Pick one Chad Ruhwedel from:

Lyubushkin, Bryson, Jokiharju and Stillman.

Then replace the rest

How are they similar? Tuch will be making less than 5 mil until the end of 25-26 and was 95th percentile in WAR?

Huberdeau's last year in FLA he was 82nd percentile and 6th percentile in defensive WAR. Basically olofsson.
- Michael Ghofrani

Here's how they are similar: Tuch will be 30 when his current contract ends.

Are you offering him a long term extension well into his 30's at big dollars?

If not, are you letting him walk as a UFA, or are you being proactive and trading him with a year left on his deal?

It is never too soon to begin thinking about that kind of thing.

I dont think his contract has any bearing on it. From what I've been told, the thinking is he's nhl ready.
- Michael Ghofrani

7 NHL D under contract + 1 RFA (Clague) + Johnson

Bringing in someone + Johnson and dealing with all those contracts is a lot for this front office. I'd love to see it, but a bunch of guys with 1 year remaining + 1 waiver exempt rookie usually ends up with him in Roch.

Pick one Chad Ruhwedel from:

Lyubushkin, Bryson, Jokiharju and Stillman.

Then replace the rest
- Hank Balling

Can I have Chad Ruhwedel?

Here's how they are similar: Tuch will be 30 when his current contract ends.

Are you offering him a long term extension well into his 30's at big dollars?

If not, are you letting him walk as a UFA, or are you being proactive and trading him with a year left on his deal?

It is never too soon to begin thinking about that kind of thing.
- kingcong39

It's hard to know without knowing what the cap will be, what kind of player he will be and perhaps most significantly, what the offer would be.

If someone wants to give me tkachuk 2.0 for him I'll make that deal right now. That's not a tough call to make.

I agree it's something they'll have to really think over. Even if he does maintain his level of play, the cap crunch will force them to think about it.

7 NHL D under contract + 1 RFA (Clague) + Johnson

Bringing in someone + Johnson and dealing with all those contracts is a lot for this front office. I'd love to see it, but a bunch of guys with 1 year remaining + 1 waiver exempt rookie usually ends up with him in Roch.
- Lunaion

I dont know, never seen him play, just passing along what I heard. I know the analytics team has pushed mgmt to upgrade over Joker. And the consensus appears to be that RJ is ready (ish).

But I really think they'll start clearing some of the redundant guys out. I guessed Joker and Bryson simply because they werent acquired recently and I think their desire to appeal to the russians at the pro level means lyubushkin sticks around.

I dont know, never seen him play, just passing along what I heard. I know the analytics team has pushed mgmt to upgrade over Joker. And the consensus appears to be that RJ is ready (ish).

But I really think they'll start clearing some of the redundant guys out. I guessed Joker and Bryson simply because they werent acquired recently and I think their desire to appeal to the russians at the pro level means lyubushkin sticks around.
- Michael Ghofrani

Is the analytics team winning any of these fights? Maybe successfully limiting VO to a 2 year deal?

When the options are bold summer with multiple moves vs attrition the following summer, you can't ignore that these deals were set up to push it off a year.

I'd love to move Joker and Bryson. I just know it's asking a lot.

I dont know, never seen him play, just passing along what I heard. I know the analytics team has pushed mgmt to upgrade over Joker. And the consensus appears to be that RJ is ready (ish).

But I really think they'll start clearing some of the redundant guys out. I guessed Joker and Bryson simply because they werent acquired recently and I think their desire to appeal to the russians at the pro level means lyubushkin sticks around.
- Michael Ghofrani

Speaking of Russians, the draft falling this way and the trade would be something for the Sabres.

>>> 13. Buffalo Sabres - Matvei Michkov (LW)
And he’s off the board! Matvei Michkov finally hears his name, headed to a team with one of the most relaxed leadership groups in the league. In my digging for this article I found out two big things about Buffalo: they’re willing to take chances and they love the fact that Russians are falling in this class. While Michkov seems like a big chance to take, Kevyn Adams’ recent success has seemingly given him free reign to call the shots - particularly after the nuclear situation that led to Adams’ appointment and the Pegulas’ stepping-back to begin with.

I expect Buffalo will be a bit caught-off-guard if Michkov falls past Arizona at #12, making this an even easier pick to make.

Other Options
If not Michkov, I’d expect Buffalo to make a heavy bid for Eduard Šalé, a heavy-frame Czechi winger who could be inspired to follow in Jiří Kulich’s impressive footsteps. If defenders are flying off the board, I also think the Sabres are prepared to take a player like Dmitri Simashev early.

>>> MOCK TRADE
We have a mock trade to announce! The St. Louis Blues have traded pick #25 (from Toronto) to the Buffalo Sabres for Henri Jokiharju (RHD), pick #39 (from Philadelphia) and a 2024 3rd Rd pick.

The Blues have made it clear that they’re looking to trade one of their first round picks for a roster defender. We’ve seen the Blues make these kinds of trades before and none of them have been particularly glamorous. There are many teams that are hoping to move up, including the Sabres, who reportedly love Simashev. To get him, they send a young defender that fits the Blues’ physical, sporadic defending style and makes sure St. Louis doesn’t lose much standing in the class.

>>> 25. Buffalo Sabres (from St. Louis + Toronto) - Dmitri Simashev (RHD)

It’s going to be fascinating to see where Dmitri Simashev goes on draft day. I’ve heard that there are scouts that are obsessed with him, and that there are some that think all of his hype is overblown. In some sense, it reminds me of the Lian Bichsel saga we endured last year. But with reports that some teams aren’t even scouting Russians, and a general tenseness around the league, I think Simashev falls a little below where Bichsel ended up. But the reports that Buffalo is invested in this Russian class all link back to Simashev. I think they want him a lot and I think they’d be willing to trade up even higher to get him. Luckily, he falls in our mock.

Is the analytics team winning any of these fights? Maybe successfully limiting VO to a 2 year deal?

When the options are bold summer with multiple moves vs attrition the following summer, you can't ignore that these deals were set up to push it off a year.

I'd love to move Joker and Bryson. I just know it's asking a lot.
- Lunaion

I guess it depends on what you consider winning. They only control so much, and they don't set the budget.

Their finger prints are all over the drafting/development. And they did have a few things lined up last summer that were NTC'd. I know KA definitely genuinely listens to them.

There's no getting around the fact that punting some of that through this year means theres extra pressure to get it done this summer. It's a big 3 months for sure and I think as a result some cuts and changes are coming.

Speaking of Russians, the draft falling this way and the trade would be something for the Sabres.

>>> 13. Buffalo Sabres - Matvei Michkov (LW)
And he’s off the board! Matvei Michkov finally hears his name, headed to a team with one of the most relaxed leadership groups in the league. In my digging for this article I found out two big things about Buffalo: they’re willing to take chances and they love the fact that Russians are falling in this class. While Michkov seems like a big chance to take, Kevyn Adams’ recent success has seemingly given him free reign to call the shots - particularly after the nuclear situation that led to Adams’ appointment and the Pegulas’ stepping-back to begin with.

I expect Buffalo will be a bit caught-off-guard if Michkov falls past Arizona at #12, making this an even easier pick to make.

Other Options
If not Michkov, I’d expect Buffalo to make a heavy bid for Eduard Šalé, a heavy-frame Czechi winger who could be inspired to follow in Jiří Kulich’s impressive footsteps. If defenders are flying off the board, I also think the Sabres are prepared to take a player like Dmitri Simashev early.

>>> MOCK TRADE
We have a mock trade to announce! The St. Louis Blues have traded pick #25 (from Toronto) to the Buffalo Sabres for Henri Jokiharju (RHD), pick #39 (from Philadelphia) and a 2024 3rd Rd pick.

The Blues have made it clear that they’re looking to trade one of their first round picks for a roster defender. We’ve seen the Blues make these kinds of trades before and none of them have been particularly glamorous. There are many teams that are hoping to move up, including the Sabres, who reportedly love Simashev. To get him, they send a young defender that fits the Blues’ physical, sporadic defending style and makes sure St. Louis doesn’t lose much standing in the class.

>>> 25. Buffalo Sabres (from St. Louis + Toronto) - Dmitri Simashev (RHD)

It’s going to be fascinating to see where Dmitri Simashev goes on draft day. I’ve heard that there are scouts that are obsessed with him, and that there are some that think all of his hype is overblown. In some sense, it reminds me of the Lian Bichsel saga we endured last year. But with reports that some teams aren’t even scouting Russians, and a general tenseness around the league, I think Simashev falls a little below where Bichsel ended up. But the reports that Buffalo is invested in this Russian class all link back to Simashev. I think they want him a lot and I think they’d be willing to trade up even higher to get him. Luckily, he falls in our mock.
- kingcong39

They really like Michkov, the nerds (endearing on the off chance they see this) especially.

But from what i understand, the belief is they'll have to move up to 7th to get him. The feeling is that if he's there for WSH they'll take him without hesitation.

I guess it depends on what you consider winning. They only control so much, and they don't set the budget.

Their finger prints are all over the drafting/development. And they did have a few things lined up last summer that were NTC'd. I know KA definitely genuinely listens to them.

There's no getting around the fact that punting some of that through this year means theres extra pressure to get it done this summer. It's a big 3 months for sure and I think as a result some cuts and changes are coming.
- Michael Ghofrani

In sh'Allah

Do something Darcy

In sh'Allah

Do something Darcy
- Hank Balling

In sha'allah brother.

Are you coming back to MTL for the grand prix?

I guess it depends on what you consider winning. They only control so much, and they don't set the budget.

Their finger prints are all over the drafting/development. And they did have a few things lined up last summer that were NTC'd. I know KA definitely genuinely listens to them.

There's no getting around the fact that punting some of that through this year means theres extra pressure to get it done this summer. It's a big 3 months for sure and I think as a result some cuts and changes are coming.
- Michael Ghofrani

Bulk of the off-season is 4 days this year. Hope the come out firing.

June 28- Draft RD 1
June 29 - Draft RD 2-7
June 30 - RFA QO deadline
June 30 - Last day of the first buyout window
July 1 - Free Agency

They really like Michkov, the nerds (endearing on the off chance they see this) especially.

But from what i understand, the belief is they'll have to move up to 7th to get him. The feeling is that if he's there for WSH they'll take him without hesitation.
- Michael Ghofrani

Simashev isn't a RD, even though I would still take him there.

In sha'allah brother.

Are you coming back to MTL for the grand prix?
- Michael Ghofrani

No, unfortunately. My fiance is the major F1 fan in this family so I'm sure she's bummed. We're expecting in the fall so we have plenty to get done this summer.

Are you going?

Its a hot take but he earned that contract. sub 2 mil and he was way better than most 3rd pair d-men.

It wasnt a great year for him this year, but he was also like dead last in PDO.

Also they did try to move him before they signed him.
- Michael Ghofrani

Bryson was a cheap bottom pair filled D while we wait for the kids to sign and grow up. Johnson should be nhl ready either right now or the following year

Bulk of the off-season is 4 days this year. Hope the come out firing.

June 28- Draft RD 1
June 29 - Draft RD 2-7
June 30 - RFA QO deadline
June 30 - Last day of the first buyout window
July 1 - Free Agency
- Lunaion

Historically goalie carousel is sorted out very early too so I wonder if we see movement there like immediately after the season is done, given the small window.

No, unfortunately. My fiance is the major F1 fan in this family so I'm sure she's bummed. We're expecting in the fall so we have plenty to get done this summer.

Are you going?
- Hank Balling

Ahh, congratulations!

Debating on whether to go to it or to the nhl draft. Thats why Im furious the latter is on a weekday.

Then you see Bryson 2x1.85m and wonder.
- Lunaion

Geezer, KA missed on a guy.

Hang him....

Geezer, KA missed on a guy.

Hang him....
- Boss34

Sabretooth9 just said it well. It's not that he missed, he was just a cheap 2 year filler. They didn't try.

Sabretooth9 just said it well. It's not that he missed, he was just a cheap 2 year filler. They didn't try.
- Lunaion

Olofsson was also a 2 year deal.


Mean while if Adams loves you…… you get min 7-8 year deals.

Samualsson
Cozens
Tage

Soon power and Dahlin

The Claugue, hinostozas, brysons, olofssons, comries

Are all fillers.

Anderson was different due to his age.

Pick one Chad Ruhwedel from:

Lyubushkin, Bryson, Jokiharju and Stillman.

Then replace the rest
- Hank Balling

Trick question. They are all the time. Bottom pair to 7th d men quality.

Buskin though was good about mid January and on

Ahh, congratulations!

Debating on whether to go to it or to the nhl draft. Thats why Im furious the latter is on a weekday.
- Michael Ghofrani

I would do F1 but that's just me. The draft is cool to say you went but it's not a super exciting event. Well, in Montreal it's probably a pretty sweet event. Idk good problems to have I guess. Thanks btw

I would do F1 but that's just me. The draft is cool to say you went but it's not a super exciting event. Well, in Montreal it's probably a pretty sweet event. Idk good problems to have I guess. Thanks btw
- Hank Balling

Won't the draft be an insanely tough ticket?

I would do F1 but that's just me. The draft is cool to say you went but it's not a super exciting event. Well, in Montreal it's probably a pretty sweet event. Idk good problems to have I guess. Thanks btw
- Hank Balling

Well I've always wanted to go to nashville too, thats part of the pull. But yeah ultimately will probably elect for F1 instead.