GASabresIUFAN

Good f'ing question. The simple answer is that the teams and players wanted it this way. The owners of big money teams want every advantage they can get. I went looking through all the teams cap situations in search of a goalie and was surprised by how many teams this season seems to have a bunch of players out injured. We have discussed Buffalo's terrible mess, but look at Mon, LV, Edm, Chi etc. 12 teams have 5 of move injured players.

Ultimately this team is going to be somewhat defined by the trades of the big 3 (ROR, Jack and Sam) From the looks of it we have received A top 6 center - Thompson, who is currently out pointing ROR, but obviously isn't the FO guy or 2 way player ROR is, but is also 7 years younger and being paid 6.1 million less for another year. (Both their contracts expire after next season). A Top 6 winger - While Tuch comes from the Eichel trade, he is essentially now is Sam's role. Sam 26, is now a pt a game player for Florida (16g 28a in 44 games) for $6.5 for the next 2 seasons and then he's a UFA. Tuch, who adds a physical dimension that Sam lacks, is 25, locked up for 4 more years at 4.75 and is producing equal to Samson at 6g 11a in 15 games. From a production standpoint we have replaced 2/3 of the production of the departed Big 3 for nearly 8 mill less. But now for the rest of the pieces. Peyton Krebs - He looks potentially like a top 6 playmaker we so desperately need. He isn't the talent Eichel was but he adds a sorely needed dimension to this team. Will continue to get better with time and I think he can replace 65 to 75% of what Eichel gave us production wise. Ryan Johnson - LHD turning pro after this college season. Reminds me of Jake McCabe in a good way. Could really help solidify the D, especially if he can play the right side. Devon Levi - On track to be the best goaltender in our system since Ryan Miller. His acquisition, if he continues to emulate the ascension of Ryan Miller, could be the difference maker in making this latest rebuild a Cup contender. Fla 1st rd pick in 2022 - Expect the pick to be late in the 1st. There are some intriguing players, especially D late in this draft class. LV 1st rd pick in 2022 - see above. Maybe KA can parlay these picks to move up in the 1st to grab some like Marco Kasper, who as 17 is carving out a role in the SHL, unlike Isak Rosen. To me Levi and Krebs are the keys. If they flourish, I think we'll walk away thinking we got younger and ultimately better without the Big 3. Still none of theses guys add the dynamic play of Eichel, but as we saw last night Krebs at least has the dynamic passing skills in his arsenal.

The Ralph Krueger effect on Skinner is remarkable. Skinner's best two seasons in Carolina were 63 pts (31 and 37 goals in those seasons) First year in Buffalo was 40 goals and 63 pts. 83 games under RK 16g 10a including 2g 1a in 25 games last year. This season 20g 14a in 45 games thus on pace for 36 goals 62 points.

We could use a poll to see what folks here think are the most likely organizational changes this off-season. Right now I believe that TP will sell a stake in the team and that Karmanos will be promoted to GM with KA becoming team President.

Vogl suggested in his recent mailbag article in the Athletic a Johnson to LA trade. He remarked that they have an excess of RHD prospects and might be willing to trade one for a LHD. He also thought that they’d go with a full kids D group next season.

Obviously!

Just watched the replay. Amazing game for our top line, but where were all the other forwards?

Quick which NHL center has more points this season Thompson or O’Reilly? Which center has more goals, Thompson or O’Reilly?

The funny thing is that we aren’t asking to get Hasek in his prime, all we really need is stability in net for two years while our kids mature. If you look at the trade market in recent years, middle level goalies can be had for a second. I’d be happy with Quick if he is willing to come.

Skinner’s biggest issue was RK. He was hired to be a goal scorer and RK used him as a 4th line plugger. The improvements in Thompson, Cozens, Joki, and Dahlin with the rebounds in KO and Skinner and addition of Tuch have made this season watchable and bode well for next season.

How could I possibly forget Dell. I still think Butcher was worse because we are paying him 2.8 mill to stink, but Dell is an excellent dumpster fire pick.

I added a comeback player of the year award.

What are your team and individual awards (positive and negative) Most Improved Player? Most Valuable player? Rookie of the Year? Is there one? Unsung Hero? Comeback player of the year? Biggest Positive Surprise - Player? Biggest Disappointment (Player and Team) Biggest Team Accomplishment? Best KA Acquisition? Worst KA Acquisition?

This is not a good solution. This is the same problem for another season. Anderson is to old to play 40 games and UPL is still completely unproven as a pro and can’t stay healthy. How is this a solution? How does this help the team take the next step forward?

what a dive by Staal.

Sign Strauss Mann

Our 3 goalie prospects may not be ready for starting duty in the NHL for 2-3 more years. UPL has yet to show he stay healthy for an entire season much less play 50 games as an NHL starter. He has also yet to show he can sustain a high level of play in the pros. Levi and Portillo have yet to play pro hockey. We need to bridge the gap and what KA has done isn't cutting it.

After doing a glance through the NHL trade tracker, it looks like the last 1st rd pick traded directly for a goaltender was TM's acquisition of Lehner.

Over the last 4 seasons not a single 1st rd pick was traded for a goaltender. Many involved cap dumps and a bunch of 2nd and 3rd rd picks. Considering that we have zero goalies under contract for next season, spending a 2nd rd pick on competent goaltending is a small price to pay. The Sabres need to take a big step forward next season and praying injury prone UPL will be a good starting goaltender as early as next season is not a solution.

Why do you and others always default to the UFA market? Last I looked, we have a serious excess cap availability and 16 teams that need to free up cap space this off-season. There will be good goalies available in trade.

I just watched the 3rd period last night. I've had enough. KA should be ashamed for the goaltending he gave the Sabres this season. The Sabres should have easily won this game and the goaltending let another good effort go down the drain. Enough. I know we are stuck in the current situation for this season, but if by camp next season KA doesn't have to under 35 proven goaltenders on this roster, he should be fired. There is no excuse for this mess. UPL still has a chance to prove he is an NHL goaltender, but now that he is back in Rochester, he needs to post a 2.8 gaa (or better) with a .915 save % or better the remainder of the season to prove is in close to being at least an NHL backup.

Does the team win this game with better goaltending?

Actually it’s not. I like having my dominate eye closer to the target, just like hitting a baseball.

A couple of thoughts on Wheeler's list. 1) Samuelsson IMHO is a better prospect then Johnson. Wheeler's comments about Matt's lack of offense in the NHL may or may not come true, but I don't see much from Johnson either and Samuelsson adds a physical dimension that Johnson lacks. 2) Novikov should have been much higher on the list. An 18 year old D who can successfully play in the KHL will likely be an NHL regular in the next few years. Guys like Laaksonen, Rousek, and Costantini may never make the NHL full time if at all yet Wheeler has then rated ahead of Novikov. 3) Novak should also be rated higher and Rosen lower. I'm not seeing him as a better prospect right now over Kisakov and Poltapov. His description of Kisakov made me think of Max Afinogenov. 4) I agree on his placement of Portillo who has really blossomed in the last month. If I was re-doing my updated list again, I'd have Portillo higher as well. I also agree on moving Nadeau up. He maybe our fastest rising prospect.

Ditto, except I'm only part Canadian and I throw a ball left handed. You this means we are in our right state of mind.