Defenders of interest, who could bolster the defense

[LGR4GM]

Leave the talk of forwards elsewhere.  Who would you target on defense? 

I've mentioned Dobson often but there are others. Trade, ufa, rfa, doesn't matter. This is where we focus in on fixing a bad defensive unit. 

I like Dobson and Whitecloud to help fix the right side. I've hypothesized that a new islanders gm might be willing to mix things up and Buffalo has Byram or Power to send the other way. Our 9th overall pick also has value. 

Whitecloud, I'm unsure of availability but Vegas will make changes after an early exit and I wonder if you could snag someone like him for cheap if they want a little more cap room. 

Perbix is another thought out there. 

Either way as I've maintained for awhile now, Samuelsson, Clifton, and 1 of Power or Byram has to go. 

[dudacek]

(Reposting from the other thread because it fits here)

I'm fine with Ras and JBD in 1D/6D 

I think Samuelsson and Clifton need to be upgraded in the 4/5 slots.

Replacing Samuelsson with someone who actually manages to play well in the role we gave to Samuelsson should be the team's 2nd-highest priority.

Clifton should be replaced with someone safer and tougher.

I'd keep Byram with Dahlin on the 1st-pair if it was up to me, but I think that ship has sailed. If traded, Byram must be replaced by a legitimate top 4 guy, preferably one who can eat hard minutes.

I'm OK with Johnson and Novikov getting a shot to beat out Bryson for 7D and being the first call-ups next year.

I wish someone other than Bryson was 7D, but Kevyn obviously disagrees

The highest priority on the blueline is figuring out what went wrong with Owen Power last year and fixing it.

Moves I'd be interested in:

• Byram for Andersson
• Picks/prospects for Schnieder and a cap dump (or Hague, or Whitecloud or...)
• Sign Gavrikov
• Samuelsson and picks/prospects for Pulock
• Clifton and picks/prospects for a cap casualty (meaning a better player on a bigger contract)

Other options worth looking into:

• Sign someone like Fabbro, Ceci, Lindgren, Perbix, Forbert, or Ruuta from the UFA pile
• Trade Jack Quinn for physical RD of similar age and stature

Edited 4 hours ago by dudacek

[DarthEbriate]

Hang on while I put on my Sheevyn Hood. This hood bestows me with unlimited Power and a couple key assumptions:

1. I suck at my job.
2. I will be employed at my job forever until the owner changes.

The seeming contradictions of the above statements means I'm basically a failson and can behave as one.

My entire career is tied to the timelines of Power and Levi, neither of whom I've given the slightest assistance at the start of a season.

On defense, I trade Byram because I need the money for my parents, and I sign Ekblad in UFA to 7x$9M or 6x$10M. Basically, an open checkbook for whatever it takes. This is a terrible contract (see 1) and will not age well, but it is my desperation move that maybe Ekblad can show Power and Muel the ropes before his body crumbles, which is something I don't need to worry about (2). The PED is a warning flag, the lack of games played in recent years is another, but hey... I tried. Trades are hard.

[dudacek]

I'm not fully on the Dobson train.

Don't get me wrong: I like the player and think he would help the Sabres, it's just that he's basically going to demand $2M more than Byram to fill the role Byram just filled.

And, like Byram, that role is not the perfect fit for his skillset.

[LGR4GM]

6 minutes ago, dudacek said:

I'm not fully on the Dobson train.

Don't get me wrong: I like the player and think he would help the Sabres, it's just that he's basically going to demand $2M more than Byram to fill the role Byram just filled.

And, like Byram, that role is not the perfect fit for his skillset.

No Dobson is going to fill the role of making Power not a liability... or you trade Power and Dobson anchors the 2nd line with an unamed lw

[steveoath]

I’d like to see Ekblad but I think he either stays with the panthers or wants more than would be sensible. 
 

Nick Hague - Instead of Samuelson. 

Cam York any good? I thought he was in his 30s but turns out he’s 24. 

Would be interested in considering Ryan Graves from the penguins if we could get rid of Samuelson. 
 

 

 

[Archie Lee]

The three veteran defenders that I would add, are Andersson, Ceci, and Ferraro. It’s not necessarily about being more talented as it is about being better balanced. 

Dahlin / Andersson

Power / Ceci

Ferraro / B Docker

it actually would come in a little lower in salary than this past year’s group  (including Jokiharju). 

Of course, if these D-men are available then they will be coveted by multiple teams.

Also, I’m not convinced that any realistic moves will make a difference. I suspect we will continue to struggle defensively with whoever we add to the backend, so long as Ruff is HC and no new assistant is brought in to manage our d-structure.

[thewookie1]

22 minutes ago, steveoath said:

I’d like to see Ekblad but I think he either stays with the panthers or wants more than would be sensible. 
 

Nick Hague - Instead of Samuelson. 

Cam York any good? I thought he was in his 30s but turns out he’s 24. 

Would be interested in considering Ryan Graves from the penguins if we could get rid of Samuelson. 
 

 

 

Graves makes Muel look good so God no

[GASabresIUFAN]

As @Archie Lee pointed out, I think there are 3 holdovers worth keeping; Dahlin, Power (or Byram, but not both) & JBD.  

1a) I like Gavrikov, but think he'll re-sign where he is.

1b) Trade for K'Andre Miller.  A big physical LHD with decent offense.  I'd think he'd thrive playing with Dahlin.  Capwages estimates 6 for 6.  I'd so that in a minute.  I think his game has another level and playing with Dahlin will get him there.  Allows Dahlin to play the right side where Dahlin is more comfortable.

2a) I'd go after Orlov.  He's a UFA &  L/R D.  A solid two D and still playing 20 minutes a night.  At 34, his career is on the downside, but he's still at 25 pt guys and still takes the body.  I think he'd be a great fit with Power and a mentor for our two young Russian D.  Also has a Cup and 104 games of playoff experience.  Capwages estimate is 3 for 5.8.  A little steep, but this end up being our best option if he's interested.

3a) Sign Perbix from TB - RHD physical D with some scoring.  A think he's an upgrade on JBD.  

3b) Trade for Carson Soucy from the Rags.  1 year left at 3.25 (but has an NTC).  

4a) Veteran Depth Jan Rutta.  I think this group needs a proven mentor who can still play.  Rutta is that kind of player.

 

[PerreaultForever]

4 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Either way as I've maintained for awhile now, Samuelsson, Clifton, and 1 of Power or Byram has to go. 

I'm 100% for D upgrades and additions. It's essential and should be top priority. 

All of those players could go but I caution moving people out before moving people in. We need depth. If Samuelson's bumped to bottom pairing that's great but I'm not moving him or Clifton unless bodies come in. Maybe you can get York out of Philly as someone mentioned. Send them Samuelsson. Not sure that's an upgrade. This is why I want to move Norris for a D man and then we can move a D man out for another D man and change the make up. 

Adams created a 2C hole by adding Byram and Cozens wasn't up for the job. My fear is that he will just do something similar again. His "hockey trade" philosophy has to go. He needs to be more creative and make multiple transactions. Trade picks and prospects for a D man. Then trade a D man for picks and prospects. Flip those. Whatever. Mix and match. Just get it done, but add depth as well, not a bare bones one injury away from a problem D. 

[pi2000]

FA's: de Haan, Fabbro

Trade:  Weegar, Severson, Kovacevic, Pesce, Demelo

[dudacek]

23 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

FA's: de Haan, Fabbro

Trade:  Weegar, Severson, Kovacevic, Pesce, Demelo

Severson had kind of a rocky year in CBus is the only one of the trade targets i could see being available.

Edited 40 minutes ago by dudacek

[LGR4GM]

I wonder if the Devils make a rhd available.  Seamus Casey would be interesting to grab with a prospect flip.

[ponokasabre]

30 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Severson had kind of a rocky year in CBus is the only one of the trade targets i could see being available.

Severson also played with Lindy in NJ so I think its possible

5 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

I wonder if the Devils make a rhd available.  Seamus Casey would be interesting to grab with a prospect flip.

For this my hope would be Kovacevic, he got in the dog house becasue he called out the team at one point in the season, he just was extended, but I dont think he has trade protection

Id also say Mayfield from the Islanders, has a modified no trade clause, or Manson from Colorado if they need to cut cap which they will, he has a no move clause

[ponokasabre]

Nic Hauge has to be really looked at, Vegas will need to cut cap and he will get a raise probably to roughly 4 -5 million per year, he is left handed and an RFA, I proposed a Hauge for Quinn swap

 

Vegas would be scared of an offer sheet for Hauge

[bob_sauve28]

Too early to move on from Mule. Defenseman take time. Look at Forsling in Florida, claimed off waivers, now he is a super good player for them. 

[ponokasabre]

4 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

The three veteran defenders that I would add, are Andersson, Ceci, and Ferraro. It’s not necessarily about being more talented as it is about being better balanced. 

Dahlin / Andersson

Power / Ceci

Ferraro / B Docker

it actually would come in a little lower in salary than this past year’s group  (including Jokiharju). 

Of course, if these D-men are available then they will be coveted by multiple teams.

Also, I’m not convinced that any realistic moves will make a difference. I suspect we will continue to struggle defensively with whoever we add to the backend, so long as Ruff is HC and no new assistant is brought in to manage our d-structure.

If we could turn Sammy into Ferraro, again with picks and prospects im all for it

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

As @Archie Lee pointed out, I think there are 3 holdovers worth keeping; Dahlin, Power (or Byram, but not both) & JBD.  

1a) I like Gavrikov, but think he'll re-sign where he is.

1b) Trade for K'Andre Miller.  A big physical LHD with decent offense.  I'd think he'd thrive playing with Dahlin.  Capwages estimates 6 for 6.  I'd so that in a minute.  I think his game has another level and playing with Dahlin will get him there.  Allows Dahlin to play the right side where Dahlin is more comfortable.

2a) I'd go after Orlov.  He's a UFA &  L/R D.  A solid two D and still playing 20 minutes a night.  At 34, his career is on the downside, but he's still at 25 pt guys and still takes the body.  I think he'd be a great fit with Power and a mentor for our two young Russian D.  Also has a Cup and 104 games of playoff experience.  Capwages estimate is 3 for 5.8.  A little steep, but this end up being our best option if he's interested.

3a) Sign Perbix from TB - RHD physical D with some scoring.  A think he's an upgrade on JBD.  

3b) Trade for Carson Soucy from the Rags.  1 year left at 3.25 (but has an NTC).  

4a) Veteran Depth Jan Rutta.  I think this group needs a proven mentor who can still play.  Rutta is that kind of player.

 

The Miller idea is intersting, maybe they would be intersted in swapping Sammy plus plus, he would be great with Dahlin, much like Sammy to be honest but K'Andre has that mean bone that Sammy doesnt

 

I also think Perbix is great in the Gilbert role

[GASabresIUFAN]

23 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

'm 100% for D upgrades and additions. It's essential and should be top priority. 

Amen Brother.

@JohnC raised a trade idea on another thread that I like as well that I think belongs here.  What about K'Andre Miller for Byram as the basis of a trade with the Rags.  

The Rags could use a 2nd offensively gifted D behind Fox and the Sabres could use a good skating physical D with some scoring ability to play with Dahlin as I outlined above.  Both are RFAs with Byram likely garnering a slightly larger contract.  The Rags need to save some cap space, so the Sabres would likely need to get a contract back.  The Rags acquired Soucy in a trade with Van late last season.  He has one year left @3.25 but has a NTC.  If Adams could convince Soucy to come, Miller and Soucy for Byram and an a prospect would be a deal I'd make in a minute.  

We'd have to find a taker for Clifton and Samuelsson, but I think that's possible.  

Dahlin - Miller

Power -  Orlov

JBD - Soucy

Bryson