I'd rather extend sheary

2 years 7 mil to 8 mil total

then you have locked up for top 9 next season
eichel, skunk, skinner, olofsson, johansson, sheary, casey and cozens

throw tage in the mix, use the cap space to upgrade a d man
- homiedclown

That's fine, there both the same age, Toffoli is a UFA next year, he would be a up grade over Sobotka. Like I said in my other post, rather have Zucker

Sheary's been a bad 3rd line player in his time here. Going to take more than 2 good games to change my mind on him, and paying that to a 3rd line winger is going to cause issues.
- Lunaion

Agreed.

It's a big assumption that Cozens is ready for a big impact year with the Sabres next year, but why not try for somebody like Zucker to upgrade the 2nd line now (price pending of course) and use the combination of Mittelstadt and Cozens to anchor that line next year?

My previous post was in regards to the 2 cross crease passes and a centering pass that were wiffed on by his linematesin the Anaheim game. At his age and with the effort I have seen this year, I would try him with Skinner and Mojo....it might give his confidence a boost and kickstart his career. Sobotka can do the same for the 3rd line that he's doing for the second now.
I never liked Mittlestadt before the Anaheim game, but I think he is starting to get it, and his ceiling is much higher than Sobo. Also not saying a permanent change now, but something to seriously consider trying.
- Wyohomeboy

We're 6-1-1 why do people not understand you don't make major changes when you're 6-1-1. It's working. And moving Mitts to the 2nd line and moving JOHO to wing is a major change, it's totally changing 2 lines.

For those who may have forgotten, Roy and Vanek were at their best when they were on the 3rd line (behind Brier's line and Drury's line). They got favorable matchups and excelled. When they were forced to the 1st line (when Drury and Briere left), they had a much tougher time. This is what Ralph is doing for Mitts right now

Agreed.

It's a big assumption that Cozens is ready for a big impact year with the Sabres next year, but why not try for somebody like Zucker to upgrade the 2nd line now (price pending of course) and use the combination of Mittelstadt and Cozens to anchor that line next year?
- kingcong39

they are already at the cap, so dollar in, dollar out

who are they going to move to the wild?

Agreed.

It's a big assumption that Cozens is ready for a big impact year with the Sabres next year, but why not try for somebody like Zucker to upgrade the 2nd line now (price pending of course) and use the combination of Mittelstadt and Cozens to anchor that line next year?
- kingcong39

based on the chemistry i wouldnt mine looking at a Sheary-Cozens-Mitts line

they are already at the cap, so dollar in, dollar out

who are they going to move to the wild?
- homiedclown

A defenseman...?

based on the chemistry i wouldnt mine looking at a Sheary-Cozens-Mitts line
- hubie

tagemania is coming, soon

they are already at the cap, so dollar in, dollar out

who are they going to move to the wild?
- homiedclown

Agree with you there, cap is tricky for the foreseeable future

Mitts or Cozens being a good top 6 player next year is something they really need

based on the chemistry i wouldnt mine looking at a Sheary-Cozens-Mitts line
- hubie

I don't think Mitts is ever getting moved to wing. People have been calling for it, but it's not happening. If Cozens is on the team, MoJo is moved to wing.

tagemania is coming, soon
- homiedclown

is this a prediction or are you sharing info from your sources?

A defenseman...?
- kingcong39

ok, who would the wild want, making that kind of money

they already have suter, dumba, spurgeon and brodin

team can't score as it is, marcus foligno has the most points for any wild player up front right now

so reinhart for zucker plus, or you move scandella and enough picks and prospects to make it worth their wild

doesn't seem like a good fit

Hutton needs to play both SJS games. Ullmark can come in against one of the NYR and Detroit.

The sabres need to play with a certain level of desperation in October and November that other teams don't. Boston and Tampa and Toronto can talk about a long season and peaking and such, but we are in a race to 95-98 points. If Hutton can carry us to first in the league after 20 games, I like my chances of holding on for 8th.

Don't be fooled by last year. The streak was exactly what that team needed. They just needed to be below average the rest of the way. The ended up being the worst team. But get me out to the same hot start and I like my chances of not folding this time.

Bottom line. Ride the guy who hasn't lost. Rest him later. Pile up wins now when other teams are still figuring out their identity.

based on the chemistry i wouldnt mine looking at a Sheary-Cozens-Mitts line
- hubie

I like mitts to the wing. He’s not a center.

is this a prediction or are you sharing info from your sources?
- Angler

I heard it's coming soon

probably in 2 weeks, and he will get sobotka's spot when the time is right

I like mitts to the wing. He’s not a center.
- lulags

he was last night

I heard it's coming soon

probably in 2 weeks, and he will get sobotka's spot when the time is right
- homiedclown

That is good to hear ...... the Sobotka spot did seems sort of like a place holder spot for someone.

We're 6-1-1 why do people not understand you don't make major changes when you're 6-1-1. It's working. And moving Mitts to the 2nd line and moving JOHO to wing is a major change, it's totally changing 2 lines.

For those who may have forgotten, Roy and Vanek were at their best when they were on the 3rd line (behind Brier's line and Drury's line). They got favorable matchups and excelled. When they were forced to the 1st line (when Drury and Briere left), they had a much tougher time. This is what Ralph is doing for Mitts right now
- turbo044

I d just like to see him have linemates that can convert his passes at some point... doesn't have to be permanent today. If he had linemates who convert those, I believe it would increase his confidence and ramp up his growth curve. Sobotka is not going to make any huge improvement, in his play, he is what he is at this point in his career.

ok, who would the wild want, making that kind of money

they already have suter, dumba, spurgeon and brodin

team can't score as it is, marcus foligno has the most points for any wild player up front right now

so reinhart for zucker plus, or you move scandella and enough picks and prospects to make it worth their wild

doesn't seem like a good fit
- homiedclown

Scandella (mainly for salary purposes), Borgen, a 1st round pick.

Just an example of what might work if they're tearing the whole thing down.

Hutton needs to play both SJS games. Ullmark can come in against one of the NYR and Detroit.

The sabres need to play with a certain level of desperation in October and November that other teams don't. Boston and Tampa and Toronto can talk about a long season and peaking and such, but we are in a race to 95-98 points. If Hutton can carry us to first in the league after 20 games, I like my chances of holding on for 8th.

Don't be fooled by last year. The streak was exactly what that team needed. They just needed to be below average the rest of the way. The ended up being the worst team. But get me out to the same hot start and I like my chances of not folding this time.

Bottom line. Ride the guy who hasn't lost. Rest him later. Pile up wins now when other teams are still figuring out their identity.
- matty12345

Where were you when i was beating this drum for 2 days.
Apparently, in todays NHL everyone gets to play, cant get tired its not the 1990's where you could ride a hot goalie.

I would hate to keep playing the guy leading the league in wins and save %..... that would be crazy

Obviously, according to a few who can't be happy w a 6-1-1 record so far.

Need something to cry about.
- Powerslave

Exactly….

I like mitts to the wing. He’s not a center.
- lulags

+1
let him thrive without the center responsibility

Scandella (mainly for salary purposes), Borgen, a 1st round pick.

Just an example of what might work if they're tearing the whole thing down.
- kingcong39

won't work

we would be adding 1.5 mil to the big club roster

Scandella (mainly for salary purposes), Borgen, a 1st round pick.

Just an example of what might work if they're tearing the whole thing down.
- kingcong39

I don't see them at a point where they are willing to deal their only 1st. They are still building up the system. They will also really need those ELC's.

I don't see them at a point where they are willing to deal their only 1st. They are still building up the system. They will also really need those ELC's.
- Lunaion

I was trying to come up with something that doesn't involve the most obvious duo on defense: McCabe or Ristolainen.

The Wild are in trouble, they have a old team, they might be willing to move Zucker for a Dman, say Risto +Asplund. Then they could move some other pieces for prospects or picks. Other then Kunin they really don't seem to have many decent prospects.