I absolutely know that, it’s just tough to move a first round pick in a draft class like this without the certainty of an extension.

Neither Meier or Chychryn came with an extension. As much as they’d help Buffalo today, their best days are coming tomorrow.

Ottawa very well could be trading two top 15 selections in back to back years for players that may not be on their roster come 2024. That is a huge risk that. Everyone always likes to think of the best case scenario, but never the worst.

There are going to be some studs in that 15-20 range this year that can be the guy that comes in on the ELC when the Sabres are in their window.

They could also make me happy and acquire my dark horse target all along in Nick Schmaltz for a 2nd and a 3rd by Friday and I’ll be content.

Whether the Sabres make the playoffs or don’t make the playoffs I’ve seen enough to assure me we are in for a good decade of hockey
- Swedish_Jesus

The 1st is conditional. If Ottawa misses they don’t trade the pick this year.

The 2nd is in 2026.

Also every year is the year to have a 1st rd pick because the draft is so great.

Realistically, for every one late first round star, there are about 10 first round Girgensons

I absolutely know that, it’s just tough to move a first round pick in a draft class like this without the certainty of an extension.

Neither Meier or Chychryn came with an extension. As much as they’d help Buffalo today, their best days are coming tomorrow.

Ottawa very well could be trading two top 15 selections in back to back years for players that may not be on their roster come 2024. That is a huge risk that. Everyone always likes to think of the best case scenario, but never the worst.

There are going to be some studs in that 15-20 range this year that can be the guy that comes in on the ELC when the Sabres are in their window.

They could also make me happy and acquire my dark horse target all along in Nick Schmaltz for a 2nd and a 3rd by Friday and I’ll be content.

Whether the Sabres make the playoffs or don’t make the playoffs I’ve seen enough to assure me we are in for a good decade of hockey
- Swedish_Jesus

Ottawa could also sign those guys and be good for a while. The Sabres could sign those guys. They're RFAs at the end of their deals, they aren't just walking. And if they do, for the salary they're going to get, you're talking a net positive in picks coming back.

I get it, the extension is needed, but it shouldn't be the reason we don't go for it.

I absolutely know that, it’s just tough to move a first round pick in a draft class like this without the certainty of an extension.

Neither Meier or Chychryn came with an extension. As much as they’d help Buffalo today, their best days are coming tomorrow.

Ottawa very well could be trading two top 15 selections in back to back years for players that may not be on their roster come 2024. That is a huge risk that. Everyone always likes to think of the best case scenario, but never the worst.

There are going to be some studs in that 15-20 range this year that can be the guy that comes in on the ELC when the Sabres are in their window.

They could also make me happy and acquire my dark horse target all along in Nick Schmaltz for a 2nd and a 3rd by Friday and I’ll be content.

Whether the Sabres make the playoffs or don’t make the playoffs I’ve seen enough to assure me we are in for a good decade of hockey
- Swedish_Jesus

Chicken still had two more seasons at a very good price. He could have helped them win now and the next couple of years. His contract didn’t have great term but there still was term.

If the Sabres could have made that real push he could have been re-signed. If not and he wanted out you could have dealt him for at least a first in two years.

Would have had him for 2 seasons at the cost of 2 second round picks when it was all said and done. Or he could have signed an extension.

chicken man is under contract for 28 more months

literally could probably flip him at the deadline in 24 months for more that what you pay to get him today
- homiedclown

Why can’t our GM think like this?

if johnson signs, it changes things for next year, but still would need 1 more
- homiedclown

I hope he does. Hopefully Adams knows this and that’s why they didn’t pull the trigger on Chicken.

If Johnson solidifies the top 4 I would be happy but they still need to draft a ton of D.

if johnson signs, it changes things for next year, but still would need 1 more
- homiedclown

Need more than that, they are assets be it for your team or for trades

About that most of their growth will come from within comment: which players are you talking about?
- kingcong39

Would you say that Quinn, Peterka, Power, Krebs are finished products ?

I wouldn’t bet against Cozens or Dahlin finding another gear as well.

Not to mention Kulich, Savoie, Rosen, Ostlund, Levi who aren’t even here yet plus 9 picks in the deepest draft class since 2015 (if they don’t move any by Friday).

This franchise has an embarrassment of riches that aren’t all for a sudden going to disappear if they don’t make the playoffs, or do to be Boston or Carolinas doormat this year.

Would I like them to end the drought ? Sure

New Jersey didn’t sniff the playoffs last year and it doesn’t seem to have effected their upwards trajectory that they were building towards.

McDavid going off on the Leafs.

I hope he does. Hopefully Adams knows this and that’s why they didn’t pull the trigger on Chicken.

If Johnson solidifies the top 4 I would be happy but they still need to draft a ton of D.
- Stripes77

Agree

Why can’t our GM think like this?
- Gr8daygo

I hope he does. Hopefully Adams knows this and that’s why they didn’t pull the trigger on Chicken.

If Johnson solidifies the top 4 I would be happy but they still need to draft a ton of D.
- Stripes77

Asking a lot to think Johnson solidifies the top 4 next season.

Better plan would be hope he's good on the bottom pair to start and go from there.

I hope he does. Hopefully Adams knows this and that’s why they didn’t pull the trigger on Chicken.

If Johnson solidifies the top 4 I would be happy but they still need to draft a ton of D.
- Stripes77

Do think Johnson can be better than joker in year 1?

I know they’ve thrown dahlin and power to the top min wolves early on…. I wouldn’t think you’d want to rush your Johnson.

Asking a lot to think Johnson solidifies the top 4 next season.

Better plan would be hope he's good on the bottom pair to start and go from there.
- kingcong39

I didn’t mean for next season I meant for the future. The Sabres need him to be better than Joker

Asking a lot to think Johnson solidifies the top 4 next season.

Better plan would be hope he's good on the bottom pair to start and go from there.
- kingcong39

I'd say Roch is more likely than top 4 next year. Will be a fun year down there.

Do think Johnson can be better than joker in year 1?

I know they’ve thrown dahlin and power to the top min wolves early on…. I wouldn’t think you’d want to rush your Johnson.
- Gr8daygo

he's young

rush him

he explodes

ready again in 5 minutes

Would you say that Quinn, Peterka, Power, Krebs are finished products ?

I wouldn’t bet against Cozens or Dahlin finding another gear as well.

Not to mention Kulich, Savoie, Rosen, Ostlund, Levi who aren’t even here yet plus 9 picks in the deepest draft class since 2015 (if they don’t move any by Friday).

This franchise has an embarrassment of riches that aren’t all for a sudden going to disappear if they don’t make the playoffs to be Boston or Carolinas doormat this year.

Would I like them to end the drought ? Sure

New Jersey didn’t sniff the playoffs last year and it doesn’t seem to have effected their upwards trajectory that they were building towards.
- Swedish_Jesus

NJ speaking off signed and traded for good players while also started building.


Also I can’t point to the exact opposite team in the Carolina hurricanes who have I think 4 draft picks on their roster.

Also expecting every 19-21 YO player to come in and just be a difference maker right away is setting yourself up for failure.

I didn’t mean for next season I meant for the future. The Sabres need him to be better than Joker
- Stripes77

that's not saying much

The 1st is conditional. If Ottawa misses they don’t trade the pick this year.

The 2nd is in 2026.

Also every year is the year to have a 1st rd pick because the draft is so great.

Realistically, for every one late first round star, there are about 10 first round Girgensons
- ImThatGuy

Ottawa only keeps their puck this year if it is a top 5 pick.

So yes, then can miss and still hand Arizona a premium pick.

Every draft class has misses, but this age group is loaded.

- homiedclown

Need more than that, they are assets be it for your team or for trades
- Buff36

So are the forwards. All prospects are as long as you don't over/under value them. Over and you never trade them for anything and wait forever for them to come up when they might not, under and you give them all away for minimal gains.

If the 2022 1st all turn out to be amazing maybe not trading them was the right decision. If they turn out to do nothing it'll suck. We won't know for a bit.

NJ speaking off signed and traded for good players while also started building.


Also I can’t point to the exact opposite team in the Carolina hurricanes who have I think 4 draft picks on their roster.

Also expecting every 19-21 YO player to come in and just be a difference maker right away is setting yourself up for failure.
- ImThatGuy

Absolutely

I didn’t mean for next season I meant for the future. The Sabres need him to be better than Joker
- Stripes77

Which is why the CHIQUORIN move was so necessary IMO.

You are now planning on handing critical spots (Levi, Johnson) to players who you hope can handle it right away.

Not to mention being this risk averse can be a dagger to a franchise.

How many times have we penciled in prospects dating back to Guhle, Bailey and Baptiste and mancari etc only to have them fall short.

I hope Adams proves us wrong and pulls a unicorn trade out of his ass.

Portillo gone for a 3rd to the kings.

Might be late

It's fine if you want to hope and go with internal growth. But you have to have the players to do that. Sabres don't have that Defensively. Interesting that some of these trades that went down Young Dman went back in them. Sabres don't have that, atleast enough Depth to use a young Dman in a trade.

Portillo gone for a 3rd to the kings.

Might be late
- Gr8daygo

just a tad late