I agree with bringing Gionta back, but on the 4th line with Girgs/Larson and Carrier.
Trade one of Girgs/Larson+ for a RW sniper. (Girgs is upping his trade value slowly)
Nylander fits in top 6 on the left
Reino goes on the dot for 3rd line with Bailey and Baptiste.
Trade Kane+ for a #2 D.

depending on how Kuli plays out now that he's healed up more..maybe you keep him?


Ennis ROR okposo
Nylander Eichel sniper-RW
Baptiste Reino Bailey
Carrier Larson Gio

Let's go!
- IonSabres

Kane is the key for me. I say we trade him for that Top 3 D-man now while we can. I don't think he is a Buffalo kind of guy. If he isn't traded, I think he puts out a stupid $$ amount to Murray in order for him to re-sign. Murray will be put in a corner with baby. Move him while you can and address your significant problems on D.

Regarding Gio, I am "meh" on him next year. If we can get him for $1 million/year and it keeps Delo off the ice, then i am all for him. I just don;t want to see guys like Baptiste and Bailey kept off the team because we have too many overaged vets. Plus many people are forgetting about Moulson. I hope Murray offers Vegas a middling prospect and a low draft pick in order to dump Moulson after this year.

Take it a step further and say that from day 1 they've some how managed to give him more ice time than they did last year. Im not even sure how that's possible but thats a great way to burn someone out


Edit: I get injuries play a part in that but even when they were healthy he was playing way too many minutes.
- Sabresfan-365

This All Star break is probably coming at a good time for him after this weekend. I just hate that it seems the team overall has gained a bit of momentum, even if it didn't feel that way after last week.

They were already talking about bringing Gionta back before the year started.

Aston-Reese was scoring a goal per game at last check, worth looking at.


Kelleher is extreme boom/bust. If he can make it work despite his size you're getting 1st round talent for free.
- Sabresfan-365

We've got the space in terms of contracts, so could be worth a shot. Does he have the wheels to keep up with Eichel?

Kane is the key for me. I say we trade him for that Top 3 D-man now while we can. I don't think he is a Buffalo kind of guy. If he isn't traded, I think he puts out a stupid $$ amount to Murray in order for him to re-sign. Murray will be put in a corner with baby. Move him while you can and address your significant problems on D.

Regarding Gio, I am "meh" on him next year. If we can get him for $1 million/year and it keeps Delo off the ice, then i am all for him. I just don;t want to see guys like Baptiste and Bailey kept off the team because we have too many overaged vets. Plus many people are forgetting about Moulson. I hope Murray offers Vegas a middling prospect and a low draft pick in order to dump Moulson after this year.
- SabreWest

I think with what we are currently payin 90 and 21, coupled with what we will pay 23 and 15, the writing is on the wall that Kane leaves eventually.

I think they probably move him this summer for a D-man

Agreed. He's been a workhorse and has stayed healthy despite playing ridiculous minutes.
- sbroads24

I almost think Risto plays better as the defensive D-Man of the pair. Can he not be paired with Fedun because they have the same dexterity?

Kane is the key for me. I say we trade him for that Top 3 D-man now while we can. I don't think he is a Buffalo kind of guy. If he isn't traded, I think he puts out a stupid $$ amount to Murray in order for him to re-sign. Murray will be put in a corner with baby. Move him while you can and address your significant problems on D.

Regarding Gio, I am "meh" on him next year. If we can get him for $1 million/year and it keeps Delo off the ice, then i am all for him. I just don;t want to see guys like Baptiste and Bailey kept off the team because we have too many overaged vets. Plus many people are forgetting about Moulson. I hope Murray offers Vegas a middling prospect and a low draft pick in order to dump Moulson after this year.
- SabreWest

Good points on Kane. On the other hand, if he does sign for a reasonable number based on what he has done recently, which of course is a big if and something players/agents never try to do, he plays a decent game. But if we're looking to sell high this is the year to do it.

I like Gionta, which I really didn't before. As a leader on the 4th line still putting up goals on the cheap I'd be great with it. Injuries will happen and guys like Bailey will get their chance one way or the other. It's on Dan to get the most out of them, it's on them to play well wherever he plays them and force him to keep them.

I think with what we are currently payin 90 and 21, coupled with what we will pay 23 and 15, the writing is on the wall that Kane leaves eventually.

I think they probably move him this summer for a D-man
- sbroads24

If we are > 5 points out this trade deadline, would you move him now?

I like your ideas, but I'd rather try to trade Ennis/Girgensons for a defenseman and keep Reinhart with Eichel for another year if possible. Moulson will still be here, and Kane as well IMO, so I see

Kane-O'Reilly-Okposo
Nylander-Eichel-Reinhart
Moulson-Larsson-Bailey
Foligno-Gionta-Carrier

We'll see. Bailey is the one I'm hoping keeps it up. Been on a tear since being sent down
- Zschalberg

Reinhart is too slow to play with Eichel. Eichel is developing some bad Kane puck hog habits due to playing with slow players. Nylander may or may not be ready. He shines
In major junior situations but struggles in Rochester. Filing I needs to go, Gionta needs to go while he still has value, Kane needs to go and he might just be hot enough right now for some stupid team like TO to take him, Bogo needs to go, Ennis needs to go.
Carrier can actually skate and has grit. He needs a top 6 spot.

They were already talking about bringing Gionta back before the year started.
- SABRES 89

Before the year started I would have been furious. 11 goals later, and at key times to boot, I'll take my crow to go and be fine if he returns for another year.

Reinhart is too slow to play with Eichel. Eichel is developing some bad Kane puck hog habits due to playing with slow players. Nylander may or may not be ready. He shines
In major junior situations but struggles in Rochester. Filing I needs to go, Gionta needs to go while he still has value, Kane needs to go and he might just be hot enough right now for some stupid team like TO to take him, Bogo needs to go, Ennis needs to go.
Carrier can actually skate and has grit. He needs a top 6 spot.
- lulags

Foligno, stupid spell correct changed it to Filling I needs to go

I think with what we are currently payin 90 and 21, coupled with what we will pay 23 and 15, the writing is on the wall that Kane leaves eventually.

I think they probably move him this summer for a D-man
- sbroads24

I think we could move him now without much impact on the team dynamic. Anaheim has too many D to protect. If we could move Kane before the deadline straight up for a stud LHD, that would be of more value than Kane. Baptiste or Bailey should be able to slot in there

We've got the space in terms of contracts, so could be worth a shot. Does he have the wheels to keep up with Eichel?
- HonkFortheGoose

He's got good speed. The issue is he's...umm...small


like 5'6 small

Reinhart is too slow to play with Eichel. Eichel is developing some bad Kane puck hog habits due to playing with slow players. Nylander may or may not be ready. He shines
In major junior situations but struggles in Rochester. Filing I needs to go, Gionta needs to go while he still has value, Kane needs to go and he might just be hot enough right now for some stupid team like TO to take him, Bogo needs to go, Ennis needs to go.
Carrier can actually skate and has grit. He needs a top 6 spot.
- lulags

That's 6 players that need to go. I would say these players need to be in their roles. Foligno needs to be on the 4th line like he belongs, he's a decent player but shouldn't be with Eichel, ROR, Reinhart, or any of them. Kane I'll agree but mainly because of his cost in the future. Bogo/Ennis I'm good either way. Left off this list was Girgensons.

Carrier can skate and has grit, sure, but he's not that great. I'd be cool with him taking the 3rd line spot from Matty Mo, but I don't see him being long term top 6.

Lastly, I'd still expect to see Nylander up here for at least some time next year. We'll see how he fills out this summer

I think we could move him now without much impact on the team dynamic. Anaheim has too many D to protect. If we could move Kane before the deadline straight up for a stud LHD, that would be of more value than Kane. Baptiste or Bailey should be able to slot in there
- jcragcrumple

He doesn't want to move Kane.

Before the year started I would have been furious. 11 goals later, and at key times to boot, I'll take my crow to go and be fine if he returns for another year.
- Zschalberg

Just a wait and see as of now but they did talk about it.

That's 6 players that need to go. I would say these players need to be in their roles. Foligno needs to be on the 4th line like he belongs, he's a decent player but shouldn't be with Eichel, ROR, Reinhart, or any of them. Kane I'll agree but mainly because of his cost in the future. Bogo/Ennis I'm good either way. Left off this list was Girgensons.

Carrier can skate and has grit, sure, but he's not that great. I'd be cool with him taking the 3rd line spot from Matty Mo, but I don't see him being long term top 6.

Lastly, I'd still expect to see Nylander up here for at least some time next year. We'll see how he fills out this summer
- Zschalberg

BTW, I don't see Nylander as struggling in the AHL. He's 5-12-17 in 36 games with no great centers on that team. As a rookie who was already on the smaller side I think he's doing alright. Definitely needs to fill out, though.

He doesn't want to move Kane.
- SABRES 89

I think Murray is smart enough to realize that if he passes up an opportunity to get us something decent for Kane he will be fired

He doesn't want to move Kane.
- SABRES 89

Im in the same boat as Murray in that i don't really want to move him. I think he's a good player, but if the Sabres were offered a top pairing LHD, i hope Murray would pick up the phone. I'm not sure Gus or Ennis gets you that, and I'm not willing to part with Reinhart.

Besides, the writing's on the wall that Kane's leaving. He's got NY or LA written all over him

I think Murray is smart enough to realize that if he passes up an opportunity to get us something decent for Kane he will be fired
- lulags

He doesn't want to move him however, if the Blues called That may change............................. oh did I say that out loud

Im in the same boat as Murray in that i don't really want to move him. I think he's a good player, but if the Sabres were offered a top pairing LHD, i hope Murray would pick up the phone. I'm not sure Gus or Ennis gets you that, and I'm not willing to part with Reinhart.

Besides, the writing's on the wall that Kane's leaving. He's got NY or LA written all over him
- jcragcrumple

Ennis was on the move until he got hurt earlier this year.

BTW, I don't see Nylander as struggling in the AHL. He's 5-12-17 in 36 games with no great centers on that team. As a rookie who was already on the smaller side I think he's doing alright. Definitely needs to fill out, though.
- Zschalberg

He is a strong slot player with a great shot. He will be murdered in the NHL if we bring him up before he gets bigger

He doesn't want to move him however, if the Blues called That may change............................. oh did I say that out loud
- SABRES 89

oh baby give me all the elite d-men

They were already talking about bringing Gionta back before the year started.
- SABRES 89

I heard the contract for a 1 year deal is on the table

gionta will get back to them after this season with a decision

If we are > 5 points out this trade deadline, would you move him now?
- SabreWest

Why wait?

If they could get one of the promising D prospects from either the Ducks or Predators, I'd move Kane now.

I'm not saying they would get the same production from someone like Bailey, but I don't think the dropoff would be too severe, and it would open things up regarding the cap a bit as well, both now and in the immediate and long term future.