GASabresIUFAN

Will Adams acquire a legit top 6 forward or 2/3 center before next season? Who do you think is still available to acquire? OK, let the debate begin!

I think the optimist would say with better coaching (a given) coupled with good goaltending this team could be a playoff team. Last season the Sabres decreased their goals allowed by 56 goals. That is nearly a 20% drop year over year. In the last 3 years the Sabres' differential went from -58 to -4 to +2. Unfortunately the sticking point last season was the drop in goals from 296 to 246. Moving on from Mitts and Skinner with only Zucker as a replacement so far is definitely not an offensive improvement. Asking for TNT, Tuch and Cozens to all rebound coupled with continued growth from JJP, Quinn and Benson is asking a lot without having a legit 3rd scoring line to pick up needed slack at times.

So you basically confirming @Thorny's post that keeping Skinner with 3 replacement level players would be better than the bottom of the barrel acquisitions by Adams again this season?

You'd have to bet on Kane as well considering they are now teammates. We also need to add Jost & Robinson to the poll now that they've joined the Canes.

LMAO. I do love Kevyn Adams.

except Krebs of course! 🙂 My guess is that Savoie or Kulich maybe better than Krebs is right now.

Where would you rank his replacement, Krebs, on the current roster? 10th, 11th?

According to capfriendly, it's a 1 year 2 way deal for 775K.

This is a very astute post. Zucker and Greenway can play up, but that's not a very preferable option. The current reliance on the development of Krebs is just not smart. I say current reliance as there is still a possibility that KA somehow manages to trade some prospects for a real top 9 center. The depth signings are fine. I like the new tougher and faster 4th line, but they aren't enough to cover up a 3rd line of Zucker, Greenway and Krebs. This team is now 2 2nd lines with 2 4th lines. Not exactly a winning combo. Not exactly the aggressive moves to make the Sabres into a playoff team.

I just had a chance to watch my recording of the 1st rd of the NHL draft. A couple of interesting stats they mentioned. During the U18's Helenius lead the tourney in possession and in passes that resulted in a shot on goal. I'd love to see him in Rochester in the fall. Should be interesting to see how he measures up against Östlund, Savoie and Kulich (assuming some of those guys aren't traded).

Obviously you don't follow RFAs very well. In the news today, Shane Pinto, an RFA, has been unable to reach a new contract with Ottawa and has requested a trade. Don't assume anything. Maybe that's too hard a concept for you.

You act like it's a sure thing that UPL and Joki will be back. It's not. Both are arbitration eligible RFAs. If they go to player elected arbitration, the team can walk away from the ruling. These are rare but do happen (see Tim Kennedy). Also they can also be included in trade before a contract is signed (see Beck Malensytn). Until the contract is signed, that player is not officially on the roster no matter how much you want to pencil him in.

Girgensons, Jost, Robinson, and Comrie are also gone. Girgensons is the only remain FA of that group.

Here is a summary of the moves so far (NHL roster wise) 1) Skinner bought out and signs with Edm 2) RFA Malenstyn (F) acquired for the 43rd pick in the 2024 draft (but still un-signed) 3) Forwards Zucker, Lafferty & Aube-Kubel signed in free agency 4) D, Dennis Gilbert signed 5) D, Clague and Bryson re-signed 6) Girgensons, Olofsson, Robinson, Jost and Comrie all sign contracts elsewhere Is the team better? Is this a playoff caliber roster?

How true.

Last I looked Joker does not have a contract.

Dahlin, Power, Mule, Clifton, Byram, Gilbert and Byrson. Who is the 8th? Clague is a 2-way deal and Johnson's on an ELC.

I think this is a pipedream at this point. KA kept telling us that Krebs is a solution at center and that he intends to re-sign him and Joki. Maybe we should take him at his word. At least he's re-made the 4th line to where it might be effective.

you have to wear a blindfold.

Savoie is also a center. For what it’s worth, I did read on X from one of the sports journalists that the Sabres are still looking for C via trade.

I do love a good Slap Shot reference.

I don’t think that was the goal. The goal was to get harder to play against and get some secondary scoring. Still, without a C better than Krebs, the lineup still doesn’t work.

No, Krebs is the insurance policy if Adams can’t find a 2/3C in trade.

You are correct. He is a 2C on a Cup contender.

Adams does suck, but I’ve said very nice things about both the Zucker and Lafferty signings. Do you think our 3rd line center position has been adequately filled since the Mitts trade?