French Collection

Savoie played two seasons in Winnipeg, they would know him well.

Another potential advantage is getting a shot on net from the blue line. Quicker release from a cross ice pass and a better shot when walking the line on your forehand. I’m not a fan of puck retrievals on your off side or having to make more breakout passes with your backhand.

He wasn’t ideal but Roslovic could have been a bottom six guy who can play C. I don’t think there is anyone left in UFA of any value for that role.

Lundell would have been a great target. Florida has no wiggle room. You could have got his attention by offering a decent amount more than their upper limit. I know they would probably match and be just under 10% of the summer cap limit, but they would have to shed a decent player to be compliant by October. Play dirty and threaten Zito with this unless he trades Bennett to you in a reasonable deal.

I would think it might be easier for a player to get the number he wants by having a third party enter the fray. There could be a number where the team is unable to match, or maybe they prefer the draft picks.

Tuch to Winnipeg would gut him. Many fans would lose their minds. That would be cold for KA to do that to the player who wants to be in Buffalo more than any other on his team. Chevy must see him as his new Wheeler. The thing I don’t like about McGroarty is his demand for NHL ice time. He is the type of prospect who resembles a 3C. Savoie has a higher ceiling and that is probably who they want.

I mentioned it in another thread. No one wants to use offer sheets, why have them as a tool? Everyone is worried about retaliation or upsetting someone who is an opponent. Get rid of them if no one will use them. The owners and Bettman gave this tool to the union and this group has a gentleman’s agreement to not use them. Go rogue and weaponize your cap space. Every other avenue seems closed at this point. Seems like KA and TP are not popular to begin with. Stir the pot and get other teams paying attention to you. This could be a way to improve your team Kevyn.

Quinton Byfield can play C. Seth Jarvis might be cheaper.

He was the only UFA left I had any interest in.

That’s an accurate quote, coming from a former agent. Translates into, just win. Bertuzzi and Teravainen just wanted to cash in and have security. Chicago can’t pretend to be in win now mode.

I have no control over this so all I can do is hope. KA is reactive so nothing will shake loose until everyone else knows it too. 4 plus years should be long enough to know that rival GMs will gladly throw you an anchor rather than a lifeline. Make things happen. Maybe an offer sheet would make the other guys realize you have a seat at the table. F*** your future draft picks, get a player now. Lundell, too late, Pinto, too late…… If everyone gets upset at offer sheets then it gets changed at the next bargaining session. It is a useless tool anyway. Really, TP and his team have no respect, so why not go rogue.

If you are unable to finish your heaping helping of crow I would jump in and take some too.

I wonder what his level of frustration is? He would have insight whether it is KA wanting to win the trade, players and agents’ reluctance to consider Buffalo or plain old paralysis by analysis. I think KA should be moved out but if TP loves him and his spin then move him upstairs to be a buffer. Karmanos may be the man to take the next step. Just win and a lot of problems will solve themselves.

I read this in one of the threads and liked the sound of it. I am tired of just saying 3C, wanted to change it up. Derek Roy is a good comparable to what I am looking for. If the guy is good enough to make Cozens 3C or move him to the wing, even better. A player that is closer to 4C will be useless filling in for TNT or Cozens in the case of injuries. Right now it seems like KA is penciling Krebs as 3C and most of us agree that is a big risk. Lafferty can play 4C but Krebs could learn even more from the new guys than he did from KO and Girgs. Lafferty, Aube-Kubel and Malenstyn never came into the league expected to score and be the new shiny toys. They embrace the opportunity to play on the 4th line and muck it up. Krebs can play bigger with guys like this.

He seems unable to pull the trigger fast enough. In the Wild West he would have been the first guy dead in the street, counting his ammo while the other guy draws. It isn’t an easy job and a first time GM without a mentor is at a disadvantage. I think we would accept an overpayment in a trade to fill a hole. I am glad he didn’t overpay on a mediocre UFA because mediocre isn’t what they need in a 3C. I admit that he is up against a lot of resistance from players and agents but I will use other peoples’ word that 75% of players in the NHL do not have NMC/NTC protection. An old tradesperson I worked with used to be annoyed with how everyone seemed to stand on the sidelines until the supervisor gave them specific duties. He would just look at them and say “do something”.

I haven’t seen much of him except for a few highlights but he does sound like a disrupting type of player. I also listen to Kris Baker quite a bit and he mentions him as a future Sabre.

Not the greatest picture but that is indeed TNT.

Getting a late 20’s player on an expiring contract is different than getting an overdone Eric Staal or even a Taylor Hall with a full NTC. This player should be motivated to have a good year and to showcase his skills in order to get one more big deal. Whether he re-signs with Buffalo, leaves at season’s end or is traded at the deadline will be determined over the course of the year. Relationships can be cultivated, team success can change perspectives or another failure can bring prospects. As discussed once or twice, KA has tons of picks and prospects to get a top seven player, who is preferably a C.

Many people are craving for the 22-23 offensive numbers that this team put up. Losing Skinner and not adding at least a 20 goal 3C really hampers the possibility of doing that again. I don’t think they need to get to that level again to make the playoffs. The goal differential is where I focus on. The goaltending is better. The defense is a year older and has some depth. The head coach is better. He has a shutdown line. A slight bump up in scoring should widen the goal differential and makes this team capable of contending for one of the eight spots. The top prospects are not ready to make an impact but they may provide a spark when called upon to fill a hole due to injuries. I choose to be optimistic rather than focusing on the holes KA didn’t plug. It’s going to be a long enough summer. By the way, I still want him to trade for a 3C.

Teams will be working to sign their RFAs. Some of these signings will put them over the cap but they don’t have to make moves immediately. It could be a long two months, waiting for this to sort out. A mercenary like Tarasenko might have to sign with the Sabres.

UPL probably would prefer Reimer backing him up than Levi. Less of a threat to his #1 spot.

I was away for all of the free agent signings. Just catching up now. The Sabres just got harder to play against due to the bottom 6 signings. They still need a 3C in my opinion. Cap Friendly is no longer an option but there are other teams in the same boat after yesterday. Something good can shake loose. It feels like I’ve been saying this for years but KA has to weaponize the cap space.

Didn’t the Caps pay less to get Mangiapane?

The more I read about him the more I like him. KA loves his name, Konsta translates to steadfast, meaning run it back and pile up the prospects.