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Forums :: Blog World :: Michael Ghofrani: Sabres Off-Season Blueprint: Wheeling and Dealing
Author Message
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Apr 4 @ 9:19 AM ET
How do you do, Homie?

I got the spaniel out for a long walk and saw the sun come up at dawn, drank most of a pot of coffee (I make a 50/50 mix of Folgers Black Silk and Sumutran Mandheling from the local foo-foo shop); did this month's paperwork and paid the bills; and I'm reading some constitutional history just because I feel like I need to confirm my understanding of Civics 101.

If I can find a place to redeem the empties, I think I probably have like $10 of soda cans. My franking 19 year kid drinks like 5 Cherry cokes every day.

Early this afternoon I'm gonna take him for a quick 9 holes. The start day for my league got pushed back to May.

I got the windows open and streaming into my place are the smells of the earth opening back up after winter.

It *IS* a good morning, and I'm looking forward to a good day.

- Der Kaiser

Yes it is a good morning, sitting on my back porch having a nice cup of Folgers silk myself. Watching my dog run around like a maniac chasing squirrels.
Der Kaiser
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I Know Nothink ... NOTHINK!
Joined: 07.27.2007

Apr 4 @ 9:22 AM ET
Yes it is a good morning, sitting on my back porch having a nice cup of Folgers silk myself. Watching my dog run around like a maniac chasing squirrels.
- Buff36



Good Morning 36
IonSabres
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL
Joined: 03.10.2013

Apr 4 @ 9:27 AM ET
That's gonna be the interesting thing lon, who are they looking at, and what resources are they willing to use to do it.
- Buff36


I generally agree with Ghofranni's general direction of playing a more high-event offensive style of hockey.

The dilemma is at 2C and 2RW for me. Do you invest in a young, true 2C now with Cozens probably 2 years away? Do you acquire an aging vet as a stop gap? Do you trade for a talented 3C and push him up to 2C for a couple years?

Honestly, I'm sick of elevating players into roles that are a level higher than they are capable of. Old vets will probably be relatively expensive and young players will cost a ton in trade value. That said, I'd prefer to go after Strome as we have talked about. He ain't perfect by any means, but there is flexibility with him down the road if Cozens emerges as a true 2C.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Apr 4 @ 9:32 AM ET
Good Morning 36
- Der Kaiser

Good morning Kaiser. Where are you playing golf.
Der Kaiser
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I Know Nothink ... NOTHINK!
Joined: 07.27.2007

Apr 4 @ 9:33 AM ET
Good morning Kaiser. Where are you playing golf.
- Buff36


Hoping to get onto Shadow Lake in ROC where I live.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Apr 4 @ 9:36 AM ET
Hoping to get onto Shadow Lake in ROC where I live.
- Der Kaiser

Well good Luck. Gonna try and go to the Ridge and play some Frisbee Golf through the Woods. They have a nice little set up there.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Apr 4 @ 9:38 AM ET
I generally agree with Ghofranni's general direction of playing a more high-event offensive style of hockey.

The dilemma is at 2C and 2RW for me. Do you invest in a young, true 2C now with Cozens probably 2 years away? Do you acquire an aging vet as a stop gap? Do you trade for a talented 3C and push him up to 2C for a couple years?

Honestly, I'm sick of elevating players into roles that are a level higher than they are capable of. Old vets will probably be relatively expensive and young players will cost a ton in trade value. That said, I'd prefer to go after Strome as we have talked about. He ain't perfect by any means, but there is flexibility with him down the road if Cozens emerges as a true 2C.

- IonSabres

Strome is who I would like to see to, he isn't the smoothest skater but the kid can dish, and would be a nice compliment to Skinner until Cozens is ready.
Pegullaville
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Toronto
Joined: 03.16.2011

Apr 4 @ 9:39 AM ET
I have seen enough of johansson , move him at the draft and use some of that money for a legit LD for the second pair


IMO the biggest needs are #2 RW
#2 LD

legit goalie on a 1 year deal to bury Hutton

I think between casey and cozens, we will be fine for second line center and tage can fill that void for 3rd line RW, assuming they let Vesey walk which I am not sure they will

- homiedclown


Our biggest issues in my eyes.

1A Goaltender- (with how good we were defensively this year until the last few weeks of the season when the team knew it was finished we could have very well competed for a spot)

2C- I believe this is Cozens long term but until that happens we need a stop gap. Cozens could easily start off on the wing this year so we need to be prepared for every situation.

2LHD- Pilut/Bryson can battle it out to play on the third pair but if either of them or McCabe are top 4 d-men on this club I’m still a bit worried.

We are drafting another top 6 forward this year whether it’s a Center or winger and I’m excited about that. We will get a very good hockey player picking anywhere in the top 10.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Apr 4 @ 9:47 AM ET
Our biggest issues in my eyes.

1A Goaltender- (with how good we were defensively this year until the last few weeks of the season when the team knew it was finished we could have very well competed for a spot)

2C- I believe this is Cozens long term but until that happens we need a stop gap. Cozens could easily start off on the wing this year so we need to be prepared for every situation.

2LHD- Pilut/Bryson can battle it out to play on the third pair but if either of them or McCabe are top 4 d-men on this club I’m still a bit worried.

We are drafting another top 6 forward this year whether it’s a Center or winger and I’m excited about that. We will get a very good hockey player picking anywhere in the top 10.

- Pegullaville

Who is that Goaltender, are we waiting to see if 6K can fill that need or do we make a move for a Goaltender.
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Apr 4 @ 9:50 AM ET
How do you do, Homie?

I got the spaniel out for a long walk and saw the sun come up at dawn, drank most of a pot of coffee (I make a 50/50 mix of Folgers Black Silk and Sumutran Mandheling from the local foo-foo shop); did this month's paperwork and paid the bills; and I'm reading some constitutional history just because I feel like I need to confirm my understanding of Civics 101.

If I can find a place to redeem the empties, I think I probably have like $10 of soda cans. My franking 19 year kid drinks like 5 Cherry cokes every day.

Early this afternoon I'm gonna take him for a quick 9 holes. The start day for my league got pushed back to May.

I got the windows open and streaming into my place are the smells of the earth opening back up after winter.

It *IS* a good morning, and I'm looking forward to a good day.

- Der Kaiser

golf course shut down here, dogs love both of us being at home all the time

grill fired up every night


only downside here, tired of commercials for socks, underwear and pillows



stay safe
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Apr 4 @ 9:50 AM ET
Hoping to get onto Shadow Lake in ROC where I live.
- Der Kaiser

my Dad is playing Terry Hills at 2
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Apr 4 @ 9:51 AM ET
Our biggest issues in my eyes.

1A Goaltender- (with how good we were defensively this year until the last few weeks of the season when the team knew it was finished we could have very well competed for a spot)

2C- I believe this is Cozens long term but until that happens we need a stop gap. Cozens could easily start off on the wing this year so we need to be prepared for every situation.

2LHD- Pilut/Bryson can battle it out to play on the third pair but if either of them or McCabe are top 4 d-men on this club I’m still a bit worried.

We are drafting another top 6 forward this year whether it’s a Center or winger and I’m excited about that. We will get a very good hockey player picking anywhere in the top 10.

- Pegullaville

we are pretty much on the same page

esp if a right winger is picked at the draft
IonSabres
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL
Joined: 03.10.2013

Apr 4 @ 9:58 AM ET
we are pretty much on the same page

esp if a right winger is picked at the draft

- homiedclown


Who do you target for 2C?
dadeadhead
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I don't want to say Greztky was a dude when I was watching. Mentalorgasm5 , NY
Joined: 07.16.2006

Apr 4 @ 9:59 AM ET
we are pretty much on the same page

esp if a right winger is picked at the draft

- homiedclown



If the league allows a team a buyout. I’d look there for a vet 1-2 yr stop gap on the front and back end.
Pegullaville
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Toronto
Joined: 03.16.2011

Apr 4 @ 10:00 AM ET
Who is that Goaltender, are we waiting to see if 6K can fill that need or do we make a move for a Goaltender.
- Buff36


There are many goaltenders available in UFA this year that could be a stop gap. Halak, Khudobin, Greiss come to mind. Raanta has one year left on his deal in Arizona but if they are looking to shed salary I’d bite.

I have no idea what he plans to do with Hutton but it’s clear that the guy is terrible.

UPL needs to spend the entire year in the AHL and continue his development.
kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

Apr 4 @ 10:04 AM ET
Who do you target for 2C?
- IonSabres


Bonino and Strome, both.

Get true depth at the position for the first time in a very long time.

Don't rely on Cozens needing to be ready.

If he does look ready, he can fill an RW position until Bonino is gone after next season.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Apr 4 @ 10:05 AM ET
If the league allows a team a buyout. I’d look there for a vet 1-2 yr stop gap on the front and back end.
- dadeadhead

If they think Ullmark is a good compliment, I would take Greiss for short term.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Apr 4 @ 10:07 AM ET
There are many goaltenders available in UFA this year that could be a stop gap. Halak, Khudobin, Greiss come to mind. Raanta has one year left on his deal in Arizona but if they are looking to shed salary I’d bite.

I have no idea what he plans to do with Hutton but it’s clear that the guy is terrible.

UPL needs to spend the entire year in the AHL and continue his development.

- Pegullaville

I agree with UPL, he needs a little more time. Hutton is just to damn inconsistent.
dadeadhead
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I don't want to say Greztky was a dude when I was watching. Mentalorgasm5 , NY
Joined: 07.16.2006

Apr 4 @ 10:07 AM ET
If they think Ullmark is a good compliment, I would take Greiss for short term.
- Buff36



There’s a couple of us that’s been on that Greiss wagon for a long, long time. Problem is the Sabres always seem to finally agree when it is too late for the player.
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Apr 4 @ 10:08 AM ET
Who do you target for 2C?
- IonSabres

Pavelski or Getzlaf
Pegullaville
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Toronto
Joined: 03.16.2011

Apr 4 @ 10:09 AM ET
Bonino and Strome, both.

Get true depth at the position for the first time in a very long time.

Don't rely on Cozens needing to be ready.

If he does look ready, he can fill an RW position until Bonino is gone after next season.

- kingcong39


That’s who I would look at also. I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried for Tyler Johnson also from Tampa to get him on the cheap.

UFA’s I’d consider:

Haula (2 years max)

Soderberg/Eakin/Koivu (1 year contract to be the 3C)
Pegullaville
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Toronto
Joined: 03.16.2011

Apr 4 @ 10:11 AM ET
Pavelski or Getzlaf
- homiedclown


Pavelski fell off a cliff, he’s finished.

Getzlaf would be interesting depending on the price.
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Apr 4 @ 10:11 AM ET
If the league allows a team a buyout. I’d look there for a vet 1-2 yr stop gap on the front and back end.
- dadeadhead

I'd want the pickle if he is bought out
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Apr 4 @ 10:13 AM ET
Pavelski fell off a cliff, he’s finished.

.

- Pegullaville

Roope Hintz and Denis Gurianov

or Skinner and Lucas Raymond


Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Apr 4 @ 10:14 AM ET
I'd want the pickle if he is bought out
- homiedclown

Kosher or Dill
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