PerreaultForever

Well you can scoff at this but it's a one year deal so it's another guy they can flip for picks at the deadline if the season doesn't go playoffs. Unlike Buffalo, Detroit spends their money and turns it into assets down the road. Unless they are drafting very poorly they will have an even deeper prospect cupboard than the Sabres. It is a plan.

This is possibly true, but the question would still be when?

This is an overpay to make us the same, not better. Since we aren't likely to be spending on others I don't really care that it's an overpay so whatever.

10 picks in each of the last 2 drafts. That let's you at least swim over the water if not walk on it. Didn't have to tank to get them either. Just watch, if any of these guys don't work out great he will flip them for more draft picks down the line.

Yes, that sums it up nicely. It is better than nothing. We are a better team after free agency than we were before free agency so it's a win. Not much better, but still better. (and of course it's not over)

Disagree. He had injury problems and that made him seem inconsistent but he was a solid goalie after that. We shall see, but I really felt we needed a veteran goalie to back up Levi or even make Levi the back up. Not too late to offer sheet Swayman............

I think he's smart. He's constantly trying to balance win now with draft for the future. Look how many picks he had in the draft. He won the draft imo but unlike Adams he believes in filling holes now and having veteran leadership rather than relying on the rookies. He's adding pieces, but without compromising the future. It's a solid plan.

Compher to Detroit bothers me. They weren't really better (or a playoff threat) prior to this but now maybe they are. The one that really bothered me was Korpisalo to Ottawa. If we'd signed him instead I'd be all gung ho about playoffs next year (with Clifton added as well) but now Ottawa gets the biggest thing they lacked and our future is dependent on the rookie. It will be interesting to see which team comes out on top. Bruins should fall. Just a question of how far. Dubas is showing how bad of a GM he always was. Pittsburgh will fall. Leafs have issues to say the least but likely still playoff level. It won't be easy, unless Levi is a phenom.

I think this is an over pay for a has been, but it does address the depth problem. Veteran leadership on D? I don't love it but I don't hate it. Suddenly too many righties? It will be interesting to see how the pairings end up but the depth has now been addressed adequately imo.

Correct. I think Clifton pairs perfectly with Power and he will allow Power to open up his offensive game more and be more aggressive. The upside: He's tough and hits like a ton of bricks and does it frequently. Pound for pound probably the most physical Bruin last year. He is very good in transition and has more than enough speed to fit into the Sabres style seamlessly. He might even thrive in it and increase his offensive numbers. Has a decent shot and is a good passer. He is a real high effort work hard team guy who will scrap and stand up for teammates whenever needed (at least he was in Boston). The downside: He isn't big and the lack of reach makes him less than perfect defending in front. His biggest flaw is he has a tendency to over pursue the big hit and can get caught out of position as a result. A little of the Risto flaw in a way. In a highly structured good defensive team like Boston he got away with this more often than not. IF we still play that loose and open style we did last year this MIGHT make him run around too much and he might struggle more as he is the type of guy to try too hard and try to do too much. Hopefully, that won't happen but if it does his game might fall apart and he will drop to bottom pairing value at best. I think however, it's a really good add and makes us better instantly. (Bruins fans refer to him as "Cliffy", do with that what you will )

Yes! I mentioned Clifton as the best value guy to target way back when free agency was first discussed. I wanted 2 D men signed but Clifton is a perfect fit for what we need and what we want to do going forward.

I see a similarity and at one time Michkov was ranked right with Bedard so there is a McDavid/Eichel, Bedard/Michkov parallel there too. The odd thing is I've been reading and hearing all this stuff about how Philly set up a special private meeting with Michkov and it was all hush hush and didn't leak and in it Michkov said he really wanted to play in Philly. This is perhaps why the Yotes passed on him as he made it clear he had destinations he didn't want to end up in. It's a strange and perhaps unique situation. Not sure if this is real or not, but it appears that some Montreal fans were not happy.

Oh that bad signing list just hurts.................but you forgot Hall. I make him the worst because he brought the biggest expectation. The best? It's slim pickings but maybe it was Lybushkin because he was exactly what he was no more no less so I wasn't disappointed in him. Everyone else pretty much did less than expected. I just have this nagging feeling this time we aren't signing anybody.

At least one of those graduates flunked out, but otherwise ya, it's a deep prospect pool.

Buffalo has a long history of disappointing me in Free Agency so I expect this year to be the same. Like an idiot however I will watch and listen and hope to be wrong this time, just like all the other times.

Absolutely and unequivocally a big NO. Just track his career and see how every single time he was moved it ended badly for the franchise that got him. It's no accident or coincidence.

I don't really disagree, and not sure what they will do, but if you truly want playoffs next year you cannot do anything to squander the early season and that home stand. You absolutely need to go full out and get early points. So is it another "development" year or will it be a strong push for playoffs? If it's the latter, no way should either be in the line up unless they have absolutely earned it above others.

I hear it was a fight over some girl named Helen.

I will be shocked if either starts the season in Buffalo. Kulich MIGHT get a look on a top line bur most likely it's Rousek who starts the year and when Quinn comes back his play until then will dictate who stays/plays/goes. Unless of course free agency changes things but that'll be even more shocking.

Oh but you should..................

I like the potential here. He will need time and development but there is potential here. Our average size has now evened out 🙂

Germans often don't get the scrutiny of some others so I will assume they know what they are doing here. Lots of D now so I can't complain.

big D with upside sounds good to me.

Finally a goalie. Not my first choice(s) for goalie but goalie every year in the later rounds is a big part of my philosophy so I like this one. Gaolies are weird, no way to know what he will possibly become.

islanders and Edmonton clearing cap space. Free agent plans to follow?