospect would be a deal I'd make in a minute. We'd have to find a taker for Clifton and Samuelsson, but I think that's possible. Dahlin - Miller Power - Orlov JBD - Soucy Bryson

I think Byram for Miller is the start of a very possible trade. I don't think they'll trade Borgen as they just extended him for 5 years @4.1. The Rags top 2 D if they trade Miller to us would be Schneider and Fox. They could use a second offensively gifted D like Byram to play with Borgen as part of their 2nd pair. I think they like the 3rd pair of Soucy and Vaakanainen. However, If the Rags need to balance out the money or achieve some cap savings, they could trade us Soucy (NTC) or Vaakanainen and then they'd have room to extend Zac Jones who actually average more PT per game last season with the Rags than Vaakanainen or Soucy. It's funny that you posted this idea here, as I was just about to post something similar in the new Defense thread.

As @Archie Lee pointed out, I think there are 3 holdovers worth keeping; Dahlin, Power (or Byram, but not both) & JBD. 1a) I like Gavrikov, but think he'll re-sign where he is. 1b) Trade for K'Andre Miller. A big physical LHD with decent offense. I'd think he'd thrive playing with Dahlin. Capwages estimates 6 for 6. I'd so that in a minute. I think his game has another level and playing with Dahlin will get him there. Allows Dahlin to play the right side where Dahlin is more comfortable. 2a) I'd go after Orlov. He's a UFA & L/R D. A solid two D and still playing 20 minutes a night. At 34, his career is on the downside, but he's still at 25 pt guys and still takes the body. I think he'd be a great fit with Power and a mentor for our two young Russian D. Also has a Cup and 104 games of playoff experience. Capwages estimate is 3 for 5.8. A little steep, but this end up being our best option if he's interested. 3a) Sign Perbix from TB - RHD physical D with some scoring. A think he's an upgrade on JBD. 3b) Trade for Carson Soucy from the Rags. 1 year left at 3.25 (but has an NTC). 4a) Veteran Depth Jan Rutta. I think this group needs a proven mentor who can still play. Rutta is that kind of player.

Here we are 21 pages into this thread and the board continues to primarily focus on "fixing" the forwards. Other than a few passing references to Demko, I've almost no ideas on how to elevate our goaltending which has sucked since Ullmark left town. It is ironic that Ottawa found a way to get Ullmark; Ottawa a franchise nearly as moribund as the Sabres, and immediately made the playoffs. There has also been precious little on fixing the inept defense besides the reality that Byram is being traded as some point this summer. I have seen discussions on getting Schneider (a 23 year old solid all around D with size) and he'd be a coup for the Sabres. Also some chatter on trying to acquire Dobson. However, not to much else. I admit I'm over simplifying. Considering that the poor defense and goaltending are the primary reasons we missed the playoffs, I'm a little surprised a how overweighed on the forwards. I also admit that there are significantly more options in the forward universe, but it seems we are looking in the wrong place to fix this mess. One goalie I can see Adams signing is Anton Forsberg. He has spent the last 4 plus years in Ottawa, in a UFA, and in 142 games for the Sens he has a .905 save % and a 2.99 gaa. Considering how poor Ottawa's D was most of the those seasons those are very good numbers. He'd certainly compete for the starting job with UPL and Levi and at worst would be a huge upgrade as a backup over Reimer. I would love to see a run at Demko.

Maybe, but we still need to unload 3-4 of our current D.

Fix the D and goaltending and if there is any cap left over that address the forwards. We can't Leaf our way to the next level (my reference he is Toronto wasting money on Tavares when they needed defense and goaltending).

I'm really learning to loath that smug face.

That’s truly horrible news.

I don't see much difference between John's proposed line and the Vanek, Roy, Max line from 2005/6. Entering that season: Vanek (age 21) 0 NHL games , Roy (age 22) 49 games w 19 pts, and Max (age 26) 332gms w 152 pts. Entering next season: Quinn (age 24) 178 gms w 97 pts, Kulich (age 21) 63 gms w 24 pts & JJP (age 23) 238 gms w 150 pts

Based on his history, he'll play about 60 games for us next season. I disagree with your characterization of Kulich, Kozak and even Malenstyn. All 3 are solid defensively; Kozak especially so. The reason Kozak is even getting a shot in the NHL is because he plays 2 way hockey and does the dirty work teams need. Kulich for a rookie in the NHL, has a very developed 2 way game.

Marner is also one the most consistent Leaf underperformers in the playoffs.

I disagree. We have seen considerable turnover at forward the last 3 years to get to a better group. They aren't nearly as soft and they are much much better defensively. Gone are Skinner, Cozens, Mitts, VO, KO, Girgensons, Jost, Eakin, Hinostroza, Bjork, and Asplund and honestly we are better for it. Guys like Greenway, Benson, Kulich, Zucker and Norris (when healthy), play with much more grit, guille and defense than the guys listed above. Until we fix the D and G, we honestly won't know how the forwards will stand up in the playoffs. That said Tuch was solid in his playoff games with LV.

This isn't really accurate any longer. Zucker, Norris, Tuch, McLeod, Benson, Greenway, Kulich, Kozak and Malenstyn are all solid to excellent defensively. TNT and Krebs are improved. JJP is a work in progress, but is no longer a consistent liability. The forwards' d awareness really isn't an issue any longer. Now add that they were 10th in goals (only 2 goals behind the Leafs), 4th in 5 on 5 goals with 185 and 4th with 191 in all EV situations, the offense isn't the issue with this team, except the awful PP which is solvable with better coaching (IMHO). This past season with had 6 forwards score 20 plus (TNT had 44 and Tuch 36). We had 2 more score 15 (Quinn& Kulich) and 2 more score 10 (Krebs and Benson). We have plenty of capable scoring forwards. Benson and Kulich should continue to improve their scoring given their ages. The issue with this team is the 287 GA (4th worst in the NHL) - Bad goaltending and incompetent defensemen. Over the last 4 years the Sabres have allowed 287 (25th), 297 (26th), 243 (12th), 287 (29th). Our 1114 GA over the last 4 years is 7th worst in the NHL over that period while our 1031 GF is 13th best. I repeat, the issues with this team are poor defensemen and goaltending. When Anderson and Reimer are the 2 best goalies over the last 4 years it's easy to ID that problem. Now add the revolving door of crap D besides Dahlin and that problem is also easy to identify.

I’m fine with the forward group as is. It’s not perfect, a few small changes might help, but I like the core of Benson, Tuch, TNT, Kulich, McLeod, Zucker, & JJP. With a healthy Norris so much better. This is not the area that kept this team from winning.

I loath the Leafs, but I’m not happy they were eliminated. The Sam Bennett cheap shot to the Leafs goalie changed the complexion of the series. The lack of a penalty or a suspension was further proof of the joke that is the NHL league office and the refs that work for them. For once I almost feel bad for Leafs nation. Almost

LOL. Yep, it seems that way. After all it's the Sabres way. Trade Eichel, trade Reinhart, might as well trade JJP. Let's trade all the good players our system develops and allow them to win Cups elsewhere. Dumping another good young forward is the height of stupidity. Why not trade/waive/catapult our bad defensemen and goaltending and use the saved cap space to fix the real problems with this team. Put Power, Byram, UPL, Samuelsson, and Clifton on the block and see what you can get. That's over 25 mill in cap liability right there. Dump most of those players and bring in a solid goaltender to play with Levi and find 2-3 defensive D and this team will become a playoff team next season.

Kevyn Adams - Manager of Harborside Arena. Ryan O’Reilly - Zamboni driver

Lou’s first piece of advice to Terry will be to fire Adams and bring in a real GM.

That's correct. Even if you "shift" Samuelsson's and Clifton's money to Byram, you still have to allocate cap for their replacements.

I think it means they are average at best, but mostly below average. What are their numbers away from Dahlin. JBD at 60% is adequate. Having one good defenseman (Dahlin), 1 adequate one (JBD) and the rest below average or worse is not a recipe for success. The team stats, as I mentioned above, show that this team is below average defensively. The number 5 on 5 in SA, SCA,HDCA have been consistently bad the last 3 years regardless of goaltending. Bad goaltending just makes a bad problem worse.

They aren't adequate defensively.