Significant change can't come to this team without either trading at least 1 of the 3, or a bunch of future 1sts.

I would never say Risto is untouchable.. but I can't see how he can't be a part of the solution. Nice salary hit for what he brings.. 2nd pairing quality, could get better with better line mate and personal development, solid offense. I trade ROR before Reinhart before Risto. But of course, there can always be that deal that comes across that makes you better short and long term or really, really better long term that allows me to say, go ahead and trade Risto then. But he's last of the 3, for me.
- TheSabresTaco

Get Bogo out of here, McCabe for Andreas Athanasiou, sign a Desharnais-or-equal, Nylander or Bailey and the sharks second for Mike Hoffman

IMO, finding a suitor for Bogosian isn't change. Finding a 4th line center to replace Larsson isn't change.

Creating an identity for this team IS change. Molding this team to play a style that the GM and coach wants IS change. And that means moving out NHL players that play big minutes, but don't play that style.

Do people see how these current playoff teams play? Nothing close to the way the Sabres have attempted to play for years
- sbroads24

I agree, we could move out our big nhl minute players for the exact same value with a different style/position and I think it will do wonders for us

For those that don't want ROR, Risto or Reinhart moved, im genuinely curious to know what your ideal off season looks like.

I just have one condition, the answers can't be "sign tavares and or carlson" because please, that's not happening.
- Sabresfan-365

1) Find destinations for Bogo and Okposo - no 1sts but 32 would be in play as would lesser prospects like Bailey, Baptiste, or Borgen.

2) Get a goalie. Don't care from where, but a decent netminder would go a long way.

3) Draft Dahlin

4) If Carlsson is out, I'd target a higher end winger like Perron, Grabner or even Vanek in FA. Perron only if he wasn't only asking for 4-5years. 2-3 would be sweet spot. If no, move on down the list.

5) If #32 isn't used in buyout payments, trade up. I hate trading up in the NFL, but think it's completely reasonable in the NHL. Try and get into that 15-25 range, there is a drop off after that.

6) Sign a moderately inexpensive winger. Comeau, Calvert, Wingels, Brodziak.

7) Give Jack the C

8) Trade away or waive Beaulieu

9) Get Asplund signed

1) Find destinations for Bogo and Okposo - no 1sts but 32 would be in play as would lesser prospects like Bailey, Baptiste, or Borgen.

2) Get a goalie. Don't care from where, but a decent netminder would go a long way.

3) Draft Dahlin

4) If Carlsson is out, I'd target a higher end winger like Perron, Grabner or even Vanek in FA. Perron only if he wasn't only asking for 4-5years. 2-3 would be sweet spot. If no, move on down the list.

5) If #32 isn't used in buyout payments, trade up. I hate trading up in the NFL, but think it's completely reasonable in the NHL. Try and get into that 15-25 range, there is a drop off after that.

6) Sign a moderately inexpensive winger. Comeau, Calvert, Wingels, Brodziak.

7) Give Jack the C

8) Trade away or waive Beaulieu

9) Get Asplund signed
- RhinoFan

So add Grabner, getting rid of okposo/bogo, finding a decent goalie(hutton?) add Calvert/wingels, getting rid of Beaulieu

That's the net return for the NHL roster?

IMO, finding a suitor for Bogosian isn't change. Finding a 4th line center to replace Larsson isn't change.

Creating an identity for this team IS change. Molding this team to play a style that the GM and coach wants IS change. And that means moving out NHL players that play big minutes, but don't play that style.

Do people see how these current playoff teams play? Nothing close to the way the Sabres have attempted to play for years
- sbroads24

yup...and that change might need to include the coach of a 31st place team with a superstar center who made a lot of mistakes that were detrimental early on...

that change includes moving away from a goalie tandem that were awful early in the season thus helping put the team in a hole they had no hope of getting out of...

fast is also a team concept as in playing fast...the caps aren't anywhere near as fast as tampa is overall but they're dominating them...and a lot of that has to do with confidence...a confident team plays faster and looks faster even though every player might not be a speedster

You're altering the argument now. And no. There is zero comparison to the McEichel draft. The only comparison you can possibly make is that both teams sucked.
- TheSabresTaco

Other than the part about being guaranteed a great player by coming in last. With 1 big prize.

Just like the mceichel tank, you can only hope for #1 , but plan B is drafting 2nd, 3rd or 4th.

Change would be moving Ristolainen , sam, ROR

That sends a massage ..

Or you can just do that fake bullpoop “ iMessage” send Molson to the AHL the players sure Woke up after that

it's 2018

and kyle okposo puts up 20 more points than derek grant in an nhl season
- homiedclown

point being, that's not the way it was at the time of the trade

yup...and that change might need to include the coach of a 31st place team with a superstar center who made a lot of mistakes that were detrimental early on...

that change includes moving away from a goalie tandem that were awful early in the season thus helping put the team in a hole they had no hope of getting out of...

fast is also a team concept as in playing fast...the caps aren't anywhere near as fast as tampa is overall but they're dominating them...and a lot of that has to do with confidence...a confident team plays faster and looks faster even though every player might not be a speedster
- Michael Pachla

You know what would make us better? Learning to pass, like what kids learn in peewee.

yup...and that change might need to include the coach of a 31st place team with a superstar center who made a lot of mistakes that were detrimental early on...

that change includes moving away from a goalie tandem that were awful early in the season thus helping put the team in a hole they had no hope of getting out of...

fast is also a team concept as in playing fast...the caps aren't anywhere near as fast as tampa is overall but they're dominating them...and a lot of that has to do with confidence...a confident team plays faster and looks faster even though every player might not be a speedster
- Michael Pachla

Aquiring two competent LWs for second rounders and McCabe or Scandella would certainly help confidence

Other than the part about being guaranteed a great player by coming in last. With 1 big prize.

Just like the mceichel tank, you can only hope for #1 , but plan B is drafting 2nd, 3rd or 4th.
- Boss34

There's great players at the top of the draft every single year. Why don't we just suck forever and keep getting great players?

Aquiring two competent LWs for second rounders and McCabe or Scandella would certainly help confidence
- jcragcrumple

except that's highly unlikely. Sens aren't moving Hoffman within the division for Bailey and a 2nd.

except that's highly unlikely. Sens aren't moving Hoffman within the division for Bailey and a 2nd.
- Sabresfan-365

There are other options, he's just one of my favorite speculative trades

except that's highly unlikely. Sens aren't moving Hoffman within the division for Bailey and a 2nd.
- Sabresfan-365

You forgot about jedi mind tricks, we can trade anyone for anyone.

There are other options, he's just one of my favorite speculative trades
- jcragcrumple

I'd love to hear those options. At that price tag, you're likely looking at reclamation projects or make shift top 9 forwards

You forgot about jedi mind tricks, we can trade anyone for anyone.
- TheSabresTaco

Ive seen three projected lineups since my post. two of which are destined for bottom 10 finishes with very little future upside, one of which ain't happening (sorry jcrag)

yup...and that change might need to include the coach of a 31st place team with a superstar center who made a lot of mistakes that were detrimental early on...

that change includes moving away from a goalie tandem that were awful early in the season thus helping put the team in a hole they had no hope of getting out of...

fast is also a team concept as in playing fast...the caps aren't anywhere near as fast as tampa is overall but they're dominating them...and a lot of that has to do with confidence...a confident team plays faster and looks faster even though every player might not be a speedster
- Michael Pachla

The puck is the fastest player on every team in the league. If we learn how to find open space, move the puck well, and share it, the team will look much faster immediately.

We can have the fastest skaters in the world, but without those underlying skills, it will be meaningless.

And the cruel thing about it is 8 or 9 guys who have those underlying skills cant achieve it on their own because the PUCK IS SHARED BY ALL SIX PLAYERS ON THE ICE.

You forgot about jedi mind tricks, we can trade anyone for anyone.
- TheSabresTaco

Most GMs are stupid.

I'd love to hear those options. At that price tag, you're likely looking at reclamation projects or make shift top 9 forwards
- Sabresfan-365

Every time I post a trade, I get blasted. We'll just have to see what Botts does

Ive seen three projected lineups since my post. two of which are destined for bottom 10 finishes with very little future upside, one of which ain't happening (sorry jcrag)
- Sabresfan-365

let all ufa's walk
let lehner walk

sign bernier

sign olli jokinen


call it a day

yup...and that change might need to include the coach of a 31st place team with a superstar center who made a lot of mistakes that were detrimental early on...

that change includes moving away from a goalie tandem that were awful early in the season thus helping put the team in a hole they had no hope of getting out of...

fast is also a team concept as in playing fast...the caps aren't anywhere near as fast as tampa is overall but they're dominating them...and a lot of that has to do with confidence...a confident team plays faster and looks faster even though every player might not be a speedster
- Michael Pachla

Let's be honest, Tampa is a better team.

2 games doesn't override what they did for the entire season + the first two rounds, and I wouldn't count Tampa out yet.

And I wouldn't call a team with guys like Kuznetsov, Ovi, Backstrom, Vrana, Orlov, Carlson slow. They're a very good skating team.

We are maybe the worst skating team in hockey

Most GMs are stupid.
- Der Kaiser

Let's be honest, Tampa is a better team.

2 games doesn't override what they did for the entire season + the first two rounds, and I wouldn't count Tampa out yet.

And I wouldn't call a team with guys like Kuznetsov, Ovi, Backstrom, Vrana, Orlov, Carlson slow. They're a very good skating team.

We are maybe the worst skating team in hockey
- sbroads24

one more reason to bring the kids up

except fasching

Every time I post a trade, I get blasted. We'll just have to see what Botts does
- jcragcrumple

well, at least now you know why i don't do it anymore lol

- homiedclown

The skinny one with the bob is a green light.