Chad D: expect a Byram trade at or around the draft

[ponokasabre]

Just now, oddoublee said:

While I think he ultimately goes...keeping makes the team better overall. The fa market can address the forward need. I still believe GMS are trying to call kas bluff...I would

Ya if he ends up staying there really is no issue with that, especially on a short term bridge, he will be motivated to play well

and while he isn’t the biggest guy he played pretty tough last year and never shied away from anything 

personally if Voronkov is on the table, you do that all day, it is almost impossible to get guys like him 

1 minute ago, dudacek said:

Don’t know if a summer of Voronkov, Doan, Kesselring and Timmons for Peterka, Clifton and Byram makes this team better, but it sure makes it bigger.

If they sign Gavrikov it sure does 

[LGR4GM]

21 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

Adams loves collecting his RFAs. Voronkov is the obvious choice -- really good production this past season -- and is RFA this summer. Perfect timing.

But, for kicking the decision can down the road, Sillinger and Chinakov are RFAs next summer (definitely prefer Voronkov over either of them). And Fantili is RFA next summer, too. Hey, I can dream! 

They also have Luca Del Bel Belluz, whom Jarmo drafted and had his ELC slide twice, so he still 2 years on the deal and is reaching tweener status this season.

We can fix the Leinonen draft pick f-up!

[dudacek]

1 minute ago, oddoublee said:

While I think he ultimately goes...keeping makes the team better overall. The fa market can address the forward need. I still believe GMS are trying to call kas bluff...I would

I don’t like the idea of moving Byram without adding another defenceman.

Dahlin Kesselring

Power Timmins

Samuelsson Bernard-Docker

Bryson

That just doesn’t look any better than last year’s questionable group.

[DarthEbriate]

4 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

We can fix the Leinonen draft pick f-up!

(and still have Leinonen....)  

[CTJoe]

6 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Don’t know if a summer of Voronkov, Doan, Kesselring and Timmons for Peterka, Clifton and Byram makes this team better, but it sure makes it bigger.

Defensively better, offensively worse.  Know what would make this team better?  Having an NHL goalie on the roster.  Jake Allen should be the focus at 6pm today, followed by Ehlers.  Robertson is probably a pipe dream

[CTJoe]

9 minutes ago, ponokasabre said:

Ya if he ends up staying there really is no issue with that, especially on a short term bridge, he will be motivated to play well

and while he isn’t the biggest guy he played pretty tough last year and never shied away from anything 

personally if Voronkov is on the table, you do that all day, it is almost impossible to get guys like him 

If they sign Gavrikov it sure does 

They won't sign Gavrikov, though I like the player a lot.  Guessing a lot of the reason they don't want to sign Byram is they don't want to allocate that amount of money to D.  Coming off a contract paying him $5.875million per year, Gavrikov is going to be paid a lot.

[LGR4GM]

2 minutes ago, CTJoe said:

Defensively better, offensively worse.  Know what would make this team better?  Having an NHL goalie on the roster.  Jake Allen should be the focus at 6pm today, followed by Ehlers.  Robertson is probably a pipe dream

Are we? Dylan Cozens shot at 7.9% last year and Josh Norris shoots at 18.1% for his career average. Jiri Kulich shot at 11.2 but only played 62 games. Zach Benson shot at 8.3% 

I get it, Peterka's 27g is something ppl are worried about replacing but flipping Cozens for Norris probably replaces half of them straight up. Norris getting 24g compared to Cozens 11 doesn't seem far fetched. That leaves about 13g between Kulich, Benson, Quinn, and Doan. And that's if we are that worried about last years goal total. 

I hate agreeing with Adams, but I am just not convinced this team actually has lost that much scoring. 

[dudacek]

Sabres get a bit of grace because Tage is on such a friendly deal, but basic cap management dictates their #3D makes about $6M. As the most attractive UFA Gavrikov is going to get more than that.

Plus Gavrikov to New York seems like the likeliest move in free agency.

[thewookie1]

Just now, dudacek said:

Sabres get a bit of grace because Tage is on such a friendly deal, but basic cap management dictates their #3D makes about $6M. As the most attractive UFA Gavrikov is going to get more than that.

Plus Gavrikov to New York seems like the likeliest move in free agency.

If Provorov wasn't making 6.75mil the past 5 years I'd target him at 6mil

[That Aud Smell]

7 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

I get it, Peterka's 27g is something ppl are worried about replacing but flipping Cozens for Norris probably replaces half of them straight up. Norris getting 24g compared to Cozens 11 doesn't seem far fetched. That leaves about 13g between Kulich, Benson, Quinn, and Doan. And that's if we are that worried about last years goal total. 

recreating peterka in the aggregate. nice job, pete.

 

[GoPuckYourself]

3 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Are we? Dylan Cozens shot at 7.9% last year and Josh Norris shoots at 18.1% for his career average. Jiri Kulich shot at 11.2 but only played 62 games. Zach Benson shot at 8.3% 

I get it, Peterka's 27g is something ppl are worried about replacing but flipping Cozens for Norris probably replaces half of them straight up. Norris getting 24g compared to Cozens 11 doesn't seem far fetched. That leaves about 13g between Kulich, Benson, Quinn, and Doan. And that's if we are that worried about last years goal total. 

I hate agreeing with Adams, but I am just not convinced this team actually has lost that much scoring. 

That’s only if and a big if Josh Norris stays healthy. He hasn’t yet and now he’s our #1 center.

[CTJoe]

14 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Are we? Dylan Cozens shot at 7.9% last year and Josh Norris shoots at 18.1% for his career average. Jiri Kulich shot at 11.2 but only played 62 games. Zach Benson shot at 8.3% 

I get it, Peterka's 27g is something ppl are worried about replacing but flipping Cozens for Norris probably replaces half of them straight up. Norris getting 24g compared to Cozens 11 doesn't seem far fetched. That leaves about 13g between Kulich, Benson, Quinn, and Doan. And that's if we are that worried about last years goal total. 

I hate agreeing with Adams, but I am just not convinced this team actually has lost that much scoring. 

Fair.  Good analysis.  I'll further your pint by saying scoring wasn't and isn't our problem anyway (we were 10th in league in goals and 2 goals away from tieing the leafs for 7th). Team defense is the issue; tied for 3rd worst last year.  Right now, I believe our defense is better, our goalies are not. With a team GAA of 3.50 and a hideous save % of .888 (UPL at .887) we desperately need an NHL goalie.  I know the defensemen were partially resposible for the bad goalie stats but not 100% responsible.  UPL is not a #1 goalie in this league and Levi isn't there that (and I don't know if he gets there TBH)

[Drag0nDan]

29 minutes ago, oddoublee said:

While I think he ultimately goes...keeping makes the team better overall. The fa market can address the forward need. I still believe GMS are trying to call kas bluff...I would

yeah, its the weird pre-QO holding pattern.  I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back either - i'd also consider using him as a lefty shooter on the PP if it came to that.  

[LGR4GM]

2 minutes ago, CTJoe said:

Fair.  Good analysis.  I'll further your pint by saying scoring wasn't and isn't our problem anyway (we were 10th in league in goals and 2 goals away from tieing the leafs for 7th). Team defense is the issue; tied for 3rd worst last year.  Right now, I believe our defense is better, our goalies are not. With a team GAA of 3.50 and a hideous save % of .888 (UPL at .887) we desperately need an NHL goalie.  I know the defensemen were partially resposible for the bad goalie stats but not 100% responsible.  UPL is not a #1 goalie in this league and Levi isn't there that (and I don't know if he gets there TBH)

100% agree. Without a goalie fix, not sure any of the rest of this matters at all. Ottawa and Montreal jumped over us because they got better goaltending. 

[dudacek]

17 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

If Provorov wasn't making 6.75mil the past 5 years I'd target him at 6mil

He’s my target tomorrow, and I don’t mind throwing term at him because he’s 28 and can play both sides.

The fact Provorov doesn’t seem to be a big city kinda guy and has a relationship with Jarmo gives me hope that palm trees and taxes can be overcome.

But we’ll be paying at least $7M AAV and probably closer to $8M.

Leaves us cap room to flip Byram for a good middle-six forward, preferably one with upside like Voronkov, and makes the Timmins deal make a lot more sense.

Overall, Byram out, one D and one forward in is what I’m expecting over the next few days.

[dudacek]

8 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

100% agree. Without a goalie fix, not sure any of the rest of this matters at all. Ottawa and Montreal jumped over us because they got better goaltending. 

It’s a painful situation.

UPL has shown he can do it, but not that we can count on him to do it.

I think Levi will get there, but when?

Overpaying in UFA isn’t the answer in this year’s market.

Trade seems like the best bet, but our roster and cap is such that it is hard to make a deal without also dumping UPL.

And how many goalies available are safer bets than UPL?

[shrader]

1 hour ago, Mr Peabody said:

Harrington on XM yesterday said Sabres would like to keep him at least on a short term deal.  Was mentioned by someone the market not as strong as originally thought.  Issues are Byram wanting to be a 1 and money Sabres have tied up in the D already.  Byram could increase his value significantly playing a couple years with Dahlin. 
 

 

I'm not really sure how much this supposed "not as strong" market really means though.  Guess what happens in 48 hours?  That market gets turned on its head.

[Taro T]

7 minutes ago, dudacek said:

It’s a painful situation.

UPL has shown he can do it, but not that we can count on him to do it.

I think Levi will get there, but when?

Overpaying in UFA isn’t the answer in this year’s market.

Trade seems like the best bet, but our roster and cap is such that it is hard to make a deal without also dumping UPL.

And how many goalies available are safer bets than UPL?

1 - Demko.  Adams, make it happen.  (But please DON'T bring Petterson with him.)

Bring in Demko, and then he's the #1 until (and possibly beyond) when Levi is ready to take the reins.  If Levi gets to the point you have to make a decision on one of them, well, 1st world problems are good ones to have.

And you've got a pipeline behind Levi finally.  Something they haven't actually had since Lehner didn't work out and Ullmark wanted out.

Edited 6 hours ago by Taro T

[CTJoe]

13 minutes ago, dudacek said:

He’s my target tomorrow, and I don’t mind throwing term at him because he’s 28 and can play both sides.

The fact Provorov doesn’t seem to be a big city kinda guy and has a relationship with Jarmo gives me hope that palm trees and taxes can be overcome.

But we’ll be paying at least $7M AAV and probably closer to $8M.

Leaves us cap room to flip Byram for a good middle-six forward, preferably one with upside like Voronkov, and makes the Timmins deal make a lot more sense.

Overall, Byram out, one D and one forward in is what I’m expecting over the next few days.

I like Provorov but not to the point of paying him that much. at $8m, keep Byram (who's a different type byt prob better than Provorov) and sign an UFA winger (Ehlers...)

[LGR4GM]

10 minutes ago, dudacek said:

He’s my target tomorrow, and I don’t mind throwing term at him because he’s 28 and can play both sides.

The fact Provorov doesn’t seem to be a big city kinda guy and has a relationship with Jarmo gives me hope that palm trees and taxes can be overcome.

But we’ll be paying at least $7M AAV and probably closer to $8M.

Leaves us cap room to flip Byram for a good middle-six forward, preferably one with upside like Voronkov, and makes the Timmins deal make a lot more sense.

Overall, Byram out, one D and one forward in is what I’m expecting over the next few days.

Better yet... 

trade Byram for Provorov's rights and Voronkov and a 2026 2nd. Make it on the condition Prov signs a 5yr 7mil contract extension. It is less than he would get with UFA but maybe if you get exclusive rights to sign him he feels really wanted and would want to come play with Voronkov and Dahlin. 

I don't love Provorov tbh. He gets hard minutes and is just okayish at them. He's got a ton of turnover as well but they aren't tracked well. Provorov played 356 minutes with Werenski and was at 52.77% corsi and 51.63%xGF. 

Ivan played 1178 minutes with everyone else and was 46.38cf% and 44.84xgf% at 5v5. These numbers are very similar to Byram away from Dahlin. 

Why not just pay Byram 7x5yrs and keep him with Dahlin. He is the same thing with probably more upside. 

 

[CTJoe]

On 6/11/2025 at 12:12 PM, GASabresIUFAN said:

So we traded Mitts to avoid paying him for 1 1/4 years of Byram who we didn’t need and don’t want to pay, so that we can now move Byram for a future asset which may or may not be used to acquire a defensemen who can play defense.  Sure why not!

What great management we have.  No wonder we are Cup contenders every year.

Welcome to the Buffalo Sabres!! A team with no direction

[dudacek]

2 minutes ago, CTJoe said:

I like Provorov but not to the point of paying him that much. at $8m, keep Byram (who's a different type byt prob better than Provorov) and sign an UFA winger (Ehlers...)

I’d like that better too, not sure it works under the cap, even if Ehlers is interested.

I was thinking his AAV starts with a 9, but I see AFP is projecting 6x$8.1M and they’re better at this than I am.

For what it worth, they project Provorov at around $7M

[CTJoe]

Just now, dudacek said:

I’d like that better too, not sure it works under the cap, even if Ehlers is interested.

I was thinking his AAV starts with a 9, but I see AFP is projecting 6x$8.1M and they’re better at this than I am.

For what it worth, they project Provorov at around $7M

I think if the re-sign Byram it would be more of a bridge deal, like 2 years; which is what they should have done with Power and Samuellson instead of giving them unearned long term contracts

[dudacek]

11 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Better yet... 

trade Byram for Provorov's rights and Voronkov and a 2026 2nd. Make it on the condition Prov signs a 5yr 7mil contract extension. It is less than he would get with UFA but maybe if you get exclusive rights to sign him he feels really wanted and would want to come play with Voronkov and Dahlin. 

I don't love Provorov tbh. He gets hard minutes and is just okayish at them. He's got a ton of turnover as well but they aren't tracked well. Provorov played 356 minutes with Werenski and was at 52.77% corsi and 51.63%xGF. 

Ivan played 1178 minutes with everyone else and was 46.38cf% and 44.84xgf% at 5v5. These numbers are very similar to Byram away from Dahlin. 

Why not just pay Byram 7x5yrs and keep him with Dahlin. He is the same thing with probably more upside. 

 

Agree with pretty much all of this.

Byram is probably better than any other option available and maybe that’s why Adams hasn’t moved him.

Sign him and use the next two years to try to change his mind about walking to free agency.

Use free agency or trade other assets to add another forward.

Edited 5 hours ago by dudacek

[thewookie1]

17 minutes ago, dudacek said:

He’s my target tomorrow, and I don’t mind throwing term at him because he’s 28 and can play both sides.

The fact Provorov doesn’t seem to be a big city kinda guy and has a relationship with Jarmo gives me hope that palm trees and taxes can be overcome.

But we’ll be paying at least $7M AAV and probably closer to $8M.

Leaves us cap room to flip Byram for a good middle-six forward, preferably one with upside like Voronkov, and makes the Timmins deal make a lot more sense.

Overall, Byram out, one D and one forward in is what I’m expecting over the next few days.

I don't think we can make the money work

Voronkov is an RFA looking for 3 to 5mil

Provorov at 7.5mil

10 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Better yet... 

trade Byram for Provorov's rights and Voronkov and a 2026 2nd. Make it on the condition Prov signs a 5yr 7mil contract extension. It is less than he would get with UFA but maybe if you get exclusive rights to sign him he feels really wanted and would want to come play with Voronkov and Dahlin. 

I don't love Provorov tbh. He gets hard minutes and is just okayish at them. He's got a ton of turnover as well but they aren't tracked well. Provorov played 356 minutes with Werenski and was at 52.77% corsi and 51.63%xGF. 

Ivan played 1178 minutes with everyone else and was 46.38cf% and 44.84xgf% at 5v5. These numbers are very similar to Byram away from Dahlin. 

Why not just pay Byram 7x5yrs and keep him with Dahlin. He is the same thing with probably more upside. 

 

The big thing is, we re-sign Byram and our offense is as is; there won't be any fixes because we all know the team isn't going to sign a splash offensive UFA.