dudacek

I think so too. I think our base to finish was often: Skinner Reinhart Olofsson Asplund Mitts Thompson Bjork Cozens R2 Caggiula Sheahan Reider But he is listed as a centre.

Guys like Caggiula are smart to take the first deal offered. The Athletic did a calculation where they figured about 50 UFAs are going to be out of a job when the wheel stops spinning. Didnt make much of an impression on me, but he bumps Eakin out of the 4C spot for the time being and that can’t be a bad thing.

Sorry, metaphor, not actual money. If we don't trade him in the next 24 hours or so, I worry the best offer on the table right now won't be there any more.

Wow, are we really going to get another ROR trade when Adams dumps him for pennies on the dollar tomorrow night after all the serious suitors move on?

No Vegas deal without Krebs is worth doing.

I’ve had a thing for Ovi’s dad since I met him at the draft 15 years ago. He’s aged nicely.

Yes. In a vacuum he'd be one of those guys who isn't inked in, but you hope he wins a job in camp. If he doesn't he's a call-up who has a good chance on staying.

Tuch, Krebs, Nolan Patrick and next year's first is four 1st rounders. Two centres incoming for Buffalo, it's Eichel for Tuch on the Knights current roster....? 🤷‍♂️

Or "he's a helluva hockey player, but he's also self-centred prima donna who demands way too much attention, and we're just tired of kissing his ass." 😜 (Seriously, I admire your steadfast refusal to consider Jack might be a douche without direct evidence.)

Especially if the owner is once again handcuffing his GM on how he handles the return. (You never did tell me why ROR was traded. I'm starting to heal.)

However, that is why Jack Eichel is being traded.

I agree that would Girgs and Cozens did in the NHL in their D+2 years is very similar and there is a chance Cozens could follow the same path. Cozens was pretty clearly ahead of him before that though, IMO. Girgensons was a 14th overall pick who put up 55 points in 49 games in the USHL Cozens was a 7th overall pick who put up 84 points in 68 games in the better WHL Girgensons put up 17 points in 61 games in the tough AHL and was considered one of the 30 best prospects in hockey Cozens put up 85 points in 51 games in the WHL and was considered one of the 5 best prospects in hockey Girgensons put up 22 points in 70 NHL games Cozens put up 13 points in 41 NHL games after dominating the WJC.

I just think Dahlin alone puts the current group well ahead on talent. That’s not even a projection, that’s proven. Mitts is demonstrably ahead of Grigorenko. Cozens has a better track record than Girgs. This I agree with.

I’m not convinced Rossi is a better prospect than Boldy. Being a centre makes Rossi more attractive, but Boldy is very good. If we get both Im happy, no matter the other pieces. I don’t think we will.

What I’m saying is one of the two big prospects and next year’s first will be coming back, that’s a given. Can it be both? If not, which of the two? What other prospects and picks are included to sweeten the pot for the Sabres? How are the Wild’s cap needs being accommodated? That’s what will be negotiated today. Something like Rossi Boldy Khusnutdinov and a 1st would be the Sabres home run. Boldy, the 1st, a depth prospect and Rask would be the Wild’s. Where do they meet?

I think Adams will be focused on hammering out a deal today. Minnesota seems inevitable. It will include Boldy or Rossi and a 1st next year. Today will be spent finalizing the other assets involved and how to make the cap work.

Danton Heinen seems like he might be a potential target. Basically replaces Reider for speed and PK with more offence. 26 and versatile. He fits our current “type”

He was fantastic at the tournament, pretty much flawless actually. I can’t speak firsthand beyond that, but here’s some good articles: https://www.si.com/hockey/news/underestimate-devon-levi-at-your-own-peril https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/west-island-gazette/devon-levi-broke-idol-carey-prices-record-while-playing-with-broken-rib https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2021/01/31_Levis-Process-Lead-to-World.php He’s a very easy kid to root for.

Upon further review, I really think the Sabres didn’t so much target a goalie as make it their priority to get the best combination of prospect and 1st-round pick they could, position be damned. Like Bjork, and like the Russian run in the draft, he is an attempt at tapping an under-recognized resource. And I think Levi’s character had high appeal to them. They love these self-motivated types. Levi and Portillo are each four years from Buffalo and UPL two. A lot can happen over four years. Having three provides competition and insurance. If all 3 emerge, great, we’ve got depth and trade chips.

That excellent Minnesota article gave some good insight into the team's big picture issues. Basically, it needs to augment its roster with cheap roster-bottom forwards and it only has three NHL defencemen. It also has issues with how a Jack trade empties its pool of futures. Zemgus, Bjork, Thompson, Asplund, Bryson and Hagg are all pieces that might have some value to them, particularly if they are in conjunction with some cap relief.

I’d tend to agree. Im not sure if it would be the right thing for the player - I guess you see how things look in camp - but guys like Cozens, Bryson, Samuelsson and R2 are still waiver-exempt. It’s unlikely, but… Peterka Cozens Boldy Quinn Ruotsalainen Murray Bryson Fitzgerald Samuelsson Laaksonen Lukkonnen … or something similar would have me watching the Amerks more than the Sabres.

Oh I think the Sabres will come down from their ask, they’re just waiting for someone to move up from their offer first.

Here’s something that seems to be forgotten: Ruotsalainen is a centre. He may have played the wing in Buffalo, but all his recent success in Europe and in the AHL was in the middle. He will be in Buffalo next season.I wonder where he is slotted on Kevyn’s big board?

I have. Heard, I mean. Not saying I believe it, and I know nothing.

Usually because each is trying to wrestle the conversation over to different elements of the same issue. 😄 Whether Girgs or Cozens quite qualifies or not doesn’t respond to my overall point. And I certainly feel like young players could be impacted negatively by a ton of losses as well, and that they need veteran support. There is no debate from me there. All I am basically saying is the group of U23 Sabres right now is significantly deeper, more talented and more prepared than the group of the same in July of 2013 and I think that puts us in a better position to avoid the damage caused by 2013-15. And I also believe the Adams/Granato braintrust is more aware of the dangers of the tear down than Murray/Nolan and better equipped to mitigate.