Digger

I was a big fan of Reinhart. Obviously disappointed in the return for him given some of the rumors that were out there. I really think the Sabres are going to miss his hockey sense and ability to tip pucks into the net. Taking him off the team without getting a replacement for him to step into the lineup is really going to hurt this team. Devon Levi has some good numbers and I hope that he develops and eventually signs with the Sabres. As a smaller goalie he reminds me of Manny Legace who was another small goalie for Canada that did well in the WJC. He had a decent career but wasn't a #1. Let's see. I'm generally pretty positive about the Sabres but this trade is very disappointing to me. Let's hope the Eichel trade is much closer to expectations.

Welcome back. You did not miss much from the Sabres other than having your hopes and dreams crushed every year. Had some optimism when we drafted Eichel and traded for O'Reilly but.................

Where would he go? He's quickly pissing off most teams where he's played before.

I'm okay with the pick. Biggest criticism is that he needs to grow into his body. He's obviously a few years away and will develop in Sweden. Lots of skill and great skater and dynamic scorer, adding weight and strength is easy (but takes time).

watching the scouching live stream reaction. He can't believe he fell to 7.

Thanks for clarifying. It's UFA's that would have to be signed to 8 year max by the team holding his rights, then it's a sign and trade. Toronto is considering this for Zach Hyman and the Oilers which seemed risky to me for Toronto depending on the compensation.

Don't these sign and trade 8 year deals have potential issues if the player retires before the end of the contract? Back to the team that signed him taking the cap hit?

I'm interested in what Bettman will be saying tonight about 11OA pick that Arizona had to forfeit. It looks funny to me that they will already have picked a player by then.

Arizona back in the first round with 9OA.

It's possible that he doesn't fit as the type of player Drury wants. He's an RFA so he moved him for the best deal he could get.

Should be noted that the actual return was not a choice in the poll. The actual return was better than any of the choices. Good job Kevin Adams. Now draft well with the picks. Let's also hope that Hagg has a bounce back year after a year of injuries and can help by being an effective penalty killer for us.

http://www.mynhldraft.com/NHL-Mock-Draft/ Already updated for the pick showing the Sabres getting Fabian Lysell.

Listening to his exit interview talking about the potential for being selected in the expansion draft "whatever happens happens". He talks about his injuries last season and struggles with his play this year. He sounds a lot like Risto in the interview (except with a Swedish accent).

I wonder if we retain some salary?

That doesn't make sense to me. I know that the argument is being made (at least in the media) but if a team is really concerned about Eichel's health short term or long term then they don't make an offer at all. He's signed at 10 million for the next 5 years which is quite a commitment in the current salary cap world. Reinhart's trade value would increase if he's willing to sign a 6 year deal and I think that he may be open to that if he likes the new team. Seth Jones has not been willing to sign an extension with any teams (per reports).

I get the feeling that Columbus is trying to get additional assets for an Eichel trade in the trade for Seth Jones. They are asking for Kirby Dach or Alex DeBrincat for Seth Jones. If they get something like that they may have enough to make something work.

There's another piece that you haven't mentioned which is players wanting to come and play for the team. Perhaps it's their home town team or a team that has a great history. That has helped Boston with keeping things moving forward (latest example Taylor Hall). Can be free agents or trades where the player has specifically asked (or demanded) to be traded there. We know Eichel would love to go and play for the Bruins if he was free to do so as another example. This has helped the Bruins compensate for a extremely poor draft 2015 where they drafted Jakub Zboril, Jake Debrusk, and Zach Senyshyn over Matt Barzal, Kyle Connor, and Thomas Chabot.

I wonder at what point the Wild really starts to wonder about signing Kaprizov long term? It sounds like he really only wants a short 3 year deal. Getting Eichel would help get him a center that can match his skill. It's not very likely but the Wild could consider a trade with the Rangers, send him to play with Panarin and get the package back that they need to move forward. It's doubtful that they will get fair value but his value is very high today.

I was listening to their TSN reporter Ryan Rishaug talk about the Oiler's need to "win now" while they have McDavid and Draisaitl locked into contracts. They seem a bit desperate on Hyman. It should work out short term but if they go with a 7 or 8 year deal for him you have to wonder when it gets bought out. They signed Mike Smith hoping he can have another great year. 2 years though. And also they need to figure out their defense looking for a second pairing right D. Maybe Risto could be a fit if salary works.

I still like Kirby Dach if Chicago would be willing to move him.

Poor guy, but NHL business is all about the salary cap now. He'll get another chance somewhere.

I've been saying that I would love to get Travis Konecny as part of that potential deal with the Flyers. Signed for 4 more years at $5.5M. We need someone back who can take Sam's place immediately in the lineup.

It's hard to say. There has certainly been a lot of NHL buzz and discussion around Seattle all day today. It would have been a dull day if there were no leaks and consider that when the trade freeze lifts tomorrow the expansion draft will be quickly forgotten..................hopefully with some great trades for the Sabres.

I wanted us to draft Rossi too. The discussion around Rossi and Zegras is pretty interesting to me. I would say that Rossi's stock has not increased or decreased since he was drafted. He did not do well (on a weak Austrian team) at the WJC and then was hit with Covid recovery for the rest of the season. He has fully recovered and is still a great A+ prospect but I can't see that he has done anything to raise his value since the draft. Zegras did have a great year at the WJC dominated in the tournament and gold metal game and then played some games for the Ducks. He's ready to make a real impact this year. He's clearly ahead of Rossi at the moment but time will tell who becomes the best player and it will most likely come down to the team and teammates they are playing with. I would love to have either of them in a potential Eichel trade but I will say that Anaheim has the 3OA pick as something to add in a trade and Minnesota has picks 21, 25. Because of that I would rather have Boldy included in the trade with Rossi in place of their 1st. I know most will say both and I agree.

I agree. I would accept that trade and be happy. Including Drysdale and Zegras would be a good trade for Eichel. Assuming 3OA still allows to draft Eklund. I'm not convinced Anaheim would do the trade for both of their top prospects but including 1OA might make them consider it.