Trading a forward or two to open up spots. Oloffson and Middlestadt (though I'm no an advocate of trading 37). My values may be off as Im not a GM, but, something like:

Oloffson, Joker, Middlestadt, Rosen

for


Markstrom and an extended Hanifan

Sign Tatar as an UFA
- turbo044

Like the trade, would have to throw UPL in, but that gets us in the playoffs most likely, so I get it.

That being said, I don't think this justifies the Girgs/Okposo signings does it? I asked poorly, but do you think there's any move they could make where those signings look better? Only chance I can think of is if another team wanted them in a return at the TDL, but I don't see it personally.

If you chose to read with some comprehension you could follow along.
- DirtyDan

The bags of milk have rotted your brain

Like the trade, would have to throw UPL in, but that gets us in the playoffs most likely, so I get it.

That being said, I don't think this justifies the Girgs/Okposo signings does it? I asked poorly, but do you think there's any move they could make where those signings look better? Only chance I can think of is if another team wanted them in a return at the TDL, but I don't see it personally.
- QuinnFan

No GM in the NHL would take Okposo even at league minimum. A dumb GM would offer Girgs a league min contract cuz some nerd said he looked good on a chart.

There is no hockey related reason to why those players are still in the organization, even though they are overpaid and still on the actual roster.

If they bring such good vibes, where were they the first 6 years they played together in Buffalo?

OKposo lived full time at ECMC while Girgs drove to Pittsburgh every chance he got, now they get over paid here and represent the leadership of the new core, lol.

No GM in the NHL would take Okposo even at league minimum. A dumb GM would offer Girgs a league min contract cuz some nerd said he looked good on a chart.

There is no hockey related reason to why those players are still in the organization, even though they are overpaid and still on the actual roster.

If they bring such good vibes, where were they the first 6 years they played together in Buffalo?
- washedup20

I'm with you, I don't see a ray of sunlight with those deals either.

I'm with you, I don't see a ray of sunlight with those deals either.
- QuinnFan

Resigning the captains allows the star players to focus on hockey and scoring goals.

No unnecessary leadership bs, like what happened with eichel.

Resigning the captains allows the star players to focus on hockey and scoring goals.

No unnecessary leadership bs, like what happened with eichel.
- Boss34

Would signing better captains have been a better option though? Obviously they weren't the only UFAs with a track record of wearing letters. That's all I'm salty about, the better options weren't, seemingly, even explored.

you are correct - UPL would have to be included
- turbo044

We also would have like 12 dmen too

Would signing better captains have been a better option though? Obviously they weren't the only UFAs with a track record of wearing letters. That's all I'm salty about, the better options weren't, seemingly, even explored.
- QuinnFan

I see your point, but those guys are the "leadership".

Theres no way of knowing how new leadership would have been received.

These guys earned the lockerroom respect clearly.


Also, we had a really good year with okposo/ girgensons, so why change something that may not need changing?

We also would have like 12 dmen too
- IndianaSabresFan

With the Quinn injury in addition to having a rookie goalie, having 12 dmen is a strategic advantage. Meatball is going to implement the 3-1-1 using 3 dmen on the ice. This minimizes goals against while relying on dangles and snipes to score for Buffalo, they have a top 3 offense so it works out.

With the Quinn injury in addition to having a rookie goalie, having 12 dmen is a strategic advantage. Meatball is going to implement the 3-1-1 using 3 dmen on the ice. This minimizes goals against while relying on dangles and snipes to score for Buffalo, they have a top 3 offense so it works out.
- washedup20

We have 9 NHL defenseman on the roster now, all the rest are going to Rochester. Bryson will also be sent to Rochester, leaving us 8. Boosh, Stillman and Joker fill the 6 spot and the other 2 are depth.

I see your point, but those guys are the "leadership".

Theres no way of knowing how new leadership would have been received.

These guys earned the lockerroom respect clearly.


Also, we had a really good year with okposo/ girgensons, so why change something that may not need changing?
- Boss34

And I yours, we don't want all rookies. I'm just not sure why changes aren't needed, we missed the playoffs. Why Change? To get better? Fear of the unknown is going to get us in a big mess if it continues.

Let's put it this way, is there any way to argue that Max Pacioretty isn't a far better player and at least as good of a captain as Kyle? He took a $3M deal from WSH.

How about Zucker or Killorn or any of the plethora of better forwards for Girgs? Sounds like we didn't offer a single guy outside of Orlov a deal...

Would signing better captains have been a better option though? Obviously they weren't the only UFAs with a track record of wearing letters. That's all I'm salty about, the better options weren't, seemingly, even explored.
- QuinnFan

Girgs - $2.5mm
Okposo - $2.5mm
Jost - $2mm

With $6mm in cap space

Imagine signing Toews and Kane for $5mm each for 2 seasons. Promote 2 guys from Rochester, develop and win while learning from winning leadership...also Terry gets his man. That overpayment at least makes sense.

Kane's injury allows another prospect (or multiple, I like stripes idea) to play and develop unitl he's ready then as a leadership duo they can help push this core to the playoffs.

If the argument is the guys in the locker room respect Okposo and Girgs, I don't think they will have trouble respecting Kane and Toews.

We have 9 NHL defenseman on the roster now, all the rest are going to Rochester. Bryson will also be sent to Rochester, leaving us 8. Boosh, Stillman and Joker fill the 6 spot and the other 2 are depth.
- turbo044

Nope, need all 12.

Girgs - $2.5mm
Okposo - $2.5mm
Jost - $2mm

With $6mm in cap space

Imagine signing Toews and Kane for $5mm each for 2 seasons. Promote 2 guys from Rochester, develop and win while learning from winning leadership...also Terry gets his man. That overpayment at least makes sense.

Kane's injury allows another prospect (or multiple, I like stripes idea) to play and develop unitl he's ready then as a leadership duo they can help push this core to the playoffs.

If the argument is the guys in the locker room respect Okposo and Girgs, I don't think they will have trouble respecting Kane and Toews.
- washedup20

I hear what you're saying but the examples aren't good. Toews is facing retirement and Kane (I think) isn't starting the season.

I hear what you're saying but the examples aren't good. Toews is facing retirement and Kane (I think) isn't starting the season.
- TheSabresTaco

Okposo should be retired, Toews has more leadership upside.

I commented on how I would handle the Kane injury, him off the ice and in practice is more valuable than Girgs in any situation.

This idea took all of 30 seconds, how does a team of highly paid NHL managers conclude these signings provide the best possible chance at winning?

Okposo should be retired, Toews has more leadership upside.

I commented on how I would handle the Kane injury, him off the ice and in practice is more valuable than Girgs in any situation.

This idea took all of 30 seconds, how does a team of highly paid NHL managers conclude these signings provide the best possible chance at winning?
- washedup20

not for preventing goals.

i am not trying to convince you of anything really, know that's a waste of time. but it's a brutal take.

i dont even like girgensons. but i understand what he's used for.

And I yours, we don't want all rookies. I'm just not sure why changes aren't needed, we missed the playoffs. Why Change? To get better? Fear of the unknown is going to get us in a big mess if it continues.

Let's put it this way, is there any way to argue that Max Pacioretty isn't a far better player and at least as good of a captain as Kyle? He took a $3M deal from WSH.

How about Zucker or Killorn or any of the plethora of better forwards for Girgs? Sounds like we didn't offer a single guy outside of Orlov a deal...
- QuinnFan

Absolutely, although with young teams, the interal growth is what's gonna get us in or out of the playoffs.

Not great28 or captain21.

They had good seasons for 4th liners.

Havent we all learned for anointing eichel captain way to early.

Let these guys focus on hockey and scoring without any unneeded pressure IMO ( including tage tuch dahlin cozens). Just play hockey.

Have girgensons and okposo answer after a 6-1 home loss.

Absolutely, although with young teams, the interal growth is what's gonna get us in or out of the playoffs.

Not great28 or captain21.

They had good seasons for 4th liners.

Havent we all learned for anointing eichel captain way to early.

Let these guys focus on hockey and scoring without any unneeded pressure IMO ( including tage tuch dahlin cozens). Just play hockey.

Have girgensons and okposo answer after a 6-1 home loss.
- Boss34

I'm not going to say they needed both back (and Jost), but, they were one of the top defensive forward lines in hockey. This combined with signing the top rated PK dman from last year should help goals against/Levi

not for preventing goals.

i am not trying to convince you of anything really, know that's a waste of time. but it's a brutal take.

i dont even like girgensons. but i understand what he's used for.
- TheSabresTaco

Bottom 5 team defense with Girgs and his outstanding abilities, can't get much worse.

It's brutal watching some posters claim there is value there.

Absolutely, although with young teams, the interal growth is what's gonna get us in or out of the playoffs.

Not great28 or captain21.

They had good seasons for 4th liners.

Havent we all learned for anointing eichel captain way to early.

Let these guys focus on hockey and scoring without any unneeded pressure IMO ( including tage tuch dahlin cozens). Just play hockey.

Have girgensons and okposo answer after a 6-1 home loss.
- Boss34

Well shouldn't Johnson and Clifton bring that leadership. 2 guys that have been through the wars, and actually been there.

Well shouldn't Johnson and Clifton bring that leadership. 2 guys that have been through the wars, and actually been there.
- Buff36

Beat me to it. Turbo and Boss have a point, they were sound defensively and that's really their job. I just had delusions we were going to try and compete now, rather than in some distant future...

A distant future where the lizards rule!

Out of touch with reality

Just another poor take
- Boss34

Taking 5 years to make the playoffs is being out of touch with reality

Beat me to it. Turbo and Boss have a point, they were sound defensively and that's really their job. I just had delusions we were going to try and compete now, rather than in some distant future...

A distant future where the lizards rule!
- QuinnFan

By this logic Olofsson is an improvement replacing the injured Quinn.

Beat me to it. Turbo and Boss have a point, they were sound defensively and that's really their job. I just had delusions we were going to try and compete now, rather than in some distant future...

A distant future where the lizards rule!
- QuinnFan

It's like Will Ferrell getting sh!t out by the T-Rex fighting the Lizard men in "Land Of The Lost".
Like the Sabres are stuck in there own Land Of The Lost Hockey Playoffs.

By this logic Olofsson is an improvement replacing the injured Quinn.
- washedup20

I hear ya. As a 4th liner I think the onus to produce does lessen a bit though.