Summer 2025: NHL Offseason

[Archie Lee]

16 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

Why? I applaud GMs who creatively make moves to improve their teams. Imagine if Buffalo had a good GM like Montreal does?

21/22 NHL standings Montreal 55 pts. Buffalo 75 pts.

24/25 NHL standings Montreal 91 pts. Buffalo 79 pts. 

Hurts, doesn't it? 

I’m not sure. Could be real. Montreal has taken similar steps to what the Sabres did in Adams’s 1st two full seasons post-Krueger (I acknowledge that the Habs made the playoffs last year, while the Sabres missed by a point in 22-23). I think Montreal has another step or two to take before it can be said that their GM is all that. 

[ska-T Palmtown]

8 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

There was a time and place for each but they did neither. This was the time to spend to the cap but they didn't and they didn't fill the holes and thus they are going to battle with Boston for last place in the division. woohoo!

The tear down was the time for moves like this one. They got a lot of picks and prospects but could have had more. San Jose is doing a complete do over. Now wait and watch them pass us in a few years just like Montreal has. 

I would love to defend the Sabres, but there is nothing to defend. I do not understand people who try to still say they are doing anything right. They are not a serious franchise. 

To the bold, that is patently false. There *was* a time when taking on a dead contract was the thing to do ... and they did it. I feel gross "defending" the front office, but it is a simple fact. The current roster is well above the cap floor, so taking on a dead contract would be even more stupid than leaving some unused space below the cap.

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

Read carefully to what I wrote. I said that they are not likely and inclined to do so. I didn’t say never. And that is a fact. The SABRES can handle their contract situation any way they want. That’s not the end all or be all when evaluating them. The bottom line is their record. On that measurement they are lagging.
 

You too - of course they are not currently inclined to take on a dead contract to get to the cap floor that they are already well above.

In general, it seems crazy to a) be mad at San Jose for getting to the cap floor (which the Sabres have also done in the past) and b) mad (?) the Sabres are not making the same move now. What an odd argument this all was.

Edited 3 hours ago by ska-T Palmtown

[Sabres Fan in NS]

17 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

Why? I applaud GMs who creatively make moves to improve their teams. Imagine if Buffalo had a good GM like Montreal does?

21/22 NHL standings Montreal 55 pts. Buffalo 75 pts.

24/25 NHL standings Montreal 91 pts. Buffalo 79 pts. 

Hurts, doesn't it? 

 

15 hours ago, JohnC said:

Why do you have a problem with San Jose taking on a contract to get to the cap minimum? You might not like the contract maneuver but it’s within the rules. It’s not something that the Sabres would likely do, and I’m fine with that.  But I’m not going to criticize another organization that is more creative and willing to take unconventional actions to improve their situation. 

Who cares about this BS being within the rules.

And how exactly is Montreal improved?  They may have traded Carey for $1 or something.  They certainly did not get a player in return.

Trading for a player who will not ever play for your team so you can get to the cap floor is crap and should not be allowed - that's my point.

[LGR4GM]

I should add that Montreal adding Dobson this offseason is huge. That could be the move that truly pushes them clear of the Sabres. Montreal is going to have to trade for a center at some point, that's their biggest issue. 

They are a very interesting team to watch this year. 

[JohnC]

18 minutes ago, Sabres Fan in NS said:

 

Who cares about this BS being within the rules.

And how exactly is Montreal improved?  They may have traded Carey for $1 or something.  They certainly did not get a player in return.

Trading for a player who will not ever play for your team so you can get to the cap floor is crap and should not be allowed - that's my point.

Whether you or I like the rule is not the point. Teams are allowed to buy or sell a contract without gaining the services of the player in order to reach the cap floor. It comes down to a team taking an action that is permissible that it feels is beneficial. So what's the problem with that? People legally/appropriately take tax deductions even when the specific deduction is outdated. Why would you criticize the person who takes the lawful deduction when it is allowed under the tax rules? Everyone is playing under the same rules. Some organizations use them to their advantage more so than others. And when they do they are acting within the established lines. 

[JohnC]

59 minutes ago, ska-T Palmtown said:

To the bold, that is patently false. There *was* a time when taking on a dead contract was the thing to do ... and they did it. I feel gross "defending" the front office, but it is a simple fact. The current roster is well above the cap floor, so taking on a dead contract would be even more stupid than leaving some unused space below the cap.

You too - of course they are not currently inclined to take on a dead contract to get to the cap floor that they are already well above.

In general, it seems crazy to a) be mad at San Jose for getting to the cap floor (which the Sabres have also done in the past) and b) mad (?) the Sabres are not making the same move now. What an odd argument this all was.

San Jose took an action that it felt was beneficial for them. And it was within the rules. So what is the problem with that and the reason for criticism of what they did? That's the heart of the discussion on this topic. I simply made the point that I have no criticism for the cap maneuver they made that was within the cap rules. 

[DarthEbriate]

The Habs now have $5.6M in cap space (without even having to wait to put Price on LTIR); the Sabres have $5.1M. Which team is more likely to aggressively go for the playoffs and use that remaining cap this season? Or do they both sit idle until the trade deadline, then make their decision that this isn't the year at that time?

Beware the Sharks! The season the Sabres acquired Bishop to reach the floor with $17M in cap space -- they reached 91 points. It's all about the goaltending. 😇