We know, we know... Casey Middlestat valuable.

U do realise that three years from now when that very pick is trying to make the team, Eichel will very likely be demanding a trade if they still haven't made the playoffs?

And you're willing to take that risk?

The time for a "slow build" is over, this build has been too slow as is.
- SuperCat

Eichel will demand a trade after one year if we don’t make substantial moves and get into the playoffs

We know, we know... Casey Middlestat valuable.

U do realise that three years from now when that very pick is trying to make the team, Eichel will very likely be demanding a trade if they still haven't made the playoffs?

And you're willing to take that risk?

The time for a "slow build" is over, this build has been too slow as is.
- SuperCat

he is saying that you're overpaying. it has nothing to do with how long it will take the 8th pick to develop here. tampa will be begging a team to take a guy or 3 and not have salary coming back in return.

Eichel will demand a trade after one year if we don’t make substantial moves and get into the playoffs
- lulags

Interesting that you know this as such a sure thing

There is not an NHL ready player for us to pick at 8. Maybe a year away but most likely 2,3 years away. That’s fine if we have a plan to get what is needed without trading our pick. So basically, if Adams is willing to offer Tage, Mitts, Sam, Risto, Asplund, Risto, Montour and some 2nd-4th picks we can probably keep 8 and develop him

he is saying that you're overpaying. it has nothing to do with how long it will take the 8th pick to develop here. tampa will be begging a team to take a guy or 3 and not have salary coming back in return.
- TheHank

they could give away Vasilevskiy for Ullmark or Hutton and still have to shed 4 or 5 mil

Interesting that you know this as such a sure thing
- turbo044

he might have already asked

Interesting that you know this as such a sure thing
- turbo044

It does not take a degree in sociology to watch his frustration in interviews. Simple math. The fact that we were one win from the playoffs under the new format this year is eating him alive. The fact that we had to turn our entire staff again, are looking to build again is eating him alive. He’s entering the middle part of his career with absolutely nothing to show for all of his hard work.
I’d bet my house if we miss the playoffs again, Eichel is gone

he might have already asked





- homiedclown

Funny but true

Eichel will demand a trade after one year if we don’t make substantial moves and get into the playoffs
- lulags

Geeze man...

Hasek wanted out because ownership wasn't comitted to winning, all while Peca sat out because ownership wouldn't pay him. Drury and Briere both left because they felt the organization was putting them up against each other rather then keeping trying to keep them together. Ryan ORiley was frustrated at the lack of help and was traded for a bag of pucks and a case of Gatorade. Even LaFontaine is now at odds with with the organization after his sudden departure front office...

If Jack gets so fed up that he demands a trade, does this organization even deserve star players anymore? When the Sabres historically mismanage big personas every time and have been consistently missing the playoffs, why would any FA want to come and ay in Hockey Heaven?

??? Based on what? Marginal success in SHL and WJU20? I get he was on a soft WJ team but 9 goals in 36 games in SHL constitutes NHL ready?
- lulags

May need 1 more year in SHL then 1 in the AHL
See him here in 2 years at most, not 3

he is saying that you're overpaying. it has nothing to do with how long it will take the 8th pick to develop here. tampa will be begging a team to take a guy or 3 and not have salary coming back in return.
- TheHank

Ur also getting a pick back in that deal too. Gausted was traded for a #1 pick. So was Lehner. Ur boy is free to post a trade offer too if he's so much smarter than all of us. Do us all the favor and show us the path to a #2 scoring line, keeping Jack happy and making the payoffs next year. I assure u the key to all that isnt drafting at 8.

May need 1 more year in SHL then 1 in the AHL
See him here in 2 years at most, not 3
- IonSabres

That’s fair enough

I'd ask you to consider the following:

-the '19-'20 Sabres finished 25th and were plummeting further down the standings. The year before the finished in roughly the same position. They were NOT a good team, meaning changing players should be paramount.

- if player for player trades don't improve teams, why is there a long, long history of hockey trades in the offseason. Are GM's just looking for something to do in June?

- the roster is very unbalanced, with an overload of 2RhD's in Joker, Miller, Montour, and Risto. Joker can play 3RhD for another season, but he will slide up, potentially as a 1RhD if his development curve continues to trend the way it has over the last two seasons. It is bad, very bad asset management to keep 3 2RhD's costing around $13m . Redundancy in a Cap Era is NOT your friend.

- Sam holds the highest trade value on the team outside of current untouchables Eichel and Dahlin. He is a good player. Desiring to capitalize on his trade value should not be confused with any idea that he is a slug. He does however play Wing, and this team needs a 2C in the worst way possible...for probably 2 more seasons IF we count on Cozens developing into that properly. 2C's are more valuable than a 1RW as they impact the game more profoundly...especially on this team with a Top 5 1C in Eichel who makes his teammates better. You want immediate improvement, you need a 2C.

- the 8th pick represents a valuable player in the not too distant future (2 years-sh) who will be on an ELC...that is gold to a team in a flat CAP period we are about to enter and many are now saying could last 3 years. Gold, can't trade that away.

What you do then, is trade away expensive players, or soon to be expensive players in the hope of upgrading the team at a position of need...the 2C. If one of the referenced 2RhD' (sans Joker) can be packaged for the 2C ... GREAT!, do it! I don't see those guys being the centerpiece in a package however...so do you then trade away additional pieces like the 8th and shortchange your pipeline of talented, young, cost effective assets?

The 8th being valuable and creating a bidding war should further underscore the value of keeping it...in a flat Cap situation.
- IonSabres

🤔👍 good stuff ion

It does not take a degree in sociology to watch his frustration in interviews. Simple math. The fact that we were one win from the playoffs under the new format this year is eating him alive. The fact that we had to turn our entire staff again, are looking to build again is eating him alive. He’s entering the middle part of his career with absolutely nothing to show for all of his hard work.
I’d bet my house if we miss the playoffs again, Eichel is gone
- lulags

I would take this bet, IF Adams is able to make a couple strong moves that set the team well, but he had to wait another year to realize the playoffs.
I.e. going with a strong youth movement with solid players that require another year of development.
Such is the case for a trade I suggested yesterday for Turcotte, Cal Peterson and D Brown (as a sort if Cap dump). Likely gets the team a very very solid C to battle Cozens for 2nd, and a Goalie who can push Ullmark. Solving 2 positions if need, but need to wait another year.
Trading for Josh Anderson, realizing he may need an additional medical procedure.
Others of that kind.
Ralph can then work his magic and help Jack remain patient as there are pieces, good pieces on the way.

I would suggest that if the Sabres trade Reinhart, that might be enough to push Jack over the edge (to ask for a trade) next season, rather than wait another 3 yrs to see the Adams/Kruger experiment through. We all know Sam and Jack are buds.

Jersey talk :

https://www.icethetics.co...f-returning-to-royal-blue

Jersey talk :

https://www.icethetics.co...f-returning-to-royal-blue
- kritter65

I hope the team will convince me to buy one of these jerseys

??? Based on what? Marginal success in SHL and WJU20? I get he was on a soft WJ team but 9 goals in 36 games in SHL constitutes NHL ready?
- lulags

Every 17 year old is a projection, I get that. Based on others who have come through the SHL at such a young age, he projects very well. It’s a very tough, older league and he only got 9+ minutes of ice time per game. You’ll see his production bump up nicely next year.

May need 1 more year in SHL then 1 in the AHL
See him here in 2 years at most, not 3
- IonSabres

Agreed

he might have already asked


Or he may not have. He seems to like ralph and doesn’t seem like one to bail on the Buffalo fan base. Not in his DNA. Hopefully we give him a reason to want to stay with some quality offseason moves.

It’s one reason why I think there’s no way we trade Reinhart. Why would we trade away part of the solution and risk pissing off jack. Makes absolutely no sense. Maybe could get you a 2C but then you need another top 6 winger.

I think there are 6 players that definitely aren’t being traded: eichel, Dahlin, Cozens, Reinhart, oloffson and joker. I also highly doubt they trade #8, that’s a gmtm thing to do, ELCs are too valuable and this draft appears to be a very good draft




- homiedclown

I would suggest that if the Sabres trade Reinhart, that might be enough to push Jack over the edge (to ask for a trade) next season, rather than wait another 3 yrs to see the Adams/Kruger experiment through. We all know Sam and Jack are buds.
- SuperCat

100% agree

Interesting that you know this as such a sure thing
- turbo044

Everyone in the nhl knows this

I hope the team will convince me to buy one of these jerseys
- chilliard77

Yep me too.

The thing about us, as a fanbase, is we want to believe and we get pulled back in Way way too easily- like when they started off really hot this year.

Most other cities would have checked out on this team years ago (and the bills during their drought).

For some reason I believe in Ralph and, despite his inexperience, Adams. I also believe that Cozens will be the real deal and be our 2C in 2021. Not as confident in Tage and Casey, but I think they have a chance to be difference makers on the 3rd line.

I have no faith in the Pegulas, especially Kim. Neither should EVER speak in public

Jersey talk :

https://www.icethetics.co...f-returning-to-royal-blue
- kritter65

Lol they're just trying to get fans back

TB is gonna be looking to shed salary...

Trade the 8th overall pick for Tyler Johnson and TBs 2nd Rd pick. Sabres get 29 yr old, 50pt, skilled centerman who can pair with Skinner.

Then send 2 second round picks to Pitt for Tristan Jerry. The Pens will only be able to protect one of their keepers in the Seattle expansion draft, they might as well get a return on one of them.
- SuperCat

How about no lol .. botts is gone so thank God he won't get jerry ...

And Tyler has NTC he won't wave to come here