Carmel Corn

Definitely a fluid situation, but part of me wants GMKA to take the risk while other teams may get cold feet.

So how does Benson compare with Michkov...how much of a difference is there between the two.....assuming Michkov is taken before Benson?

IDK, #13 is not "high" in my view of drafting order. Also, top 4 D do not come easily outside of the draft....you either have to pay big in a trade or overpay via FA for an older guy who wants term that will take him to his mid 30's....although there is one I'd risk (Graves). Overall, I'd like to see us strengthen our D pipeline with someone who can become a shutdown kind of guy (besides Mule), as I feel we need it.

Arizona will buyout Kassian and Nemeth, so yes their cupboard is getting a little bare!

Loved Z's rugged game last season....hopefully he can bring the same style and get a few more players to follow his lead.

I don't disagree with your arguments for....but my only concern is whether he can be obtained for < than #13 or a top prospect. I may not know the market very well, but at the same time I would not be surprised if another team might offer more. Once upon a time, a former Sabre GM offered a 1st rounder for a less accomplished goalie....which certainly was an overpayment.

Laviolette seems to like former Sabres as assistants.....Housley in Nashville and now Peca in NY

Does anybody have any insight as to why his game has fallen so far? Age, injuries, something else?

Does he maybe take Z's spot? Possibly Jost?

I think there needs to be another option with 8 years at >$8.5 million. Frankly, it may take $9 or more to get him locked up that long.

Seems to me that a Peca type former player is exactly what the Sabres need to develop a better defensive structure to help reduce the high quality scoring chances they give up....especially inside their own zone. I'd like to see them try to retain him.

Question....is he still an RFA after the 4 year deal?

Regarding Mitchkov.....who does he mostly resemble in terms of current NHL players?

Maybe GMKA would offer VO along with other assets? Seems the Canes had some challenges scoring goals (in the playoffs), meaning they could use more sniper help on their roster.

Sorry, but don't think VO will fetch a 1st rounder, plus Simashev will not last until the 20's IMHO.

IDK, I don't see a 1st coming back....maybe a 2nd though!

Hopefully so....his young body will eventually fill out, which will allow him to challenge better (and win)!

Interesting......born in New York state if I'm not mistaken!

Respectfully, I hope it is Simashev. This is where my philosophy may differ from the masses, who might say BPA. I'd like to see more depth and size in our Defense pipeline and if somebody like Benson grades out .01 higher than Simashev, then I'd rather see GMKA pick the big defender vs. the guy who is .01 higher.

Agree on the liklihood Power will want a bridge deal. With that said, what do we think is a reasonable average per year amount to try and convince him to do 8 years? IMHO - less that $8 million will not be enough and therefore are we supportive of something more like $9 to $10, which is what I think it would take.

I hated to lose him as well, but we went with the 7-3-1 approach to protect more forwards....which regrettably included Bjork. Otherwise we were more at risk protecting just 8 skaters. We needed to protect Risto with the anticipation of trading him. Dahlin was obvious and the other protected D was Joki. I have mixed feelings about Joki today and if we had to do it all over again, who would you rather have.....Borgen or Joki?!?!

It was very interesting to see the efforts GMKA went through to try and move up and take Kulich after they drafted Östlund. Sometimes it is nice to get what you want without having to give up as much as you were willing to in order to get it.

I think Hagg was traded to get an asset before we were going to lose him anyway to free agency....so he was gone. Who were you going to want to sign instead of Boosh to fill the gap? Slim pickings available (without overpaying) was my recollection.

Just thinking that maybe we could sign Graves as a UFA for maybe $5 to $6 million a year and not give up more than a 3rd (using Severson's example)....wouldn't be a bad alternative IMHO.

Yup....Florida just seems so flat this series. The long break was the worse thing for them. Barkov and Sam are not generating much at all to help.