sweetlou

I would personally go with a two year bridge. Would put him at five years in the league and a large enough sample size for a young player to see what you really have. People are suggesting he could be a 60-70 pt guy and should get between 5-6 million a year. That is based on projection from the last 40 games of the year. With more offensive guys coming into the mix does it take away from some of the points or time he gets, or does it add to it by playing with better line mates. The reason I like the two year time frame is that Pommers, Bogo, and Sobatka, Sheary, Scandella, and Hunwicks contracts will be off the books. So I say 2 years at 4 million a year. If he proves that he can score 60+ the next two years then I have no problem giving him 6-7 million on a longer contract. If Botts signs him now to a longer contract I only want it at 5 Million AAV where it won't hurt the Sabres if he ends up only being a 50 point guy, but could be a bargain if he hits 60+pts.

gerry Meehan- 94 goals, 114 assist, 208 pts

Dixon ward- 56 goals, 80 assists, 136 pts

Thanks...just trying to have fun. In one sense I didn't think Buffalo was getting enough back with losing the 1st rd pick. But then I was dumping the other players so it kind of looks like a first rd pick for Palat.

With Karlsson being able to talk with other teams about a contract extension I wonder if JBotts should be intrigued on where he may land. I would love to land Karlsson if he was three years younger but am not a big believer in bringing in a 28 year old and signing him to an eight year extension that won't end until he is 37 years old. My interest lies in if he signs with Tampa and who we could possibly get from them. My play is a 3 way trade that can help all the teams out. Tampa only has three defenseman in McDonagh, Hedman and Sergachev signed past next year so I can see them being able to add Karlsson. But they would have to get a couple of relatively cheap defenseman to fill out their top 6 and lose some of their forwards. Ottawa is just trying to save money until the team sells. Hence why they keep attaching Ryan to any Karlsson talks. So here is my twisted, made up scenario that I think would work. Ottawa trades Karlsson and Ryan to Tampa. Tampa trades Ottawa 2020 1st rd pick. Tampa trades Buffalo Stralman, Ryan Callahan and Ondrej Palat. Buffalo trades Ottawa Bogo, Johan Larsson, Alex Nylander and 2019 conditional (St Louis or San Jose) Buffalo trades Tampa Nathan Beaulieu So how does it break down for each team-- Ottawa trades away Karlsson, and Ryan and gets back 2019 1st rd pick, 2020 1st rd pick, Johan Larsson, and Alex Nylander. Tampa trades away Stralman, Palat, Callahan, and 2020 1st rd pick and gets back Karlsson, Ryan, Beaulieu. Buffalo trades away Bogo, Johan Larsson, Nathan Beaulieu, Alex Nylander and 2019 1st rd pick and gets back Stralman, Palat, and Callahan. Buffalo line up- Sheary- Eichel- Reinhart Sobatka-Mittelstadt- Okposo Palat- Bergland- Callahan Wilson- ERod- Baptiste/Thompson McCabe- Risto Scandella- Dahlin Guhle- Stralman

How about $33 over 6 years... 18/19- 4.0 19/20- 5.0 20/21- 6.0 21/22- 6.0 22/23- 6.0 23/23- 6.0 Cap hit would $5.5 million or bridge him with 2 yr 8 million 18/19- 4.0 19/20- 4.0

Islanders could offer sheet Nylander $6 mil and only lose a 1st and 3rd Buffalo should sign Reinhart then offer sheet Andreas Johnson a 3 year $3.5 million contract...Sell him on coming and playing with all the Swedes on the Sabres!!! It would only cost the Sabres a second rd pick...and if Toronto resigns him then it will just make it more difficult to sign all their guys next year...

After day one of UFA and ROR trade. Still could be more moves, but I like this team better then last years already. Sobatka, Eichel, Reinhart Sheary, Mitts, Okposo Wilson, Bergland, Thompson Girgensons, ERod, Pommer McCabe, Risto Scandella, Dahlin Guhle, Bogo Hutton Ullmark extra- Larsson, Baptiste, Nelson

They are going to hate this move in three years...what young player are they going to have to move down the road because they can't afford everyone

Tavares not going back to Islanders...I think ROR will be pursued by them ROR and Bellows would be starting point each way, who else is included??

I like the Wedgewood signing for Rochester or emergency 3rd goalie

What rumors make the Sabres better... I can deal with a Hutton, Ullmark goalie tandem JVR not really interested unless we shed Okposo or ROR I like Perron and Neal on LW if the price and term is right...but both will be over paid so don't see them coming to Buffalo Bozak would be an interesting fit with or without ROR I don't think we will sign any more D so what forward line up looks better... Option A Sheary- Eichel- Okposo Mittelstadt- ROR- Reinhart Perron- Bozak- Baptiste Girgensons- Erod- Pommer Option B Sheary- Eichel- Reinhart JVR- Mittelstadt- Okposo Perron- Bozak- Baptiste Girgenson- ERod- Bailey Option C Perron- Eichel- Reinhart Sheary- Mittelstadt- Okposo CJ SMith- Bozak- Baptiste Girgenson- ERod- Pommer

I could deal with Bozak as third line center on a 1 or 2 year contract for around $4 million... Have Mittelstadt move to wing if we hold onto ROR, or plug Bozak as #2 and keep Mittelstadt at #3 if we move ROR.

If it is three years for $10 million, I hope it is front loaded like 5, 3, 2 that way toward the end of the contract he would be easier to trade. I think this is solid pick up as he can work with the younger Ullmark but know he is here to split time and mentor. Any other UFA would want to come here and compete to be the number 1.

So if Islanders lose Tavares do they make a pitch for ROR, who else besides Kiefer Bellows would Sabres want from the Islanders?

What players make sense in St Louis trade??? ROR, Nylander, and McCabe to St Louis Parayko, Berglund, Jaskin, and conditional 2020 2nd rd to Buffalo (2nd becomes a 1st if Nylander scores 15+ goals in either of next two years)

So back to the Minnesota rumor, if Kyle is not a key piece then who are they looking at?? Nylander??

Niederreiter and Okposo are very similar players on similar contracts. Okposo is 5 years older. We are relieving them of cap space by taking Ennis and his salary. Niederreiter is due 21 million over the next four years. Okposo is due 26 million in real money over next five years. Last five years... Okposo- GP- 351, G- 101, A- 172, Pts- 273 Niederreiter- GP- 388, G- 101, A- 104, Pts- 205 So statistically Okposo has been better, and I think going home to Minnesota definitely would spark his play.

If Buffalo and Minnesota are looking at a deal, who are the key components going each way? Could Coyle be the center we get to replace ROR if he is traded? Would there be salary dumps going each way? We take Ennis back if you take Bogo? Could change of scenery help a couple of vets out? We send Okposo and get back Niederreiter? A couple of scenarios I would be interested in... Trade 1- Sabres send Okposo, Bogo, Nylander, and SJ 1st for Zucker, Coyle, and Ennis. Trade 2- Sabres send Okposo, Nylander and McCabe for Coyle, Niederreiter, and Ennis. Trade 3- Sabres send Okposo, Bogo, Nylander and 2020 3rd for Coyle, Niederreiter, and Ennis.

I get JBot wanting to hold onto ROR to give Mitts sometime to grow in this league. It also allows Eichel to improve defensively. But I think you just have to move ROR and let Eichel and Mitts be your top two and get a true #3 in here to be the defensive, face-off, PK specialist. I do believe we have a solid core group on D. McCabe, Risto Scandella, Dahlin Guhle, Nelson/Bogo Definitely need a goalie- ??? But JBot said he was going to improve the forwards and add speed, where is this coming from unless we move ROR. I'd even take Schwartz, Jaskin and 2020 2nd rd pick for ROR.

I would prefer to send ROR to St Louis to keep him out of the division and ensure that Montreal would still suck!!! Wait till after July 1st when trade value should increase because we would have paid bonus. Could Buffalo get Parayko and Schwartz for ROR, Bogo, and San Jose 1st?? Could then turn around and trade Risto, Baptiste, and Larsson to Edmonton for RNH and Benning. New look for Sabres... Schwartz, Eichel, Reinhart ???, RNH, Okposo ???, Mittelstadt, Pomminstein, Girgensons, ERod, Bailey Scandella, Dahlin Guhle, Parayko McCabe, Benning

Looking at teams meeting with Tavares, who would be available if they were to sign him. Tampa- look for Killorn, Johnson, Palat, and J.T. Miller to be on blocks to free up cap space. San Jose- Could move Hertl instead of resigning him

Another Seth Griffith...no thanks

Going through UFA list now that buy outs and qualifying offers have been made to players and comprised my list of potential Buffalo signings. G- Bernier, Khudobin, or Hutton D- DeHann, Connauton, Schenn, Manning C- Nash, Schaller LW- Perron, Calvert, Wilson, Reider RW- Chiasson

I don't expect any moves by Buffalo until after UFA signing period begins. Lets see how things shake up and how desperate a team will be to trade for ROR. Could Buffalo push for Stastny who could slot in 2nd or 3rd line center?? I think two years at $5 mil about right..