As far as FA goes, I think the following positions represent the Sabres greatest needs this offseason:

-Goalie...Starter and Backup or 1A and 1B. I'll consider Ullmark one of those.

-1RhD...I personally believe that the proper player in this position rationalizes their right side defense by having Joker at 2RhD and Borgen at 3RhD...a nice match capabilities and responsibilities

-2LhD...similar to 1RhD rationalization conceptually, but different. Dahlin as 1LhD and Bryson as 3LhD have already rationalized the left side. The rationalization I'm speaking of now is the balance of each Pairing with a) a puckmover and b) a defensively stout Dman with grit/physicality. Bringing in a defensively stout player to 2LhD is a nice compliment to Joker the puckmover. McCabe fits this need highly effectively.

Dahlin
- IonSabres[puckmover] - Savard [defensive acumen/physicality]
McCabe [defensive acumen/physicality] - Joker [puckmover]
Bryson [puckmover] - Borgen [defensive acumen/physicality]

》it should be noted there are different degrees for each type that exist, it should not be misinterpreted that it is an either/or characterization.

Couldn't agree more with the 1RD, the only problem for me is I don't want to block Laaksonen either. McCabe is a huge? to me, that's a vicious knee injury to come back from, he should be able to make a full recovery but will that be by the start of camp or the season.

That seems backwards! Lol. The team is giving you more stability, you can take a little less for the stability. Lol

I still want Ullmark at $4ish for 3... I think $5ish is too much for his availability... this latest injury hurt his position I think, hope?!?
- Gr8daygo

But your cutting into potentially a bigger deal if you play above the contract. It's a double edge sword

I love this rational and it seems like that is what Donny is trying to do.

My one question, 2LHD, what if McCabe is ready at the start of the season? Who is stepping in? Do you move Bryson up, Slide Samuelson in to start the year?

It messes the balance up a little. Unless you slide Samuelson in at 2LD and manage the minutes accordingly. But that could be leaning on Bryson/Borgen too much?
- Gr8daygo

I have noticed you and I are normally on the same page...more often than not.

If McCabe is at or very near ready to go, then sign him up....if there are question marks/uncertainty then as a business it should be time to move on. Find a similar profile.
IMO of course.

Couldn't agree more with the 1RD, the only problem for me is I don't want to block Laaksonen either. McCabe is a huge? to me, that's a vicious knee injury to come back from, he should be able to make a full recovery but will that be by the start of camp or the season.
- Buff36

McCabe for a 1 year deal is fine

nothing more, nothing less

McCabe for a 1 year deal is fine

nothing more, nothing less
- homiedclown

Yeah, I was talking more about bringing in a RD in FA, don't want to block Laaksonen long term.

That seems backwards! Lol. The team is giving you more stability, you can take a little less for the stability. Lol

I still want Ullmark at $4ish for 3... I think $5ish is too much for his availability... this latest injury hurt his position I think, hope?!?
- Gr8daygo

At first blush, it does seem counterintuitive, for the reason you mentioned.

You likely know this, but...
However, it should be thought of in the context of what the player is giving up earnings-wise in the future years ... especially in an environment where the Cap has been at constant increases.
With the pandemic causing a Flat Cap, players are banking on future Cap increases so they want shorter deals until that happens.

Couldn't agree more with the 1RD, the only problem for me is I don't want to block Laaksonen either. McCabe is a huge? to me, that's a vicious knee injury to come back from, he should be able to make a full recovery but will that be by the start of camp or the season.
- Buff36

Agreed.
They need a strong contingency plan for that position...can't/shouldn't gamble there.

Yeah, I was talking more about bringing in a RD in FA, don't want to block Laaksonen long term.
- Buff36

He has been up and down as far as his potential goes. I have only seen him play at the WJT-U20's, but the impression I have is he is a puckmover, and I may be wrong but he doesn't seem to project as a 1st pairing..so, can he be a 2RhD?...or with Samuelson on the left do they form a nice 3rd pairing upon joing the team...with upside longer term.

I don't think signing a guy like Savard with decent term automatically lock Laaks out.

Agreed.
They need a strong contingency plan for that position...can't/shouldn't gamble there.
- IonSabres

It's nice the youngins on the left side are getting some playing time, should help with the decision on McCabe. If McCabe isn't ready at the start, we are seeing that Samuelsson can handle some games until McCabe could be ready. But I would like to see Samuelsson Laaksonen getting big minutes together in Rochester next year. Could be a good thing for the future.

It's nice the youngins on the left side are getting some playing time, should help with the decision on McCabe. If McCabe isn't ready at the start, we are seeing that Samuelsson can handle some games until McCabe could be ready. But I would like to see Samuelsson Laaksonen getting big minutes together in Rochester next year. Could be a good thing for the future.
- Buff36

Agreed, our thoughts are pretty aligned.
Brilliant! No morans here, lol.

Agreed, our thoughts are pretty aligned.
Brilliant! No morans here, lol.
- IonSabres

Well I am a dummy. But I try.

I have noticed you and I are normally on the same page...more often than not.

If McCabe is at or very near ready to go, then sign him up....if there are question marks/uncertainty then as a business it should be time to move on. Find a similar profile.
IMO of course.
- IonSabres

We are definitely on the same page more than not. Agree on McCabe, when do you see Samuelson in the lineup full time?

Hope we see UPL again tonight, would think he gets most of the starts moving forward, think we only have 1 set of back to backs left.

I now Fluffer, right!? Serious question, are you a moron? Interesting morning starts right know!
- Hatboro_Swords

Know you dun it 3ER, our you a moron? Interesting morning starts know and than again lader.

Yeah, I was talking more about bringing in a RD in FA, don't want to block Laaksonen long term.
- Buff36

the log jam will be LD with Johnson and Samuelsson to go with Dahlin and Bryson

Borgen, Joker and Laaksonen

odds are 2 of them at most will be regulars, Joker is one
with the other of the 2 being an extra d man

I am all for getting that one proven stud RD, just give us something better then Miller

We are definitely on the same page more than not. Agree on McCabe, when do you see Samuelson in the lineup full time?
- Gr8daygo

call up next year

full time in 2022-23



Ryan Johnson will be a year behind him

the log jam will be LD with Johnson and Samuelsson to go with Dahlin and Bryson

Borgen, Joker and Laaksonen

odds are 2 of them at most will be regulars, Joker is one
with the other of the 2 being an extra d man

I am all for getting that one proven stud RD, just give us something better then Miller
- homiedclown

Yeah, very well could be the plan, if you are bringing in that RD, I would hope he's better than Miller. If not would just rather go with the youngins.

call up next year

full time in 2022-23



Ryan Johnson will be a year behind him
- homiedclown

Sabres have a nice stable of D coming up through the system, need to work on the forwards know.

Yeah, very well could be the plan, if you are bringing in that RD, I would hope he's better than Miller. If not would just rather go with the youngins.
- Buff36

the problem will be moving forward

if you have a core of 4 or 5 d men developing at the same time, eventually you will have to pay them at the same time

nice problem to have if they all develop though

the problem will be moving forward

if you have a core of 4 or 5 d men developing at the same time, eventually you will have to pay them at the same time

nice problem to have if they all develop though
- homiedclown

Yes it is, but also gives you pieces you can use if you need help in other areas.

Sabres have a nice stable of D coming up through the system, need to work on the forwards know.
- Buff36

short term, seeing it now finally with big club

casey, tage, r2d2, asplund, cozens

quinn, peterka right behind them with our 2021 lottery pick

not much long term projects
maybe pekar, rousek and weissbach

huglen and cederqvist show promise
costantini is a feel good story but needs to take a big step next season

the wiffs of murray are long gone and left the pantry empty

We are definitely on the same page more than not. Agree on McCabe, when do you see Samuelson in the lineup full time?
- Gr8daygo

This season is largely a bust in the AHL. Perhaps it could be considered a good primer for next season in the AHL, so maybe it benefits the new guys and Europeans giving them a taste before expecting to sit down for a 12 course dinner!

I say that in the context that I think he would need 2 years in the AHL normally...so maybe 1-1/2 years more would be suitable? Guessing for sure here.

Yes it is, but also gives you pieces you can use if you need help in other areas.
- Buff36

short term, seeing it now finally with big club

casey, tage, r2d2, asplund, cozens

quinn, peterka right behind them with our 2021 lottery pick

not much long term projects
maybe pekar, rousek and weissbach

huglen and cederqvist show promise
costantini is a feel good story but needs to take a big step next season

the wiffs of murray are long gone and left the pantry empty
- homiedclown

Yes, it is nice to see we have more helping the big club and seem to be working out then we all thought. Hopefully they can hit on a few this year at the draft, and keep building, and won't have to make middle of the road trades to fill spots that should be taken by prospects.

- homiedclown

Good old Jerry, makes you relax. Would Love to see one final show, but unfortunately won't happen.