How would you retool this team this summer?

[dudacek]

26 minutes ago, Mr Peabody said:

What would an offer sheet for Will Cuylle have to look like to have a shot?

Puckpedia has the Rangers having $2.8M available to re-sign him and K’Andre Miller.

Something’s gotta break there.

Perfect fit for the Sabres, IMO: middle-six, young physical wing.

He’ll be in demand and the Rangers will be doing their damnedest to move some cap to keep him.

EDIT: actually $8.4M next year, I was looking at this year.

Edited May 15 by dudacek

[DarthEbriate]

3 minutes ago, Mr Peabody said:

What would an offer sheet for Will Cuylle have to look like to have a shot?

Even with the rising cap, the Rangers only have $10M in total cap space at the moment for next season. (They need to add 5 players to the roster for next season and have 7 RFAs this summer; they're an excellent target.)

If the Rangers were to lock up K'Andre Miller on a long-term extension before the draft, you might be able to nab Cuylle for a 2nd (offer something like $4.5M/year). But I think the Rangers will make some moves to clear space so that they can get Cuylle on the LT deal instead, while bridging Miller because he's not an offensive force.

If you really want him, though, a 1st+3rd and $7M/year should get it done (they'd need to move Panarin + others).

Or, if you really, really want him, you could offer JJP if both players agree to a sign-and-trade.

[dudacek]

Rangers have about $56M invested in their top 6 players (Shesterkin, Panarin, Fox, Zibanejad, Miller and Lafreniere).

They’re not built for giving big raises.

In comparison, Sabres top 6 cost about $44M.

[Mr Peabody]

1 minute ago, DarthEbriate said:

Even with the rising cap, the Rangers only have $10M in total cap space at the moment for next season. (They need to add 5 players to the roster for next season and have 7 RFAs this summer; they're an excellent target.)

If the Rangers were to lock up K'Andre Miller on a long-term extension before the draft, you might be able to nab Cuylle for a 2nd (offer something like $4.5M/year). But I think the Rangers will make some moves to clear space so that they can get Cuylle on the LT deal instead, while bridging Miller because he's not an offensive force.

If you really want him, though, a 1st+3rd and $7M/year should get it done (they'd need to move Panarin + others).

Or, if you really, really want him, you could offer JJP if both players agree to a sign-and-trade.

I too was thinking if they were that high on JJ a sign and trade would be something to work on.  

[LGR4GM]

Just now, Mr Peabody said:

I too was thinking if they were that high on JJ a sign and trade would be something to work on.  

But how does that save the Rangers capspace?

[DarthEbriate]

4 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

But how does that save the Rangers capspace?

It doesn't. They still need to move pieces. But then at least they're getting a ready-to-go player in return instead of futures.

Edit: Drury has painted himself into a bit of a corner with some of his contracts. If the cap were staying flatter these next couple seasons instead of skyrocketing, he'd be looking to trade a 1st to get Panarin off the books.

Edit of the Edit: they'd probably rather move Zibanejad than Panarin, obviously. It's just the term. The Breadman is on an expiring contract. Zibanejad is.... forever.

Edited May 15 by DarthEbriate

[Mr Peabody]

4 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

But how does that save the Rangers capspace?

Maybe take on Kreider’s contract as part of a multi-player deal?  Cuylle, Kreider, Borgen  for JJ and?

Edited May 15 by Mr Peabody

[dudacek]

2 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

But how does that save the Rangers capspace?

Cuylle Schneider and a bad contract (Kreider?) for Peterka and pick/prospect?

[Pimlach]

[Mr Peabody]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

Cuylle Schneider and a bad contract (Kreider?) for Peterka and pick/prospect?

Those 3 instantly change the culture of this team.   All tough players who hit.

[...]

I'm sorry, but SS is ready to trade JJ now?

[dudacek]

16 minutes ago, ... said:

I'm sorry, but SS is ready to trade JJ now?

I don't know about Sabrespace, but I'm ready to trade anyone if it makes the team better.

[Scottysabres]

I’d trade the owners decisions to another club. Lately, Vegas and their arrogant players and fans feels like a great organization to sick Pegulas decisions on.

[GASabresIUFAN]

49 minutes ago, ... said:

I'm sorry, but SS is ready to trade JJ now?

LOL.  Yep, it seems that way.  After all it's the Sabres way.  Trade Eichel, trade Reinhart, might as well trade JJP.  Let's trade all the good players our system develops and allow them to win Cups elsewhere.  

Dumping another good young forward is the height of stupidity.  

Why not trade/waive/catapult our bad defensemen and goaltending and use the saved cap space to fix the real problems with this team.  Put Power, Byram, UPL, Samuelsson, and Clifton on the block and see what you can get.  That's over 25 mill in cap liability right there.  Dump most of those players and bring in a solid goaltender to play with Levi and find 2-3 defensive D and this team will become a playoff team next season. 

[thewookie1]

3 hours ago, ... said:

I'm sorry, but SS is ready to trade JJ now?

It’s a rather odd issue when it comes to JJ. His contract ask is unknown and couple that with his genuine value varying it makes him a hard player to pinpoint. Like I wouldn’t give him 8x8mil because he doesn’t give a consistent enough performance all 82 games and is a mostly 1 dimensional player.

However I wouldn’t trade him for the sake of trading him.

[Brawndo]

Marty Wilford was in attendance for the Amerks Game on Friday in Rochester, I do not think he is going anywhere unfortunately 

[GASabresIUFAN]

2 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Marty Wilford was in attendance for the Amerks Game on Friday in Rochester, I do not think he is going anywhere unfortunately 

That’s truly horrible news.

[LGR4GM]

23 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Marty Wilford was in attendance for the Amerks Game on Friday in Rochester, I do not think he is going anywhere unfortunately 

Adams is such a sad sack. Can't even fire ppl cuz they're all his buddies, pals, chums.

[JohnC]

On 5/15/2025 at 5:35 PM, GASabresIUFAN said:

LOL.  Yep, it seems that way.  After all it's the Sabres way.  Trade Eichel, trade Reinhart, might as well trade JJP.  Let's trade all the good players our system develops and allow them to win Cups elsewhere.  

Dumping another good young forward is the height of stupidity.  

Why not trade/waive/catapult our bad defensemen and goaltending and use the saved cap space to fix the real problems with this team.  Put Power, Byram, UPL, Samuelsson, and Clifton on the block and see what you can get.  That's over 25 mill in cap liability right there.  Dump most of those players and bring in a solid goaltender to play with Levi and find 2-3 defensive D and this team will become a playoff team next season. 

Most people agree that altering the mix on the blueline is a priority. In my view, the most impactful thing our GM should do this off-season is bring in a solid goaltender. (As you noted.) If that issue isn’t adequately addressed, little will have changed.

[dudacek]

6 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Adams is such a sad sack. Can't even fire ppl cuz they're all his buddies, pals, chums.

It’s all about action, not words.

The Sabres decided the fitness department and the lack of management trainees needed to be accountable for the lack of results last year.

[LGR4GM]

1 minute ago, dudacek said:

It’s all about action, not words.

The Sabres decided the fitness department and the lack of management trainees needed to be accountable for the lack of results last year.

Lack I said, "conditioning" was this years scapegoat for Adams incompetence. 

[dudacek]

I hope everybody around here realizes that “youth” and “blocking” are no longer talking points with the Sabre forwards.

• Tage Thompson is turning 28 next season and will be entering his 7th NHL season
• Zucker 34 and 12
• Tuch 29 and 9
• Greenway 29 and 8
• Norris 26 and 6
• McLeod 26 and 5
• Krebs 25 and 5
• Peterka 24 and 4
• Quinn 24 and 4

These guys have been around long enough to know what the league is about.

Yes, there are 2 babies also vying to break into the top 9 in Kulich and Benson (and 2 vets in Malenstyn, 28, and Lafferty, 31) but putting them there is a choice, not an excuse.

This is group that should be considered largely in its prime. 

The questions should be are they good enough, and are they balanced enough?

“ Are they old enough?” is so 2022.

[Porous Five Hole]

18 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Adams is such a sad sack. Can't even fire ppl cuz they're all his buddies, pals, chums.

And because they’re already under contract.  We are a poverty franchise.  
 

I love you Sabres but you are not serious people. 

[LGR4GM]

37 minutes ago, dudacek said:

I hope everybody around here realizes that “youth” and “blocking” are no longer talking points with the Sabre forwards.

• Tage Thompson is turning 28 next season and will be entering his 7th NHL season
• Zucker 34 and 12
• Tuch 29 and 9
• Greenway 29 and 8
• Norris 26 and 6
• McLeod 26 and 5
• Krebs 25 and 5
• Peterka 24 and 4
• Quinn 24 and 4

These guys have been around long enough to know what the league is about.

Yes, there are 2 babies also vying to break into the top 9 in Kulich and Benson (and 2 vets in Malenstyn, 28, and Lafferty, 31) but putting them there is a choice, not an excuse.

This is group that should be considered largely in its prime. 

The questions should be are they good enough, and are they balanced enough?

“ Are they old enough?” is so 2022.

I wouldn't say Benson or Kulich are vying for the top 9. They're all but guaranteed to play there.

[JohnC]

29 minutes ago, dudacek said:

I hope everybody around here realizes that “youth” and “blocking” are no longer talking points with the Sabre forwards.

• Tage Thompson is turning 28 next season and will be entering his 7th NHL season
• Zucker 34 and 12
• Tuch 29 and 9
• Greenway 29 and 8
• Norris 26 and 6
• McLeod 26 and 5
• Krebs 25 and 5
• Peterka 24 and 4
• Quinn 24 and 4

These guys have been around long enough to know what the league is about.

Yes, there are 2 babies also vying to break into the top 9 in Kulich and Benson (and 2 vets in Malenstyn, 28, and Lafferty, 31) but putting them there is a choice, not an excuse.

This is group that should be considered largely in its prime. 

The questions should be are they good enough, and are they balanced enough?

“ Are they old enough?” is so 2022.

Responding to the highlighted question, I would say the current roster balance is still problematic . A couple more rugged and defense-minded players need to be added to the blueline mix, and another Zucker-like (younger) player brought in. As @GASabresIUFAN has repeatedly pointed out, the goalie position needs to be addressed. If that doesn't happen, the positives will be neutralized.  This offseason shouldn't be about dramatically remaking the roster as it should be about making a few judicious moves that better balance the roster mix. Also, to state the obvious, a lot is going to be riding on the young players getting better. If the development in our young players doesn't rise to a sufficient level, this franchise will again be rowing a boat against a strong current i.e. not moving forward.