dudacek

I don’t think it’s the only way, but it’s the most likely way and a price we can afford to pay given our depth in that area. I hope Olofsson can get it done. Not sure it’s likely.

Pretty much everyone acknowledges that trades are needed. Very few seem to want to make them yet.

Like @PASabreFan I’ve been watching us overrate our prospects for years. Unlike him, I do let myself get hyped and enjoy reading about peoples projections. They’re not all going to be Dylan Cozens or Rasmus Dahlin. I’m trying to spark some conversation around that. I’m not saying Savoie will be Ennis, but I am saying a small, exciting offensively skilled player is more likely to be Ennis than, say, Mitch Marner, who might be his best case scenario. At 19, Savoie probably has 25 pounds on Ennis, so he does have that going for him.

Archie got it. Cozens might still get better, but he’s emerged in a way these others have not. The polls are mostly inspired by posts about “I’d trade…” and “we’re not trading…” and reflect my perceptions of what I’m reading.

Those weren’t ceilings, just what I’m kinda expecting. Some of them are going to be better, some worse. To your point: also Dahlin, Tuch, Power, Thompson and Levi.

And for the 2nd tier: Krebs: Andre Savard Neuchev: Luke Adam Östlund: Curtis Brown Poltopov: Vaclav Varada Rosen: Jason Dawe Rousek: Jiri Novotny Big asterisk next to Neuchev - that’s purely based on his profile. Also, Östlund will produce more points than Brown and definitely be a centre, it’s more about the reliability, smarts and hustle there.

Most likely outcomes: Kulich = Kotalik Peterka = Max Quinn = Vanek Savoie = Ennis I will say I see the same it factor others do in Peterka and I would not be surprised if ends up the best of them all.

Talk in another thread got me wondering: With all the exciting young forwards on the Sabres, which ones are we most excited about? Who is your favourite? The most overrated? The most overlooked?

Is a good 2nd line player on a productive 2nd line more important to this team than a legitimate shutdown defenceman? Especially on a team that has Mittelstadt, Quinn, Peterka, Olofsson, Kulich, Savoie and Rosen?

I think you guys are just trying to pull @PASabreFan away from his tomatoes.

I think this sells Pesce short. In terms of ice time, Pesce was actually #2 on the Canes and they are right there with Vegas in terms of having the best D corps in the league. All of their top 4 play a lot and fairly equally. Power is more talented and certainly will be better down the road, but I doubt he was more effective than Pesce last year. And Pesce is what we think Mule will become. Plus the fit - defence-first RHD who can match up against top forwards - is ideal. None of them are sure things for me as first-liners and Quinn is the only one I feel very strongly about hitting that level. I do agree JJ has an “it” factor and very well could.

In order of what I think is most people’s preference: Legitimate top 4 defenceman. Goalie capable of carrying the load if Levi is not ready Veteran savvy, more grit throughout the lineup Faceoffs

Refresh my memory on how you’re getting Hanifin? Was it pick 13? This definitely makes the team better at no cost to the current roster. What contract would it take to convince the other two to sign in Buffalo?

And before we go too far down the rabbit hole, regardless of what my earlier post implies, I’m not an advocate of trading JJ. I’m more inclined to be a Wookie and keep all my good players when I add other team’s good players. Im more trying to have a conversation, in the spirit of the thread, on what people might might think is necessary, tolerable, or possible in order to make the kinds of improvements the team needs. I added top 4 shutdown defender who can kill penalties, a veteran leader who can win faceoffs, a middle-six winger with size and snarl, and a proven starter capable of giving a buffer to Levi - largely by using our areas of depth and strength. “But Gibson sucks” or “JJ is untouchable” are fair replies. I’d like to see other people’s options.

If he is Pominville, then isn’t a trade for Pesce kinda fair value? Considering we may have a lot of Pominvilles and we don’t have any Pesces?

I don’t think Adams would either, I was wondering if you would trade any of the Sabres youth for Pesce. To me, Pesce is a known factor; his value is established. I’d trade a Max-level player for him any day. I’d bet good money that not all of JJ Quinn Savoie and Kulich will reach Max’s level, let alone Vanek’s. It sounds like (from that group) JJ is the one you’re betting on to hit big, and that’s fine, he could be that guy. But it’s only logical that they aren’t all going to be that guy. You pick the Paul Cyr and trade him for Pesce, you’re going to win that trade big time. Is there any one of those guys you trade for Pesce, assuming a contract can be reached?

You are clearly tuned in to the Bruins. I’ve seen you post more than a few items about players the Bruins are bringing in and for the life of me I don’t see how. The thought of the Bruins with 1 pick in the 1st 2 rounds over the next 3 years, perhaps the weakest pool of prospects in the NHL, 10 unsigned roster players, and less than $5 million in cap space acquiring anyone of significance - particularly a someone who is not a forward - seems crazy to me. Does the talk ever include how they are going to make this work? https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/bruins

So Martin? Why do you think so? Would you substitute Quinn, Kulich or Savoie for that deal? Do you see all them reaching Vanek levels?

What level do people expect JJ to settle into over his NHL career? Rick Martin? Thomas Vanek? Max Afinogenov? Clarke McArthur? Paul Cyr? Nothing in his career so far rules any of them out.

I was interested to read in the Athletic that goalie Dan Vladar of the Flames is being shopped and is expected to return a 2nd round pick. He’s turning 26 this summer and had put up an .899 save percentage over 55 NHL games, mostly as a Flames backup. UPL is 2 years younger and has an .898 save percentage over 48 NHL games. Its been clear to me for a while that if the Sabres bring in another goalie UPL is gone. I wonder what his value is?

Trying to get into the spirit of this thing with my picture-perfect, almost vaguely realistic off-season: Trade Victor Olofsson, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and the 45th pick in the draft to the Ducks for John Gibson and pick 59. Trade JJ Peterka to Canes for Brett Pesce. Pesce signs a 5-year $32-million extension. Trade pick 13 to the Wings for pick 17 and pick 43. Trade pick 59 and 43 to the Bruins for Trent Frederic Draft defencemen Dimitri Simashev and Martin Strbak with picks 17 and 39. Sign Johnathan Toews to a 1-year $4 million deal. Start the season with: Skinner Thompson Tuch Mittelstadt Cozens Greenway Frederic Toews Quinn Girgensons Krebs Okposo Samuelsson Dahlin Power Pesce Lyubushkin Jokiharju Levi/Gibson Rousek and Stillman would be the extras with Johnson and Kulich likely the first call-ups.

Are you surprised? Im started to think he’s not a real person.

It wasn’t the board that told me what Kevyn Adams thinks about handedness. It was Kevyn Adams in a video I watched where a reporter asked him about it.

Thought so

Are they? Do you know this like you know the Sabres have done nothing 3 years running?