SabreFinn

My taughts are that we next year will get the same from Östlund but for less money and with more games played. It is a horrible contract and Norris should be traded. We could extend Östlund, bring in another solid veteran and still have an extra million to next seasons contract extensions (Benson, Tuch) for the same money we pay Norris.

Ivar Stenberg has points in 10 straight SHL games.

Luukkonen was asked about this by a finnish journalist. He answered that he don't know where Friedmann got it from. He said that it is obvious every player wants icetime in NHL, and the irregular amount of games is difficult, but they just have to deal with the situation and be ready. He also commented on trade rumors that he like to be a Sabre and don't want a trade.

It is also used in hockey

No way I would keep Norris. I hope he gets healthy soon, and he can stay healthy and play well, then we trade the horrible contract somewhere else.

During a year of Olympic hockey, and both Thompson and Tuch being players that could earn a spot on team USA, I find it hard to believe that those situations should depend on anything but weak defensive awareness. But who knows.

I expect a home win against Devils. After that they play 7 of 8 games on the road. They better figure out how to win on the road, and fast!

Btw, to me, Piiparinens d-partner Jesper Mattila is the best defenseman in Liiga ( a late bloomer I wouldn't hesitate to give a two way contract with Sabres), it helps Piiparinens stats a lot.

Yes. Suvanto might be drafted in that range since there are only few top ranked centers. But to draft a center in that range it need to be top-6 potential, and I can't see that. I haven't seen Hemming either, I hope he can show something good at WJC if he get a spot on the team, I wasn't impressed with his brother but I have heard this younger one is better.

I have not watched him play that much, but nothing about him says he is a top-10. I have to watch some more Tappara. And same goes for the other two Finns, 20-40 range, as you said. The Swedes on the other hand, they might have three players in top 10.

WTF. He can't be serious?!

Still we are 4 points out of a wild card spot with one game more played than those teams.

I agree on that. I am curious and have to ask, how would you replace them and how would you like the D to be constructed?

We can't keep paying players big money while the on ice effort is worth half the money. If Tuch plays like a 5milj. AAV but wants to be paid the dubble there is nothing to do except a trade. A first round pick and a prospect is what we will get in that case. The hard thing is to find a replacement. We don't have a replacement in the system, we could get lucky and find another ufa like Zucker, but most likely we need to trade Byram or Power to get what we need.

I don’t understand why Terry is so boneheaded. It is simple math, a winning team sell tickets and merchandise, it is also much easier to develop players in a winning system. Bring in professionals that can create that and stay out of the way!

With Kekäläinen as GM it could happen.

Hard to see Sabres as a playoff team- ever.

Excellent post! I agree 100%!

Are Blues pi$$ed enough that we should expect an offer sheet?

I don’t think Adams can fool anyone anymore. He traded for a player that can't stay healthy, he traded JJ without fixing the hole that caused. The defense has been badly constructed for years. And then there are our seven goaltenders...

To Devils for a 1st and Seamus Casey. Then trade Power and/or Byram for a top 6 center/left winger.

I don’t think it is possible to get a trade done before close to trade deadline. I believe there will be teams tanking and some might have a hard time to get to cap floor. Norris still has to be traded, and Adams wins the Worst trade in history award.

Adams should take a good look at other teams healthy scratches and try to get some help. It is painful to see a lineup like thay.

It is also the last year Norris lacks trade protection. I agree they need to trade him this season.

I rather take the playoffs, I have no hope for big changes in the front office anyway.