Jason Robertson rumored to be on the trade block

[Mr. Allen]

8 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

I should clarify that DeBoer would get to change assistants, just like Ruff can but has chosen not to. 

Are you saying Ruff chose to not bring in his own assistants?

[Pimlach]

1 hour ago, Archie Lee said:

I should clarify that DeBoer would get to change assistants, just like Ruff can but has chosen not to. 

Do you know that Ruff chose to stay with the assistants he has?   I have heard nothing either way but that seems unusual and unlikely.  

[Mr. Allen]

3 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Do you know that Ruff chose to stay with the assistants he has?   I have heard nothing either way but that seems unusual and unlikely.  

No.  I can assure you he was “stuck” with the assistants given to him.  

[Archie Lee]

2 hours ago, Mr. Allen said:

Are you saying Ruff chose to not bring in his own assistants?

At one point this season, Adams was asked about this during a press conference (I think it was the infamous Palm Trees and Taxes presser). He stated that Ruff was free to make changes to the coaching staff but decided to go with the existing coaches to see how it worked out (I'm paraphrasing). Many people dismissed this as Adams lying.  I just can't personally imagine that if Ruff (Sabre legend, savior hand picked by Adams/Pegula, 3rd most coached games in NHL history) went to Adams and Pegula and said I need to bring in my guy or guys, that they would quibble over the $600-$700k that it would take to payout the contract of Wilford or Ellis.  Why would Ruff let Adams lie and lay the blame on him for the lack of staff changes?

[JohnC]

4 hours ago, Pimlach said:

You are not changing your opinion, that's fine.   But the priorities argument is not a good one.   You can package Quinn in a trade to get a goalie or a defenseman.  You bring up team priorities as if you have to trade a winger for a winger, you know better than that.   This teams priorities and needs are the reason Quinn is even in the discussion, he still has some value in the trade market, you typically have to give something to get something. 

On this team Quinn is the a lowest ranked forward held over for last seasons top 9, he cannot play center and his game is not at all suited for the fourth line. His skill set is redundant with several other wingers, including prospects in Rochester.   I would much rather keep Peterka and move Quinn.  

What will likely keep Quinn on the Sabres roster is the fact that Peterka allegedly wants out.  If Quinn has another lackluster season like the past one his trade value becomes very close to zero.  

I’m more inclined to keep Quinn over JJP. The rumors that Peterka would  like to be somewhere else makes me less committed to keeping him and more open to dangling him on the market to see what his value is. 

[Pimlach]

57 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I’m more inclined to keep Quinn over JJP. The rumors that Peterka would  like to be somewhere else makes me less committed to keeping him and more open to dangling him on the market to see what his value is. 

So you want to remain committed to our home grown young players until they decide that they want out?   Understandable to a point, until it all caves in on itself. 

We don't know how true the rumors are, they are certainly strong rumors and probably true, but without knowing the specifics of why he wants out it is hard to say if they should accommodate him.  

Trading players upon their request once they reach RFA status is a very dangerous precedent to continue upon.  They really bungled up the Reinhart RFA deal, so this time I would like to see them offer JJP a fair bridge contract and he will work hard and look towards the day he becomes a UFA.   Unless he doesn't get along and is a distraction he should remain a Sabre - nothing tells he is that guy.   He is not special and he should not get to decide where he plays until he is a UFA.   

[Pimlach]

1 hour ago, Archie Lee said:

At one point this season, Adams was asked about this during a press conference (I think it was the infamous Palm Trees and Taxes presser). He stated that Ruff was free to make changes to the coaching staff but decided to go with the existing coaches to see how it worked out (I'm paraphrasing). Many people dismissed this as Adams lying.  I just can't personally imagine that if Ruff (Sabre legend, savior hand picked by Adams/Pegula, 3rd most coached games in NHL history) went to Adams and Pegula and said I need to bring in my guy or guys, that they would quibble over the $600-$700k that it would take to payout the contract of Wilford or Ellis.  Why would Ruff let Adams lie and lay the blame on him for the lack of staff changes?

I do not recall hearing this, not saying you are wrong, but if it happened it would have caused an uproar in SabreSpace.  

[JohnC]

2 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

So you want to remain committed to our home grown young players until they decide that they want out?   Understandable to a point, until it all caves in on itself. 

We don't know how true the rumors are, they are certainly strong rumors and probably true, but without knowing the specifics of why he wants out it is hard to say if they should accommodate him.  

Trading players upon their request once they reach RFA status is a very dangerous precedent to continue upon.  They really bungled up the Reinhart RFA deal, so this time I would like to see them offer JJP a fair bridge contract and he will work hard and look towards the day he becomes a UFA.   Unless he doesn't get along and is a distraction he should remain a Sabre - nothing tells he is that guy.   He is not special and he should not get to decide where he plays until he is a UFA.   

There is a bigger issue here that has plagued this dismal franchise that is reflected in the rumors, credible or not, about player dissatisfactions. It is absolutely real. It's a fact that Buffalo is very often, if not the most often, a team listed on many players NTCs. And it is true that our best players, such as Eichel, Reinhart and maybe to a lesser extent Ullmark wanted out. Don't be surprised if Tuch allows his contract to run out so that he can be sooner free from this sinkhole franchise. And don't be surprised when Dahlin, one of the best blueliner players in the league, says get me the fungo out of this Micky Mouse organization. I'm stuck in this losing factory and my career is fading away. So you may be tough minded on a player exercising a contract option to leave sooner but I realistically see it as a legitimate consideration when discussing trades. This situation is pathetic. This is what happens when you have a Pegula owned and operated hockey franchise. 

[Weave]

56 minutes ago, JohnC said:

There is a bigger issue here that has plagued this dismal franchise that is reflected in the rumors, credible or not, about player dissatisfactions. It is absolutely real. It's a fact that Buffalo is very often, if not the most often, a team listed on many players NTCs. And it is true that our best players, such as Eichel, Reinhart and maybe to a lesser extent Ullmark wanted out. Don't be surprised if Tuch allows his contract to run out so that he can be sooner free from this sinkhole franchise. And don't be surprised when Dahlin, one of the best blueliner players in the league, says get me the fungo out of this Micky Mouse organization. I'm stuck in this losing factory and my career is fading away. So you may be tough minded on a player exercising a contract option to leave sooner but I realistically see it as a legitimate consideration when discussing trades. This situation is pathetic. This is what happens when you have a Pegula owned and operated hockey franchise. 

This is why this team needs to win now, and betting on Jack Quinn to be a difference maker next season when he hasn’t been a difference maker is a high risk bet.  It is why you move a Quinn for a “now” roster boosting player.

[JohnC]

5 minutes ago, Weave said:

This is why this team needs to win now, and betting on Jack Quinn to be a difference maker next season when he hasn’t been a difference maker is a high risk bet.  It is why you move a Quinn for a “now” roster boosting player.

The basis of my disagreement with the trade Quinn advocates is that I have a higher evaluation of him than this faction has. I believe that he will be a 30+ scorer. Quinn is not a rookie. He’s had a few rough and injury plagued years with the big club that has prepared him to make a qualitative leap.
 

Clearly, a lot of people have a different assessment of him based on his past performances. I’m viewing this issue looking forward while others are looking back to make a judgment. Difference of perspectives leading to differences in opinion. That’s okay.

[Weave]

14 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The basis of my disagreement with the trade Quinn advocates is that I have a higher evaluation of him than this faction has. I believe that he will be a 30+ scorer. Quinn is not a rookie. He’s had a few rough and injury plagued years with the big club that has prepared him to make a qualitative leap.
 

Clearly, a lot of people have a different assessment of him based on his past performances. I’m viewing this issue looking forward while others are looking back to make a judgment. Difference of perspectives leading to differences in opinion. That’s okay.

You are assuming I don’t see him as a 30 goal winger.  I don’t care.  This team needs a different mix  at forward, and needs to get older.  Running back Quinn and the rest of the forward group is not a playoff making decision.

[JohnC]

Just now, Weave said:

You are assuming I don’t see him as a 30 goal winger.  I don’t care.  This team needs a different mix  at forward, and needs to get older.  Running back Quinn and the rest of the forward group is not a playoff making decision.

If you want a playoff making decision acquire a legitimate #1 goalie. That would be the most impactful decision for this flailing team.

[Weave]

1 minute ago, JohnC said:

If you want a playoff making decision acquire a legitimate #1 goalie. That would be the most impactful decision for this flailing team.

You are stuck on goalie/ D vs forward as an either or.  Its not.  It has to be all of them if playoffs is a serious goal.

[JohnC]

6 minutes ago, Weave said:

You are stuck on goalie/ D vs forward as an either or.  Its not.  It has to be all of them if playoffs is a serious goal.

You are correct that the goalie and D issues are my priorities.

 In my view, unless the goalie position is elevated to a respectable level, everything else done will be wasted. 

Edited Friday at 09:41 PM by JohnC

[inkman]

35 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The basis of my disagreement with the trade Quinn advocates is that I have a higher evaluation of him than this faction has. I believe that he will be a 30+ scorer. Quinn is not a rookie. He’s had a few rough and injury plagued years with the big club that has prepared him to make a qualitative leap.
 

Clearly, a lot of people have a different assessment of him based on his past performances. I’m viewing this issue looking forward while others are looking back to make a judgment. Difference of perspectives leading to differences in opinion. That’s okay.

I was easily Jack Quinn’s biggest fan that isn’t a direct relative. Then he became an NHL player.  He has shown glimpses.  Unfortunately, this team absolutely cannot roll the dice and assume he’s going to be a 30 goal 60 point winger.  If he fails to meet those fairly lofty goals, it will tank the season. 
 

Relying on him for anything at this point, when he’s been completely unreliable would be a massive error in judgment. 
 

Don’t worry, Jacky boy will be on the roster come September.  No way this feckless org does anything real to fix this roster.  They are running it back.  I’m sure it’ll be fine. 

Edited Friday at 09:50 PM by inkman

[Weave]

5 minutes ago, JohnC said:

You are correct that the goalie and D issues are my priorities.

 In my view, unless the goalie position is elevated to a respectable level, everything else done will be wasted. 

Don’t make perfect the enemy of better though.

[JohnC]

1 minute ago, Weave said:

Don’t make perfect the enemy of better though.

That’s what I’m shooting for. I’m not looking for miracles. I’m trying to get the biggest bang for the buck. What the Pittsburg Pirates are to baseball the Sabres are to hockey. So my expectations are not too high. 

[Mr. Allen]

5 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

At one point this season, Adams was asked about this during a press conference (I think it was the infamous Palm Trees and Taxes presser). He stated that Ruff was free to make changes to the coaching staff but decided to go with the existing coaches to see how it worked out (I'm paraphrasing). Many people dismissed this as Adams lying.  I just can't personally imagine that if Ruff (Sabre legend, savior hand picked by Adams/Pegula, 3rd most coached games in NHL history) went to Adams and Pegula and said I need to bring in my guy or guys, that they would quibble over the $600-$700k that it would take to payout the contract of Wilford or Ellis.  Why would Ruff let Adams lie and lay the blame on him for the lack of staff changes?

All I know is there was “allegedly” more than one occasion Lindy complained about being “stuck” with the existing coaching staff.  

[7+6=13]

On 6/6/2025 at 7:52 PM, Mr. Allen said:

All I know is there was “allegedly” more than one occasion Lindy complained about being “stuck” with the existing coaching staff.  

Ah yes I remember this.  It was the same time frame we found out they changed the code to open the bathroom doors and "reportedly" refused to give it to Lindy.  

[LGR4GM]

 

 

[Drag0nDan]

17 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

 

 

I just assumed they were moving him because they cant afford to pay him 12M AAV after 25-26.  Benn is the captain and a UFA, Duchene wears an A and is a UFA, then you also have Dadonov and Granlund. 

 

You can't (and shouldn't) keep all of them, but both Robertson and Harley come up in 2026 and Seguin doesn't come off until 2027 so somethings gotta give.  Otherwise they're going to struggle to ice a competitive back half of the roster.  

[shrader]

22 minutes ago, Drag0nDan said:

I just assumed they were moving him because they cant afford to pay him 12M AAV after 25-26.  Benn is the captain and a UFA, Duchene wears an A and is a UFA, then you also have Dadonov and Granlund. 

 

You can't (and shouldn't) keep all of them, but both Robertson and Harley come up in 2026 and Seguin doesn't come off until 2027 so somethings gotta give.  Otherwise they're going to struggle to ice a competitive back half of the roster.  

There's a whole lot of years in that list of UFAs.  I know they'll want to keep some experience around, but it shouldn't be too hard to move on from maybe even 3 of them.  Granlund might still get some decent money, but the rest are at that stage where if they want to win, they should be signing team friendly deals.  I completely understand if they want to chase the dollars instead though.

[LGR4GM]

44 minutes ago, Drag0nDan said:

I just assumed they were moving him because they cant afford to pay him 12M AAV after 25-26.  Benn is the captain and a UFA, Duchene wears an A and is a UFA, then you also have Dadonov and Granlund. 

 

You can't (and shouldn't) keep all of them, but both Robertson and Harley come up in 2026 and Seguin doesn't come off until 2027 so somethings gotta give.  Otherwise they're going to struggle to ice a competitive back half of the roster.  

It's why I think a Peterka trade could work. They basically sign jjp for 7.25 and it covers having to worry about Robertson next year. They'll need to move some more this year but they want to keep that window open and Peterka at least gives them decent production. 

[Drag0nDan]

16 minutes ago, shrader said:

There's a whole lot of years in that list of UFAs.  I know they'll want to keep some experience around, but it shouldn't be too hard to move on from maybe even 3 of them.  Granlund might still get some decent money, but the rest are at that stage where if they want to win, they should be signing team friendly deals.  I completely understand if they want to chase the dollars instead though.

Duchene averaging a PPG is probably driving the price out of their range imo so he's probably gone.  Benn's 35, and a different player than they had paid so I'd think he can be had for a team-friendly deal.  Granlunds tough because they used a lot of capital to bring him and Ceci in, and he seemed to mesh with Rantanen.  Ceci is also a free agent, but i suppose dumba replaces him with his return from injury.  

As it stands without those guys they only have 5M in cap space, with Lundkvist (I don't really know whats going on with him) and Bourque yet to pay.  

Edited yesterday at 02:50 PM by Drag0nDan

[Drag0nDan]

9 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

It's why I think a Peterka trade could work. They basically sign jjp for 7.25 and it covers having to worry about Robertson next year. They'll need to move some more this year but they want to keep that window open and Peterka at least gives them decent production. 

To shed any payroll they have to move Robertson or Oettinger.  Johnston i suppose could be an option, but most teams keep young centers more than wingers.  Seguin, Hintz, Heiskanen, and Seguin have full NMC's so they're all likely out on a trade.

Rantanens already among the highest paid wingers in the league.  I don't think it makes sense to then extend robertson and then have the two most expensive wingers in the league.  

Working JJP under is challenging, probably requires Dumba be included, and maybe a 3rd team for Lyubushkin.  It's why it might make more sense for it to be Tuch - with rosen/Östlund, probably this years 1st, and probably next years 1st (maybe you can throw a lottery top 3 protection on it).  

Nuclear option would be they move both Robertson and Oettinger - and then definitely need a 3rd team to accommodate some of the other pieces that would need to be included while getting dallas NHL ready prospects, cheaper contracted players, and a goalie.  Like Dallas doesn't need Byram, but what buffalo gets for byram, plus the above trade, plus levi... etc.  Buffalo would need to shed UPL somewhere too.  The amount of moving parts would be insane.  The stuff madden dreams are made of 🙂

Edited yesterday at 03:03 PM by Drag0nDan