GASabresIUFAN

I agree that DeMelo has to be on KA’s radar. I also agree on Manson. His offense has evaporated the last few years and he is -10 in only 20 games on one of the best teams in the NHL in Colorado. While +/- isn’t a great stat, but it really stands out when one guy is so much worse than any other player on the roster.

Another sign we are moving in the right direction.

Maybe, but DG put Girgensons there instead.

I don’t want to trade Asplund. I’ve said I’d make him available in the right deal. I’ve stated many times that I like Asplund and his game. However I’m realistic in that you have to give to get. If including Asplund in a deal to get good goaltending or a partner for Power KA has to consider it. Also Asplund is a winger not a center. Replacing a center is the issue here.

As I written before, I’d move on from Girgensons, but I acknowledge that’s unlikely. I also think Asplund is expendable in the right deal. I would also re-sign Vinnie and waive Bjork. DG utilized Eakin continually in the lineup to win key draws in late game situations, PP and PK. His FO% was 56.1 this season, but he is unlikely to return next fall and there isn’t an adequate replacement for his faceoff skill on the roster. Here are the % of our other centers, Girgensons 50.9, Cozens 45.3, Mitts 43.8, Asplund 42.6, TNT 40.5 and Krebs 35.6. There is also a question of whether JJP’s two way game is NHL ready. The Sabres are likely to carry 14 forwards next season for a variety of reasons including help getting to the cap floor, injury insurance and matchups. This year the team used 22 different forwards to combat injuries. Only 7 guys played most of the season (69 to 78 games). Another 7 played 38 to 60 games. 4 more played 18-19 games. Of those 14 main forwards 3 are either gone or should be (Hayden, Bjork and Eakin). A 4th, Hinostroza, is a UFA and may not return. That’s 4 potential roster spots. Quinn is getting one and that is the only sure thing. I think this uncertainty, the need for a good faceoff guy and the need for a cap hit opens the door for the acquisition of 2 way center for KO’s line.

Acquiring a 4th line center won’t impede any of our young forwards. I do agree on scoring forwards.

Truthfully their both marginal playoff teams at best. Dallas only has 5 more regulation wins then the Sabres and they have less then LV, Van and the NYI. They are something like 15-5 in OT/SO. LV, their character is out for all to see, after going 1-2-2 in their last 5 and 3-3-2 in their last 9. Not exactly cruising into the playoffs On the other hand the Sabres, who are just playing for pride, are 6-4 in their last ten with all 4 losses to 4 of the best teams in the NHL - Fla, Car, TB and STL

Oh come on. It's a little funny.

I bet KA can get him cheap.

These are the worst shootout attempts

Sorry Jack

Just take out the goalie. NP.

Dallas just got lucky

Eichel 2 minutes for roughing

@Weave Well said.

My biggest concern with Manson is that he is -11 on Colorado since being traded there.

Holtby is just one option, which is why I said “on the face of things”. We are going to have to rely on the scouts and management staff to choose the right guy. Maybe it’s Varlamov in trade, maybe it’s DeSmith, maybe it’s one of the Russian RFAs? I honestly have no idea how this is going to play out, other then KA must do something more then he has done the last two years. After looking at this 20 ways to Sunday, I have a much longer list of who I don’t want or think will come here. If I had to guess on someone, I think Husso has to be near the top of KA’s wish list. I’d also guess Holtby and DeSmith are high on the list as well. These 3 make the most sense to me given KA’s past actions and statements. I doubt Kuemper, MAF or Campbell are coming here. I’d also guess Korpisalo, despite his poor season, is on the list because of his age but only as a bargain option. The wild card is whether KA is willing to trade for an RFA like Samsonov, Georgiev, or Vanacek. To me these are the most intriguing options. They are still young with upside. If they succeed we might end up with a franchise goalie at a long term reasonable contract. I honestly have zero faith in UPL at this point.

No question. Every draft pick is a lottery pick. You could get a Tarasenko (16th in 2010), Tom Wilson (16th in 2012), Barzal or even Chychurn, but you also could get guys like Sonny Milano, Martin Kaut, Jusso Valmaki, Ty Wishart or Colton Gillies. Our track record at 16 is fair with Armia (2011) and Zadarov (2013). Even the really good 16th picks usually took a few years to make the jump to the NHL.

I remember when he first was drafted we, Sabrespace, talked extensively about his playing his off-side. Once he settled in as a LHD we seemed to forget that playing on the right was his preferred place to play, much like Vanek playing his off-wing. Having him back on the right has significantly altered how are young D are placed. It, along with the additon of Power, shifted Samuelsson to the top line and bumped Bryson to the bottom pair and changed how we perceive Joki.

Joki is a better skater. My comparison was more about role on the team and how they continued to improve. However, I agree the McCabe was much more physical, but that part of McCabe’s game evolved into a bigger piece of McCabe’s game over time. I don’t think Joki will become much more then his 3.5 hits per 60 has has been for his career, but at least he isn’t afraid to take be physical.

Throwing $5 mill at Holtby is similar to TM giving Meszaros $4 mill for a season to get to the cap floor, but with hopefully better results. The biggest difference between now and then is the position of the two squads. TM’s squad was designed to fail and Meszaros was part of that. This time, this team is at the cusp of being playoff competitive for the first time in a decade+ and KA needs to throw his money into the right places. Goaltending will certainly be one of them, so he needs to get the who right. I think Holtby has had a nice rebound season, is a Cup and Vezina winner and is only 32. On the face of things he could be a perfect bridge for the next few years.

The truth is he is expendable now. Since Power entered the lineup his PT has been reduced to 11-12 minutes a game. This is someone easily replaced if necessary. I like Bryson and like that he can play both sides, but if I need to trade him to get the RHD we need for Power, I’d do it in a heart beat.

While I generally agree with you here, but I can see scenarios where Bryson or Asplund end up in trades to upgrade other areas. Once Johnson signs (if?) Bryson becomes moveable. Asplund can also become expendable if KA signs a center for the KO line. Personally I’d rather trade Girgensons over Asplund, but I don’t see KA moving on from one of his veteran leaders at this point.

I been reading in other threads about the highest and best use of our friend Henri Jokiharju. He reminds me of McCabe in many ways and I expect him to continue to improve like McCabe did. However, it’s becoming clear from his advanced stats that he really should be our 3rd pairing RHD now that Dahlin has moved to the right side. While he is ok with everyone he plays with, he isn’t great with anyone and Power needs someone that will allow Power to roam some and not get caught out of position. I don’t think Joki is that guy, yet. I do think in a couple of years he’ll get there just like McCabe did. So who is Power’s partner next year? Besides goaltending this has to be KA’s top priority this off-season for both on ice player and for the cap compliance. One other thought. By moving Dahlin to the right side, my guess is that it improved Johnson’s long-term prospects of making the Sabres. I doubt Ryan is to worried about beating out Bryson.

I’m going to play Jack apologist for a second. Jack is coming back from a career threatening injury and a difficult surgery. He had no camp, had to play his way back into shape and play with guys he was unfamiliar with. The fact he has done as well as he has is pretty amazing. LV won’t get what they paid for until next season. That said there are reasons for LV to be worried about acquiring Jack, but his play this season isn’t the cause of their hopefully missing the playoffs. Injuries (they still have 7 players out with injuries) and mediocre goaltending are responsible.