DarthEbriate

That starts with goaltending. Goaltending leaguewide was poorer last year than normal. The Sabres gave up 2702 shots last year (10th worst in the league), so that needs to improve as well, but lets say it doesn't for math purposes: If Anderson replaces Toker (29 gp; .899 sv%) and Comrie replaces Anderson+Dell (43 gp), that leaves 10 games for UPL (+ Levi/Portillo endseason fun). In this scenario, Anderson gives up 96 goals. If Comrie can play average-good at .914%, that's 121 goals. So 217 GA with 10 games remaining for UPL. 23-33 goals in 10 games seems about right for UPL. And there's your 240-50 goals. Simply by Comrie playing well. tl;dr goaltending was bad last year throughout the league, but the Sabres goalieing outside of UPL and Houser was awful.

Thanks! Now we know whom to blame. Or praise. 😇

They didn't get any veterans hunting for an immediate contender (no surprise). They didn't lock in a big name to a long-term deal overpay (likewise). They got guys looking to expand their role and join an up-and-coming roster. RHD: check. Goalie: check. Rochester blue line: check. Not a bad day's work.

Edit to the Edit to the Edit with the cost of acquiring Tatar back in 2018: VGK gets "future considerations" CAR gets F Max Pacioretty, D Dylan Coghlan, and the 2021 3rd #94 D Aidan Hreschuk (CAR ended up with the pick via DET) MTL gets C Nick Suzuki, F Tomas Tatar LAK gets 2019 2nd #50 F Samuel Fagemo DET gets 2018 1st #30 C Joe Veleno and 2021 2nd #54 F Mastrosimone Now, this is podracing a trade tree!

Oh! I forgot the G'Knights' acquisition cost of Tatar.... Thanks, @Sabel79!

Roger roger. Tatar, Suzuki, and a 2nd to MTL for Paciorietty in 2018. Edit to the Edit: So.... VGK gained "future considerations" to get rid of Tomas Tatar, Nick Suzuki, Max Pacioretty, a 2nd (LW Samuel Fagemo, LAK at #50 overall after a bunch of trades), and Dylan Coghlan (Coughlin sp?)

And definitely not an overpay for a potential starting goalie. If he has a good 40-game season this year and then he's a consensus 1B-caliber goalie next offseason, this is an incredibly good signing. If he flounders, it's not a big term and it also won't prevent the RFA extensions needed for the core.

I think it was more a comparison to how Poyer seemingly came out of nowhere (10 starts in his first 4 seasons with Philly and Cleveland) and immediately became a mainstay starting safety with the Bills, not Poyer today.

Always two there are. A master and an apprentice.

Depends on how good your manners are... and how big your pocketbook is.

In Rochester, Clague is the new Bryson and Davies is the new Davidson. And maybe there's a Pilut back as well. Edit: That blueline needed help after Muel got the call-up, and GM Sheevyn is addressing it day one of UFA.

I'm not predicting it nor even necessarily hoping for it -- but if Patrick Kane joins the Sabres one year from today on a "homecoming" 3x$3M deal, Okposo re-signs as a 4th line vet, and Quinn proves he's a legit top-6 this season, ... plus Tuch in the middle 6. Then VO might be on the move with 1 year of term remaining.

I don't think either of them is going to interfere with Chicago's tank plans. Particularly if that's the new top line with Strome and DeBrincat gone.

This seems about right, unless they're willing to let JJP and Quinn both start in Rochester and then come up after an injury and pull some waivers upon return. For example, Bjork starts as the 13. Any longish-term injury to X and Quinn is up. Once healthy, X is up and Quinn stays up and Bjork is waived. I could see another signing of either a Colin Blackwell energy type or a bigger muscle Hayden type. Edit: Looks like Blackwell off the board.

If VO has a good season this year, but Quinn and JJP have great ones thereby rendering VO expendable.... you could be looking at the Skinner/CAR situation. Gotta move him with one full year left on the deal for the greatest return. Find a team desperate for a sniper (VGK after Pacioretty moves in UFA; or if Stone is forced to retire to injury --- and they need someone Eichel likes to play with him); get a basic return of prospect and a 2nd,3rd,6th. And then watch (VGK) sign VO to a massive extension after he puts up 40 (with Eichel). Time, like the moves of GMs, is a circle.

Now... the question becomes was everyone saying about Carter Hutton back in 2017-18? 😇🍺

I like saying Power-Joker. But Power-Lyub has its merits. But what about... unLyubushkinited Power!!!!!!

Of note, Toronto made massive strides defensively the past two seasons. They've been top half of the league in Goals Against the past 2 years.

I'm amazed at how much cap space Carolina has... but then, they're not paying $10M to anyone. They matched an underwhelming Offer Sheet on Aho that locked him in on Bergeron/Marchand-like contract, and then let Dougie Hamilton go rather than pay him.

Musing: Does this open the door to re-sign Pysyk as #7 for veteran/locker room presence and forward flexibility, or do folks want Fitz as the #7 for his attitude (or Fitz to ROC to be a top call-up)? Or go get another UFA D?

Yes, it's best for the up-and-comers not being blocked. Not so much for VO or the Sabres. But if the kids are good enough, then letting VO walk in 2024 isn't the worst thing. Edit: Especially if the Sabres are in the playoffs and just getting started on their influx of studs in 2024. As to trading him: As a rental+1 year at this deadline for a playoff team desperate for scoring; 2023 draft day as a 1 year (plus possible extension); or the least value is the 2023-24 trade deadline. They all work in their own way. The driver of it all is Quinn (or other kid wingers) taking flight.

This works. Someone with the proper accounts will need to pop up all his various charts and usage info, but he fits the mold of what we're looking for without the Rutta/Manson name recognition because they made it to the Final. (or the cost) @Brawndo even beat me with the chart to my charts comment. What the hell!?

Olofsson's injury this year definitely kept this from being a $5.5+ contract. It's the perfect term for the kids, not necessarily for VO. However, if Quinn can't hack it at the NHL level or continues to miss substantial time with injuries, this is a bridge to keeping Olofsson as the team continues to improve. Pretty solid deal all around.

How many Kanes do we have on this ship anyway? I knew it. I'm surrounded by Kanes. Keep talking about Kanes, ########!

Insert some sort of popcorn-eating gif