Trade : Conor Timmins and Isaac Belliveau from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Connor Clifton and the 39th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

[Thorny]

It’s fine to have Dahlin Byram Kesselring Power Samuelsson Docker and Timmins and say those 7 D are your 6 D. It’s really the 8th guy that’s the spare. A fully healthy unit is more uncommon than common imo 

[Dr. Who]

8 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Docker needs to play. He is a solid third pair D.

Not really a problem, because Muel will spend 60% of the season on IR.

[Derrico]

On paper that’s the most potential we’ve had on D in years.  Obviously a big hole up front losing JJ but I hope they keep Byram. 

[Pimlach]

45 minutes ago, Thorny said:

It’s fine to have Dahlin Byram Kesselring Power Samuelsson Docker and Timmins and say those 7 D are your 6 D. It’s really the 8th guy that’s the spare. A fully healthy unit is more uncommon than common imo 

I’m good with this, makes Bryson 8, Johnson 9. 

But then Byram isn’t used to bring in more top 6 help and they have to improve on Peterka’s old spot at a min.  

Prefer to trade Muel and keep Byram but that won’t get much unless packaged.  

Edited 19 hours ago by Pimlach

[dudacek]

2 hours ago, Derrico said:

On paper that’s the most potential we’ve had on D in years.  Obviously a big hole up front losing JJ but I hope they keep Byram. 

In my ideal world they kept Byram with Dahlin, found a partner for Power, and dumped Samuelson and Clifton (who was the awful no one talked about last year) for a better, cheaper 3rd pair.

No faith, but - amazingly - still hope.

Edited 17 hours ago by dudacek

[K-9]

3 hours ago, JohnC said:

You bring up an interesting question about how much influence does Ruff have in personnel decisions. As you point out with the additions, the Sabres are bigger than they were last year. I’m sure he was a factor on that issue. I also believe that Ruff was instrumental in the trading of Peterka. It appears that the coach/player relationship was fractious. 
 

I’m hoping that Ruff and Jarmo push the GM to make more moves to reshape the roster in order to play a tougher brand of hockey. Some progress has been made in that facet of the game but more needs to be done.

KA is always going on about how they always have consensus, yada yada yada. All I know is that Ruff was learning how to build tough, resilient teams when Adams was still a piss pot running around in Clarence. Ruff also understands you build a team from the D end out. And while we may not yet have the answer in goal he would prefer, it’s no coincidence that big RHDmen have been a priority so far this summer. 

[Mango]

4 hours ago, JohnC said:

You bring up an interesting question about how much influence does Ruff have in personnel decisions. As you point out with the additions, the Sabres are bigger than they were last year. I’m sure he was a factor on that issue. I also believe that Ruff was instrumental in the trading of Peterka. It appears that the coach/player relationship was fractious. 
 

I’m hoping that Ruff and Jarmo push the GM to make more moves to reshape the roster in order to play a tougher brand of hockey. Some progress has been made in that facet of the game but more needs to be done.

I think Ruff has some voice but Terry refuses to move on from Adams.

Just via the smell test, the last two off-season don't seem to match Adams prior off-season. We haven't done enough but the type of player we target seems to be different. Plus the willingness to move on from Cozens, Savoie, and JJP (despite the request) is something I don't think Adams does without a major push.

[Mango]

1 hour ago, K-9 said:

KA is always going on about how they always have consensus, yada yada yada. All I know is that Ruff was learning how to build tough, resilient teams when Adams was still a piss pot running around in Clarence. Ruff also understands you build a team from the D end out. And while we may not yet have the answer in goal he would prefer, it’s no coincidence that big RHDmen have been a priority so far this summer. 

I mentioned after one of the years draft "Embedded's" that I don't think Adams has control of the room, nor leads it. He reminds of Tom Hanks in 'Big'. He's just trying to fake it.

He's talking about building concencus because he isn't making any decisions. He's loser.

Go back and watch the behind the scenes with McD at the Sabres game. He basically B-lines it to Ruff after sort performatively saying hi to Kev-Kev. Then Ruff and Adams seem to chat together, and Adams like a 3rd grader goes "coach, I've always wondered, how many half time adjustments can you really make".

It was clear that Lindy and McD were the alphas in the room and everybody was aware that Adams was Pegula cuck.

[Indabuff]

10 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Guess the defense is gonna be different. Adams has added 3 nhl rhd since the deadline and 4 if you wanna count Mrtka 

A Lindy thing perhaps?

[Taro T]

7 hours ago, ... said:

Dumping salary could equal being able to spend big money in FA and keeping Tuch.

And IF they USE that cap space, the Peterka trade looks a LOT better.

Again, am HOPING they do that.  But until they actually do it, won't expect it.

THIS trade could work.  Clifton wasn't bad as the 6.  But he was brought in to be much more than that.  They'd likely like to see Timmons be more than the 6, and if he is great.  But if he isn't, at least he's cheaper than Clifton and MAYBE they'll actually use that cap space..

[Mango]

1 minute ago, Indabuff said:

A Lindy thing perhaps?

Lindy has mentioned a few times he likes having guys play on their strong side. Easier to move the puck is the reason he has given.

I don't understand why Kevyn Adams still works here.

[Turbo44]

5 hours ago, Taro T said:

And IF they USE that cap space, the Peterka trade looks a LOT better.

Again, am HOPING they do that.  But until they actually do it, won't expect it.

THIS trade could work.  Clifton wasn't bad as the 6.  But he was brought in to be much more than that.  They'd likely like to see Timmons be more than the 6, and if he is great.  But if he isn't, at least he's cheaper than Clifton and MAYBE they'll actually use that cap space..

Timmons will be fine as the 6, the Utah guy is the one I think who ends up with power

[FrenchConnection44]

21 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

This is a Beck Malenstyn type trade

Adams trades a 2nd for a 26 year old player who has 1 full NHL season under his belt.  We also get a cap dump and a ECHL/AHL depth D.  

Seems like another JBD type swing on a depth D with hoped more potential. 

Adams throwing a cheap bowl of RD spaghetti and hopes he finds a couple who can play.

Fairburn called this largely a salary dump.

 

I wonder if it is to keep Byram and also get a new deal for Tuch? 
 

At the same time, what is up with our “billionaire” owner? Is he just pouring so much into the Bills & the stadium that he needs frugality with the Sabres? 

[Rasmus_]

This trade is still crap.  Adams saying they were looking at him, is a crock of *****.  But we got rid of Clifton moving on.

[JohnC]

12 hours ago, Pimlach said:

I’m good with this, makes Bryson 8, Johnson 9. 

But then Byram isn’t used to bring in more top 6 help and they have to improve on Peterka’s old spot at a min.  

Prefer to trade Muel and keep Byram but that won’t get much unless packaged. 

Byram has more value on the market than Samuelsson has. If you can get a top six player for Byram, then I would make the deal. If not, then I'm not against keeping him and also Samuelsson. We still need to add another top six forward. Maybe we can take the same route as we did with Zucker by signing a vet on an expiring contract for short term deal? 

I like Byram a lot. However, the issue becomes what are his expectations contract and role wise. I'm not sure they are in sync with the organization? In general, I like the moves that the organization has made to transition the roster to play a tougher style of game. Are they enough moves to make a difference? Right now, I would say no. I do see more changes coming. The big tell is whether the organization utilizes the extra cap money available made by the current moves. 

[kas23]

11 hours ago, Mango said:

I mentioned after one of the years draft "Embedded's" that I don't think Adams has control of the room, nor leads it. He reminds of Tom Hanks in 'Big'. He's just trying to fake it.

He's talking about building concencus because he isn't making any decisions. He's loser.

Go back and watch the behind the scenes with McD at the Sabres game. He basically B-lines it to Ruff after sort performatively saying hi to Kev-Kev. Then Ruff and Adams seem to chat together, and Adams like a 3rd grader goes "coach, I've always wondered, how many half time adjustments can you really make".

It was clear that Lindy and McD were the alphas in the room and everybody was aware that Adams was Pegula cuck.

Completely agree with this. Adams hasn’t been in charge for a while, maybe even the full time he’s been GM. He’s a mouthpiece of Terry and a consensus gatherer. The problem is he hasn’t had the right people telling him what to do or it has been disjointed and there has been no accountability below him. We need a single vision, not a collection of ideas. Hopefully Ruff or Jarmo is now providing this. 

[LGR4GM]

36 minutes ago, FrenchConnection44 said:

Fairburn called this largely a salary dump.

 

I wonder if it is to keep Byram and also get a new deal for Tuch? 
 

At the same time, what is up with our “billionaire” owner? Is he just pouring so much into the Bills & the stadium that he needs frugality with the Sabres? 

No. Alex Tuchs deal is not tied to a move that clears cap before Tuchs new deal would hit the cap. Tuch is signed for this season anyways. 

[Taro T]

5 hours ago, Turbo44 said:

Timmons will be fine as the 6, the Utah guy is the one I think who ends up with power

Kesselring either ends up with Power or he might even end up Dahlin's partner.

[SwampD]

22 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

This is why I come back to SabreSpace. Deep thoughtful hockey analysis.

Oh, the irony.

[Pimlach]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

Byram has more value on the market than Samuelsson has. If you can get a top six player for Byram, then I would make the deal. If not, then I'm not against keeping him and also Samuelsson. We still need to add another top six forward. Maybe we can take the same route as we did with Zucker by signing a vet on an expiring contract for short term deal? 

I like Byram a lot. However, the issue becomes what are his expectations contract and role wise. I'm not sure they are in sync with the organization? In general, I like the moves that the organization has made to transition the roster to play a tougher style of game. Are they enough moves to make a difference? Right now, I would say no. I do see more changes coming. The big tell is whether the organization utilizes the extra cap money available made by the current moves. 

No doubt Byram is worth more than Samuelsson, he is the 2nd best defender on the team.  

I know you like Zucker but he is not a top 6 forward on a playoff team.  Adam’s has signed several of these vets over the years (recall E Staal, Hall, E Johnson) and only Zucker has panned out, that route is not certain at all.  

I am aiming for Robertson, not a Zucker type of signing.   Package Byram for Robertson and now we more than replaced Peterka.  

 

[JohnC]

21 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

No doubt Byram is worth more than Samuelsson, he is the 2nd best defender on the team.  

I know you like Zucker but he is not a top 6 forward on a playoff team.  Adam’s has signed several of these vets over the years (recall E Staal, Hall, E Johnson) and only Zucker has panned out, that route is not certain at all.  

I am aiming for Robertson, not a Zucker type of signing.   Package Byram for Robertson and now we more than replaced Peterka.  

 

Why would Dallas want a Byram knowing that in a year he will pursuing a long term bonanza contract? And let’s not forget that Dallas is a serious Cup contending team that will likely make the required adjustments to keep him. 
 

I do like Zucker a lot and how he plays. But I consider him a good third line player on a rugged line on a good team. However, when you have a dearth of talent you have to adjust to that reality, at least for the time being. 

[ska-T Palmtown]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

Why would Dallas want a Byram knowing that in a year he will pursuing a long term bonanza contract? And let’s not forget that Dallas is a serious Cup contending team that will likely make the required adjustments to keep him. 
 

I do like Zucker a lot and how he plays. But I consider him a good third line player on a rugged line on a good team. However, when you have a dearth of talent you have to adjust to that reality, at least for the time being. 

I also don't think trading for Byram solves Dallas's cap problems. He wants too much. The have like $5.73 or something. (notice the there is no "M" after that number, like five bucks ... seriously)

[Thorny]

1 hour ago, SwampD said:

Oh, the irony.

My exact thought lol 

[Turbo44]

41 minutes ago, ska-T Palmtown said:

I also don't think trading for Byram solves Dallas's cap problems. He wants too much. The have like $5.73 or something. (notice the there is no "M" after that number, like five bucks ... seriously)

Yep, Robertson can be had and it’s reported DAL wants futures. KA better be on the phone with Dallas. Being a LWer, he’s even a better fit for our needs (and more obtainable) than Marner

[Thorny]