If you were Jarmo, what is the most you would part with in trade for Hellebuyck?

[Archie Lee]

5 hours ago, Scottysabres said:

Is there a true #1 center available?

Because right now, as we sit here conversing on bettering the team, I can state with 100% confidence that a true #1 goalie is available, and not merely any run-of-the-mill #1 goalie, but the generally accepted by just about everyone, best goalie in the world.

I am solidly on board now with going to get him, as to where prior to last night I was like, our netminders will do. Yes it’s only 1 game, but our net minders won’t do, go get Hellebuyck. My brainwaves on display is all.

As was pointed out in the recent Athletic article projecting our regression to a mid-90's point total, from the start of the streak in December last year, the Sabres had not just good goaltending but the best goaltending in the league.  And, during that stretch the best goaltender on the team was Luukkonen, who went 18-4-2 with a .919 save % over the last 4 months.

Is that the level of goaltending we need to be successful? We can't get better skaters? We can't improve our coaching, our defensive play, our structure? 

Since we had no other answers or solutions this off-season, the easiest thing would be to pony-up for Hellebuyck and hope that his .895 from last year was just a one-year set-back. The thing is though, we are already down a 1st line winger and a top paring D-man from last year's team. If we trade for Hellebuyck, how much more can we weaken our skaters, and still have goaltending make up the gap? 

[LGR4GM]

2 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

As was pointed out in the recent Athletic article projecting our regression to a mid-90's point total, from the start of the streak in December last year, the Sabres had not just good goaltending but the best goaltending in the league.  And, during that stretch the best goaltender on the team was Luukkonen, who went 18-4-2 with a .919 save % over the last 4 months.

Is that the level of goaltending we need to be successful? We can't get better skaters? We can't improve our coaching, our defensive play, our structure? 

Since we had no other answers or solutions this off-season, the easiest thing would be to pony-up for Hellebuyck and hope that his .895 from last year was just a one-year set-back. The thing is though, we are already down a 1st line winger and a top paring D-man from last year's team. If we trade for Hellebuyck, how much more can we weaken our skaters, and still have goaltending make up the gap? 

If our shot creation and suppression numbers stay the same (seems likely-ish) then yes. 

[Scottysabres]

1 hour ago, Archie Lee said:

As was pointed out in the recent Athletic article projecting our regression to a mid-90's point total, from the start of the streak in December last year, the Sabres had not just good goaltending but the best goaltending in the league.  And, during that stretch the best goaltender on the team was Luukkonen, who went 18-4-2 with a .919 save % over the last 4 months.

Is that the level of goaltending we need to be successful? We can't get better skaters? We can't improve our coaching, our defensive play, our structure? 

Since we had no other answers or solutions this off-season, the easiest thing would be to pony-up for Hellebuyck and hope that his .895 from last year was just a one-year set-back. The thing is though, we are already down a 1st line winger and a top paring D-man from last year's team. If we trade for Hellebuyck, how much more can we weaken our skaters, and still have goaltending make up the gap? 

I hear ya, and I’m on board with getting better everything you listed. Outside of jettisoning Appert to the sun to try and improve the power play any skaters/players acquisition attempts are going to cost something off the roster, at least at this point in a just starting season.
Outside of Larkin, who is going to surely cost a roster body, and we aren’t reported to be on his list, what players are out there that have been reported/rumored to be available?

If there’s a move that can better the team now I’m all ears, but currently Hellebuyck, which it was reported Jarmo made a swing for at the draft, is the only immediate impact player I see readily available.
We need to maintain pace with this arena of death division. As I quoted elsewhere, “hope is not a tactic”.

[Nacho Libre]

7 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

Sure. I’m not opposed to upgrade any position. Better is better. If we can package Thompson, Rudolph, and a 1st for a true #1 centre, we should do it.  
 

 

[Pimlach]

4 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

As was pointed out in the recent Athletic article projecting our regression to a mid-90's point total, from the start of the streak in December last year, the Sabres had not just good goaltending but the best goaltending in the league.  And, during that stretch the best goaltender on the team was Luukkonen, who went 18-4-2 with a .919 save % over the last 4 months.

Is that the level of goaltending we need to be successful? We can't get better skaters? We can't improve our coaching, our defensive play, our structure? 

Since we had no other answers or solutions this off-season, the easiest thing would be to pony-up for Hellebuyck and hope that his .895 from last year was just a one-year set-back. The thing is though, we are already down a 1st line winger and a top paring D-man from last year's team. If we trade for Hellebuyck, how much more can we weaken our skaters, and still have goaltending make up the gap? 

I doubt many NHL GMs prefer UPL over Hellebyuck.  Please.  Ok, he had a .895 sv % on a bad team. He won a gold medal too.  

When is 0.919 sv% UPL coming back?    
 

[CTJoe]

1 hour ago, Pimlach said:

I doubt many NHL GMs prefer UPL over Hellebyuck.  Please.  Ok, he had a .895 sv % on a bad team. He won a gold medal too.  

When is 0.919 sv% UPL coming back?    
 

That UPL is coming back in 2027/2028 - look at his track record. God, I hope the helly train hasnt left town. It would be a shame after having a breakthrough season if they missed the playoffs this season. This team, as is, is not making tje playoffs imho

[Crusader1969]

2 hours ago, CTJoe said:

That UPL is coming back in 2027/2028 - look at his track record. God, I hope the helly train hasnt left town. It would be a shame after having a breakthrough season if they missed the playoffs this season. This team, as is, is not making tje playoffs imho

I really don't get the negativity. Is this based on one game? 

I get we lost Tuch and Byram and that's something BUT they did add Two legit defencemen in Crevier and Zellweger 

also I have no doubt they will be able to replace Tuchs 30 goals with Konsta and Kulich 

I see 30 for Quinn to be honest 

now the goaltending does concern me as does the PK. But I don't see it to be such a drop off that the team doesn't end up with at least 97 points 

I think the emotionally fragile of us need to remember it's an 84 game season. There will be ups and downs 

 

 

[PromoTheRobot]

12 hours ago, Pimlach said:

 

When is 0.919 sv% UPL coming back?    
 

When? When the team in front of him starts to defend the way they did last year.

Edited Saturday at 01:08 PM by PromoTheRobot

[Pimlach]

2 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

When? When the team in front of him starts to defend the way they did last year.

We shall see. 

[Archie Lee]

15 hours ago, Pimlach said:

I doubt many NHL GMs prefer UPL over Hellebyuck.  Please.  Ok, he had a .895 sv % on a bad team. He won a gold medal too.  

When is 0.919 sv% UPL coming back?    
 

All things being equal, nobody takes UPL over Hellebuyck.

Of course, all things are never equal. UPL is on the team, he's 27, he is coming off a season where he was one of the best goalies in the league ("When is 0.919 sv% UPL coming back?" you ask, as though it's been 6 years or something; it was Dec - April last season), we are paying him $4.75 million for the next 3 years. Hellebucyk, on the other hand, is 33, is coming off the one bad year of his career, with the Gold Medal in there, has 5 years left at $8.5 million, is not on the team, and the cost to get him is very high.

Having said all that, I think most people, myself included, would still like to add Hellebuyck. Though, in a year where goaltending is going to be critical, I still say the best play would have been Hellebuyck for 50 starts and UPL for 34.

Personally, not that anyone is asking, I think goaltending is best viewed like hitting in baseball. Even the best hitters will have the occasional 0-5 night. There is a randomness to it that means those who know baseball don't get worked up about a hitter going 0-5 on a Tuesday night in May in Anaheim.  A hitter's performance is best measured in the context of a season and not within the arbitrary constraints of a 9 inning game. I'm not too worried about a Thursday night in October in Columbus.

All things being equal though, yeah, I would take Hellebuyck.

 

Edited Saturday at 03:23 PM by Archie Lee

[CTJoe]

I think tonight’s game may be pretty big for UPL…..and Helly

[SabresBillsFan]

52 minutes ago, CTJoe said:

I think tonight’s game may be pretty big for UPL…..and Helly

Who do you trade off the roster to get him?

[Crusader1969]

2 hours ago, SabresBillsFan said:

Who do you trade off the roster to get him?

I do wonder if UPL would be someone Edmonton is interested in.   
 

3 way trade that lands UPL in EDM and Helley to Buffalo. 
 

Not sure what other pieces need to be included but if I'm Buffalo I'm trying to keep as much as my roster as possible.... probably one of Norris / McLeod would need to go 

[Shootica]

On 10/3/2026 at 5:18 PM, SabresBillsFan said:

Who do you trade off the roster to get him?

I think McLeod becomes more and more expendable as Östlund/Kulich/Helenius cement themselves in the lineup.  I'm certainly not itching to trade him but I think we can afford to do it.

McLeod + Lyon for Helle fits under the cap, and from there it's just a matter of balancing out value with picks or prospects.

[CTJoe]

1 hour ago, Shootica said:

I think McLeod becomes more and more expendable as Östlund/Kulich/Helenius cement themselves in the lineup.  I'm certainly not itching to trade him but I think we can afford to do it.

McLeod + Lyon for Helle fits under the cap, and from there it's just a matter of balancing out value with picks or prospects.

McLeod, Mrtka and Lyon for Helly. If not enough, add a draft pick

Edited Monday at 04:08 AM by CTJoe

[Shootica]

8 hours ago, CTJoe said:

McLeod, Mrtka and Lyon for Helly. If not enough, add a draft pick

I think that checks a lot of boxes for both Buffalo and Winnipeg.  I personally wouldn't add a 1st to that but I'd happily send that spare 3rd.

[#freejame]

8 hours ago, CTJoe said:

McLeod, Mrtka and Lyon for Helly. If not enough, add a draft pick

This seems too easy

[Archie Lee]

8 hours ago, CTJoe said:

McLeod, Mrtka and Lyon for Helly. If not enough, add a draft pick

I certainly don’t think that offer is valueless. But, it amounts to 3 players who appear to be in the category of “odd-man out” in Buffalo. 

I understand that we do not want to part with a core piece like Doan (or Quinn at this point), or one of our best prospects like Rudolph or Helenius.  But then this just becomes the equivalent of: “Of course we will take Hellebuyck if the Jets are giving him away, and no other team is offering a bit more than our spare parts”. 

The gap between how great the general fanbase believes a Hellebuyck acquisition is needed v. the value of assets they are willing to give up to get him, remains Grand Canyon large.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dudacek]

A 50-point centre on a good contract who kills penalties,  and a recent top 10 pick who happens to be a 6’6” RHD would be the best package acquired for a goalie in 20 years.

Edited Monday at 01:55 PM by dudacek

[Archie Lee]

10 minutes ago, dudacek said:

A 50-point centre on a good contract who kills penalties,  and a recent top 10 pick who happens to be a 6’6” RHD would be the best package acquired for a goalie in 20 years.

When framed like that, McLeod is certainly more valuable than a 50 point winger with a bigger contract, who doesn't kill penalties. 

Edited Monday at 02:08 PM by Archie Lee

[Pimlach]

34 minutes ago, dudacek said:

A 50-point centre on a good contract who kills penalties,  and a recent top 10 pick who happens to be a 6’6” RHD would be the best package acquired for a goalie in 20 years.

If goalies are of lesser value today then why is Chevy asking for so much?  

I think that teams typically do not trade star goalies, not that goalies have less value.  

[dudacek]

Just now, Pimlach said:

If goalies are of lesser value today then why is Chevy asking for so much?  

I think that teams typically do not trade star goalies, not that goalies have less value.  

You’d have to ask Chevy the first question 😁

Not a ton of elite goalies to begin with, so for sure not a lot get traded.

Ryan Miller, Roberto Luongo, Dom Hasek Sergei Bobrovsky - none of those guys returned the type of value Chevy is allegedly seeking.

[Pimlach]

8 minutes ago, dudacek said:

You’d have to ask Chevy the first question 😁

Not a ton of elite goalies to begin with, so for sure not a lot get traded.

Ryan Miller, Roberto Luongo, Dom Hasek Sergei Bobrovsky - none of those guys returned the type of value Chevy is allegedly seeking.

All traded in the twilight of their careers.

Hasek should have provided a good return but there were many factors working against the Sabres - his age, his contract, and his demand for a trade to a contender.    

Edited Monday at 02:56 PM by Pimlach

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, Pimlach said:

All traded in the twilight of their careers.

Hasek should have provided a good return but there were many factors working against the Sabres - his age, his contract, and his demand for a trade to a contender.    

Don't believe the bolded is correct.

Luongo was traded in his prime from FLA to the Nucks.  (Not even mentioning the ridiculous trade to the Swamp Cats so the Aisles could give the GTing reins to DiPietro.)

Hasek was traded in his prime effectively for Ruuttu and the pick that became Daze.  Then he was traded again when Regier effectively had a gun to his head forcing him to accept the 2nd best deal the Sabres were offered rather than the best.

Bobrovsky was traded before reaching his prime and became a stud in C-bus.

But, yes, Miller was well into his 30's when he was sent to St. Louis.

[dperr]

What about going in a different direction with someone like Gustavsson from Minnesota? Maybe not as accomplished as Helle, but could be cheaper to acquire and is also younger.