2022 Offseason Game Plan

[Taro T]

  On 4/25/2022 at 9:14 PM, dudacek said:

Husso almost certainly will get a UFA contract that commits to him as a number 1, a $4 million for 4 years, or some such.

I might give him that based on (limited) what I've seen, but I don't think Adams will.

I am perfectly fine with him being a 4/5 for the next several years and think he still has it in him to be more.

His issues are largely a product of being asked to be the 2D at 22. They will fade as he improves at the same time he gets asked to do less as Power and Mule continue to ascend.

Expand  

Provided it doesn't end up a full NMC contract in years 3 & 4 would be perfectly fine w/ it or even $5×4.  He seems to be the guy to go after.  Besides, he looks good in B&G.  😉

 

[dudacek]

Really, not quite clear on how Adams is defining "blocking" any more.

I mean, if all goes well Levi/Portillo should be college->AHL->NHL backup the next three years, so how much of a block is a 4-year starter's contract really?

Do they really expect to give UPL the reins as soon as next year? Even if he takes them, he's going to be paid backup money anyway, so they can afford to overpay the other guy.

[IvanPutski]

  On 4/25/2022 at 6:22 PM, thewookie1 said:

You need to find backups with potential, none of those three have any.

Expand  

Does Vítek Vaněček fit?

[Huckleberry]

  On 4/25/2022 at 9:40 PM, IvanPutski said:

Does Vítek Vaněček fit?

Expand  

Better gamble than Husso for sure.

[thewookie1]

  On 4/25/2022 at 9:40 PM, IvanPutski said:

Does Vítek Vaněček fit?

Expand  

Low end yes

[Huckleberry]

  On 4/25/2022 at 10:08 PM, thewookie1 said:

Low end yes

Expand  

how is Husso high end ? One season with 40 games and good numbers, seen that before on many goalies, Even Mrazek.

[Norcal]

  On 4/25/2022 at 9:40 PM, IvanPutski said:

Does Vítek Vaněček fit?

Expand  

Honestly yes. Both he and Samsonov have basically split the net in Washington the last two years and both are RFAs due a decent raise.

Can the Capitals fit them into the budget?

Washington has enjoyed a luxury, spending $2.7 mil total for co-starters the last two years.

One of them is likely on the move. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

  On 4/25/2022 at 10:31 PM, Norcal said:

Honestly yes. Both he and Samsonov have basically split the net in Washington the last two years and both are RFAs due a decent raise.

Can the Capitals fit them into the budget?

Washington has enjoyed a luxury, spending $2.7 mil total for co-starters the last two years.

One of them is likely on the move. 

Expand  

I would love to try to steal Vanecek.  

[Norcal]

  On 4/25/2022 at 11:16 PM, GASabresIUFAN said:

I would love to try to steal Vanecek.  

Expand  

4×4? What could get it done I wonder?

They are strapped and both are starters, I think they may just look to move one. 

I'd offer UPL and a 2nd tomorrow. 

[Brawndo]

  On 4/25/2022 at 7:05 PM, JohnC said:

I don't understand why Joki is being dismissed as a second pairing defenseman. My view of Joki is that he is a B player on either the first or second pairing. He's a player whose style of play and psychological makeup allows him to subordinate his game to the A player in one of the top two pairings. Both Dahlin and Power (small sample size) have played with him, and each of them thrived. Joki is not the type of player whose efficient and smooth style of play is not going to attract much attention. He will not dominate the play but what he does well is blend and work well with whomever he is paired with.  

Expand  

 

  On 4/25/2022 at 8:03 PM, LGR4GM said:

He dragged Dahlin's numbers down and in limited time away from Joker, we see Power's numbers improve. 

Jokiharju has not worked well being the B player and needs to be upgraded. Samuelsson- Dahlin is set by Power needs someone better. 

Expand  

What LGR said, both Power and Dahlin have much better numbers away from Jokiharju. 
 

[thewookie1]

  On 4/25/2022 at 11:45 PM, Norcal said:

4×4? What could get it done I wonder?

They are strapped and both are starters, I think they may just look to move one. 

I'd offer UPL and a 2nd tomorrow. 

Expand  

That might be a tad rich for a mediocre goalie prospect

[Norcal]

  On 4/25/2022 at 11:54 PM, thewookie1 said:

That might be a tad rich for a mediocre goalie prospect

Expand  

He's had two decent seasons already, his first two.

He's been good in the games i've seen him in.

What makes you say that? 

Or what would u offer?

 

[PerreaultForever]

  On 4/25/2022 at 8:59 PM, Norcal said:

I'm wondering if the Flyers wanna move Ellis for a young D man like Laaksonen?

Maybe Fitz peaks their interest. Guys who have low salaries with control.  

Expand  

Ellis has a bum hip. I would steer clear of that gamble. 

[Norcal]

  On 4/26/2022 at 12:01 AM, PerreaultForever said:

Ellis has a bum hip. I would steer clear of that gamble. 

Expand  

Ahh ok. Whole year off no help? Hips are kinda important.

[PerreaultForever]

  On 4/26/2022 at 12:02 AM, Norcal said:

Ahh ok. Whole year off no help? Hips are kinda important.

Expand  

Last thing out of Philly I heard was they are not sure when (or if) he will be back. Even if he is back, he's far too damaged to take a chance on imo. Philly fans all feel they got damaged goods in that deal and are stuck with his contract.

 

[Broken Ankles]

  On 4/18/2022 at 9:30 PM, GASabresIUFAN said:

Mitts isn’t being traded.

Expand  

  Marty Biron makes the case for trading Mitts today on the Instigators. (Around 14 minute mark).  Speaks to the attractive AAV for two more years, and the Center position should be Tage/Cozen/Krebs. His position is the Sabres need to trade for a quality starting goaltender or defense.  Also considers the Salary Cap in two more years, when you have Krebs, Power and Dahlin needing new contracts as well.   Duffer was higher on moving Olofsson.  Claims the trade value is now at its pinnacle.  Both seems to agree that the Sabres need to make room for Quinn on the wing and probably need to move one player in a trade to secure another component. 

 

I feel like Mitts being a JB regime guy coupled with his cap number being so seductive to a team like Minnesota makes him the target in the offseason. 

[LGR4GM]

  On 4/26/2022 at 12:40 AM, Broken Ankles said:

  Marty Biron makes the case for trading Mitts today on the Instigators. (Around 14 minute mark).  Speaks to the attractive AAV for two more years, and the Center position should be Tage/Cozen/Krebs. His position is the Sabres need to trade for a quality starting goaltender or defense.  Also considers the Salary Cap in two more years, when you have Krebs, Power and Dahlin needing new contracts as well.   Duffer was higher on moving Olofsson.  Claims the trade value is now at its pinnacle.  Both seems to agree that the Sabres need to make room for Quinn on the wing and probably need to move one player in a trade to secure another component. 

 

I feel like Mitts being a JB regime guy coupled with his cap number being so seductive to a team like Minnesota makes him the target in the offseason. 

Expand  

I'm sorry but Krebs has done next to nothing to make me confident he's an nhl center. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

  On 4/26/2022 at 12:40 AM, Broken Ankles said:

  Marty Biron makes the case for trading Mitts today on the Instigators. (Around 14 minute mark).  Speaks to the attractive AAV for two more years, and the Center position should be Tage/Cozen/Krebs. His position is the Sabres need to trade for a quality starting goaltender or defense.  Also considers the Salary Cap in two more years, when you have Krebs, Power and Dahlin needing new contracts as well.   Duffer was higher on moving Olofsson.  Claims the trade value is now at its pinnacle.  Both seems to agree that the Sabres need to make room for Quinn on the wing and probably need to move one player in a trade to secure another component. 

 

I feel like Mitts being a JB regime guy coupled with his cap number being so seductive to a team like Minnesota makes him the target in the offseason. 

Expand  

This is contrary to what I’ve seen elsewhere.  The consensus seems to be management looks at Mitts as their No. 2 center.  They think he’d have had a huge year if he hadn’t gotten hurt and look for him to be the next breakout player.

I understand the logic of trading a good asset to get another good asset back, but KA isn’t moving on from a developing player for a veteran with a big contract.  He has stated that over and over again.  Also we don’t need to move anyone to fit Quinn into the lineup.  He’ll have a top 6 role next season.  He’ll either be Mitts or TNT’s RW.  
Center depth: TNT, Mitts, Girgensons, Cozens (all under contract)

RW depth: Tuch, Quinn, KO, Open ((Vinnie (UFA) or JJP))

LW depth: Skinner, VO (RFA), Asplund, Krebs

I’ve made the argument earlier this season to trade VO, but I’ve come around to the idea of re-signing him.  We are simply a better team when he is on the ice and healthy.  

My guess is KA’s offseason game-plan is pretty simple and straight forward.  1) Re-sign VO. 2) Acquire a proven goalie. 3) Get a veteran D to match with Power.  After those the rest is gravy.  Does he try to upgrade Girgensons as KO’s center? Does he sign Vinnie?  How much does he pay to re-sign UPL and Bryson? Does he extend TNT and or Okposo before the season.  

 

[thewookie1]

  On 4/25/2022 at 11:57 PM, Norcal said:

He's had two decent seasons already, his first two.

He's been good in the games i've seen him in.

What makes you say that? 

Or what would u offer?

 

Expand  

I probably wouldn't trade UPL, replacing 1 goalie prospect with a slightly older one doesn't make me feel any better about our situation. 

[Taro T]

  On 4/26/2022 at 1:07 AM, thewookie1 said:

I probably wouldn't trade UPL, replacing 1 goalie prospect with a slightly older one doesn't make me feel any better about our situation. 

Expand  

Really hoping in the GMs EoS PC that somebody asks Adams why UPL was kept in Ra-cha-cha through the entire stretch run.  Expecting it has to do w/ only having 1 non-emergency callup left, and they wanted him the be Ra-cha-cha's playoff goalie so he couldn’t get called up a day before that roster freeze set, but that isn't a particularly satisfying reason.

[Weave]

  On 4/26/2022 at 12:59 AM, LGR4GM said:

I'm sorry but Krebs has done next to nothing to make me confident he's an nhl center. 

Expand  

I’ve stated in one of these threads that someone we all like is gonna be moved to fill a hole.  Mitts is an obvious possibility, but so is Krebs.  He could be flipped readily. Like you though, I’m not sure he’s shown enough to bring back the value we’re looking for.

[JohnC]

  On 4/25/2022 at 11:49 PM, Brawndo said:

 

What LGR said, both Power and Dahlin have much better numbers away from Jokiharju. 
 

Expand  

Who has been paired with Power other than Joki? 

 

[Archie Lee]

On the topic of who will be paired with Power next year, my recollection is that Adams stated they were thinking of options and that they were considering external and internal candidates. I don’t think Adams ever specifically said he was planning to actively pursue a veteran to pair with Power. I don’t have a prediction, but I think some read more into Adams’s comments than what was actually said. 

[Carmel Corn]

  On 4/26/2022 at 12:40 AM, Broken Ankles said:

  Marty Biron makes the case for trading Mitts today on the Instigators. (Around 14 minute mark).  Speaks to the attractive AAV for two more years, and the Center position should be Tage/Cozen/Krebs. His position is the Sabres need to trade for a quality starting goaltender or defense.  Also considers the Salary Cap in two more years, when you have Krebs, Power and Dahlin needing new contracts as well.   Duffer was higher on moving Olofsson.  Claims the trade value is now at its pinnacle.  Both seems to agree that the Sabres need to make room for Quinn on the wing and probably need to move one player in a trade to secure another component. 

 

I feel like Mitts being a JB regime guy coupled with his cap number being so seductive to a team like Minnesota makes him the target in the offseason. 

Expand  

IDK - I'd personally like to see the Sabres continue to fortify their center spine and turn it into a position that has a deep talent base.  If they have too many centers, some can shift to wing.  We were so thin on center prospects and trading Mitts waters down our center depth.

[sabresparaavida]

  On 4/26/2022 at 1:50 AM, Carmel Corn said:

IDK - I'd personally like to see the Sabres continue to fortify their center spine and turn it into a position that has a deep talent base.  If they have too many centers, some can shift to wing.  We were so thin on center prospects and trading Mitts waters down our center depth.

Expand  

I agree, the only way I am going to deal Mitts is if we also brought in a good center in FA (Like Trocheck) unless we win the lottery and get Wright.