nfreeman

Forgive me if you've already posted this, but what is the most you'd give up for Pesce? Specifically, assuming he signs an extension as part of the deal, would you give up any of: #13, Rosen, Östlund, Savoie, Kulich, JJP, Quinn or Krebs? I would not, but I know others here differ.

Hot take: peak Max, who was one of the most exciting Sabres of all time and was a better playmaker than he's generally given credit for, was better than peak Vanek, who became an NHL vagabond after leaving Buffalo because despite respectable numbers, nobody wanted him around -- including his Olympic coach, who publicly threw him under the bus for his team's disappointing showing. I wouldn't trade any of the Fantastic 4 for Pesce. Each of the 4 has legit top-line scorer potential. I think as a matter of NHL asset management, you don't trade a guy like that for a defensive defenseman -- only for a scoring defenseman. And it doesn't really matter if the Sabres have a number of prospects in this category -- it's Tim Murray thinking to let them burn a hole in your pocket. I'd be curious if anyone can put forth an example of a defensive defenseman at Pesce's level being traded for a rich price. Gavrikov (a rental), plus Korpisalo, were traded in 2023 for a conditional #1 that became #22 OA, plus a #3 next year. Ben Chiarot, also a rental, was traded in 2022 and returned Florida's #1 a year later, plus a lower-tier prospect and a #4. Those prices are quite a bit lower than #13 or any of the 4 blue-chippers that our hungry Canadian fans want to put on the table, although admittedly it's not exactly apples-to-apples because Pesce has a year remaining on his contract. I also don't see Carolina getting a return for Pesce that is equivalent to JJP, Quinn, Kulich, Savoie or #13 OA. As stated above, he's a defensive defenseman and he's going to need a fat new contract in a period when the cap is flat and there isn't much excess money in the system.

My responses to the poll were driven by probabilities, which in turn were driven by what we've seen at the NHL level. On that basis, I chose Quinn as most likely star, and Savoie as least likely (since he's still in junior) but those are just guesses. Certainly JJP showed some great, forceful flashes last year, and the buzz around Kulich and Savoie is compelling.

I'd like Tanev too, but we should remember that he turns 34 in December.

How is any of TM's moves relevant? Do you think TM's moves set the market, and other GMs are using his moves as guidelines for appropriate value?

Imma flip it around on you sir: would you trade #13, Savoie, Kulich, Quinn, JJP, Levi, Östlund or Rosen for Helle, who has 1 year left under contract and, it appears, will require a huge contract in order to stay longer than that? As I've said previously, I would not, although my answer on #13, Ostlun and Rosen would change if Helle had 2 years left.

It's still quite possible IMHO that Comrie plays for the Sabres this season and plays quite well.

I can see this being attractive to a FA (and to KA!) but only as a fallback if a long-term deal doesn't materialize. I don't think anyone is going to turn down, say, 5 years x $4.5MM in favor of 2 years x $6MM from the Sabres because he thinks he'll be able to get 5 years x $7MM after 2 years with the Sabres. Dumba turns 29 next month. I'd guess that he wants a long-term deal right now -- not to wait a couple of years and hope someone gives him his dream contract in 2 years. If someone offers him twice as much guaranteed money as the Sabres do, I think he's going to take the bigger guarantee. Fortunately for the Sabres, it looks like there are a decent number of quality defensemen who are going to be available this summer. I expect KA to reel one in, although I don't think he's going to give anyone a huge contract (and I'd guess that Pesce is going to want more than KA is willing to pay).

I'd be pretty surprised if KA signed someone's RFA to an offer sheet. Offer sheets are still pretty rare, and he doesn't strike me as the wave-making type.

If there is no extension for Dahlin, it's a disappointing offseason. If there are extensions for Dahlin and Power and a credible D partner brought in for Power, it's a very good offseason. Those plus a credible goalie would make it a great offseason.

I chose Power, but it could easily be Quinn or Levi.

Bang for buck/winning trade are a bit of a straw man here, IMHO. I don't think KA feels that it's critical to win a trade so he can win the trade. I think KA believes that the best interests of the franchise are served by getting good value out of the franchise's assets. E.g. I think that KA believes (correctly IMHO) that trading #13 for one year of Helle is simply not in the franchise's best interests. I think reasonable minds can disagree about that conclusion, but I'm quite sure that the principle underlying the decision isn't "I need to win every trade" -- it's "does this proposed trade benefit this franchise?"

Thomeone mutht be Nemeth’s nemethith, yeth?

Good.

Oh @Sabres Fan in NS. They've all got the knives out for you on this one. I don't want OEL, but I'm on your side!

FWIW, on the Maintenance Day podcast a couple of weeks ago, both Yerdon and Lysowski were pretty definitive that Kulich would be in Buffalo next season. While I don't recall the exact words they used, my impression was that it would be as a regular in the lineup. Regarding Rousek, I don't recall KA saying much about him, although I think what he has said has been positive. I'd guess that KA would prefer to promote Rousek if he's ready rather than paying a FA vet forward to take Zemgus' spot.

Well done sir!

I'm very interested but he has a full NMC and from what I've read, both he and the team intend for him to be back next year.

I think, and I believe I have seen from credible sources (don't remember for sure though), that Quinn was heavily involved in the decisions of whom to re-sign and at what price in the debacle offseasons of 2006, 2007 and a couple of years thereafter.

Excellent post. I think Dawkins was more affected by double bacon cheeseburgers and jumbo fries for every meal though.

I get where you're coming from, but I think they've accomplished quite a bit -- more than enough to deserve a real grade, and a good grade. They have been more hit-and-miss than I'd like on the O-line and at the offensive skill positions, but they've brought in a ton of good players and are a perennial title contender. They've gone from being a bottom-3 franchise that sold off home games for a few extra bucks to being an elite franchise -- one that gets raided for coaches and GMs and one that is viewed as a destination by elite players from around the league. Having said that, I sure hope they were right about Kincaid and the O-line upgrades they made this summer.

It just fills me with joy to see you coming around on the Fast and the Furious. All of them are available in 4K on Peacock, btw.

Evidently everyone in Vancouver is forced to take it by marauding gangs of thugs. Who knew?

And Mularkey! And Gailey!