Digger

I would be asking other team's (serious trade partners) for their opinions before going ahead with the surgery. The surgery itself is not the main risk, it's being cleared to play and then with potential injury once he gets playing again. I would not want teams saying they are out because of the surgery treatment chosen. If it's a big deal for the Sabres it may be a big deal for other teams committing to paying his salary. If other teams are not concerned, then I agree let him have the surgery he wants and get back into game shape but keep him out of the Sabres lineup until the trade happens. It's not ideal. Medical arbitration was mentioned earlier. Maybe that's a smart move by the Sabres to proceed with. I would assume either the team or player could initiate that if it's an option in the CBA.

Shoulda-traded-the-2015-pick

But why? The information may be new to us as fans and media is having fun writing about this but I don't think there's anything new from a GM's perspective. I know that it may not be entirely legal and allowed under the CBA but I would think that GM's have talked unofficially to Eichel's agents. I would also think there's been some discussion from the GM's talking back and forth. The two procedures can be researched pretty easily. The risk hasn't changed today. I think the 31 thoughts podcast was read entirely from a script on this one.

I am amazed at the continuous drama around this issue with Eichel. Many of us thought Adams recent statement that "we are in control and Jack is under contract with the Sabres for the next 5 years" was all about letting teams wanting to make a trade for him know that we are not selling him low. Then the agents for Eichel have to come out and mess this up saying "it's not under control" and Friedman gets his potential surgeon on 31 thoughts pushing the pros of the procedure. He only represents one side (it's one opinion). Amazingly there are hardly any risks. What's the point of doing this podcast? Many find it an interesting discussion but ultimately the fans have no say. I doubt that other GM's are listening to Friedman's podcast saying "yeah this new surgery looks great based on what I've heard on the podcast, we should trade for Jack". I think the point is to make the Sabres organization look bad (like we needed any more fuel on that fire) and then put pressure on Adams to allow Eichel to get the surgery he wants. It doesn't help the trade situation other than add another artificial deadline date for when the surgery is needed. I can't wait for this drama to be finally over.

Explains why they acquired Dadonov.

Makes me miss Borgen.

It will be nice to have a strong Rochester Americans team this year if the Sabres struggle as expected. Nice to get Quinn and JJ Peterka among other younger future Sabre players in a winning atmosphere.

Looks like a real good value contract for Asplund. I really liked him last season with Mittelstad. I hope he earns a raise starting this season. It's a show me contract and let's see him do it.

I appreciate your comments. The difference for me is that Kotkaniemi been given the chance and prime opportunity to play for Montreal and has not panned out yet. It could be argued and perhaps this is what you are suggesting in that maybe he was rushed to the NHL. Maybe he still has some upside in a different organization without so much pressure? But I think with him you really already know what kind of player you would be getting and how he may perform for your team. As a Sabres fan I would feel that we are really settling if Kotkaniemi is the best player coming back to us in an Eichel trade. I don't see Montreal as a good option given their reluctance to include either Suzuki or Caufield.

I think he's playing the game and is playing it to the best of his ability to trade Eichel for the max return. He's saying that he's fine to have him back playing with the team next season because he has a contract. If he's healthy and not traded he will be expected to be on the team. That's a fact. We've passed all the deadlines we thought were in place (before the 2021 Draft, before FA). Next artificial deadlines are before FA cools for this season and rosters take shape, medical treatment for neck (surgery?), start of next season, and then when his NMC kicks in FA 2022 (not sure of the date - July 2022). Adams is not stupid and I think that he's trying to get the teams working on their 2021-22 rosters to step up with their best offer or lose out. That's you Vegas (who is really missing a #1), Minnesota (who needs someone talented enough to play with Kirill Kaprizov), Columbus (who needs someone to play with Laine), etc. There's lots of teams that need a center like Eichel...............ante up, put your prospects on the table.

Personally I believe that Mittelstadt came into camp last season ready to play and make a difference after a good off season. He didn't seem to get much of a chance off the start to show what he could do at center. Can blame Krueger but he also didn't have much time from what we would normally see with preseason games. I'm hoping Mittelstadt has continued to build strength and speed this off season. Both Mittelstadt and Tage should improve but it remains to be seen. Removing the veterans above them in the lineup may not be good for their development and confidence which has been fragile at times for both. At this point it's difficult to pencil in a lineup before a potential Eichel trade.

Beats retirement I guess. We need to see something respectable from the Eichel trade or there will be lots of Sabres fans retiring I'm sure.

Time for trade like when we picked up Hasek. Chicago had no idea he was good. Of course it took the Sabres a year to realize it to after trading for Fuhr.

I might be a delusional fan here but you never know..............Dadonov replaces Tuch so they can include him in the Eichel deal.

Someone should re-name this thread to "Ullmark UFA" or "Resign Ullmark". Eklund as usual was wrong. It was not a stretch to suggest that the Sabres would be trying to resign Ullmark. I would assume that he's hearing what else is out there from better teams now and that the Sabres will be able to offer a #1 position and the best money. I would hope 2 or 3 years but let's see.

Chicago couldn't reach a deal with him. He wants big money to resign. It will be interesting to see what Calgary signs him for. You definitely need to keep your head up when he's on the ice. Big hits, but not sure he's a great overall D.

What's available via trade for goaltenders? Seattle? Must be options if Ullmark walks.

what's the total cap on that team? I have to think it's well over. They need to cut salary.

I know we suggested Tuch who's a better player than Smith. Smith only has one year at 4.5 (cap hit 5.0), Tuch is signed for 5 years at 4.75. Maybe that's too long for Adams to have someone taking a spot from the younger kids. That's not much salary relief for Vegas. I would think they want to shed more salary from their roster. I like Krebs and Hague.

What's the cap hit if he retires? He signed the contract with Vegas. And is there a chance that he can't retire because he has a contract and is not hurt or on LTIR. Maybe the contract becomes void (like we did with Berglund). I'm not sure.

I agree with you on Minnesota having the best options at this point but having teams bidding against each other is the key to maximizing our return. Let's get her done Kevin.

Very interesting. Good pickup for Chicago. I was listening to Elliotte Friedman's comments from yesterday. They mentioned the last time a Vezina winner was traded the following season was when Buffalo traded Hasek to Detroit.

I believe Dahlin will be fine and is needed as part of our core. I assume they suggested this trade because Buffalo drafted Owen Power and because the Leafs have real salary cap issues. I would not want to make the trade. As others have said Marner is a very talented player that has established himself in the NHL as a top player (the playoff numbers will materialize I'm sure). I think he would be pretty disgruntled at this point in his career to be traded to a rebuilding Sabres team going against Adams principle of getting players that want to be here.

Yes makes you think for sure. I think that if the players can make the NHL team that it's not a concern (primarily because the NHL can offer better contracts and salaries long term than the KHL) but it may be an issue to get sent down to Rochester to develop. We will see. Looks like some great skills on these Russian players selected. I agree we may be waiting a couple of years at least. Time will tell.

At this point I'm not sure there's much else to say on the potential Eichel trade. We've all put forward trade scenarios that make sense for the Sabres from our perspective. We keep hearing that other teams don't want to include A+ prospects (which doesn't make sense to me because Jack is taking the place as their new #1 center so give future quality for a for sure thing). Until we get some credible news about a potential trade scenario it's hard to keep speculating. I don't know how to improve the "health situation" uestions. It didn't help that Adams said he did not know if Jack was skating again (like his agent said). Is he improving as expected he would with rest, physio, and exercise? Does he really need surgery? If so what's recommended? Taking back salary? Okay with me but then again Adams said that he doesn't want veterans taking away ice time and critical game situations from the young core (he said that in regards to FA's). So perhaps we take back a dead contract where the player is on injured reserve. We do have a need for a veteran or two on the blue line in my opinion ideally on the right side. We do have a need for a goalie veteran even if Ullmark resigns with us. It's easy to take back money but I don't blame Adams for being selective with what he takes back. The players have to fit the team and help build the team's culture. Perhaps the best thing would be to consider salary retention (but that just sounds nuts to pay for part of Eichel's salary to play for another team).