I think we occupy a different marketplace. We're not looking for a long-term answer. We're looking for a stop-gap or an insurance policy in case Mitts doesn't improve this summer, or to hold us off potentially for one more year if Mittelstadt doesn't improve, until Cozens comes in.

I also think a good RW would help as much as a 2C

Skinner-Eichel-??
Olofsson-Mitts-Reinhart
Vesey-Erod-Mojo

That ? doesn't have to be an actual 1RW, it just has to be someone who wouldn't look like an idiot playing there. No to Sheary playing there
- jcragcrumple

Chris Tierney from Ottawa??

The HOCKEY TRADE that happened yesterday supports what I actually said.
#insufferable
- Der Kaiser

The point is that between July and the start of the season, only 6 trades OF ANY KIND have been made in the league for the past two years.

I know, stats can be mean. It's more fun to just state things without proof, and that's what HB is all about. But realistically, your roster after July doesn't change much in the NHL.

Chris Tierney from Ottawa??
- Der Kaiser

I don't know the player well, if I'm being honest

EK said he's DIGGING

EK said he's DIGGING
- SABRES 89

cheetos out of his crack.

The point is that between July and the start of the season, only 6 trades OF ANY KIND have been made in the league for the past two years.

I know, stats can be mean. It's more fun to just state things without proof, and that's what HB is all about. But realistically, your roster after July doesn't change much in the NHL.
- matty12345

We have 11 defensemen. The roster is going to change, unless Scandella and Risto are the top pair in Rochester

Marcus Johansson, Sam Reinhart, Ruotsoleinen, there are options.

Sure 2C is a huge weakness. But every team in the league has one or two giant holes, that's the nature of parody. The sabres didn't suck because Casey Middlestadt last year only had 13 goals, they sucked because 13 goals was actually one of the better forward tallies! They just need to build quality depth at forward, like they have at D. Next year, after I've lost a playoff series to Boston or Toronto and I sit back and think "2C is the matchup that killed us", then I can make a trade or something. For now, I just need less AHL or fringe caliber players on the team.
- matty12345

I don't disagree with the sentiment, but in reality, none of those 3 you mentioned have played and have had sustained success at C at the NHL level. They all could, and I agree getting better players helps all the way. I think people focus on C because they impact more of the game then a W (not really debatable either) and then it pushes Mitts down a line to thrive. Increase two people (new addition + Mitts) with one stone so to speak. With a great winger, you might still be left with not a great 3C (less impactful, but we are all starving for a winner). I'm on the Ehlers train, love his scoring ability. That said if they get a slightly less talented 2C that at the same time boosts Mitts ability, yes please. As it stands now, the way I see it is we are missing a legit 2C and 2RW from having playoff aspiration.

24 year old d man
gets 40-45 points a year
cap friendly contract

sabres brass realized housley had no clue what he is doing


centers in the pipeline


risto is going nowhere in the next 4 months

I don't know the player well, if I'm being honest
- jcragcrumple

SJ cast off in the Karlsson trade.

Pretty solid at only 25 years old. Good frame. had a career high 48 points (9 goals) last year as a 2C in Ottawa.

2.9M RFA.

We have 11 defensemen. The roster is going to change, unless Scandella and Risto are the top pair in Rochester
- jcragcrumple

you spelled hunwick wrong

Saw this in the Chicago comments section:

Per @scottiekrinch
2h2 hours ago

Stan Bowman has now traded every one of his 1st round picks from 2011-2017:

Mark McNeill
Phillip Danault
Teuvo Teravainen
Ryan Hartman
Nick Schmaltz
Henri Jokiharju


Can you imagine? They should have just offer sheeted someone if they were gonna just trade away all their picks anyway.

We have 11 defensemen. The roster is going to change, unless Scandella and Risto are the top pair in Rochester
- jcragcrumple

People really need to stop discrediting Risto like this... my god. The only defensemen on this roster right now that is UNDOUBTEDLY better than Risto is Dahlin.

24 year old d man
gets 40-45 points a year
cap friendly contract

sabres brass realized housley had no clue what he is doing


centers in the pipeline


risto is going nowhere in the next 4 months
- homiedclown

At least 2 d-men off this roster are going.
Mothers is no choice at this point.

Also, having Cs in the pipe doesn’t mean a whole hell of a lot if you don’t have one that can play now. (To me at least)

Saw this in the Chicago comments section:

Per @scottiekrinch
2h2 hours ago

Stan Bowman has now traded every one of his 1st round picks from 2011-2017:

Mark McNeill
Phillip Danault
Teuvo Teravainen
Ryan Hartman
Nick Schmaltz
Henri Jokiharju


Can you imagine? They should have just offer sheeted someone if they were gonna just trade away all their picks anyway.
- adambuffalo

I saw in their page here on HockeyDB that they thought a good deal would have been.

Chicago gets: Casey, Nylander.
Buffalo gets: Anisomov, Joker, and a 1st.

We have 11 defensemen. The roster is going to change, unless Scandella and Risto are the top pair in Rochester
- jcragcrumple

Scandella has to be getting waived.

Bogosian will be on IR.

Montour Miller Dahlin McCabe Risto will be top 5

three of Hunwick Nelson Pilut and Joker will make the team as 6-8. The other two are in rodchester.

This is what I don't understand.... people keep putting Risto into trade scenarios but every time it is another winger coming back and NOT a center. So the problem is still there that everyone harps on daily.
- JVince11

Never say never, I could see them dishing Risto for a 2C, however that then will cause a logjam there with Mitts and Cozens in a year or two when they should be ready to take over the 2C and 3C spots.
It would be a good problem to have for sure, and Cozens could then slot in as a power RW.

For me, the RW acquisition is cleaner if one believes either Mitts or Cozens will evolve into a good 2C.

24 year old d man
gets 40-45 points a year
cap friendly contract

sabres brass realized housley had no clue what he is doing


centers in the pipeline


risto is going nowhere in the next 4 months
- homiedclown

False, didn't you hear. Cozens is an injury prone, busterinko, giraffe from THE WORST CHL(Better to take Euros in the first, but no CHL later means yours a PUTZ). Services are assuredly missed.

People really need to stop discrediting Risto like this... my god. The only defensemen on this roster right now that is UNDOUBTEDLY better than Risto is Dahlin.
- JVince11

Miller and Montour will be on the roster. Botts said Joker is ready to compete at the NHL level as well. No one wants a $5m Bogo. So your right side is, in no particular order:

Miller
Risto
Montour
Joker
Bogo

Risto is not suited to play with Dahlin, and Montour replaces him on the PP - Dahlin as well. I respect the insider info, but there is a lot of smoke billowing that suggests Risto is gone

Never say never, I could see them dishing Risto for a 2C, however that then will cause a logjam there with Mitts and Cozens in a year or two when they should be ready to take over the 2C and 3C spots.
It would be a good problem to have for sure, and Cozens could then slot in as a power RW.

For me, the RW acquisition is cleaner if one believes either Mitts or Cozens will evolve into a good 2C.
- IonSabres

I had seen after the draft that on the Sabres page it was said they drafted C/RW Cozens. Cozens also mentioned in an interview that he has no problem playing RW to start off in Buffalo if that is what they want. Said he does like Center but is willing to play RW.

From that... I think it is easy to see that Buffalo already mentioned to him about playing RW.

If LA would add, I would do Scandells + for Carter. Doubt Carter would waive to come here.

Miller and Montour will be on the roster. Botts said Joker is ready to compete at the NHL level as well. No one wants a $5m Bogo. So your right side is, in no particular order:

Miller
Risto
Montour
Joker
Bogo

Risto is not suited to play with Dahlin, and Montour replaces him on the PP - Dahlin as well. I respect the insider info, but there is a lot of smoke billowing that suggests Risto is gone
- jcragcrumple

RW...

24 year old d man
gets 40-45 points a year
cap friendly contract

sabres brass realized housley had no clue what he is doing


centers in the pipeline



risto is going nowhere in the next 4 months
- homiedclown

Saved .. 6 years in the NHL he’s a vet
4 NHL coaches and every time he does his own thing .. don’t give me this “ Phil stuff” When the guy doesn’t even listen to any coach or the Sabres coaching staff or the Sabres In general about his off-season training

I had seen after the draft that on the Sabres page it was said they drafted C/RW Cozens. Cozens also mentioned in an interview that he has no problem playing RW to start off in Buffalo if that is what they want. Said he does like Center but is willing to play RW.

From that... I think it is easy to see that Buffalo already mentioned to him about playing RW.
- JVince11

I can see a case where cozens plays on jack's line opening night

Miller and Montour will be on the roster. Botts said Joker is ready to compete at the NHL level as well. No one wants a $5m Bogo. So your right side is, in no particular order:

Miller
Risto
Montour
Joker
Bogo

Risto is not suited to play with Dahlin, and Montour replaces him on the PP - Dahlin as well. I respect the insider info, but there is a lot of smoke billowing that suggests Risto is gone
- jcragcrumple

Def not saying you are wrong there. Lots of RD. It would make sense.

Saved .. 6 years in the NHL he’s a vet
4 NHL coaches and every time he does his own thing .. don’t give me this “ Phil stuff” When the guy doesn’t even listen to any coach or the Sabres coaching staff or the Sabres In general about his off-season training
- gerbe75pts

Didn't you hear? Ralph has a hockey IQ injector. The bad news is that the cure only works in offensive zone when playing sheltered minutes.