The Sabres need to bring in more players who have been an important piece to a winning culture... or at bare minimum seen what it takes to push each other and hold each other accountable. They lack that above all else. Toffoli might be a UFA possibility, but I have no idea what he is like in a locker room, obviously. He would only be a piece of the solution, though. Simmonds, although past his prime, I think has the right character and what he brought to the team is that he represents the lunch-pail, blue collar mantra of the Buffalo community. Those fans don't demand Championships, they hope for those. What they demand and identify with is a team that reflects the pride of the community out on the ice (or field, in the case of the Bills). Losing is one thing, but watching the players not give it their every ounce of effort is what drives those fans crazy. I don't know which players are available who would fit this description or what they would cost, but that is where they need to start. They have some skill, they need character guys who leave it all out on the ice now (and better goaltending). Henrik Lundquist might even be someone worth looking at until UPK is ready in a couple of years. He would demand respect in the room and hold the fort on a short-term basis... but the Rangers would need to take Okposo as part of the return, I would think, for it to work cap wise.
If the league allows one compliance buy out - use it on Okposo
Don't miss on their first round pick - strong draft
Hope Cozens is the real deal
Move Risto
Sign Lehner
1. Finally get Risto out of here. I like him, but its better for EVERYONE is he gets dealt. get a quality 2nd/3rd line winger for him. 3rd line is fine, but a quality 3rd guy. NO FROLIKS OR SIMMONDS.
2. Deal that first pick (assuming its not top 2) for a 2nd line center. Don't get a mid level 3rd line center and tell me he's a #2. They legit thought Berglnd was a #2. If you have to pair that pick with Risto, so be it.
The Sabres need to bring in more players who have been an important piece to a winning culture... or at bare minimum seen what it takes to push each other and hold each other accountable. They lack that above all else. Toffoli might be a UFA possibility, but I have no idea what he is like in a locker room, obviously. He would only be a piece of the solution, though. Simmonds, although past his prime, I think has the right character and what he brought to the team is that he represents the lunch-pail, blue collar mantra of the Buffalo community. Those fans don't demand Championships, they hope for those. What they demand and identify with is a team that reflects the pride of the community out on the ice (or field, in the case of the Bills). Losing is one thing, but watching the players not give it their every ounce of effort is what drives those fans crazy. I don't know which players are available who would fit this description or what they would cost, but that is where they need to start. They have some skill, they need character guys who leave it all out on the ice now (and better goaltending). Henrik Lundquist might even be someone worth looking at until UPK is ready in a couple of years. He would demand respect in the room and hold the fort on a short-term basis... but the Rangers would need to take Okposo as part of the return, I would think, for it to work cap wise. - djc1877
GREAT post....agree that we need more vets who have won, are not afraid to play physical AND still be able to actually contribute!
1. Finally get Risto out of here. I like him, but its better for EVERYONE is he gets dealt. get a quality 2nd/3rd line winger for him. 3rd line is fine, but a quality 3rd guy. NO FROLIKS OR SIMMONDS.
2. Deal that first pick (assuming its not top 2) for a 2nd line center. Don't get a mid level 3rd line center and tell me he's a #2. They legit thought Berglnd was a #2. If you have to pair that pick with Risto, so be it.
Realistically? F#ck up their draft pick again, sign another seventh / eighth dman, acquire a winger with 12-goal potential, and trade Risto for dead salary + mid-round pick + handful of magic beans
Listen to Sabres fans rave about new acquisitions, only to have the team fall out of playoff contention by December. Fire coach, rinse, repeat
The only players signed are the highest paid, and in a couple cases, way overpaid. They sign their RFAs and suddenly there's not a lot of space to fill holes. And they expect the guy who got them into this mess to get them out of it. I wouldn't be overly optimistic.
1. Finally get Risto out of here. I like him, but its better for EVERYONE is he gets dealt. get a quality 2nd/3rd line winger for him. 3rd line is fine, but a quality 3rd guy. NO FROLIKS OR SIMMONDS.
2. Deal that first pick (assuming its not top 2) for a 2nd line center. Don't get a mid level 3rd line center and tell me he's a #2. They legit thought Berglnd was a #2. If you have to pair that pick with Risto, so be it.
Realistically? F#ck up their draft pick again, sign another seventh / eighth dman, acquire a winger with 12-goal potential, and trade Risto for dead salary + mid-round pick + handful of magic beans
Listen to Sabres fans rave about new acquisitions, only to have the team fall out of playoff contention by December. Fire coach, rinse, repeat - AxlRose91
Tried to tell a lawyer who specializes in free speech that he didn't understand the 1st amendment and then got upset when he didn't "engage in explaining" it to her
