Time to have fun and to take a break from Covid-19.
You are the Sabres GM.
The season has ended, and the Draft Positions have been established as:
1-Detroit
2-Chicago
3-Buffalo
4-Ottawa
5-Ottawa (via SJS)
6-LA Kings
7-Anaheim
8-Montreal
9-NJ Devils
10-Arizonia
What are the 5 Roster related moves you would make during the offseason..Trades, UFA signings, Offer Sheets...
Go!
- IonSabres
I’m definitely not trading that #3 pick
Assuming Byfield goes 2nd...
that leaves us our choice of Stützle(C/W), Raymond(RW), Lundell(C), Holtz(RW), Drysdale(RD)
I haven’t really seen anyone talk about Stützle much on here, so fo those who don’t know...
Elite skating, great shot, next Marner/PK88 type
Probably a year away though, which is fine
He should be an impact player & Calder challenger in ‘21-‘22
I’d take him, he checks the desperate need we have for more scoring & speed
Those other options are pretty damn good too though
***My moves, in no particular order:
Move 1- trade for Bonino
-many on here have seen me post how he’s producing more than Ryan Johansen, with less icetime & worse linemates- and in tougher situations... very underrated 2way player
Why would NSH move him? He’ll be 31 with a year left on his contract, so maybe something like McCabe + Tage or a pick would be attractive for their “retool” instead of losing him or having to sign him to a long term deal
Move 2- get another goalie to pair w/ Ullmark
-there’s no one i have my heart set on, but there’s UFA & trade options out there
I’ll go with Bernier though. Always liked him, and he’s played pretty well all things considered on Detroit. Don’t think it would cost much to get him
Let’s say Jonas Johansson + Hutton ?
Move 3- trade for Brodin
-next season will be the last year of his deal with Minny. He’s 26, so I’d be plenty ok signing him long term. Minny is another team who should be looking to retool, but he won’t come cheap.
Not sure what to say the trade would cost...
Mitts + Samuelsson?
Move 4/5-
-sign Hoffman (5yrs, 7.0m per) for more needed scoring
-sign C. Smith (4yrs, 3.3m) for additional scoring, 2way play & some toughness. He & Bonino play well together. He gets an extra year or 2 to lower Cap hit
Additional Moves:
-bring back Larsson, Girgs & Lazar
with Okposo, they’d make up forwards 10-13
I don’t want our other young talent having to play a lot of tough defensive minutes, and these guys have done it REALLY well.
It’s a no brainer
Simmonds, Frolik & Vesey can all walk, Sobotka too
-M.Johansson traded to whoever for a pick
needed a roster spot for Hoffman
-Miller traded to whoever for a pick
needed Cap Room & to get Pilut into the lineup
Skinner-Jack-Sam
Olofsson-Cozens-Hoffman
Kahun-Bonino-C.Smith
Girgs-Larsson-Okposo
Lazar
(*Asplund, Routsalainen as first callups)
Dahlin-Jokiharju
Brodin-Montour
Pilut-Risto
Gilmour
(*Borgen, Bryson as first callups)
Ullmark/Bernier
(*UPL in AHL, with a vet goalie)
Playoff team for sure imo
Better than the Leafs...
Maybe could upset Tampa or Boston if we get hot goaltending
Not a Cup contender till the kids grow a little more though
*this all comes in about 81.5mil
***If more Cap Room is needed:
Option 1
-trade Risto instead of Miller for 1.5mil in extra room
Option 2
-keep MoJo, & don’t sign Hoffman to save 2.5mil
Can we realistically do ALL this?
Probably not
But i don’t think any of it is crazy
And we’re just playing make believe GM
So that’s what I’d do