Im anticipation a bounce back year from Girgensons next season. Could see one of him or Larsson gone tho
- MCGUIZZY

I like Larsson for his PK skills and the way he antagonizes the opposition's top players. I've seen enough of Girgensons falling down

gus was suppose to be that pk guy

I am ok giving him one last chance if they fix the d
- homiedclown

I'm noticing a theme here.

so do you trade Gorges then? 7th D? I don't think he would be very happy not playing very much.
- Sabre_Tooth

it's either trade mccabe or gorges


I think the russian and guhle are going to leap frog mccabe anyway next year

I'm noticing a theme here.
- gcomella34

I'd ship gus mccabe and a second right now to the ducks for the second pair rd though

youre betting alot on two guys who will be rookies next year. Im not saying they wont make an impact, definitely better than the guys that are there now but it wouldn't shock me if there were some growing pains.
- Sabresfan-365

Yes I am betting alot. Fully aware of the growing pains that are likely. I also mentioned a free agency signing and trade. If those 2 are done right then Guhle and Antipin can just be considered bonuses.

Yes I am betting alot. Fully aware of the growing pains that are likely. I also mentioned a free agency signing and trade. If those 2 are done right then Guhle and Antipin can just be considered bonuses.
- MCGUIZZY

i cant recall the last team to add two top four guys in one off season..that would have that kind of impact.

Yes I am betting alot. Fully aware of the growing pains that are likely. I also mentioned a free agency signing and trade. If those 2 are done right then Guhle and Antipin can just be considered bonuses.
- MCGUIZZY

Antipin will play 22 minutes opening night

i cant recall the last team to add two top four guys in one off season..that would have that kind of impact.
- Sabresfan-365

Wouldn't the Islanders fit that bill with Leddy and Boychuck?

That's rare.

Wouldn't the Islanders fit that bill with Leddy and Boychuck?

That's rare.
- gcomella34

Very but yea i would count that. Some clever work from snow taking advantage of those two teams.

i cant recall the last team to add two top four guys in one off season..that would have that kind of impact.
- Sabresfan-365

Antipin will be a top 4 on this team next season. Guhle has the potential to be as well. We have the ability to add one via trade and free agency. Its not impossible.

it's either trade mccabe or gorges


I think the russian and guhle are going to leap frog mccabe anyway next year
- homiedclown

If McCabe is our 3rd LD next year I would be a happy camper.

Very but yea i would count that. Some clever work from snow taking advantage of those two teams.
- Sabresfan-365

He looked like a genius for 20 minutes. But we owned his first round pick the next year with the Eichel and McDavid draft, he wasn't letting that be a lottery pick.

i cant recall the last team to add two top four guys in one off season..that would have that kind of impact.
- Sabresfan-365

I think, conservatively, if we can only add a 2nd d-pair man, and even if we keep Bogo:

McCabe-Risto
Antipin-??
Guhle-Bogo

If we can balance the D pairs so the first pair doesnt have to play 30 minutes and the bottom plays more than 10 will help

25 mins
20 mins
15 mins

That'll help Risto and McCabe in the back half of the season

i cant recall the last team to add two top four guys in one off season..that would have that kind of impact.
- Sabresfan-365

oilers got pronger, then added spacek mid season

Antipin will be a top 4 on this team next season. Guhle has the potential to be as well. We have the ability to add one via trade and free agency. Its not impossible.
- MCGUIZZY

he may very well be but again we're talking about a guy who will be playing his first season in the nhl.


Zaitsev had more hype than antipin and was basically a tire fire in the 2nd half of the season+playoffs.

oilers got pronger, then added spacek mid season
- homiedclown

**off-season

read more

**off-season

read more
- Sabresfan-365

I know, it was best example though, as they went to finals that year

He looked like a genius for 20 minutes. But we owned his first round pick the next year with the Eichel and McDavid draft, he wasn't letting that be a lottery pick.
- gcomella34

agreed but surprised two smart moves came out of that. GM under that much pressure with his track record? fully expected them to overpay for a girardi or something

I think, conservatively, if we can only add a 2nd d-pair man, and even if we keep Bogo:

McCabe-Risto
Antipin-??
Guhle-Bogo

If we can balance the D pairs so the first pair doesnt have to play 30 minutes and the bottom plays more than 10 will help

25 mins
20 mins
15 mins

That'll help Risto and McCabe in the back half of the season
- jcragcrumple

No doubt thats way better than anything we've seen but again still plenty of question marks.

Antipin and Guhle's first season.

Can McCabe handle that role against other teams top lines? Same goes for Risto to a lesser extent but there are questions there too.

he may very well be but again we're talking about a guy who will be playing his first season in the nhl.


Zaitsev had more hype than antipin and was basically a tire fire in the 2nd half of the season+playoffs.
- Sabresfan-365

Again. My main concern is finding a defense via trade and likely free agency as well. We dont need to find a top pairing to improve this defense. there will be plenty of names to be had in the trade market with the expansion draft approaching. and there are some quality names in free agency as well.

I take it Futa and Fenton were dropped from consideration/didn't want the job then?

agreed but surprised two smart moves came out of that. GM under that much pressure with his track record? fully expected them to overpay for a girardi or something
- Sabresfan-365

I remember that day when I found out they were keeping the top five pick in the Ekblad draft and I was like...YESSSS!!!!! I love Garth Snow.

Prior to him making those moves I was like we could be looking at owning two lottery balls the year of McDavid and even dreamed of possibly getting both.

But then like Aaron Boone he all of a sudden has the biggest hit of his life and relatively quiet since.

No doubt thats way better than anything we've seen but again still plenty of question marks.

Antipin and Guhle's first season.

Can McCabe handle that role against other teams top lines? Same goes for Risto to a lesser extent but there are questions there too.
- Sabresfan-365

he did an alright job this last year.

Again. My main concern is finding a defense via trade and likely free agency as well. We dont need to find a top pairing to improve this defense. there will be plenty of names to be had in the trade market with the expansion draft approaching. and there are some quality names in free agency as well.
- MCGUIZZY

Agreed on the first bolded, i dunno bout that 2nd one.

I remember that day when I found out they were keeping the top five pick in the Ekblad draft and I was like...YESSSS!!!!! I love Garth Snow.

Prior to him making those moves I was like we could be looking at owning two lottery balls the year of McDavid and even dreamed of possibly getting both.

But then like Aaron Boone he all of a sudden has the biggest hit of his life and relatively quiet since.
- gcomella34

pretty good comparison actually