Hey, it's me. I lurk in the shadows reading comments and posting once every 3 years. Normally with some crazy idea that gets no traction. But I live in Edmonton and my friends are even more disinterested in my sabres line ups then you guys. So.. I'll try again anyways.
1. Trade Reinhart for highest bidder (preferably picks)
2. Trade Risto or Montour to Jets for Ehlers ( if we have to throw in a pick or take on a player like M. Perreault to make it happen- do it)
3. Sign Haula to be short term #2C. Not sure how much that costs and how much term but last season he was 1*2.75 . He's was coming off a bad injury. I expect a bounce back.
4. Trade picks for boeser. Maybe it takes 1st. Maybe 2nd and Casey or another pick from trading Reinhart.
5. Sign olof and kahun to bridge deals.
6. Give Thompson and Cozens chance to make this team
7. Sign a solid 4th line center who can kills penalties like sheahan
8. Tell Pilut he's got his one way contract.
Olaf Eichel Boeser
Skinner Haula Ehlers
Kahun perreault Johansson
Sheanan Lazar Thompson/cozens
Dahlin Joker
Mcabe Risto/Montour
Pilut Miller
Extras Okoposo Borgen
ullmark Hutton
Bonus: if there's a way to flip Okoposo+ for pk subban I personally do it. Lose one year of Okoposo for +3mill cap hit next two seasons. In this scenario you can trade away Miller for whatever you can get.
- NEDinED
Interesting ideas overall.
I think if u pull these moves off, and Haula & the goaltending play well, it could be a playoff team.
I do see a few potential problems though
1- Can’t just trade Sam for picks unless there’s a top10 pick involved. Even if u don’t like him, he’s easily our 2nd most consistent player behind Jack. So if we’re gonna move him, it better be for a really high pick or at least a different top6 player.
2- Ehlers is probably an untouchable at this point. If the Jets wouldn’t trade him for a defenseman last summer when he was coming off a down season, then i doubt they’d trade him now when he was on pace for his most career points this season. Unfortunately, i think we missed out.
Taking back Perrault isn’t something I’d love.
He’s an overpaid bottom6 guy that hasn’t played Center in years. If that’s the only way to get Ehlers, then fine. But it’s a long shot imo.
It sure seems likely that Risto or Montour could be used to get another top6 player. Guys like Tuch from Vegas & Anderson from CBj are frequently brought up on here. This might be the one obvious move that is finally made that most have seen coming since last summer.
3- Haula is an interesting idea that’s been brought up here. Potentially a good bargain, but idk how much luck we are gonna have signing any UFAs that are in demand? This organization is a sh!t show right now. Gotta think he gets an offer from a team he’d think is in better shape than us.
And even if we could get him, I’d still wanna find a good 3C in case he does get hurt again. Too risky to put all our chips on him.
And it would definitely have to be someone better than Perrault
4- Boeser is another name that’s been brought up here. Would love to get him without giving up pick8, but we likely can’t do that. Unless they’d be interested in swapping him for Reinhart? But then we are back to trying to still find another top6 RW
5- If Kahun is on line3, a bridge deal makes a lot of sense. Too soon to tell what we’ve got with him. But if Olofsson’s long term number is reasonable, then i say lock him up. He’s only gonna cost more in the future, especially if he keeps playing with Eichel. And even if he’s not, then he’ll be with whatever 2C we get, or with Cozens (sooner than later) if we can’t find someone
6- Cozens is almost a lock, it’s just a matter of where they play him. Is it at Center right away, or do they let him ease in at RW?
And did we find a 2C so he can start in the 3rd line, or are we gonna need him in the top6 right away. TBD i guess
And with Tage, he’s gotta clear waivers...
so I’m guessing he’s either on the Sabres or traded as part of a package. I’m not a big fan of his, but others think he’s ready to break out. Idk that he’s got much trade value, so we just might see what he’s got. Make or break season for him though if he’s here
7- I feel like that guy is already here in Larsson.
But yeah, if we lose him then you’re bang on about the type of guy we need to replace him with.
8. Agree about Pilut. Makes all the sense in the world too with an open slot on the left side finally, and his KHL deal does have the out clause. This is something Adams should really make happen.
Bonus- idk about Subban? He looked awful this year. He might just be toast. Can’t believe I’m saying this, but i think I’d rather just keep Okposo. Obviously he’s overpaid by a lot for what he does now, but he did at least play well in the role he had. Can’t say the same for PK. And it’s tough to imagine he’d be ok playing on a 3rd pair.
And i think Miller is a decent player. Especially if he’s on the 3rd pair. Him & Pilut could be a nice combo.
Curious as to why u didn’t try to upgrade from Hutton?
Nice job though. It’s really not far off from what most of us are thinking. Biggest question mark is what we do for 2C ?
Btw... if u aren’t familiar with it,
CapFriendly.com is a really nice site where u can go and “play GM” with the Sabres lineup. Making signings & trades and trying things out.
Seems like a place you’d like if u didn’t know about it
Nice post
Feel free to chime in more often sir!