Next Season’s Big Challenge

[K-9]

Now that the Sabres won the division, ended the drought and went to a game 7 in round two, they will be introduced to a new kind of pressure; that of entering next season under the weight of highly raised expectations. For a young team especially, that can be a helluva challenge. Here’s to hoping they embrace that challenge and make it work for them. Much like the ‘06-‘07 team did after going to the conference finals the previous season. 

[PromoTheRobot]

The challenge is to not go full Tim Murray and trade away all our picks and prospects for magic beans.

[OverPowerYou]

5 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

The challenge is to not go full Tim Murray and trade away all our picks and prospects for magic beans.

I disagree. We have the youth and the talent. Go all in 

[Taro T]

Just now, PromoTheRobot said:

The challenge is to not go full Tim Murray and trade away all our picks and prospects for magic beans.

True.  But so far the new management team hasn't done that though they were close to a deal on both Thomas and Parayko.  Kekalainen and crew had a price they were willing to pay for those guys and when the price didn't come down from where it was at, he moved on, at least for now.  (Still wouldn't be surprised to see Thomas in the proper Blue & Gold rather than the version he currently wears when the next season starts.)

The only things that were given up that had any legit value was a 2nd round pick and Rosen and personally don't believe Rosen had much value.  Carrick was absolutely worth what was paid.  Until Jarmo shows that he's going to be reckless, will give him and his staff the benefit of the doubt that they won't be.  He has a lot of parts to work with; he's come into a good situation, some judicious signings, re-signings, and trades could keep them in their current spot even if they can't finally solve the GTing riddle.

Personally see the BIG challenge being to figure out what to do between the pipes.  They have 4 unproven guys in house, each with flaws, and 3 of which are still young enough that we don't necessarily know what they are/can be.

Getting THAT right sets them up to contend for the division at a minimum and to be a consistent SC contender at best for the next half dozen years at least.  Get it wrong, and they could become this decade's Winnipeg Jets (though the thing the Jets got right was the GTing; it was the rest of the puzzle they've had issues with solving).

[sabrefanday1]

No do not trade away prospects...draft picks yes if it is the right trade but hang onto our prospects. They are our future...

[K-9]

If Helenius or Östlund were part of past trade discussions, I doubt they are still on the table now. 

[PromoTheRobot]

9 minutes ago, Taro T said:

True.  But so far the new management team hasn't done that though they were close to a deal on both Thomas and Parayko.  Kekalainen and crew had a price they were willing to pay for those guys and when the price didn't come down from where it was at, he moved on, at least for now.  (Still wouldn't be surprised to see Thomas in the proper Blue & Gold rather than the version he currently wears when the next season starts.)

The only things that were given up that had any legit value was a 2nd round pick and Rosen and personally don't believe Rosen had much value.  Carrick was absolutely worth what was paid.  Until Jarmo shows that he's going to be reckless, will give him and his staff the benefit of the doubt that they won't be.  He has a lot of parts to work with; he's come into a good situation, some judicious signings, re-signings, and trades could keep them in their current spot even if they can't finally solve the GTing riddle.

Personally see the BIG challenge being to figure out what to do between the pipes.  They have 4 unproven guys in house, each with flaws, and 3 of which are still young enough that we don't necessarily know what they are/can be.

Getting THAT right sets them up to contend for the division at a minimum and to be a consistent SC contender at best for the next half dozen years at least.  Get it wrong, and they could become this decade's Winnipeg Jets (though the thing the Jets got right was the GTing; it was the rest of the puzzle they've had issues with solving).

He was giving up Mrtka too.

[SabreFinn]

That is why I would prefer few changes to the line-up. They made an incredible run from December until yesterday, but the Atlantic will be just as tough next season and there are no guarantees we can do the same next season if they start struggling. Next season with a tight cap situation will be a big challenge and a failure during regular season might put us back close to where we came from. And yes, I find it very promising what Helenius showed us in playoffs, but can he be a consistant point producer in the NHL? And yes, I love Östlunds play making, he is a favorite of mine, but I am still not convinced that he can stay healthy long enough to be someone we can rely on. We have two goalies that played very good in a rotating system, and I am convinced they can take the team to playoff again. And honestly, for next season, that is all I ask for, to prevent a sort of sophomore slump.

[#freejame]

5 minutes ago, K-9 said:

If Helenius or Östlund were part of past trade discussions, I doubt they are still on the table now. 

I would have traded Östlund at the deadline for Thomas and I would still trade him now (albeit hopefully for a little bit more return).

[Taro T]

9 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

He was giving up Mrtka too.

So?

Mrkta is at least 4 if not 5 or 6 years from making the Sabres and likely is 2 more years away from being "useful."  Lots of opportunities between now and then to replace that potential.  And if they had Parayko, they have a very good chance of at least geting to the 3rd round and maybe even the SC this season.

If Helenius or Östlund go out the door, will be unhappy unless the return is something TRULY special.

Moving a piece that won't help for 1/2 a decade or more; am much more amenable towards.

[BullBuchanan]

3 minutes ago, #freejame said:

I would have traded Östlund at the deadline for Thomas and I would still trade him now (albeit hopefully for a little bit more return).

I wouldn't. The hope is Östlund is just as good and a lot cheaper.

I'd be open to moving Norris, Quinn, Kulich, whatever roster players and AHL guys they want + picks.

[shrader]

12 minutes ago, K-9 said:

If Helenius or Östlund were part of past trade discussions, I doubt they are still on the table now. 

I hate saying it given the team’s reluctance to move prospects in the past, but I kind of hope all three of the young centers (Kulich) are here next year.  The two have delivered on the big stage and Kulich was ahead of both of them. But then again, we once thought Gragnani had a future based on a couple playoff games. Still, this was performance at a prime position these last couple weeks. I really don’t know what to think. 

[darksabre]

I'm not expecting a ton of changes to the roster beyond Tuch walking.

They'll need to cover his production with some younger players moving up and maybe an addition from outside. 

We certainly don't want them to stand pat, but I wouldn't expect anything too aggressive either.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is not overreact. 

[Taro T]

23 minutes ago, sabrefanday1 said:

No do not trade away prospects...draft picks yes if it is the right trade but hang onto our prospects. They are our future...

What are you defining as a prospect and how hard and fast is your rule?

If the Eulers say McDavid is available but he'll cost Helenius as part of the package, do you honestly say no?

[Weave]

32 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

The challenge is to not go full Tim Murray and trade away all our picks and prospects for magic beans.

The hell??  Picks are the definition of Magic beans. TM moved unknowns for knowns.  You can question his evaluation of known talents, but calling his acquisition of known, established players “magic beans” makes me wonder if you broke any bones stretching to make a point that isn’t makeable.

[Gatorman0519]

Florida will be rested and healthy. Several teams on the rise. No guarantee we get back. 

[BullBuchanan]

Just now, Taro T said:

So?

Mrkta is at least 4 if not 5 or 6 years from making the Sabres and likely is 2 more years away from being "useful."  Lots of opportunities between now and then to replace that potential.  And if they had Parayko, they have a very good chance of at least geting to the 3rd round and maybe even the SC this season.

If Helenius or Östlund go out the door, will be unhappy unless the return is something TRULY special.

Moving a piece that won't help for 1/2 a decade or more; am much more amenable towards.

Mrtka could start playing minutes for us next year and be a full timer the year after if it goes well. 

The amount of money we spend on defense is insane, and we're not getting meaningful returns. We need to bring the cost down and shuffle that room.

[BullBuchanan]

2 minutes ago, Taro T said:

What are you defining as a prospect and how hard and fast is your rule?

If the Eulers say McDavid is available but he'll cost Helenius as part of the package, do you honestly say no?

The second Helenius stepped on the ice, he looked like the most dangerous player on the team. Given that he'll be playing for nothing for 2 years and you have the chance to lock him up long term on a very team friendly deal, no amount of veteran talent could compensate for that kind of value. He may very well become one of the best players in the league in his own right.

Helenius, Benson, Dahlin are untouchable. Any one else can go for the right price.

[zow2]

3 minutes ago, Gatorman0519 said:

Florida will be rested and healthy. Several teams on the rise. No guarantee we get back. 

Feels like Montreal is the hockey version of the Kansas City Chiefs vs Bills.   The Sabres are young, fast and have decent goaltending.   The Canadians are younger, faster and have better goaltending, plus a very good relatively young coach. They win a ton of one goal games and OT games.  

[oddoublee]

55 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

The challenge is to not go full Tim Murray and trade away all our picks and prospects for magic beans.

Mmmmmmm....magic beans

[Wyldnwoody44]

But, to be fair....maybe next October we come out of the gate playing better and don't need this crazy heroic run like we just had. 

We were objectively terrible for the first 8ish weeks. 

I don't see that happening next season. 

[inkman]

51 minutes ago, BullBuchanan said:

I wouldn't. The hope is Östlund is just as good and a lot cheaper.

I'd be open to moving Norris, Quinn, Kulich, whatever roster players and AHL guys they want + picks.

What prospects are in Rochester minus Levi? 

[TageMVP]

44 minutes ago, BullBuchanan said:

The second Helenius stepped on the ice, he looked like the most dangerous player on the team. Given that he'll be playing for nothing for 2 years and you have the chance to lock him up long term on a very team friendly deal, no amount of veteran talent could compensate for that kind of value. He may very well become one of the best players in the league in his own right.

Helenius, Benson, Dahlin are untouchable. Any one else can go for the right price.

Plus he's the only guy who seems to shoot first instead of some stupid extra dangle or low percentage pass 

[inkman]

1 hour ago, sabrefanday1 said:

No do not trade away prospects...draft picks yes if it is the right trade but hang onto our prospects. They are our future...

If you aren't counting Helenius & Östlund as prospects, what prospects are you overly concerned about losing? Almost all of them top out at bottom of the roster players. All of our high 1st round picks have graduated minus Mrtka and he's not surpassing any of the top 4. Unless you are moving Byram or Power, there won't be much room for Mrtka.  I like Zeimer & Bedkowski but they aren't top end talent. 

[Broken Ankles]

39 minutes ago, oddoublee said:

Mmmmmmm....magic beans