Free Agent Frenzy 2025

[dudacek]

Every year since Taylor Hall, the Sabres have made some signings.

Every year since Taylor Hall, they have been of largely of the Ilya Lybushkin variety.

What are your hopes and expectations?

[CTJoe]

I expect nothing from Adams and hope to be surprised.  I expect him to sit on the sidelines and hope Byram's value goes up with teams who strike out on UFA dmen. The two things he got right in recent years (Zucker and McLeod) happened significantly after UFA opened. 

I expect to see more signings by Jason K for Rochester than from Adams.

Granted, big $ UFA signings in the early part of UFA have overwhelmingly proved to be bad decisions, BUT, you would think for once KA is fighting for his job and would be targeting some top 6 talent??  

[Warriorspikes51]

Ehlers, Granlund, Provorov seems about the best we can hope for

IMO we won't sign them or anyone else of note

and Adams won't make a quality trade to help the team. 
 

WE WON'T ADD TO THE TOP 6

WE WON'T ADD A GOOD VETERAN D

WE WON'T ADD A LEGIT GOALIE 

[ponokasabre]

Id take a run at signing Gavrikov, he solves all your problems and can be next to Dahlin for the next 7-8 years, 

 

If you do that you can look to cut Lafferty and move Samuelssen. I think there some decent vet options that could replace Sammy on the cheap, Nick Perbix being the perfect example to me, or Brian Doumalin

 

I do see the Sabres signing a fighter this year, my wish is Jeannot but I just dont know if there is room for him as he would need to play every day. But I think Gilbert will be brought back or Brendan Smith (a Lindy guy) that has been his tough guy before

[dudacek]

Just now, Warriorspikes51 said:

Ehlers, Granlund, Provorov seems about the best we can hope for

None of them seem like reach for the stars players, but they are literally #4, 7 and 9on the Athletic's big board.

Slim pickings out there.

By the way, qualifying offers are due sometime today I think?

Any word on the Sabres?

 

[Warriorspikes51]

1 minute ago, ponokasabre said:

Id take a run at signing Gavrikov, he solves all your problems and can be next to Dahlin for the next 7-8 years, 

 

If you do that you can look to cut Lafferty and move Samuelssen. I think there some decent vet options that could replace Sammy on the cheap, Nick Perbix being the perfect example to me, or Brian Doumalin

 

I do see the Sabres signing a fighter this year, my wish is Jeannot but I just dont know if there is room for him as he would need to play every day. But I think Gilbert will be brought back or Brendan Smith (a Lindy guy) that has been his tough guy before

what are you offering for him to even remotely consider Buffalo?  11 Mil per? 

[mphs mike]

Prove you're running an NHL team - sign Ehlers, Ekblad

 

Don't choke or spit out your coffee

[ponokasabre]

Just now, Warriorspikes51 said:

what are you offering for him to even remotely consider Buffalo?  11 Mil per? 

He has played for Jarmo before so id lean on that connection.

Romanov came in a 6.5 per year and Dobson just extended at 9 million per year, he will be inbetween those I would say.

If you can get Gavrikov at 7 million per year you do that all day. He made 5.875 last year. And feel free to deffer money on the deal like Carolina did with Jarvis and Toronto did with Tavares to lower the cap hit

[CTJoe]

2 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

what are you offering for him to even remotely consider Buffalo?  11 Mil per? 

Can't target/sign a d until you trade Byram; otherwise you lose even more leverage.  I would target Granlund (2/$12m) or Ehlers (6/$50m).  Granlund is more likley due to term of contract

[CTJoe]

5 minutes ago, mphs mike said:

Prove you're running an NHL team - sign Ehlers, Ekblad

 

Don't choke or spit out your coffee

Unless Zito (who should be our GM) has plans to sign Ehlers, no GM is going to be able to do this and an Ekblad signing in FLA is imminent. I'd be shocked of Ehlers signed with Buffalo - rumor has it, he was willing to be traded to BUF reently but wasn't interested n extending.  Why would he be interested now?

[dudacek]

Perbix, Ryan Lindgren and Nate Schmidt are veteran LHDs that I could see the Sabres kicking tires on if they move Byram.

Brandan Tanev in the hard-to-play-against forward category?

Edit: correction, Perbix is a righty.

Edited 8 hours ago by dudacek

[SabreFinn]

I think they will sign a UFA veteran defender. Ceci is my guess.

[The Jokeman]

54 minutes ago, mphs mike said:

Prove you're running an NHL team - sign Ehlers, Ekblad

 

Don't choke or spit out your coffee

Ekblad took a pay cut and re-signs with the Panthers for 8 years.

Edited 7 hours ago by The Jokeman

[CallawaySabres]

as much as I am been negative about this team (for good reason), there absolutely will be a big name trade. The only thing I worry is that it is going to be the wrong one, and Buffalo will pay dearly again down the road. 

[HOUSE]

Give me any ol stiff , we can lose with anyone..

 

 

[JustOneParade]

Feebleness because KA.

I think he re-signs Byram for 2 years to pair with Dahls. And frankly I hope he does because I have zero confidence he can do a Byram deal and make the team better short or long-term.

I think he adds a 3rd line, relatively inexpensive forward in FA that he believes can move into a top-6 role. (There's that flawed hope as a strategy thing again). 

I think he adds a goalie that's no better than what he has if he can't coax another season out of Reimer.

I think he doesn't come close to spending to the cap again this season.

I'm basing this on the 5-year history of KA as GM of this team. Not endorsing the above (other than possibly the first point).

Edited 7 hours ago by JustOneParade
Name spelling

[Weave]

What am I expecting?

[Brawndo]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

Every year since Taylor Hall, the Sabres have made some signings.

Every year since Taylor Hall, they have been of largely of the Ilya Lybushkin variety.

What are your hopes and expectations?

Not with a bang but a whimper 

[LGR4GM]

"Losers always whine about doing their best." - John Mason

[CTJoe]

23 minutes ago, CallawaySabres said:

as much as I am been negative about this team (for good reason), there absolutely will be a big name trade. The only thing I worry is that it is going to be the wrong one, and Buffalo will pay dearly again down the road. 

a big name trade other than Byram?  Please do speculate ......names?

[Porous Five Hole]

I heard on this board we were doing something HARD to Marner tomorrow 🪖

[CTJoe]

1 minute ago, Porous Five Hole said:

I heard on this board we were doing something HARD to Marner tomorrow 🪖

Nope

[Pimlach]

What am I expecting? 

 

[OverPowerYou]

We will definitely get a third Line tough guy with potential, and a fourth line grinder

[Weave]

Just now, OverPowerYou said:

We will definitely get a third Line tough guy with potential, and a fourth line grinder

This is so last week.

No, really.  They did this last week.

Sort of.