Would you give up Puljujarvi or Laine for Lindholm though?
- chilliard77

I'd seriously consider it, because he doesn't score as much he's woefully undervalued but everything suggests he's a top pairing d-men. So would you give up a potential first line winger for an already top pairing d-man? Tough call no doubt

I'd seriously consider it, because he doesn't score as much he's woefully undervalued but everything suggests he's a top pairing d-men. So would you give up a potential first line winger for an already top pairing d-man? Tough call no doubt
- Sabresfan-365

Like I said earlier I'd rather have a Puljujarvi/Laine and an overpaid Yandle than just a Lindholm. It's a tough call though.

Like I said earlier I'd rather have a Puljujarvi/Laine and an overpaid Yandle than just a Lindholm. It's a tough call though.
- chilliard77

At the start of the year I would have agreed, my fear is a yandle Risto pairing would be Swiss cheese defensively. It's pretty clear that Risto can handle things offensively where he has had problems is in his own end. Yandle doesn't help that lindholm does. That's not to say this is the only way. There may be a way for them to make the pick and still find a defensive d-man who can fill that role which would be ideal

At the start of the year I would have agreed, my fear is a yandle Risto pairing would be Swiss cheese defensively. It's pretty clear that Risto can handle things offensively where he has had problems is in his own end. Yandle doesn't help that lindholm does. That's not to say this is the only way. There may be a way for them to make the pick and still find a defensive d-man who can fill that role which would be ideal
- Sabresfan-365

Well maybe we could have pairing 1A and pairing 1B

Gorges - Risto
Yandle - Bogosian




Edit: As I wrote this I realized how bad this could be as well. Lol

Well maybe we could have pairing 1A and pairing 1B

Gorges - Risto
Yandle - Bogosian




Edit: As I wrote this I realized how bad this could be as well. Lol
- chilliard77

But replace Gorges and Bogo with a matured Mccabe and Pysyk and that may be something that would work.

I personally think Yandle's defensive woes are overstated. And I'd hope to god Risto improves defensively as he matures or we have a lot bigger problem.

But replace Gorges and Bogo with a matured Mccabe and Pysyk and that may be something that would work.
- chilliard77

I don't think i could buy into that. Nobody on the current roster has the skill set or smarts to be that second top pairing guy.

Gorges has the brain but lacks the speed/talent

Bogo has the speed and talent but lacks the intelligence

And I have reservations about putting a 2nd year pro pysyk/mccabe in that spot.

IMO, this is a position that they cannot afford to "miss" on.

I personally think Yandle's defensive woes are overstated. And I'd hope to god Risto improves defensively as he matures or we have a lot bigger problem.
- chilliard77

http://public.tableau.com...7QW5YM?:display_count=yes

CA/60 is the one to look at. Spoiler: it's not good.


Risto's d-game will naturally improve with age and as the team gets better, but im not ready to bet big that it will be so good that you can afford to have a 2nd offensive d-man on that top pair.

http://public.tableau.com...7QW5YM?:display_count=yes

CA/60 is the one to look at. Spoiler: it's not good.


Risto's d-game will naturally improve with age and as the team gets better, but im not ready to bet big that it will be so good that you can afford to have a 2nd offensive d-man on that top pair.
- Sabresfan-365

I suppose you're right, but giving up a top pick for Lindholm would be very tough.

I suppose you're right, but giving up a top pick for Lindholm would be very tough.
- chilliard77

Unfortunately true of any deal involving those kinds of players. Fwiw, I would absolutely try and rip them off first before getting into a fair deal

Unfortunately true of any deal involving those kinds of players. Fwiw, I would absolutely try and rip them off first before getting into a fair deal
- Sabresfan-365

I think Jonas Brodin would be more likely to be traded than Lindholm. Maybe Brodin and a cap dump for Girgensons.

I think Jonas Brodin would be more likely to be traded than Lindholm. Maybe Brodin and a cap dump for Girgensons.
- chilliard77

Agreed but Im not convinced he's a top pairing guy either.

I know it comes accross as extremely picky but this is the one position where they should

I think Jonas Brodin would be more likely to be traded than Lindholm. Maybe Brodin and a cap dump for Girgensons.
- chilliard77

Give them Larsson back + Foligno for Brodin.

Give them Larsson back + Foligno for Brodin.
- LandlordTom

I don't think that gets it done.

Agreed but Im not convinced he's a top pairing guy either.

I know it comes accross as extremely picky but this is the one position where they should
- Sabresfan-365

I know what you mean, but there isn't many young defensemen that may become available. Brodin seems to have fallen out of favor in Minnesota and could use some young center depth. They also could benefit from dumping a bad contract.

From a cap perspective it doesn't make a difference. But it can make a difference. If two teams offered you the same exact term and money, wouldn't you prefer the one that put 10 mill in your pocket the first year? It also gives you more cash in the event that you are bought out later on.
- Slump Buster

True, but I think u misunderstood me

The reasoning I keep reading is so that in 2,3,4 years when we have to give raises to Eichel, Reinhart, etc that we'll have extra dollars

"Frontloading" a contract helps with what you're saying
But the Cap hit stays the same
It doesn't give us extra room to sign anyone

I think there's quite a few ppl that don't understand u CAN NOT manipulate the cap hit like that

Dan is such a great coach he knows how to make our players play scared to lose

I don't think that gets it done.
- chilliard77

Add their 2017 second rounder.

I think McGinn will definitely be traded at the deadline. The question is do you make a hard pitch for him in free agency and at what cost?
- mhp

I think Foligno, Girgensons & Larsson all have similar games and have the right age to be around for a while
Also,
I think Murray will have his eyes set on bigger fish (Stamkos)

If we do sign McGinn,
I hope it's for 2 years MAX
I don't want him taking up a roster spot when guys like Bailey, Fasching, Baptiste (who also all play similar-ish style game) are ready to come up

For a right handed shot on defense, would you rather see the Sabres sign Yandle or Demers?
- doppelthat

We need a lefty anyways

Ristolainen, Bogosian & Pysyk are all RH

So to answer your question,
Yandle (he's a lefty)
But idk if he's really a top pair defenseman
He's only had moderate success playing (mostly) on the NYR 3rd pairing

I guess if it's not for too much per year, or too long a term, I'd be ok with it
I think he can at least hold the place on the top pair until (hopefully) McCabe can develop into that guy

I just noticed Minny is looking at an 8th straight loss

I just noticed Minny is looking at an 8th straight loss
- Sabresfan-365

Good read. Didn't think of Bailey in the box with Kane but they do both play that speedy power forward type game.

I know what you mean, but there isn't many young defensemen that may become available. Brodin seems to have fallen out of favor in Minnesota and could use some young center depth. They also could benefit from dumping a bad contract.
- chilliard77

Interesting
Pominville has 3 years left after this, 5.6mil cap hit
That might be the contract we have to take back
He's 32
I know he's having a brutal year,
But I think he can still be ok

It would be tough to be stuck with him & Moulson though if neither re-find their scoring touch

Interesting
Pominville has 3 years left after this, 5.6mil cap hit
That might be the contract we have to take back
He's 32
I know he's having a brutal year,
But I think he can still be ok

It would be tough to be stuck with him & Moulson though if neither re-find their scoring touch
- jdfitz77

Holy poop, it would be awesome if I live the rest of my life and never see Pomminville in a Sabres' jersey, flopping around on his knees in the faceoff circle, aimlessly flailing away while the other guy skates over him with the puck. That got to be as comical and frustrating as Afinagenov flying around only to lose the puck in the zone.