sweetlou

After McCabe's ruling if he goes to arbitration Buffalo will have 48 hrs in an additional buyout period. I hope JBott is actively trying to shed cap via trade but if not who is most likely to be bought out. Will this be necessary if Bogo is on LTIR to start the year? Sobotka- $3.5 million- cap hit would be $1.5 for this year and $1 for next year (saved $2 million this year but adds $1 million to next year) Scandella- $4 million- cap hit would be $833K this year but $1.58 million for next ( saved $3.2 million this year but adds the $1.58 to next year) I would hope he could get a 5th or 6th rd pick for Scandella and maybe retain $1 million. Sobotka could be sent down and if he clears waivers, maybe he doesn't report terminating his contract. Going to be interesting this next week...

More dominoes are falling into place...Shattenkirk getting bought out by NYR. Look for WPG to sweep in and grab him for maybe a $5 million over a couple of years. This also means Risto may start the year with Buffalo. If Bogo was not starting the year on the LTIR then I would trade Risto over the summer. I feel Sabres need at least one of Risto or Bogo in line up for their physicality.

I only want Ullmark on a one year deal anyway. If UPL plays as well in Roch as he did in OHL then he may be contending for job by end of year in Buffalo. I would like to see a tandem in a few years of UPL and Ullmark.

First & Second Year Pros All players who have accrued two or less professional seasons at the end of the 2020-21 season, as well as all unsigned draft choices appearing on the teams reserve list, will be exempt from the upcoming expansion draft. Minimum Exposure Requirements Teams must expose a minimum number of players that meet the following criteria for selection in the upcoming Expansion Draft: Position # Criteria Forwards 2 under contract in 2021-22, AND played in 40 or more NHL games last season, OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the last two seasons Defense 1 under contract in 2021-22, AND played in 40 or more NHL games last season, OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the last two seasons Goalies 1 under contract in 2021-22 OR who’s contract is expiring & is an RFA in 2021-22 So guys like Tage, Olofson, would have to be exposed or protected. Asplund, UPL, Cozens, and anyone who has not played a game yet would be fine.

My understanding that the Seattle draft doesn't happen until summer of 2021. JBotts still has to build his teams for now and for after that draft. He has brought in several young players to be able to fill any gaps and not feel the loss of any particular player. That being said I still he projects who he would be keeping at this time. 7 forwards- Eichel, Reinhart, Skinner, Mitts, Olofson, Okposo (can't get rid of this contract, maybe he waives his NMC) are for sure 3 defenseman- Dahlin, Montour are for sure goalie- up in air So UPL will be in Roch for this year and probably to start next year. This would leave him exempt. McCabe, Miller, Jokiharju, and Pilut will fight it out for the third slot. (assuming Risto is traded before this) Cozens should play at least a year of Jr to keep him exempt as well.

WAY TOO MUCH FOR A GOALIE!!! They are already getting up the cap for next year!!! They have $67 million on books and only 13 players signed.. 7 forwards(not including Point), 4 forwards and 2 goalies. They definitely need to be making some moves...who waives NTC to be shipped out?

Pitt can't take on much salary, who else do you include? Would you trade 2020 2nd and ERod?

Been looking at CapFriendly to see what other teams have as a 2C or 3C option. Some of these have been discussed but wanted to bring this thread back around as I believe it is very important to this years success. Nashville- Some people have mentioned Turris and how he had a good World Cup for Canada. To me even if he has success for the next couple of years he is not the age we want (29) and still has 5 years left on a contract at $6 AAV. To me the better option is Bonino. Veteran guy who has two years left at $4 million AAV. Very good at defensive end. Plays PK and could center a shut down 3rd line. Gives Sabres another option on d zone face offs besides Larsson. Also has averaged 15 goals for the past six years. ****Nashville trade option- Casey Nelson and 2021 4th pick for Bonino. Dallas- With the addition of Pavelski to center the second line behind Seguin could Radek Faska be available? Big center who has averaged 15 goals the past 3 years. Good on face-offs and PK. Only 25 and an RFA after this year. Would be a good battle between him and Mitts for 2C/ 3C. Dallas also intrigues me as a partner in Risto trade since they are thin are right side behind Klingberg. Salaries would have to off set because they are close to limit as well. ****Dallas trade option- Risto and Elie to Dallas for Faska and Comeau. Buffalo retains $400,000 of Risto salary. Pittsburgh- Nick Bjugstad is someone that I also believe can be good at 2C or 3C. Signed for two years before becoming an UFA. Could be a place holder until Cozens comes up in a couple of years. ****Pittsburgh trade option- ERod and 2021 4th rd pick for Bjugstad. Looking for feed back on which option Sabres fans like most?

I think you can move Scandella to a team like Ottawa or Edmonton for a 6th rd pick if you retain $1million. I believe Sheary is also gone with the addition of Vesey and Johansson. Sobotka will be sent down and have to clear waivers. Probably doesn't report and goes back to the KHL terminating his contract with Buffalo.

When I think of toughness in todays NHL, I just think of players who are willing to finish a check. Forwards who will wear down the other teams defense, and a defense that will clear the front of the net.

Okposo had 14 goals last year playing either on 3rd or 4th line. If he gets you 20 playing along side Jack and Skinner he could probably get another 10-15 assist as well.

I still think Botts could get Bonino to fill in the 3rd line center and help out with defensive zone face offs. I am not opposed to having Mitts as 2C as long as Reinhart is on his wing. Or I would look at Eakin from Vegas as a #2 for one year. Either option would be cheap as both Nashville and Vegas are up against the cap and would not want much back in a return. Option 1- Skinner- Eichel- Okposo Johansson- Mitts- Reinhart Olofson- Bonino- Vesey Girgs- Larsson- ERod Option 2- Skinner- Eichel- Olofson Johansson- Eakin- Reinhart Vesey- Mitts- ERod Girgs- Larsson- Okposo

I think you have to give Okposo a shot to start. May rotate either Vesey or Olofson in. Okposo could be a lane filler how Pomminstein had success last year on that line.

I posted this 11 days ago in the Risto trade post... Posted July 10 So WPG needs defense, EDM needs wingers, BUF needs a 2C. Three team trade that benefits each team. WPG trades Ehlers and Roslovic to EDM. WPG trades Lowry to BUF. EDM trades RNH to BUF. EDM trades Puljujarvi to WPG. BUF trades Risto and Larsson to WPG. BUF trades Sheary to EDM. How it looks for each team. WPG trades Ehlers, Roslovic, and Lowry for Risto, Larsson, and Puljujarvi. Gains 4.5 million in cap space. Moves out Roslovic for Puljujarvi. Puljujarvi reuninted with Laine. Change of scenery would help both. EDM trades RNH and Puljujarvi for Ehlers, Sheary, and Roslovic. Gets three wingers to help bolster top nine and help for McDavid and Draisaitl. BUF trades Risto, Larsson, and Sheary for RNH and Lowry. Gets true 2c and 4c.

I still look for a Brassard, Boyle late addition for third line support for one year. Let Mitts play 2C with some real talent (played most of last year with SHeary and Okposo). With Cousins most likely coming to Buffalo in the next year or two you don't want a center on long term contract. I could also see them doing a minor trade to get Bonino from Nashville or get Lowry from WPG. My remaining off season moves and opening day line up. Moves- 1. Sheary and Nelson to Nashville for Bonino 2. Scandella or Hunwick to Sens for 2020 6th rd pick Forwards- Skinner- Eichel- Olofson Johansson- Mitts- Reinhart Vesey- Bonino- ERod Girgs- Larsson- Okposo scratched- Wilson, Lazar Defense- Dahlin- Miller McCabe- Risto Pilut- Montour scratched- Hunwick/Scandella LTIR- Bogo I believe JBotts will want to wait another year on some of the young guys so he doesn't have to protect them in Seattle expansion draft.

Everything is so unpredictable . Just love playing GM in my spare time.

So WPG needs defense, EDM needs wingers, BUF needs a 2C. Three team trade that benefits each team. WPG trades Ehlers and Roslovic to EDM. WPG trades Lowry to BUF. EDM trades RNH to BUF. EDM trades Puljujarvi to WPG. BUF trades Risto and Larsson to WPG. BUF trades Sheary to EDM. How it looks for each team. WPG trades Ehlers, Roslovic, and Lowry for Risto, Larsson, and Puljujarvi. Gains 4.5 million in cap space. Moves out Roslovic for Puljujarvi. Puljujarvi reuninted with Laine. Change of scenery would help both. EDM trades RNH and Puljujarvi for Ehlers, Sheary, and Roslovic. Gets three wingers to help bolster top nine and help for McDavid and Draisaitl. BUF trades Risto, Larsson, and Sheary for RNH and Lowry. Gets true 2c and 4c.

I think JBott will wait until remaining RFA's sign to make any more moves. He will have a better idea of his cap space and other teams may be more pressed to make moves. I look at Bonino in Nashville or Lowry in WPG to be his targets to fill defensive 3rd line Center position for next two years and move Mitts to 2nd line. Risto or Bogo could be moved out to help those teams on their RD. Additional pieces could be added to complete trade. Some scenarios: Bogo and Sheary to Nashville for Bonino. Risto and Nylander to Nashville for Bonino and Jarnkrok. Bogo and Nylander to WPG for Lowry. Risto, Larsson and Sheary to WPG for Lowry and Perreault.

Nashville has pretty much set their roster with 22 players signed. They also still have $5 million in cap space and only 4th line center in Sissons to sign as RFA. They do have an over abundance of Centers now with Duchene, Johansen, Turris, Granlund, Bonino, Jankrok and Sissons all who have played center in their careers. I would have no problem in getting a guy like Bonino, Jankrok, or Sissons as #3 center to help with defensive responsibility and relieve Jack of top end match ups and shelter Casey against other teams third line. I think either of these guys could be had for either SHeary or BOGO if they want experience or Nylander if they want a prospect and less salary.

I don't mind Casey being the #2 but let him play with Reinhart for more then 3 shifts. I still think a player like Ferland is what this team needs. Skinner- Eichel- Vesey Ferland- Mitts- Reinhart Sheary- ERod- Nylander Girgensons- Larsson- Okposo

I could see them wanting out of Tampa if they know they can get more playing time elsewhere. Tampa is so stacked and have been paying players at good value contracts. They have drafted well and even found undrafted UFA's who have become good players.

Tampa looking to shed salary as they only have $8million left under cap and only 8 forwards signed. If they sign Point at around 8.5-9 million a year they still need to shed salary to get other players signed. If you are Botts who fits better on the Sabres? Johnson- Second line center, signed for 5 more years at AAV of $5mil. He is 28 and contract expires when he is 33 years old. Could slide to wing when Mitts or Cozens develops. Gourde- Played third line center but could be our second line center. Signed for 6 more years at AAV of $5.16mil. He is 27 and contract expires when he is 33 years old. Killorn- LW power forward. Signed for 4 more years at AAV of $4.45 mil. He is 29 and contract expires when he is 33 years old. Palat- plays either wing. Signed for 3 more years at AAV of $5.3 mil. He is 28 and contract expires when he is 31 years old. I believe Botts should go after Johnson and Killorn.. Offer Nylander, Sheary, and rights to Larsson. Tampa gets two players under contract and sheds $5.5 million in contracts in order to sign rest of the players they want.

back to the topic at hand, and who fills the #2 center position. I believe Buffalo will give Okposo one more year and try and play him with Jack and Skinner. He protects the puck well and is good in the corners.

I would love Buffalo to go after Boyle on a 1 year 2 million deal to center 4th line. Give Asplund one more year in AHL. What teams are in need of RD to be trade partners with Buffalo for Risto. Nashville- Maybe a Risto, Sheary deal for Granlund, Jarnkrok, and Fabbro. (Even if we only get Granlund for one year I think his return at trade deadline would be greater than Sheary and keeps Mitts sheltered on third line for one more year.) WPG- Risto for Ehlers

I think I do my due diligence in suggesting trades...