[The three Adams threads are annoying and we can have a discussion about him in one thread.]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

I'm still iffy on Adams. I thought a tear down was necessary and he did that, so he gets kudos on that, but otherwise he's only done 2 things (or 3 depending on how you look at it) that I really like and a few that I hate so I'm 50/50.

I don't give him great kudos for the tear down cause those players were likely to get back assets no matter who the GM was. Vegas wanted Eichel bad so getting Tuch back as part of the deal was a no brainer to any GM who pays any attention at all. They were good trades, but no way to know if they were Adams wins or just what was possible at the time. 

The 2 (or 3) things are signing Tage and Cozens long term for what turns out to be good value by NHL standards. Solid decisions it seems.

The other thing is getting Clifton, a guy I had targeted as best value out there and a perfect fit. 

But, he's botched goaltending so far (Levi pending)and imo he really hasn't done enough in terms of free agency.

As for drafting, like most GMs for pathetically bad teams it's hard to get them all wrong and you should get good players back. How many lower picks stick one day will determine how good or bad he is at that. Still remains to be seen. 

I feel like you are struggling with the concept of these threads. OTOH, you've given voice to ambivalence with a low hum of perduring disgruntlement in an intelligent manner. OTOH, you've failed to grasp the polar-dichotomy of point-counterpoint represented by two diverse threads of this particular nature. In reality, you want to occupy an ambiguous quantum state between two universal polarities, which places you high on the Heisenberg scale with a relatively strong undercurrent of Schrödinger syndrome.

[Connor McDavid's next team...]

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

McDavid's next team will be the new Atlanta Thrashers or the new Houston Pilots

 

If Atlanta gets another shot (I'd be surprised, but I've read your reasoning and it's not implausible), I hope they go with something other than the Thrashers. The Flames were just perfect. (I was a kid then, but that team was very likeable and I loved the sweaters.)

[Backup goaltending: what do we really think about the situation in the crease?]

2 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

He's never going to play 82 games. 25/25 isn't fair impo. Maybe 22/20 is but that's about where I'll go. He's never once reached 50 pts and 40 pts is his most likely total. Also he outshot his career sh% by over 4% last season, I don't see it happening again because he doesn't get to high danger areas enough. 

Yes, but KA is going to sell him as a 50 point player. I thought that was the point, but even if it isn't, that should be the take away. Personally, I hope VO is still part of a package that brings back a veteran goalie. That concerns me way more than where we're going to find goals.

[Defense remake underway! Who is moving on?]

The fella who is possibly related to KA or possibly a scout or just a fake insider posted the following at that wretched Hockeybuzz site:

"Another Defenseman is coming + more .

They're not playing around this year"

He sort of drives by and drops these bits and disappears. We'll see if it happens. If they are adding a top 4D to what they've already done, that would be pretty impressive. The + more could be anything, but I wouldn't assume that means goalie. 

 

[Sabres Free Agency Thread]

3 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:

I thought this was for jokers spot I'm not saying it's a bad signing just moving from a 6,7 spot to a top 4 seems risky. 

That's why I'm hoping for a top 4 D trade so they aren't forcing people in roles they haven't done

That would be ideal. To me, Clifton is a 4-5 tweener. He might rise to the occasion and be an excellent partner for Power, but I'd prefer to have more options there. If you truly bring in a top 4D without question marks and slot Clifton to third pair, the D would be strong, but as others have pointed out, we're reaching a level of investment cap wise on D where you're probably not paying another big salary.

[Sabres Free Agency Thread]

1 minute ago, LGR4GM said:

But enjoy what we've done. That's all I'm saying 

Maybe complaining is his form of enjoyment.

[The Sabres and the Goalie market]

17 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Varlamov has officially re-signed.  There are no longer any goalies on the FA market worth signing unless KA is willing to make an offer sheet for Swayman.  That’s not happening.  

While I’m perfectly happy with the 2 D signings.  Not getting a goalie is a huge mistake.  While a trade is still possible, I don’t see KA as willing to part with any key assets to get it done.  The better D will help bring down the goals against some, but will it save us the 30 - 40 goals needed for us to be a legit playoff team.  This mistake will be magnified if Levi isn’t read or gets hurt.

 

 

I haven't entirely given up on a trade for Hellebuyck. The price would have to be something KA is comfortable with for a one-year rental.

[Sabres Free Agency Thread]

4 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

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. 

You always have that nagging feeling. I sincerely hope you are wrong. (I know you do, too.)

I am expecting that 4D at minimum.

[2023 NHL draft rankings]

What I learned over the past few weeks is that Big Macs are super expensive in Winnipeg and that there may be some correlation between how much you pay for a hamburger and how much anxiety you have over balancing handedness on your blueline.  

[2023 NHL draft rankings]

36 minutes ago, Carmel Corn said:

Definitely a fluid situation, but part of me wants GMKA to take the risk while other teams may get cold feet. 

It's a gamble. The likelihood that Michkov is there at 13 went up this weekend.

[Buffalo Bills 2023 Thread]

1 hour ago, nfreeman said:

I get where you're coming from, but I think they've accomplished quite a bit -- more than enough to deserve a real grade, and a good grade.

They have been more hit-and-miss than I'd like on the O-line and at the offensive skill positions, but they've brought in a ton of good players and are a perennial title contender.  They've gone from being a bottom-3 franchise that sold off home games for a few extra bucks to being an elite franchise -- one that gets raided for coaches and GMs and one that is viewed as a destination by elite players from around the league.

Having said that, I sure hope they were right about Kincaid and the O-line upgrades they made this summer.

I think Kincaid is special. I was advocating for his selection over a mediocre WR class over on the football side of this board for over a month before the draft. I just don't know if you can count on him in his rookie year to be that dangerous second receiving weapon we need. I think he will make some immediate impact in opening up the entire field as something the D has to pay attention to. I think Josh will have confidence he'll catch the ball. Hopkins would help on that front. He's a much more reliable receiver to compliment Diggs. Davis should be WR3 or 4.

They've done enough to bolster the IOL that I am fairly optimistic it won't be the massive open border it was for much of last year. Just getting rid of Saffold is addition by subtraction. Wish I felt better about the tackles. Dawkins was below average last year and Brown was a disaster. There were mitigating factors. I think Dawkins was affected by poor guard play next to him and Brown never got past the lost development incurred because of back problems. Beane did bring in modest competition and Edwards can play some tackle. It's possible Doyle may surprise.

I hope Josh is fully recovered from the UCL injury and I also hope his inability to be accurate on short passes exacerbated by injury is the reason Dorsey did not make use of Cooks' pass catching abilities out of the backfield. You don't select Cook and add Hines if you don't plan on making that element of the game part of your habitual arsenal.

[A Top 4 Defenseman is Adams Top Priority per Lebrun]

26 minutes ago, sabrefanday1 said:

Truth is there are a pile of teams looking for the great top-defenseman we are also looking for. It sure isn't easy getting that or everybody would have them. Asking price will no doubt be so high I doubt KA will give away what other teams are asking. I have no problem with what we have moving forward which is better then, and younger then most other teams. Still think better goaltending, along with a more determined effort defensively by the whole team in general will make a huge differnece. 

Nope. KA has to bring in a top 4 D and there are enough out there available through trade and free agency to get one. There are teams with cap issues that won't be able to retain players or will be more willing to part with one. It doesn't matter if some GMs are going to try and pry more value from the Sabres because we are stacked with good developmental players, they're not all going to be that way. I'm fairly confident KA will be stubborn about value and I'm glad of it. Nonetheless, various combinations of draft picks, tradeable NHL players (VO has some value) and overall level of depth at the forward position in the organization means there is a deal to be made somewhere.

[2023 NHL draft rankings]

1 hour ago, steveoath said:

I don't think anyone really knows. Interestingly it was mentioned that he will be at the draft and trams are trying to book meetings with him.

Pleased to meet you.

[Buffalo Bills 2023 Thread]

1 hour ago, Gatorman0519 said:

I try my best to be realistic but my sense is there are deep problems with this team behind the scenes. Hearing that McDermott had his hands in the 13 seconds is scary.  These type of problems often play out in the season when the stress is really ratcheted. If this team fails on the same way we have to make changes. And it potentially could get ugly quick. I hope I’m wrong. If Tua can stay healthy, Miami has a good chance to take the division this year. Like I said… i hope I am wrong. 

That claim about 13 seconds is pretty widely discredited. It is an important year for the regime to go considerably further in the playoffs. I think anything short of the Conference Championship puts McDermott on the hot seat. Stress always exacerbates tensions and tensions always exist, even in the most amicable relationships. It's the human condition. I wouldn't bet a lot of money on Tua staying healthy for the year. I'd still favor the Bills. We are the better team. Last year there was an unprecedented combination of injury, tragedy, and weather related issues that cumulatively took its toll. I don't expect that level of adversity this year. As long as key players avoid serious injury, the Bills are just as much a Super Bowl contender as last year without the hype.

[A Top 4 Defenseman is Adams Top Priority per Lebrun]

Not really sure where to put this. Fella named Gabriel Foley writes a Substack called Rinkside Reprisal. This was in his mailbag on the draft. After talking about Teams Trading up or down, he wrote the following:

 

Trade… Anything: The Buffalo Sabres are going to be very interesting to watch. They’ve made it seem like they’re in on just about every open market player and Victor Olofsson being recently dangled as trade bait throws a curveball at anyone trying to predict which way they’re leaning. I could see Buffalo sacrificing Pick #13 in a larger deal, if it means reeling in a player that their staff feels really confident in - they’ve been looking for a truly solid addition. But I also know that Buffalo is very eager for this draft class and excited to see which players end up falling, something that could inspire them to trade up. After a season of relative success, it’ll be interesting to see how excited Buffalo gets.

[A Top 4 Defenseman is Adams Top Priority per Lebrun]

9 minutes ago, Thorny said:

Will be interesting to see how this unfolds, both in terms of who we get at D and who we get at G. Was listening to Marek’s show and he mentioned he doesn’t expect any big moves from Adams. Says the Sabres are the draft and develop team and that this is very much a slow play from Adams, emphasis on slow. His words, not mine. 

On the other hand, we hear a lot of rumours he’s kicking tires on guys. In my estimation it’s likely both: it’s not that KA is opposed to outside additions (Chychrun, etc), he just appears to be very hard-line re: cost. 

Ie we either see great value trades, or no trades at all. I don’t think we make any deals that don’t look like immediate wins on paper, asset compared against asset. Ie it’s not an ends (addressing roster holes) justify the means (what we give up) situation: we are still prioritizing coming out on the right side of value in-value out equations.

- - -

Just as a random tangent Marek also mentioned he was very surprised UPL wasn’t a part of Rochester for the playoff run. Said it was because the Sabres have decided UPL is an NHL goalie.

Interesting. UPL is fine as a backup to a veteran goalie. Don't really like pairing him with Levi.

KA better either sign an UFA or trade for a top 4D. If slow play means waiting on that, well, I don't believe he will, but there's no strategy that foregoes improving the blue line that makes sense in any scenario.

[Layout Your Offseason Plan]

6 minutes ago, CTJoe said:

Agreed and I don't think we'd be shortchanging Nashville.  If Adams is series about making the playoffs, he needs to make a move like this; or one for Hellebuyck

Seems like we're all agreed. Whose going to call KA and Terry and tell them what we decided?

[Layout Your Offseason Plan]

26 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

To me Saros is the perfect target for them. Consistently one of the best goalies in hockey, plays a style very similar to Levi so can help mentor him and has 2 years left on his deal. I would give up 13oa, UPL and a lesser prospect for him.

Saros/Levi for 2 years would be fantastic.

I'd be shocked if that's all it took.

[Would you trade Devon Levi for Connor Hellebuyck with a contract extension?]

I think the fan base would walk around in a state akin to the mildly concussed if you traded Levi at this point. I don't like any of the options I have heard as the ask for Hellebuyck. I am willing to trade 13OA and UPL for a year of Hellebuyck. I'm not adding an A prospect or Krebs, but if the option were add one of those options to the preceding list or just trade Levi straight up, I'm keeping Levi. 

[Flyers working on a Carter Hart Trade]

12 minutes ago, Curt said:

Hellebuyck is one of the 5 best goalies in the world.  You don’t think he is worth 13OA, Krebs, and UPL?

Those are 3 non-elite assets.  A middle 6 or maybe just 3rd line forward, 13OA which could be just about anything, and UPL, who might not be any good at all.

Hart is a soon to be 25 year old goalie with team control who has proven that he can be a viable mid level starting goalie at least.  That’s not worth a Krebs or 13OA?  I think that’s a reasonable value.

I would not pay that for one year of Hellebuyck. I'm sure there are folks here who would, including you apparently. (And I like Hellebuyck. Krebs is what makes that package too much for me.) I wouldn't pay much more than a 2nd, UPL and a B prospect for Hart. Eleven made a point that Briere may overplay his hand there. If Hellebuyck and Saros are both on the market, not really sure about Saros, Hart is the third best available.

[Flyers working on a Carter Hart Trade]

3 minutes ago, Thorny said:

So, switch places in rd 1 and they convert a 3rd into a 2nd? IMO won’t be enough

I think I liked you better when you were Hellebuyck's agent.

[Flyers working on a Carter Hart Trade]

37 minutes ago, Eleven said:

Please link this here.  I need it.  Please.

I just copied it from the other site I look at. I don't have a source.

27 minutes ago, Mb278 said:

Maybe because I watched Carter Hart his entire WHL career (I live near Everett unfortunately) and saw probably 25 games in person during his junior career - but I am less afraid of this kid than a lot of others out there. He backed up his WHL goalie of the year honors...with a another one. Yea its WHL - but is analogous to Levi / NCAA honors. Hart's NHL career numbers are over .900 on a mostly crap team and Risto.  He  plays a lot of games. And would probably benefit from a new team not to mention just playing for Donny vs. Torts. UPL, Murray, and a second works for me. Murray wont ever pass Greenway and probably deserves some NHL looks after a very solid year in Roch.    

I don't think anyone would have a problem paying that price. I doubt Philly goes for it.

[Flyers working on a Carter Hart Trade]

No idea where the post is coming from. I thought it was a joke or a drunken Flyers' fan behind it. Said Power for Hart, Grans, and 2024 CBJ 2nd. 

 

[Flyers working on a Carter Hart Trade]

1 minute ago, Thorny said:

But you said Rosen is a comparable in value, for you, and you think he’s worth at least a 1st. Considering the Flyers are reportedly not shopping Hart, if their evaluation lines up with yours I’d imagine they’d also have the barometer at at least a first. 

Is the implication of your last sentence that Hart is just more of the same to what we have in UPL and Comrie or am I misreading that 

I was confused by the latter part of your last post that was talking about a compensation of a UPL-like goalie, a second, etc. I guess I'd really rather go after Saros or Hellebuyck if I am going to end up spending a first round prospect that I am at least somewhat high on. (Though I read on another site that the ask for Hellebuyck is 13OA, Krebs, and UPL or Levi straight up. Don't know where that is coming from, but it sounds like Winnipeg is not being reasonable.) I like Hart better as part of a package that includes Helge Grans. Straight up, he's probably worth more than I want to pay for him. 

 

[Flyers working on a Carter Hart Trade]

4 minutes ago, Thorny said:

I think this is still too low but, going with it, is Rosen still worth the first round pick we used to get him? 

Or would you deal him for a 2nd, a UPL ish goalie? What about if they REALLY wanted to get your attention, by throwing in a 6th round pick, not this draft, but the next. How bout now?

I'm starting to think Rosen may live up to his draft pick. I'm only interested in a true upgrade in goal, so no packages that are sending back what I already have are of interest.