Pre-Eichel trade Sabres’ Top 10 Prospect List, IMO of course (Less than 50 games of NHL experience and under the age of 23)

1) Cozens
2) Power
3) Johnson
4) Peterka
5) Quinn
6) Rosen
7) Samuelsson
8) UPL
9) Laaksonen
10) Poltapov
- Pegullaville

I think Johnson is ranked too high and UPL should be higher on the list.

So you didn't watch him nor read any of the positive reports about how well he developed last year?

Do you also hate a nickel because it isn't a dime?
- kingcong39

Johnson is turning into a good defensemen, could be the best part of that ROR trade.

So you didn't watch him nor read any of the positive reports about how well he developed last year?

Do you also hate a nickel because it isn't a dime?
- kingcong39

I've watched him, know he had a better year last year but there are several dmen ahead of him on the chart.

Sorry you don't like my opinion of him. I don't see him more than 5 or 6 at best and I would use him as trade bait. I'm very high on Samuellsson, Bryson and Laaksonen.

I wanted Kaliyev. Guys like Johnson are a dime a dozen out there but Kaliyev has talent and would have been a top 6 fixture for years.

Maybe I'll be wrong on Johnson and that's okay.

Saying there is always salary available to hit the cap floor sounds like a blanket statement absent of truth.
- kingcong39

See Az … there are always contracts teams are looking to get rid of. Az has been doing it for years. There is always a team looking to re-sign a player or make another move. There is always floor celery.

Joker could get a longer deal with a bit more money than you think.

Hell, you could sign John Scott out of retirement to hit the floor. Call Pilut and give him a 1 year $4 mill deal… You can find a way to spend money to the floor that isn’t eating cap for 5 years.

If they retain $2M, is that really a concern considering the cap is going up a $1M per season?
- kingcong39

It would be the 2nd alternative to taking on Cap dumps for a year or 2, IMO.
$2m isn't the end of the world, but when you have $9m 3rd/4th line production player, Cap flexibility becomes a premium.

Somebody already mentioned it, but would Tarasenko agree to being traded to Buffalo with an assurance that the Sabres would move him before the season begins while retaining 50% ($3.75M)?
- kingcong39

Now this is thinking I can get behind! It fits the tank window. Opens up a spot for tachuk, brings assets in for what you trade and hold tarasenko for! I like this idea.

Nows it’s turned into a 4 way. Some hookers and blow and we have a party!

I've watched him, know he had a better year last year but there are several dmen ahead of him on the chart.

Sorry you don't like my opinion of him. I don't see him more than 5 or 6 at best and I would use him as trade bait. I'm very high on Samuellsson, Bryson and Laaksonen.

I wanted Kaliyev. Guys like Johnson are a dime a dozen out there but Kaliyev has talent and would have been a top 6 fixture for years.

Maybe I'll be wrong on Johnson and that's okay.
- mhp

I don't care that you dislike him, but disliking him because he's not another player seems a bit silly when that's never going to change.

That he plays LHD is an issue with who the Sabres drafted at 1 overall, but I cannot agree with Bryson or Laaksonen being a better prospect then Johnson.

See Az … there are always contracts teams are looking to get rid of. Az has been doing it for years. There is always a team looking to re-sign a player or make another move. There is always floor celery.

Joker could get a longer deal with a bit more money than you think.

Hell, you could sign John Scott out of retirement to hit the floor. Call Pilut and give him a 1 year $4 mill deal… You can find a way to spend money to the floor that isn’t eating cap for 5 years.
- Gr8daygo

All of the above sounds great, but compare that to the comments emanating from the Sabres where they don't want to take the approach above. It does not compute.

I think Johnson is ranked too high and UPL should be higher on the list.
- Sabretooth9

That’s fair. I think Johnson/Peterka/Quinn are in the same tier and wouldn’t argue about rearranging it.

It would be the 2nd alternative to taking on Cap dumps for a year or 2, IMO.
$2m isn't the end of the world, but when you have $9m 3rd/4th line production player, Cap flexibility becomes a premium.
- IonSabres

The flexibility they need is just to reach the cap floor right now, which is truly pathetic.

I don't care that you dislike him, but disliking him because he's not another player seems a bit silly when that's never going to change.

That he plays LHD is an issue with who the Sabres drafted at 1 overall, but I cannot agree with Bryson or Laaksonen being a better prospect then Johnson.
- kingcong39

So one good year in college makes him better than others? Should we sign him and put him in the top 4 right now? I just don't get the love for a guy after one year of college. I would temper those expectations a bit, all I'm saying.

And Bryson and Laaksonen are ahead of him right now.

So one good year in college makes him better than others? Should we sign him and put him in the top 4 right now? I just don't get the love for a guy after one year of college. I would temper those expectations a bit, all I'm saying.

And Bryson and Laaksonen are ahead of him right now.
- mhp

We disagree, but if I had to bet on which of the three would be long term consistent NHL defenseman (even bottom pair), it would be Johnson before Bryson and Laaksonen.

So one good year in college makes him better than others? Should we sign him and put him in the top 4 right now? I just don't get the love for a guy after one year of college. I would temper those expectations a bit, all I'm saying.

And Bryson and Laaksonen are ahead of him right now.
- mhp

Aren't both of them supposed to be ahead of Johnson right now as Laaksonen just turned 22 and Bryson is turning 24 in the fall?

Overall, what does right now matter with prospects? Isn't it ultimately about who has the best long term projection?

Sabres really need to decide on this medical issue. It isn't doing any good for each party. Not that I am to worried about how Jack feels about it. But it could help with the Sabres moving forward with there plans.
- Buff36

Ya, I still maintain the best way out is to let Jack have the surgery of his choice. If it truly is Replacement and Insurance doesn't cover the bills... offer to pay for it conditional on a Release of all future financial obligations in his contract IF he is unable to return to play w/in 6 months of surgery date.
No, that doesn't protect the loss of the asset should it go "south", but one could also view $10m Cap space as a highly prized asset as well. Besides, the chances are low of that happening g initially...it is the longer term risk to Jack's health should he sustain another injury to that exact area...but that is his decision, IMO.

Get Jack up and running asap should be the mantra.

1)Cozens
2)Power
3)Peterka
4)6K
5)Samuelsson
6)Quinn
7)Ruotsalainen
8)Bryson
9)Rosen
10)Prokhor
11)Laaksonen
12)Johnson- happy cong?
13)Portillo
14)Pekar
15)Fitzgerald

Ya, I still maintain the best way out is to let Jack have the surgery of his choice. If it truly is Replacement and Insurance doesn't cover the bills... offer to pay for it conditional on a Release of all future financial obligations in his contract IF he is unable to return to play w/in 6 months of surgery date.
No, that doesn't protect the loss of the asset should it go "south", but one could also view $10m Cap space as a highly prized asset as well. Besides, the chances are low of that happening g initially...it is the longer term risk to Jack's health should he sustain another injury to that exact area...but that is his decision, IMO.

Get Jack up and running asap should be the mantra.
- IonSabres

So far, it's a game of chicken and the Sabres (Rocky) are futilely trying to chase the chicken (Sabres trade demands).

Aren't both of them supposed to be ahead of Johnson right now as Laaksonen just turned 22 and Bryson is turning 24 in the fall?

Overall, what does right now matter with prospects? Isn't it ultimately about who has the best long term projection?
- kingcong39

Move Dahlin to RD and there are zero issues. He said he’s fine there. Evens out our D and makes room for Johnson when ready

https://mobile.twitter.co...amp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Know that's a Captain

Move Dahlin to RD and there are zero issues. He said he’s fine there. Evens out our D and makes room for Johnson when ready
- Fattony1187

Hopefully they've already had that talk with Dahlin if that is their plan.

Ya, I still maintain the best way out is to let Jack have the surgery of his choice. If it truly is Replacement and Insurance doesn't cover the bills... offer to pay for it conditional on a Release of all future financial obligations in his contract IF he is unable to return to play w/in 6 months of surgery date.
No, that doesn't protect the loss of the asset should it go "south", but one could also view $10m Cap space as a highly prized asset as well. Besides, the chances are low of that happening g initially...it is the longer term risk to Jack's health should he sustain another injury to that exact area...but that is his decision, IMO.

Get Jack up and running asap should be the mantra.
- IonSabres

Don't blame the Sabres for holding tight, but right now if Jack would of had the Surgery even mid May he would be 3 months out and you would have a very good idea of his health with either Surgery.

Seems more quiet on eichel, wonder if Kevyn and fish agreed to keep the situation private moving forward. Can only help move this along quicker which is what Jack seemingly wants.

Is Peca’s kid in the St. Louis pipeline?

Teresanko needs to be moved before St. Louis can fit Tachuck. He has a nmc and a $7.5 celery for 2 seasons.

So, first issue, where are you sending terensanko?
- Gr8daygo

Calgary makes sense to me, especially for Calgary to offset loss of TK...do it via Buffalo retaining celery on him for the 2 years left. Hold 50% ($3.75m).
Total package to Calgary is $13.75m...they have ~$11.8m space now, plus $7m from Tkachuk.
They will be good and helps them add significant talent and allows them to sign a couple RFA's they have. If they need more space, well Sabres are open for business.
What is that worth to them...Zary, Pelletier, 1st, more?
Take Lucic as well for 2 years for Hayden...get Valmacki in return

St Louis would be ok as well as they would gain $0.5m space
They give us Kyrou...can they get more?? Add their 1st as well
That opens up $3.3m Cap space for them to resign Thomas
Hell give them Olofsson at 50% retained...still leaves them $1.8m Cap space...keep the 1st, now get Klim Kostin

Jack, Olofsson ((50%)
for
Zary, Pelletier, Kyrou, Kostin, Flames 1st
And taking on $10.5m in Cap for 1 year, $9m in year 2...then it's all gone!

Seems more quiet on eichel, wonder if Kevyn and fish agreed to keep the situation private moving forward. Can only help move this along quicker which is what Jack seemingly wants.
- riptheguard

Should have been kept in house the whole time.

Calgary makes sense to me, especially for Calgary to offset loss of TK...do it via Buffalo retaining celery on him for the 2 years left. Hold 50% ($3.75m).
Total package to Calgary is $13.75m...they have ~$11.8m space now, plus $7m from Tkachuk.
They will be good and helps them add significant talent and allows them to sign a couple RFA's they have. If they need more space, well Sabres are open for business.
What is that worth to them...Zary, Pelletier, 1st, more?
Take Lucic as well for 2 years for Hayden...get Valmacki in return

St Louis would be ok as well as they would gain $0.5m space
They give us Kyrou...can they get more?? Add their 1st as well
That opens up $3.3m Cap space for them to resign Thomas
Hell give them Olofsson at 50% retained...still leaves them $1.8m Cap space...keep the 1st, now get Klim Kostin

Jack, Olofsson ((50%)
for
Zary, Pelletier, Kyrou, Kostin, Flames 1st
And taking on $10.5m in Cap for 1 year, $9m in year 2...then it's all gone!
- IonSabres

No bad lon!!

1)Cozens
2)Power
3)Peterka
4)6K
5)Samuelsson
6)Quinn
7)Ruotsalainen
8)Bryson
9)Rosen
10)Prokhor
11)Laaksonen
12)Johnson- happy cong?
13)Portillo
14)Pekar
15)Fitzgerald
- mhp

This looks good to me.