A top 6 winger? no, i don't. Im actually not sure one will even be available in FA. Depth guys sure but there impact is more about the fact that they are replacing someone who's awful.
- Sabresfan-365

I haven't looked at the UFA wingers so not sure who will be available. The dead weight has to go and the deadline is step 1.

I haven't looked at the UFA wingers so not sure who will be available. The dead weight has to go and the deadline is step 1.
- mhp

the only top 6 winger under the age of 30 is oshie and im not sure thats someone you want to be giving ufa money to. They seem to like Bailey though

O'reilly-Eichel-Okposo

Kane-Reinhart-Bailey

Carrier-Girgs/Larsson-Gionta?

Foligno-Girgs/Larsson-Fasching


McCabe-Risto

Guhle-New guy

Depth guy-Fedun/Franson


It's not perfect, but its better than this team at like 10 mil less.

A top 6 winger? no, i don't. Im actually not sure one will even be available in FA. Depth guys sure but there impact is more about the fact that they are replacing someone who's awful.
- Sabresfan-365

Draft top 3. Get Nico
Trade Kane for a D-man
Sign Shatt to a 6x7 deal.


Okposo-ROR-Nico
Nylander-Eichel-Reinhart

Risto- Shatt
McCabe - D-man

Draft top 3. Get Nico
Trade Kane for a D-man
Sign Shatt to a 6x7 deal.


Okposo-ROR-Nico
Nylander-Eichel-Reinhart

Risto- Shatt
McCabe - D-man
- ImThatGuy

Are we really certain that Hirschier is NHL ready?

I haven't looked at the UFA wingers so not sure who will be available. The dead weight has to go and the deadline is step 1.
- mhp

sharp, vanek, oshie, hanzal

thin market unless you want an old guy

Are we really certain that Hirschier is NHL ready?
- buffalofan19

Ditto Nylander and there's no way shattenkirk signs here at market value. We'd have to be the highest offer by a significant margin

Ditto Nylander and there's no way shattenkirk signs here at market value. We'd have to be the highest offer by a significant margin
- Sabresfan-365

That quote by the Swedish scout that mhp posted a few days ago has me encouraged about Nylander. There are guys that have been marginal in the AHL but thrived in the NHL. Plus, you can't discount that the coaching and resources are better.

the only top 6 winger under the age of 30 is oshie and im not sure thats someone you want to be giving ufa money to. They seem to like Bailey though

O'reilly-Eichel-Okposo

Kane-Reinhart-Bailey

Carrier-Girgs/Larsson-Gionta?

Foligno-Girgs/Larsson-Fasching


McCabe-Risto

Guhle-New guy

Depth guy-Fedun/Franson


It's not perfect, but its better than this team at like 10 mil less.
- Sabresfan-365

I'm not so sure I would want to pay 5+ to Oshie when Reinhart and Eichel will be getting big contracts.

I just looked at the list, lots of old guys and Radulov will probably re-sign with MTL. Berglund might be a possibility if he could play wing. The same goes for Hanzal. I might consider Justin Williams on a 2 year contract.

That quote by the Swedish scout that mhp posted a few days ago has me encouraged about Nylander. There are guys that have been marginal in the AHL but thrived in the NHL. Plus, you can't discount that the coaching and resources are better.
- buffalofan19

This is true, but i kind of expect his development to look a lot like his brothers. There isnt really much to suggest that he's all that different from him no? Even draft status wise both 8th overall picks.


Edit: His stats in the AHL are easy to explain. That team was bad from day 1 and lost it's 2 best defenders and best winger

I'm not so sure I would want to pay 5+ to Oshie when Reinhart and Eichel will be getting big contracts.

I just looked at the list, lots of old guys and Radulov will probably re-sign with MTL. Berglund might be a possibility if he could play wing. The same goes for Hanzal. I might consider Justin Williams on a 2 year contract.
- mhp

But would someone like that consider us? Thats the other issue. They've drafted wingers they're high on in the organization and a guy he paid a steep price for, Id just leave that spot open and see which of them fits best with that 2nd line and roll with it next year.

sharp, vanek, oshie, hanzal

thin market unless you want an old guy
- homiedclown

Exactly. And I would pass on many of them. On the D, assuming we'll lose Kulikov and Franson and one of Bogo or Gorges, and knowing Guhle will be with the team, I would look at trying to get a dman in FA. Stone, Alzner, Smith and Polak could all be had. i'd love Alzner.

But would someone like that consider us? Thats the other issue. They've drafted wingers they're high on in the organization and a guy he paid a steep price for, Id just leave that spot open and see which of them fits best with that 2nd line and roll with it next year.
- Sabresfan-365

If we offer term and money, yes. I know we could be looking at Carrier, Fasching, Baptiste, Bailey and Nylander all in the mix next year and to me that's alot of young guys. Signing a vet forward would be a good idea. Or some of those guys (Fasching, Baptiste) could be moved for a dman. If that's the case I would still look at forward in July.

If we offer term and money, yes. I know we could be looking at Carrier, Fasching, Baptiste, Bailey and Nylander all in the mix next year and to me that's alot of young guys. Signing a vet forward would be a good idea. Or some of those guys (Fasching, Baptiste) could be moved for a dman. If that's the case I would still look at forward in July.
- mhp

but would you want to? some of these older guys short term would be ideal but if we have to offer term and money thats just going to hurt us more. I really believe a bunch of subtractions and one add puts us in striking range of a playoff spot by next years deadline.

What would you rather have happen?

A) Sabres go on a tear and make the playoffs

B) Sabres rise a bit in the standings but not much...then win the lottery.

Also:

A) Vegas takes Moulson

B) Vegas takes Bogo
- RhinoFan

I like this question a lot.
For me:
B - short term pain for long term (and low cost) gain...go for the long view.
B - way too expensive for a 4th D man.

Then, buyout or as was mentioned, waive Moulson to free-up a position for a young guy to develop.

Ditto Nylander and there's no way shattenkirk signs here at market value. We'd have to be the highest offer by a significant margin
- Sabresfan-365

Okposo did.

This is true, but i kind of expect his development to look a lot like his brothers. There isnt really much to suggest that he's all that different from him no? Even draft status wise both 8th overall picks.


Edit: His stats in the AHL are easy to explain. That team was bad from day 1 and lost it's 2 best defenders and best winger
- Sabresfan-365

he needs to continue to develop his overall game. And he's 18. Zero concern.

Okposo did.
- TheSabresTaco

Is anyone on the team close with Shattenkirk?

but would you want to? some of these older guys short term would be ideal but if we have to offer term and money thats just going to hurt us more. I really believe a bunch of subtractions and one add puts us in striking range of a playoff spot by next years deadline.
- Sabresfan-365

For the older guys I wouldn't. The only guy would be Justin Williams and we didn't get him last year so chances he comes to us are nill.

I would look at some of the younger guys and I think 3 year contracts are fair for their talent level. Berglund is 28, Hanzal is 29, Dwight King is 27.

Is anyone on the team close with Shattenkirk?
- Sabresfan-365

O'Reilly played a half a year with him.

Every player is unique. They may see something in the org and or the city or the fans or the geo location that attracts them.

Okposo came primarily because of the talent of our centers.


The inferiority complex is outdated. There's no reason why good players wouldn't be interested in joining this team.

O'Reilly played a half a year with him.

Every player is unique. They may see something in the org and or the city or the fans or the geo location that attracts them.

Okposo came primarily because of the talent of our centers.
- TheSabresTaco

all ive read about shattenkirk is boston and new york so it'd take something extraordinary imo

For the older guys I wouldn't. The only guy would be Justin Williams and we didn't get him last year so chances he comes to us are nill.

I would look at some of the younger guys and I think 3 year contracts are fair for their talent level. Berglund is 28, Hanzal is 29, Dwight King is 27.
- mhp

Berglund or Hanzal might be good options

all ive read about shattenkirk is boston and new york so it'd take something extraordinary imo
- Sabresfan-365

Worked well for Vesey.

Boston, Toronto or Buffalo!


...NY.

Point being, and same with Stamkos this past offseason. You know who actually knows? The player. And if it's a trade, it's whoever can put the trade together. It's all speculation until it happens.

Worked well for Vesey.

Boston, Toronto or Buffalo!


...NY.
- TheSabresTaco

im pretty sure NYR was always on the list of teams mentioned. He and Hayes are pretty close.

im pretty sure NYR was always on the list of teams mentioned. He and Hayes are pretty close.
- Sabresfan-365

How many teams was Fowler going to this year? Since when was Shea Weber on the trading block?

I think we all know 90% of speculation is horse poop.

If a team really wants a player, they'll make it happen one way or the other*. Rumors are grains of salt. Boston is flopping and their rumor mill mentions are peaking. Sabres are fumbling around between playoffs and 28th place, so every time the roller coaster goes does down, Evander Kane is going to Vancouver.

*Barring NTC NMC L-NTC

Worked well for Vesey.

Boston, Toronto or Buffalo!


...NY.

Point being, and same with Stamkos this past offseason. You know who actually knows? The player. And if it's a trade, it's whoever can put the trade together. It's all speculation until it happens.
- TheSabresTaco

these speculation as far as FA goes is usually pretty accurate. When was the last big name FA who shocked everyone? It was repeatedly said since February last year that stamkos' first choice was to return to Tampa. Okposo was always minny/buf. Lucic and the oilers, eriksson and the canucks with the sedin twins.