Paying for what he can become, not what he has done.
- Buff36

So what did they do with Dahlin? Why would their approach be different?

So what did they do with Dahlin? Why would their approach be different?
- TheSabresTaco

Bridge the sucker.

3+8 is better than 8 straight to UFA

The Blues clearly had a dire need for a Center to be included in that deal 😂😅

To be serious, sure on the 1st and 3rd, but Carrier was a 2nd round pick.

The Sabres equivalent would be a player like Poltapov, not Krebs.
- kingcong39

Listening to Billeck, it sounds like he thinks they would really want Krebs because he played in Winnipeg in the WHL and he still has team control years.

If that's the piece they really want then it might lower the cost of the others. Maybe it's not a 1st round pick anymore.

So what did they do with Dahlin? Why would their approach be different?
- TheSabresTaco

Thought their approach with Dahlin was going long term, but he and his agent wanted a bridge, unless I am misremembering.

So what did they do with Dahlin? Why would their approach be different?
- TheSabresTaco

Covid, inflation, organizational direction.

Thought their approach with Dahlin was going long term, but he and his agent wanted a bridge, unless I am misremembering.
- kingcong39

I agree, the narrative will be to sign players early due to Tage...until the next Skinner comes along then it will change.
- washedup20

Cozens and Samuelsson are the only players to get a max deal (7 year ext) immediately out of their ELC. Cozens had two years of play and Samuelsson had less than one. However, Samuelsson, while the term was huge, the dollars are not. Also, Samuelsson is 23 and Power is 20. Matters when the player is coming up for UFA.

I know Power is good. But in order for the Sabres to hand out big dollars (7+ imo), they need more than 1 year of play, historically speaking.

Power is tough. There's an equal chance of a 5-6M bridge for 2-3 years, and a 7x7 ext. I think the Sabres prefer the bridge and then pay him more instead of allowing him to hit UFA at 27 to pay him now. But it's up to both parties, not just Buffalo.

That 30% most likely moved the pick from 2nd to 1st round.
- washedup20

Per the Tim Graham interview with Danny, they needed a third team to take money. Flyers could have done it too, so I don't get it.

Scott Billeck on WGR once again saying UPL, 1st and Krebs for Hellebuyck. Or Levi straight up
- Hank Balling

I know you love it, but I can all but promise you Kevo scoffs

I wonder if Babcock came with a list of players he wanted.
- washedup20

Mitch Marner probably

Cozens and Samuelsson are the only players to get a max deal (7 year ext) immediately out of their ELC. Cozens had two years of play and Samuelsson had less than one. However, Samuelsson, while the term was huge, the dollars are not. Also, Samuelsson is 23 and Power is 20. Matters when the player is coming up for UFA.

I know Power is good. But in order for the Sabres to hand out big dollars (7+ imo), they need more than 1 year of play, historically speaking.

Power is tough. There's an equal chance of a 5-6M bridge for 2-3 years, and a 7x7 ext. I think the Sabres prefer the bridge and then pay him more instead of allowing him to hit UFA at 27 to pay him now. But it's up to both parties, not just Buffalo.
- TheSabresTaco

Well said, I think a 4 year bridge then an 8 year extension makes the most sense from an organizational standpoint, locks him in while maintaining RFA. By then the league cap questions should be cleared up and he can break the bank for 8 years. Thats a 16 year career with the 1st season not counting.

"The average NHL player plays on average 4.5 years. However, when looking at the data in detail the top 25% of players played an average of 12 years, whereas the bottom 75% played an average of 2 years. "

Do you think Mitch Marner would be on that list?
- buffalofan19

ooof got me

So what did they do with Dahlin? Why would their approach be different?
- TheSabresTaco

I don't think it should, but salaries have risen since Dahlin signed that bridge deal. It's the NHL Landscape more than me thinking he should get more than Dahlin did.

Would any team even give up a 2023 1st round pick, a quality forward NHL prospect, and a young goaltender for Hellebuyck?

Even that seems like a lot.
- kingcong39

For Saros, yas.. don't think that's an appropriate trade for Buffalo, even though I spent a few weeks pounding the table for him.

For Saros, yas.. don't think that's an appropriate trade for Buffalo, even though I spent a few weeks pounding the table for him.
- TheSabresTaco

I would call them

Cozens and Samuelsson are the only players to get a max deal (7 year ext) immediately out of their ELC. Cozens had two years of play and Samuelsson had less than one. However, Samuelsson, while the term was huge, the dollars are not. Also, Samuelsson is 23 and Power is 20. Matters when the player is coming up for UFA.

I know Power is good. But in order for the Sabres to hand out big dollars (7+ imo), they need more than 1 year of play, historically speaking.

Power is tough. There's an equal chance of a 5-6M bridge for 2-3 years, and a 7x7 ext. I think the Sabres prefer the bridge and then pay him more instead of allowing him to hit UFA at 27 to pay him now. But it's up to both parties, not just Buffalo.
- TheSabresTaco

Why would Power sign for a measly $7M AAV long term right now?

He'd be losing out on a LOT of money by signing that deal.

I would call them
- Buff36

LA is already apparently a good chunk down the road of trading for Saros.

Well said, I think a 4 year bridge then an 8 year extension makes the most sense from an organizational standpoint, locks him in while maintaining RFA. By then the league cap questions should be cleared up and he can break the bank for 8 years. Thats a 16 year career with the 1st season not counting.

"The average NHL player plays on average 4.5 years. However, when looking at the data in detail the top 25% of players played an average of 12 years, whereas the bottom 75% played an average of 2 years. "
- washedup20

A 16 year career, with the first season not counting?

Wouldn't it be 14 (2 years of his ELC, 4 year bridge, 8 year deal)?

I wouldn't do a 4 year bridge, as that would bring him to the brink of UFA status, as he'd be an ARB eligible RFA with only one year left of RFA status.

Scary stuff.

LA is already apparently a good chunk down the road of trading for Saros.
- kingcong39

We could easily out bid them, on second thot they do have some enticing prospects

Billeck brought up the St. Louis Miller trade which I think is an interesting comp due to their similar contract status

Ryan Miller and Steve Ott from the Buffalo Sabres for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, prospect William Carrier, a first-round draft pick in 2015 and a third-round pick in 2016.

Basically a 1st, prospect and 3rd when you whittle out the other pieces
- Hank Balling

brought this comp up numerous times. Schneider is a good one to bring in as well. Helly falls in between the two for age/contract status. I think he's closer to Miller. UPL, Nadeau, Buffalo 2.

LA is already apparently a good chunk down the road of trading for Saros.
- kingcong39

Thought I read "was"

LA is already apparently a good chunk down the road of trading for Saros.
- kingcong39

Saw that, I would see what's cooking.

A 16 year career, with the first season not counting?

Wouldn't it be 14 (2 years of his ELC, 4 year bridge, 8 year deal)?

I wouldn't do a 4 year bridge, as that would bring him to the brink of UFA status, as he'd be an ARB eligible RFA with only one year left of RFA status.

Scary stuff.
- kingcong39

you're math is right, when was the last time the Sabres had a player last that long in the organization?

A 16 year career, with the first season not counting?

Wouldn't it be 14 (2 years of his ELC, 4 year bridge, 8 year deal)?

I wouldn't do a 4 year bridge, as that would bring him to the brink of UFA status, as he'd be an ARB eligible RFA with only one year left of RFA status.

Scary stuff.
- kingcong39

Yep

brought this comp up numerous times. Schneider is a good one to bring in as well. Helly falls in between the two for age/contract status. I think he's closer to Miller. UPL, Nadeau, Buffalo 2.
- TheSabresTaco

Blasphemy!! I shall not see Nadeau in any trade