2 best chances were when we did not get in the finals

1. the year we traded puppa and andreychuk for fuhr, should have stand pat that year

2. the year we lost to the canes in 7
- homiedclown

We had Hasek at that point but he was not playing like the Dominator. Also, both Lafontaine and Mogilny went down with injuries against Montreal. Just our luck.

2 best chances were when we did not get in the finals

1. the year we traded puppa and andreychuk for fuhr, should have stand pat that year

2. the year we lost to the canes in 7
- homiedclown

With better coaching and a younger, healthier Roger Crozier, we may have beaten the Flyers. Bernie Parent was outstanding in those playoffs.

Consider this me thinking outloud...

Toffoli, 26, C, projects to finish 13-20-33 on a $4.8m contract with 1 year left. Decent Corsi and ok PDO, not sheltered with 51% OZ starts and positive Takeaway:Giveaway ratio.
Last 5 years averages 20-25-45 over about 72 games per season or 0.54PPG pace. God skater, passer, decent transition game, not physical. Having a down year compared to his average.

Kempe, 22, LW, projects 8-12-20 on a $832k contract, becomes an RFA. Last season had 16-21-37 in his first full season, in a sheltered role with 62% OZ starts. Under-performing compared to last year as he has a more normal zone starts. Average/decent skater, poor transition game, somewhat physical, north south game.

So, Toffoli I'd be good with dependent on what is going back...Guhle and Sobotka sign me up.
I'm not so sure why they are looking to include Kempe in this deal. Sounds like he still needs development as he is inconsistent...kind of a Nylander type to me...so maybe that is the deal exchanging guys who need more time.

So 21 goals in a year, and 5 goals this year you give up a 1st for? Yikes... And this is coming from a guy who wants to move the picks...


- hehateme

22 years old. Strong defensive game. I’ll take my chances on a better team the train wreck he’s playing on.

One thing to consider on potential trades. We could give up a 1st and a prospect for a player and a 2nd or 3rd. So it's not likely we have to give up a 1st and not get a pick back at all

One thing to consider on potential trades. We could give up a 1st and a prospect for a player and a 2nd or 3rd. So it's not likely we have to give up a 1st and not get a pick back at all
- jcragcrumple

Unless its to get rid of a bad contract..

Unless its to get rid of a bad contract..
- MCGUIZZY

I am also on board with trading a pick to get rid of Okposo

Nice write-up as always Michael. Was good to put things into perspective.

From EKs blog...
The return for highly sought after power forward rentals Michael Ferland and Wayne Simmonds may now have to include a first round pick and the very thin defensive rental market may get a lot pricier for aging veterans like Jay Bouwmeester and Niklas Kronwall.

BOOM!

C'mon Botts, move
-Scandella
-Hunwick (ya I know 4th to 3rd...get the 3rd back)
-Blow-boy
-Bogo too

Move Dahlin to the right, go get a top LhD who are more available and cheaper too than top RhDs.

Acquisition - Dahlin
Pilut - Risto
McCabe - Nelson
Guhle

It's the Year of Transition ... give these guys the feel of making a push for a playoff run with youngsters
- IonSabres

thx...

am thinking we won't see much from botts...wondering if the kings might be interested in an exchange of the defensive malcontent known as beaulieu for pending ufa hagelin and maybe a 5th rounder...

that's the types of sabres trades I'm expecting between now and the trade deadline

nice blog


last night proved we would get bounced early if we made the playoffs


no grit
- homiedclown

point taken

Kings get: 1st (SJ), Guhle, Nylander, Beaulieu

Sabres get: Toffoli, Kovalchuk

Any objections?
- BeadyEyedDouche

yes

I am also on board with trading a pick to get rid of Okposo
- jcragcrumple

I just think it's a pipe dream to think a team would have interest in acquiring Okposo. It takes two to tango. And although it's a plausible idea to throw in, say our 2020 2nd rd pick, it isn't easy. And he has a 15 team no trade list to boot. I'm afraid we're stuck with him for now.

I don't mind the idea of Toffoli and Kempe.

I wonder if Toffoli has played more RW or LW this year and has Kempe been essentially a C or has he played the wing more.

thx...

am thinking we won't see much from botts...wondering if the kings might be interested in an exchange of the defensive malcontent known as beaulieu for pending ufa hagelin and maybe a 5th rounder...

that's the types of sabres trades I'm expecting between now and the trade deadline
- Michael Pachla

Im fine with taking out the trash concept Homie has been posting of...
He has to dump contracts on the blueline though right? Just too many there, it will start causing a problem very soon.

yes
- Michael Pachla

The most pressing roster issue atm is Okposo imo. Between Moulson, Bogo, Pommer, and Okposo

10 mil clears this year. Clearing the additional 11 would be incredible. Cap space is at least as valuable in the cap era as draft picks imo.

I don't mind the idea of Toffoli and Kempe.

I wonder if Toffoli has played more RW or LW this year and has Kempe been essentially a C or has he played the wing more.
- mhp

I remember murray looking to move back into the first round in 2014, not sure who his target was but he was willing to move all three 2nd rounders (I believe) to get back in...kempe went 29th

I wanted him back then:

https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=60539

Toffoli and Kempe doesn't solve our center problem

Also why waste draft picks to get rid of Okposo when he isn't the problem with the team. He is still serviceable and until it is a cap problem why give away draft picks.

We may have a chance for a compliance buyout in the off season if the NHL or NHLPA choose to renegotiate the CBA.

Im fine with taking out the trash concept Homie has been posting of...
He has to dump contracts on the blueline though right? Just too many there, it will start causing a problem very soon.
- IonSabres

beaulieu's as good as gone, right? leaving hunwick and nelson as reserves...only problem with that trade is that they'll need to make room up front...waiving ellie is a no-brainer (or trading him for a conditional seventh) and if the Pominville rumors are true, he could be on the move...I think hagelin fits with what botts wants to do and the gm knows him from his days in pittsburgh

Toffoli and Kempe doesn't solve our center problem

Also why waste draft picks to get rid of Okposo when he isn't the problem with the team. He is still serviceable and until it is a cap problem why give away draft picks.

We may have a chance for a compliance buyout in the off season if the NHL or NHLPA choose to renegotiate the CBA.
- sabresfan69

good points all around, although I do like kempe

The most pressing roster issue atm is Okposo imo. Between Moulson, Bogo, Pommer, and Okposo

10 mil clears this year. Clearing the additional 11 would be incredible. Cap space is at least as valuable in the cap era as draft picks imo.
- jcragcrumple

You are not wrong.
I agree with MHP, it is going to take quite a bit to get someone to take Okposo.
I am praying Novena's that he decides to retire based on a creative offer from Pegula to head-up the newly created Sabres Bought-out Veterans Club for $5m per x 3

Toffoli and Kempe doesn't solve our center problem

Also why waste draft picks to get rid of Okposo when he isn't the problem with the team. He is still serviceable and until it is a cap problem why give away draft picks.

We may have a chance for a compliance buyout in the off season if the NHL or NHLPA choose to renegotiate the CBA.
- sabresfan69

What service is he providing?

I remember murray looking to move back into the first round in 2014, not sure who his target was but he was willing to move all three 2nd rounders (I believe) to get back in...kempe went 29th

I wanted him back then:

https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=60539
- Michael Pachla

Toffoli and Kempe doesn't solve our center problem

.
- sabresfan69

forget the playoffs this season

if casey is a second line center, these 2 help our top 9 big time, if the trade happened

What service is he providing?
- sbroads24

sponge service

I remember murray looking to move back into the first round in 2014, not sure who his target was but he was willing to move all three 2nd rounders (I believe) to get back in...kempe went 29th

I wanted him back then:

https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=60539
- Michael Pachla

Nice article Michael, like the write up on Kempe.

I remember murray looking to move back into the first round in 2014, not sure who his target was but he was willing to move all three 2nd rounders (I believe) to get back in...kempe went 29th

I wanted him back then:

https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=60539
- Michael Pachla

It’s funny cause posters want to trade for a 26 year old Couterier but don’t want to sniff the 22 year old version of him in Kempe. Couts didn’t have a season of 40+ points till his 5th season in the league. Yes Kempe has had a bad statistical season to date but he’s stuck behind Kopitar and Carter on the depth chart and gets barely any PP minutes as a guy on the 2nd unit. By the time this team is a bonfide year in and year out cup contender Couts will be 29 in the last year in his deal and Kempe will be 25 and still have RFA status and a horse on the 2nd or 3rd line playing all situations minutes.