There is another solution than trying to get tenured veterans in trades that need to waive with the unlikely chances that actually happens, but management isn't going down that road.
- kingcong39

I mean they could trade for Hanifin sans extension but then again, is the opportunity cost worth it ?

I mean it’s easy to sit here and say we have an abundance of assets who cares let’s deal them, but at the end of the day they are still assets.

What would be cool is if Winnipeg comes out in October and November and craps the bed and perhaps you can pry Ehlers out of there.

Well I think that works to a point, players also want to see if your willing to make that needed move.
- Buff36

overpaying vets that have nothing left in the tank is not a good way to get players in their prime to want to come here


having girgens and johnson may get you local vibes but to get national street cred, you need to aim higher for players you sign as free agents if you want to get the bigger fish to waive

I mean they could trade for Hanifin sans extension but then again, is the opportunity cost worth it ?

I mean it’s easy to sit here and say we have an abundance of assets who cares let’s deal them, but at the end of the day they are still assets.

What would be cool is if Winnipeg comes out in October and November and craps the bed and perhaps you can pry Ehlers out of there.
- Swedish_Jesus

Sabres Could probably do both and still have a top 10 prospect pool

I mean it’s easy to sit here and say we have an abundance of assets who cares let’s deal them, but at the end of the day they are still assets.

.
- Swedish_Jesus

assets drop in value over time

rosen was worth more on his draft day than today
same for savoie

there is a reason why benson is the highest ranked prospect right now


side note, if they waive stillman and he gets claimed bloom will be an asset pissed away by our top 5 gm

Sabres Could probably do both and still have a top 10 prospect pool
- Buff36

did vegas ever have a top 24 prospect pool?

There is another solution than trying to get tenured veterans in trades that need to waive with the unlikely chances that actually happens, but management isn't going down that road.
- kingcong39

which is?

did vegas ever have a top 24 prospect pool?
- homiedclown

No but when you have a top 1 salary cap picture and MIN/FLA secretly working for you it tends to work out

assets drop in value over time

rosen was worth more on his draft day than today
same for savoie

there is a reason why benson is the highest ranked prospect right now


side note, if they waive stillman and he gets claimed bloom will be an asset pissed away by our top 5 gm
- homiedclown

Depends, it’s really a case by case basis.

A prospect that’s ready to play for you today on an ELC can be attractive for a variety of reasons.

I’d think Kulich’s value is higher today than it was when he was drafted.

I can’t see Savoies value being any worse after another 90+ point season in the WHL and the potential of playing in NHL games this year whether it’s in October or April.

Benson is our highest rated prospect because he is the best player on one of the best teams in the entire CHL two years in a row, while being the best defensive forward as a 17 year old in the WHL.

I also don’t see them waiving Stillman

Can say the same for most of the league though tbh.

Scoring went up league wide. RNH was an 100 point forward last year in Edmonton and you can find an example or two on every roster in the league.

I do believe the Sabres will regress, but I think it can be a positive thing because they are playing with more structure and not giving up 1000 odd man rushes a game and reducing high danger chances against.

Goal differential always tells the story. Vegas finished 14th in goals scored but they gave up a heck of a lot less goals against.

It’s all about balance
- Swedish_Jesus

Issue is that the regression we're generally talking about (shooting % and age) doesn't naturally help defensively. If they play more defensively and see those forms of regression, it could be a significant triple hit.

Issue is that the regression we're generally talking about (shooting % and age) doesn't naturally help defensively. If they play more defensively and see those forms of regression, it could be a significant triple hit.
- Lunaion

Patrick Kane had his best offensive season at 30.

Karlsson just did what he did at 33.

Dahlin and Samuelsson are 23 years old, when most d-men are just breaking into the league.

Power is 20.

Cozens, Quinn, and Peterka are babies.

Every time we put a limit on Tage’s ceiling he exceeds it.

The only one who most likely has peaked is Skinner

Patrick Kane had his best offensive season at 30.

Karlsson just did what he did at 33.

Dahlin and Samuelsson are 23 years old, when most d-men are just breaking into the league.

Power is 20.

Cozens, Quinn, and Peterka are babies.

Every time we put a limit on Tage’s ceiling he exceeds it.

The only one who most likely has peaked is Skinner
- Swedish_Jesus

Peak age for forwards is 24-25, depending on where you look. Some peak late, some peak early.

Tuch is 27 coming off a career high shooting %. That's likely to drop. If Skinner and Tuch drop a bit, it impacts Tage.

Would love to see some of the kids pushing for 1st line opportunities, but I don't think that's likely this year.

Peak age for forwards is 24-25, depending on where you look. Some peak late, some peak early.

Tuch is 27 coming off a career high shooting %. That's likely to drop. If Skinner and Tuch drop a bit, it impacts Tage.

Would love to see some of the kids pushing for 1st line opportunities, but I don't think that's likely this year.
- Lunaion

I actually think its fairly likely. Theyve left the first line alone cause it entertains and Skinner had a bounce back but its a defensive black hole if Tuch isn't playing his absolute best all the time.

If you're expecting skinner to take a step back, then its defensive woes likely out pace the offense it produces. Given the year theyve come off, I doubt they let that scenario go on unless one or both of the other lines are playing too well to break up.

Peak age for forwards is 24-25, depending on where you look. Some peak late, some peak early.

Tuch is 27 coming off a career high shooting %. That's likely to drop. If Skinner and Tuch drop a bit, it impacts Tage.

Would love to see some of the kids pushing for 1st line opportunities, but I don't think that's likely this year.
- Lunaion

Absolutely correct, except Tuch and Tage aren’t your average median NHL forwards either though.

I actually think its fairly likely. Theyve left the first line alone cause it entertains and Skinner had a bounce back but its a defensive black hole if Tuch isn't playing his absolute best all the time.

If you're expecting skinner to take a step back, then its defensive woes likely out pace the offense it produces. Given the year theyve come off, I doubt they let that scenario go on unless one or both of the other lines are playing too well to break up.
- Michael Ghofrani

Peterka-Cozens-Tage
Skinner-Mitts-Tuch

Gentleman, start your engines.

Peterka-Cozens-Tage
Skinner-Mitts-Tuch

Gentleman, start your engines.
- Swedish_Jesus

I like tage and tuch together so i wouldnt mess with that personally but what i was thinking is if they really believe 2nd half mittelstadt is the real him, why not give him a shot on L1.

He'll never have skinner's offensive upside, but he'd also have to wear a blindfold to be half as bad defensively as skinner is. He's making plays now and seems to be able to hold his own on the cycle. I'd reward that, or at least find out how real it is.

Peterka-Cozens-Tage
Skinner-Mitts-Tuch

Gentleman, start your engines.
- Swedish_Jesus

I actually think its fairly likely. Theyve left the first line alone cause it entertains and Skinner had a bounce back but its a defensive black hole if Tuch isn't playing his absolute best all the time.

If you're expecting skinner to take a step back, then its defensive woes likely out pace the offense it produces. Given the year theyve come off, I doubt they let that scenario go on unless one or both of the other lines are playing too well to break up.
- Michael Ghofrani

Would imagine Quinn was the mostly likely candidate this season. Seems tough coming off that injury.

If their future success is all on these kids, have to hope a couple become better than just good middle 6. Could be any of them.

Would imagine Quinn was the mostly likely candidate this season. Seems tough coming off that injury.

If their future success is all on these kids, have to hope a couple become better than just good middle 6. Could be any of them.
- Lunaion

I think Quinn was the guy yea. Not sure what his recovery will be like as this injury can be tough to navigate but people seem positive about his recovery so who knows may yet still be him.

I would like to see them give casey a shot there though.

I like tage and tuch together so i wouldnt mess with that personally but what i was thinking is if they really believe 2nd half mittelstadt is the real him, why not give him a shot on L1.

He'll never have skinner's offensive upside, but he'd also have to wear a blindfold to be half as bad defensively as skinner is. He's making plays now and seems to be able to hold his own on the cycle. I'd reward that, or at least find out how real it is.
- Michael Ghofrani

I really liked Mitts with Cozens. 3rd line goes to hell without one of them, so I'm curious how it plays out.

If they run out Mitts + VO again, it will drive me mad.

Would imagine Quinn was the mostly likely candidate this season. Seems tough coming off that injury.

If their future success is all on these kids, have to hope a couple become better than just good middle 6. Could be any of them.
- Lunaion

I honestly think Cozens can be a star in this league. They had training wheels on him at even strength for a lot of this past season and he still scored 30+.

Tage and Tuch are proven stars.

Skinner may regress but at the very least you can count on him being an offensive generator at even strength.

Quinn, Peterka, Kulich, Savoie trend towards being 2nd line forwards.

Benson is the one with the potential to really steal the show though

I really liked Mitts with Cozens. 3rd line goes to hell without one of them, so I'm curious how it plays out.

If they run out Mitts + VO again, it will drive me mad.
- Lunaion

Mittelstadt's numbers are better away from cozens it seems like, except for when the two of them played with olofsson, hilarious.

Skinner, Casey and Tuch did really well together. that might be something to watch for when quinn comes back.

Could put peterka and quinn with Tage.

Did you also know that Patrick Kane had hip surgery?!?
- TheSabresTaco

Oh man what? At 34 years old he will be shot after this, he single-handedly lost the NYR the cup last year

Mittelstadt's numbers are better away from cozens it seems like, except for when the two of them played with olofsson, hilarious.

Skinner, Casey and Tuch did really well together. that might be something to watch for when quinn comes back.

Could put peterka and quinn with Tage.
- Michael Ghofrani

In fairness, they didn't play much together and it was with Vinny or VO. Would like to see them with someone who belongs in a top 6.

Moving Tage or Cozens away from C just feels wrong to me.

I honestly think Cozens can be a star in this league. They had training wheels on him at even strength for a lot of this past season and he still scored 30+.


- Swedish_Jesus

agreed


just not sure donnie is the guy that can get him to that point

cozens 5 on 5 production was insane (47 points) and a big gap between what he did vs quinn and peterka (57 points combined)

he should be around 18 and a half minutes per night

Mittelstadt's numbers are better away from cozens it seems like, except for when the two of them played with olofsson, hilarious.

Skinner, Casey and Tuch did really well together. that might be something to watch for when quinn comes back.

Could put peterka and quinn with Tage.
- Michael Ghofrani

skinner-casey-tuch
krebs-cozens-tage
greenway-kulich-peterka