GASabresIUFAN

Thus the reason for this thread.

Good for Devon. Enjoy college and have another great season. Now hopefully Portillo wins the National Championship signs with the Sabres to be Rochester's starter and we'll have our three goalie prospect staggered nicely and developed properly. Now Kevyn, do your job and go get the team a real proven NHL goalie for the Sabres.

Take out special teams and what are the numbers for the D? Where do you get find these stats?

The team is -55 for the season. Isn’t everyone negative? How much of that is on the goaltending? How much is the D? How have they been in hte last 20 games?

I really want to draft Salomonsson with the Fla pick for no other reason then to hear the announcers trying to say Samuelsson to Salomonsson 20 times a night. Seriously Mattias Samuelsson to Elias Salomonsson. It's almost to good to be true. (.... and he is a really solid looking prospect who would fit into our program).

Why? Miller stayed in school another year after winning the Hobey Baker. It didn't harm him any and I suspect it won't hurt Portillo or Levi. If both guys stay in school, then will get a very clear picture about where UPL is at and then we can send him down if (when ?) he proves not to be ready. That said, I'd almost rather sign Portillo. He is a year older and I don't mind staggering the two goaltender a little.

The new 4th center is going to come from outside the organization. I've suggested Lars Eller, but there are others. We need to spend 15-18 mill just to get to the cap floor. Getting a good 4th center; someone who can score, win a draw but also play up in the lineup, is going to be part of KA's spending this off-season. Despite playing well of late, there are questions surrounding all of our current centers. For example, is Mitts going to stay healthy and reach his potential. What is Cozens upside? Can TNT repeat this year's success or was this a career year. Without any good prospect centers in the organization near NHL ready, we are going to have to have NHL depth that can play important roles when called upon.

And we drafted Ric Seiling instead of him.

How much would it cost to add Stephan Gilmore to the roster and can Beane work some magic to get it done?

Not surprised if true, but a little disappointed. With the additions of Krebs, Tuch, and the growth of JJP and Quinn, not much room in Buffalo any longer for a player of his skillset. Still with injuries comes opportunity and he is very close to being an NHL player. Not sure why you’d give up so quickly. A job in the Swiss league will always be there.

I am surprised that he is the only Sabre on team in Buffalo year round. Maybe I shouldn’t be given the youth on the team. While I like your concept, I wonder if they make him Captain will he want a longer tenure to see this thing through?

So you think he only has one year of tread left on his tires?

Why do you think this? Nothing in KO’s past suggests he’d consider retirement even after major head injuries.

That is certainly the hope, but it may not be the reality of next season, especially if KA installs the Tandem of UPL and Anderson in net. Don’t forget that if the Sabres are in contention and KO remains a vital piece of the team, it becomes very likely that KA signs him to an extension. KA won’t want the leader of the rebuilt culture to walk. However if the Sabres next year fall out of contention, then KA and KO will do what’s best for the franchise and trade KO to a contender. Nothing precludes KO from returning to the Sabres that off-season if he and KA want him back. The odds of a Sabres out of contention and letting KO walk for nothing if healthy are about zero.

Correct! In addition, Pysyk is the 6th best D on this team now and Z is best utilized on the wing. Pysyk becomes the 7th D once Power signs. We need to invest in a good 2 way center someone who can score, kill penalties, can win important draws and play up in case of injury. Z’s highest and best use is as a energy forward who can add some depth scoring.

You don’t think KA would trade KO to a contender for a chance to win a Cup? If KO wants the opportunity KA will certainly oblige.

I’ve added another option to the Poll. I’ve added letting him walk when his contract ends. If he stays healthy I sincerely doubt KA let’s him walk for nothing. However if he gets hurt, which is a distinct possibility then it could come to pass.

?

KO has one season left on his deal. He will be 34 next year and has become the leader of this young improving team. He has also made Buffalo his home. DG is using him primarily in a 2 way role, often taking on the opponent’s top line. He has also deployed him as a scoring winger and on the 2nd PP. The Sabres have been rewarded this season with 18g 23a in 64 games. These are nearly identical number KO posted his 1st season in Buffalo. (65 gp 19g, 26a for 45 pts). The biggest difference is KO’s 5 on 5 playmaking is significantly higher now with 17a 5 on 5 vs 10 in year 1. Considering his injury history with the Sabres, he has stayed healthy this season and proven his game is still intact. My question therefore is taking into account his injury history, age, current production, role on the ice and in the lockerroom should KA extend his contract this summer, should he wait until closer to the end of next season or is it time to move on when his contract expires? If you want to re-sign him, what term and $ would you sign him to? Truthfully, I never thought we’d get to this point. I liked the signing at the time, but thought it was to long. I have always liked KO the player and have really grown to like KO the person. However the concussions lead me to question whether or not KO should retire and that history is still in the back of my mind when I asked the above question. Gudas’ questionable hit on KO yesterday had me holding my breath. Right now I’m in the wait and see camp, but I don’t think I’d object if KA extended KO’s contract this summer. My guess is he makes KO the team Captain and extends him for at least 3 years. If extended I’d approach it like this. A 1 year deal for $6 mill. Once he turns 35, I’d extend him again for 2 more years @ $3 mill. I’d also include a handshake deal that a job awaits him in the organization upon retirement.

I still believe bringing in any UFA here will be hard, but our play of late has likely helped our image around the league. Beating Car and Florida for a change will also help. I agree with your upgrade areas. KA/DG are employing a 4 line roll. The one that needs a serious upgrade in talent at center is KO’s line. I also want a veteran tutor for Power and a real starting goaltender. If Holtby would come I am interested. I think there are better D available in the trade market. My guess to all of this is getting players through trades, but UFAs would be much easier from an asset standpoint.

I was just thinking that we haven’t taken any stupid penalties in a while. Oops! That said the 1st penalty was a dive.

He prefers Peyton “playmaker” Krebs

Correct, now we have to tie it up if we really want to send a message.

Skinner needs to lift his head before passing the darn puck.