Dreger says Robert Thomas’ Name is out there. What Would You Give?

[Flashsabre]

26 year old number 1 centre. Plays a 200 foot game and plays PP, PK. Plays a Jarmo type of game.

$8.13 million for 4 years after this season. Just got put  on IR for a couple weeks.

Would be a huge get. I would imagine they want picks, young players.

Sabres have a lot to offer. I would offer them to pick a package from:

-Kulich (when healthy)

-Rosen 
-Helenuis

-Mrtka, Kleber, Johnson

26 first, 27 first

-give them Ellis back

Let them pick two to three players and a pick.

Would have to move money out but if Thomas is available I think he would be a great fit.

 

Kulich, Rosen, Ellis and a First would be a solid offer. Would even do Kulich, Mrtka. Ellis and a first.  Thomas would really set them up for sustained success.

Edited January 17 by Flashsabre

[Stads]

Out for the next two weeks

[Flashsabre]

1 minute ago, Stads said:

Out for the next two weeks

Yep but back well before the trade deadline

[Stads]

1 minute ago, Flashsabre said:

Yep but back well before the trade deadline

Oh sorry. Didn't realize you had referenced his IR stint. I would like to keep Mrtka if at all possible

 

[PerreaultForever]

Kulich, Quinn and a first. Done and they will sayt we overpaid but we will be in the playoffs. 

[Archie Lee]

4 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

Kulich, Quinn and a first. Done and they will sayt we overpaid but we will be in the playoffs. 

I don't think that would get it done.  I'm sure St. Louis is aware of the shortcomings in Quinn's game. Kulich is a huge question mark health-wise.  The Sabres's 1st round pick is trending to being in the 20's. Multiple teams would beat that, I think.

[PromoTheRobot]

26 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

26 year old number 1 centre. Plays a 200 foot game and plays PP, PK. Plays a Jarmo type of game.

$8.13 million for 4 years after this season. Just got put  on IR for a couple weeks.

Would be a huge get. I would imagine they want picks, young players.

Sabres have a lot to offer. I would offer them to pick a package from:

-Kulich (when healthy)

-Rosen 
-Helenuis

-Mrtka, Kleber, Johnson

26 first, 27 first

-give them Ellis back

Let them pick two to three players and a pick.

Would have to move money out but if Thomas is available I think he would be a great fit.

 

Kulich, Rosen, Ellis and a First would be a solid offer. Would even do Kulich, Mrtka. Ellis and a first.  Thomas would really set them up for sustained success.

Not Mrtka or Helenius. The rest are fine.

[GASabresIUFAN]

It’s actually five years at 8.125 and he has a full NTC for the next 4 years after this season.  He controls where he goes.

He has size and is the playmaker we need.  Has the recent return to respectability changed whether someone like Thomas would waive his NTC to come here? 

What would a deal look like?  Östlund, Kesselring and a first? Would you move Power or Byram in a more hockey type trade?  

Assuming Kesselring gets healthy and starts to play well, would you trade Power for Thomas, and then move Quinn for a physical stay at home D that can play with Byram?  I know many here are don’t trade Power under any circumstances, but we are desperate for top 6 playmaker and Power right now is our 3rd best pick moving D.  
 

EDIT: I don’t think St. Louis would want Power or Bryam given the money they have tied up in Broberg, Faulk, Fowler and Parayko unless they can move Faulk. 

Edited January 17 by GASabresIUFAN

[Sabres73]

I'm not giving up Helenius or Mrtka in any deal.

[Flashsabre]

35 minutes ago, Sabres73 said:

I'm not giving up Helenius or Mrtka in any deal.

Thomas is what you hope Helenuis develops into in 4 or 5 years.

Sabres have a lot of pieces. Who knows what St. Louis would want

[Big Guava]

I would rather get Kyrou.

Edited January 17 by Big Guava

[TageMVP]

Great idea, agree with OP 100% 

Especially since Norris is hurt and can get hurt at any time for any length. Norris has turned more into a facilitater rather than a goal scorer, which is fine. We probably have enough pure goal scores/shooters, Thomas would add a different dynamic at the center position. You can never have enough centers on your team. 

I instantly put him on the first line with Tage. I know the lines are working and the Sabres are playing well, but I wouldn't mind seeing the traditional first line that most teams use. (I'd still keep the lines the same right now if it ain't broke dont fix it.) Tage, Thomas, Tuch. Nice line. Tage is better suited as a winger he's a shoot first goal scorer. Give him Thomas or an Adam Oates type and he may be able to unlock even more, 50 goals is always in reach for Tage which is remarkable considering the types of linemates hes had 

As far as who I trade, and I'm not sure what would get it done, any of Kulich, Power, Quinn, 1st round picks, prospects, I would be fine with trading. I don't even remotely care about overpaying 

[Scottysabres]

As the man in the video asked, why is he available? That is a question I’d like the answer to. Thomas produces 2nd line goal numbers, his assists are high, he produces and he’s in his prime years window. So why is he available?

Before getting shiny new toy syndrome, step back and ask why he’s available.

Another aspect of any trade is this teams current play. I’m not saying not to make a move to improve them, but don’t gut the team of assets to do so. Also money in s money out scenario for this team, not just this season, but do not forget our cap will be near 6.5 mil short next season because of the Skinner buyout. We have players to sign yet.

I’m intrigued, but conservatively so.

 

Edited January 17 by Scottysabres

[nfreeman]

Sure, but I think Kulich, Rosen and Ellis have very little trade value and Quinn only a little more.  To get Thomas you’re gonna have to give up something that will hurt.

[Doohickie]

1 hour ago, Archie Lee said:

St. Louis is aware of the shortcomings in Quinn's game.

His shortcomings are dwindling.  He's playing a more complete game, can play PK, has improved his backchecking, is doing better in wall battles.  And oh yeah he can score.  I think Sabrespace needs a whipping boy and this season it's Quinn.  He's a pretty decent player and still has upside I think.

[Pimlach]

2 hours ago, Flashsabre said:

26 year old number 1 centre. Plays a 200 foot game and plays PP, PK. Plays a Jarmo type of game.

$8.13 million for 4 years after this season. Just got put  on IR for a couple weeks.

Would be a huge get. I would imagine they want picks, young players.

Sabres have a lot to offer. I would offer them to pick a package from:

-Kulich (when healthy)

-Rosen 
-Helenuis

-Mrtka, Kleber, Johnson

26 first, 27 first

-give them Ellis back

Let them pick two to three players and a pick.

Would have to move money out but if Thomas is available I think he would be a great fit.

 

Kulich, Rosen, Ellis and a First would be a solid offer. Would even do Kulich, Mrtka. Ellis and a first.  Thomas would really set them up for sustained success.

2 or 3 players and a pick, that is 4 assets?   He isn’t Eichel.   You don’t let them pick.  You offer the right value. 

[LGR4GM]

Making the money work is the hard part. It would require a parallel move and would mean you're not re-signing Tuch (don't have to trade him but without roster surgery, he won't be back July 1).

[Pimlach]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

It’s actually five years at 8.125 and he has a full NTC for the next 4 years after this season.  He controls where he goes.

He has size and is the playmaker we need.  Has the recent return to respectability changed whether someone like Thomas would waive his NTC to come here? 

What would a deal look like?  Östlund, Kesselring and a first? Would you move Power or Byram in a more hockey type trade?  

Assuming Kesselring gets healthy and starts to play well, would you trade Power for Thomas, and then move Quinn for a physical stay at home D that can play with Byram?  I know many here are don’t trade Power under any circumstances, but we are desperate for top 6 playmaker and Power right now is our 3rd best pick moving D.  
 

EDIT: I don’t think St. Louis would want Power or Bryam given the money they have tied up in Broberg, Faulk, Fowler and Parayko unless they can move Faulk. 

Thomas and Tage were friends.  He would come to Buffalo.  The Blues would probably like Byram, they would move out what is needed too to fit Byram in for sure. 

Byram straight up for Thomas.  No need to offer more 

[PerreaultForever]

2 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

I don't think that would get it done.  I'm sure St. Louis is aware of the shortcomings in Quinn's game. Kulich is a huge question mark health-wise.  The Sabres's 1st round pick is trending to being in the 20's. Multiple teams would beat that, I think.

Throw in Greenway and Ellis. One would assume they get medical reports on Kulich being able to play at least next year if not sooner.

[elijah]

I’d start at Kulich + Quinn + Ellis + 1st and I’d go as far as Kulich + Östlund + Rosen + 1st. Östlund could be interchangeable with Helenius or Mrtka.

Benson, Doan, Power, Byram, Tuch, McLeod, etc. are all no go’s in this trade for me. 

Essentially any combination of 4 prospects/rookies/picks I would move for him, and I’m not sure it would even take that much. That being said, I’m out on any current significant contributing pieces.

We’ve been overloaded on youth for a decade now, we finally have a chance to make the playoffs and possibly go further than that, with suddenly a lot of depth and a loaded system. Use it properly Jarmo, and a trade for Robert Thomas I would say is using it properly. 

I think a major part of the value in Thomas that hasn’t been discussed is his contract. A point per game center, or worst case 65-70 point per 82 center on an $8M/yr contract is going to be infinitely valuable as the cap rises. Guys like him are going to be getting paid $12M-$15M in the next 2-3 years. Having him at $8M would be an incredible contract that will work wonders for the cap space down the line, the same benefit we’re seeing in the Tage and Samuelsson contracts right now. 

Very minimal negativity and a lot of positive to a deal for him, do what it takes to get it done imo. 

[PerreaultForever]

24 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

His shortcomings are dwindling.  He's playing a more complete game, can play PK, has improved his backchecking, is doing better in wall battles.  And oh yeah he can score.  I think Sabrespace needs a whipping boy and this season it's Quinn.  He's a pretty decent player and still has upside I think.

No I don't think he's a whipping boy, it's just that the flaws in his game stand out even more when all the other guys around him are buying in and being less flawed. Östlund makes him irrelevant. 

[elijah]

4 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Making the money work is the hard part. It would require a parallel move and would mean you're not re-signing Tuch (don't have to trade him but without roster surgery, he won't be back July 1).

Greenway and Quinn alone come pretty close to making it work, no? And in exchanging them two (even if it’s a second trade) for Thomas, they also clear salary next year meaning it wouldn’t necessarily effect the Tuch contract. 

I was sold on Jarmo being aggressive, now let me see that it’s real 

[PerreaultForever]

1 minute ago, elijah said:

Greenway and Quinn alone come pretty close to making it work, no? And in exchanging them two (even if it’s a second trade) for Thomas, they also clear salary next year meaning it wouldn’t necessarily effect the Tuch contract. 

I was sold on Jarmo being aggressive, now let me see that it’s real 

You are seriously over valuing those two players. I'm not sure you can even move Greenway's contract but maybe. 

[elijah]

Just now, PerreaultForever said:

You are seriously over valuing those two players. I'm not sure you can even move Greenway's contract but maybe. 

I’m not suggesting using them as part of a Thomas trade, Quinn maybe but Greenway certainly not. 

Quinn could make sense, a very low floor but high ceiling cap dump that is necessary for our cap space to make it work. If we’re going to do this deal you have to take Quinn back as one of the pieces type of thing. 

Greenway is damn near valueless, I was more suggesting to get creative with him and his contract to make it work. Send a tanking team Greenway and a 3rd round pick for future considerations to take on his cap if necessary. 

[LGR4GM]

You can do both, but I'm more inclined to add to the defense currently. Thomas is an idea I like, I'm just fuzzy how we get there. 

Moving Greenway in any deal is tricky. Maybe a team like Chicago that wants to clear the cap floor next year would take him? I think he's got some intangibles that are valuable to Sabres as well. 

Quinn is the odd man out because there are replacements in the pipe for him and the cap relief. I could see him as interesting to St Louis is a part of a package. 

Glad Kekäläinen has to figure this out and not me. 

Edited January 17 by LGR4GM