Carmel Corn

Does he maybe take Z's spot? Possibly Jost?

I think there needs to be another option with 8 years at >$8.5 million. Frankly, it may take $9 or more to get him locked up that long.

Seems to me that a Peca type former player is exactly what the Sabres need to develop a better defensive structure to help reduce the high quality scoring chances they give up....especially inside their own zone. I'd like to see them try to retain him.

Question....is he still an RFA after the 4 year deal?

Regarding Mitchkov.....who does he mostly resemble in terms of current NHL players?

Maybe GMKA would offer VO along with other assets? Seems the Canes had some challenges scoring goals (in the playoffs), meaning they could use more sniper help on their roster.

Sorry, but don't think VO will fetch a 1st rounder, plus Simashev will not last until the 20's IMHO.

IDK, I don't see a 1st coming back....maybe a 2nd though!

Hopefully so....his young body will eventually fill out, which will allow him to challenge better (and win)!

Interesting......born in New York state if I'm not mistaken!

Respectfully, I hope it is Simashev. This is where my philosophy may differ from the masses, who might say BPA. I'd like to see more depth and size in our Defense pipeline and if somebody like Benson grades out .01 higher than Simashev, then I'd rather see GMKA pick the big defender vs. the guy who is .01 higher.

Agree on the liklihood Power will want a bridge deal. With that said, what do we think is a reasonable average per year amount to try and convince him to do 8 years? IMHO - less that $8 million will not be enough and therefore are we supportive of something more like $9 to $10, which is what I think it would take.

I hated to lose him as well, but we went with the 7-3-1 approach to protect more forwards....which regrettably included Bjork. Otherwise we were more at risk protecting just 8 skaters. We needed to protect Risto with the anticipation of trading him. Dahlin was obvious and the other protected D was Joki. I have mixed feelings about Joki today and if we had to do it all over again, who would you rather have.....Borgen or Joki?!?!

It was very interesting to see the efforts GMKA went through to try and move up and take Kulich after they drafted Östlund. Sometimes it is nice to get what you want without having to give up as much as you were willing to in order to get it.

I think Hagg was traded to get an asset before we were going to lose him anyway to free agency....so he was gone. Who were you going to want to sign instead of Boosh to fill the gap? Slim pickings available (without overpaying) was my recollection.

Just thinking that maybe we could sign Graves as a UFA for maybe $5 to $6 million a year and not give up more than a 3rd (using Severson's example)....wouldn't be a bad alternative IMHO.

Yup....Florida just seems so flat this series. The long break was the worse thing for them. Barkov and Sam are not generating much at all to help.

This is the guy (Simashev) that I hope we take at 13.

Agree....there can be such a thing as TOO loyal with respect to players and coaches. I know they are trying to create a new culture, but WINNING > culture.

Interesting scenario there....plus he is a right-hander....which would be ideal. I'd still like to see a Graves (lefty) UFA offer as an alternative.

IDK - I thought he was showing a more "sturdy" game towards the end. He may not become the next Zdeno Chara, but he has more tenacity then I expected.

"If" he is still there, yes....but too many teams drafting ahead of us will not pass him up.

Are you thinking with one of our 2nd rounders?

IDK - I'd prefer Graves to Severson honestly. I want a better defender vs. two-way guy. Wondering though what this means for possibly getting Graves....another 3rd rounder? With CBJ, still wondering with this addition if we could pry Jiricek from the jackets (wishful thinking), since they are loading up on defenders.

Absolutely NO without a known extension. Even with a known and say reasonable extension, I still take the long-term view vs. short-term expected benefit that comes with Helle. Long-term, I think Levi is going to be a top 10 goalie in this league (if not higher).