[Targeting a 2C]

I think a solid off season would be to trade Mittelstadt for Puljujarvi, and sign Erik Haula as a 2C. Hopefully the abundance of Fins on our team can lure him in. Cirelli will be too costly to trade for and an offer sheet is unrealistic. Roster would look like this:

Olofsson - Eichel - Reinhart

Skinner - Haula - Kahun

Johansson - Cozens - Puljujarvi

Lazar - Larsson - Okposo (If no CBO)

 

Dahlin - Miller

Montour - Jokiharju

McCabe - Ristolainen

 

I see no way in which Botterill isn't fired if he doesn't find a 2C, so I am curious to see what happens this off season.

 

 

[GDT Montreal at Buffalo, January 30, 2020, 7 o'clock post meridiem, MSG Network, WGR 550 amplitude modulation frequency.]

I stand with Duane. The best acquisition made under the Pegulas has been Brian ***** Duff. This is pathetic.

[Non Sabres Deadline Trades/Rumors]

1 hour ago, Curt said:

Here is a speculation.

Rangers look like they may move young goalie Alexander Georgiev.  Could Buffalo get involved?  NYR are rumored to be looking for a forward prospect.  Mitts or Thompson in a deal for Georgiev, then send Hutton somewhere for a 7th or whatever?

I feel like Ullmark/Georgiev could be a nice potential tandem for a couple years.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/new-york-rangers-reportedly-listening-on-offers-for-goaltender-georgiev-033530203.html

I don't think we should be giving up assets at the forward position right now, if at all. One of the biggest issues with this team is forward depth, and while goaltending is also an issue, I think Ullmark and Hutton are serviceable until Luukonnen is ready.

[19-20 goal predictions]

Eichel - 33
Skinner - 35
Reinhart - 27
Johansson - 16
Okposo - 9

Sheary - 11
Olofsson - 18
Vesey - 17
Mittelstadt - 19
Larsson - 4
Girgensons - 4
Rodrigues - 10
All other forwards - 5
Dahlin - 8
Ristolainen - 12
Montour - 5
McCabe - 2
Scandella - 4
Bogosian - 0
Miller - 8

Hutton and Ullmark - 1

 

[Non Sabres Deadline Trades/Rumors]

12 hours ago, triumph_communes said:

Risto+spare parts for Mantha, yes easily

 

Would they take McCabe+Smith?

Not a chance they would take McCabe and Smith. McCabe is perpetually hit by the injury bug and Smith is an AHL player. They might not even accept Risto for Mantha straight up.

[Non Sabres Deadline Trades/Rumors]

2 hours ago, dudacek said:

I have less interest in Daniel Sprong than Henrique. Just a self-centred, spoiled douche. Unless I see clear evidence he’s grown up, I wouldn’t trade Tage Thompson for him.

I can't find any super solid data on bad attitude claims. It doesn't mean they aren't true, but I don't think they would be grounds to completely rule Sprong out of the possibility of a trade. He strikes me as a Vanek-esque player -- I've heard he's defensively irresponsible, but he can put the puck in the net. Either way, maybe a second trade in three years would help him change his attitude if it is indeed an issue.

[Non Sabres Deadline Trades/Rumors]

15 minutes ago, Weave said:

Noone commenting on the Adam Henrique part of that report.  Are we averse to Henrique coming back in exchange for Risto?

I think Buffalo would certainly be losing in a one for one Risto for Henrique deal, but maybe with significant adds from Anaheim's side it would be possible. Henrique will be turning 30 next February, just came off a pretty bad season, and has a pretty rough (5,825,000 AAV) cap hit. Obviously Rakell is the big fish from Anaheim, but another interesting player would be Daniel Sprong. He's a pure goal scorer with a lethal shot, though Anaheim might not be willing to part with him, as they are rebuilding and he may be considered part of their young core.

[Non Sabres Deadline Trades/Rumors]

56 minutes ago, darksabre said:

I think Jets fans would be too happy about that, so I'm gonna say no.

To even consider it I'd need for Laine's deal to have been negotiated already.

Are you crazy!? Risto’s advanced stats are even worse than Laine’s! Our RD slot is filled, whereas our 2nd best RW is Conor freaking Sheary. If JB has the chance to trade Ristolainen (who may or may not be able to read) for a young, top five goalscorer in the league and doesn’t do he needs to be fired ASAP. I don’t give a rat’s ass about work ethic or ES goals if the guy can score 44 in one season. You bring up a legitimate concern with his contract, but that’s a good problem to have. I’d rather have that problem than seeing the Sabres finish near last in goals for next season, because I don’t see Tage Thompson and Kyle Okposo really being able to bring us out of the gutter.

[2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round]

11 hours ago, Zamboni said:

“Realistic” ... “and offer sheet” aren’t a good match to use in the same sentence. 

ill go out on a stable limb here and say there won’t be one (or more) offer sheet the entire off season.

I meant make a trade offer for Kapanen's rights.

[2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round]

1 hour ago, freester said:

Can we offer sheet Marner??

A more realistic alternative might be to make an offer for Kapanen or another guy the Leafs won't be able to pay because of the contract Marner will demand.

[Casey Mittelstadt, deep breath, he's fine]

3 minutes ago, New Scotland (NS) said:

I have to ask, though, what in blazes took you so long to sum up the courage to make that first post? 

Made the account and then kinda forgot about it. Thanks for the thumbs up.

[Casey Mittelstadt, deep breath, he's fine]

https://frozenpool.dobbersports.com/frozenpool_nhle.php

This website uses a tool called NHLe, which attempts to predict NHL point totals based on those from other leagues. The site predicted Casey to score 32 points -- he currently sits at 25. While 25 < 32, I don't think there's anything to worry about concerning Casey's NHL development. NHLe doesn't account for many things, including the toll an 82 game season has on a 20 year old kid, and the fact that that kid might play for one of the worst teams in the league. An interesting tool nonetheless.