LGR4GM

The Sabres met with Konsta Helenius and that is an intriguing pick at 11 because he is one of the few players that projects out to center in the NHL and also has some of the checking detail and motor Buffalo is desperate for. I would also note that Helenius shoots right which in the NHL is harder to find. I think Catton has more talent but I think Helenius might end up the more well rounded pro. I am sure there would be cries from the fanbase though both for keeping 11 and for taking a 5'11" forward even if he is 189lbs already. https://thehockeywriters.com/2024-nhl-combine-heights-and-weights/ Posted this earlier but here it is again.

I think Tuch should be a 2nd line RW in the NHL and he is paid as one so I am in no hurry to trade him. JJP - Tage - Tuch can easily be considered or deployed as a 2nd line instead of first line where you put out Benson - Cozens - Quinn as your top line, you can also switch Tage and Cozens because Benson is going to be able to get the puck to Tage in shooting position.

The list of players I would trade Quinn or Benson for is short, really short. Comparing either to Kulich, Rosen, Wahlberg, Östlund or Neuchev is like comparing a Jeep Grand Cherokee with all the bells and whistles, to a Ford Focus rental from budget, and arguing they the same because they are both cars. Quinn and Benson literally drive whatever line you put them on all while being exceptionally good in the neutral and defensive zones. Quinn and Benson as early as this season might show they are our two best 200ft forwards. Note: I do see you said "the deal would have to be really good" but what I am saying is the deal would have to be great. I am talking Benson and 11 for Nathan MacKinnon. Something absurd because that is how much I would rather keep Benson and Quinn on my team. I am more apt to trade any of the other players in the forward ranks before them including Tuch, Tage, or Cozens. Quinn probably carries the most risk because of injury but I think Zach Benson is on track to be a truly special NHL player.

Slugger, lol. Btw, it's actually the past 2 seasons in a row Cozens and Tage have been better. I'd pull the stats but,

Oh you. Always making great points with no basis other than your own self assuredness. Please never change.

2023-24 Elias Lindholm, 75games: 15g, 44pts, -14, 40hits, -8xgf, 49.9cf% Dylan Cozens 79games: 18g, 47pts, -4, 108hits, +2.2xgf, 52.0cf% Tage Thompson, 71games: 29g, 56pts, -1, 79hits, +4.6xgf, 56.9cf% Y'all need to stop overhyping Lindholm, while taking out your frustration over a bad season on Cozens. Sea above. Also, what basis are you bringing other than not a damn thing?

Now slide to right. Now slide to the list. Criss cross

I think the top 4 will be: 1. Celebrini 2. Levshunov 3. Salayev 4. Lindstrom

Gary? Is that you?

Haha, I don't have the inside connections but I'd totally love it.

Idk puckpedia much but here's hoping.

Both players that moved teams, what do you mean what? That isn't a comparison of player ability.

I've never seen anyone demand we trade Krebs for a 5th but at some point Buffalo can't wait 6yrs in the nhl to develop ppl. Buffalo needs to find teams shedding a Rodriguez or a Reinhart that's already done the development instead of being the feeder team. I'd also challenge you to tell us which of Benson, Quinn, JJP, Tuch, Tage, Skinner, Cozens has Krebs been better than?

I agree. Benson was 18 all last year and if Buffalo had given him pp time instead of Okposo or olofsson and made the playoffs, we'd all be dancing about the absolute steal Benson is.

I think putting Benson with Greenway is a waste personally. Benson is a chaos machine who gets puck to the HD areas. I want Quinn or Tuch with him and a center with a good shot. Benson Tage Tuch as a line makes a lot of sense. As does Benson Cozens Quinn. If you get Ek, you could run Benson Ek Skinner

Playing with fire:

Went back and rewatched this video. They are right impo, Benson has a first line ceiling with an insane defensive game. I'm very excited for him in 2024 with a full offseason to train and all those games of NHL experience.

Sabres have 23.518 million in cap with 13 guys signed. 5 defenders and 8 forwards. That leaves 2.3mil average for the remaining 10 guys. Keep in mind that this doesn't include Levi who is in the AHL on capfriendly so you gotta subtract 1 spot and 925k unless you think Adams is signing another guy.