https://www.capfriendly.com/players/nikita-novikov
- kingcong39

How would you describe his play style, where do you see him slotting into the lineup and when?

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/nikita-novikov
- kingcong39

He is definitely a wild card, looking forward to seeing him in Rochester.

I don’t know that anyone is blowing their wad over Tatar. However he is a better overall option to fill a void left by injury that doesn’t cost us anything but signing a contract.
- IndianaSabresFan

So literally he costs us something.

Why isn’t he signed by anyone yet? My bet he goes back to Detroit.

Boring, he stuck out to me last year.
- washedup20

Against his peers he does alright and he definitely positively developed this past season. He's a great skater and offensive defenseman. Probably good for 50 point highs if he makes the NHL. He does however have some consistency and defensive issues that have slowly improved.

He was rated as a 2nd round prospect by several outlets and he fell to the 4th.

How would you describe his play style, where do you see him slotting into the lineup and when?
- washedup20

shutdown defensive defenseman who probably deserved to be drafted higher if he wasn't born in Russia. Bottom 2 pairs in 2-3 years.

Against his peers he does alright and he definitely positively developed this past season. He's a great skater and offensive defenseman. Probably good for 50 point highs if he makes the NHL. He does however have some consistency and defensive issues that have slowly improved.

He was rated as a 2nd round prospect by several outlets and he fell to the 4th.
- TheSabresTaco

Especially last year, can see he is definitely working on that part of his game. Could be a nice little get if he can keep developing.

Especially last year, can see he is definitely working on that part of his game. Could be a nice little get if he can keep developing.
- Buff36

I didn't watch too much of him vs the higher end guys but based on what i read and listened to over the course of the year he seems to be doing alright. a few good prospect podcasts on spotify.

kris baker just started one too so that's cool.

So literally he costs us something.

Why isn’t he signed by anyone yet? My bet he goes back to Detroit.
- Jet Jaguar BD

there's always weird reasons why 'good' players don't sign.

Only guys I really expect to sign again are Kane, Tatar, Bear and Kessel. Everyone else might get some vet mins, 2 ways or Euro deals. Or retire.


Remember Serron Noel? I recall some people having quite the hardon for him before we drafted Samuelsson.

He was unqualified and played some ECHL minutes this past season.

there's always weird reasons why 'good' players don't sign.

Only guys I really expect to sign again are Kane, Tatar, Bear and Kessel. Everyone else might get some vet mins, 2 ways or Euro deals. Or retire.


Remember Serron Noel? I recall some people having quite the hardon for him before we drafted Samuelsson.

He was unqualified and played some ECHL minutes this past season.
- TheSabresTaco

Not much money out there, think some teams that do have space are waiting to see if they can add sweeteners for there future by using that space on a bad contract at this point. Tatar will get signed as we get closer to the season.

Against his peers he does alright and he definitely positively developed this past season. He's a great skater and offensive defenseman. Probably good for 50 point highs if he makes the NHL. He does however have some consistency and defensive issues that have slowly improved.

He was rated as a 2nd round prospect by several outlets and he fell to the 4th.
- TheSabresTaco

Appreciate this, thanks

https://thehockeywriters....-levi-first-year-starter/
Interesting he goes on and says that Levi has never played more than 41gms in a season. But then predicts almost 60gms. I think this kid is gonna be really good, but that is a lot to expect IMO.

So literally he costs us something.

Why isn’t he signed by anyone yet? My bet he goes back to Detroit.
- Jet Jaguar BD

Shocker we have to pay him a salary. That’s weird.

Shocker we have to pay him a salary. That’s weird.
- IndianaSabresFan

Salary!! Vibes and Backyard Barbecues are enough.

Not much money out there, think some teams that do have space are waiting to see if they can add sweeteners for there future by using that space on a bad contract at this point. Tatar will get signed as we get closer to the season.
- Buff36

Current roster/cap situation for teams that aren't at 23/23:

Tor - 22/23 - ~$12mm over the cap
Mtl - 22/23 ~ $5mm over the cap
Col - 21/23 ~ $4mm over the cap
Wsh - 21/23 ~ $700k over the cap
Cgy - 21/23 ~ $200k over the cap
Pit - 21/23 ~$80k over the cap
LA - 21/23 ~ $100k of cap space
Bos - 22/23 ~ $400k of cap space
Ott - 18/23 ~ $900k of cap space
Min 20/23 ~ $1.6mm of cap space
NYR 22/23 ~ $2.3mm of cap space
Wpg 22/23 ~ $2.8mm of cap space
Phi 21/23 ~ $3mm of cap space
Edm - 21/23 ~ $3.5 of cap space
Cbj - 21/23 ~ $4.7mm of cap space
Det - 21/23 ~ $7.4mm of cap space
Nsh - 22/23 ~ $7.9mm of cap space
Ana - 20/23 ~ $19.4mm of cap space

Not many options throughout the league that are available.

Do teams have to have 23 men on the roster to start the season?

Current roster/cap situation for teams that aren't at 23/23:

Tor - 22/23 - ~$12mm over the cap
Mtl - 22/23 ~ $5mm over the cap
Col - 21/23 ~ $4mm over the cap
Wsh - 21/23 ~ $700k over the cap
Cgy - 21/23 ~ $200k over the cap
Pit - 21/23 ~$80k over the cap
LA - 21/23 ~ $100k of cap space
Bos - 22/23 ~ $400k of cap space
Ott - 18/23 ~ $900k of cap space
Min 20/23 ~ $1.6mm of cap space
NYR 22/23 ~ $2.3mm of cap space
Wpg 22/23 ~ $2.8mm of cap space
Phi 21/23 ~ $3mm of cap space
Edm - 21/23 ~ $3.5 of cap space
Cbj - 21/23 ~ $4.7mm of cap space
Det - 21/23 ~ $7.4mm of cap space
Nsh - 22/23 ~ $7.9mm of cap space
Ana - 20/23 ~ $19.4mm of cap space

Not many options throughout the league that are available.

Do teams have to have 23 men on the roster to start the season?
- washedup20

That's a ? for Lunaion or 39. I don't think they have to, just be cap compliant I think

https://thehockeywriters.com/sabres-expectations-levi-first-year-starter/
Interesting he goes on and says that Levi has never played more than 41gms in a season. But then predicts almost 60gms. I think this kid is gonna be really good, but that is a lot to expect IMO.
- Buff36

I am annoyed they didn’t get him a serviceable backup. He is going to wear down and need breaks. I’m sure he will be good but if they rely on him for 60 he will fade off as the season goes on, imo

Salary!! Vibes and Backyard Barbecues are enough.
- Buff36

Maybe sprinkle in some hookers and blow and we don’t need to pay him.

Maybe sprinkle in some hookers and blow and we don’t need to pay him.
- IndianaSabresFan

are we good yet?

I keep coming back to the fact that Granato viewed Olofsson as unplayable during meaningful games down the stretch, and now not only is Olofsson still on the team, he's likely to have an elevated role due to Quinn's absence.

That's not a great response from the GM to his coach. There's a disconnect there for whatever reason
- Hank Balling

Another thing that stuck out at me from the athletic artile I posted yesterday.

“I see a roster that is going to look a lot like last year,” Don Granato told me at the end of development camp

lol - Even granato is like wtf dude.

are we good yet?
- homiedclown

If we weren’t good before we aren’t good yet. Because it’s pretty much the same team.

Not much money out there, think some teams that do have space are waiting to see if they can add sweeteners for there future by using that space on a bad contract at this point. Tatar will get signed as we get closer to the season.
- Buff36

Kane I get. Kessel probably taking his time but he's low end complimentary at this point. Bear is still serviceable but he's out until December. He'd be a nice mid season add for someone.

Tatar, I don't understand. There's money in the banana stand for Tatar, somewhere. There's a reason why he hasn't picked a team yet.

If we weren’t good before we aren’t good yet. Because it’s pretty much the same team.
- IndianaSabresFan

greenway 3 mil
olofsson 4.75 mil
4th line 7 mil
bryson 1.85 mil
bush 2.75 mil
stillman 1.35 mil
comrie 1.8 mil
e johnson 3.25 mil


roughly 25 mil pissed away on a year where if you had cap space you could take advantage of other teams and decent players

https://thehockeywriters.com/sabres-expectations-levi-first-year-starter/
Interesting he goes on and says that Levi has never played more than 41gms in a season. But then predicts almost 60gms. I think this kid is gonna be really good, but that is a lot to expect IMO.
- Buff36

Kevyn went out of his way to state three things.

1. "We believe in UPL", painfully going out of his way to say as much.
2. Levi is built differently.
3. Three goalies is not ideal.

And didn't mention much of anything about Comrie.

Which should tell you the following:

Levi and UPL will split the season, they'll play the hot hand as is Granato's style.
Comrie is on the outside looking in, and will likely be moved in some capacity.

I would not expect 60 games from Levi. Even though he's 'built differently', that's like a 1 in 1000 load for a rookie goalie.

Current roster/cap situation for teams that aren't at 23/23:

Tor - 22/23 - ~$12mm over the cap
Mtl - 22/23 ~ $5mm over the cap
Col - 21/23 ~ $4mm over the cap
Wsh - 21/23 ~ $700k over the cap
Cgy - 21/23 ~ $200k over the cap
Pit - 21/23 ~$80k over the cap
LA - 21/23 ~ $100k of cap space
Bos - 22/23 ~ $400k of cap space
Ott - 18/23 ~ $900k of cap space
Min 20/23 ~ $1.6mm of cap space
NYR 22/23 ~ $2.3mm of cap space
Wpg 22/23 ~ $2.8mm of cap space
Phi 21/23 ~ $3mm of cap space
Edm - 21/23 ~ $3.5 of cap space
Cbj - 21/23 ~ $4.7mm of cap space
Det - 21/23 ~ $7.4mm of cap space
Nsh - 22/23 ~ $7.9mm of cap space
Ana - 20/23 ~ $19.4mm of cap space

Not many options throughout the league that are available.

Do teams have to have 23 men on the roster to start the season?
- washedup20

No, you don't need 23. I think you need 18 as a minimum.

You're putting an exceptional amount of stress on the org if you're not carrying bench players due to celery overage

Another thing that stuck out at me from the athletic artile I posted yesterday.

“I see a roster that is going to look a lot like last year,” Don Granato told me at the end of development camp

lol - Even granato is like wtf dude.
- JCSabs06

I think he says that even if they add a F and G. But the point stands.