GASabresIUFAN

If KA has a goalie tandem of the ancient Anderson and injury prone and unready UPL, he should be fired. I do agree that it's likely Pysyk will return next season in a depth role. He isn't really good enough to be Power's partner unless Power is going to get 3rd pairing minutes and KA doesn't acquire the D partner for Power he has stated he wants.

How will they feel when Anderson and Pysyk aren't re-signed this off-season?

Not exactly a consensus. 29 different players mentioned. No Quinn, but Seth Jarvis on the list.

What a mess. I hope Jack likes his new franchise. I wonder if he'll try to orchestra a trade back to Buffalo.

What? Don't you mean OJ?

Not while playing for Bills and then giving his job back after the murder like the Ravens did for Ray Lewis.

I think part of the issue is that KA is still inexperienced. Because of that inexperience he is unwilling to take to much risk when the pressure is on and worries about making a mistake. I think it’s why he didn’t attempt to use the open goaltender slot before expansion and why he didn’t utilize our cap space to collect more assets. I think he is more comfortable when he has more time to decide in the off-season. My guess is he’ll be more comfortable utilizing the cap space this summer as more teams have to unload better players to get cap compliant or redeploy their cap space to cover needs. For example Varlamov. He wasn’t moved at the deadline, but I doubt the NYI want to pay a backup goalie next season 5 mill.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/cap/

Bills also sign RB Duke Johnson and an OL Greg Mancz (who I’ve never heard of) https://billswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/21/buffalo-bills-sign-duke-johnson-to-one-year-deal/ https://billswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/21/buffalo-bills-sign-ol-greg-mancz/

I guess, but why is he even necessary. Gabe Davis is a better player for much much less. I’d rather draft someone like Pickens, Metchie or Williams.

Jamison Crowder seriously? https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bills-signing-jamison-crowder-former-jets-veteran-wr-getting-a-one-year-deal/

The biggest issue with any UFA based projection for next year is getting top UFAs to come to a team that has been in the dumpster for a decade.

Such as Thompson?

That stat really surprised me. Obviously Hughes is an immensely talented offensive D, but watching both last night I'd rather have Dahlin.

Which Forsberg? The goalie re-signed in Ott and is staying there? I have no problem signing Keumper and Gudbranson, but will they sign here? I don't mind acquiring Georgiev as I don't think UPL is NHL ready. I wanted Torcheck when he was traded to Florida, but where does he play? Our Top 9 for next year looks close to set with Cozens, Mitts and Thompson down the middle and Tuch, Skinner, KO, VO, Quinn and Krebs on the wings and JJP waiting in the wings.

I think the other 31 teams and their fanbases are thrilled. Everyone hates the Leafs and how could you not hate an organization that has unlimited resources, hasn't won crap since 1967 yet still arrogantly call themselves the epicenter of the hockey universe.

On to this offseason. The Sabres have 3 1sts (ours, LV and Fla), our 2nd, our 3rd, our 4th, NJ's 5th, 2 6ths (ours and Calg) and our 7th. Questions for the last 19 games that could influence the off-season game plan: 1) Do Hinostroza, Anderson and Pysyk continue to play well and KA tries to re-sign them this off-season. 2) How well do Mitts and VO play down the stretch. Mitts is coming back regardless, but his role for next year could be greatly influenced. The better VO plays the better his RFA contract offer will be. DeBrusk's 8 mill extension I think sets the low bar for VO's next deal. 3) UPL's play down the stretch in Rochester could also alter KA's thinking for next season, especially if he struggles. 4) Power, Levi and Portillo. I think all will be signed as soon as their seasons end. Portillo has been fantastic down the stretch for Michigan.

I guess their hoping Kallgren continues to play well unit Campbell returns. Hopium is a wonderful thing.

Who Pysyk? I put in my projections that KA carries 8 D next year, and that Johnson will start in the AHL. I have Pysyk and Fitz as the 7/8 with Bryson being the utility D playing both sides. I expect a trade using our cap space to get a partner for Power. I think KA is siding toward bringing Vinnie back and wasn't trading him unless someone made a stupid offer. I hope this is KA's plan and brings in an upgrade over Eakin. I'd love to see Eller.

The Fourth Period had him on their top 40 trade list (32nd) with Edm, Bos, Stl and Carolina interested. They also had Hagg at 29th. The Athletic had him and Vinnie as our most valuable assets, but suggested that his recent injury might hurt his market.

The real questions still remain! How does KA gets us cap complaint next season while adding the right depth to mentor Power, Quinn et al while also helping this team take the next step toward being competitive? Should be a very interesting off-season. I believe the right moves are out there for this team to take a huge leap next season. We discussed in another thread the turnaround the team made back in 2003/04 when the Briere/Drury team began to emerge. The next 19 game will show whether this team is ready to make a similar turnaround. After the 6 game losing streak this team has found something and is now 6-3 in their last nine games and all 6 wins were against playoff teams or teams still fighting for a wildcard/playoff spot. Granted the 3 loses were poorly played games, but the team rebounded beautifully from those games.

I don't know if this was directed at me, but I am not surprised KA didn't trade anyone since I never thought that Eakin, Miller, Butcher had much if any trade value. I also doubted Anderson, Pysyk and Hinostroza would be traded because I believe KA might bring Pysyk and Hinostroza back next season at value depth and even put of them in both in my sample rosters for next season. Anderson has become a leader and mentor, which KA discussed when he signed them and KA wouldn't have traded him anywhere Anderson didn't want to go. I also said in the deadline rumors thread that he wouldn't move anyone with term or control. I guess the only sort of surprise is that the "net" said Miller had some decent value. I would love to know what teams offered the UFAs.

I think this confirms the value of our depth players.

Miller is a UFA and won't be here next season which is why KA needs to move him in the next 10 minutes

Braun went for a 3rd. Miller's value has to be around that except Braun cap hit was only 1.8. No one wants Eakin.