I don't think it kicks in until July 1
- Powerslave

Ah I didn't know that.

I could get behind;

-Scandella for Vesey swap.
-4th for Honka (Beaulieu type move, someone find out if this one has legs)
-Sobotka and STL 2nd for Toffoli
-Kessel (McCabe and STL 1st, no idea on cost)
-Zucker (Thompson, Nylander and 3rd, no idea on cost)
-Phaneuf for a year on the bottom pairing

Skinner - Eichel - Kessel
Zucker - Reinhart - Toffoli
Vesey - Mittelstadt - Sheary
Smith - Rodriques - Okposo

Dahlin - Ristolainen
Pilut - Montour
Phaneuf - Honka

Ullmark
Hutton

I think Toffoli has a double benefit of buying low and the highest upside. I don't think he's washed up at 27. And he's a RW which I think is a higher need than LW.
- jcragcrumple

I second this emotion.

I would like to see a better goalie back there, I don’t trust either one we have now.

I could get behind;

-Scandella for Vesey swap.
-4th for Honka (Beaulieu type move, someone find out if this one has legs)
-Sobotka and STL 2nd for Toffoli
-Kessel (McCabe and STL 1st, no idea on cost)
-Zucker (Thompson, Nylander and 3rd, no idea on cost)
-Phaneuf for a year on the bottom pairing

Skinner - Eichel - Kessel
Zucker - Reinhart - Toffoli
Vesey - Mittelstadt - Sheary
Smith - Rodriques - Okposo

Dahlin - Ristolainen
Pilut - Montour
Phaneuf - Honka

Ullmark
Hutton
- Mentalorgasm5

LA is trying to make cap space. Sobotka doesn’t help with that.

He’s not the fleetest of foot though.
- dadeadhead

True. And we're already slow

LA is trying to make cap space. Sobotka doesn’t help with that.
- dadeadhead

They have 14 million, with nothing major to resign. Sobotka would clear and extra million plus for them

They have 14 million, with nothing major to resign. Sobotka would clear and extra million plus for them
- Mentalorgasm5

but why would they make that trade?

Those points to optimize come from Chad D at Die By The Blade, he had a very interesting argument leveraging his data driven analysis to support his theory...very, very well done...you should read it.
https://www.diebytheblade...astically-change-his-role

JCrag also voiced a similar strategy earlier in this forum, just not as defined as Chad presented...credit to him.

I happen to agree with their analysis, just do not support paying a 3rd pairing $5m.
- IonSabres

The thing is you can drive data anywhere you want it to go.

It's also fake news that Montour "took over". He still played 1:30 a night less than Risto, and even that's skewed, because Montour had a night where he played 29 minutes in a game Risto missed, jacking up his average(21:45) by about 30 seconds a game, so really about 2 minutes less than Risto a game. Montour had 5 games as a Sabre under 20 minutes, Risto had one the entire season, and it was before Montour was acquired. Yes, his presence ate into Risto's minutes, which is a good thing, but he did not replace Risto.

Edit: 20 seconds a night. ~.32 minutes

Sabres 2020 2nd, Okposo and Nylander for Kovalchuk and Toffoli

So you're asking how can we replace the guy that isn't qualified to play the minutes that he has been playing?

Also, Risto was playing second pair minutes at the end of the season. Lets not let fear keep us from making improvements.
- Slump Buster

His ~23:15 after Montour was acquired ranked 29th among defensemen for the season. That's still #1D minutes.

We are really stuck with Okposo, 4 more years is a hard sell for a guy that really brings nothing to the game. You can get a guy that makes 3-4 mill a year to get you 15 goals or close to it.
- SABRES 89

About the only thing we can hope for is for him to rebound and score 20 goals a year. I'll gladly take that. Would be nice for an article to come out where he says he's "finally healthy" and feels like himself again. Remember, he does have a decent shot.

Hey, ya never know ...

We already have a soft team. He does nothing to address that.

I would go bigger. Theres plenty available.
- sgk56

We did the LA king thing and those prospects are where ?

The thing is you can drive data anywhere you want it to go.

It's also fake news that Montour "took over". He still played 1:30 a night less than Risto, and even that's skewed, because Montour had a night where he played 29 minutes in a game Risto missed, jacking up his average(21:45) by about 30 seconds a game, so really about 2 minutes less than Risto a game. Montour had 5 games as a Sabre under 20 minutes, Risto had one the entire season, and it was before Montour was acquired. Yes, his presence ate into Risto's minutes, which is a good thing, but he did not replace Risto.
- Wetbandit1

The idea that Risto is best used as a 3rd pairing, 2nd PP guy is funny to me. If you believe that, you have to trade him.

If you have to shelter Risto, who is picking it up defensively? Dahlin or Montour? That doesn't make sense.

True. And we're already slow
- jcragcrumple

If he could work with jack and be at the place at the right time he could hit 30

Vesey, Zucker or Toffoli.

Who's everyone's first choice?

I'd have to go Zucker, but he'd probably cost the most to trade for.
- Powerslave

It has to be Zucker, Toffoli, then Vesey.

But

I could get behind;

-Scandella for Vesey swap.
-4th for Honka (Beaulieu type move, someone find out if this one has legs)
-Sobotka and STL 2nd for Toffoli
-Kessel (McCabe and STL 1st, no idea on cost)
-Zucker (Thompson, Nylander and 3rd, no idea on cost)
-Phaneuf for a year on the bottom pairing

Skinner - Eichel - Kessel
Zucker - Reinhart - Toffoli
Vesey - Mittelstadt - Sheary
Smith - Rodriques - Okposo

Dahlin - Ristolainen
Pilut - Montour
Phaneuf - Honka

Ullmark
Hutton
- Mentalorgasm5

Why would the Rangers or Kings do that though?

They’d each probably get more as rentals at the deadline

It has to be Zucker, Toffoli, then Vesey.

But
- OneKaneOneCup

But
But
But
But
But
But 😉

Happy Father's day to all you mother (frank)ers out there...

Why would the Rangers or Kings do that though?

They’d each probably get more as rentals at the deadline
- OneKaneOneCup

Vesey is not a UFA next year he’s a RFA. The Rags are interested in trading him because they’re drafting Kapka and have a couple other high winger prospects ready for the NHL

The only problem with Tyler Toffoli is if he Has a crazy career year I don’t want to pay him

I don’t trust his speed To sign him to a long-term contract

Vesey is not a UFA next year he’s a RFA. The Rags are interested in trading him because they’re drafting Kapka and have a couple other high winger prospects ready for the NHL
- turbo044

He’s an RFA? Are you sure?

Why would the Rangers or Kings do that though?

They’d each probably get more as rentals at the deadline
- OneKaneOneCup

More than a 2nd for toffoli at the deadline? I doubt it.

Vesey is a 30 point 3rd liner.

He’s an RFA? Are you sure?
- OneKaneOneCup

Vesey is a UFA next year according to capfriendly.

Vesey is not a UFA next year he’s a RFA. The Rags are interested in trading him because they’re drafting Kapka and have a couple other high winger prospects ready for the NHL
- turbo044

Interesting in that Hockey Reference and Cap Friendly both list him as UFA, but EK has him as an RFA. I would think those two are more reliable than EK

Vesey is not a UFA next year he’s a RFA. The Rags are interested in trading him because they’re drafting Kapka and have a couple other high winger prospects ready for the NHL
- turbo044

Vesey is a UFA 7/1/20


https://www.capfriendly.com/players/jimmy-vesey