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VT001,
Thanks for the thoughtful reply. You bring up 3 very good points. Each I discerned when writing this response.
1. How does this make team better?
Patrick Kane has 22 goals and 29 assists. On pace for another 100 point season. Dahlin has 2 goals and 19 assists. By removing Dahlin and adding Kane, we no have two players in Eichel and Kane who can surpass a one hundred point season. And they don’t need each other to do so. Therefore, by adding Kane to Skinners and Johansson line, those guys reap the benefit of Kane, the same way Eichel did to Skinner and does to Oloffson and Reinhart. Two very dynamic line one’s.
2. Can we afford him?
That’s where the Sabres GM needs to get creative and why it is imperative that the Hawks take Okposo’s contract on at 6 million for four years. With the release of Seabrook and the hypothetical departure of Kane, they should be able to do so and have room to sign a guy like Hall. Mitts or any of the prospects the Hawks see fit (Olgivie, Asplund, Cousins, etc) at 975,000 sweetens the deal. Through in a pick if need be. The Sabres have a ton of cap space freeing up next year with options to resign or release Bogo, Scandella, Sheary, Montour, Reinhart, Vesey, Rodriguez, Thompson. Of those either Bogo at 5 million and/or Scandella at 4 million could be released in addition to Okposo. Totaling 11 to 15 million in cap space. Of those mentioned above, I’d like to see the remaining signed. Hard to believe Sheary and Vesey would demand much more than what they are making to fulfill the third line with Asplund, Mitts, Cousins, Or Olgivie. Or maybe let both Sheary and/or Vesey walk? And fill that line with the young guys similar to when Roy, Vanek, and Pommers came up? Next year, we absolutely could afford Kane!! This year? Maybe it’s a first round pick to go with the aforementioned trade offer if the Hawks agree to retain a portion of the remaining cap hit the Sabres could not afford this year?
3. How can Sabers replace their top scoring d-man now and of the future without giving up more assets?
Collectively. And through their depth. Simply, I don’t think they need to, yet.
Risto - McCabe
Montour - Miller
Jokiharju - Bogosian / Scandella
Risto might have as many points this year as Dahlin If he was on top PP unit. Montour is a strong skater with offensive talent as well and certainly could breakout offensively. Only a matter of time for Jokiharju as well. Being more defensively minded is not such a bad idea on defense as well. As mentioned, Pilot, Samuelson, and Johnson represent potentially the Sabres up and coming defense. Not a great offensively minded defense, but not terrible either, and nowhere near the bottom. One that I think with a Kane on the team, becomes better instantly offensively. It’s d on defense that needs to be the focus. Not the Housley model.
As I new member to this site, I apologize for the rediculous long post as I apparently had a lot to say other than just an insult.
Did I convince you? |
