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Possible answers to Buffalo's 2-C quandary. Choice #1--Anthony Cirelli |
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(Note: this is the first in a multi-part series)
You know what’s cool about the Buffalo Sabres being in the market for a No. 2 center? It’s the fact that right now they already have a true No. 1 center and a bona fide superstar in Jack Eichel.
Flashing back to Buffalo's pre-tank era of 2007-2014 we find a number of talented forwards in Darcy Regier’s “core,” but the one thing absent from the equation was a true No. 1 center to anchor the depth-chart. Although Regier touted Derek Roy and Tim Connolly as “two of the top-20 centers in the league” at one point, it was a stretch as the Sabres were missing that top line center and it caused numerous struggles that led to mediocrity. Eventually those struggles would lead to an outright change in their team-building approach—a scorched-earth rebuild and tank that would lead them to draft Eichel.
Some five years later, Buffalo is still struggling with a protracted stretch of hockey that is the worst stretch in the history of the franchise when you add in those two tank seasons. However, they do have some serious talent in Eichel and 20 yr. old defenseman Rasmus Dahlin who are surrounded by a real good group of core players in forwards Sam Reinhart, Jeff Skinner and Victor Olofsson plus defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (at least from head coach Ralph Krueger’s perspective.) They also have an up-and-comer in defenseman Henri Jokiharju and top prospect, center Dylan Cozens.
As we barrel through a strange summer of hockey featuring the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs (minus the Sabres,) Buffalo's extended off season gives us plenty of time to play around with roster possibilities to fill holes. No. 2 center is the most obvious need and though that slot may be much easier to fill than a top-center hole, it’s not as easy as going to the “center tree” in the back yard and plucking one. It’s going to take something to get one, that is even if they can land a true 2-C to begin with.
I’ve had two players on my mind for that No. 2 center slot and a third that might very well have the necessary talent as well as being a reasonable acquisition has also entered the equation. Of note, with the NHL salary cap remaining stagnant at $81.5 million, and there are some very talented teams that could be in deep cap-trouble giving teams like the Sabres, who have plenty of space, an opportunity to land a quality player. So, in order of preference, here’s how the Sabres might fill their center spot behind Eichel on the second line beginning with:
Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning
--Great teams always deal with adversity, which includes cap-adversity, and Tampa has a record of maintaining their talent-level despite obstacles thrown their way. Unfortunately for teams like the Lightning who've done an outstanding job of acquiring talent, eventually their talented players need to get paid with the salary cap being their most feared enemy.
At only 23 yrs. old, Cirelli has already proven to be at minimum a mid-six center with top-six upside. He's got good size (6'0" 193 lbs.,) the necessary skating and skill (40 goals, 54 assists in 168 career games,) plays a two-way game that saw him log the most penalty kill minutes/game of any forward on the team, and he plays with an edge. Having said that, it should be noted that he's struggling offensively in the 2020 playoffs with lower-half 5v5 metrics in every category amongst Lightning forwards while managing but one assist and a minus-three rating in six games.
Despite those playoff struggles, though, the opinion here is not whether Cirelli is worth of obtaining (he is,) but a.) whether the Lightning would trade him and b.) what it would cost.
Looking towards the 2020-21 campaign, Tampa will need to do something cap-wise as eight of their top players have no-movement or no-trade clauses and two others--superstar winger Nikita Kucherov and star (if not superstar) center Brayden Point--are untouchable. Add up the salaries of those 10 players (about $70 million) and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, whose $9.5 million cap-hit kicks in next season, and you can see the trouble they're in with a cap-ceiling of $81.5 million.
Would they want to trade a restricted free agent like Cirelli? Of course not and they'll do everything in their power not to. However, if they must, the Sabres could be in the mix.
Divisional foes aren't usually trade partners, especially with a player like Cirelli, but it would be hard to believe Tampa viewing Buffalo as an immediate threat even with an addition like that. Should they feel compelled to trade Cirelli, the Lightning would be looking for the best possible return in a pick and/or prospect. From Buffalo's perspective, I highly doubt Cozens will be going anywhere as the Sabres look at him to be their future No. 2 center. But one thing that Buffalo has that no other team might be willing to offer is a top-10 pick in this year's draft, leaving the following questions: Would the Sabres offer up their 2020, 8th-overall pick in a trade? Would the Lightning accept that?
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