What’s left for KA to do this Summer?

[PASabreFan]

52 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Well no one else wanted a slightly better goalie.  Most of us wanted a proven NHL goalie to pair with Levi.   They are all gone.  So it’s easy for Adams to say that the goalies out there aren’t better than what we have because he failed to make the trades needed to get one when they were available.   

What did Adams do?  

Defense -  Replaced Clague and Bryson with Clifton and Johnson.  Sure, the defense is better, and the PK should be better, but by how much?  Both of these guys were bottom pairings on contending teams   Johnson brings experience and a cup and adds depth.     Clifton is young and tough   I give these moves a  C+ for now, and maybe a solid B if Clifton has another level that we didn’t see in Boston.  

Forwards -  he re-signed KO, ZG, and Jost.   With Quinn on IR he failed to add a forward so is his plan to backfill with the one dimensional Olofsson?   Kulich, Savoie and Rousek will all get a look   Nothing was done to address face-offs or adding a solid two-way player on a team that ranked 32 in this category and was poor defensively.   He is banking on a healthy first line (didn’t happen last year) and improved play of existing players, one if those key players is on IR.  

Goalies - Levi, UPL and Comrie are all inexperienced and unproven  Levi looks like the real deal but 7 games is not a lot to go with.  Anderson was the most reliable goalie on the team last year until Levi arrived, he is gone.  Maybe UPL will surprise us?  In my opinion Adams is taking a big risk.     

Are they a playoff team?   That is a huge “we shall see”.   We have to stay healthy and right out of the gate we lost a 2nd line winger in Quinn.  This team is counting on improvement of young players.  The core players all need to have another big season and Levi needs to be the very rare true rookie star goalie.   

They are almost the same team, the defense looks a bit better on paper, so the team improvement must come from player improvement.  The players with more significant upside that must improve are Quinn, Peterka, Power, Samuelsson, Greenway, and the new rookies.  Dahlin must have another Norris contending year   Tage, Tuch, Skinner, Mitrs and Cozens must not slip in production.   

On top of that we better hope Pittsburgh, the Isles, and the Lightning all continue to get worse and that Ottawa and Detroit don’t make a jump.  
 

It’s possible we are a playoff team but if the goaltending doesn’t hold up we finished outside looking in.  

You might just be the real Punch. He would have traded Dodo if she'd gone to the washroom during a critical peeper.

As for KA he is milking the situation. He is lucky to have the job he has, and he intends to keep it as long as possible. He ain't turning the hourglass over until he absolutely has to.

[Taro T]

57 minutes ago, Turbo44 said:

Problem with trading #68 at this point is who really covets him and who could pay his 4.8m salary. It almost seems to me he’ll have to go in a bigger deal. If Carolina could utilize him (not sure of this but maybe they need a goal scorer), maybe a trade of joker, Oloffson and a first for Pesce?  That’s 7.25m in salary going to Carolina and 4.025m coming back. Maybe we have to hold half of oloff’s salary? Pegs doesn’t like doing that BUT it’s only for 1 year. This senario is still cap positive for us; +0.825m

Really expect that should Olofsson get traded that the Sabres will be retaining salary.  Unless Adams still has a couple of very big moves left to come, retaining salary on a guy with only 1 year left won't affect the team's ability to stay under the cap at all.

Retaining salary will make Olofsson's flaws much more palatable and can see a lot of teams interested in getting a 28 goal scorer for less than $2.5MM.

Teams like Carolina are way closer to the cap than the Sabres are.  Any deal will likely be structured in a way that the Sabres take on the bulk of the salary, not the other way around.

[The Jokeman]

22 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I completely agree but KA is “confident in the guys we have.”

Hard to fix a problem that you don’t believe exists. 

KA’s rationale:

“You can go sign a veteran goalie that’s played a lot of games, but if you don’t think he’s better than the ones you have, why would you do that? So you can walk in here and say we got someone who played a lot of games?” Adams said.

https://theathletic.com/4661807/2023/07/03/sabres-free-agency/

That's why most fans are asking you to get a better goalie than we have in UPL or Comrie, not just sign a "just a guy "veteran.  

[Crusader1969]

2 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Well no one else wanted a slightly better goalie.  Most of us wanted a proven NHL goalie to pair with Levi.   They are all gone.  So it’s easy for Adams to say that the goalies out there aren’t better than what we have because he failed to make the trades needed to get one when they were available.   

What did Adams do?  

Defense -  Replaced Clague and Bryson with Clifton and Johnson.  Sure, the defense is better, and the PK should be better, but by how much?  Both of these guys were bottom pairings on contending teams   Johnson brings experience and a cup and adds depth.     Clifton is young and tough   I give these moves a  C+ for now, and maybe a solid B if Clifton has another level that we didn’t see in Boston.  

 

replacing Bryson and Clague....heck even moving Joker off the 2nd pair is a HUGE improvement.    Bryson alone as a minus 24 in 59 games and averaged and barely played 10 mins per game

Goaltending wasnt great BUT IF they had another dman instead of Bryson, they would have made the playoffs.  

 

 

 

I

Edited July 4, 2023 by Crusader1969

[Crusader1969]

42 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

That's why most fans are asking you to get a better goalie than we have in UPL or Comrie, not just sign a "just a guy "veteran.  

out of curiosity, what goalie would you have brought in.?

I had my eyes on 2   Hill and Andersen  and neither made it to Free Agency 

[The Jokeman]

19 minutes ago, Crusader1969 said:

out of curiosity, what goalie would you have brought in.?

I had my eyes on 2   Hill and Andersen  and neither made it to Free Agency 

Jarry and Andersen were my top UFA options. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

2 hours ago, The Jokeman said:

That's why most fans are asking you to get a better goalie than we have in UPL or Comrie, not just sign a "just a guy "veteran.  

I'm not the GM, but I've stated numerous times I'd trade for Helle as a rental.  Their price would have to come down to a more reasonable level since we aren't asking for an extension to do the deal.

I'd also make a try for Hart.

I'd have also offered Andersen 3 years at 4 to see if he'd come.  

 

 

Edited July 4, 2023 by GASabresIUFAN

[Crusader1969]

47 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

Jarry and Andersen were my top UFA options. 

assuming both wanted to go back to their existing teams...well lets assume Andersen did and Pittsburgh gave an offer that no way Buffalo was going to go near, then you have to travel down the trade route. 

Jets will trade Helleybuck, just a matter of when and the Ducks will  more than likely trade Gibson.  Boston still has to sort out their goalie situation. Calgary will have 3 goalies.  saros is still a possibility but the price would be EXTREMELY high to get him this year.

I'm sure there will be a couple of other goalies available  

 

 

 

 

 

[Pimlach]

1 hour ago, Crusader1969 said:

replacing Bryson and Clague....heck even moving Joker off the 2nd pair is a HUGE improvement.    Bryson alone as a minus 24 in 59 games and averaged and barely played 10 mins per game

Goaltending wasnt great BUT IF they had another dman instead of Bryson, they would have made the playoffs.  

 

 

 

I

Maybe so. That is the thought.  But Clifton was a 17 minute guy that played 5/6 with a top contender so while I do think Clifton will add something and help us, we still have to see.  We are banking on DG elevating Clifton’s  game just as we are banking on him elevating Greenway. 
 

I think the defense has been improved some amount that has yet to be quantified.  I question keeping the status quo on the forwards and goalies.  

[Crusader1969]

3 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Maybe so. That is the thought.  But Clifton was a 17 minute guy that played 5/6 with a top contender so while I do think Clifton will add something and help us, we still have to see.  We are banking on DG elevating Clifton’s  game just as we are banking on him elevating Greenway. 
 

I think the defense has been improved some amount that has yet to be quantified.  I question keeping the status quo on the forwards and goalies.  

I'm still hoping they are in on Hanifan and / or Pesce

 

 

 

[Pimlach]

2 minutes ago, Crusader1969 said:

I'm still hoping they are in on Hanifan and / or Pesce

 

 

 

Doubt it.  They have to give up assets for either.  

[Crusader1969]

9 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Doubt it.  They have to give up assets for either.  

I guess they could just waive Comrie and Bryson and have 8 Dmen, 13 forwards and 2 Goalies  

I thinking (maybe hoping) that Olofsson and Joker are traded, along with a B level prospect and some draft picks, before camp opens in Sept.

[Turbo44]

8 minutes ago, Crusader1969 said:

I guess they could just waive Comrie and Bryson and have 8 Dmen, 13 forwards and 2 Goalies  

I thinking (maybe hoping) that Olofsson and Joker are traded, along with a B level prospect and some draft picks, before camp opens in Sept.

That’s the plan I gotta believe

[Pimlach]

23 minutes ago, Crusader1969 said:

I guess they could just waive Comrie and Bryson and have 8 Dmen, 13 forwards and 2 Goalies  

I thinking (maybe hoping) that Olofsson and Joker are traded, along with a B level prospect and some draft picks, before camp opens in Sept.

Comrie and Bryson are not gonna net anything unless packaged as throw-ins. 

Maybe Comrie is worth something during the season if a team is desperate but that would mean keep 3 goalies.

Olofsson has some value to the Sabres and to other teams that need scoring or PP help. 

I see no reason not to keep Joker on the 3rd pair or in a rotation.  He had a decent season last year, of course, if you could package him for an upgrade you consider that too. 

Edited July 4, 2023 by Pimlach

[PerreaultForever]

12 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Don't forget TNT, Skinner, Tuch, Dahlin and Mitts' career years.

Mitts end of the year maybe gets in as well but I'm still not sure what he is. 

The top line was the top line and you have to expect the same or similar next year in order to compete. Dahlin as well. They were already good the year before and you expect it to continue. Skinner's got a hot and cold career though so we shall see. 

The top line can compete with others for sure. The key to moving up is having the second line and that's where Cozens came in. If we can have a truly dangerous second line (and I think we can) then the question is still what does the third and fourth line do? They need to play at least even with other teams for us to succeed. 

Who ends up on which line is interesting to me and a lot will depend on Mitts and also on whether Greenway can be anything of value. 

[Georgia Blizzard]

I think it's too early to "give up" on UPL or Jokiharju.  They are both only 24 and play positions where that is very young.

Joker played 21+ minutes per game on 2nd pair with Power.  At times Power struggled defensively as a rookie as well.  I think Joker on the 3rd pair and with another offseason getting stronger will be significantly better.

UPL had a typical rookie season, ups and downs.  He also was injured toward end of season. 

I'd like to see both on the roster.  

[Crusader1969]

23 minutes ago, Georgia Blizzard said:

I think it's too early to "give up" on UPL or Jokiharju.  They are both only 24 and play positions where that is very young.

Joker played 21+ minutes per game on 2nd pair with Power.  At times Power struggled defensively as a rookie as well.  I think Joker on the 3rd pair and with another offseason getting stronger will be significantly better.

UPL had a typical rookie season, ups and downs.  He also was injured toward end of season. 

I'd like to see both on the roster.  

even if they were part of a trade package that netted Hanifan or Pesce? 

[Turbo44]

1 hour ago, Pimlach said:

Maybe so. That is the thought.  But Clifton was a 17 minute guy that played 5/6 with a top contender so while I do think Clifton will add something and help us, we still have to see.  We are banking on DG elevating Clifton’s  game just as we are banking on him elevating Greenway. 
 

I think the defense has been improved some amount that has yet to be quantified.  I question keeping the status quo on the forwards and goalies.  

Clifton played top 2 minutes for the first 20+ games when mcavoy was recovering from injury. His analytics were elite

clifton played top 4 minutes for the next 40 or so games until they traded for orlov, when he moved to a 5/6 role. His analytics were very good in the 4 role not as good in the 5/6 role

 Boston ended up benching him in game 7 when he had a bad game 6 vs fla

key take always - he plays up to his playing partners level. Know who’s an elite NHL defenseman? power

He was the best PK dman in the league this year. Playing for Boston helps,  it he was better than the elite Boston D too. He gave up an expected 2.35 goals/60 minutes or 4 GA in 102.5 minutes. That’s an insanely low total.  Buffalo’s PK was abysmal. 
 

Clifton is a very good low cost gamble.

 

[Georgia Blizzard]

1 hour ago, Crusader1969 said:

even if they were part of a trade package that netted Hanifan or Pesce? 

Good question.

For the right trade, you would absolutely trade either or both of them.  My concern is that a lot of fans feel they have little or no value, which would imply selling low in a trade, just to move on from them.

My main point was that, while both struggled at times, they remain promising young players.

 

[dudacek]

3 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

Mitts end of the year maybe gets in as well but I'm still not sure what he is. 

The top line was the top line and you have to expect the same or similar next year in order to compete. Dahlin as well. They were already good the year before and you expect it to continue. Skinner's got a hot and cold career though so we shall see. 

The top line can compete with others for sure. The key to moving up is having the second line and that's where Cozens came in. If we can have a truly dangerous second line (and I think we can) then the question is still what does the third and fourth line do? They need to play at least even with other teams for us to succeed. 

Who ends up on which line is interesting to me and a lot will depend on Mitts and also on whether Greenway can be anything of value. 

I know Greenway has his doubters, but I really like the concept of a Mitts Cozens Greenway 2nd line next year.

I think the doggedness and skill of the first two will elevate the levels of each in Greenway.

I think the size and defence of Greenway will create space for the skill guys and improve the line defensively.

And I think the size/speed/skill mix of the Sabres top 6 overall would be like defending a landslide, especially with Dahlin out with one unit and Power with the other.

I see Tuch Thompson Cozens and Greenway tearing into the opponents like dire wolves with Skinner and Mitts ripping away at the flanks like hyenas.

 

[Thorny]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

I know Greenway has his doubters, but I really like the concept of a Mitts Cozens Greenway 2nd line next year.

I think the doggedness and skill of the first two will elevate the levels of each in Greenway.

I think the size and defence of Greenway will create space for the skill guys and improve the line defensively.

And I think the size/speed/skill mix of the Sabres top 6 overall would be like defending a landslide, especially with Dahlin out with one unit and Power with the other.

I see Tuch Thompson Cozens and Greenway tearing into the opponents like dire wolves with Skinner and Mitts ripping away at the flanks like hyenas.

 

I like that top 6 best too. Kinda why I was wondering if we’d add a F to replace Quinn: the 3rd line if Greenway is up there looks something like Olofsson - Krebs - Peterka and defensively that make me cringe 

I’m not sure Rousek - Krebs - Peterka looks much more stable on that front. Or, is Rousek pretty good defensively? 

Edited July 5, 2023 by Thorny

[dudacek]

20 minutes ago, Thorny said:

I like that top 6 best too. Kinda why I was wondering if we’d add a F to replace Quinn: the 3rd line if Greenway is up there looks something like Peterka - Krebs - Olofsson and defensively that make me cringe 

I’m not sure Peterka - Krebs - Rousek looks much more stable on that front. Or, is Rousek pretty good defensively? 

Rousek seems pretty well-rounded to me, so maybe we’ll see where that goes.

I like Gus Krebs and Kyle as a 3rd/checking line, but that kinda leaves JJ working with spare parts.

And I really like the idea of Krebs and JJ with a veteran on an up-tempo 3rd line - I think each Is going to take a step and their games fit together - but that vet can’t be Victor.

Maybe the solution is bumping Kyle onto the line with JJ and Krebs - which I don’t mind as a 3rd combo - and limit the ES ice time of the 4th line as a unit?

Basically use Z and VO as situational and special teams specialists, with Rousek and Jost getting their shifts mostly against 4th liners, or when penalties jumble up the lines?

Better yet, bring in Tatar or some other vet on a 1-year deal to play with Peyton and JJ and run Z, KO and Jost as your 4th line.

I’d really like Trent Frederic to be that guy.

Edited July 5, 2023 by dudacek

[rickshaw]

22 hours ago, dudacek said:

I thinks he was talking to to Allvin about moving up.

The Canucks mandate is to make the playoffs this season. They don’t make it without Demko.

I would be stunned if he gets moved.

The Canucks are not making the playoffs next year unless some other teams really poop the bed.

[dudacek]

6 minutes ago, dudacek said:

 

Better yet, bring in Tatar or some other vet on a 1-year deal to play with Peyton and JJ and run Z, KO and Jost as your 4th line.

I’d really like Trent Frederic to be that guy.

Another guy who would look really good as the bigger body on the 3rd line next to Peyton and JJ is the concept of Max Comtois.

No idea if he is a guy who would benefit for our vibes or if his problems run deeper.

[dudacek]

Just now, rickshaw said:

The Canucks are not making the playoffs next year unless some other teams really poop the bed.

Oh I agree, but you’re out here in B.C. Don’t you think every move they make is aimed at getting better without hitting the rebuild button?

They have absolutely nothing behind Demko and would be lost without him.