JohnC

Skinner is a good nature guy. But he's not dumb. He's veteran enough to recognize that the NHL is a sport and a business.

On the buyout he loses money. But he can make it up by signing a lower contract with another team. By offering his services for a lower averaged salary, there should be a number of teams who would be interested in him. From a financial situation, he is in a better situation by not waiving his NMC. At least, that's how I see it.

Why would Skinner be willing to waive his NTC? It would make no sense for him. His best option is take the buyout, and then be an appealing player for a number of teams. His appeal beyond being a goal scorer is that he can go to a team for a big discounted contract. From his financial perspective, he can play for a relatively low salary and on added to his buyout money, he would be making more money than even if he stayed with the Sabres. His contract put him in control of his own fate, and he is using it.

I agree with your take on Krebs. I have no problem with him as a 4C, assuming he earns that role. The more critical issue still is acquiring a 2/3 C to replace Mitts.

I was listening to WGR's Sabres Live Show where Necas was discussed. Marty Briere liked him a lot and thought he would be a good addition. He stated that the issue that came into play was his style of play: Defensively he is a little loose and offensively he free lances. Despite that issue, Marty thought he would be a good addition. He also pointed out that there were teams interested in him, especially Jersey.

Who doesn't agree with you that Adams needs to make a number of moves to make this team better? In Lance's commentary, he lists a number of reasonable options. We shall soon see if the GM is capable of acting in a consequential manner that improves this team this offseason. If the GM responds in his typical tepid and cautious manner, then he will deserve the scorn that is building up. If the GM responds in way that substantively improves the roster, then he is simply doing his job.

Quinn is better than Peterka. Peterka may be a faster north/south skater, but Quinn is a quicker skater more adept in moving in tight spaces. He's also a smarter and more instinctive player who knows where to go as the play develops. I'm not knocking JJP who I like a lot and is going to get even better, but if I had a choice between the two, it would definitely be Quinn.

https://buffalonews.com/sports/professional/nhl/sabres/casey-mittelstadt-new-contract-colorado-avalanche-buffalo-sabres-nhl/article_5f6f06be-33ca-11ef-aed4-0fd65a4b1efc.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage This article by Lance Lysowski in today's Buff News enumerates a list of more than a half a dozen players who could fill the 2/3/C void created by the Mitts trade. There are plenty of options. The issue becomes what tier of talent is the GM going to pursue and what is he willing to give up to get a deal done. And there are a number of attainable options to pursue in reconstructing and bulking up the lower lines. I would rather have a number of mid-level transactions that addresses more needs than make a so-called blockbuster deal that gets more attention but doesn't sufficiently fill out the roster.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10125729-martin-necas-contract-is-key-to-flyers-blackhawks-title-hopes-amid-nhl-trade-rumors I'm not offering an opinion on this player. Just pointing out that there are multiple teams interested in acquiring him if the price is right.

Of course, Byram has more to prove. His play in his first few games in Bufalo were quite good. Then he struggled. That shouldn't be a surprise because he was playing a new system with unfamiliar players. Let's not forget that it took Mitts a few years before he player at a higher level. And let's not forget that Byram as a rookie was given a very responsible role on a cup winning team. It's not a question of who got the better deal/player. The issue is does making this deal fill a particular need for the respective teams. Again, this was a good hockey trade for each team. (My opinion.) This trade will look even better for Buffalo if the GM can bring in a 2/3 C to replace the traded player.

You are drowning yourself in numbers at the expense of not seeing the obvious: Both teams dealt an asset to address a particular need. Colorado needed a legitimate 2C; and Buffalo added a young first or second pairing defenseman to the group. This was a good hockey trade for each franchise. The deal that the GM made to acquire Byram will look better if he is able to acquire a 2/3 C this offseason. Your attitude toward the GM has become so prejudiced that you are either incapable or unwilling to objectively evaluate his transactions. It may surprise you that not all his dealings are wrong. That is not to say everything he has done is right. Let's just be a little fairer when evaluating his moves.

If you take an overall view of the moves, it will definitely change the character of this roster. Collectively, the roster gets tougher, less finesse and more physicality. In general, the moves follow the GM's publicly stated strategy in how he would like to rework the roster. It adds more maturity (age) to the young group. If the recommendations were followed in this wish list, I would say it isn't overly dramatic but very smart. Not outlandish but very doable.

You nailed what the issue is regarding the Mitts for Byram trade. It seems to me that the GM made a judgment that getting a first or second pairing defenseman is more difficult to get than a 2/3 C player is. And as you point out with your listing of youngsters is that he has an excess in prospects in the system that he can parlay to get the replacement for Mitts. As it stands, our #! and #2 Cs are already on the roster. If the GM can bring in a 2/3 C this offseason, then the Mitts trade makes a lot of sense.

There is nothing new about player movement at trade deadlines. Teams vying for the playoffs and the Cup make moves to improve their teams, even if it is to marginally improve. There was nothing out of the norm for a veteran be dealt at an end of the season deal. Kyle is a highly respected player and person. Why not be happy for this type of person who concluded his long career hoisting the Cup? Good for him!

Isn't that better than wasting away in a franchise stuck in the muck of its own incompetency? I'm happy for Kyle and his family. The lack of graciousness here is unappealing.

You are missing the point by distorting my point. No need to respond. It's pointless.

The Capitals made the playoffs last year, and we did not. I don't particularly care about goal differentials. You either make the playoffs or you don't. They did, and we didn't. As you indicate, the bar for Washington is low. Yet, it is higher than our bar. As I said in the prior post, the Capitals are in the process of making the transition from aging players out to steadily infusing the roster with younger players. What has made the transition even more challenging is trying to maintain a credible team in order to support Ovie in his record pursuit. As you well know, it's a tough process for the fans to endure. Yet, they are doing it without hitting the bottom. That's something that we haven't done.

Washington is in a delicate situation where it is trying to make the transition from old to new by steadily bringing up their high-end prospects. As you point out, Ovie's pursuit of Gretzky's goal scoring is a complicating feature to that transition. If there wasn't an Ovie record consideration, I could see the Capitals dealing Strome for young players. What the Capitals have done demonstrable better than the Sabres is to stay competitive while also making the transition from old to younger.

For a 2/3 C you will have to give up more than you are indicating. For a 3C, I agree with you that it would be too much. Strome is more of a 1/2 C. If available, he's not going to be cheap.

Would you be interested in trading with Washington for Dylan Strome? Maybe cost you a #1, Savoie and Krebs or Joki?

The Caps ended the season with Charlie Lindgren being their #1 goalie with Kuemper the backup. They believe that Dubois can be rehabilitated and become their #2 center. One of their other centers, Strome, might be available. Strome is the caliber of center who I believe can be a 2/3C. Dowd is more of a 4C. He can be acquired for a reasonable price.

No, I'm not saying what you think I said. Of course, if you can get better players at a reasonable, if not better, price, they should do so. I would extend that line of thinking for any player on the roster. If you can get a better player at a similar or lesser price, then get the better player.

Thanks for both of your responses. Based on @Brawndo's comment that he wants to be assured of a NHL roster spot, I would say no thanks. I would rather use our first-round pick as an asset to be parlayed for a NHL ready player.

How good is McCroarty? Where would he rate in our prospect pool?