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Forums :: Blog World :: Hank Balling: Ready Or Not, Here They Come
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kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

Jul 27 @ 9:29 PM ET
Girgensons and Okposo.

What changes next off-season? Most of the prospects are another year out and not many contracts to worry about. Ready-made cap floor team.

- Lunaion


The above is what I greatly fear.
PrinceChill
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.06.2014

Jul 27 @ 9:30 PM ET
I am, and I really hope for a exciting season and they keep growing and hopefully playing meaningful games in February/March. They need that, they need a good season, they don't need to make the playoffs but show the outside the culture and the Organization has changed. It will go a long way in having good FA's or players with Clauses in there contract willing to come here.
- Buff36

I don’t see any pressure being on the Sabres at all next year. If they finish ahead of where they ended up last year, it’ll be considered a huge success.
If they finish in the same spot, they get a top ten pick folks’ll be pumped for.
If they finish lower than last year, it’s an even better draft pick, in what’s considered an even better draft.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jul 27 @ 9:32 PM ET
I don’t see any pressure being on the Sabres at all next year. If they finish ahead of where they ended up last year, it’ll be considered a huge success.
If they finish in the same spot, they get a top ten pick folks’ll be pumped for.
If they finish lower than last year, it’s an even better draft pick, in what’s considered an even better draft.

- PrinceChill

Well I agree to a point, but I hope the players make that decision for Adams.
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Jul 27 @ 9:33 PM ET
Man what a horrible acquisition Donaldson was for the Yankees. Guy sucks
- Buff36

he is old, bat speed slowed down

20 hr
70 rbi
.220 hitting

that is what he is for a full season at this point
kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

Jul 27 @ 9:34 PM ET
I don’t see any pressure being on the Sabres at all next year. If they finish ahead of where they ended up last year, it’ll be considered a huge success.
If they finish in the same spot, they get a top ten pick folks’ll be pumped for.
If they finish lower than last year, it’s an even better draft pick, in what’s considered an even better draft.

- PrinceChill


I'm tired of being happy with top 10 picks draft after draft after draft.

That no longer excites me.

I'm expecting an improved team that will do better in the standings, especially with how they ended last season.

If they perform worse, it'll be quite disappointing.
IonSabres
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL
Joined: 03.10.2013

Jul 27 @ 9:34 PM ET
He's already making $6 so the increase on pay day probably isn't too dramatic unless he puts up the Karlsson 16+66 season
- Hank Balling


Plan on Dahlin to be around $9m, could be $10m if he puts up some numbers.

On the flip side, they get relief on Girgs, Bjork, Okposo, Anderson and Hinostroza to the tune of ~$13m. Maybe they extend Okposo for a year at $2.5m, leaving a fair amount to absorb Tage and Cozens.
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Jul 27 @ 9:35 PM ET
The above is what I greatly fear.
- kingcong39


You know 4 1sts + Levi are in their plans for '24. Maybe we see one of the moves we were hoping for this summer. All these 1 and 2 year deals make their intentions clear, imo.
PrinceChill
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.06.2014

Jul 27 @ 9:36 PM ET
I'm tired of being happy with top 10 picks draft after draft after draft.

That no longer excites me.

I'm expecting an improved team that will do better in the standings, especially with how they ended last season.

If they perform worse, it'll be quite disappointing.

- kingcong39

I hope more fans think the way you do, but I suspect many would be in favor of “just one more tank”. Or at the very least, wouldn’t mind seeing it happen.
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Jul 27 @ 9:37 PM ET
I think the big thing next offseason

does cozens get an 8 year deal based on futures
or a bridge deal

same for sameulsson

Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jul 27 @ 9:38 PM ET
he is old, bat speed slowed down

20 hr
70 rbi
.220 hitting

that is what he is for a full season at this point

- homiedclown

Be lucky to hit 15 this year unless he gets hot, think he has 8
SABRES 89
Season Ticket Holder
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I'm very Happy to be here. Las Vegas Via Buffalo N.Y.
Joined: 02.17.2007

Jul 27 @ 9:39 PM ET
I think the big thing next offseason

does cozens get an 8 year deal based on futures
or a bridge deal

same for sameulsson

- homiedclown

We can't block the 2026 picks, remember that.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jul 27 @ 9:40 PM ET
I think the big thing next offseason

does cozens get an 8 year deal based on futures
or a bridge deal

same for sameulsson

- homiedclown

Do they extend Tage this season, do they try to get ahead of the game.
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Jul 27 @ 9:40 PM ET
I think the big thing next offseason

does cozens get an 8 year deal based on futures
or a bridge deal

same for sameulsson

- homiedclown


As conservative as they've been on contracts, 90% they bridge them both.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jul 27 @ 9:41 PM ET
Torres Baby!!
PrinceChill
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.06.2014

Jul 27 @ 9:41 PM ET
I think the big thing next offseason

does cozens get an 8 year deal based on futures
or a bridge deal

same for sameulsson

- homiedclown

Good question. I’d tend to think bridge deals, to maintain flexibility.
Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

Jul 27 @ 9:44 PM ET
I hope more fans think the way you do, but I suspect many would be in favor of “just one more tank”. Or at the very least, wouldn’t mind seeing it happen.
- PrinceChill


It also helps that the Bills are superbowl favorites. It takes some pressure off the Sabres to be relevant if the Bills are still playing in early February
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jul 27 @ 9:45 PM ET
The Sabres should have cap flexibility for atleast 5yrs, other than maybe Dahlin or Tage who gets a big deal. They are gonna have a lot of ELC's and 1st contracts over the next 5yrs atleast.
IonSabres
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL
Joined: 03.10.2013

Jul 27 @ 9:47 PM ET
I hope more fans think the way you do, but I suspect many would be in favor of “just one more tank”. Or at the very least, wouldn’t mind seeing it happen.
- PrinceChill


Nah.

Personally, I'm expecting another year of focus on growth and development.
I am looking for some young guys to take the next steps...Cozens Krebs, Mitts, Power, Dahlin, Asplund, Tage, Comrie...and solid consistency from Tuch, Skinner, Olofsson...all the while they work JJ and Quinn as regulars into top 9 roles.
Hopefully the leadership torch is passed from Okoso, Girgz and Hinostroz to Tuch, Dahlin, Cozens.

They do that, I'm pretty happy as it will enable Adam's to consolidate, package some assets to secure an upgrade via trade or two.

UFA signings for smart role players, not big splashes
IonSabres
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL
Joined: 03.10.2013

Jul 27 @ 9:48 PM ET
I think the big thing next offseason

does cozens get an 8 year deal based on futures
or a bridge deal

same for sameulsson

- homiedclown


Another reason for a season of evaluation.
Make smart decisions.
Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

Jul 27 @ 9:52 PM ET
I think the big thing next offseason

does cozens get an 8 year deal based on futures
or a bridge deal

same for sameulsson

- homiedclown


Cozens is a great candidate to give a long-term deal if you believe he's the next Couturier. The Sabres may have a chance to buy the kind of value contract they never seem to get due to their constant bridge deals. The Flyers got some great, cheap years from Couts
kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

Jul 27 @ 9:56 PM ET
Cozens is a great candidate to give a long-term deal if you believe he's the next Couturier. The Sabres may have a chance to buy the kind of value contract they never seem to get due to their constant bridge deals. The Flyers got some great, cheap years from Couts
- Hank Balling


Agreed, but will they? Nope.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jul 27 @ 10:16 PM ET
Agreed, but will they? Nope.
- kingcong39

Lots of decisions coming, not just with contracts. A lot of young players, who fits and who doesn't.
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Jul 27 @ 10:17 PM ET
Agreed, but will they? Nope.
- kingcong39


Players are probably just as hesitant to sign long term here.

I think KA has broken some records.
Hatboro_Swords
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Next year is gonna be 05/06 all over again, PA
Joined: 07.30.2010

Jul 27 @ 10:19 PM ET
Hi, had to post to see if the other post options are also jitterbug sized on this website.

Edit: wow
The_Inkwell
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Buffalo, NY
Joined: 06.29.2006

Jul 27 @ 10:45 PM ET
Cozens is a great candidate to give a long-term deal if you believe he's the next Couturier. The Sabres may have a chance to buy the kind of value contract they never seem to get due to their constant bridge deals. The Flyers got some great, cheap years from Couts
- Hank Balling


He's the next Bergeron. Agreed, extend now for cheap.
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