GASabresIUFAN

Once Mitts, Dahlin and Joki re-sign, we'll be over the cap and I'd have rather spent 2.8 on a goalie. I'd feel better about it if he been a RHD. As with last year, I'd rather see Samuelsson and Bryson over Hagg and Butcher. What funny about KA's off-season is that he acquired mediocre vets to compete against kids who showed ok in the NHL (Samuelsson and Bryson) making it harder for them to make the team. However in goal he acquired guys who are not longer NHL players to not block a goalie (UPL) who can't stop pucks in the AHL. The strategy makes literally zero sense, but then again either do the Sabres.

and just think, they'll be better then we are.

I'm pretty much in agreement with you here. I think winning games or more generally being competitive each night would do much more for the culture that anything else. No one wants to work for a company or team going under. As to Butcher, him wanting to be here is all well and good, but why being him in at all. Bryson may not be as dynamic offensively, but he is better on defense and KA's stated goal was not to block the kids. With Miller and Dahlin already on the roster, and Bryson capable of adding some O, Butcher is a luxury that was completely unnecessary. He also isn't cheap. We are paying 2.8 mill (of his 3.7) for a guy who'll likely be a 3rd pairing guy, giving us the same value as a 750K scrap heap vet. It's a waste of money. KA should have spent the 2.8 on a goalie and at least made us a touch more competitive. Like I said this acquisition makes no sense.

I agree which is why I’ve been saying I don’t understand the Butcher acquisition. They can limit him by playing him with Pysyk for about 12 minutes a night 5 on 5 and then use him on the PP

Butcher needs a coach who knows how to utilize his offense and protect him on defense.

Hagg in goal? He can't be worse then Dell. I also like Samuelsson in the lineup over Hagg. Frankly, I'm ok with Hagg and Samuelsson in over Butcher. I won't mind 2 physical guys in the lineup each night.

If DG goes with the vets over the kids, KA's acquisitions would have blocked two kids and give us a starting 6 of Dahlin Jokiharju Hagg Miller Butcher Pysyk That's hard to look at.

none. Arbitration ended on the 26th I believe.

The camp battles should be interesting. I can honestly see both R2 and Asplund kept at wing to bolster the forward lines and that is where he played them last season, but I also think R2 should be given a legit shot at center. KA also signed centers Hayden and MacInnis. While the season could be very difficult. It should be a very interesting camp to see who asserts themselves. My guess is it's going to be a wide open camp for line combos, but with a few battles for depth positions like 4th line center.

Now that the arbitration cases are over my guess is RFAs signing will pick up. Training camps will open in a few weeks (9/15 or so). Preseason starts 9/28. Regular season 10/14.

It’s not a question of comfort. It’s a question of who do we have that most likely can do the job. The 3 most talented healthy centers on the current roster are Mitts, Cozens and R2. I don’t think that is debatable. The question then is how do we allocate them to maximize the offense. Under Granato last season Mitts as the 2C scored at a 60+ pt pace. Who else on this roster played at that level? No one says this is a playoff contender. The goal this season is continued development of young players. Challenging these kids is part of that process. Ask yourself are Cozens and R2 an upgrade over Staal and Eakin?

Beane knows his job, but it was pretty clear that Gabe Davis was ready for a bigger role. I suspect Davis will be starting over Sanders sooner then later.

John Brown released by the Raiders.

I don't think 400k (aka $400,000) will go very far in fixing Key Bank

Seems small to me as well. 1.4 Billion and it's not even a dome.

I never said he was cut - I listed "cuts/trades"

Three somewhat surprises so far on Bills cuts/trades - Cam Lewis, Jacob Hollister and Daryl Johnston. I heard that Cam Lewis had a great camp. I'm surprised they didn't find a way to keep him. The Johnston trade was also surprising given his value of special teams. Just shows how deep this roster is when guys like Lewis and Johnston can't make the team.

This happens every year. People want guarantees. They don't exist. Skinner scored 40, must be signed to a long term deal yelled this board because he'll now score 40 every year playing with Jack. Didn't happen. Mitts is a bust yelled this board. Now it's Mitts can't play 1C. He did just fine as the 2C down the stretch and is the best option we have right now. I also have zero worries about R2 as a C in the NHL. Will he be over matched at times. Probably, but his skill level will give him an advantage against many 3C's in the NHL. Cozens is still a kid and we are force feeding him, but if anyone can be force feed a role I think he is the guy. I actually don't think there is any question that Cozens will eventually be a very effective 2C. Hopefully starting next year. For comparison purposes here is last years opening centers - Eichel, Staal, Eakin. This coming season so far - Mitts, Cozens, R2. As we saw Staal and Eakin were done as NHL players, while the 3 guys we have now are ascending and have upside. Sure none of these guys are as dynamic a talent as Jack, but from a depth standpoint, I'll take the new group. I don't think there are any questions about Mitts, Cozens and R2's talent. The only real question is are they ready for the role they'll be given. We won't know what they are until they are given a chance to play there. Remember we pigeon holed Reinhart as a RW. We found out to late that the replacement for ROR was already on the roster all along.

Simple. After trading and not replacing ROR, we created a scoring line of Skinner, Eichel and Reinhart. We foolishly created a super line instead of 2 or 3 capable lines. We learned last year that the replacement for ROR was here all along in Reinhart, but we stapled him to Jack's hip. Dumb. Now we'll have 3 lines centered by three capable centers in Mitts, Cozens, and R2. Skinner and VO are good scoring wingers. Thompson should add some scoring from a depth role. The question becomes can guys like Girgensons (hi 15), KO (27), Asplund (7), Hinostroza (16), Caggiula (13) and Bjork (9) add 10+ goals each next year to help balance the lines. Remember I'm not saying this is the TB offense, I'm just saying I think we can roll 3 lines capable of scoring.

This is becoming ROR part 2. Top line centers on long-term deals, check. Both want out of town due to losing, check. Management is also inclined to trade them, check. Circumstances that limit trade value to the Sabres; ROR's bonus and Jack's injury coupled with the NMC clause kicking in next summer. At least ROR was healthy. That deal should almost serve as a reference point for what we can expect for Jack if he was healthy. We basically received a 1st and a good prospect plus two contracts on marginal NHL players. Again this isn't happening unless someone is willing to take on the liability of the surgery. Taking the $8 mill bonus hit was a much easier pill to swallow.

I’m kind of with you right now. I think the offense will be ok. Assuming the kids continue to progress the center of Mitts, Cozens, R2 should make up 3 capable scoring lines. I’m more worried about our 3rd D pairing getting caved every night and our complete lack a goaltending. We could have a -100 differential with a Dell/Anderson combo

Any surprise in the roster cuts?

That's fair.

I haven't heard that term being floated. I’ve heard he might not be the same player after either surgery but not career ending. Since TM isn’t a GM anymore, hard for teams to trade damaged goods for big returns.

Sounds like the reason the agents got fired. Sabres decide the surgery, Sabres hold the contract and the Sabres have the injury insurance policy that probably gets voided if Jack opts for the replacement surgery. Jack has the NMC that kicks in next summer, and I guess the ability to collect his money on IR while damaging his career. Sounds like we are going to be here for a while.