Broken Ankles

Chimera. Bravo. They claim they want to be tougher to play against, but then ask guys like Tuck or Benson to fight. If the goal was actually to ensure liberties are not taken, trade for a 4th line enforcer.

I envision Adams as a feisty George Costanza. It’s a team………. about nothing!

No. The board would go crazy if he was traded 1/1 for an unproven ELC. Didn’t watch enough St. Louis games to say, but the pedigree and stats say not equal.

Thorny responded adequately for the charade question. On surface it looks more probable than not Adams does not have what he views is a fair offer and holds onto the asset. And in that scenario I think you are banking on Bo’s motivation for a long term contact to exceed expectations and elevate the Defense. The Norris contract does contradict my argument. My only response is that realizing the $12m net savings from Jeffs buyout allowed Pegula to justify the additional $2.5m in 2025. Especially if Adams and the staff think Norris could improve the team over Cozens. They are still marching towards improvement. Weather or not it’s manifested is another story. If the plan fails again this year, Pegula can then pull the proverbial chute and avoid his umpteenth rebuild.

Not a Calder winner, not a perennial all star, peaking at 6th in Norris voting, out pointed by a Dman taken 5 picks later in the same draft and started a full year later is evidence enough. Court finds in favor of Weave.

Based on what we have seen from Adams and Pegula, I'd be surprised if he isn’t traded, and furthermore traded for assets that net less AAV in than expected AAV going out. All of his recent moves (as you astutely documented in another thread) outline a plan to add 'perceived' value while lowering the salary or long term commitment. I'll add one that qualifies not in your list. Jeff Skinner's $4.4M in buyout cap charges saves Pegula $2M this year, as his obligation to Jeff is $2.4. Pegula was on the hook for $10M in 2024, and $7M in 2025 before the Skinner buyout - and after he pays out the $2.4m Jeff is owed this year, it's a $12M savings in real dollars over two seasons. If Byram trade happens and it's for futures then I'm convinced that Terry is shopping the team. There are only a few bad contracts, and maybe only Samuelsson is an albatross. Can a $4.4M AAV qualify as an albatross-like contract? The GM, coaches, AGM all on their last year of a contract. It's what you would want if you are selling a team. Especially to a private equity group. Mergers and acquisition flexibility - if you have an "asset-lite" structure, it would allow for an easier integration and repositioning strategy.

We will know by 5pm today, right? Isn’t July 6th the deadline to file for club elected arbitration?

Hey Chad.

All valid. And I did not suggest that JBD is worthy of the second round pick. Maybe closer to the Gilbert return than the second. But in between. My point is how Adams said he was #8. Bryson was also waived, and previously not qualified. Maybe he is a much better teammate than we imagine. But I’ve seen enough to know he’s probably the #7 LD in the system. A few more random thoughts. If JBD was waived, why is Adams worried about what an arbitration might yield? What is the max award he might receive? $1.5m? That’s the ceiling right? He signed for under $900k. And probably closer to $1.25m. My point is, with a lack of right handed D available, I would rather keep him over Bryson. I can be persuaded that he might not in the top 6, but for an additional $250k, I’d rather him, than Jacob.

Agree with all this. Player evaluation (and development) has been questionable at best with this regime of coaches and GM. How is JBD worse than Bryson? Plus he is a right handed shot. To your point, Johnson or Novikov could fill that role of #6. And if, if you somehow extricate the AAV for Mr.Glass, then you might have been able to plugged in an even better partner for Power. But we all know if Adams was to able to move his $4.4m cap number, it’s doubtful they spend it elsewhere. Something like Dahlin/Weegar Power/Kesselring JBD/ Novikov. That group would be ~$1m more than what the Sabres ice after Timmins raise and keeping Samuelsson. I would love to know if Adams actively tried to move JBD and received no offer. Like every GM said hard pass.

Strenuously disagree?

Site called Clip Cafe, where you can download into an Mp4 file and then attach and insert. Their site gave me a nice, succinct clip of the scene with RP McMurphy vs YouTube's clip, which was much longer. I chose brevity for the viewer, even though it took me a little longer to complete the post.

The Ducks organization is interesting, with massive cap space ($29M) even after this signing. Only McTavish remaining as an RFA. Young forwards like Terry, Gauthier, and Carlsson are all high draft picks and ready to take the next step. Then add a new head coach, and trades to shake up the core. Live look at Verbeek talking to Adams. but-i-tried-didnt-i-goddamn-it.mp4

…because I’m running out of excuses for missing the playoffs, again. …and if you even infer that you don’t want to be here, then I’ll find a way to trade you for younger and cheaper assets. It’s called purgatory kids. Look it up.

Agreed. But injuries forced Joki to play in top 4 more often than not. And his $4m AAV was a hinderance for a guy playing PK when not suited, and not getting time on PP, bc he was behind Ras, power and Byram. Kesselring and Docker offer balanced pairings and can play a much better complimentary game up and down the line up.

Benson is the equivalent of a future, and does not hurt their cap number this year. Next years first from Buffalo could be higher than most, if history is any indication. And they could flip Byram for two late firsts next year.

Asked, Answered. I get Benson is a hill you die on (not others) but next years first? The trade makes the team much better immediately.

Byram, Benson and next years first round pick for Robertson. Who says yes?

Is it not Josh Allen?

Costanza

I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience the trade while visiting family in the 716. Loving the chance to discuss with friends and family. I seem to align with a few on the board, including @Archie Lee - I'll need to see what Adams does with the cap space and the decision on Byram and #9OA before I make a final judgment on the offseason. If this was just a ploy to reduce cap, then Adams is a bigger clown than I imagined. I'll reserve judgment on the trade itself until Thanksgiving. A few quick/random thoughts - The origin story of JJP's desire to leave will always be tied Adams' failures, the early years. Doan is not a 4th line player. 41% of his even-strength time last year was on the third line. He had the greatest success playing alongside LAWSON CROUSE & JACK MCBAIN. Why would he not have similar results with Benson and McLeod. JP's production in the top six will be replaced by Kulich. He's ready to take the next step. I can see 20+ on the second line. The team is tougher than it was last week, and still needs MORE. Trade out for Mr. Glass, and bring more sandpaper and grit to the Defense. Can Weegar be extracted from Calgary? Heard a rumor while downtown, enjoying the sounds of Sublime by Badfish: Terry is considering selling the Sabres. There is interest from a private equity group. The source is not a Sabre insider but someone who is in similar social circles.

Read this entire thread and you will get an idea that some fans appreciate his play more than others. I fall in line with you that he was a win in terms of trade, but it never translated to wins for Buffalo as a team. The argument to trade (adding on to what Steve wrote) is the Sabres not only paid Power, but also overpaid Samuelsson and Clifton. They have, going into the offseason $28m committed to the blue line and they still don’t have a veteran to pair with Power. If you pay Byram $8m+, then you would have ~$2m more than any other team in the league on Defense and unless you can somehow trade for the stabilizing force to help Owen and remove both contracts of Samuelsson and Clifton (call it $7.8m), then you have the top paid Defensive unit in the league. But are they better? I fall into the category of trying to extricate three players - Mule, Clifton and one of Power or Byram. Rasmus can play either side so it frees you up to trade for a L/R player that is hard nosed and a top PK guy. Then another similar stay at home defender to play alongside Power/Byram. If the third pairing is JBD and say Novikov (entry level) your cap is aligned and balanced. Lastly, the handedness of the D makes it challenging to keep Byram. Left hand D - Dahlin, Byram, Power, Samuelsson, Bryson, and waiting in the wings, Novikov and Johnson.

I appreciate the thought and rationale. I’d like to add one more reason why I’d be fine with the move. There may be better return for a team willing to trade D for a young forward and reluctance to trade D for D, D for two prospects, or D for #9 overall. If you go into the offseason limited in trading only prospects and/or Byrum, you are narrowing the teams willing to trade with you for the stay at home defender you desire. Adding JJP to mix opens up other avenues. Maybe Byrum and a prospect could yield a top 6 forward that is a better fit for the Sabres. Options.

Sometimes? There should be a list of Adams faux pas that every GM must read on day 1. Thinking back to year one or two after the Pegula purchase, when there was actual hope, there was something on twitter - #Blueprint. Almost comical to think about that today.