Dallas and LA both won last night.

Very important. Need a Vegas loss tonight.
- Stripes77

What’s the deal with Lehner? Will he play? Won’t he? Is he being operated on? Who’s their backup?

Harrington is feeding into the lazy approach, which is to continue to let the good times and good vibes roll, like has been happening the past 2 months.

That approach, however, can be like balancing on a knife's edge.

Simple adding a goaltender will not be enough.

I doubt adding another defenseman will be enough either.

There doesn't seem to be any desire to be aggressive.

I sure hope that changes.
- kingcong39

Totally agree!! There's a lot of potential on this team. Adams has the resources to be somewhat aggressive without hurting the future of this club. He can be aggressive and still fill the cupboards. It's time to take the next step and show the growth within the whole organization.

Consistently kicking the can, I liked the hiring especially when he brought in the people he did. But decisions need to be made this offseason. They need to prove they can get ahead of things.
- Buff36

Yep. It’s the off-season of the front office. I would say the on ice product is in the right direction. Now Adam’s and his team need to prove themselves. They are not off to a great start (Portillo and Johnson). They have Olo to make a decision on, Goalie, RD. Do they add JJ and Quinn? And do they add a RD? Not to mention managing the draft capital and getting through the draft. It’s time for the melting ice to meet the boards…

👀 👀

✔
@Plesac19
Damm “Miggy” … holy poop … ONLY 3 players in MLB history …. Have 500 career HR’s, 3,000 hits and a batting average over .300 …. Who are they ? Hank Aaron, Willie Mays AND Miguel Cabrera.

That’s pretty damm impressive

Harrington is feeding into the lazy approach, which is to continue to let the good times and good vibes roll, like has been happening the past 2 months.

That approach, however, can be like balancing on a knife's edge.

Simple adding a goaltender will not be enough.

I doubt adding another defenseman will be enough either.

There doesn't seem to be any desire to be aggressive.

I sure hope that changes.
- kingcong39

Enough for what?

Totally agree!! There's a lot of potential on this team. Adams has the resources to be somewhat aggressive without hurting the future of this club. He can be aggressive and still fill the cupboards. It's time to take the next step and show the growth within the whole organization.
- Buff36

Key questions:

- If they are confident in their top 4 D for next season, the add would be a bottom pair defenseman like Gudbranson or Kulak
- Is Olofsson willing to sign an extension, or does he only want a one year deal so he can test free agency?
- Is Casey Mittelstadt a Sabre long term?
- Will the UFA goaltending market produce a Sabre signing, so they don't have to burn picks or prospects due to having to trade for one?

Yep. It’s the off-season of the front office. I would say the on ice product is in the right direction. Now Adam’s and his team need to prove themselves. They are not off to a great start (Portillo and Johnson). They have Olo to make a decision on, Goalie, RD. Do they add JJ and Quinn? And do they add a RD? Not to mention managing the draft capital and getting through the draft. It’s time for the melting ice to meet the boards…
- Gr8daygo

Do they get ahead of Tallness, what to do with Mitts. Has the play of your top4 D changed your perception on what RD you need.
Edit: Sorry 39, posted same time

Enough for what?
- Lunaion

Enough to be a team that has playoff aspirations, as in being close all season or actually making the playoffs.

Key questions:

- If they are confident in their top 4 D for next season, the add would be a bottom pair defenseman like Gudbranson or Kulak
- Is Olofsson willing to sign an extension, or does he only want a one year deal so he can test free agency?
- Is Casey Mittelstadt a Sabre long term?
- Will the UFA goaltending market produce a Sabre signing, so they don't have to burn picks or prospects due to having to trade for one?
- kingcong39

On the D… add Klingberg for top 4. Joker to 3rd pair. Add a an angry 3 LD.

I have come around on olo. 3 maybe 4 year deal. Hopefully, don’t break the bank. What does he ask for? Who are his comparable?

Gotta give Casey another season. I’m not ready to move on. I was. But let’s give him another off-season with the new leadership group And see if his luck turns.

As for Goalie, would love Keumpher because he doesn’t cost assets. But there seems to be too much smoke on Gibson. Wonder what that really costs? The middle first rounder, Portillo rights to start… I’m not sure how much more…

Is that aggressive enough? Or nothing more than a pipe dream?

Key questions:

- If they are confident in their top 4 D for next season, the add would be a bottom pair defenseman like Gudbranson or Kulak
- Is Olofsson willing to sign an extension, or does he only want a one year deal so he can test free agency?
- Is Casey Mittelstadt a Sabre long term?
- Will the UFA goaltending market produce a Sabre signing, so they don't have to burn picks or prospects due to having to trade for one?
- kingcong39

Would add the flip side to VO, are the Sabres willing to go long term, or even max length?

The first one is big. Are they really going to try to sell us on Bryson + Fitz? Just signing a G and trading for IR deals to hit the floor would be a really bad look, and a wasted opportunity.

Do they get ahead of Tallness, what to do with Mitts. Has the play of your top4 D changed your perception on what RD you need.
Edit: Sorry 39, posted same time
- Buff36

Answered some below. But….

I’d lock Tage up. No more can kicking. Max term him and lock him down. But curious that that costs.

I give mitts the off-season and see if his luck changes. Kids got talent and crap luck.

Add Klingberg for top 4. Joker to 3rd pair. Add an angry 3 LD.

Samuelsson. Dahlin
Power. Klingberg.
Angry LD Larry. Joker.

Answered some below. But….

I’d lock Tage up. No more can kicking. Max term him and lock him down. But curious that that costs.

I give mitts the off-season and see if his luck changes. Kids got talent and crap luck.

Add Klingberg for top 4. Joker to 3rd pair. Add an angry 3 LD.

Samuelsson. Dahlin
Power. Klingberg.
Angry LD Larry. Joker.
- Gr8daygo

At the beginning I was up for Klingberg, but the more I read, don't know if he's the best partner for Power.

https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2022/04/23/minnesota-wild-have-to-find-a-way-to-keep-kevin-fiala/
- kingcong39

What do you think of targeting Matt Dumba in a trade?
If they only will have $8m in space with MAF and Fiala, could be a team to exploit for that RhD.

What do you think of targeting Matt Dumba in a trade?
If they only will have $8m in space with MAF and Fiala, could be a team to exploit for that RhD.
- IonSabres

What's the cost, think he only has 1yr left on his contract

At the beginning I was up for Klingberg, but the more I read, don't know if he's the best partner for Power.
- Buff36

He doesn't seem realistic or like a good long term fit.

What's the cost, think he only has 1yr left on his contract
- Buff36

Yup
1 year 6 million
M NTC

At the beginning I was up for Klingberg, but the more I read, don't know if he's the best partner for Power.
- Buff36

I was going for the Swede connection. Who do you target?

What do you think of targeting Matt Dumba in a trade?
If they only will have $8m in space with MAF and Fiala, could be a team to exploit for that RhD.
- IonSabres

Does Denver re-sign Manson? Can he play top 4?

Answered some below. But….

I’d lock Tage up. No more can kicking. Max term him and lock him down. But curious that that costs.

I give mitts the off-season and see if his luck changes. Kids got talent and crap luck.

Add Klingberg for top 4. Joker to 3rd pair. Add an angry 3 LD.

Samuelsson. Dahlin
Power. Klingberg.
Angry LD Larry. Joker.
- Gr8daygo

what is plan B if Klingberg does not sign?

trade for a guy with upside like Ethan Bear?

Good teams are proactive.

Bad teams are reactive.

The Sabres have been reactive for more than a decade.

Hoping that changes starting this offseason, but not counting on it.
- kingcong39

I certainly get the strong desire by the fandom to accelerate activity this off-season. The growth by the youngins stimulates that desire.

Is it in fact the best move?
I'm not convinced it absolutely is when one steps back and considers objectively the current state.

I posted in the last blog a list of say 10+/- Questions on various players and their potential. The answers are inconclusive. Allowing for another year of development and integration of several additional young players is probably the best course of action...not withstanding the fandom's desire. This is especially true in the forward ranks and now recently with the top 2 D pairings.

That said, a strategic move to fill key a position where they don't have suitable personnel like at G should absolutely be completed.

Does Denver re-sign Manson? Can he play top 4?
- Gr8daygo

Rumor was he's heading back to Anaheim

what is plan B if Klingberg does not sign?

trade for a guy with upside like Ethan Bear?
- homiedclown

I guess Adam’s has to lean on his analytic friends. Who would fit a top 4 spot and slot joker as the 3 rd?

- doesn’t Letang make sense?
- does Manson fit in the top 4? Does Denver let him get away?
- what does Bear cost to trade for?
- does Ion have an idea with Dumba?

Harrington is feeding into the lazy approach, which is to continue to let the good times and good vibes roll, like has been happening the past 2 months.

That approach, however, can be like balancing on a knife's edge.

Simply adding a goaltender will not be enough.

I doubt adding another defenseman will be enough either.

There doesn't seem to be any desire to be aggressive.

I sure hope that changes.
- kingcong39

The Sabres have scored more 5 on 5 goals than 3 teams currently in the playoffs. One of which is the Rangers.

Adding a top 4 D and a real NHL goaltender can do wonders.

The Sabres have scored more 5 on 5 goals than 3 teams currently in the playoffs. One of which is the Rangers.

Adding a top 4 D and a real NHL goaltender can do wonders.
- Stripes77

That's it Stripes, I am a big proponent of Defense. It makes your whole team better. Finish that young Dominate defense, we can score goals.

Answered some below. But….

I’d lock Tage up. No more can kicking. Max term him and lock him down. But curious that that costs.

I give mitts the off-season and see if his luck changes. Kids got talent and crap luck.

Add Klingberg for top 4. Joker to 3rd pair. Add an angry 3 LD.

Samuelsson. Dahlin
Power. Klingberg.
Angry LD Larry. Joker.
- Gr8daygo

Is there a benefit of signing him now over next year? We are prob offering him a huge contract this year. What if he regresses to 20 goals? Contract should be smaller. If he scores near 40 again it will prob be the same contract we would offer this off-season