How would you retool this team this summer?

[PerreaultForever]

2 hours ago, JohnC said:

The point I'm making and stressing is that just because you can't get the bonanza deal done doesn't mean that you can't make enough smart moves that will consequentially improve your roster. The model to follow are the Washington Capitals. Over the past two years, their GM made at least a half a dozen deals that weren't headline deals, yet dramatically remade the team. Including in those deals were the addition of their two goalies who were an excellent tandem. It can be done. If you have a GM who is creative and enterprising, there are good deals to be made. 

The Sabres are in a lot better position to participate in the market than most teams. We have a number of good prospects in the system, some players on their current roster that can be dangled (most notably Byram), some cap room  and draft pick to parlay. It can be done!

Ya I can't disagree with that but it takes will and a GM who will make moves and not just wait for prospects to develop. Adams isn't that guy. 

[DarthEbriate]

4 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

You make it work. Bennett and Marchand I'm thinking is 15. Cuylle is projected at 3.43 and according to the internet if you offered him 4.67 you'd only have to give up a second. Would he take it? idk. I'm offering all the same. So let's just say 20 all 3. I'm moving Norris out and then Byram likely out as well. Byram makes 3.85 but is being projected at around 9 which to me is crazy but there it is. Norris is 7.95. That's your top 4 D money. Parayko for example makes 8. St. Louis isn't trading him but there's enough money to pay a top 4 D man. You might have to bridge JJP if he's greedy but I don't see a problem. The cap is rising too and then we shed Zucker and later Greenway. I see no issue. 

For Cuylle, my follow through was to ship them Quinn for the return of BUF 2nd (and whatever else balances out the trade). But Cuylle will take much more than 4.67 to pry from New York. The 2nd-only level is easy for the Rangers to match and then still re-sign RFA K'Andre Miller. You need to break 7M so that they're forced to take the picks rather than match. Otherwise, you just make Drury's job easy.

The potential problems are threefold: 1) the owner is still living in an EEE world where the cap is not necessarily their cap; 2) Tuch can sign an extension beginning this summer and doesn't owe this team/leadership a hometown discount (and the NHLPA and his agent can tell him he's worth $9+); and 3) Skinner's buyout is going to cut $6.444 off the cap in the first year that Tuch's extension is due + Benson's 2nd contract (possibly a bridge, but not if he breaks out).

Like I said, you can always move Power, because unless he's a D-zone stud and getting PP2 to click at 22% or better, he probably can't earn his contract's expectations until the back half of its term when the cap is high enough.

[PerreaultForever]

2 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

For Cuylle, my follow through was to ship them Quinn for the return of BUF 2nd (and whatever else balances out the trade). But Cuylle will take much more than 4.67 to pry from New York. The 2nd-only level is easy for the Rangers to match and then still re-sign RFA K'Andre Miller. You need to break 7M so that they're forced to take the picks rather than match. Otherwise, you just make Drury's job easy.

The potential problems are threefold: 1) the owner is still living in an EEE world where the cap is not necessarily their cap; 2) Tuch can sign an extension beginning this summer and doesn't owe this team/leadership a hometown discount (and the NHLPA and his agent can tell him he's worth $9+); and 3) Skinner's buyout is going to cut $6.444 off the cap in the first year that Tuch's extension is due + Benson's 2nd contract (possibly a bridge, but not if he breaks out).

Like I said, you can always move Power, because unless he's a D-zone stud and getting PP2 to click at 22% or better, he probably can't earn his contract's expectations until the back half of its term when the cap is high enough.

Just move some pieces. Honestly don't care who. I like Benson on this roster and that's about it. 

[sabremike]

3 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

For Cuylle, my follow through was to ship them Quinn for the return of BUF 2nd (and whatever else balances out the trade). But Cuylle will take much more than 4.67 to pry from New York. The 2nd-only level is easy for the Rangers to match and then still re-sign RFA K'Andre Miller. You need to break 7M so that they're forced to take the picks rather than match. Otherwise, you just make Drury's job easy.

The potential problems are threefold: 1) the owner is still living in an EEE world where the cap is not necessarily their cap; 2) Tuch can sign an extension beginning this summer and doesn't owe this team/leadership a hometown discount (and the NHLPA and his agent can tell him he's worth $9+); and 3) Skinner's buyout is going to cut $6.444 off the cap in the first year that Tuch's extension is due + Benson's 2nd contract (possibly a bridge, but not if he breaks out).

Like I said, you can always move Power, because unless he's a D-zone stud and getting PP2 to click at 22% or better, he probably can't earn his contract's expectations until the back half of its term when the cap is high enough.

How can I put this in a tact manner:

Worrying about a Tuch extension is a moot point as the odds of signing Marner (essentially a pipe dream) are far better than Tuch signing an extension. Unless a biblical miracle occurs Tuch will be dealt at the deadline for a late round 2027 first before he can walk as a UFA. He is as good as gone and accepting that fact will make it far less painful when it actually happens.

[PerreaultForever]

1 hour ago, sabremike said:

How can I put this in a tact manner:

Worrying about a Tuch extension is a moot point as the odds of signing Marner (essentially a pipe dream) are far better than Tuch signing an extension. Unless a biblical miracle occurs Tuch will be dealt at the deadline for a late round 2027 first before he can walk as a UFA. He is as good as gone and accepting that fact will make it far less painful when it actually happens.

I would agree with this except for his Buffalo connection and his inner wish to succeed as a Sabre. I think that gives it a slim chance that he will stay and sign an extension. Slim, but real.