To be objective, you have to factor in what he doesn't bring, and that's any physical presence. He had 8 hits in 41 games. Where does a finesse LH puck mover fit on a team that has 3 excellent ones already? Don't think that's in the top 4. Johnson-Clifton sounds fine next year.
- Lunaion

trade him for pick #43 next year...

Dahlin out of the Yellow Jersey at Practice today in Munich
- Buff36

That’s good news. I think the Sabres start their regular season next weekend? I think.

So plenty of time to get up to speed

To be objective, you have to factor in what he doesn't bring, and that's any physical presence. He had 8 hits in 41 games. Where does a finesse LH puck mover fit on a team that has 3 excellent ones already? Don't think that's in the top 4. Johnson-Clifton sounds fine next year.
- Lunaion

They've got some decisions to make on that back end for next year. You're going to have

Byram needing a new contract
Novikov and Johnson pushing for spots
Joker most likely walked to FA.
Clifton on his last year
Samuelsson playing 3rd pair making over 4 mil.

Dahlin-Byram(if re-signed)
Power-?????
Samuelsson-Clifton

To be objective, you have to factor in what he doesn't bring, and that's any physical presence. He had 8 hits in 41 games. Where does a finesse LH puck mover fit on a team that has 3 excellent ones already? Don't think that's in the top 4. Johnson-Clifton sounds fine next year.
- Lunaion

So then, the question becomes where does Sammy play, he kicks out Joker for Power's partner
Or
Do they move him?

They've got some decisions to make on that back end for next year. You're going to have

Byram needing a new contract
Novikov and Johnson pushing for spots
Joker most likely walked to FA.
Clifton on his last year
Samuelsson playing 3rd pair making over 4 mil.

Dahlin-Byram(if re-signed)
Power-?????
Samuelsson-Clifton
- DirtyDan

Adams will probably continue his mismanagement masterclass because it will be conversations not decisions

Seriously though if they struggle defensively still and don't make the playoffs how the hell could it be justified to bring back 5/6 dmen with the only potential change being a rookie

Decisions needed to be made already but nah

They've got some decisions to make on that back end for next year. You're going to have

Byram needing a new contract
Novikov and Johnson pushing for spots
Joker most likely walked to FA.
Clifton on his last year
Samuelsson playing 3rd pair making over 4 mil.

Dahlin-Byram(if re-signed)
Power-?????
Samuelsson-Clifton
- DirtyDan

I can't see them doing anything but re-signing Byram given the investment. Unless he passes Dahlin on the depth chart, it seems reasonable for a $6-$6.5m contract... But admittedly it is too early to predict.
As far as Sammy goes, I have been advocating for a trade for the very reason you mentioned that his salary is too high unless he earns top 4 minutes. I would love to see him do it.
Hopefully Johnson develops, plays well to secure a spot on the big club for next season.. he won't be in his ELC any more, but a lower cost Bridge Deal would be great for '25-'26 and '26-'27.
Novikov then waits until the '26-27 season once Cliffy's deal expires.

This GM'ing thingy is easy.

Adams will probably continue his mismanagement masterclass because it will be conversations not decisions

Seriously though if they struggle defensively still and don't make the playoffs how the hell could it be justified to bring back 5/6 dmen with the only potential change being a rookie

Decisions needed to be made already but nah
- ieetbred

They improved last year but were still giving up way to many high danger chances. And they killed the offense.

I expect more improvement at both ends under Ruff. Especially the high danger area.

They improved last year but were still giving up way to many high danger chances. And they killed the offense.

I expect more improvement at both ends under Ruff. Especially the high danger area.
- DirtyDan

We will see

Someone covering anyone in front is a much needed improvement

I can't see them doing anything but re-signing Byram given the investment. Unless he passes Dahlin on the depth chart, it seems reasonable for a $6-$6.5m contract... But admittedly it is too early to predict.
As far as Sammy goes, I have been advocating for a trade for the very reason you mentioned that his salary is too high unless he earns top 4 minutes. I would love to see him do it.
Hopefully Johnson develops, plays well to secure a spot on the big club for next season.. he won't be in his ELC any more, but a lower cost Bridge Deal would be great for '25-'26 and '26-'27.
Novikov then waits until the '26-27 season once Cliffy's deal expires.

This GM'ing thingy is easy.
- IonSabres

Samuelsson and Erik Johnson last year laughably TERRIBLE last year with a 20.8 SF% and a 16.6 CF% in 111 minutes. Samuelsson only positive with Dahlin and Joker. Thats his problem. He doesn't really mesh with anyone on our d-pairings. Dahlin is positive with anyone.

Powers only positive possession pairings last year were with RyJo and Dahlin. If Ryan isn't the solution there go get a real Top 4RHD.

Byram only had significant minutes with Power, Dahl and Joker. He and Joker did not match well what so ever. Hopefully that changes this year and Joker finds his game.

Clifton is useless in the top 4. Him and Samuelsson on pair 3 just means you have poopty break out passes most of the time. He did work well with RyJo last year but not great.

Hopefully Strbak keeps progressing to

Powers only positive possession pairings last year were with RyJo and Dahlin. If Ryan isn't the solution there go get a real Top 4RHD.

.
- DirtyDan

seems Adams kicked that can down the road for 1 more year


now if joker is that guy under ruff, he will be expensive to keep

So then, the question becomes where does Sammy play, he kicks out Joker for Power's partner
Or
Do they move him?
- IonSabres

power-dahlin
byram-samuelsson
clifton-joker

They've got some decisions to make on that back end for next year. You're going to have

Byram needing a new contract
Novikov and Johnson pushing for spots
Joker most likely walked to FA.
Clifton on his last year
Samuelsson playing 3rd pair making over 4 mil.

Dahlin-Byram(if re-signed)
Power-?????
Samuelsson-Clifton
- DirtyDan

Yup, wouldn't be shocked if they don't like Johnson's fit here that much. Were some mumblings that he was available over the summer.

Disappointing that they didn't make any changes and gave Joker a 1 year. If they don't like him enough to buy a single UFA year, then why keep waiting to make a change?

They will stuff him right in the A.
- jochfr

Dirty and I like it.

power-dahlin
byram-samuelsson
clifton-joker
- homiedclown

It's just a mess with your 2 righties (who don't play left at all) on a pair.

Let's see what Lindy does. This is a group constructed for Donnie hockey.

No it isn't rushing him IMO, he has already played against men, but has yet to play on a smaller ice surface in NA.
Many Euro's need time to get used to the smaller surface, and the impact on playing with less time and space.

Best thing for him is spend a season down on the farm and finding his game here... Then making the jump.
- IonSabres

Agreed. Good point with the Euros, I sometimes forget it's just a different game with that much room.

Byram Dahlin
Power Johnson
Samuelsson Clifton
Yes lot of money on the 3rd pair, but Johnson’s ELC helps that for this Year.

Byram Dahlin
Power Johnson
Samuelsson Clifton
Yes lot of money on the 3rd pair, but Johnson’s ELC helps that for this Year.
- Buff36

Why do you care about the cap this year?

Why do you care about the cap this year?
- Lunaion

Maybe if we save enough for Peggers, we can spend to it next year?

Maybe if we save enough for Peggers, we can spend to it next year?
- QuinnFan

Maybe when the stadium is done.

Why do you care about the cap this year?
- Lunaion

I don't, but it seems some do if they are together on the bottom pair

It's just a mess with your 2 righties (who don't play left at all) on a pair.

Let's see what Lindy does. This is a group constructed for Donnie hockey.
- Lunaion

yup, you can make a case that our 5 best d men (if you count johnson) are all LD's

he had no problem running to get paid, but now that he is paid he does not want to run

I hope they are able to void that contract


https://www.espn.com/nfl/...ore-designed-qb-run-plays

Maybe when the stadium is done.
- Lunaion

Keep hearing about set backs, when's that gonna be? 2030?

he had no problem running to get paid, but now that he is paid he does not want to run

I hope they are able to void that contract


https://www.espn.com/nfl/...ore-designed-qb-run-plays
- homiedclown

That really is crazy. And to think, when he got traded...with that roster...I really thought they bought a power house. Turns out they bought a headache and an anchor.