GASabresIUFAN

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.

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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.

The PP is much much better with Mitts on the wall.

Did we have someone in front of Knight at all that period?

Whether Hellebuyck is available, which I can accept he may not be, KA has to kick the tires on every proven goalie available. He needs to call everyone and see what shakes out. I also agree he shouldn’t pay a king’s ransom for anyone. A 1st and a prospect is as far as I’d go, but that would only be for a goalie with significant tread left on the tire.

You mean TM. Darcy was definitely a deal maker but his drafting and development was a critical part of his success until video scouting. Teppo, Connolly, Lydman, Briere, Hecht and Drury may have come from trades or signing of UFAs, but Miller, Biron, Roy, Pommers, Vanek, Stafford, Max, Kotalik, McKee, Campbell, Gaustad, Stafford, Kalinin and Tallinder were all draft and develop.

With a few weeks to go in the season the D seems to have settled in. They kept Nash from getting a shot for almost 17 minutes at one point last night. Dahlin has become a star. Samuelsson has been excellent as the physical stay at home D but is also showing a willingness to get involved offensively. Joki is steady and DG likes him on the second PP. Those 3 are locks for next season and honestly Bryson and Fitzgerald are making strong cases to stay in the lineup next fall. Bryson’s play since being moved to the right side has been excellent regardless of who he has been paired with. Fitz has been solid as well while adding a little needed feistiness to the group. Once Power is inserted and assuming KA adds a veteran RHD to the young group, he is going to have a hard time sitting either Bryson or Fitz

TNT vs ROR?

Gotcha. Not wanting to be here is very triggering

He bamboozled key players, the GM, the owners, members of the media, fans, and G-d knows who else. RK is Rasputin.

How do you know he won't want to come here? He is an American kid from Michigan who played college at U Mass Lowell. Who wants to be in Wpg? I don't see them on a upward trajectory. (Maybe I just don't like the ex-Thrashers).

I believe that is correct.

By the way, someone needs to get Jim Kelly an updated Sabres hat. Jim the "Slug" is dead.

The last 17 games were a good test. This is a gauntlet, until we get to beat on the Leafs again. If we win 2 of the 5 against TB, Car and Fla I'll be thrilled.

Why? The Sabres have a $6 mill guy on the 4th line. We need almost $18 in spending this year to just get us to the cap floor, $ 38 million for the current ceiling. Giving $5 to VO is a step in that direction and on a 4 year deal, we'll get his prime years. We shouldn't bounce up against the ceiling for at least 5 years. Don't be so locked in to 1, 2, 3 & 4th lines. KA isn't building the team that way. He is building a team of depth and matchups. The Tuch, Skinner, TNT line is No. 1 right now, but if you noticed DG is also breaking them up mid game. We have seen recently all 3 other lines have big games. Z scored 2 against Wpg. VO had 2g and 1a against Chicago and has 8 goals in his last 15 games. Krebs had a goal and an assist last night. Cozens had two helpers in both the Chi and Nash games, while Mitts had 2 against the Rags and 6 points in his last 7 games. Everyone is contributing that has made the difference in March.

I'd make that deal right now.