Trettioåtta

What ‘ranges’ could we offer sheet?

Or the ability to see how revenue from deep playoff runs would cover the increased cost of a better team. Nevermind the windfall he would get if they won the cup.

Miller also allowed the Sabres to play a very aggresive, defense pinching heavily style. I think this impacted his numbers a lot. Miller was very close to being the perfect goalie in the cap era - by which I mean, never that expensive (because he wasn't a Price-level goalie), super consistent, clutch and absolutely solid enough to backstop a team through the playoffs (if the team was good enough). There were / are better goalies - but if I have Miller on my roster, I am not remotely worried about the goalie position, and I have enough money to upgrade the rest of the skaters.

Fine. Good depth signing

Not that it is surprising, but I find it deeply interesting, that in a league run by a nepotisitic old boy's club that the architects of the Sabres downfall have had so few other oppoirtunities: Regier = One year after being fired, he joined the Arizona Coyotes for two years. He last worked in hockey in 2016. Murray = After being fired quit hockey and now tends race horses (apparently). Botterill = Six months after being fired he was hired by Seattle as an AGM in 2021. He was first promoted to be an AGM in 2009. Neither the Coyotes or the Kraken are exactly marque teams either. Ruff = Head coach of the Stars for four years, then assistant head for three years with the Rangers, now head coach of the Devils. 466 games coached as a head coach post the Sabres - untainted by the downfall, and clearly (and rightly) seen as employable by other teams in the league. Rolston = A year after being fired he is hired by the Arizona Coyotes as a pro scout (possible Darcy influence?). A year later (2015) he is promoted to be head coach of their AHL team. In 2017 he leaves the professional hockey world and returns to coach at college level. He was first a head coach at the amatuer level in 2004. Nolan = Two years after being fired he coached the Polish national team for a year, in which they were relegated. Since 2018 he has not worked in hockey. I know there is some possible racial issues tied up in this one. But still pretty telling that in 7 years he has only had one gig for a small international team. Bylsma = Over a year after being fired, he is hired as an assistant coach for the Red Wings. Three years later he is let go. Later in 2021, he becomes the assistant coach for an AHL team (the Kraken's AHL team). Housley = After leaving the Sabres, he joined the Coyotes as an assistant coach. Three years later he is let go. There are no indications he will be joining another NHL team for the upcoming season. Kruegar = Since being fired, Kruegar has not worked in professional hockey. Aside from the weird connections between the Sabres former staff joining the Coyotes or Kraken enterprises. Over the 11 years of the tank, only one GM/coach (of the nine) still works in the league in any capacity (Ruff).

Assuming the rumours are true, the Sens and Wings have both had significantly better off seasons than us. I expect us to be on track for finishing 7th or 8th in our division without some pretty major changes. You can’t finish as the 9th worst team in the league, bring all the same guys back and expect to then make the playoffs.

I’m surprised we only got a seventh. Sure we need to get to the cap floor but Dallas just paid a seventh for like 7% more cap space in a stagnant cap eta. That’s a bargain

Some of the combine tests can also reveal asymmetry in the kid's physique (e.g. right leg noticeably stronger than left) - useful for knowing when discussing training regimes, or evaluating likelihood of injury etc

I think the reality is that at the draft Eichel was a clear second overall selection - there was no doubt or debate about it. Right now, there is debate about who should be second overall, and Eichel is not the undisputed choice. Therefore, Eichel has failed to live up to his pre-draft hype. (or others have exceeded theirs - or a little of both)

Dude is a beast in the playoffs. Not far off a PPG player in the playoffs

ROR won the Selke, Conn Smythe and Stanley cup. Tage has had one good season. Four years after the trade. Short of him becoming a genuine first line centre for a prolonged time, we won’t ever win that trade.

I have also heard that teams have been covering Quinn hard, which whilst limiting him, leaves ice open for his teammates (who have been scoring). I haven't seen any games, so can't comment on how good the analysis is.

Bogo and Kane et al wasn’t it? Vs Gionta and Gorges

Fair - but there is no way you should be signing that free agent if you're anywhere near the bottom. I get miscalculations occur, but the only way I do it is if the cupboard is well stocked, and the team looks ready to take the next big step, but is missing a piece, so the other team gets four 20-32 picks. E.g. picking the Wild as the classic bubble-style team: 2014: Alex Tuch 2015: Joel Eriksson Ek 2016: Luke Kunin 2018: Filip Johansson I still trade that for Hubes (or pretty much any 23 year old stud)

I entirely agree. I don't like it - and with all our ELCs due to end in the next couple years, we don't want money wasted. Potentially a 4 x 5.5 makes us quite vulnerable

Could be inured too

Forwards Skinner, Thompson, Tuch I don't think this top line changes, too much chemistry (although Tuch cooled off a lot towards the end) Krebs, Cozens, Olof I put this as the second line with trepidation. We would need a big step up from all of them really. I would sort of like this to be a hard-checking two way line (e.g. three Cozens). But we don't have the pieces for that. Krebs' vision and Olof's shot could make it more of a rounded line - the classic, playmaker, sniper and grinder combo JJP, Mitts, Quinn Feels like Mitts is due a breakout this year (if he ever has one). Quinn and JJP have great chemistry, and experience together and are dynamic to play with Mitts. I put this as the third line, to give all of them space Asplund, Girgs, Okposo A fourth line that shuts down the opposition, and plays more like a 3b, than a 4. I like the ability to roll lines extra- Hinny I really like his game, and someone is always injured so he would play most games. I worry that this forward combo really relies on the kids and them all taking steps forward - but maybe that's just where we are? One more really solid two way vet would ease my tension though. Defence Veteran stay at home RHD (second pair) Third line LHD (anything) Mule - Dahls (formerly Risto) Power - RHD LWD - Joker Depth is always nice, and having Joker dominate against third liners is preferable than merely hold his own against second liners Goal Goaltending is tricky - it really depends on UPL and the coaches assessment of him. I like Anderson, but he is too old and at best can be a veteran third goalie. I wouldn't mind brining him back as that (if you can carry 3 goalies?) and he is ok with it. Otherwise, I think Fleury is your best shot. Doesn't seem like tons of options out there really. This is definitely the most important too. Fleury UPL Andersson

This seems like an inconsistent post. You say you like size (I assume bigger being better), but Cozens is bigger than Boldy and Risto is bigger than Horvat (i.e. 50% of the options you list). Personally, I don't like factoring weight too much into things - an NHL body for an 18-year old who likely won't play for a year or two, by which the string bean also has put on muscle and has an NHL body. I also think an NHL body can actually over-value the prospect, as they have been able to muscle their way through the lower leagues and cant do that in the NHL and don't have the skill to compensate (see Kassian as an example, but its a super common problem). I also (personally) draft away from pedigree, I think someone's father or brother being a good player is also used to over-evaluate players (i.e. Nylander, Subban, Staal etc.). I'd take the players on their own merit rather than family connections. Finally, I think it's unfair to 'criticise' Sabres for not drafting a player who was already drafted, or not trading up for them - they may have really liked Tkachuk, but Calgary wanted 3 firsts to move the three spots.

20% chance for three players that could be bottom 9 players vs a bonafide PPG player who plays in all situations could be worth it though. Nylander, Zadorov, Ristolainen and Grigorenko for Huberdeau is a trade everyone would make. I think prospects and picks can often by hyped up, and games played can be a poor way of evaluating 'impact' (even though I know it's common). How many late first round picks make it to 200 career points, rather than 200 games, for example?

The issue here is that you're trading a top 6 player for a future over a year away from even playing (at best). For a team that is looking at possibly 12 years without playoffs that is potentially a big call. Deep draft or not.

What do we do if someone offer sheets Oloffson. Likely in the 5-6 range, such that we would get 1st and 3rd in 2023? I like the idea of using the second round pick to get a young decent player.

Vegas are away for the rest of their games. You have to believe Dallas puts their all into their game. Nashville has a hard schedule, but should get at least another two points, so if Dallas win, I think it’s all over. Not a good look for Eichel in these crunch games. On track for a 52 point season (I get that he was returning from an injury, but even so). ideally they lose on Tuesday, they realise it’s all over and the locker room issues break the team apart for their final twist games. Leaving them on 90 points. The Canucks then win two of their last three (win against Kings or Oilers required). Then Vegas’ pick drops one lower

So Jeff Skinner in the worst contract in the league is on track for 61 points. Jack Eichel costing $1 million more per year is on track for 62 points. interesting tidbit I found whilst looking at how Vegas are doing

20 games left in the season. I think the next three are crucial. They lose them, I think panic sets in, PTSD starts to hit Eichel, he tries too hard and they don't play well in a team. That could carry them through to 10 games left in the season with them only 6-8 points higher in the standings, but which point it is too late to correct.

Don't forget Reiger's stupid 'Don't negotiate during the season' rule