Friedman- Sabres looking to move prospects for players

[Standing Room Smoking Cigs]

On 6/8/2025 at 9:01 AM, bob_sauve28 said:

Is the ice they skate on wet? 🤷‍♀️

Flick defines the rut, just stucked

Edited Monday at 01:41 PM by Standing Room Smoking Cigs
new wording

[bob_sauve28]

38 minutes ago, Standing Room Smoking Cigs said:

Flick defines the rut, just stucked

So water is an adhesive!  

[bob_sauve28]

On 6/8/2025 at 8:31 PM, Night Train said:

The new roof leaks

 and its raining again

[inkman]

If there is any validity to this, Adams is ensuring this team is doomed. 

[Pimlach]

On 6/8/2025 at 7:31 PM, Night Train said:

The new roof leaks

No.  The roof is fine.  

[JP51]

On 6/8/2025 at 6:42 PM, sabremike said:

The only person less respected in the entire league than Kevyn Smithers is the moron who hired him. 

Ok literally this is epic...  I think going forward when we simply type Smithers... that we all understand who we are referring too... because this one is a mic drop. 

[sabremike]

10 minutes ago, JP51 said:

Ok literally this is epic...  I think going forward when we simply type Smithers... that we all understand who we are referring too... because this one is a mic drop. 

To give credit where it's due: Steve Dangle is the guy who came up with that line on his podcast.

[JP51]

On 6/8/2025 at 11:56 AM, Pimlach said:

There is no market to move. This is a saying that really does not apply.  

You don't increase the value of a player by announcing you want to trade him, many times that lowers his value.   

IF the Sabres actually do anything, they will likely be trading current players, prospects and picks in combination.  

 

That is exactly what I believe will happen, this model is a flawed failure it has been repeated over an over.... I do not see it changing... it seems that it may have been a proper strategy once upon a time... in the beginning of the rebuilding 10 years ago... unfortunately it has been our mantra and now it may be the only choice left as players dont want to come here, rumblings of desire to leave and or are reticent to stay behind closed doors... it is further compounded by the fact they have eradicated the brand so viciously that they are a running joke and attracting solid talent with the win or die trying attitude is about impossible... and if you do a player for player swap you are all but limited to players with no trade clauses... and you have to typically over pay in that space... or rarely get the best player...

Until the over all lay of the land changes here and the team is immersed in credibility and  competence this is likely the way its going to continue to be... you are probably going to get your best on paper value out of prospects and picks...  you are likely not getting the best player i the trade... so you trade for picks and prospects with upside or you over pay. 

and the last dirty secret as I see it... as I am watching Tuch get older and hearing rumblings there... Dahlin having conversations with KA seemingly not amused with what is going on, Peterka showing resistance, how long is it before these core players want out... like how many seasons is Dahlin going to accept never being in the playoffs... currently 7 years out of his NHL career? ... When is Thompson going to demand to be moved after spending 7 years of his career with no playoffs?  The reality of this is we may be closer to rebuilding again then we are to making the playoffs... if it doesnt happen this year... Is Dahlin and Thompson gonna want to go into year 9 looking for their first appearance...  If it doesnt happen this year or at the outside next. I think their will be anarchy in the locker room from some of our core leaders...  trades demanded and the rebuild begins again...  Who knows... it may have already been forced on us and our FO doesnt know or accept it... this summer will tell us a lot more... 

[...]

[Scottysabres]

There is an awful lot of chatter about the Sabres positioning themselves to make moves. The current core wanting to win now report, trade talk, it appears to be getting serious.

i can’t say I’m confident yet, but I am interested. Waiting to see how this all plays out. If it looks promising after the dust settles, I may dip my toes back in to the season ticket pool again.

[KC Scouts]

9 minutes ago, Scottysabres said:

There is an awful lot of chatter about the Sabres positioning themselves to make moves. The current core wanting to win now report, trade talk, it appears to be getting serious.

i can’t say I’m confident yet, but I am interested. Waiting to see how this all plays out. If it looks promising after the dust settles, I may dip my toes back in to the season ticket pool again.

I haven't renewed and will not consider it until the dust settles from the off-season and training camp has begun.....

[Brawndo]

Pittsburgh has a lot of interest in Helenius and the Sabres supposedly have an interest in Rust and Rakell. The former has no more trade protection as of July 1st and the latter has a 8 team NTC.

 

I could see a scenario where the Sabres make the pick at 9 for a forward and if they acquire another later first this year for Byram-taking a defender with that to replace anyone moved out from Rochester. 
 

Chad DeDomincis also mentioned on His Pod that Tuch is looking at an extension of 5-6 years in the 8-9 million range. 

[sabremike]

2 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Pittsburgh has a lot of interest in Helenius and the Sabres supposedly have an interest in Rust and Rakell. The former has no more trade protection as of July 1st and the latter has a 8 team NTC. 

If you asked me "What is the absolute dumbest move they could possibly make" trading Helenius for either of those two would probably be my answer. 

[ponokasabre]

3 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Pittsburgh has a lot of interest in Helenius and the Sabres supposedly have an interest in Rust and Rakell. The former has no more trade protection as of July 1st and the latter has a 8 team NTC.

 

I could see a scenario where the Sabres make the pick at 9 for a forward and if they acquire another later first this year for Byram-taking a defender with that to replace anyone moved out from Rochester. 
 

Chad DeDomincis also mentioned on His Pod that Tuch is looking at an extension of 5-6 years in the 8-9 million range. 

I dont know a ton about Rust but he has 3 more years at 5.125 million, he is 33. Its hard because is his success off Crosby or is he a strong veteran presence? 

I do like adding a vet forward to this team although that would have to mean one of Quinn or Peterka will be moving 

As for Tuch, if its 8 million, sign that all day and laugh 5-6 years at 8 million is perfect

 

Id be really interested in others thoughts on this. Here is Rusts scouting report:

Is a smallish but tenacious winger who plays a sound two-way game. His speed helps make him a consistent offensive threat as well as someone who can be trusted when his team is trying to hang onto a lead. He is a tenacious forechecker who can also kill penalties. Though he will never be an elite scorer, he can put the puck in the net on a regular basis. Injuries are a factor here.

 

Here is Rackel:

Is not the scorer he was while posting back-to-back 30-goal seasons before turning 25, but he is still capable of putting the puck in the net and is a solid point producer who can play anywhere up front. He is more of a finisher than a passer and is at his best when playing with a good playmaker. A lack of optimum size continues to be a drawback; he has never been a physical player and can be pushed off the puck at times.

 

These just feel like more undersized forwards, especially Rackel, at least Rust is a penalty killer and forechecks 

 

[Brawndo]

Rakell has better all round metrics, Rust is a defensive black hole 

[The Jokeman]

14 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Rakell has better all round metrics, Rust is a defensive black hole 

And both are over 33. Yeah it take more than either one of these two if make any kind of move  with Helenius involved IMO.

[oddoublee]

8m x 5yr is a contract id love for tuch....I think it will be a tick higher

[thewookie1]

51 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Pittsburgh has a lot of interest in Helenius and the Sabres supposedly have an interest in Rust and Rakell. The former has no more trade protection as of July 1st and the latter has a 8 team NTC.

 

I could see a scenario where the Sabres make the pick at 9 for a forward and if they acquire another later first this year for Byram-taking a defender with that to replace anyone moved out from Rochester. 
 

Chad DeDomincis also mentioned on His Pod that Tuch is looking at an extension of 5-6 years in the 8-9 million range. 

No to the first part, I ain’t trading Helenius for either Rakell or Rust; neither inspire me in any manner. 1 is a career Crosby line mate and the other was a mediocre player in Anaheim before playing with Crosby/Malkin.

To the 2nd sure, maybe we can get to 5x8mil or 6x9mil with some deferred money to lower the cap hit.

[shrader]

I’d love Rakell just so I can continue to joke about him making a long journey from Milan to Minsk. 

[The Jokeman]

1 hour ago, shrader said:

I’d love Rakell just so I can continue to joke about him making a long journey from Milan to Minsk. 

Rackell, Rackell?

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, Brawndo said:

Rakell has better all round metrics, Rust is a defensive black hole 

So, you're saying he'd fit right in?  😉 

[Brawndo]

32 minutes ago, Taro T said:

So, you're saying he'd fit right in?  😉 

For contrast

[Taro T]

37 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

For contrast

Yep.

😄

[LGR4GM]

8 hours ago, Brawndo said:

For contrast

This kids is why you draft Carter Bear. Also Zach Benson hasn't even played his 20yr old season yet. Those defensive metrics are insane. 

[Archie Lee]

13 hours ago, Brawndo said:

For contrast

Good thing we aren’t trading Benson for Rust.  

If anyone has access to the Athletic’s player cards, they rank Rust as a +7 overall (Benson a +2, Peterka a +4). They have Rust’s contract value at $1.5 million higher than his actual $5.125 AAV.  Their summary makes clear he is not great defensively.

That said, I am not big on a Helenius for Rust or Rakell trade. Quinn, Rosen, and a 2nd?  Sure. But as we are plagued by the same things that plagued the Sabres in the Eichel, O’Reilly, Reinhart days (a bad GM and a bad HC), I prefer we hold on to our best future assets out of hope that Pegula gets lucky with his next GM/HC hirings.

My worst fears may be unfolding. Our near historically bad GM is about to trade our best future assets in a desperate attempt to save his job.