RochesterExpat

In a vacuum this move is a good move. Zucker is fine as a middle six guy and is probably going to love playing under Lindy. He's overpaid, but we signed him to a one year deal to lower the risk to the organization and that was going to come at a higher cost. It's not like we're utilizing cap space for anything else this year (apparently). So if treat Pegula Bucks as free money, this is fine. The problem is we aren't in a vacuum. There is an opportunity cost to overpaying players (even on a one year deal). More importantly, he's not a Jeff Skinner replacement in terms of production. He's just another piece to retooling the middle six of the lineup. We haven't replaced Skinner's production. We still haven't replaced Casey's production either for that matter. I actually like Zucker. He needs to stay healthy which is something he has struggled with, but he is the kind of player teams want in the playoffs. The problem in Buffalo is that he isn't enough to get us to the playoffs. The good news is we should get a decent return when we trade him at the deadline at 50% retained.

I think he had a plan for the draft--and why he traded down--but it didn't materialize because he thought it was set in stone when it wasn't. I think the same was true for the Skinner buyout. I think they were in talks with someone to bring in through the free agency, GMKA thought it was going to happen, cleared the cap space, and then the player went elsewhere. Now I think he's lost. He looks and sounds tired. Look at his pre-draft presser, the "We want to be harder to play against" presser, and today's "we need to take that step this year" presser. His body language and enthusiasm are completely different from pre-draft through to today.

I don't think they're prospects, but if we're talking about "drafting small players" they should be included even if they've graduated to the NHL.

I have to be pedantic about this, sorry. They were first round draft picks. Not #1 draft picks. There is a huge difference. And I'm not sure how you're evaluating our drafting to conclude that our drafting hasn't been very good. Kulich was drafted 28th in 2022. He has played 119 AHL games and 1 NHL game. 21 players from this draft have played in the NHL, 8 of whom only played one game including the aforementioned Kulich as well as Savoie. The 2021 28th pick has played 102 games in the AHL and 2 games in the NHL. Isak Rosen has played more games in the NHL at 7. 38 members of this class have seen NHL action. Rosen is 29th. The 2020 28th pick played 46 games in the AHL and is at 92 games in the NHL (Ridly Greig). He played part of two seasons ago in the NHL and all of last season. This development track would be the same as Kulich if Kulich gets a 20 game look this season which is entirely possible with injuries. For what it's worth, six picks later is JJP who has 161 NHL games. Peterka is 9th in his draft class by games played in the NHL. Quinn, despite injury, is at 18th. The 2019 28th has 161 AHL games and no NHL games. For what it's worth, three picks later is Ryan Johnson who now has 41 NHL games. The 2018 28th has 34 AHL games and 144 NHL games. He played three seasons in Sweden after his draft and then came to the US where he played half a season in the AHL before getting promoted. Mattias Samuelsson was drafted 4 picks later and, despite his injuries, has played in six more NHL games. For this draft class, the #2 spot in games played is Dahlin--not that this surprises anyone. The 2017 28th overall has played in 9 NHL games and 217 AHL games. The 2016 28th overall has 257 AHL games and 9 NHL games under his belt. He is no longer under contract with an NHL club. Not that I would expect differently, but last years 28th overall pick is still in the OHL. Because that's expected for a 28th overall pick. Jumping straight into the AHL is very, very uncommon for a late first. Of the entire 2023 draft class, Zach Benson has played the most NHL games and he was drafted 13th. Only picks 1, 2, and 3 played meaningful numbers of games (and only two more played in one game). We did not have 90 picks in the last 5 years. We made 43 selections. 2024 - 8 picks 2023 - 8 picks 2022 - 11 picks 2021 - 11 picks 2020 - 5 picks You're also ignoring the realities that these players are not all the same "type" of player. Kulich is not remotely the same player as Krebs (who wasn't our draft pick) or Rosen. Östlund plays a completely different game from Savoie. Even that aside, are you seriously suggesting we the team has "no NHLers" at all from the most recent drafts? I guess Quinn and Peterka aren't NHLers. Or Cozens (drafted 5 years ago). Or Johnson or Power. And Benson leading his draft class in games played isn't enough to qualify as an NHL player. Also the idea that we haven't drafted any "forecheckers" is simply untrue. Helenius is a "forechecker" and we just picked him this season at 14th. #39 from last season, Anton Wahlberg, is the "forechecker" to a T. We had hopes for Kozak, but he's unlikely to make the NHL at this point. I'm not sure why you think draft picks instantly jump into the NHL after 2-3 years removed from the draft. That doesn't happen. This isn't the NFL.

If it happens--emphasis on 'if'--I think you're right that it will be a cap-related trade. I see Adams pursuing a trade for an RFA on a cap crunch team or an RFA who is openly unhappy (e.g. Shane Pinto). Partly because Adams pursues younger players, but mostly because they're not going to have trade protections.

I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic, but I think this is a great move. He’s fine as a backup if Levi falters. If he falters, Levi can play up. In the worst case scenario, we have a $1m goalie in Rochester. Considering we should be good to run UPL/Levi, I think adding a $1m insurance policy is a smart move.

You can still play in the AHL on a one-way deal. Not sure if people don’t realize that. Rousek is on a one-way this season. There is an added benefit to a one-way deal. Reimer will need to clear waivers. It’s an added protection from a waiver claim.

The team was also a year older last season and they regressed.

I assumed scorer meant goals. But I’m fine with either.

I’ll take that bet with you.

I didn't think the beef on weck at the rink was quite that bad.

Sabrespace: We need grit. Adams: We've added grit. Sabrespace: We need to rebuild the bottom six. Adams: We've rebuilt the bottom six. Sabrespace: We need to add to the Top 6. Adams:

People might not believe it, but at some point the league will step in. Buffalo is already at the disadvantage of being a small market team. We know Buffalo is not in a place to be a financial positive for the league (just look at ticket sales). The playoff drought just paints a target on the franchise. Owners agree to field competitive teams as part of team ownership. However improbable it may seem that the league would step in, I remind you the NHL just forcibly relocated the Arizona Coyotes to Utah at least in part because the Coyotes were embarrassing the NHL. If Buffalo goes a few more years missing the playoffs, all while continuing to spend below league average on team salary, you might see a similar situation where the league leans on Pegula to sell under the guise of Pegula not fielding a competitive team and, therefore, damaging the NHL product as a whole. It's not an unrealistic scenario.

I'm starting to question whether Adams wants to be here.

What part of the last decade makes you think anyone has an actual plan?

This made me laugh.

But at least our players want to be here.

"I'm still actively looking for trades, but the rest of the league realizes I'm desperate and are trying to take advantage of the situation, so I'm going to sit here and casually suggest that I might still consider adding to the Top 6 so those teams know I'm interested, but at the same time pretend that I'm fine with what I have even as I'm having a panic attack."

Maybe you're not understanding the concept of who cares.

Gilbert is a local boy.

While I'm not certain we're going to acquire one, if we do, the 3C is going to come through by trade or offer sheet. I'm guessing it's a trade. If that's the case, it's likely not going to be until the "free agency frenzy" has subsided and teams assess who has been made redundant via signings.

I really wanted Stephenson but that's a massive overpay. Whoa.