Which of the 12 forwards (who is counting Bjork, really?) are you making space for in order to have a place for Crouse, or any forward you bring in?
- kingcong39

You know what I am not guaranteeing anything to Quinn or JJ, JJ looks more ready than Quinn. Quinn has been manhandled in the playoffs.

Admittedly, I don't watch a lot of Avs games, but it would seem to me that he was invisible for the first six years of his career then suddenly had a career year on a Stanley Cup contender. That should be a big red flag (no pun intended), no?
- Powerslave

Nichushkin has been excellent defensively for multiple seasons now, while his offensive game has continued to grow.

You're not signing for him as a big points producer.

You're singing him for his overall play.

Like I said, he's similar to Tuch: Not as much offense, but better defense.

You know what I am not guaranteeing anything to Quinn or JJ, JJ looks more ready than Quinn. Quinn has been manhandled in the playoffs.
- Buff36

The AHL playoffs are a good learning lesson for both of them.

You know what I am not guaranteeing anything to Quinn or JJ, JJ looks more ready than Quinn. Quinn has been manhandled in the playoffs.
- Buff36

They can focus on Quinn though down there, since he's their best player. He won't be the main focus up here next year. And he WILL get stronger over the summer.

Does pedestrian mean making the playoffs but losing in the first round?
- kingcong39

yes

Which of the 12 forwards (who is counting Bjork, really?) are you making space for in order to have a place for Crouse, or any forward you bring in?
- kingcong39

Nichushkin is very high on my UFA forward list.

They can focus on Quinn though down there, since he's their best player. He won't be the main focus up here next year. And he WILL get stronger over the summer.
- Powerslave

Sure, but good hockey teams don't stop adding talent because they hope a player gets stronger. Competition is a healthy thing.

Nichushkin has been excellent defensively for multiple seasons now, while his offensive game has continued to grow.

You're not signing for him as a big points producer.

You're singing him for his overall play.

Like I said, he's similar to Tuch: Not as much offense, but better defense.
- kingcong39

Years of 34, 29, 27 and 21 wouldn't seem like "growth" to me. It would seem (like I said, until this year) that he's actually regressed as his career has gone on.

If it's defense we need, I think we already have a 25 point forward that's excellent defensively.

What line does he slot in, in your opinion?

Sure, but good hockey teams don't stop adding talent because they hope a player gets stronger. Competition is a healthy thing.
- Buff36

I agree, and if he isn't ready, so be it. But Adams had better plan for that scenario, too.

I'm counting on him making the team.

They can focus on Quinn though down there, since he's their best player. He won't be the main focus up here next year. And he WILL get stronger over the summer.
- Powerslave

yeah, some guys falter in a playoff setting, and teams are doing a great job of locking him up. I look forward to him building up his strength this summer.

If Quinn was Polish, would he be getting pushed around in the playoffs as much?

Years of 34, 29, 27 and 21 wouldn't seem like "growth" to me. It would seem (like I said, until this year) that he's actually regressed as his career has gone on.

If it's defense we need, I think we already have a 25 point forward that's excellent defensively.

What line does he slot in, in your opinion?
- Powerslave

We can't have a real discussion about the merits of a player if you're only going to use points, but even just using points, you know the last 2 seasons before this one were Covid shortened, right?

He's the Avalanche top line LW in the playoffs and he's getting top 5 forward minutes, so top 6 LW or RW.

That would help insulate Quinn and Peterka from matchups and alleviate them from defensive concerns while being able to also provide offense.

He could slide down to 3rd line wing when one or both are ready for more minutes.

I'd overpay on a 3 to 4 year deal, but it would mean needing to find space for him in the forward lineup, and there doesn't seem to be much of any interest in that from the Sabres.
- kingcong39

If I were Sabres GM, I'd be itching to build another top line and buildout a strong 3rd line.

For the 3rd line, they have 2/3rds of the pieces, a relatively minor investment required.
Nichkushkin/Crouse - Cozens - Tuch

Another Top line requires work.
1st, I'd settle on Skinner - Tage - Olofsson for their 1B line.
Next, I'd consider puting Quinn up top at 1RW and realize he needs a strong 1C to provide some cover while he learns the NHL game...enter Claude Giroux.
Now they need another sniper, Forsberg or Fiala would work as UFA signings.
Forsberg/Fiala - Giroux - Mighty Quinn

Forsberg/Fiala - Giroux - Quinn
Skinner - Tage - Olofsson
Nichkushkin/Crouse - Cozens - Tuch
Girgensons - Asplund - Okposo

Only problem is they have shutout JJP and Mitts

You know what I am not guaranteeing anything to Quinn or JJ, JJ looks more ready than Quinn. Quinn has been manhandled in the playoffs.
- Buff36

He's saving himself

If I were Sabres GM, I'd be itching to build another top line and buildout a strong 3rd line.

For the 3rd line, they have 2/3rds of the pieces, a relatively minor investment required.
Nichkushkin/Crouse - Cozens - Tuch

Another Top line requires work.
1st, I'd settle on Skinner - Tage - Olofsson for their 1B line.
Next, I'd consider puting Quinn up top at 1RW and realize he needs a strong 1C to provide some cover while he learns the NHL game...enter Claude Giroux.
Now they need another sniper, Forsberg or Fiala would work as UFA signings.
Forsberg/Fiala - Giroux - Mighty Quinn

Forsberg/Fiala - Giroux - Quinn
Skinner - Tage - Olofsson
Nichkushkin/Crouse - Cozens - Tuch
Girgensons - Asplund - Okposo

Only problem is they have shutout JJP and Mitts
- IonSabres

Why would Claude Giroux want to come here?

We can't have a real discussion about the merits of a player if you're only going to use points, but even just using points, you know the last 2 seasons before this one were Covid shortened, right?

He's the Avalanche top line LW in the playoffs and he's getting top 5 forward minutes, so top 6 LW or RW.

That would help insulate Quinn and Peterka from matchups and alleviate them from defensive concerns while being able to also provide offense.

He could slide down to 3rd line wing when one or both are ready for more minutes.
- kingcong39

Actually, a lot of us have conversations based on points, so I'll bow out of the convo and defer to your expertise, then. 😉

I'm not an analytics guy. I'm taking your word that a guy who had a career high of 34 points is your top UFA target. If the guy is a good overall hockey player, then so be it. Sign me up. Anything that makes our team better. 🤝

If I were Sabres GM, I'd be itching to build another top line and buildout a strong 3rd line.

For the 3rd line, they have 2/3rds of the pieces, a relatively minor investment required.
Nichkushkin/Crouse - Cozens - Tuch

Another Top line requires work.
1st, I'd settle on Skinner - Tage - Olofsson for their 1B line.
Next, I'd consider puting Quinn up top at 1RW and realize he needs a strong 1C to provide some cover while he learns the NHL game...enter Claude Giroux.
Now they need another sniper, Forsberg or Fiala would work as UFA signings.
Forsberg/Fiala - Giroux - Mighty Quinn

Forsberg/Fiala - Giroux - Quinn
Skinner - Tage - Olofsson
Nichkushkin/Crouse - Cozens - Tuch
Girgensons - Asplund - Okposo

Only problem is they have shutout JJP and Mitts
- IonSabres

Will the Minnesota Wild be pedestrian for eternity?
- TheSabresTaco

Dat dead cap hit for the next 4 years is

Actually, a lot of us have conversations based on points, so I'll bow out of the convo and defer to your expertise, then. 😉

I'm not an analytics guy. I'm taking your word that a guy who had a career high of 34 points is your top UFA target. If the guy is a good overall hockey player, then so be it. Sign me up. Anything that makes our team better. 🤝
- Powerslave

Nichushkin and Trocheck would be my top realistic UFA forward targets, as clearly players like Forsberg would be at the top of the list, but the chances of them signing for anything less than a massive pay day from Buffalo seems remote at best.

None of the above matters unless you're making a decision on one or two forwards that project to be on the roster next season, and they don't seem to have any interest in doing that.

Dat dead cap hit for the next 4 years is


- Hank Balling

Imagine even being a good enough team to make the playoffs.

I wonder what it's like to root for a team like that.

Dat dead cap hit for the next 4 years is


- Hank Balling

Next 4 years...?

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/wild

We can't have a real discussion about the merits of a player if you're only going to use points, but even just using points, you know the last 2 seasons before this one were Covid shortened, right?

He's the Avalanche top line LW in the playoffs and he's getting top 5 forward minutes, so top 6 LW or RW.

That would help insulate Quinn and Peterka from matchups and alleviate them from defensive concerns while being able to also provide offense.

He could slide down to 3rd line wing when one or both are ready for more minutes.
- kingcong39

Nich would be a very good fit here, think anyone of those players would help the Sabres. But unless we are just getting a smokescreen, it's just conversation.

Nichushkin and Trocheck would be my top realistic UFA forward targets, as clearly players like Forsberg would be at the top of the list, but the chances of them signing for anything less than a massive pay day from Buffalo seems remote at best.

None of the above matters unless you're making a decision on one or two forwards that project to be on the roster next season, and they don't seem to have any interest in doing that.
- kingcong39

Where do YOU make the room for a Nichushkin or a Trocheck if they are able to sign one or both?

Next 4 years...?

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/wild
- kingcong39

Sorry, 3 years. It's brutal. If they manage to win a cup while playing from a disadvantage that severe, then good on em, but I still say Guerin totally botched the Suter buyout.

He may have totally wasted the Kaprizov era

He's saving himself
- RhinoFan

for marriage?