Why not try Mittlestadt at wing btw?

The Sabres have done that with their centers before (Reinhart, Girgensons, Derek Roy even...)

Less distance to cover on-ice, an easier defensive responsibility (there's a reason why centers score more than dmen, because they have more offensive skill), and Casey could maybe focus more on his offensive game.

Let's give him a little run on wing with Eichel/Olafsson or Reinhart/Skinner... Hell we've seen Girgensons next to Eichel, why not give Casey a shot? What do we really have to lose by trying, the team doesn't make the playoffs??

Chychrun
Dvorak
Crouse
Stepan
- homiedclown

Crouse and Stepan are interesting, but I believe both are signed for 1 more year. Don't think they would move Chychrun.

Anybody on the Coyotes roster intrigue anyone. Would Connor Garland or any of there D move the needle.
- Buff36

Garland is a sniper, would be great.
I have wanted Christan Dvorak myself

I doubt they let either go though.

Jason nightingale is listed as director of analytics...I believe botts is a fan of analytics and Krueger most definitely is...

the article ion posted was great and the initial premise of being able to play in the clutch--especially in net--really rang true for this sabres season...weak goaltending did them in and i'm sure steve valiquette's numbers would back that up...

between nov. 7 and march 7 while the sabres were busy compiling the second worst points percentage in the league (.434 behind only Detroit,) and when they went from top-5 points percentage to their eventual 25th place finish, carter hutton went 6-12-1 with a 3.66 gaa and .895 sv% and was letting in weak goals left and right...Ullmark held his own (while still letting in softies here and there) with Johansson compiling rookie-type numbers (2.94 gaa; .894 sv%) in his six appearances
- Michael Pachla

Ralph may be a fan, but some of his usage decisions were in stark contrast to the analytics.

One example is the pair of Ristolainen and Montour and how he deployed them.

https://twitter.com/Joshu.../1271781850353143809?s=19

😂😂😅😅

Garland is a sniper, would be great.
I have wanted Christan Dvorak myself

I doubt they let either go though.
- IonSabres

I was very surprised to see how there cap situation is, we might be able to pluck something from them.

I'm trading
A) Rhino, 2020-1st and Mitts to Detroit for Dylan Larkin, I'll even throw in Tage
B) Montour and Asplund to VGK for Tuch
C) Miller for Josh Anderson
D) Risto for futures

I'll then pursue in UFA
Gudas
Dillon

Skinner - Eichel - Tuch
Olofsson - Larkin - Anderson
Mojo - Cozens - Kahun
Asplund - Lazar - Okposo
Dahlin - Gudas
Dillon - Joker
McCabe - Borgen
Ullmark
Hutton

Hopefully one of Mitts or Tage can wrestle a 3rd line wing position, and Bryson can take the 3LhD; to let Mojo and McCabe go at TDL as prep for Dahlin and Joker contracts the next season.
- IonSabres

Interesting Larkin trade, I have been throwing his name around over on the Detroit blog. That's a interesting trade proposal.

Ralph may be a fan, but some of his usage decisions were in stark contrast to the analytics.

One example is the pair of Ristolainen and Montour and how he deployed them.
- kingcong39

i'm not sure what the numbers were 5v5 but those two weren't a pair on a penalty kill that destroyed their season...a .727 kill rate between the dates listed prior and hutton with a .798 sv% with buffalo shorthanded...plus he also allowed five shorthanded goals on 18 shots against for a .722 sv%...talk about deflating


edit:

to be fair, while shorthanded Ullmark had a .829 sv% while Johansson clocked in at .833

Interesting Larkin trade, I have been throwing his name around over on the Detroit blog. That's a interesting trade proposal.
- Buff36

Larkin untouchable for them, he's their Eichel. They would want Eichel delt in the package as well. I don't think Detroit would even do Larkin for Dahlin straight up.

Larkin untouchable for them, he's their Eichel. They would want Eichel delt in the package as well. I don't think Detroit would even do Larkin for Dahlin straight up.
- SuperCat

Detroit is in a total rebuild, Larkin is very good. Rhino and are 1st could really help them, especially with there potential top pick, they could have 2 picks in the top 7. But that is a tough one, they could be 3 or 4 years away.

Interesting Larkin trade, I have been throwing his name around over on the Detroit blog. That's a interesting trade proposal.
- Buff36

no chance I am throwing Rhino, 2020-1st, Tage and Mitts to Detroit for 3 years of Dylan Larkin

no chance I am throwing Rhino, 2020-1st, Tage and Mitts to Detroit for 3 years of Dylan Larkin
- homiedclown

Why is it only 3 yrs, just because his contract is up. If you can't resign him then you flip him for a haul, he will only be 27. Gives Cozens time to grow. I doubt they would do it anyway.

no chance I am throwing Rhino, 2020-1st, Tage and Mitts to Detroit for 3 years of Dylan Larkin
- homiedclown

This

Larkin is great but that package is insane for a player with only 3 years left who has 11 more total points in the last 2 seasons over Reinhart

This

Larkin is great but that package is insane for a player with only 3 years left who has 11 more total points in the last 2 seasons over Reinhart
- Stripes77

That's cool, everyone has there opinions. I don’t think they would even do it for that anyway. But 2 guys that haven't really pushed the needle. And Larkin really hasn't had much to work with the last few years.

Larkin untouchable for them, he's their Eichel. They would want Eichel delt in the package as well. I don't think Detroit would even do Larkin for Dahlin straight up.
- SuperCat

Probably right.
Eichel, Larkin and Cozens down the middle would be formidable though.

Detroit is in a total rebuild, Larkin is very good. Rhino and are 1st could really help them, especially with there potential top pick, they could have 2 picks in the top 7. But that is a tough one, they could be 3 or 4 years away.
- Buff36

Larkin is one of the fastest skaters in the league, faster all-star times than both Eichel and McDavid. He was a point per game player with even less talent around him that Eichel has had here...

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have him in Buffalo. But from talking to Detroit fans, that's who they want to build their future around, they love him there. Why wouldn't they give them the money he wants, who else are they gonna give it to? And now that Detepit has the Stevie Y, (who built the TB Lightning) back in the building, there's no way your gonna hustle them. Yzerman is the best gm in the league historically, Botril may be among the worst.

Why is it only 3 yrs, just because his contract is up. If you can't resign him then you flip him for a haul, he will only be 27. Gives Cozens time to grow. I doubt they would do it anyway.
- Buff36

You're not going to get a crazy package for him during his last season. Teams are being smarter with their trades.

The Duchene trade didn't get much other than two eh prospects and a couple of picks

Giving up Reinhart a top 10 pick, Mitts and Tage is crazy IMO

I have no problem with bridging him and Kahun, I just worry about how that affects Dahlin and Joker for next year. Wish we new if there was gonna be a compliance buyout, would be nice to get rid of Okposo contract.
- Buff36

Dahlin is a clear exception. You lock him up to 8 years, if you can. If Joker has a solid season, you consider a longer term deal as well. I think that much of him.

This

Larkin is great but that package is insane for a player with only 3 years left who has 11 more total points in the last 2 seasons over Reinhart
- Stripes77

Could it be that it is relatively even if both sides feel they're giving up too much?

Could it be that it is relatively even if both sides feel they're giving up too much?
- IonSabres

I mean Larkin as our 2C would be insane

But I don't see Detroit moving him either

Yzermen is the last GM I want Botts attempting to trade with

You're not going to get a crazy package for him during his last season. Teams are being smarter with their trades.

The Duchene trade didn't get much other than two eh prospects and a couple of picks

Giving up Reinhart a top 10 pick, Mitts and Tage is crazy IMO
- Stripes77

That's cool, like I said I doubt they would even do it. I was trying different packages on there blog before and most were coming back with are 1st, Cozens and another prospect. So either way it would take a lot to get him.

What do the Sabres have to give up in a trade for Max Domi, Risto? What about for A. Duclair?

Put them on a 2nd line around Reinhart and move either Skinner or Ollafsson to Eichels RW?

I mean Larkin as our 2C would be insane

But I don't see Detroit moving him either

Yzermen is the last GM I want Botts attempting to trade with
- Stripes77

Well, if the rumors are true in that he wanted Risto, how smart can he truly be, lol.

I doubt it would happen, but to get him, one needs to "overpay"

I think Larkin would have a huge impact on his linemates, so when evaluating him that needs to be factored in. Rhino plays well with Jack no doubt, I don't think he improves the players around him as much as Larkin does/would.

I also see Mitts and Tage ceilings as 3rd liners...ok, but we should be able to absorb those hits.

The difficulty is 2020-1st ... but that also is what makes it attractive for Detroit.

My target teams would be Arizona, St. Louis, Tampa, Chicago, Toronto. Tampa always seems to find away, but this year could be tougher with only 15 contracts signed and a little over 2mill to do it, Sergachev will take that and more.

You've crept well into scary territory, in my book.
- Lunaion

🙉