Brad_MI

I don’t know if I saw this view in the pages above, but I wonder if this was a result of the failed Free Agent Defenseman signings the past two years. I could see a scenario where Adams was wanting to fix the Top 4 D (or, the Top 6) and didn’t want to try to rely on another Free Agent that you’re hoping slides into 4D role, but fails (Lybushkin, Clifton, and maybe kind of E Johnson - obviously debatable, but none of them were brought in to sit in the press box). This way, the D is solidified to some combination of Dahlin, Power, Byram, Samuelson, and two of Jokiharu, R Johnson, or Clifton. Even in some off years, there’s at least 4, and probably 5-6, legitimately good NHL Defenseman in there. Like others mentioned, my guess is that it also included some motivation that Mittlestadt wasn’t going to be paid likely market rate by the Sabres, wasn’t going to take a discount, and we weren’t going to pay our three centers all in the range of $7M per year. It hurts our Forward core currently, for sure. You don’t trade away your leading scorer in the current season and get better instantly. I am hopeful though that this means we’re either; a) Confident in Kulich or Rosen or b) Looking at other Forward options in trade or free agency, where maybe Adams was more confident in being successful than the recent Defense Free Agent failures I’d really like to see Adams use some draft capitol or prospects to get another Top 6 Forward in the off-season, and maybe sign 1-2 other depth Forwards. That, along with re-signing Lukkonnen, would make me feel better about Mittlestadt trade. If Adams does nothing else to improve the Forward ranks, this will feel pretty disappointing.

Seems like it’s Torrey Krug, refusing to waive NTC… I think I’d pass…? Smaller, left shot D, one of his bigger impacts being power play, with three (?) years remaining at just over $6M. I’d struggle to see that as a great fit. Doesn’t help the off-hand stuff plus wouldn’t be in line for PP time. Thoughts?

Do the Sabres get to keep Jason Payne, coach of the Cyclones? Seems like he had a really good year, and there were a few pretty good comments about him during pre-season and Development Camp.

Im conflicted on Thrun… sounds like a good prospect, but I’m just getting over being told over and over again that Sean Malone and Ryan Fitzpatrick went to Harvard by the play-by-play guys. Not sure I’m ready to hear that multiple times a game again.

Don’t think it’s going to happen. Don’t think it’s the right move. No need for that.

It is interesting that Chychrun was spotted flying from St Louis to Denver… which connects to a lot of the Western cities being rumored…plus LA, where the Sabres play Monday. For the record - I don’t think it’s the right move. Just intriguing that basically every rumored team out west apparently “isn’t” the team.

The few I listen to for some pretty-regular long drives; Maintenance Day Sabres Live Expected Buffalo Cautiously Optimistic with Joe and Luke 32 Thoughts (not Sabres specific, but I like Friedman and Marek a lot for general NHL news)

The CPK line, because they are statistically capable…? Sorry for anyone who hates Statistics not used in hockey

Would be incredible to get him as another high end wing into the Sabres NHL ready-now pool. However, if Quinn or Cozens if involved, then it better be Robertson + the 1999 Stanley Cup coming back…

I’m thinking this was the best possible outcome as of 12:00 today when FA started. After Husso, Talbot, etc trades, and the likely Keumper, Campbell, etc signings, I think Comrie was the last realistic goalie for Buffalo that could provide real upside (21-22 stats being I think 16 games played at a .920 SV%). Hope it works out and he ends up being a guy that could do the 30-40-50 games…

Obviously Husso could turn into Hutton version 2.0 but that 3 year deal at $4.75M, in our division, to a team not expected to make the playoffs this year, feels like a really big missed opportunity

Not sure if people are saying “I truly don’t understand the odds / money line” or “I wish announcers did a better job explaining to casual fans” If the first, I’ll try and contribute; The + / - in gambling odds ends up being fairly simple. It’s all in relation to $100. A “-xxx” number means the amount of money, at that moment in time, you need to wager to win $100. So, if a team is “-225”, you would need to wager $225 to win your original bet ($225) plus an additional $100. This is the favorite of the game. A “+xxx” is the amount of money won on a $100 bet. So, if a team is “+200”, you would win a total of $300 (your original $100 back, plus winnings of an additional $200). This team is the underdog of the game. Similar concept for over / under. You’ll notice the numbers never match. This is how the sports book makes money. The slight difference in odds means that they will take home some percentage in between the two betting pools.

I think no one of the Top 9 is traded. Agree about “tiers” of players for the Buffalo Top 9; Locks: Thompson, Tuch, Skinner, Cozens, Krebs Likely: Middlestadt, Quinn I think “The Plan”: Peterka, Oloffson Back-Up: Hinostroza, Okposo, Girgensons to fill in if Quinn (unlikely), Middlestadt (unlikely) or Peterka (50-50) can’t hold a top 9 role, otherwise play Fourth line. I think if Peterka can’t hold the spot, send him back to AHL . This puts me thinking the lines might be; Skinner - Thompson - Tuch Krebs - Cozens - Quinn Oloffson - Mittlestadt - Peterka Then, I think it’s a fourth line that could fill In for injuries, or provide a good shutdown as needed. Didn’t speculate too much, but I think Hinostroza is re-signed… I don’t love the stack up though, I’d really like to have Hinostroza and Okposo both in the lineup; TBD - Girgensons - Okposo Hinostroza

Fair assessment to add role players for fourth line. For Krebs - Mittlestadt - Quinn, you definitely might be correct on lack of physicality hurting their effectiveness. In this hypothetical situation, I’d kind of be hoping that this is a line that could work in the future as players mature and just out-skill other teams. I’d be hoping that Quinn could benefit from other playmakers and just clean up opportunities. And yeah, if it didn’t work, then at least you’d have a good data point on needing at least one forward with some physical presence on that line.

Would love to see, towards the end of the year, something like the following to hopefully start the planning process for next year; Skinner - Cozens - Tuch Krebs - Mittlestadt - Quinn Asplund - Thompson - Oloffson Girgensons - Jankowski - Okposo Trade / Press Box? - Eakin, Hinostroza, Bjork Dahlin - Jokiharu Samuelson - Pysyk Bryson - Hagg Trade / Press Box? - Miller, Butcher, Boychuk (sarcasm…) I’d be hoping that the top three lines here would at least be able to see if there’s some sort of chemistry. Ideally, it gives you an idea of potential free agent targets or re-signing yes/no. Then, maybe you’d have some semblance of a depth chart that you could extrapolate “Adding Peterka and Power gives us…” and then could address any remaining holes and depth via free agency.