I think JB is a bright guy who's really focused 2-5 years out. Assuming he wants to change the composition of this team, he knows that he's going to need to move a player of significance, who is near his peak value. Giving away players at their low point doesn't really do anything to benefit the organization long term. Okposo and Bogo may regain some value and they currently hold no trade value, probably even negative value. UFA's are not the answer right now, so any saved cap space doesn't help.

We have a slow team. Sam, RoR, and Kyle are very slow, by top 6 standards. Our top 6 is bad. Spreading the slowpokes across 3 lines, and weakening your already bad top 6, isn't really a solution. It's a band aid. Having all 3 here term is an issue today, and it's a bigger issue in years to come. He has a chance to address it while 2 of the 3 are likely at very high value. This isn't a one summer fix, it's just the next step.
- Lunaion

That’s reasonable, but...

1) is Sam’s value at his highest with his horrible 1st half?
Might not be

2) can we trade Okposo NOW?
probably not

3) is it possible they wanna wait a year before they’d move ROR?
so that they can ease Casey in at 2C


There’s very plausible reasons why these trades MIGHT NOT happen as quickly as u guys think

That’s all I’m saying

O'Reilly is not THAT bad of a contract

if Buffalo eats 2 million of O'Reilly's contract they could get a huge return imo
- Acup2buff

and i'm not against moving him for that very reason (maybe not huge, but a damn good return)

I think that's true.

I think they could get a good return as is, but Botts likes his center depth, and has said so many times. ROR will not be sold for pennies on the dollar because of his contract. If a team wants him, they'll have to pony up imo.

Eichel
ROR
Mitts
Erod

That sounds pretty good to me. Find some wingers
- jcragcrumple

erod can play wing in top-nine or move mitts to wing (with jack?) and have erod center third line

I get that and there's no question this team could use some speed up front...that said, skunk isn't slow...he ain't fast, but he's got nhl speed...Okposo isn't the fastest, but he isn't matt Moulson slow...same with ror...

ror and Okposo have big contracts that are going to be tough to move...the sabres aren't in dire need of cap space at this juncture...is there any reason that those three can't be dispersed amongst the top-nine?

for instance
?-Eichel-reinhart
?-o'reilly-?
?- Mittelstadt-Okposo

then fill in those four spots with the speed we're looking for?
- Michael Pachla

That’s a very reasonable scenario imo

Just as bad as our president.
- 51_Killer

and i'm not against moving him for that very reason (maybe not huge, but a damn good return)
- Michael Pachla

A treasure trove of assets, if you will.

so they had to move kane, who was their top 5v5 goal scorer and top goal-scorer last season...you want to move ror, who was their second leading scorer the last two years and lead the team in jack's rookie year...and you want to move risto who's one of only three d-men in sabres history to have three consecutive 40-points seasons?
- Michael Pachla

It’s not just Gerbe
LOTS of ppl on here want to ship just about everyone out that isn’t named Eichel, Mittelstadt or Guhle

And apparently they think all these moves can/will happen THIS summer

That’s a very reasonable scenario imo
- jdfitz77

a lot will depend on the lottery...first overall means the need for speed on the wing remains and will probably come from within...

2/3 means that need for speed is partially filled, but they'll still need to bolster the backend, which will probably come from within

By “like”
i meant “wanna keep”

Just bc there’s a particular type of player they see as ideal,
doesn’t necessarily mean they need EVERY player to fit that mold

I’m not saying they won’t trade ROR or Sam,
but i do think u guys that are taking it as a sure thing are definitely reaching
It might not happen
Or...
it might not happen THIS summer

Say it’s ROR they wanna move
But they want Mittelstadt to get a year in as 3C before they make him 2C
So they wait to trade O’Reilly till next year
Not saying that’s how it’ll play out,
but it’s also a very reasonable possibility
- jdfitz77

I get that, but say Reinhart get's 5-5.5 on his contract.

Are they really gonna lock up 20 mil in guys who don't fit the mold of what they want?

A treasure trove of assets, if you will.
- TheSabresTaco

I didn't use that, did I?

I get that, but say Reinhart get's 5-5.5 on his contract.

Are they really gonna lock up 20 mil in guys who don't fit the mold of what they want?
- sbroads24

might depend upon how he does during his bridge contract...am of the opinion that you don't necessarily trade a talented player who has nearly every other asset save for high-level speed because of that deficiency

That’s reasonable, but...

1) is Sam’s value at his highest with his horrible 1st half?
Might not be

2) can we trade Okposo NOW?
probably not

3) is it possible they wanna wait a year before they’d move ROR?
so that they can ease Casey in at 2C


There’s very plausible reasons why these trades MIGHT NOT happen as quickly as u guys think

That’s all I’m saying
- jdfitz77

I'm pretty sure we agree that we'd deal almost anyone on this team for the right return. I always advocate selling high, but we're just guessing at values. I just want 1 significant deal, I'm not pushing for a slew of panic trades.

If they find the right deal for RoR, then you make what ever adjustments are necessary. Center is the only position of strength in the organization. If you need a center for a year to bridge the gap, then you grab a UFA.

An Okposo trade brings back a bad deal. I'm holding onto him for another year.

I'm pretty sure we agree that we'd deal almost anyone on this team for the right return. I always advocate selling high, but we're just guessing at values. I just want 1 significant deal, I'm not pushing for a slew of panic trades.

If they find the right deal for RoR, then you make what ever adjustments are necessary. Center is the only position of strength in the organization. If you need a center for a year to bridge the gap, then you grab a UFA.

An Okposo trade brings back a bad deal. I'm holding onto him for another year.
- Lunaion

That's where I think there's a bit of a pitfall or trap to fall in. My opinion is that we were bad because we had some truly bad contracts (Bogo, gorges, moulson, pommer to some degree). it's hard to say that moving one of 21, 90 or 23, when they're top 5 in scoring on the team, wouldd actually make the team better.

Replacing that dead space (Bogo, etc.) with talent that outperforms 23, 21 and 90, and pusshes them down the depth chart is how you get better imo.

might depend upon how he does during his bridge contract...am of the opinion that you don't necessarily trade a talented player who has nearly every other asset save for high-level speed because of that deficiency
- Michael Pachla

While I don't disagree with that, it's apparent that this mix of players in this core do not win nearly enough games.

Like Paul Hamilton said, trading one of Girgensons and Larsson won't cut it this offseason

I get that and there's no question this team could use some speed up front...that said, skunk isn't slow...he ain't fast, but he's got nhl speed...Okposo isn't the fastest, but he isn't matt Moulson slow...same with ror...

ror and Okposo have big contracts that are going to be tough to move...the sabres aren't in dire need of cap space at this juncture...is there any reason that those three can't be dispersed amongst the top-nine?

for instance
?-Eichel-reinhart
?-o'reilly-?
?- Mittelstadt-Okposo

then fill in those four spots with the speed we're looking for?
- Michael Pachla

Doesn't Jack deserve better wingers?

That's where I think there's a bit of a pitfall or trap to fall in. My opinion is that we were bad because we had some truly bad contracts (Bogo, gorges, moulson, pommer to some degree). it's hard to say that moving one of 21, 90 or 23, when they're top 5 in scoring on the team, wouldd actually make the team better.

Replacing that dead space (Bogo, etc.) with talent that outperforms 23, 21 and 90, and pusshes them down the depth chart is how you get better imo.
- jcragcrumple

This is where I think we have such beat up expectations around here.

Coaches/GM's and even players get fired or traded when teams finished in 20th. We were literally the worst. Changing nothing about this core is the only thing that will actually make us worse

While I don't disagree with that, it's apparent that this mix of players in this core do not win nearly enough games.

Like Paul Hamilton said, trading one of Girgensons and Larsson won't cut it this offseason
- sbroads24

agreed, the mix is bad...and for as much as I argued in favor of ror, I'm not thrilled with how he's performed as a leader on this team, nor am I thrilled with his on-ice disappearing acts...am of the opinion that he has much more to give, but his head keeps getting in the way

Doesn't Jack deserve better wingers?
- Lunaion

what's wrong with skunk on one side?...they've clicked before...if Housley wouldn't have insisted on playing him at center to begin last season, who knows, they may have found that chemistry again

This is where I think we have such beat up expectations around here.

Coaches/GM's and even players get fired or traded when teams finished in 20th. We were literally the worst. Changing nothing about this core is the only thing that will actually make us worse
- sbroads24

I'm fiine with moving a piece or two there for the right price too. But I'm more concerned with getting the likes of Bogo, larsson, Nolan, Girgensons, Falk, etc. out off here and bringing in the kids + a top-5 pick. If you can get something super awesome for one of your good players do it, but let's get rid of the really bad ones first. There are so many scrubs here. Cut the dead weight and see what we can do this year. Gorges was a good start.

That's where I think there's a bit of a pitfall or trap to fall in. My opinion is that we were bad because we had some truly bad contracts (Bogo, gorges, moulson, pommer to some degree). it's hard to say that moving one of 21, 90 or 23, when they're top 5 in scoring on the team, wouldd actually make the team better.

Replacing that dead space (Bogo, etc.) with talent that outperforms 23, 21 and 90, and pusshes them down the depth chart is how you get better imo.
- jcragcrumple

The top 5 in scoring are Jack and the 4 guys on his PP. Trade one of those 4, and someone else picks up those points.

Even if you are able to dump a bad contract, I don't think a big UFA signing is in the cards.

what's wrong with skunk on one side?...they've clicked before...if Housley wouldn't have insisted on playing him at center to begin last season, who knows, they may have found that chemistry again
- Michael Pachla

Do you like them together long term? I think the reason they keep shuffling lines is because they just can't find the mix they want. If it was Jack and Sam, it would have stuck by now. I think Jack needs a goal scorer with a great shot and a solid defensive player to compensate. Sam is neither. I think Sam fits nicely with RoR and that they'll keep them together, if they're both back.

Rasmus Dahlin is NHL Central Scouting's No. 1 International skater for the 2018 NHL Draft.

Central Scouting released the final list of their top International skaters and goaltenders as well as their top North American skaters and goaltenders on Monday. "Dahlin is an exceptionally talented prospect who will be able to contribute, influence and impact a team's fortunes much in the way that defensemen Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman have in the NHL," said director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr. "If you wanted to pick one player from the 2018 draft who could potentially be viewed as a generational talent, Rasmus would be the only candidate. There is that much respect for him and his abilities." He is expected to be the first overall pick at the draft this June.

what's wrong with skunk on one side?...they've clicked before...if Housley wouldn't have insisted on playing him at center to begin last season, who knows, they may have found that chemistry again
- Michael Pachla

We need SPEED !!!

The top 5 in scoring are Jack and the 4 guys on his PP. Trade one of those 4, and someone else picks up those points.

Even if you are able to dump a bad contract, I don't think a big UFA signing is in the cards.
- Lunaion

I think you're underestimating the skill of that unit, other than Eichel. That was the #1 pp unit in the league a year ago. I don't think you're plugging Wilson in for ROR and getting 60p, or plugging girgs in for Okposo and getting 40+

Rasmus Dahlin is NHL Central Scouting's No. 1 International skater for the 2018 NHL Draft.

Central Scouting released the final list of their top International skaters and goaltenders as well as their top North American skaters and goaltenders on Monday. "Dahlin is an exceptionally talented prospect who will be able to contribute, influence and impact a team's fortunes much in the way that defensemen Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman have in the NHL," said director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr. "If you wanted to pick one player from the 2018 draft who could potentially be viewed as a generational talent, Rasmus would be the only candidate. There is that much respect for him and his abilities." He is expected to be the first overall pick at the draft this June.
- SABRES 89

Pray for Svechnikov or Zadina