Best UFA options

[sweetlou]

Pick 2 forwards and 1 defenseman

Edited May 20, 2019 by sweetlou

[sweetlou]

sorry didn't realize I had comments turned off

[North Buffalo]

Give me Chariot on D... stay younger... at forward... lots to choose from but at center Hayes over Duschene... and Sabres need to sign Skinner and one other winger imo maybe Connoly or Ferland...

Edited May 21, 2019 by North Buffalo

[Weave]

7 minutes ago, North Buffalo said:

Give me Chariot on D... stay younger... at forward... lots to choose from but at center Hayes for Duschene... and Sabres need to sign Skinner and on other winger imo maybe Connoly or Ferland...

I prefer Ferland as the non center forwad simply because we don’t have anyone on the roster with his particular game.  

[...]

@sweetlou great thread idea!  I'm going to have to take a close look at these guys before submitting my choices.  I think we actually could be more active this summer than it seems right now.  With Kruegs and his reputation here, we might have, once again, a little positive PR momentum among the players that we can capitalize on.

[tom webster]

No way both Duchene and Skinner are at same price. Centers get a premium.

[Swordsman]

Other than Skinner, none of the names listed appeal to me - they are all going to demand salaries outside of the rate of return the Sabres should be working with (i.e. Duchene, who will ask for $8M; Ferland, Connolly, Dzingel, Hayes and Nelson who don't have a long track record of production justifying the $6M+ contracts they'll be seeking) .

I don't think the UFA market on defense is strong enough to look there instead of via trade, and Botterill's always been open about saying he views free agency as way of adding support players, not core or key players (which a 2C or partner for Dahlin in 1st pairing would be). Chiarot is an exception but I don't see the Jets letting him go.

My hope is that free agency sees Sabres target players such as Hagelin or Donskoi to help add more scoring depth at reasonable cap hits.

35 minutes ago, tom webster said:

No way both Duchene and Skinner are at same price. Centers get a premium.

Agreed - and Duchene will also want a 7 year term that takes him into his mid-30s. No thanks......

Edited May 20, 2019 by Swordsman

[sweetlou]

The more I look at Tanev, the more I think he should be on Botts radar.  Undrafted college kid who played four years at Providence and then signed with Winnipeg. Has played three years and would be a great third line RW.  Led Jets in hits and scored 14 goals.  Projected to sign 3 year deal around $3 million.

[dudacek]

I’d be surprised if Tanev and Dzingel aren’t on Botterill’s radar.

I also wonder if he will be hunting for bigger game. Doesn’t seem to be his MO, but he has been very open about the need to add skill.

Custance of the Athletic filed a UFA rankings piece this morning that had the Sabres among the likely suitors for Gardiner.

[nfreeman]

I think the proposed contracts also need to include # of years -- e.g. I think most of those who are leery of giving Skinner $8MM x 8 years would gladly do so for 4 years.

[sweetlou]

5 hours ago, nfreeman said:

I think the proposed contracts also need to include # of years -- e.g. I think most of those who are leery of giving Skinner $8MM x 8 years would gladly do so for 4 years.

updated poll to include number of years

[Thorny]

7 hours ago, sweetlou said:

The more I look at Tanev, the more I think he should be on Botts radar.  Undrafted college kid who played four years at Providence and then signed with Winnipeg. Has played three years and would be a great third line RW.  Led Jets in hits and scored 14 goals.  Projected to sign 3 year deal around $3 million.

Winnipeg connection may grow. 

Sabres need a centre though and the list of names there is slim and doesn't appeal to me all that much, at least in terms of $ with regard to Duchene. Maybe they'll explore the trade route for that one. 

 

Edited May 20, 2019 by Thorny

[Huckleberry]

Skinner, zuccarello and benn.    But no way you get Zuccarello with that low of a term.

[LGR4GM]

I didn't vote for a defender. The left side is already full of players and I am not interested in Stralman for the right side. 

[OhMyDahlin]

8 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

I didn't vote for a defender. The left side is already full of players and I am not interested in Stralman for the right side. 

He would be an excellent mentor for Dahlin...just look at what he did for Hedman.

Plus, if they trade Ristolainen, they need another RHD...even if they don't, I'd rather have Stralman, Ristolainen and Montour, than Bogosian.

[North Buffalo]

Interesting article from TSN on UFAs:https://www.tsn.ca/panarin-tops-2019-free-agent-frenzy-class-1.1303592 

[Hoss]

Marcus Johansson

[pi2000]

Brock Nelson 100%... and Zucarello.   

Nelson's uncle is Dave Christian who won Olympic gold in 1980, and his grandfather and Great Uncle both won Olympic gold in 1960.  

[Hoss]

8 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

Brock Nelson 100%... and Zucarello.   

Nelson's uncle is Dave Christian who won Olympic gold in 1980, and his grandfather and Great Uncle both won Olympic gold in 1960.  

He signed a six-year contract extension last week.

[sweetlou]

Nelson gone for 6 yr $6 million.

Hayes is probably next. Has connection with Vigneault from Rangers days.

[Brawndo]

1 hour ago, sweetlou said:

Nelson gone for 6 yr $6 million.

Hayes is probably next. Has connection with Vigneault from Rangers days.

That will be interesting, AV played him in more of a defensive role when that is not his strength. 

[PerreaultForever]

3 hours ago, sweetlou said:

Nelson gone for 6 yr $6 million.

Hayes is probably next. Has connection with Vigneault from Rangers days.

Flyers just gave away a 5th round pick to negotiate exclusively with Hayes' agent.

[French Collection]

I was reading some stuff from Friedman that Derrick Brassard May not get a lot of interest or offers with term. He is working out and has something to prove. He could be a 2C option if healthy and motivated.

Sign him to a prove it deal.

[North Buffalo]

28 minutes ago, French Collection said:

I was reading some stuff from Friedman that Derrick Brassard May not get a lot of interest or offers with term. He is working out and has something to prove. He could be a 2C option if healthy and motivated.

Sign him to a prove it deal.

Hmmm...

[Marvin]

I was wondering if anyone had thought about what might be useful lower-tier guys who could really help.  I am thinking of the Steve Montador and Cody McCormick level.  Just so that we don't ice 1 line and 1 pair every game that belongs in the minors.