Sadly, Jarmo's offseason gameplan.

[GASabresIUFAN]

32 minutes ago, Trettioåtta said:

Philipp Kurashev at age 25 was coming off a 25 point season. He was awarded $2.25M - the equivalent to $2.8M in next years cap. Assume a linear scale for points (a very ropey assumption), and that puts Krebs deal at 1 year $4.48M. I think this is below the walkaway amount, and most cases don't go to arbitration, but I still think he is more expensive than expected - even if replaceable in your view

So I said 3 x 4.25 and your scale says 1 x 4.5.   Sounds like a bargain at my contract level.  Remember Krebs has paid his dues and was supposed to be a skilled playmaker coming out of juniors.  He also meshes well with Tuch and Tage.   Chemistry is important.  

[Punch]

There's a sadness to this topic, knowing we're going to lose a few of these guys and its gonna hurt. Especially after this incredible run. 

Cognitive dissonance...

[Porous Five Hole]

Just now, Punch said:

There's a sadness to this topic, knowing we're going to lose a few of these guys and its gonna hurt. Especially after this incredible run. 

Cognitive dissonance...

Benny is a dawg we will ride or die with for years to come. Mal is a guy who brings heart and soul that is measurable & helpful. Krebs is a hard working JAG. Cognitive dissonance be damned…One of things is not like the other 😎

[Punch]

8 minutes ago, Porous Five Hole said:

Benny is a dawg we will ride or die with for years to come. Mal is a guy who brings heart and soul that is measurable & helpful. Krebs is a hard working JAG. Cognitive dissonance be damned…One of things is not like the other 😎

Caring about players and becoming attached regardless of their role or station isn't unusual. As soon as I become calloused enough to not care, its probably a sign I'm no longer really a fan of the team.

I understand what you're getting at, this is just my personal view, ymmv.

[GASabresIUFAN]

24 minutes ago, Punch said:

There's a sadness to this topic, knowing we're going to lose a few of these guys and its gonna hurt. Especially after this incredible run. 

Cognitive dissonance...

But we could actually get better as aging players get replaced by younger players with more upside

[Punch]

3 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

But we could actually get better as aging players get replaced by younger players with more upside

We could absolutely get better, it may even be the more likely outcome. 

[Ogelthorpe]

Not in any scenario do I give Tuch close to 10 mil per year. Krebs has arguably been the best player on the 1st line in the playoffs.  

[nfreeman]

16 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I know people may not like this idea, but I'm moving on from McLeod and inserting Östlund in his job, saving $4+ million to help pay for Tuch.  I honestly don't think Norris is tradeable.  I'm also inserting Kulich for Zucker and saving $3+ there.

My thought on Benny is that he won't want to sign long-term until he is a 60 pt player in 2 years.

I think there is zero possibility that they move on from McLeod.  He’s a very good 2-way center who had a terrific season and he’s a big part of their roster.

I would also be very surprised if Zucker isn’t back.

I don’t think we can count on Kulich returning and I don’t think Jarmo is counting on it.

I’d be happy for them to extend Benson long term but I kinda expect a bridge deal because he’s something like 6 years from UFA.

I think unloading Norris and Greenway is the logical path for them to extend Tuch and Byram.

 

[triumph_communes]

I think we trade Power if we sign Tuch

[LGR4GM]

2 hours ago, nfreeman said:

I think there is zero possibility that they move on from McLeod.  He’s a very good 2-way center who had a terrific season and he’s a big part of their roster.

I would also be very surprised if Zucker isn’t back.

I don’t think we can count on Kulich returning and I don’t think Jarmo is counting on it.

I’d be happy for them to extend Benson long term but I kinda expect a bridge deal because he’s something like 6 years from UFA.

I think unloading Norris and Greenway is the logical path for them to extend Tuch and Byram.

 

Zach Benson is only 4yrs from ufa. He'll be a ufa at age 25 because he'll have enough accrued seasons. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

3 hours ago, nfreeman said:

I think there is zero possibility that they move on from McLeod.  He’s a very good 2-way center who had a terrific season and he’s a big part of their roster.

I would also be very surprised if Zucker isn’t back.

I don’t think we can count on Kulich returning and I don’t think Jarmo is counting on it.

I’d be happy for them to extend Benson long term but I kinda expect a bridge deal because he’s something like 6 years from UFA.

I think unloading Norris and Greenway is the logical path for them to extend Tuch and Byram.

 

No one is taking an $8 mill player who only plays 47 games a season over his 6 year career and only played 44 games this past season. We are stuck with him until he proves he can stay healthy.  

Greenway is a way overpaid 4th liner with a long injury history, (averaged only 53 games a year over the last 6 years and played only 40 this season),  as well as almost no offensive production.  He also has a M-NTC.  Good luck moving him either.  

McLeod also has a M-NTC and is on a fairly reasonable contract.  His play has suffered in the second half of the season and he hasn’t been great  in the playoffs.  Still he is a reasonably productive player.  To make a trade you have to give up something someone may actually want.

Given that Östlund is proving to be a capable center and we have Carrick signed for another season to take McLeod’s place on the PK, McLeod is expendable.

Edited May 8 by GASabresIUFAN

[tom webster]

19 hours ago, dudacek said:

I know that I am among the worst offenders on Sabrespace when it comes to playing armchair GM.

So it is weird to say that I have no interest whatsoever in this conversation right now.

It’s unbelievable to be in May and only be caring about what’s happening on the ice.

I’m with you. I’ll tackle this after the season.  Most of the capology in here is wrong. They can keep everyone they need to. For one Krebs isn’t getting over $4M. What he brings to the table doesn’t translate into arbitration dollars.

[tom webster]

4 hours ago, nfreeman said:

I think there is zero possibility that they move on from McLeod.  He’s a very good 2-way center who had a terrific season and he’s a big part of their roster.

I would also be very surprised if Zucker isn’t back.

I don’t think we can count on Kulich returning and I don’t think Jarmo is counting on it.

I’d be happy for them to extend Benson long term but I kinda expect a bridge deal because he’s something like 6 years from UFA.

I think unloading Norris and Greenway is the logical path for them to extend Tuch and Byram.

 

They don’t even have to unload Norris. Greenway is the only necessity annd probably Beck. Anyone else will only be moved if it’s an upgrade.

I am sorry. I have a lot of respect for some of the posters in here and their knowledge but trading one of the league’s best 2/3 center who is on a great team friendly contract is utter nonsense.

[The Jokeman]

22 hours ago, _Q_ said:

I agree with the McLeod for Östlund swap.  I would also move whomever of UPL, Ellis or Levi Jarmo feels has the lowest ceiling.

UPL is good as gone unless he comes back in the playoffs. I'm also okay moving on from Levi. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

46 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

UPL is good as gone unless he comes back in the playoffs. I'm also okay moving on from Levi. 

That’s easy to say, but how confident are you that Lyon can repeat this level play and that Ellis is ready to be a full time NHL backup? 
 

I’m actually pretty confident in Ellis, but as much as I love what Lyon is doing this season, I think he is best in a 1a/1b situation vs being a real no. 1. 

[inkman]

4 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

No one is taking an $8 mill player who only plays 47 games a season over his 6 year career and only played 44 games this past season. We are stuck with him until he proves he can stay healthy.  

Greenway is a way overpaid 4th liner with a long injury history, (averaged only 53 games a year over the last 6 years and played only 40 this season),  as well as almost no offensive production.  He also has a M-NTC.  Good luck moving him either.  

McLeod also has a M-NTC and is on a fairly reasonable contract.  His play has suffered in the second half of the season and he hasn’t been great  in the playoffs.  Still he is a reasonably productive player.  To make a trade you have to give up something someone may actually want.

Given that Östlund is proving to be a capable center and we have Carrick signed for another season to take McLeod’s place on the PK, McLeod is expendable.

 

https://forums.hfboards.com/threads/norris-held-up-the-thomas-to-buffalo-deal.3025043/

[inkman]

On 5/7/2026 at 11:56 AM, GASabresIUFAN said:

I know people may not like this idea, but I'm moving on from McLeod and inserting Östlund in his job, saving $4+ million to help pay for Tuch.  I honestly don't think Norris is tradeable.  I'm also inserting Kulich for Zucker and saving $3+ there.

My thought on Benny is that he won't want to sign long-term until he is a 60 pt player in 2 years.

You are seriously discounting what the veteran presence of McLeod & Zucker bring to the table. I like Östlund and Helenius as much as the next guy but the reason the drought lasted as long as it did was the continued propagation of kids into large roles in the lineup. They weren't ready for the responsibility.  

[GASabresIUFAN]

32 minutes ago, inkman said:

You are seriously discounting what the veteran presence of McLeod & Zucker bring to the table. I like Östlund and Helenius as much as the next guy but the reason the drought lasted as long as it did was the continued propagation of kids into large roles in the lineup. They weren't ready for the responsibility.  

It’s not a matter of what I want, but what the salary cap issues demand if we re-sign Tuch.  The math is the math.  If we re-sign Tuch, Krebs, Malenstyn, and Benson, a couple current players will need to be moved.  If you don’t want to re-sign Tuch, that changes the conversation.

FYI: stats in the playoffs this season

Tuch 7 gp 4g, 3a

Zucker 7 gp 0g 1a

McLeod 7 gp 1g 2a

Östlund 3gp 1g 1a

Krebs 7 gp  2g 4a

Edited May 8 by GASabresIUFAN

[inkman]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

It’s not a matter of what I want, but what the salary cap issues demand if we re-sign Tuch.  The math is the math.  If we re-sign Tuch, Krebs, Malenstyn, and Benson, a couple current players will need to be moved.  If you don’t want to re-sign Tuch, that changes the conversation.

FYI: stats in the playoffs this season

Tuch 7 gp 4g, 3a

Zucker 7 gp 0g 1a

McLeod 7 gp 1g 2a

Östlund 3gp 1g 1a

Krebs 7 gp  2g 4a

I think much of this discussion depends on the outcome of this season.  Sabres win a cup? I could see them parting ways with 89. Any other outcome? The Sabres will most likely bring back everyone they can with some tweakage. I still think they could move Norris if they really need to. 

[eball]

Something like this, I'd imagine...

 

[TageMVP]

Krebs' next contract will be with another team 

Sorry Krebs fans 

[GASabresIUFAN]

34 minutes ago, TageMVP said:

Krebs' next contract will be with another team 

Sorry Krebs fans 

It’s certainly possible, but I doubt it unless his contract demands are crazy.  That said, of all our UFAs and RFAs only Benson is guaranteed to be back next season.  

[The Jokeman]

4 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

That’s easy to say, but how confident are you that Lyon can repeat this level play and that Ellis is ready to be a full time NHL backup? 
 

I’m actually pretty confident in Ellis, but as much as I love what Lyon is doing this season, I think he is best in a 1a/1b situation vs being a real no. 1. 

It's a matter of cap. Don't get me wrong but UPL just isn't a long term solution and think Levi has regressed.

[tom webster]

9 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

No one is taking an $8 mill player who only plays 47 games a season over his 6 year career and only played 44 games this past season. We are stuck with him until he proves he can stay healthy.  

Greenway is a way overpaid 4th liner with a long injury history, (averaged only 53 games a year over the last 6 years and played only 40 this season),  as well as almost no offensive production.  He also has a M-NTC.  Good luck moving him either.  

McLeod also has a M-NTC and is on a fairly reasonable contract.  His play has suffered in the second half of the season and he hasn’t been great  in the playoffs.  Still he is a reasonably productive player.  To make a trade you have to give up something someone may actually want.

Given that Östlund is proving to be a capable center and we have Carrick signed for another season to take McLeod’s place on the PK, McLeod is expendable.

Two things;

1)Jarmo is a big fan of Norris and reportedly walked away from Thomas trade because St Louis wanted Norris.

2) A by/product of the ever increasing cap is that there will be teams struggling to get to the floor and we have plenty of middling prospects we can sweeten the deal with.

3) If we are a cap team, we can just put him on LTIR.

Again, a problem that really doesn’t exist

[Carmel Corn]

Krebs is the most easily replaceable of the three, so therefore he is the lowest priority and least worth overpaying for.