Report: Sabres sign Bowen Byram to a two year 6.25 million dollar AAV contract extension

[inkman]

18 minutes ago, Thorny said:

No, I didn’t start it because, like I literally just said, again proving that what I write is worthless, I didn’t have the idea that Byram specifically needed to be traded for a F.

I wasn’t pigeonholed on that position - that’s my point. You grouped me in this group of people that didn’t like it because it wasn’t exactly what I wanted and that’s simply not fair. I detailed a stance with many varied options and my point was only ever to look at the whole.

I will provide a link momentarily 

No need I stopped caring halfway through my last post.  FWIW, I’m usually drunk or high or both when I post. Just ignore my stupid ass and you’ll be fine.  As a matter of fact. Put me on ignore.  Actually, I’ll do you one better.  I’ll put you back on my ignore list.  

[Thorny]

9 minutes ago, inkman said:

No need I stopped caring halfway through my last post.  FWIW, I’m usually drunk or high or both when I post. Just ignore my stupid ass and you’ll be fine.  As a matter of fact. Put me on ignore.  Actually, I’ll do you one better.  I’ll put you back on my ignore list.  

[inkman]

Since I can’t see your posts @Thorny I never meant any hard feelings.  My post was directed at WGR and Sabres twitter.  It probably didn’t seem that way.  Apologies. 

[...]

I think I saw Byram making attempts to hit people last season. I dunno, there are several unknown variables leading into next season. I mean, there's a good chance we don't miss Peterka's output at all. It's not like he was amazing. 

A first pair of Dahlin and Byram should be satisfactory defensively and will likely be a legit offensive threat.

It could be alright. 

[Darryl Shannon's +/-]

5 minutes ago, ... said:

I think I saw Byram making attempts to hit people last season. I dunno, there are several unknown variables leading into next season. I mean, there's a good chance we don't miss Peterka's output at all. It's not like he was amazing. 

A first pair of Dahlin and Byram should be satisfactory defensively and will likely be a legit offensive threat.

It could be alright. 

Google said his most common linemates were tuch and thompson.  Its certainly possible that loss can be absorbed.  Plus....our prospect pool of mature players seems to have left handed wingers ready to contribute.   We traded in our useful commodity for a partner for OP.  

[pastajoe]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

He's locked in to his deal unitl the end of the '29-'30 season.  He is not eligible to get another contract signed, to follow the one end ending in '29-'30 but not to modify it in ANY WAY, until July 1, 2029.

So, NO, the team WILL NOT offer him a new deal this Spring if he has another fantastic year.  NOR will he demand one.

And, yes, a little over $7MM IS going to be enough through June of 2030 because that is the deal he signed.

There is NO LEEWAY WHATSOVER IN THAT CONTRACT. 

And the CBA just got reupped into September of 2030 at a minimum, so his union head isn't going to be changing the parameters of his contract either.

He could sit out and demand a renegotiation. I doubt the union would oppose a player asking for more money to equate to his market value.

[LGR4GM]

Just now, pastajoe said:

He could sit out and demand a renegotiation. I doubt the union would oppose a player asking for more money to equate to his market value.

I bet the union would very much be opposed because if Tage can do it, anyone can do it. If anyone can do it, why should the owners give out fully guaranteed contracts?

There's actually a mechanism in the cba for sitting out. I don't know it well, but it's there. 

[Taro T]

2 minutes ago, pastajoe said:

He could sit out and demand a renegotiation. I doubt the union would oppose a player asking for more money to equate to his market value.

NO HE CAN'T.

The CBA EXPRESSLY disallows it.  The CBA prior to this one, the one from 2005 disallowed it.  The 2020 MOU to the 2012 CBA disallows it.  The 2025 MOU to the 2020 MOU to the 2012 CBA disallows it.

Renegotiation HAS NOT BEEN ALLOWED FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS AT THIS POINT IN TIME.  But sure, the NHLPA will go against what THEY HAVE NEGOTIATED into practice for the past TWENTY YEARS.  Suuuuuuuurrrrre they will.

He CAN sit out.  And lose money.  It ends up in the team's court whether he just rots or if they void the contract.  But HE has NO WAY to force them to let him out of his contract.  If the team decides to suspend him, he doesn't get paid and he doesn't end up costing them cap space because he isn't earning any money.  So again, HE CAN'T JUST DEMAND A RENEGOTIATION.

[thewookie1]

1 hour ago, pastajoe said:

He could sit out and demand a renegotiation. I doubt the union would oppose a player asking for more money to equate to his market value.

 

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

NO HE CAN'T.

The CBA EXPRESSLY disallows it.  The CBA prior to this one, the one from 2005 disallowed it.  The 2020 MOU to the 2012 CBA disallows it.  The 2025 MOU to the 2020 MOU to the 2012 CBA disallows it.

Renegotiation HAS NOT BEEN ALLOWED FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS AT THIS POINT IN TIME.  But sure, the NHLPA will go against what THEY HAVE NEGOTIATED into practice for the past TWENTY YEARS.  Suuuuuuuurrrrre they will.

He CAN sit out.  And lose money.  It ends up in the team's court whether he just rots or if they void the contract.  But HE has NO WAY to force them to let him out of his contract.  If the team decides to suspend him, he doesn't get paid and he doesn't end up costing them cap space because he isn't earning any money.  So again, HE CAN'T JUST DEMAND A RENEGOTIATION.

He sums it up rather well, unlike the NFL a player cannot renegotiate a contract nor can a team approach a player to do the same.

[Two or less]

14 hours ago, French Collection said:

There are a lot of ifs involved in this team hitting its ceiling. We all see it and all we can do is hope.

They need to come out of blocks strong and get points early when teams are getting their legs and figuring things out. Once mid season hits and teams start grinding for playoff spots the Sabres “softness” will be exposed.

 

Wasn't this a point of emphasis last summer too? Guys were saying they must be in top shape because it'll no longer be Donny's camp, but Lindy's and then later in the season we heard all about how players came in not in the best "game shape". What makes anyone think this year will be any different? 

[SABRES 0311]

As the cap goes up this becomes more and more friendly. If we gotta trade him at the 2026-2027 deadline his salary really shouldn’t be a limiting factor on the return.

This team better not screw this season up.

[GASabresIUFAN]

6 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

 

He sums it up rather well, unlike the NFL a player cannot renegotiate a contract nor can a team approach a player to do the same.

Difference between a hard cap league (NHL) and a soft (very) cap league (NFL) without fully guaranteed contracts. 

[That Aud Smell]

Thorner really be like 

 

[Thorny]

1 hour ago, SABRES 0311 said:

As the cap goes up this becomes more and more friendly. If we gotta trade him at the 2026-2027 deadline his salary really shouldn’t be a limiting factor on the return.

This team better not screw this season up.

It’s a good point - It does seem to most mirror the feeling of having Tuch locked up to such a good contract and Tage in his prime firing on all cylinders not to mention Dahlin…the, damn we *really* could have something here but we are wasting it being comfortable with maybes and hopes in the now, in exchange for a future thst never seems to arrive.

The D could be really quite good - retaining Byram at that price and even losing him yo UFA is a-oh-kay by me if made the playoffs in the interim: but we spoil it by apparently being content with paying for the D upgrade by weakening our F to the same extent

There’s never been a recent roster I looked at and thought had no chance at making the playoffs - in fact I predicted it on a limb a couple times - but I think it’s clear our now very unique situation probably requires, but undoubtedly *deserves*, an approach far more significant than “well maybe, if everything goes right” 

We could make the playoffs next season and while id be ecstatic I wouldn’t view his approach, should there be nothing more of significance, as a good one even in hindsight: I think the fact we’ve utilized it to awful results so many times previous will proves that a reasonable sentiment 

we might make it - but we’ll need to get quite lucky 

Edited 11 hours ago by Thorny

[7+6=13]

2 hours ago, Taro T said:

NO HE CAN'T.

The CBA EXPRESSLY disallows it.  The CBA prior to this one, the one from 2005 disallowed it.  The 2020 MOU to the 2012 CBA disallows it.  The 2025 MOU to the 2020 MOU to the 2012 CBA disallows it.

Renegotiation HAS NOT BEEN ALLOWED FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS AT THIS POINT IN TIME.  But sure, the NHLPA will go against what THEY HAVE NEGOTIATED into practice for the past TWENTY YEARS.  Suuuuuuuurrrrre they will.

He CAN sit out.  And lose money.  It ends up in the team's court whether he just rots or if they void the contract.  But HE has NO WAY to force them to let him out of his contract.  If the team decides to suspend him, he doesn't get paid and he doesn't end up costing them cap space because he isn't earning any money.  So again, HE CAN'T JUST DEMAND A RENEGOTIATION.

Your knowledge of the rules and how to translate them is actually quite impressive and appreciated.

[...]

1 hour ago, Two or less said:

 

Wasn't this a point of emphasis last summer too? Guys were saying they must be in top shape because it'll no longer be Donny's camp, but Lindy's and then later in the season we heard all about how players came in not in the best "game shape". What makes anyone think this year will be any different? 

Many people get stuck in the valleys of their lives. With the Sabres, believe or no, we're not talking about average people, we're talking about competitors at the highest level. The players can decide to collectively walk up the hill, despite the foibles of the organization, just to see what the view is like from the ridge line, even if only for a season.

Edited 11 hours ago by ...
smell the flowers

[Broken Ankles]

6 hours ago, Thorny said:

Like, i like how your reading of this “overly negative.” It’s measured.

Highlighted the McLeod bit because that’s just one topic I’m frequently positive about 

frankly I’m slightly disappointed in myself I’m taking the time to detail this - you are absolutely right: I care about what others think way too much. But I care about my rep here even through it’s pretty damn clear from Inky’s post that no one is really reads my takes or gives them the time of day. Not that anyone should - absolutely do not get me wrong - but it’s the same with the sabres, like I always say: if I am sticking around for them, now, at this point, there’s really no one to blame for it but myself, you basically do have to be a glutton for punishment. If I’m posting as much as I do and it’s going out the window, it’s on me for keeping at it.

[Thorny]

3 minutes ago, Broken Ankles said:

And maybe I seem a bit confused
Yeah maybe, but I got you pegged!
Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha!

[K-9]

7 hours ago, Thorny said:

And maybe I seem a bit confused
Yeah maybe, but I got you pegged!
Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha!

[JohnC]

9 hours ago, Thorny said:

It’s a good point - It does seem to most mirror the feeling of having Tuch locked up to such a good contract and Tage in his prime firing on all cylinders not to mention Dahlin…the, damn we *really* could have something here but we are wasting it being comfortable with maybes and hopes in the now, in exchange for a future thst never seems to arrive.

The D could be really quite good - retaining Byram at that price and even losing him yo UFA is a-oh-kay by me if made the playoffs in the interim: but we spoil it by apparently being content with paying for the D upgrade by weakening our F to the same extent

There’s never been a recent roster I looked at and thought had no chance at making the playoffs - in fact I predicted it on a limb a couple times - but I think it’s clear our now very unique situation probably requires, but undoubtedly *deserves*, an approach far more significant than “well maybe, if everything goes right” 

We could make the playoffs next season and while id be ecstatic I wouldn’t view his approach, should there be nothing more of significance, as a good one even in hindsight: I think the fact we’ve utilized it to awful results so many times previous will proves that a reasonable sentiment 

we might make it - but we’ll need to get quite lucky 

It seems that our blue line unit has improved. The issue that overshadows everything else is the play of our goalies. Will UPL continue to flail, or will he play a calmer and more disciplined game with a better D in front of him? Will Lyons be a sufficient #2 or even #1 if UPL doesn't regain the promising form he had a couple of years ago. That's where my attention is going to be when the season starts. If that position isn't stabilized, the season will be sunk before we get to the halfway point. And then you are going to see an internal revolt by our best players who will start the "get me out of here" chorus that have been heard before.  

This is where I'm at. It's an unsettling situation to be in. But it is not a surprise that when the organization is rickety, the foundation is vulnerable. When your mentality is not based on getting better but rather of getting by, you end up always hovering around the fringes.  

[WhenWillItEnd66]

Ok, going to try and use a bit of optimism. Dahls and Byram were one of the top 10 defensive pairings when they were together last year 5 on 5. They were top 5 in most advanced statistics! If Timmons and Kesselring improve over their replacements, our defense could be a plus for this team. We know the Sabres can score. Even with JJ gone, those goals could be made up with the current team as is. I think we are sneakily a better team based on the moves that were made and KEEPING Byram. The question is can they keep up with the rest and make the playoffs with what they have. I truly believe they can if the defense plays to its potential. Dahlin and Byram make the goalie play a lot better when they are on the ice. If the other 2 pairings can do that i think our netminding is better this year!