Sabres Signing Marcus Johansson 2 years 4.5 Million AAV

[Randall Flagg]

I would say that this signing puts me over the threshold bare minimum for being 'okay' with the big acquisition being a winger rather than a center. Not thrilled, but I'd watch with intrigue. This is under the assumption that there just isn't a reasonable avenue for a very good center this offseason. 

Man, I thought we were done with this issue, it's so painful to still be discussing it ?

[Curt]

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:43 PM, TrueBlueGED said:

Well, according to the skater tables at evolving-hockey, Mittelstadt had 884 minutes at evens and Sobotka had 820. Where are you seeing Sobotka had more? 

Expand  

I was looking at ES TOI/per game on hockey reference.  Mitts played 8 games more than Sobotka, so that’s why he ended the season with a higher total.  Like I said in the other post though, they were so close that it doesn’t really matter.

Edited July 6, 2019 by Curt
I spell bad

[DarthEbriate]

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:45 PM, inkman said:

One more guy ahead of Sobotka on the depth chart. That's all I need to hear. 

Expand  

But who will take...  left-handed?... faceoffs? ?

Edit: Just mocking up lines... all those St. Louis Blues we acquired are outside of the top 12. It's all clouds under the planetary shield at this point, but darn it this latest roster would look good with a ROR-type on line 2.

Edited July 6, 2019 by DarthEbriate

[inkman]

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:47 PM, DarthEbriate said:

But who will take...  left-handed?... faceoffs? ?

Expand  

I don't care if it's Kylo Ren. As long as that bowel movement of a hockey player named Vladimir no longer laces them up at the F'N Center. 

[Doohickie]

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:41 PM, WildCard said:

Botterill moved O'Reilly, supposedly, for locker room stuff. I'm not saying it's everything, but on a younger team with little-to-no playoff experience...

 

Expand  

Probably part of the Sheary decision too.

[Berg]

An experienced guy who helped Boston win a conference.  11 points in the playoffs is a good contribution.  This is a good deal.

[Doohickie]

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:43 PM, Zamboni said:

Sabres have acquired a few pieces over the last few weeks. Now be prepared for a few to be moved out.

Expand  

And since we have a crowded roster, what does he get in return?  Picks?  Prospects?

[triumph_communes]

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:56 PM, Doohickie said:

And since we have a crowded roster, what does he get in return?  Picks?  Prospects?

Expand  

 

Most of the guys edging out are waiver trash. He doesn’t need to get anything for them really, just bury them and be done. 

[Broken Ankles]

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:43 PM, TrueBlueGED said:

Well, according to the skater tables at evolving-hockey, Mittelstadt had 884 minutes at evens and Sobotka had 820. Where are you seeing Sobotka had more? 

Expand  

Games played was 7 more for Casey.  Average TOI was more for Vlad in his games played.

[dudacek]

Looking at the current roster, even though he’s primarily been an LW, his best fit is probably as Sam’s replacement at RW with Jack and Jeff. He’s got the IQ and the ability to move the puck in that role.

Probably one of the factors in convincing him to sign.

Edited July 6, 2019 by dudacek

[Andrew Amerk]

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:46 PM, Randall Flagg said:

I would say that this signing puts me over the threshold bare minimum for being 'okay' with the big acquisition being a winger rather than a center. Not thrilled, but I'd watch with intrigue. This is under the assumption that there just isn't a reasonable avenue for a very good center this offseason. 

Man, I thought we were done with this issue, it's so painful to still be discussing it ?

Expand  

My feeling is that JBott is still hunting for his 2C. 

I think the idea is that Johansson is an “insurance” move, in case he doesn’t find what he wants, it gives tinkering options for the lineup. Or, if he does land the 2C he wants, Johansson can fill in when one of our top 3 centers inevitably has an illness or injury. 

[Curt]

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:56 PM, Doohickie said:

And since we have a crowded roster, what does he get in return?  Picks?  Prospects?

Expand  

They can definitely still acquire a good forward.  It’s going to be just fine if Girgensons, Larsson, or Okposo starts the season as the 13th forward.

[Brawndo]

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:44 PM, WildCard said:

@NS if there was ever a time for it....

Expand  

In My Best NS Voice

 

EHLERS!!!!!!

[Sabre fan]

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:22 PM, TrueBlueGED said:

If this is the answer at 2C, then Botterill has still neglected the position. 

Expand  

agreed ...not goos enough if you want to compete every night. we need a real 2nd line center that is essential

 

[Brawndo]

He’s good at Zone Exits. 

[Doohickie]

  On 7/6/2019 at 4:00 PM, Andrew Amerk said:

I think the idea is that Johansson is an “insurance” move, in case he doesn’t find what he wants, it gives tinkering options for the lineup.

Expand  

It fits with JBot's MO:  Last summer it was Sheary obtained as insurance before landing Skinner.

[...]

[nfreeman]

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:25 PM, pastajoe said:

It could be a step in the process of freeing up a winger to be traded as part of a deal for a center.

Expand  

  On 7/6/2019 at 3:29 PM, TrueBlueGED said:

Yea, could definitely be a sweetener from the wings now. Risto+ Sheary/Rodrigues. 

Expand  

I can see a winger included as a sweetener (although I'd be inclined more towards "throw-in" as a descriptor), but I don't think anyone is going to give the Sabres anything for any of their wings.

 

  On 7/6/2019 at 4:00 PM, dudacek said:

Looking at the current roster, even though he’s primarily been an LW, his best fit is probably as Sam’s replacement with Jack and Jeff. He’s got the IQ and the ability to move the puck in that role.

Probably one of the factors in convincing him to sign.

Expand  

Interesting, and I would like to see how this looks.  I kinda think though that due to supply and demand they are unlikely to bring in a good #2 center between now and the start of the season, so MJ's most likely landing spot is 2C.

So maybe:

Skinner-Eichel-Vesey

Ehlers/other good W coming back for Risto-MJ-Reino

Olofsson-Mitts-ERod

Sheary-Larsson-KO

 

Separately:  I like this acquisition.  It's a low-risk, cost-effective move to bring in an experienced pro who has pretty good size and speed, will turn 29 in October, has played a good, productive supporting role on good teams and has won a lot of regular season and playoff games.  I still think it's fairly likely that JB scoops up a good forward who pops loose from a cap-strapped team as the RFA dust settles around the league, but this move reduces the urgency of that happening.

[TrueBlueGED]

  On 7/6/2019 at 4:19 PM, nfreeman said:

I can see a winger included as a sweetener (although I'd be inclined more towards "throw-in" as a descriptor), but I don't think anyone is going to give the Sabres anything for any of their wings.

 

Interesting, and I would like to see how this looks.  I kinda think though that due to supply and demand they are unlikely to bring in a good #2 center between now and the start of the season, so MJ's most likely landing spot is 2C.

Expand  

Well, that's mostly because you underrate Sheary and Erod.

[...]

The term is what saves this for me.  The guy is wildly inconsistent season to season.  He's effectively a fill-in until Cozens gets here.

Botterill still has a tonne of work to do if he's going to palpably up the average talent level of the team and he really needs to jettison the chaff.

[Doohickie]

  On 7/6/2019 at 4:18 PM, ... said:

 

Expand  

Those charts are worthless to me, always have been.  I have no idea what all the categories mean.  I only know above the line is good, below the line is bad.  From a glance they tell me this guy is a middling forward- good at some stuff, not good at other stuff.

[TrueBlueGED]

  On 7/6/2019 at 4:23 PM, ... said:

The term is what saves this for me.  The guy is wildly inconsistent season to season.  He's effectively a fill-in until Cozens gets here.

Botterill still has a tonne of work to do if he's going to palpably up the average talent level of the team and he really needs to jettison the chaff.

Expand  

If by that, I hope you don't mean at center. I like the signing a lot as a middle-six winger. That will change the moment I see him at 2C. 

[Doohickie]

  On 7/6/2019 at 4:19 PM, nfreeman said:

I don't think anyone is going to give the Sabres anything for any of their wings.

Expand  

I don't know.  Buffalo wings are well liked throughout the country.

[Huckleberry]

I know no one wants Mittelstadt as 2C, but at least botts gave him some better wingers.

Skinner - Eichel - Vesey

Johansson - Mittelstad - Reinhart

Oloffson  -  Erod -  Nylander

Thompson  - Larsson - Zemgus

KO/sheary

Or you go with Reinhart as 2C

Skinner - Eichel - Vesey

Johansson - Reinhart  - Oloffson

Nylander - Mittelstad - Erod

Thompson - Larsson - Zemgus

KO/sheary

And yes I will keep putting Larsson and Zemgus as our 4th line because they were not the issue last year.

Anyway spots will need to be earned this year for sure.

 

[...]

  On 7/6/2019 at 4:23 PM, Doohickie said:

Those charts are worthless to me, always have been.  I have no idea what all the categories mean.  I only know above the line is good, below the line is bad.  From a glance they tell me this guy is a middling forward- good at some stuff, not good at other stuff.

Expand  

All you need to know is that if you remove the last two seasons, he's a good, if not very good, addition to the forward ranks.