dudacek

As much as I like this concept, the Dahlin/Jokiharju pairing is really looking good. Why can't they be Keith/Hjalmarsson?

I really hope that Borgen is as good as people think he is, and I hope he shows it in Buffalo. I've only seen him play a dozen or so games, but I love his style. The concept of a mature defence comprised of Joki/Dahlin/Johnson/Samuelsson/Borgen is so appealing.

So two teams clearly better than Boston. Taylor Hall is an idiot.

I've read the Islanders, then they pulled that off the table when the Devils added Zajac to their deal. And I've read that it was Vegas with the "better" offer, but I haven't heard it included a first. What have you heard and where?

So we almost agree. 😀

So we agree.

This is more a knock against giving NMCs themselves than the trade Adams made. Because that is why an NMC exists. Also if you want to see how allowing players to dictate trades can end up in a good place, look no further than the Tampa Bay Lightning and the cheap contracts NMCs bought them.

So much this. It would be like the Sabres getting Kirby Dach and Adam Boqvist right now.

Agreed. But we don't know if Seattle (or Buffalo) agrees with you that Will Borgen is a late-blooming NHL player, or just an AHL tweener. And, like I said above, Seattle can't just load up on cheap young players, they have to take on a significant number of actual NHL contracts.

Exactly. Theoretically, every team is exposing their 12th-best player. Most of those players are going to be better than Borgen, or Miller, or Girgensons. The expansion draft should bring the Sabres closer to the top teams, regardless of who they lose. Really, their only tough decision should figuring out how much they buy into the concept of Borgen.

And their contracts. Seattle can't just load up on prospects, they have to select ~ $60 million in contracts, so certain veterans on expiring contracts they can flip will have value to them, even if they aren't part of any long-term plans. The expansion draft is as much (probably more) about accumulating assets as it is building a team. As far as the pricing goes, Botterill give up a 6th so Vegas would pick Carrier instead of Ullmark.

Like LGR said, this contradicts what I have seen, can you show where you found this?

I have no idea what Seattle thinks of Borgen or Miller, but I would be surprised if it took that much. It wasn't even two years ago Miller was traded for a 2nd and a 5th. Colin Miller is a NHL hockey defenceman in his prime on an expiring middling contract. Guys like that are worth 3rd-round picks. He's not good, but he's hardly a negative value. On an expansion team he probably gets those PP minutes he never got here and pads his stats again, then gets flipped at the trade deadline for a pick as a rental. Do you honestly think you'd get a single team in the league to give up a 2nd round pick for Will Borgen. Maybe a 3rd? Seattle's position is complicated given the expansion rules. But in a vacuum, I'd say there is even a chance they'd prefer Miller to Borgen flat out.

Assuming Ullmark re-signs and no other moves are made: Protected: 7: Eichel, Reinhart Olofsson, Mitts, Tage, Asplund, Skinner (Girgensons if I can can convince Skinner to waive) 3: Dahlin Jokiharju, Ristolainen, 1: Ullmark Exposed Girgensons, Bjork, Okposo, Eakin, Borgen, Miller, Tokarski Moves: Get Ullmark to verbally agree to a deal but not sign it, leaving the goalie spot open Trade a pick for a good backup some team was going to have to expose, protect him Trade a pick for a solid forward some team is not able to protect Give Seattle a pick in order to select Colin Miller

Dahlin Reinhart VO Mitts and Risto have been PP1 Tage Skinner, KO Miller Cozens PP2

I'm really envisioning (Rutherford as?) a senior advisor to Adams and Karmanos who will generally operate the hockey department as a partnership, with Adams being the senior partner. Under them will be the coaches, the player development department, the scouting department, the analytics department, the sports performance department, and a cap-and-contracts guru. I foresee Jakubowski continuing as the contracts guy, I don't have any real insight into the performance department, and they obviously need a new head coach. I would be surprised if additions aren't made to each of the other three departments, but I'm not clear if they will be working with, for, or over existing guys like Forton, Crowe, Nightengale and Ellis. One would think if they are adding a guy like Luce, he will go right to the top of the scouting department.

I don't think Bryson is eligible. And I would be stunned if they didn't protect Joki, especially if he continues playing how he's played with Dahlin the past stretch.

The draft is designed to rob each and every team of their fourth-best defencemen or their 8th-best forward With all due respect to Will Borgen, it seems like the worst-case scenario for the Sabres heading into the expansion draft is losing a 25-year-old with 8 games of NHL experience that we hope hits his ceiling as a 4/5. I'd say compared to catching the competition, the expansion draft is among the least of our concerns.

Setting aside any questions about his skills or his personality, Schopp's lack of knowledge about and obvious disinterest in what is, at worst, the number two focus of his audience is unforgivable in my books.

Let's face it, you just like to argue, and I just like the monthly cheque your wife sends so you're not arguing with her. 😜 (Just in case @jsb hasn't put us back on ignore)

I barely remember Tage's dad as a player, but maybe he could help?

I believe the scuttlebutt was Rutherford would only come if Terry butted out. I heard no such caveat attached to Karmanos. Hope this is the first of several hires to build out the front office again.

Speaking strictly for myself, "at the time I thought Adams made some good moves bringing in Hall and Staal, boy was I wrong" and "I'm glad he sold off the players who weren't coming back for whatever he could get even though I wish he could have gotten more."

The thing that can't be forgotten about is the death of the PP and how it factors into those numbers.

Hey man, I posted this yesterday! I warned you what would happen if you put me on ignore again.