Nazem Kadri - Could he change the course of this offseason and this franchise?

[Flashsabre]

This is all fantasy. Not one credible source has brought up Kadri as being available.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

2 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

This is all fantasy. Not one credible source has brought up Kadri as being available.

Of course it's fantasy.  Reality has never stopped us from fantasy before.

[JohnC]

2 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

This is all fantasy. Not one credible source has brought up Kadri as being available.

It was on @GASabresIUFAN fantasy wish list. Be kind and gentle because he’s in a high state of agitation. And be cautious and tread lightly because he can get ornery when told his fantasy wish list will not come to fruition.😀

[K-9]

No thanks.

[The Jokeman]

At 34 years old, yeah no not for a player a full decade lower in age.

[PerreaultForever]

Sabres just don't make moves like this. They just don't. 

[Demoted]

On 7/5/2025 at 11:40 PM, Wyldnwoody44 said:

Ooof to that contract... Nope.. Pass 

Plus, I'm not sure he's a #1 center at this point, that cliff can come hard 

Why are Sabres fans worrying about a contract... 

[Wyldnwoody44]

1 hour ago, Demoted said:

Why are Sabres fans worrying about a contract... 

Because I don't think he's going to be a good player much longer. 

[The Jokeman]

1 hour ago, Demoted said:

Why are Sabres fans worrying about a contract... 

Alex Tuch is due to be an UFA after this season, am sure many fans want to see him re-signed so we should be looking at our cap closely. Giving guys like Samuelsson and Power deals they don't deserve have hampered this team. Cozens too but thankfully got rid of him although not sure Norris a better alternative given his health concerns. 

[JP51]

This may be unpopular...  I absolutely think we need a better combination of youth with vet leadership... but to me taking on a big contract of a 34 yr old player that might get you into rd 1 of the playoffs at the expense of a promising player isnt where I am at... now maybe thats because I am concerned we are too far gone to "re-tool" or maybe because the playoffs arent my goal... a cup is... or maybe because I dont have faith that Adams has the accumen to make a trade like this and make us better in the long term... 

That said, I do know that getting into the playoffs for our existing roster like Tuch, Dahlin, Thompson etc... is pretty much paramount... how can anyone expect them to go thru 3 more years of not ever even being in the playoffs and actually not force their way out...  In the end even if we do make the playoffs and are a 4-1 first round exit in a beat down... not sure that prevents those players from wanting out... I think I think we are too far gone... that Adams will eventually be fired and some other GM may want to tear it down again...  I don't know... I would probably be excited if we did do a deal, but my gut tells me when you are dealing from a position of extreme desperation and weakness that bad things happen... I'll hang up and listen LOL... 

Edited 6 hours ago by JP51

[Demoted]

1 hour ago, The Jokeman said:

Alex Tuch is due to be an UFA after this season, am sure many fans want to see him re-signed so we should be looking at our cap closely. Giving guys like Samuelsson and Power deals they don't deserve have hampered this team. Cozens too but thankfully got rid of him although not sure Norris a better alternative given his health concerns. 

A team that has not made the playoffs in a record setting number of years is not in need of cap watching. 

[Demoted]

2 hours ago, Wyldnwoody44 said:

Because I don't think he's going to be a good player much longer. 

Doesn't matter a team like the Sabres doesn't have the luxury of being picky.

Edited 6 hours ago by Demoted

[The Jokeman]

4 minutes ago, Demoted said:

A team that has not made the playoffs in a record setting number of years is not in need of cap watching. 

As a fan I would continue to root for the long term good than a one playoff year and then done. 

[JohnC]

25 minutes ago, JP51 said:

This may be unpopular...  I absolutely think we need a better combination of youth with vet leadership... but to me taking on a big contract of a 34 yr old player that might get you into rd 1 of the playoffs at the expense of a promising player isnt where I am at... now maybe thats because I am concerned we are too far gone to "re-tool" or maybe because the playoffs arent my goal... a cup is... or maybe because I dont have faith that Adams has the accumen to make a trade like this and make us better in the long term... 

That said, I do know that getting into the playoffs for our existing roster like Tuch, Dahlin, Thompson etc... is pretty much paramount... how can anyone expect them to go thru 3 more years of not ever even being in the playoffs and actually not force their way out...  In the end even if we do make the playoffs and are a 4-1 first round exit in a beat down... not sure that prevents those players from wanting out... I think I think we are too far gone... that Adams will eventually be fired and some other GM may want to tear it down again...  I don't know... I would probably be excited if we did do a deal, but my gut tells me when you are dealing from a position of extreme desperation and weakness that bad things happen... I'll hang up and listen LOL... 

Listen to your gut. It is responding rationally. 😄

[Wyldnwoody44]

16 minutes ago, Demoted said:

Doesn't matter a team like the Sabres doesn't have the luxury of being picky.

As bad as we've been and as bad as it looks like we'll be... We still have to make smart decisions (hopefully to not handcuff the new GM)

[Archie Lee]

I appreciate the fan-exercise of discussing if a particular player would be a good addition. Put me in the YES column on Kadri. If the Sabres traded Byram, Kulich, and Quinn to Calgary for Andersson, Kadri, and Coleman, I think it would make them a playoff level team. Many fans would cringe, particularly at the Kulich part of that trade, but the Sabres would still have Benson, Helenius, Östlund, Wahlberg, Ziemer, Mrtka, Strbak, Kleber, and their 2026 1st rounder.  Not to mention that Norris, Thompson, McLeod, Doan, Krebs, Dahlin, Power, Kesselring, are all under team control for the foreseeable future. Kadri is 2 years younger than Marchand, who just signed a 6 year deal with Florida. Those Panthers and their failure to think about the future! It will cost them...some day.

That said, Kardi is a pipe dream at the moment.  He has a full NMC.  There are multiple NHL teams with boatloads of cap-space. If the Flames decide to trade him and he agrees, then Kadri will have his choice of destinations amongst multiple suitors who are better positioned to appeal to him. And, this is not a city of Buffalo thing , it's a Pegula/Adams/Ruff thing.  

[JP51]

53 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Listen to your gut. It is responding rationally. 😄

Indeed.... its my brain with the issue LOL 

[LGR4GM]

42 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

I appreciate the fan-exercise of discussing if a particular player would be a good addition. Put me in the YES column on Kadri. If the Sabres traded Byram, Kulich, and Quinn to Calgary for Andersson, Kadri, and Coleman, I think it would make them a playoff level team. Many fans would cringe, particularly at the Kulich part of that trade, but the Sabres would still have Benson, Helenius, Östlund, Wahlberg, Ziemer, Mrtka, Strbak, Kleber, and their 2026 1st rounder.  Not to mention that Norris, Thompson, McLeod, Doan, Krebs, Dahlin, Power, Kesselring, are all under team control for the foreseeable future. Kadri is 2 years younger than Marchand, who just signed a 6 year deal with Florida. Those Panthers and their failure to think about the future! It will cost them...some day.

That said, Kardi is a pipe dream at the moment.  He has a full NMC.  There are multiple NHL teams with boatloads of cap-space. If the Flames decide to trade him and he agrees, then Kadri will have his choice of destinations amongst multiple suitors who are better positioned to appeal to him. And, this is not a city of Buffalo thing , it's a Pegula/Adams/Ruff thing.  

So we're trading a defender who was better last year for one who was worst and has already said they want to sign in vegas

We're trading a winger for a winger 10 years older who had the same point total

and we're trading a young goal scoring center for an old goal scoring center which for next year is probably making us better as Kadri is better than Kulich. 

To summarize, we are trading Byram who is better than Andersson (who we get for 1 year), Quinn who is the same as Coleman (who we get for 2 years), and Kulich for Kadri (who we at least get for 4 years). This trade sucks IMPO. The only clear win is Kulich for Kadri and that is probably only for a year or two (if Kulich gets better). 

NOTE: Ftr I understand that Coleman is better at 5v5 defensively but idk, just seems meh to trade Quinn for him. 

Edited 5 hours ago by LGR4GM

[Rasmus_]

On 7/6/2025 at 1:00 AM, inkman said:

Yeah I’d like to see a young D prospect and probably draft picks.  I think the Sabres are doing them a bit of a favor. 

I see that point of view too.  Additionally, I see that adding a player like Kadri, puts a positive note to the boys in the room.  That they're looking to push this year.  As it follows up on the "changing the culture", moves of Peterka for Doan and Kesserling.  The additions of Danforth, Timmins.  It just doubles down on that.  I would only see this if they are getting Kadri ++ for Byram. 

[Archie Lee]

4 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

So we're trading a defender who was better last year for one who was worst and has already said they want to sign in vegas

We're trading a winger for a winger 10 years older who had the same point total

and we're trading a young goal scoring center for an old goal scoring center which for next year is probably making us better as Kadri is better than Kulich. 

To summarize, we are trading Byram who is better than Andersson (who we get for 1 year), Quinn who is the same as Coleman (who we get for 2 years), and Kulich for Kadri (who we at least get for 4 years). This trade sucks IMPO. The only clear win is Kulich for Kadri and that is probably only for a year or two (if Kulich gets better). 

NOTE: Ftr I understand that Coleman is better at 5v5 defensively but idk, just seems meh to trade Quinn for him. 

A few things. 

1) This isn't happening. All of the Flames players noted have trade protection. It’s not likely they will be dealt to the Sabres if at all. Also, even if the Flame players were available, my guess is that Adams sees Kulich as near to untouchable. 

2) Long term the trade is probably bad. While none of Byram, Kulich, or Quinn are sure things to be high-level NHL players 5 years from now, it can safely be said that Kadri, Coleman, and Andersson won’t be.
 

So, the questions would be: Does the trade push the Sabres to being a playoff level team? And, if so, how important is it to end this horrid streak?

From my perspective, it would make our roster playoff level. Kadri is better than Kulich and Coleman is better than Quinn. Andersson is not better than Byram, but we would need a replacement for Byram and Andersson would certainly be capable of riding shotgun with Dahlin for a year. Bigger picture, the trade would alter the make-up of the team and I think add much needed experience, physicality, and attitude. I think the addition of these players would make existing players better.

Finally, I think ending the streak is critical and that putting it behind the franchise would do more for the future than the players given up would do.

That said, how certain am I that it would be successful?  Not very. And, would I have the courage to make the trade if I was the GM? Probably not. 

[SwampD]

5 hours ago, The Jokeman said:

As a fan I would continue to root for the long term good than a one playoff year and then done. 

Kevyn, is that you?

[Weave]

6 hours ago, The Jokeman said:

As a fan I would continue to root for the long term good than a one playoff year and then done. 

Long term starts with one.  Figure it out. Get in. Make it next season a priority too.  ***** happens.

Edited 17 minutes ago by Weave