Scottysabres

Tampa's been interested since before the deadline, and it was posted post draft that interest is still there. So ya, I'd say they are a team to watch, but not the only one. Anaheim, the need to put some stock back in RHD after trading away their's (foolish of GMBM to not go in to a mini rebuild before last season if you ask me, but that's just my opinion). They are in a bad spot defensively now as well and their top talent is aging, their mid talent, for the most part, is approaching ages where it's now or never. Rakell obviously comes to mind, but it'll cost more than Risto to get him out of there, and honestly, I'd pay it given that contract combined with his production for 3 more seasons all before he hits 30. And look, a bonus, he's Swedish...……………………………..just something to keep an eye on in my opinion. Calgary, the cap crunch combined with giving them the ability to move another D asset with comfort is interesting. There are others, but those 3 stick out to my eye in any event.

Honestly, I believe he's getting moved, with 0 doubt. Just to much circumstantial evidence with the RHD depth combined with the 2c need not to come up with that conclusion. Whether it's in a package deal or 1 for 1, who knows, but I don't believe Risto is on the roster come opening night.

I love it. "SUFFERING" ?

Has anyone actually asked Mrs. Sid? Just curious...

Could you imagine not trading one of these defensemen until the 2nd pre-season game. Holy hell in a hand grenade basket would competition be grueling at training camp and beyond. I'd believe you would actually see guys feeding sticks, elbows, skate blades, hell, even the jersey logo, to their competition while on the ice against one another.

Maybe it's like a buffet thing. "Carolina RHD buffet, RHD gravy for your biscuits" But look out, here comes a competitor...……. "Buffalo DEFENSEMEN SMORGASBOARD, YOU WANT'EM, WE GOT'EM"

So, we are stacking D. This is a strong indication more is coming, and not just on the Right Handed D side either. The earlier reports of Buffalo speaking with Gardiner, especially given just how bad Scandella played and the oft Injured McCabe, it looks like pieces are being put in place for a near complete D rebuild, including depth. No?

Wanted to post a Thank you to all who responded to this. Mom had the surgery, had a stint installed, it went fairly well, had to stay a couple extra days up at Buffalo General for some fluid in the lungs following the surgery, they said that's not uncommon. She's been post surgery for 2 weeks now and is looking good. She even finally gave up the smoking. Looks like she'll be around for a bit still ? Which makes my heart fill with a feeling of content. I know there will come a day, but these days, are not that day. At least, not yet. So once again, thank you all for your input, prayers and taking the time to respond. Believe it or not, it makes a difference, so this little community is most certainly a worthy one.

Plenty of off season to go yet and it appears UFA movement has stalled until these RFA scenarios play out. I am guessing that combined with the relatively low cap escalation has teams recalibrating before movement picks up again.

Good point. Yeesh I hope to god this isn't Botterill's plan...…...

I tend to agree with this. None of these guys is going to center successfully in my humbled opinion. There has to be other moves coming.

I would love Botterill to hook up with Anaheim again. They are going to be entering full rebuild mode here for the next couple of seasons. Rickard Rakell for 2c, That would be a deal I'd like to see.

judging by Pegula's statements, Botterill's statements, they are well aware the fan base isn't going to wait around any longer. I don't see Johansson at 2c given what we know.

Johansson doesn't primarily play center from what I understand, he plays primarily LW. To myself in any event, Marcus Johansson was brought in as a depth LW'er. Jbot isn't remotely done given the lack of cap space to get Ullmark, McCabe, Larsson and Erod signed. These guys aren't going to sign for 1.5 million each, and we only have roughly 6.5 million in cap space. Combine that information with the reports that Buffalo was talking to Gardiner's camp and it's easy to see one of the LD's is on the way out. Further combine that with Risto, Bogo, Montour and Miller on the RHD's, that's 4 NHL caliber players right there, Miller most certainly wasn't brought in to sit in the press box, neither was Montour. What? Are we going to sit 5.4 mil Risto or 5.25 mil Bogo in the press box? I don't think so, one of these guys is gone, and given Bogo's injury status, Risto is odd man out imo. As for the forward ranks, way to many bodies, with the youth pushing as well as the signings. Something is going to give. I see 5, potentially 6 players between defense and forwards on the move before all is said and done, because we don't have a 2c yet.

I think it's still early enough in the off season to anticipate some bodies going out to be sure. I don't know about the cap worries yet as we are unsure of what exactly is going out and what exactly is coming in, at least, from my vantage point of the situation. But yea, I completely concur, we haven't even seen the real fire works this off season yet from the Sabres, in my opinion. It is more than obvious we have to many bodies, some have to go.

Second Liner Members 504 2,549 posts Report post Posted Monday at 05:46 PM I get a gut feeling Marcus Johansson will be a Sabres in the next couple days.

Second Liner Members 504 2,549 posts Report post Posted Monday at 05:46 PM I get a gut feeling Marcus Johansson will be a Sabres in the next couple days.

Not all the moves are done to be sure. So it's a bit premature to start penciling in who's going to seat where, no?

Wonder if the Sabres are done for the day, or if this signing was related to further moves incoming.

There has to be more moves coming. With these young guys pushing the roster, the over abundance of NHL caliber D and the players that need to gone from the roster (Sobotka comes to mind), it looks like Botterill has his hands on the off season chess game of a lifetime.

So, are we looking at Mittelstadts LW'er on the 3rd line then?

I don't know if it's the best they could do, but Johansson has primarily played center, no?

There we go. 2c in the bag.

So, in essence league wide is awaiting the outcome of the "offer sheet wars" (I don't think it's trademarked ? ) before serious movement on many fronts? Would this be in the ballpark? If so, I wonder how long this could drag on for before teams start making decisions based on the calender.

Wgr discussing Ehlers for Risto 1 for 1 swap. Yes please!