More sellers than buyers... which I just demonstrated...

So the prices will go down, not up
- jdfitz77

we're going to overpay because we dont have the assets to pay fair value. The gap in asset values is huge. Its either dangle Nylander a top prospect or our top pick....or pretend Fasching and a 3rd is enough to land someone to play in the top four. Thats how you wind up with another kulikov


2018 draft is their best bet.

More sellers than buyers... which I just demonstrated...

So the prices will go down, not up
- jdfitz77

I also read your long message to say that there a dmen with term remaining on their current deals, which mean we can buy into a known cost rather than having to overpay to acquire FA

Alzner or Shat


- homiedclown

Absolutely NO to Shattenkirk
Most overrated defenseman in the league

I still like Alzner, but I'd look to trade for a guy or 2 first

All those teams that need defense, but can't trade for one bc they don't have the slots, will be competing to overpay UFAs

I don't want a part of that

Good shape for what though? to overpay for scandella or Brodin?
- Sabresfan-365

We're in great shape To be laughed at by the rest of the league

We can't even sign Cal Peterson. A Goaltender who hasn't even played in the NHL yet...

EXACTLY MY POINT
Of course all (actually most, some are in good shape) these teams want be better on defense... but they aren't in a position where they can add someone AND PROTECT THEM... or if they do protect the new guy, they lose someone else who's good

For reference, these are the projections I went by from TSN
They make sense
http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-hoc...list-projections-1.767856



Toronto- does have an open slot, probably our main competition

Calgary- NOPE... absolutely protecting 7-3-1 & have Giordano, Hamilton & Brodie as their 3 defensemen. Unless they do Brodie + for someone... but how does it help Anaheim to take back a guy they'd have to protect?

Vegas- they'll be able to get some decent guys for sure, but there will still be leftover for us... I'm quite sure. It's not like Vegas will be giving up assets to trade for Fowler or whoever

Colorado- MAYBE... currently projected to go 4-4-1 and protect Beauchemin(NMC), Johnson, Barrie & Zadorov... are they willing to bring in a defenseman & lose Zadorov instead of some scrub? I'm thinking not... maybe they could trade Barrie for a young defenseman who doesn't have to be protected though. That could open a slot

Edmonton- MAYBE... the only way for them to do it is to trade Eberle or RNH for a defenseman though. That would allow them to go 4-4-1 & lose Leetestu. Otherwise, they'd have to let Klefbom be exposed.

Boston- NOPE... must do 7-3-1, projected to protect Chara, Krug & Colin Miller, exposing Kevan Miller & McQuaid who they will lose one of... and they're fine with Carlo & McAvoy about to join the NHL permanently... whoever they'd trade for would have to be better than whatever they give up, + they'd lose Miller... no way I see them willing to do that

Detroit- OK, they probably do a defenseman trade & let Ouilette potentially get chosen. They'll likely have to give up their 1st or someone like Nyquist though.

Tampa- NOPE... 7-3-1 team for sure, protecting Hedman, Stralman & young up and coming Dotchin... if they trade Drouin, it's either for a young guy they won't have to protect, or the trade will happen after the expansion draft. They won't want to lose Dotchin

Dallas- NOPE... another 7-3-1 team, protecting Kilingberg, Lindell & Johns... just don't have an open slot & those guys are all young. Can't bring anyone in

New Jersey- PROBABLY NOT... they're already projected to go 4-4-1, and there's talk of them possibly trading Schneider Bc they know they aren't close to contending, which means it doesn't make sense for them to trade young assets for a dman

Ottawa- NOPE... Karlsson, Phaneuf, Methot, Cici... they actually have a protection issue! Can't see them being competition for us at all



So to recap...
we are in competition with Toronto for sure, likely Detroit, maybe Colorado & maybe Edmonton, for the Defensemen teams will look to trade


I'm telling ya... WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE
- jdfitz77

No offense but you are looking at this totally wrong.

If you are able to add a better player than you have to protect, then you add the better player and expose the lesser player.

Dallas will absolutely be looking to upgrade, same with TB, Toronto, Buffalo, Boston etc.

You don't think that if say Boston was able to trade for Trouba, they wouldn't just expose their 3rd guy that's worse than Trouba?

You are going to see a ton of movement after this series, many of the teams are going to be trying to upgrade the D before expansion

We're in great shape To be laughed at by the rest of the league

We can't even sign Cal Peterson. A Goaltender who hasn't even played in the NHL yet...
- mattsox

stanley cup champions failed to sign byron blaine or whatever his name is. i dont read into college FA's testing the market.

Nobodys laughing at nashville

thinking about going to the draft in chi-town. anyone else gonna be there?

Absolutely NO to Shattenkirk
Most overrated defenseman in the league

I still like Alzner, but I'd look to trade for a guy or 2 first

All those teams that need defense, but can't trade for one bc they don't have the slots, will be competing to overpay UFAs

I don't want a part of that
- jdfitz77

who knows what our gm is thinking

who knows what our gm is thinking
- homiedclown

honestly, i was hoping you or 89 would

stanley cup champions failed to sign byron blaine or whatever his name is. i dont read into college FA's testing the market.

Nobodys laughing at nashville
- Sabresfan-365

Nashville changed their perception now by getting as far as they have this season.

My point is the Sabres need to get back in playoff contention year after year to be considered a serious destination.

I just think the perception of the Sabres around the league is wow, what a mess and how can I get Kane of any player off their roster for a sub par player and a prospect?

No offense but you are looking at this totally wrong.

If you are able to add a better player than you have to protect, then you add the better player and expose the lesser player.

Dallas will absolutely be looking to upgrade, same with TB, Toronto, Buffalo, Boston etc.

You don't think that if say Boston was able to trade for Trouba, they wouldn't just expose their 3rd guy that's worse than Trouba?

You are going to see a ton of movement after this series, many of the teams are going to be trying to upgrade the D before expansion
- sbroads24

Chara, Krug, C.Miller, McAvoy, Carlo, McQuaid...
that's their 6 defensemen for next year
And they could have Kevan Miller as well If Vegas takes Subban

Or they can trade for Trouba like u suggest...
giving up what?
Plus, they now lose a good young defenseman in Collin Miller

No... I do not see that happening

who knows what our gm is thinking
- homiedclown

Obviously none of us do...
I'm just stating my preferences

No offense but you are looking at this totally wrong.

If you are able to add a better player than you have to protect, then you add the better player and expose the lesser player.

Dallas will absolutely be looking to upgrade, same with TB, Toronto, Buffalo, Boston etc.

You don't think that if say Boston was able to trade for Trouba, they wouldn't just expose their 3rd guy that's worse than Trouba?

You are going to see a ton of movement after this series, many of the teams are going to be trying to upgrade the D before expansion
- sbroads24

I agree to some extent but I think we all need to really look at each team and look at their positions of "strength" and positions of "weaknesses"

Every single team in the NHL will be looking to add better players but teams will look to add positions of weakness first.

For example the Sabres, blue line is the obvious need

Toronto is not adding up front but will be looking to add to the blue line as well

LA will need to add up front

So to say that the Sabres wont have competition for players on the blue line is wrong but I don't think a teams first move who has a position of strength on the blue line would look to improve that first, they will probably look at forwards first.

Nashville changed their perception now by getting as far as they have this season.

My point is the Sabres need to get back in playoff contention year after year to be considered a serious destination.

I just think the perception of the Sabres around the league is wow, what a mess and how can I get Kane of any player off their roster for a sub par player and a prospect?
- mattsox

i dont think its that bad. During the GM search everyone thought who would want to go near Terry and kim but Friedman said a couple times that it was still a sought after job (i mean why wouldnt it be) and people still wanted to work for and liked the ownership.

I honestly dont care what the fan perception outside of it is. I just want them to do it right this time. Im okay with another building year, but i dont know if ownership is. People expect a bottom 5 team in the playoffs next year, sounds a lot like leafs fans before their regime change.

honestly, i was hoping you or 89 would
- Sabresfan-365

It has been so quiet from the Sabres its weird. Not even anything about coaches interviews.

The alleged rumors about players on the Sabres are coming from other organizations who are calling about said player.

Nothing about the Sabres calling team X about player Y kind of thing.

we're going to overpay because we dont have the assets to pay fair value. The gap in asset values is huge. Its either dangle Nylander a top prospect or our top pick....or pretend Fasching and a 3rd is enough to land someone to play in the top four. Thats how you wind up with another kulikov


2018 draft is their best bet.
- Sabresfan-365

Fasching (or Bailey, Baptiste, etc) + a 2nd very well could be enough to get a decent defenseman

Just listened to the hockey news podcast that projects the Leafs getting Vatanen for Conor Brown

With more sellers than buyers,
we don't HAVE to get into bidding wars necessarily

honestly, i was hoping you or 89 would
- Sabresfan-365

I am not hearing much


which may be a good thing

Fasching (or Bailey, Baptiste, etc) + a 2nd very well could be enough to get a decent defenseman

Just listened to the hockey news podcast that projects the Leafs getting Vatanen for Conor Brown

With more sellers than buyers,
we don't HAVE to get into bidding wars necessarily
- jdfitz77

Not a chance. Connor Brown was a 20 goal scorer and the odds of him being enough are pretty low.

Just cause Timmy thought Fasching was a top prospect doesnt mean his value around the league will be so.

I am not hearing much


which may be a good thing
- homiedclown

The focus should just be shedding dead weight. If you can find some good buy low/sell high candidates thats cool too. Smith in FA i like but other than that id wait till next year to be busy.

Nashville changed their perception now by getting as far as they have this season.

My point is the Sabres need to get back in playoff contention year after year to be considered a serious destination.

I just think the perception of the Sabres around the league is wow, what a mess and how can I get Kane of any player off their roster for a sub par player and a prospect?
- mattsox

O'Reilly extended
Okposo signed UFA
We aren't the joke u think we are

i dont think its that bad. During the GM search everyone thought who would want to go near Terry and kim but Friedman said a couple times that it was still a sought after job (i mean why wouldnt it be) and people still wanted to work for and liked the ownership.

I honestly dont care what the fan perception outside of it is. I just want them to do it right this time. Im okay with another building year, but i dont know if ownership is. People expect a bottom 5 team in the playoffs next year, sounds a lot like leafs fans before their regime change.
- Sabresfan-365

It's probably not that bad now that GMJB is in charge. Alot of the other GMs will feel him out. I think any NHL coaching job is sought after. It may be a little nicer in Buffalo because of who are owners are.

I care about all the perception. Fans/league/GMs/coaches etc. I want to see the team succeed. If it takes another year of bottoming out to be good for the next 10-15 years, I'll live with it. I Don't have much say in the matter.

Not a chance. Connor Brown was a 20 goal scorer and the odds of him being enough are pretty low.

Just cause Timmy thought Fasching was a top prospect doesnt mean his value around the league will be so.
- Sabresfan-365

Just repeating what I heard from guys who actually talk to the teams

And we only need the GM we are negotiating with to like Fasching or Bailey or Baptiste or Rodrigues, etc etc
or maybe it gets to Nylander, or 8 overall...
or Reinhart or Kane...

Obviously we don't know what it'll take

But these things are in our favor:
1) more sellers than buyers, should at least keep prices reasonable
2) time crunch on the sellers, puts the pressure on them
3) we have open slots
4) plenty of assets still to move

I guess we will see

Just repeating what I heard from guys who actually talk to the teams

And we only need the GM we are negotiating with to like Fasching or Bailey or Baptiste or Rodrigues, etc etc
or maybe it gets to Nylander, or 8 overall...
or Reinhart or Kane...

Obviously we don't know what it'll take

But these things are in our favor:
1) more sellers than buyers, should at least keep prices reasonable
2) time crunch on the sellers, puts the pressure on them
3) we have open slots
4) plenty of assets still to move

I guess we will see
- jdfitz77

maybe. I really like Botterill but i worry about the pressure forcing him to make a bad move. If he can find someone great thats awesome if not id rather they stand pat.

maybe. I really like Botterill but i worry about the pressure forcing him to make a bad move. If he can find someone great thats awesome if not id rather they stand pat.
- Sabresfan-365

Why does the move he make have to be a bad one?
Maybe the move he's "forced" to make works out great?!

Why does the move he make have to be a bad one?
Maybe the move he's "forced" to make works out great?!
- jdfitz77

When a) happens it usually means b) won't