Good post,

I'm hoping it wasn't just the $. Maybe he sees an opportunity here....

You're probably right though 👍
- Boss34

Erik Johnson is getting a $1.25M signing bonus on his deal with Buffalo.

Betting that helped.

Any other team offer that?

Youngest team with the 3rd best offense, pretty tempting to try and get the same results with the same players the following season.

Not sure why it's a problem?
- Boss34

Or get better players than the one's that got you those results cause it gives you a better chance to improve on those results.

This is shocking.
- sbroads24

Yes, but was it a 7 for 7 offseason...?

But did they really need to change up front?

They needed defensive help. They went and got it. Ask 30 different posters on here who their top target would've been, and you'd get several saying Gudas, Orlov, trade for Pesce (who I think is going the other way for Karlsson and that's why Carolina is holding tight tight now) and then you'd get 20 different answers. I got the answer of Connor Clifton from a die hard B's fan. I'll take his word over people who watch 6 B's games a year, and that's only because they're playing Buffalo.

They need help in goal. We'll see if he upgrades there. Of the goalies that were/are available THAT DIDN'T RE-SIGN WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE TEAMS, the crop is thin and unimpressive. Everyone on here can do the math when they look at the goalie trade market. Saros? He isn't going anywhere. Hart? He isn't some huge upgrade over UPL where we need to spend assets to get him. Hellebuyck? You're going to pay through the nose, both in assets and, what's he want, $9 million? No Way.
- Powerslave

He'll have a chance to explain that all on locker clean out day next year if UPL has another bad one

Sure, but everything points to Clifton being a bottom pairing caliber D

https://twitter.com/arhoc...&t=86VfOcH05ywZPIL0oRuamA

Connor Clifton ➡️ Buffalo Sabres
3 years, $3.333M AAV

This is a little pricey contract for the Sabres to give to Clifton.


- sbroads24

On the best version of this team, he probably is. I think swapping boosh for Clifton adds wins, without preventing them from adding anyone else if that move becomes available.

Clifton probably isnt the guy long term, but if hes better than jokiharju was at it, its a net positive.

I also dont think theyre done but thats sorta beside the point.

3 guys are gonna play 80 minutes dahlin, Sam and power.

Clifton 16
Boosh 14
Johnson 10
- Boss34

Well unless Samuelsson gets hurt and misses 20 or so games, or Boosh breaks his foot again blocking a shot. And your F@cking crazy if your asking them to play that constantly. Be dead by the playoffs if we happen to make

He'll have a chance to explain that all on locker clean out day next year if UPL has another bad one
- Hank Balling

Yep, and if they make the playoffs?

Well Jokiharju couldn’t handle it, and Power was the #1 overall pick, and I’m assuming you mean Samuelsson who was very mediocre for much of when he played + got hurt a bunch.

Are we really comparing Owen Power to Connor Clifton?
- sbroads24

You're all over the map. On a good team, Joker is a 6 -7 D. That's what bottom pair look like. Is your concern that a 28 year old vet that skates very well can't handle a jump of 3 minutes? That's the concern? C'mon.

Or get better players than the one's that got you those results cause it gives you a better chance to improve on those results.
- Buff36

And herein lies the false belief. Ultimately they will have either built a cup winner or they didn't. There is this belief that if we go out and get players who *on paper* are better than the other players are today, we will get to contention faster.

This same logic was applied last offseason when everyone was screaming that Adams was the new Darcy because he didn't go out and get more offense. Trade any number of the kids (Mitts, Krebs, etc) and go get vets. How did that one work out?

3 guys are gonna play 80 minutes dahlin, Sam and power.

Clifton 16
Boosh 14
Johnson 10
- Boss34

Big question planning on Samuelsson handling 25 minutes a night with zero power play time.

That's a lot of PK and even strength time.

I wouldn't plan on that kind of workload for him.

Unless you're planning 30 minutes for each of Dahlin and Power (I wouldn't play Power that much yet either).

Sure, but everything points to Clifton being a bottom pairing caliber D

https://twitter.com/arhoc...&t=86VfOcH05ywZPIL0oRuamA

Connor Clifton ➡️ Buffalo Sabres
3 years, $3.333M AAV

This is a little pricey contract for the Sabres to give to Clifton.


- sbroads24

Penalties drawn, possession, PK stats😍😍

You're all over the map. On a good team, Joker is a 6 -7 D. That's what bottom pair look like. Is your concern that a 28 year old vet that skates very well can't handle a jump of 3 minutes? That's the concern? C'mon.
- Slump Buster

It's because Adams signed him. If any other GM in the league signed him, it's a good day. Adams gets no breaks even though his teams have made jumps of 21 (pro-rated) and 16 points year over year the past 3 seasons.

Yep, and if they make the playoffs?
- Powerslave

Then he's a hero.

But if they miss and UPL sucks then he deserves to be fired

You're all over the map. On a good team, Joker is a 6 -7 D. That's what bottom pair look like. Is your concern that a 28 year old vet that skates very well can't handle a jump of 3 minutes? That's the concern? C'mon.
- Slump Buster

It varies. It doesnt seem like a lot but its a pretty big jump in responsibility. His skills may translate better for the top 4, in this system. The way maybe jokiharju couldnt cause he didnt have them.

Id have preferred someone else, but assuming they do add a goalie, I dont need Clifton to be the best #4 d-man. I just need him to be better than Jokiharju was.

Then he's a hero. But if they miss and UPL sucks then he deserves to be fired
- Hank Balling

Quite possibly, but I wouldn't hold your breath. You know as well as I do that Terry loves him. He'll get another chance.

It varies. It doesnt seem like a lot but its a pretty big jump in responsibility. His skills may translate better for the top 4, in this system. The way maybe jokiharju couldnt cause he didnt have them.

Id have preferred someone else, but assuming they do add a goalie, I dont need Clifton to be the best #4 d-man. I just need him to be better than Jokiharju was.
- Michael Ghofrani

And Power is likely going to be better, as well.

You're all over the map. On a good team, Joker is a 6 -7 D. That's what bottom pair look like. Is your concern that a 28 year old vet that skates very well can't handle a jump of 3 minutes? That's the concern? C'mon.
- Slump Buster

There were nights Joker was the best Dman on the ice, he just couldn't consistently put that together and the more minutes he played it tended to get worse. Clifton has never come close to playing 20min a night consistently or ever. Usually in Hockey the more experience you get and develop you get more responsibility not stay where your at unless they have reservations on adding more to your plate.

It's because Adams signed him. If any other GM in the league signed him, it's a good day. Adams gets no breaks even though his teams have made jumps of 21 (pro-rated) and 16 points year over year the past 3 seasons.
- Powerslave

That's really it. He isn't the flashy name that some want, but there is no reason think that he isn't what we need. This is a pretty damn good roster right now and there are no obvious holes. Jesus H, isn't that a good thing? I can't wait for opening night.

Quite possibly, but I wouldn't hold your breath. You know as well as I do that Terry loves him. He'll get another chance.
- Powerslave

Over/under on number of Sabres games played by Tokarski this season?

I'm going 1.5

And Power is likely going to be better, as well.
- Powerslave

yeah i think the other overlooked part is, much as Jokiharju was overwhelmed, Power was very much a rookie defensively.

That's what youre really hoping for, that he can be at least mediocre defensively next year without giving up his offense.

That's really it. He isn't the flashy name that some want, but there is no reason think that he isn't what we need. This is a pretty damn good roster right now and there are no obvious holes. Jesus H, isn't that a good thing? I can't wait for opening night.
- Slump Buster

You don't think goaltending is a pretty good sized question mark, as it stands right now?

Erik Johnson is getting a $1.25M signing bonus on his deal with Buffalo.

Betting that helped.

Any other team offer that?
- kingcong39

There's been plenty of times that players have snubbed buffalo.

Let's be honest, a half dozen teams want Johnson.
Probably good, cash strapped teams with playoff rosters.

He took probably more from buffalo, that's the buffatax still of losing for years.

Smart move saving $250,000 on jost and $750,000 on girgensons' deal. Top3 type gm'ing

You don't think goaltending is a pretty good sized question mark, as it stands right now?
- kingcong39

Or top 6 wing?

I can’t even take people seriously anymore on this site

The team that missed the playoffs has no holes

Holy hell

Over/under on number of Sabres games played by Tokarski this season?

I'm going 1.5
- kingcong39

Is Comrie traded, waived and bought out, waived and sent to Rochester? Because if he's in organization, Tokarski gets zero.

There's been plenty of times that players have snubbed buffalo.

Let's be honest, a half dozen teams want Johnson.
Probably good, cash strapped teams with playoff rosters.

He took probably more from buffalo, that's the buffatax still of losing for years.

Smart move saving $250,000 on jost and $750,000 on girgensons' deal. Top3 type gm'ing
- Boss34

How did they save $750K on Girgensons?

I know it is a troll comment, but I had to ask.