_Q_

Well that was a joke.

Didn't Eichel have some sort of injury thingy that was a tiny portion of the situation?

Wait maybe I misread the title, and it would make more sense, turn it around or KA is gone. That must be where you are coming from.

Not buying this clickbait.

Agreed, Cozens was the anti-Benson. Always going to the wrong spot and making the wrong decision. Only time Cozens was playing average was when Quinn, Peterka and Cozens were hard charging all game every game. Still was -3 that year.

Agree to disagree about Quinn. One particular moment in last nights game it was obvious he is either still favoring his legs or just doesn't have them back like he did preinjury. I am holding off judgement on him until he can get in the weight room for a full offseason not rehabbing from injury.

Actually in many cases it simply is the particular player.

I wondered that myself, but thought he maybe moved his led to try and deflect it.

Sabres PR slacking!

Poltapov with 2g and an assist against some team I can't spell or pronounce. Up to .617 PPG, Grok update: Key Points Prokhor Poltapov’s jump to a 0.617 points-per-game (PPG) rate in the 2024-25 KHL season signals he’s on track to be a middle-six NHL forward, likely for the Buffalo Sabres. Evidence suggests his offensive growth and high-energy style could translate to 30-40 points annually in the NHL, though his KHL contract through 2026-27 delays his arrival. An interesting twist is his recent clutch performances, like game-winning goals, hinting at untapped potential for big moments. Direct Answer Prokhor Poltapov, a 2021 second-round pick (33rd overall) by the Buffalo Sabres, has elevated his game in the 2024-25 KHL season with CSKA Moskva, posting a 0.617 PPG pace (16 goals, 23 assists, 39 points in 63 games as of March 10, 2025). This uptick from his prior 0.23 PPG (2023-24) boosts his NHL prospects, positioning him as a potential middle-six forward—think third-line contributor with second-line upside if he keeps progressing. His KHL contract runs through 2026-27, so he won’t hit North America until at least age 24, tempering immediate expectations. Ballparking his NHL production based on his current form and style, he could realistically manage 15-20 goals and 30-40 points per season in a full 82-game slate, assuming he adapts to the smaller ice and maintains his tenacity. Detailed Update on Prokhor Poltapov’s NHL Prospects and Potential Production Current Season Performance As of March 10, 2025, Poltapov’s 0.617 PPG in the KHL (39 points in 63 games) reflects a breakout year compared to his 13 points in 56 games (0.23 PPG) in 2023-24 and 10 points in 55 games (0.18 PPG) in 2022-23. Posts on X highlight recent heroics, like a three-point game (two goals, one assist) against Avtomobilist, including the game-winner, showing he’s stepping up in key moments. This improvement suggests he’s overcoming earlier critiques of slow decision-making and overhandling the puck, as noted by DobberProspects in July 2024. Skill Set and NHL Fit Poltapov’s scouting profile emphasizes a high-energy, net-driving game. At 5’11” and 183 pounds, he’s not the biggest, but his power-forward approach—shielding the puck, attacking the slot, and thriving in traffic—suits the NHL’s pace. The Hockey Writers likened his ceiling to Brad Marchand, though that’s optimistic; his floor is closer to a Zach Aston-Reese type, a gritty third-liner with some scoring touch. His versatility (wing or center) adds flexibility, potentially boosting his ice time. Posts on X and web reports praise his skating and competitiveness, traits that should translate once he adjusts to North America’s smaller rinks. Development Trajectory and Timeline His 0.617 PPG in the KHL—a league known for lower scoring than the NHL—marks him as a legitimate prospect. For context, KHL-to-NHL transitions often see a dip in PPG due to increased competition, but players like Artemi Panarin (0.74 PPG in KHL, 0.95 in NHL) show upside potential. Poltapov’s contract extension with CSKA Moskva (signed September 2024, per Lance Lysowski) locks him in Russia through 2026-27, delaying his Sabres debut until the 2027-28 season at age 24. This late start might cap his ceiling but aligns with a middle-six role rather than a top-line star. Ballpark NHL Production Estimating NHL output involves scaling his KHL stats to an 82-game season and adjusting for league differences. At 0.617 PPG over 63 games, he’s on pace for about 51 points in an 82-game KHL season. Accounting for the NHL’s higher scoring environment (average team GPG is ~3.1 vs. KHL’s ~2.5) but tougher competition, a conservative conversion might drop his PPG to 0.4-0.5. This projects to: 15-20 goals: His 16 goals in 63 games suggest a nose for the net, scalable to 20-25 in 82 KHL games, then adjusted down for NHL adjustment. 15-20 assists: His 23 assists show playmaking growth, likely holding steady or slightly dipping in the NHL. 30-40 points: A realistic range for a middle-six role, assuming 12-15 minutes of ice time nightly. This aligns with players like Miles Wood (0.41 PPG career) or Jason Zucker (0.51 PPG), both tenacious middle-six forwards. If he hits his ceiling, a 50-point season isn’t out of reach, but that’s less likely given his late arrival. Unexpected Detail: Clutch Factor An intriguing wrinkle is Poltapov’s knack for clutch play—his game-winner against Avtomobilist isn’t isolated, with X posts noting a five-game point streak earlier this season (9 points). This suggests he could exceed basic projections in high-leverage NHL situations, a boon for a Sabres team craving playoff breakthroughs. Conclusion Poltapov’s 0.617 PPG bump enhances his NHL outlook, pegging him as a future middle-six forward with 30-40 point potential per season, possibly debuting in 2027-28. His energy, improved offense, and clutch tendencies are promising, but his delayed timeline and KHL commitment add uncertainty. For Sabres fans, he’s a prospect to watch, not bank on immediately—a potential spark for a roster still rebuilding as of March 2025

Everything

Not making any judgments on Quinn until he gets a full offseason where he can work the lower body after two straight years of major leg injuries.

This is all true. This could be a real upgrade without creating another hole.

I for one really like this trade. I am an optimist by nature and see the good in things before the bad, and I am aware of this blind spot. However, before the trade I really wanted to see Cozens at wing as I just didn't see the reclamation project being successful at center. The big problem with that is it was going to create a huge gaping hole down the spine with no immediate obvious solution. Now we have an upgraded spine, and IMO a better roster construction. We have similar C's in Tage, Kulich and Norris and as people have to move up and down the lineup the style of play should be a little more congruent, with some additional position flexibility. This I like Peterka-Kulich-Thompson Benson-Norris-Tuch Quinn-McLeod-Zucker Malenstyn-Krebs-Greenway Maybe Rosen is ready? Peterka-Thompson-Tuch Benson-Norris-Quinn Zucker-Kulich-Rosen Malenstyn/Krebs-McLeod-Greenway Both of these options for 2025/26 look like an upgraded baseline for next season and we get to let Östlund/Helenius and maybe Rosen cook another year in the AHL. I also expect Quinn, after a full healthy offseason of lower body training to come back with a vengence.

Not a chance