I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty stoked about the rest of the season. Aside from:

Florida twice
Rangers twice
Kings once
Pittsburgh twice

We face mostly middling and sub-500 teams.....with at least 17 of those games against teams that could by vying for the bottom 5 spots in the standings. Not saying we're going to be making a late playoff push or anything, but I think the earned consistency and confidence will set us up nicely for next season.

Isn't there a limit on bought out contracts? 2 comes to mind. From what I remember you can have only 2 on the books at any given time.
- cabin

You might be thinking of contracts you can still be paying part of after trades (salary retained). Not sure if there's a limit to buyouts

Looking at the list of potential free agents this year and I gotta say it actually looks pretty good. Alot of needs could be filled if we can offer attractive package (overpay). Would love to see us sign one of Goligoski, Russel, or Demres. and I think Backes could be the perfect veteran presence for this team. Could be a great fit
- MCGUIZZY

I don't want any of those D. Backes is a maybe... We have to remember that Risto/Eichel/Reinhart are gonna get paid big, along with Kane getting a raise.

Unless we can get rid of Moulson, I wouldn't overpay for ANYBODY

You might be thinking of contracts you can still be paying part of after trades (salary retained). Not sure if there's a limit to buyouts
- stashu

Possibly.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty stoked about the rest of the season. Aside from:

Florida twice
Rangers twice
Kings once
Pittsburgh twice

We face mostly middling and sub-500 teams.....with at least 17 of those games against teams that could by vying for the bottom 5 spots in the standings. Not saying we're going to be making a late playoff push or anything, but I think the earned consistency and confidence will set us up nicely for next season.
- nikel

Have to respectfully disagree. Sure, I want our young guys to be confident, but these end of the season pushes teams do, do nothing for the overall outlook of the organization. Nobody takes a five month break from work and comes back riding the hot steak they were on. All winning at the end of the year does is shoot yourself in the foot at the draft. Just look at the Bills winning the last two games of the season, it slipped them ten draft spots. We paid a first and a forth to move up to get Watkins so that tells you how valuable draft position can be. If the Sabres are not going to make the playoffs than I don't want to see them make a push for 14th in the league and miss out on a great player at the draft.

I don't want any of those D. Backes is a maybe... We have to remember that Risto/Eichel/Reinhart are gonna get paid big, along with Kane getting a raise.

Unless we can get rid of Moulson, I wouldn't overpay for ANYBODY
- JCSabs06

Not too worried about that right now. Contracts will come off the books, players can be moved/bought out if necessary. Eichel and Reinhart are not getting paid for a while and im not convinced we keep Kane when his contract is up. We have 9+ mil in cap space currently

Have to respectfully disagree. Sure, I want our young guys to be confident, but these end of the season pushes teams do, do nothing for the overall outlook of the organization. Nobody takes a five month break from work and comes back riding the hot steak they were on. All winning at the end of the year does is shoot yourself in the foot at the draft. Just look at the Bills winning the last two games of the season, it slipped them ten draft spots. We paid a first and a forth to move up to get Watkins so that tells you how valuable draft position can be. If the Sabres are not going to make the playoffs than I don't want to see them make a push for 14th in the league and miss out on a great player at the draft.
- sskkoo1

yeah i get that....but team chemistry has been this group's biggest hurdle, and some winning over the next few months will go a long way towards solidifying that chemistry. Guys will come back next season largely knowing who they'll be playing with and what worked, and not having to spend the first 40 games figuring it out.

I get it, having Mathews would really put the nail in this rebuild but the chances of landing him are pretty slim even for the 30th placed team. It's just such a crap shoot now that I don't really see another bottom of standings finish as helping us out due to the new draft rules for this draft. Remember the top 3 picks are all lottery this year and we all know how that's work for us the past 2 seasons.

I think 2 of those guys could potentially be bought out/traded..so im not too worried there. Love the idea of Backes as our 3rd line center although he may not..

Hudler is interesting. His experience alone would be pretty valuable. Depends on what his demands are but I would consider it.

Boedker could be a really good fit as well considering his age. I do think he will be resigned tho
- MCGUIZZY

Gionta is not a big deal with his contract expiring next year and I too believe Gorges could be traded.

Moulson, on the other hand...is very tough.

Buyout numbers based on each year that he could be bought out are below.

That final year number on the cap is UGLY.

http://www.generalfanager...outs/321?day=15&year=2016
http://www.generalfanager...outs/321?day=15&year=2017
http://www.generalfanager...outs/321?day=15&year=2018

yeah i get that....but team chemistry has been this group's biggest hurdle, and some winning over the next few months will go a long way towards solidifying that chemistry. Guys will come back next season largely knowing who they'll be playing with and what worked, and not having to spend the first 40 games figuring it out.

I get it, having Mathews would really put the nail in this rebuild but the chances of landing him are pretty slim even for the 30th placed team. It's just such a crap shoot now that I don't really see another bottom of standings finish as helping us out due to the new draft rules for this draft. Remember the top 3 picks are all lottery this year and we all know how that's work for us the past 2 seasons.
- nikel

The Finn wingers are VERY good.

Not too worried about that right now. Contracts will come off the books, players can be moved/bought out if necessary. Eichel and Reinhart are not getting paid for a while and im not convinced we keep Kane when his contract is up. We have 9+ mil in cap space currently
- MCGUIZZY

I don't think they keep Kane when his contract is up either. Totally agree.

Either he lights the world on fire and you sell high, or he plays like he has been and you let his contract run out.

Risto and Eichel will be paid, but I am not so sure Reinhart and someone like Girgensons are going to be paid for a while.

I am probably in the minority but I also don't believe in locking up guys to bigger deals earlier in their careers to buy UFA years.

I am much more for bridge deals, meaning get guys for as cheap as you can get them for as long as possible.

Gionta is not a big deal with his contract expiring next year and I too believe Gorges could be traded.

Moulson, on the other hand...is very tough.

Buyout numbers based on each year that he could be bought out are below.

That final year number on the cap is UGLY.

http://www.generalfanager...outs/321?day=15&year=2016
http://www.generalfanager...outs/321?day=15&year=2017
http://www.generalfanager...outs/321?day=15&year=2018
- kingcong39

Gorges I think is a tough one to move too.
Habs struggled to find a taker when they shipped him to Buffalo.
His game has not vastly improved since. Good locker room guy by all accounts...

Gorges I think is a tough one to move too.
Habs struggled to find a taker when they shipped him to Buffalo.
His game has not vastly improved since. Good locker room guy by all accounts...
- mlindsay

The Kings have already shown repeated interest.

If he only had next year left on his deal, I think they would have traded for him.

The 17-18 season on his contract is what held him back.

Buffalo has the ability and space to retain salary on a trade.

The Finn wingers are VERY good.
- kingcong39

Yeah, picking top five gets us a scoring winger or a top pairing defensemen if we don't land #1 overall. Selecting 10-14 is a crap shoot, you could get a Kopitar or Girgensons, but then again you could get Hodgeson, so I want to stay clear of it. The best confidence this team could acquire is more high-end talent at the top of the draft. Plus picking #31 isn't too shabby either if we finish last again.

I don't think they keep Kane when his contract is up either. Totally agree.

Either he lights the world on fire and you sell high, or he plays like he has been and you let his contract run out.

Risto and Eichel will be paid, but I am not so sure Reinhart and someone like Girgensons are going to be paid for a while.

I am probably in the minority but I also don't believe in locking up guys to bigger deals earlier in their careers to buy UFA years.

I am much more for bridge deals, meaning get guys for as cheap as you can get them for as long as possible.
- kingcong39

Right. I think there are creative ways to sign some of these young guys so they wont kill our cap space. larger bonuses is one way..

Some guys will be off the books next year as well as weber and mcginn and I also think theres a chance ennis, Franson, Moulson or gorges could be gone as well by next season

The Kings have already shown repeated interest.

If he only had next year left on his deal, I think they would have traded for him.

The 17-18 season on his contract is what held him back.

Buffalo has the ability and space to retain salary on a trade.
- kingcong39

They are going to have to eat a lot of that final year in order to get any takers, IMHO

Anybody have any thoughts and what happens next season with Rochester's goaltending? I would imagine Ullmark plays backup here, but what happens to Markov and Lieuwen? How far away are Johansson, Kasdorf, and Petersen from turning pro?

Anybody have any thoughts and what happens next season with Rochester's goaltending? I would imagine Ullmark plays backup here, but what happens to Markov and Lieuwen? How far away are Johansson, Kasdorf, and Petersen from turning pro?
- sskkoo1

IMO...Ullmark is our back up next season. Makarov and leiuwan in Roch. Johansson, and Petersen are far away. Kasdorf is interesting...4th year at RPI so I guess he could go pro next season


EDIT: Makarov and Leuiwen are RFA's at the end of the season so some decisions will need to be made on those two. Could see both resigned but maybe only one does. Maybe Leuiwen will be the odd man out if they decide to sign Kasdorf

Gorges I think is a tough one to move too.
Habs struggled to find a taker when they shipped him to Buffalo.
His game has not vastly improved since. Good locker room guy by all accounts...
- mlindsay

Georges also has an NTC. He waived it to come here with Gionta, but I'm not so sure he would waive it to uproot his family.
Legwand also has an NTC believe it or not. I assume if a playoff team inquires, he would waive it to get a last splash in the playoffs, but you never know.
Moulson deal is looking really really bad now. i figured a 15-20 goal "elder statesman" for this team would help plenty.
Not quite getting what we paid for.

Georges also has an NTC. He waived it to come here with Gionta, but I'm not so sure he would waive it to uproot his family.
Legwand also has an NTC believe it or not. I assume if a playoff team inquires, he would waive it to get a last splash in the playoffs, but you never know.
Moulson deal is looking really really bad now. i figured a 15-20 goal "elder statesman" for this team would help plenty.
Not quite getting what we paid for.
- seedy

It may have been voided post traded.

Georges also has an NTC. He waived it to come here with Gionta, but I'm not so sure he would waive it to uproot his family.
Legwand also has an NTC believe it or not. I assume if a playoff team inquires, he would waive it to get a last splash in the playoffs, but you never know.
Moulson deal is looking really really bad now. i figured a 15-20 goal "elder statesman" for this team would help plenty.
Not quite getting what we paid for.
- seedy

Legwand's NTC is just because no other teams will trade for him.

It may have been voided post traded.
- Sabresfan-365

yeah, I thought that too, but general fanager is saying it's still on his contract. not sure how accurate they are.

I could see a playoff team wanting veteran depth at center come the deadline (legwand) but who knows? We could also take back the max in salary on him to provide a team with affordable depth.

They are going to have to eat a lot of that final year in order to get any takers, IMHO
- mlindsay

Respectfully disagree.

Gorges at just under $2M per the next two seasons as your bottom pair D is hardly a problem.

Respectfully disagree.

Gorges at just under $2M per the next two seasons as your bottom pair D is hardly a problem.
- kingcong39

3.9 on the cap though.

3.9 on the cap though.
- Sabresfan-365

bingo...
and cap hits are harder to move than actual salary

bingo...
and cap hits are harder to move than actual salary
- mlindsay

Yes?