sweetlou

I am actually hoping that Granato keeps Mitts between Tuch and Skinner and has Thompson play with Cozens and JJP the way they ended last season. Let Krebs and Jost center the 3rd and 4th lines. You have Greenway, Okposo, Girgensons, and Rousek to rotate on the wings. I still want to move on from Olofsson. Trade him for a 2nd or 3rd and then sign Tatar for one year and pay him what you would have paid Olofsson. Tatar did great playing with the young guys on NJ last year. I want that veteran leadership rather than another rookie trying to prove himself.

Looking at the remainig UFA's there seems to be a few that could start the season and give Buffalo a different look than just rolling with Olofsson again. I would only be giving a one year contract as I don't need anyone with term with all the young guys coming up. Nick Richie would be nice on the third line with Greenway. Tomas Tatar could flank Cozens and JJP. Would you take a waiver on Puljujuarvi to play alongside Cozens? You could try Suter at 3rd line center and move Mitts to play with Cozens and JJP.

With the injury to Quinn and the uncertainty and confidence in Olofsson, can Adams and Granato use the depth on defense to start the year with a lineup with 11 forwards and 7 defeenseman? This can also let the aging Johnson move around the lineup and help on the PK with out being a set fixture on a particluar line. I also would love to see Tuch, Skinner, and Thompson get extra shifts during the beginning of the season to help other players get off to a good start. Forwards- Skinner, Thompson, Tuch JJP, Cozens, xxx Greenway, Mitts, Jost Girgensons, Krebs, Okposo Defense- Mule, Dahlin Power, Clifton Joker, Bush, Johnson

Way overpayment for Tom Wilson...$6.5 AAV for 7 years !!!!

So is Benson in the same situation as Savoi? It's either WHL or NHL. I suppose that they both could go back to WHL, dominate until worlds, goback to Jrs, and then come to Buffalo or Rochester.

Sabres are probably giving Power two options. Sign bridge deal now after one year in NHL for 3 years at $6 million and see where things go or take the long term as a number 2, and sign 8 years for $8 million and get to free agency sooner.

Why the Sabres should make the playoffs this year with pretty much the same team. Games from last year that they regret not getting a point. 11/8- lost 4-1 to Arizona at home 11/15- lost 5-4 to Vancouver at home 11/16- lost 4-1 to Ottawa at home 1/9- lost 4-0 to Philadelphia at home 1/17- lost 4-3(ot) to Chicago in Chicago 2/28- lost 5-3 to Columbus at home 3/17- lost 5-2 to Philadelphia in Philadelphia 3/27- lost 4-3(so) to Montreal at home There may have been a few more games that we needed to win against teams above the Sabres in standings, but if they had just gone .500 in above games they have 7 more points and are in playoffs!! That also gets them over .500 at home. The Arizona, Philly, and Columbus home games were must wins and they were not ready. Granato has to make sure that doesn't happen again if last year was truly a growing year.

I think KA kicked the tires on a few goalies and other UFA/trade defenseman. Just didn't like the ask and wants to maintain the growth from within. I think he is also betting on other Atlantic teams not being as good, and gaining the additional 6-8 points needed with wins against those teams. Buffalo also had several losses to teams below them in standings the they should've picked up points. Games from last year that they regret not getting a point. 11/8- lost 4-1 to Arizona at home 11/15- lost 5-4 to Vancouver at home 11/16- lost 4-1 to Ottawa at home 1/9- lost 4-0 to Philadelphia at home 1/17- lost 4-3(ot) to Chicago in Chicago 2/28- lost 5-3 to Columbus at home 3/17- lost 5-2 to Philadelphia in Philadelphia 3/27- lost 4-3(so) to Montreal at home There may have been a few more games that we needed to win against teams above the Sabres in standings, but if they had just gone .500 in above games they have 7 more points and are in playoffs!!

Tanner Jeannot signs 2 year $2,665,000 AAV extension and avoids arbitration. He will be an UFA after contract expires. So Tampa trades a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th rd pick for Jeannot, and then only signs him to a 2 year extension?? Doesn't sound like very good asset management to me.

So still a couple of interesting vet UFA forwards I believe could be interesting on 1 year deals. (I'm all for having Kulich, Rousek, and Savoi spend a year in minors or Jrs to grow Ito their bodies.) $3-4 million range Thomas Tatar- really helped young guns in Jersey the last couple of years $1-1.5 million range Nick Ritchie- would be another formidable winger with Mitts, and type of player Sabres lack Tyler Motte- Tenacious forechecker and good on Pk Tomas Nosek- Tenacious forechecker and good on Pk Derek Grant- good on face-offs and Pk Maxime Comtois- fresh start, could he return to form of 15-20 goals, not afraid to stick up for teammates A defenseman that I don't why is not signed or not qualified is Simon Benoit? Anyone have any info on why this guy is still available? At 24yrs old played almost 20 minutes a game, led the team in Pk minutes, led team in hits, and then they don't qualify him? I'd rather have him over Joker, Bush, Stillman, and Bryson!!

I think he could be a good 13th forward that can add muscle when needed to give either Jost or Okposo a rest. With Rousek being able to clear waivers, he will probably be sent down.

K'Andre Miller signs 2 years at AAV of $3.872. Makes the Samuelsson signing look better. They now only have 2.3 million to sign LaFreniere. "Hey Drury you want one of our shiny prospects named Rosen or Östlund and our 24' 1st rd pick for LaF?" or do you go the other route and ask "I'll take Goodrow with $1.5 million retention and NYR 24' 1st rd pick to Buffalo for future considerations?"

I also expect some of the teams in the West to be better than last year.

With a way too early look at the Atlantic Division. The Sabres have improved their defense over last year and barring any more movement, are going to rely on the young goaltenders to get them into the playoffs. I struggled with seeing other teams movement and wanting the Sabres to do more. As I started to look around the division though, I feel other teams have taken a step back. I feel the Metropolitan is stronger and going to surpass the Atlantic this year. Boston- Pasta is a top player, but will he be able to carry a team if Bergeron and Krejci don't return. They have also lost Bertuzzi, Orlov, Hall, Foligno, and Clifton. Even with solid goaltending they will slip. Prediction- 90 points Toronto- They will continue to score, but defense and goaltending will be the big issue for them this year. They will outscore their opponents to 1st in the division. Prediction- 112 points. Tampa Bay- The losses of Killorn, Colton, Perry, Maroon, Cole, and Bellemare will hurt more than most realize. They also don't currently have a proven back up to spell Vasey. They started to show signs at the end of last year of a team that was struggling and it will show this year. Prediction- 94 points Florida- Goaltending will be the determing factor on how this team performs. They still have a solid team with great leaders and players who know their roles. Prediction- 106 points. Ottawa- Still a fairly young team looking to turn the corner just like the Sabres. If they have a couple of their young guys have break out years like Stutzle did last year they will be even more dangerous. Can Korpisalo return to his form of a few years ago and be a number 1 goaltender? Prediction- 88 points Detroit- They have made noise two years in a row with players coming off of career years in the UFA market. I still don't think they have improved. DeBrincat will help, but they still lack goal scoring. Just like other teams goaltending will determine how well the team does. Prediction- 83 points Montreal- Young guys show imrpovement in overall play. Defense and goaltending still questionable. Prediction- 72 points Sabres- If Granato can build the team defense and get solid goaltending this team can squeak into the playoffs. Prediction- 99 points and good enough for 3rd in division.

I would trade Philly the 24 1st rd, Östlund and Joker for Hart.

Can Okposo convince another old buddy in Jonathan Toews to come in on a cheap contract for one year? $2 milliion He can center the 4th line and help on the PK. Still great at face offs winning over 60% of his draws

A veteran mentor doesn't mean he has to be on the ice with him. Imagine Power coming back to the bench and being able to have Johnson sitting next to him giving him pointers.

If memory serves me right, I believe he played with Okposo at some point in his youth or college as well.

It just gives DG flexibility. As it stands now my d would be Dahlin- Clifton Power- Johnson Mule- Joker Trades and injuries will change this.

According to a report by Frak Seravalli, John Gibson asked for a trade and said, "I am not playing another game for the Anaheim Ducks". John Gibson Career Stats GP GS W L T OT SA GA GAA S S% SO MIN 2013-2014 ANA 3 3 3 0 -- 0 87 4 1.33 83 .954 1 181:07 2014-2015 ANA 23 21 13 8 -- 0 674 58 2.60 616 .914 1 1,339:55 2015-2016 ANA 40 38 21 13 -- 4 992 79 2.07 913 .920 4 2,294:40 2016-2017 ANA 52 49 25 16 -- 9 1,437 109. 2.22 1,328 .924 6 2,950:21 2017-2018 ANA 60 60 31 18 0 7 1,872 139 2.43 1,733 .926 4 3,428:29 2018-2019 ANA 58 57 26 22 0 8 1,838 153 2.84 1,685 .917 2 3,233:02 2019-2020 ANA 51 51 20 26 0 5 1,552 149 3.00 1,403 .904 1 2,981:17 2020-2021 ANA 35 35 9 19 0 7 1,042 101 2.98 941 .903 3 2,030:30 2021-2022 ANA 56 56 18 26 0 11 1,789 172 3.19 1,617 .904 1 3,235:35 2022-2023 ANA 53 52 14 31 0 8 1,983 200 3.99 1,783 .899 1 3,004:55 Career - 431 422 180 179 -- 59 13,266 1,164 2.83 12,102 .912 24 24,679:51 He has been a sub 3.00 GAA and better than .900 S% every year until Anaheim started their rebuild 2 years ago. He is a proven goaltender that can split time for two years with Levi and then be a solid back up option. Not sure what the cost would below since he has clearly demanded a trade. I would expect it to be UPL, 24 2nd rd pick and Joker/Olofsson. If they want a prospect like Rosen or Östlund, I would even do that, but then include Henrique

I know Domi is looking for term, but if he doesn't get it, should the Sabres offer him a 1 yr $5 million to play with Cozens and JJP? I'm also still very interested Tatar for one year.

Notable players still available after day one that KA could make run at. Fowrards- Bertuzzi, Kane, Tatar, Suter, Domi, Puljujarvi, Ritchie, Comtois, Grant, Motte, Fischer, and Heinen Defense- Benoit Goalie- Jones

Would rather have Acciari Korpisalo off the board to Ottawa.

So I would assume KA would have offered more money on same term, so I assume this is just a preference by the player.

Too much dollar and term