Brawndo

My bet is he ends up in Columbus. In the extremely unlikely event he ends up in Buffalo, would it be as POHO?

Don Waddell has resigned as Canes GM. Eric Tulsky is the interim GM

Cirelli is a cost controlled asset for seven years, that would fill the role of 3C on this team. That alone could entice Adams to move assets as he would be on the team for awhile. His highest offensive output was 45 points, but he is a very good defensive forward, he would be the match up center that the Sabres are lacking. His age and experience would be a huge plus for the club. In terms of not trading in the division, BriseBois has not had a first round pick since 2022 and is not scheduled to pick in the first two rounds until 2026. The Sabres will to pay a higher price, but have the assets to do so. This type of move would be out of character for Adams, but then so was the Byram Trade

If Anthony Cirelli is really available that’s a perfect target for a trade

Back to back has a nice ring to it

This is where your analytics department should come in and find diamonds in rough. They do need to add some more pro scouts having Jeremiah Crowe as the Director of Pro Scouting because he is the only one in the department isn’t it. I do think this has at least partially contributed to the poor UFA acquisitions.

Actually he didn’t. Buffalo was always his priority based on his relationship with Nathan Paetsch. He wanted to enjoy his college graduation and spend some time with family and friends that was the delay in his signing. The addition of Byram changes the dynamic of the defense corps as that is another left handed puck moving defender. RJ might like an another opportunity where there is clearer pathway to a regular NHL job. For the right deal, Adams does not hesitate to move him

Evolving Hockey’s Model had Laughton in the one percentile for defensive metrics this past season. Even on a bad team putting up that number in a Torts System is a major red flag. Here’s Skinner Player Card for comparison

Ryan Johnson is most likely to be the first defensive prospect traded imo

Buffalo has one of the most exciting groups of young talent in the NHL, with Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, Rasmus Dahlin and JJ Peterka supplemented by Owen Power, Zach Benson, Jack Quinn, Peyton Krebs and Bowen Byram. All of these players are either locked up long-term or under team control as restricted free agents. In some ways, this makes Ehlers a perfect fit: Buffalo could absorb his $6 million AAV in 2024-25, while not being tied to it the following season — which just so happens to be when Peterka, Quinn and Byram will all need new contracts. The Sabres played to a positive goal differential last season, despite missing the playoffs by seven points. They’re an intriguing mix of on the way up and in need of improvement, whether it comes from their own development or an upgrade like Ehlers. Buffalo also has the top prospect pool in the NHL and all of its own picks in the first four rounds of the next three drafts, offering a ton of options for futures-based trades. Matthew Fairburn has recently written about the possibility of Buffalo moving the No. 11 pick. That’s where things get tricky, though. It’s easy to talk about that pick or to covet prospects like Noah Östlund. That calibre of prospect seems like a difficult ask for one year of Ehlers’ services. Matthew Savoie would have intrigue, too, but also seems like the sort of prospect Buffalo would resist moving. The undersized overager tore apart the WHL last season. Defencemen Ryan Johnson, Nikita Novikov and Maxim Strbak may also have appeal to the Jets, whose prospect pool is deeper up front than on the back end.

Jason Payne, HC of the Cincinnati Cyclones should get some consideration

Florida has 19.7 Million in cap space with 14 skaters on the roster for next year. Their UFAs include Reinhart, Tarasenko, Montour, Lomberg and Lundell is a RFA. Some on the list are rumored to be willing to give a home team discount namely the two former Sabres. They have traded a lot of draft capital and prospects for their cup runs and are scheduled to go 4 years without making a first round pick. Bennett, whose name has appeared in the rumor mill, with one year left on his deal is the most attractive asset they have to recoup assets and make some cap room

Sam Bennett is the type of mother ***** this team needs. Good analytics, would be a good 2-3 C. Oh and the Bruins hate him

Agree with this 1000%. I was hoping for at least one additional hire though

I realize that the Sabres announced that Ruff’s Staff is filled out but there is room for another assistant behind the bench. Last season Granato, Christie, Ellis and Wilford were behind the bench. With the first two gone, Ellis moving to the press box and only Ruff and Appert as replacements, that’s only three coaches behind the bench.

Amir Gulati is actually a very good addition if you are a fan of analytics. He worked closely to bridge the gap between what the coaches were seeing and what the analytics department recommended

As Liger mentioned-Appert takes over in two seasons

Umm that’s not a good development