PerreaultForever

Sounds like the cat has more push back than most of the players on the roster, sign it up. I know what you mean though, there's no upside right now. The only discussion/argument is on how much of the roster to get rid of and we're already talking draft. Sad, just sad.

We're not really disagreeing that much but what I think the team has to plan for is a post Risto world. Whether that is sooner because we trade him or at the end of his current contract I would think it unlikely he wants to retire a career Sabre after all the losing he's been through. In any event, when you're drafting D men you need to be thinking 3-4 years down the road. The pipeline has to keep flowing because not every prospect is going to pan out as we all know too well.

going to just agree to disagree on this one.

Cozens?

I agree with everything you said except this. The "big names" haven't gotten it done for years and are for the most part under achievers so I think they are the core of the problem.

Big strong D man who can also skate. here is one quote from last year: "Schmidt is a man amongst boys on the ice, and uses his strength to eliminate opposing offensive rushes as well as to hulk his way up the ice for an easy carry-in. However, his hockey sense is also promising, as Schmidt shows innate abilities to read opponent tactics and to shut down any offensive opportunities. He shows intelligence with his stick as well, either through smart positioning or aggressive poke checks to eliminate potential scoring chances." he also seems to be on a rapid improvement curve which bodes well for the future in a somewhat guessing game draft year. Now as to the need, RHD. I hate Montour and want him gone. He probably will be. I've also lost faith in Jokiharju. He can skate and move the puck, but can't play D. Risto might also get traded but even if he doesn't that leaves Risto, Miller and Borgen. Schmidt replaces Miller in 2-3 years. Fundamentally our D is a mess due to changing philosophies and mismatched random pairings. We need big stable defenders to pair with the puck moving skaters we've seemed to favour lately. I want to build this team from the goal out, the reverse of the plan(s) over the last 10 or so years. In a perfect future world he might pair well with Samuellson as a total shutdown pairing on PK and late games with (gasp) a lead. But that's far away and wishful.

Nope. Too slow.

A sixth round pick can be good. Mark Stone and Andres Lee as examples.

As a desperate need pick for changing the direction and character of this team I'd want to assure we got him so I'd pick a little early. But I was talking late 1st round, definitely 2nd. 10 is probably too high fair enough but if we get a late first rounder for Hall from a contender he's my pick.

He's a need pick for me. If he was there in the 2nd round he'd be my pick.

It would be kind of funny if this trade was cancelled due to a positive covid test. Really fit the season well. (I mean I wouldn't want the guy sick or anything but I think you get my point).

Cosentino @sportsnet also. There was another one, not sure what it was. I think his skill set and size will let him become that defender. He will need development as all D men do. I'd also like us to trade for another first and grab Schmidt in the 10 spot or so. If we'd had a slightly better season he'd be the guy I'd be advocating for as our first.

I always thought he moves too slow for the nhl. Has just relied on his size to get this far and that doesn't cut it at this level but I guess Colorado thinks differently.

Can/t say about the meanness but I've seen a number of rankings that have him #1 and I agree. We shall see.

Ya, I really like saturday morning hockey (west coast time) especially in this covid world.

Well I've seen him compared to Dustin Byfuglien so I'm not sure about that. He's big for his age and should still add a lot of muscle. He is very good defending in front of his own net and is an excellent passer. I can see him developing into a perfect shutdown D man. It would be nice if he was right not left but then again, I'm not sure I don't want to trade Dahlin.

It's not just his size. That's simply part of it. But we fundamentally disagree about our current D. Not just size, but stength. One thing not discussed about Dahlin, but I've noticed it, is he isn't very strong. Everyone's concerned about his flashy offense and his skating and all the obvious visuals but where I see him really struggling is winning one on one battles, positioning himself and physically impeding or moving people near the front of our goal. He's absolutely hopeless against power forwards. I think the bottom line is we have different visions of what we think this team needs to be. You, I would suggest, want us to play with and beat Toronto at their own game, and I want to be able to beat Boston at theirs.

That may be so, but there is no superstar forward in this draft. Ekblad might not have been as good as Draisaitl but he's pretty good and very valuable now. Pronger was certainly better than Daigle 🙂 Scott Stevens wasn't picked first but should have been. This draft is a lot like the 2008 draft imo but without a Steve Stamkos in it. I want Drew Doughty or Alex Pietrangelo on the roster and not Cody Hodgson. Cause that too would be Buffalo.

Why? We desperately need size and strength on D. I don't see the problem.

Now that we've dropped to the bottom and will likely stay there can we hope for Owen Power? The name alone screams beginning of a new era.

No excuse there. You do realize we just played a team missing not only half their season starting D but several D replacements as well. Lots of teams banged up as bad or worse. This team didn't quit on Krueger, they just quit. They lack character. Remember the idea was bring in Krueger and his psychoanalysis since they had lost confidence etc. Well maybe they didn't lose it, maybe they just don't have it.

It depends on the return I guess but I'm not concerned about trading almost anyone except for Cozens. Would I keep McCabe? Yes, but would also let him go for a decent deal or as part of one. Ullmark is fine if the price is low enough but I'm also fine to try someone else until UPL can take over. I'd keep Borgen and Bryson because I think they can be decent and you won't get enough value in trading them at this stage. I'd keep Dahlin and Jokiharju but would entertain offers. Bothe need redevelopment and a true hockey trade might work for both sides. Stuck with Skinner. No answer there. Again with Mitts he's young and if there's no return he stays. It's the core that has to go and be replaced with a new core and new attitude.

Equally however if the Sabres want to deal any of their under performing players they might not have trade partners willing to pony up what you expect. With the injury Eichel won't be moved until the summer if at all. Somebody might gamble on Hall, but Reinhart is the only guy there that'll get you any real value. I'd definitely trade Montour and Staal but you're not getting much in return.

Cause people use that chess analogy for football based on the simple idea that offensive and defensive coaches try to out do each other in a strategy but that's not chess. Chess is much more complicated than football.

I'm retired. I was an engineer. Why? (did you miss the smiley face? twas a joke dude).