LTS Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 7 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said: I agree with you in general. It's a legit issue. How do you keep paying guys when they have accomplished nothing from a team standpoint? I guess it comes down to whether the GM thinks a player is part of the solution or part of the problem. Given how many of our forwards are allergic to 2-way play, I'd argue the problem lies elsewhere. IMHO Skinner, Cozens, and Power are players we could trade to create cap space if necessary. I don't like not bridging Power. Of all the guys we signed an extension to, his contract seems like the biggest miscalculation so far. Regardless of whether we pay Mitts 6 or 7 per season, there are no cap issues next season. They may start in 2025, but I don't think we can worry about that at this point. Skinner, not unless he agrees. Cozens has no protections according to capfriendly. Not sure if Power did. That said, signing Mitts would not break the bank on this team. But, if they are signing him to similar money as Cozens then you might as well trade Cozens or repurpose him in the lineup. You don't pay two 2Cs.. not that I necessarily think Cozens is a center. Right now Mitts is second on the team in P/GP and first in +/-. I'm not trading him on the hopes that Cozens rebounds. I sign Mitts and the Cozens has to prove he needs to be here or I am shipping him out. I've seen more tenacity and hustle out of Mitts the past two seasons than I have Cozens. He's not the workhorse he was labeled.. he's trying more to be a show horse.. and not having much to show for it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seer775 Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 (edited) On 1/20/2024 at 2:28 AM, GASabresIUFAN said: I'm going to review this yet again. Here is the Sabres cap situation heading into next season Forwards under contract (8) - Skinner, TNT, Cozens, Tuch, Greenway, Benson, Quinn, JJP - Cost $33,662,023 Defenders under contract 5) - Dahlin, Power, Samuelsson, Clifton, and R Johnson - Cost $27,894,047 Goalies under contract (1) - Levi - Cost $925,000 Totals (14) - Cost $62,481,020 That leaves approximately $25,000,000 for max of 9 players [probably 8]. RFAs - Mitts, Krebs, Joki, Bryson, and UPL UFAs - Robinson, KO, VO, Girgensons, and EJ. Can we afford Mitts? Yes, we can! The only RFAs that should return are UPL (I can't believe I'm typing that) and Mitts. Under the UFAs, I can see Robinson being brought back, but he won't be getting the 1.6 he is getting right now. The biggest expense, besides Mitts, facing the Sabres in the off-season will be getting a top 4 D. It looks to me like Ryan Johnson is working hard to secure one of the two spots. Odds also favor one of Savoie, Kulich and/or Rosen earning one of the forward slots. All told with re-signing Mitts (6 for 6.5), Robinson (1 yr @ 1.1), UPL, (2 years @1.75), and Kulich (918K), that brings us to $73,731,088 for 18 players. The remaining roster holes are a 3/4 center, a top 4 D, a 12th/13th forward, and a 7th D. Skinner TNT Tuch JJP Mitts Quinn Benson Cozens Kulich Robinson ????? Greenway (?????) Dahlin R Johnson Power ?????? Mule Clifton (?????) Levi and UPL Knowing KA, he'll re-sign Joki and Krebs and bring back an entire status-quo roster that is failing this season. Somebody who gives a darn about winning dumps those two and tries to actually improve the roster. The one thing he doesn't do is trade away his best forward from this season. We have a lot of unproven, high caliber talent. Add in some veteran grinders on the 4th line and keep the 3rd open for who's-next. Pick up a top-4D and a bottom-4D, and a rental goalie with our top picks and prospects. Things might be sunnier than we are seeing this year. Edited January 23 by seer775 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalonill Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 Rather trade him for a nice defenseman You have tons of prospects to replace him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huckleberry Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 1 hour ago, Buffalonill said: Rather trade him for a nice defenseman You have tons of prospects to replace him. Trade cozens instead, Casey plays all games, is rounding out his game better too. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porous Five Hole Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 1 hour ago, Huckleberry said: Trade cozens instead, Casey plays all games, is rounding out his game better too. Comparing a 25 year old Mitts to a 22 year old Cozens is kind of bonkers. People couldn’t wait to run Mitts out of town three years ago. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 8 minutes ago, Porous Five Hole said: Comparing a 25 year old Mitts to a 22 year old Cozens is kind of bonkers. People couldn’t wait to run Mitts out of town three years ago. And what goes around comes around. Blink-182 was SOOOOOOO close. Nobody loves you when you're twenty-two, they all shout out go #### you. What's their age again, what's their age again? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#freejame Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 19 minutes ago, Porous Five Hole said: Comparing a 25 year old Mitts to a 22 year old Cozens is kind of bonkers. People couldn’t wait to run Mitts out of town three years ago. So we are supposed to wait three more years for our core to develop and complete their game? I said it the other day but our perspective in Buffalo is so warped with all of the teenagers and twenty year olds playing games the last decade. The average NHLer is probably just finding his footing at 25. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kas23 Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 26 minutes ago, Porous Five Hole said: Comparing a 25 year old Mitts to a 22 year old Cozens is kind of bonkers. People couldn’t wait to run Mitts out of town three years ago. I would do a pull up contest. The loser gets shipped out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porous Five Hole Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 (edited) 6 minutes ago, #freejame said: So we are supposed to wait three more years for our core to develop and complete their game? I said it the other day but our perspective in Buffalo is so warped with all of the teenagers and twenty year olds playing games the last decade. The average NHLer is probably just finding his footing at 25. I think you’re taking my statement in a way that I did not intend it. I felt like the poster I quoted comparing the players was missing some important context. With that said, I agree with your sentiment. Edited January 24 by Porous Five Hole 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#freejame Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 3 minutes ago, Porous Five Hole said: I think you’re taking my statement in a way that I did not intend it. I felt like the poster I quoted comparing the players was missing some important context. With that said, I agree with your sentiment. I think that probably came off in a way I didn’t intend it to either. I also can read it the way you just explained on a second go around. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalonill Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 2 hours ago, Huckleberry said: Trade cozens instead, Casey plays all games, is rounding out his game better too. cozens Is just having a rough year I would rather keep hold of the 22 year old then Trade him away . We would regret that 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porous Five Hole Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 1 hour ago, kas23 said: I would do a pull up contest. The loser gets shipped out. Let’s do a gauntlet of challenges. Start with pull ups, hardest shot, Mario Kart, who has a hotter girlfriend, see if Dylan can spell Mitts last name and see if Mitts can find Whitehorse on a map. The loser gets traded to San Jose. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjd1001 Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 1 hour ago, Buffalonill said: cozens Is just having a rough year I would rather keep hold of the 22 year old then Trade him away . We would regret that 22 is really young for a forward. Guys taken in the 5-10 range of the first round sometimes they don't get 'it' until they are 23-25 years old. With that said, Cozens had such a good year last year that its a real disappointment to see this year, espeically with how bad he is in his own zone. And, you are paying him $7m on his new contract to score you 25+ goals per year, I don't think 10-20 goals is going to cut it starting next year. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chair Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 1 hour ago, mjd1001 said: 22 is really young for a forward. Guys taken in the 5-10 range of the first round sometimes they don't get 'it' until they are 23-25 years old. With that said, Cozens had such a good year last year that its a real disappointment to see this year, espeically with how bad he is in his own zone. And, you are paying him $7m on his new contract to score you 25+ goals per year, I don't think 10-20 goals is going to cut it starting next year. Duh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SabreFinn Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 4 hours ago, mjd1001 said: 22 is really young for a forward. Guys taken in the 5-10 range of the first round sometimes they don't get 'it' until they are 23-25 years old. Teemu Selänne was 22 when he played his rookie record season. He refused to leave Finland before he felt he was ready. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjd1001 Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 9 hours ago, Chair said: Duh Nice way to add to the conversation! I swear the attituded on this board are getting worse and worse as each day goes by. The highlighted comment was part of a larger post, but I guess you just felt the need to throw a 'duh' out there didn't you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjd1001 Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 6 hours ago, SabreFinn said: Teemu Selänne was 22 when he played his rookie record season. He refused to leave Finland before he felt he was ready. There are exceptions to the rule, but they truly are exceptions. Majority of draft picks that turn into good/great players drafted 5th to 15th overall, it does not work that way. Also, Selanne, TOTALL different Era, different NHL, pretty much a different game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SabreFinn Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 44 minutes ago, mjd1001 said: There are exceptions to the rule, but they truly are exceptions. Majority of draft picks that turn into good/great players drafted 5th to 15th overall, it does not work that way. Also, Selanne, TOTALL different Era, different NHL, pretty much a different game. What I was thinking about, but I did not get down in text very well, was the focus on that he made his debut when he felt he was ready. I think a lot of players, especially those who get drafted in the range you mentioned, aren't well prepared for NHL when they play their first games as 18-19y. I do not know if it is the players that believe they are ready, or if the teams push them to come over without enough good personnel to help with their development? Or what? My strong opinion is that they are not physically, tactically or mentally ready at that age. And I do not understand why they are rushed into the toughest league in sports. And why Sabres have such a young team. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mango Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 16 hours ago, Porous Five Hole said: Comparing a 25 year old Mitts to a 22 year old Cozens is kind of bonkers. People couldn’t wait to run Mitts out of town three years ago. Trade Mitts because we hope that Cozens might be equally as good in 3 years? It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, both are young. One is much better than the other today on a team that needs more players like Mitts. 22 hours ago, LTS said: Skinner, not unless he agrees. Cozens has no protections according to capfriendly. Not sure if Power did. That said, signing Mitts would not break the bank on this team. But, if they are signing him to similar money as Cozens then you might as well trade Cozens or repurpose him in the lineup. You don't pay two 2Cs.. not that I necessarily think Cozens is a center. Right now Mitts is second on the team in P/GP and first in +/-. I'm not trading him on the hopes that Cozens rebounds. I sign Mitts and the Cozens has to prove he needs to be here or I am shipping him out. I've seen more tenacity and hustle out of Mitts the past two seasons than I have Cozens. He's not the workhorse he was labeled.. he's trying more to be a show horse.. and not having much to show for it. Agreed. I also don't think the decision is looming in the immediate future. But I also think you have to find a way to keep Mitts. At the moment I think this team can make it all work and keep Mitts on a long term deal. But they are going to have to start making some hard decisions afterwards. The 2025 offseason will have JJP, Quinn, and Levi come due (RFA), and if freeing up Cozens $7M per year helps keep all those guys I think it is a slam dunk. Cozens will has another year/offseason to burn brighter. For reference, Cozens $7.1M cap hit would make him right around the 11 highest paid RW in the league. Right now that winger money is better spent on JJP than it is Cozens. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader1969 Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 I'd still like them to keep Mitts. Only way I'd like to see him traded is if he is a piece that brings in a top pair RHD. however, he needs to be scratched tonight. 2 games in a row his carelessness with the puck directly led to the opponents first goal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorny Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 On 1/23/2024 at 12:15 PM, Weave said: My biggest concern is, how many more of this core are we going to lock up when they haven’t shown that they are at minimum a playoff level core? Not that I am saying Mitts isnt a playoff caliber player, but man, none of these guys have demonstrated it. There’s no sense acting like the particular combination of talent isn’t as important as the talent itself. It’s a huge concern. Casey just bears more of it right now cause so much of the rest of the core is locked up. There aren’t many spaces left really and solidifying a core that sits bottom of the league should be a concern and if it’s not, I think we’ve lost the plot. I am a Casey guy. Even when his perception was at the lowest I was saying he’d still be a good third line player. He’s been even better. But I do not know what we should do 12 hours ago, SabreFinn said: Teemu Selänne was 22 when he played his rookie record season. He refused to leave Finland before he felt he was ready. Statistical prime for forwards is like 23/24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chair Posted January 25 Report Share Posted January 25 14 hours ago, mjd1001 said: Nice way to add to the conversation! I swear the attituded on this board are getting worse and worse as each day goes by. The highlighted comment was part of a larger post, but I guess you just felt the need to throw a 'duh' out there didn't you? I read the whole thing and regretted it. That last part was an obvious duh though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducky Posted January 25 Report Share Posted January 25 On 1/22/2024 at 8:38 AM, Sabres Fan in NS said: He will likely sign the 8 for $50M standard contract. That's a steal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducky Posted January 25 Report Share Posted January 25 (edited) Selanne had military obligations and regarding trade protection, players can't get that until they are 27 years old or played 7 seasons if I am not mistaken. When is Mitts an UFA? Edited January 25 by Ducky 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabres Fan in NS Posted January 26 Report Share Posted January 26 20 hours ago, Ducky said: Selanne had military obligations and regarding trade protection, players can't get that until they are 27 years old or played 7 seasons if I am not mistaken. When is Mitts an UFA? 2 years after this season. A 3 year contract buys only 1 UFA year. 2 takes him right to the gates of UFA. I would do 1 or 3(+), but I would prefer the + ... 7 or 8 years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.