Samuelsson is having a bad season and may be trending closer to a #5 rather than a 3 or 4

They need another solid, veteran second-pairing guy
- Hank Balling

Don't say that too loud. Eveywhere outside of this place is convinced he's Scott Stevens.

How the story is being told to me is, we finally have a GM that is looking at all his options and taking his time and speaking with people within the organization. Adams is going to do it right and it may not sit well with some but you won't see a trade just to make a trade. He's thinking of Dahlin, Cozens and also Quinn and Krebs for our future, then he can figure out how to add a couple pieces.
- SABRES 89

If we can get a certain guitar player out of the state then California can slide into the ocean

If we can get a certain guitar player out of the state then California can slide into the ocean
- homiedclown

You think Jim Dolan is that important?

Every defenseman not named Dahlin or Power - and to a lesser extent - Samuelsson, is basically Mark Pysyk. They can and should do better
- Hank Balling

Not wrong

You think Jim Dolan is that important?
- lacaprup

Not him

Don't say that too loud. Eveywhere outside of this place is convinced he's Scott Stevens.
- lacaprup

His advanced defensive metrics are underwhelming. I'm not here to hammer the guy, but there is room to improve. Could just be a bad, injury riddled season. Even if thats the case and he resumes a trajectory to guaranteed top-4 status, they still need another guy.

No one here is that guy

How the story is being told to me is, we finally have a GM that is looking at all his options and taking his time and speaking with people within the organization. Adams is going to do it right and it may not sit well with some but you won't see a trade just to make a trade. He's thinking of Dahlin, Cozens and also Quinn and Krebs for our future, then he can figure out how to add a couple pieces.
- SABRES 89

Yeah, he can pretty much play it the way he wants, things have fallen into place nicely. I was told though that if certain player prices don't get out of hand he would jump in the game.

That's why Johnson could be a big signing

That's why Johnson could be a big signing
- Buff36

Absolutely. He should also only be penciled in as a bottom-pairing guy who moves Bryson to the press box.


This team still needs a veteran Jay McKee or Teppo Numminen

Every defenseman not named Dahlin or Power - and to a lesser extent - Samuelsson, is basically Mark Pysyk. They can and should do better
- Hank Balling

I agree. To me, that's code for upgrade Joker.

If you wait another year, you're in an awkward spot. If he's still your 4RD again next year, he's arb eligible and looking for term + a raise. I'd get ahead of that.

Absolutely. He should also only be penciled in as a bottom-pairing guy who moves Bryson to the press box.


This team still needs a veteran Jay McKee or Teppo Numminen
- Hank Balling

Very much agree, been saying it for years

I agree. To me, that's code for upgrade Joker.

If you wait another year, you're in an awkward spot. If he's still your 4RD again next year, he's arb eligible and looking for term + a raise. I'd get ahead of that.
- Lunaion

I would trade him this summer. Or Bryson. Whichever one you can get rid of, and then add a real defensive defenseman.

I didn't realize Joker was under contract next year. That makes it even more likely they roll it back with Dahlin, Power, Joker, Samuelsson, Bryson and Boosh, assuming they land Johnson

Mr. Roma, will you please buy me a Blackhawks Connor Murphy jersey?

Yeah, he can pretty much play it the way he wants, things have fallen into place nicely. I was told though that if certain player prices don't get out of hand he would jump in the game.
- Buff36

They won't go 9 mill a year for Meier, that i know.

I would trade him this summer. Or Bryson. Whichever one you can get rid of, and then add a real defensive defenseman.

I didn't realize Joker was under contract next year. That makes it even more likely they roll it back with Dahlin, Power, Joker, Samuelsson, Bryson and Boosh, assuming they land Johnson
- Hank Balling

It's all fun to discuss and project, but there's always this feeling everything is designed to do almost nothing.

This summer:
Anderson is already replaced
4th line has internal replacements

The following year:
Mitts + VO out, prospects in
Lyubushkin out, Joker slides down
Comrie out, Levi in
Bryson out, Johnson in
Find a top 4 RD.

Hoping they are a little more proactive.

They won't go 9 mill a year for Meier, that i know.
- SABRES 89

They probably don't even need him. Realistically they need a Curtis Lazar type faceoff guy and a proven top-4 defenseman

His advanced defensive metrics are underwhelming. I'm not here to hammer the guy, but there is room to improve. Could just be a bad, injury riddled season. Even if thats the case and he resumes a trajectory to guaranteed top-4 status, they still need another guy.

No one here is that guy
- Hank Balling

He's one I only comment upon infrequently, and it is seldom good when I do. He's got a future, but the injuries really bother me. I think he's going to be an injury prone player, and those guys are so frustrating. It's why Chychrun is the last of the available good players I want the Sabres to trade for.

He's not fully developed yet either. I also think he'll become a smarter defenseman each year. If he can be mostly healthy, I think it can be a good contract to have him on. He can make a breakout pass to our forwards and we live off transition. He really needs to improve in his own end though. He should almost never make a mistake in our end of the ice the way he is talked about. He is far from that.

He's an undecided for me still. Luckily for him his partner loves him; the room loves him; and it's not like he's killing us or anything.

They probably don't even need him. Realistically they need a Curtis Lazar type faceoff guy and a proven top-4 defenseman
- Hank Balling

We definitely need to improve on draws. It's one of the downsides of being young. Cozens will be over 50% next season I bet. Krebs too.

They won't go 9 mill a year for Meier, that i know.
- SABRES 89

Yeah, really wasn't talking about him

He's one I only comment upon infrequently, and it is seldom good when I do. He's got a future, but the injuries really bother me. I think he's going to be an injury prone player, and those guys are so frustrating. It's why Chychrun is the last of the available good players I want the Sabres to trade for.

He's not fully developed yet either. I also think he'll become a smarter defenseman each year. If he can be mostly healthy, I think it can be a good contract to have him on. He can make a breakout pass to our forwards and we live off transition. He really needs to improve in his own end though. He should almost never make a mistake in our end of the ice the way he is talked about. He is far from that.

He's an undecided for me still. Luckily for him his partner loves him; the room loves him; and it's not like he's killing us or anything.
- lacaprup

Agreed with 100% of all this

They probably don't even need him. Realistically they need a Curtis Lazar type faceoff guy and a proven top-4 defenseman
- Hank Balling

No, they do need him but do they have a center good enough for him ? Faceoff guy, that's where Nick Bonino or Kevin Labanc come in.

You people
- homiedclown

They won't go 9 mill a year for Meier, that i know.
- SABRES 89

I don't understand why making a trade is not considered doing it right. Who's to say hoping the players on your team continue to grow is doing it right? The other stuff you posted sounded good, but hearing they are convinced not doing anything is doing it right isn't too assuring.

No, they do need him but do they have a center good enough for him ? Faceoff guy, that's where Nick Bonino or Kevin Labanc come in.
- SABRES 89

Bjustead takes faceoffs….

Edit: Sam Bennett takes faceoffs and Florida HAS to do something soon… take advantage ka. Take advantage

They probably don't even need him. Realistically they need a Curtis Lazar type faceoff guy and a proven top-4 defenseman
- Hank Balling

You don't really believe the bold, do you?