Yeah, here's what I think. While it's unlikely any of us has a clue about what's inside Darcy's head, and things like the salary cap, NTCs/NMCs, and the declining economy's impact on future revenues make it nearly impossible to trade anyone of any significance, it's not inconceivable that the Sabres could make a mid-season move.

Vanek, Roy, Miller, Pommer are probably not on the block since they represent the young core of this team and are all locked up long-term. We all know Vanek's contract is insane, but given the length and amount of the others, it seems unlikely to me there's a better deal out there. Remember Larry Quinn is a numbers guy, and 5 mil 6 years from now will be looking pretty good. Roy's deal is an especially favorable one for the club. You might even be able to throw Goose into this category b/c his value to the Sabres is high given his hustle and toughness.

Max, Kotalik, and Connolly are popular choices for a change of venue, but their UFA status would mean they'd need to go to a contender for the receiving team to be willing to assume the risk. That said, what's the likelihood of a contender sending the Sabres something worthy of a blockbuster? That's not even taking into account Max sucking for the last 2 years, Kotalik getting a reputation of being lazy, and (Tin) Connolly being more fragile than the leg lamp in A Christmas Story. This, coming from the guy who actually owns a Connolly jersey.

As far as young talent at forward goes, Stafford, MacArthur, Paille are the only roster players in that category. They're all tradable, but not enough to bring in an impact player. To me, the Sabres would need to include one of Mancari, Gerbe, or Kennedy to get another team interested. Possible, though Gerbe seems like he's got a future here.

Lastly, if they're really trying to fix the recent injury problem at defense, they're not going to trade any defensemen. Even still, it's more likely they'll do what they did last year and bring in a veteran like Nolan Pratt to temporarily fill the gap until Weber and Sekera are healthy again (a few weeks?). I haven't looked to see who like that is available, but they found someone last year and could probably do it again.

We Sabres fans have gotten used to the fact that Darcy rarely makes any moves. In fact, who really does anymore? I'd love to be wrong, but not at the expense of 26 / 9 / 30 / 29. You can have Peters. Twice.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/.../_/id/4360169/bumper-pool


oh my

No thank you.


Levi > UPL > Gibson
- Sir Tindoom

Gibson is 1000% better than UPL. The ducks have sucked for so many years of his career.

I think there is a legitimate argument that the Sabres core four (Tage, Cozens, Tuch, Skinner) can be as good as Toronto’s (Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares) as soon as this season.

Dahlin/Power/Samuelsson can be one of the lethal 1-3 d-men in the entire league as early as this season.
- Swedish_Jesus

Not saying cozens is bad by any means. But he’s not at the level of Matthew’s Marner nylander or Tavares

Not saying cozens is bad by any means. But he’s not at the level of Matthew’s Marner nylander or Tavares
- Sabretooth9

I take Cozens over Tavares every day

From the RJ memorial service

Rip telling everyone that RJ killed 30 beers in 4 hours of driving was impressive

Not saying cozens is bad by any means. But he’s not at the level of Matthew’s Marner nylander or Tavares
- Sabretooth9

Can probably count on one hand the forwards more effective then him with the man advantage, he’s absolutely lethal on the PP.

But he slowed down quite a bit at even strength last season, his point totals don’t tell the whole story there.

Meanwhile, I expect Cozens to take the leap into becoming a bonafide top 20 Center in the league next year.

From the RJ memorial service

Rip telling everyone that RJ killed 30 beers in 4 hours of driving was impressive
- Sabretooth9

Evidently Rip has never been out to lunch with Washedup if he thinks that was impressive.

Can probably count on one hand the forwards more effective then him with the man advantage, he’s absolutely lethal on the PP.

But he slowed down quite a bit at even strength last season, his point totals don’t tell the whole story there.

Meanwhile, I expect Cozens to take the leap into becoming a bonafide top 20 Center in the league next year.
- Swedish_Jesus

Yeah that is possible that Taveres continues to regress due to age.

But as of right now, I would still take him over cozens.

Cozens ceiling is most likely 65 to 70 points. Which is fine

Can probably count on one hand the forwards more effective then him with the man advantage, he’s absolutely lethal on the PP.

But he slowed down quite a bit at even strength last season, his point totals don’t tell the whole story there.

Meanwhile, I expect Cozens to take the leap into becoming a bonafide top 20 Center in the league next year.
- Swedish_Jesus

You expect cozens to be a top 20 center next year? The Sabres damn well better do better than to just make the playoffs if that's the case. If not, I know who should be a top5 candidate to get fired the day they dont.

Gibson is 1000% better than UPL.
- Sabretooth9

Correct. In 2018.

Yeah that is possible that Taveres continues to regress due to age.

But as of right now, I would still take him over cozens.

Cozens ceiling is most likely 65 to 70 points. Which is fine
- Sabretooth9

So Cozens has hit his ceiling ? He just had 68pts as a 21yr Old basically playing with 2 rookies. This is a horrible take. I get called out on here for speaking my mind and the vibe and lollipops crowd is saying stuff like this. Cozens needs to keep developing and growing that is what this Organization is counting on, it's basically Adams plan. If Cozens and the other youngins don't progress than Adams plan crumbles.

So Cozens has hit his ceiling ? He just had 68pts as a 21yr Old basically playing with 2 rookies. This is a horrible take. I get called out on here for speaking my mind and the vibe and lollipops crowd is saying stuff like this. Cozens needs to keep developing and growing that is what this Organization is counting on, it's basically Adams plan. If Cozens and the other youngins don't progress than Adams plan crumbles.
- Buff36

Cozens ceiling in my mind is a 2nd line center. 65-70 points.

I get he had 68 point this year.

Compare tage and cozens skill set. He is lacking a little bit in that department. I get elite to very very good is slim. But you can see it. And I like cozens

We will see how much he’s improved this offseason. He definitely came in last year a different player

Cozens ceiling in my mind is a 2nd line center. 65-70 points.

I get he had 68 point this year.

Compare tage and cozens skill set. He is lacking a little bit in that department. I get elite to very very good is slim. But you can see it. And I like cozens

We will see how much he’s improved this offseason. He definitely came in last year a different player
- Sabretooth9

his ice time was under 16 1/2 minutes per game
47 even strength points

2 rookie wingers


I think he can be a 90 point player with 2 decent wingers playing 19 minutes a night

I think there is a legitimate argument that the Sabres core four (Tage, Cozens, Tuch, Skinner) can be as good as Toronto’s (Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares) as soon as this season.

Dahlin/Power/Samuelsson can be one of the lethal 1-3 d-men in the entire league as early as this season.
- Swedish_Jesus

Tage = Mathew's. Tage is good but this is not even close
Cozens = Tavares. I'd say Cozens
Tuch = Marner. Close because Tuch has balls
Skinner = Nylander Their both flakes but Nylander is better

Overall you are not far off but not this season

From the RJ memorial service

Rip telling everyone that RJ killed 30 beers in 4 hours of driving was impressive
- Sabretooth9

Few thoughts: Lindy is a class act as always. Rip's stories were great, and James Patrick looks like he could still play 10 mins a night on a bottom pairing

Few thoughts: Lindy is a class act as always. Rip's stories were great, and James Patrick looks like he could still play 10 mins a night on a bottom pairing
- Hank Balling

Yep, the way he hyped Granato. There had to have been some wild nights out on the road.

his ice time was under 16 1/2 minutes per game
47 even strength points

2 rookie wingers


I think he can be a 90 point player with 2 decent wingers playing 19 minutes a night
- homiedclown

Time will tell. I still like cozens. I hope you are right

Evidently Rip has never been out to lunch with Washedup if he thinks that was impressive.
- Hatboro_Swords

😀😀😀

his ice time was under 16 1/2 minutes per game
47 even strength points

2 rookie wingers


I think he can be a 90 point player with 2 decent wingers playing 19 minutes a night
- homiedclown

Idk about 90 points but a .ppg for sure

Correct. In 2018.
- Sir Tindoom

And 2038

Time will tell. I still like cozens. I hope you are right
- Sabretooth9

It seems he would have a fair amount t of growth in him still, only at 21yo and 2-1/2 seasons of nhl games under him. I would say he has 3 or 4 seasons of growth before he even begins to plateau.
Of course, growth is not always linear, so we can expect some level of peaks and valleys along the way...makes the trip more entertaining.

It seems he would have a fair amount t of growth in him still, only at 21yo and 2-1/2 seasons of nhl games under him. I would say he has 3 or 4 seasons of growth before he even begins to plateau.
Of course, growth is not always linear, so we can expect some level of peaks and valleys along the way...makes the trip more entertaining.
- IonSabres

And if JJ takes that next step will only help Cozens be even better. Sucks with Quinn's injury cause you wanted to see all 3 grow together.

And if JJ takes that next step will only help Cozens be even better. Sucks with Quinn's injury cause you wanted to see all 3 grow together.
- Buff36

I can't decide what's more likely, Peterka to hit the next level or Krebs. Both looked ready to do it towards the end of last year.

I can't decide what's more likely, Peterka to hit the next level or Krebs. Both looked ready to do it towards the end of last year.
- RhinoFan

Krebs is the new Girgs