Sabres Trade Deadline 2023 Discussion

[matter2003]

15 hours ago, Taro T said:

Why not if it's on an expiring contract?

The cap space, which the Sabres have in spades, will have 0 value before April is a memory.

A 7th rounder might become the next Olofsson and a 5th rounder might become the next Miller.  (Neither is likely, but there's value in either draft pick that will remain beyond the next 90 days.)

I mean I guess if the other team is holding onto salary.

[Digger]

I'm guessing any changes coming will happen at the draft rather than at the trade deadline this year.  Of course Adams needs to be talking and listening but the prices are generally pretty high at the deadline with GM's desperate to win the Cup or at least keep their job with trades.  I don't think the Sabres should trade their 1st this year even with the improved prospect pool.  Maybe the right deal comes around but we will see.

[Taro T]

2 hours ago, matter2003 said:

I mean I guess if the other team is holding onto salary.

Wait a sec.  You're OK with the Sabres trading away picks for cap space but not the other way round?  That makes no sense.  Maybe you meant something else?

The Sabres have over $15MM in cap space this season.  That is an asset that a team close to the cap might want to try to access either by dumping a vet or getting help acquiring a deadline piece of their own puzzle.  And the Sabres should be interested in hearing them out because that cap space vaporizes as the final horn blows after the 82nd game (currently the makeup game vs the BJs).

The actual cash out of pocket to the owners is immaterial to us and for a player w/out a signing bonus will only be about 1/4 of the face value of the money owed this season & if that player had a signing bonus it would be even less.  As long as the player is on an expiring contract, the Sabres should be interested in almost anything (even if the player goes to a rival, just extract a bigger premium to work w/ them) and if the player is under contract another year they should still talk but should extract a premium for that as well.

Don't want anyone still under contract next year & would consider a 2 year or longer cap eat a nonstarter.

Edited January 22, 2023 by Taro T

[tom webster]

Question for everyone with the deadline coming up.

Besides an upgrade at defense, if all forwards stay healthy, the likely positions to be upgraded for playoffs would be Quinn, JJP and maybe Krebs if a strong, defensive center, adept at face offs is available.

Would you rather have the 3 kids play or sit during the playoffs?

[GASabresIUFAN]

6 minutes ago, tom webster said:

Question for everyone with the deadline coming up.

Besides an upgrade at defense, if all forwards stay healthy, the likely positions to be upgraded for playoffs would be Quinn, JJP and maybe Krebs if a strong, defensive center, adept at face offs is available.

Would you rather have the 3 kids play or sit during the playoffs?

At this point, there maybe only one position that KA might upgrade and that is Bryson’s.  No way he sits the kids.  His stated goal is development, the kids have to play in the playoffs if the team makes it just to get the experience of playing in the playoffs.  

[tom webster]

7 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

At this point, there maybe only one position that KA might upgrade and that is Bryson’s.  No way he sits the kids.  His stated goal is development, the kids have to play in the playoffs if the team makes it just to get the experience of playing in the playoffs.  

I’m leaning this way as well although I could envision a scenario where they acquire a veteran and then rotate kids in. 
 

I’ll admit I’ve been surprised by the Jost, Casey and VO lines so I don’t expect any change’s except like you said, for Bryson.

[dudacek]

19 minutes ago, tom webster said:

Question for everyone with the deadline coming up.

Besides an upgrade at defense, if all forwards stay healthy, the likely positions to be upgraded for playoffs would be Quinn, JJP and maybe Krebs if a strong, defensive center, adept at face offs is available.

Would you rather have the 3 kids play or sit during the playoffs?

Play.

I have fully bought in to the learn by doing mantra — because it's working.

 

[GASabresIUFAN]

4 minutes ago, tom webster said:

I’m leaning this way as well although I could envision a scenario where they acquire a veteran and then rotate kids in. 
 

I’ll admit I’ve been surprised by the Jost, Casey and VO lines so I don’t expect any change’s except like you said, for Bryson.

Maybe KA uses the deadline to move on from Asplund and bring in a vet as the 13th forward who’d he be comfortable playing a regular shift in case of injury and who KA thinks he can retain next year and play next season in case Z or KO walk. Who that player could be, I have no idea.  Could we get Sam Lafferty from the Hawks?

[tom webster]

3 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Maybe KA uses the deadline to move on from Asplund and bring in a vet as the 13th forward who’d he be comfortable playing a regular shift in case of injury and who KA thinks he can retain next year and play next season in case Z or KO walk. Who that player could be, I have no idea.  Could we get Sam Lafferty from the Hawks?

I love Lafferty but I also think Asplund is here next year.

[Flashsabre]

I don’t think Adams makes any moves for vet rentals. His philosophy is to let the young kids grow through the process and experience and grow together.

[Taro T]

2 hours ago, tom webster said:

Question for everyone with the deadline coming up.

Besides an upgrade at defense, if all forwards stay healthy, the likely positions to be upgraded for playoffs would be Quinn, JJP and maybe Krebs if a strong, defensive center, adept at face offs is available.

Would you rather have the 3 kids play or sit during the playoffs?

 

2 hours ago, dudacek said:

Play.

I have fully bought in to the learn by doing mantra — because it's working.

 

Would've preferred they go the other way even into November of this year, but Granato has been playing the kids all along (w/ occasionally breaks here & there) and has gotten more out of them than almost anybody expected.  If he's good w/ the kids so should we be.

And how cool is it that there's only 1 week left in January and it's still a relevant question & not a complete hypothetical?

[MattPie]

On 1/22/2023 at 9:44 AM, GASabresIUFAN said:

Why would we help the Rags when were still competing for a playoff spot?  This scenario only comes into play if the Sabres significantly fall off the table in the next 4 weeks.  I don't that happening.  

In the last 13 games that Sabres have given up 3 or more goals 12 times, including 7 games of 4 or more.  Despite that they still have won 7 of those game although 4 in OT.  They are 7-5-1.  GF 45 GA GA 45.  Honestly, even with Bush healthy, if KA is serious about trying to make the playoffs this year (I don't think he is serious about it however), he needs to upgrade the defense sooner then later. 

At this point with the improved play from the 3rd line, I don't expect any real change at forward unless KO says he wants to be traded to a legit contender.  

 

On 1/22/2023 at 3:45 PM, Taro T said:

Wait a sec.  You're OK with the Sabres trading away picks for cap space but not the other way round?  That makes no sense.  Maybe you meant something else?

The Sabres have over $15MM in cap space this season.  That is an asset that a team close to the cap might want to try to access either by dumping a vet or getting help acquiring a deadline piece of their own puzzle.  And the Sabres should be interested in hearing them out because that cap space vaporizes as the final horn blows after the 82nd game (currently the makeup game vs the BJs).

The actual cash out of pocket to the owners is immaterial to us and for a player w/out a signing bonus will only be about 1/4 of the face value of the money owed this season & if that player had a signing bonus it would be even less.  As long as the player is on an expiring contract, the Sabres should be interested in almost anything (even if the player goes to a rival, just extract a bigger premium to work w/ them) and if the player is under contract another year they should still talk but should extract a premium for that as well.

Don't want anyone still under contract next year & would consider a 2 year or longer cap eat a nonstarter.

The interesting part about bringing in cap dumps is the Sabres would have to send down current players (who we're mostly pretty happy with right now) to make room on the roster. This would be easier if there were a couple injured players and AHL call-ups playing.

[GASabresIUFAN]

17 minutes ago, MattPie said:

 

The interesting part about bringing in cap dumps is the Sabres would have to send down current players (who we're mostly pretty happy with right now) to make room on the roster. This would be easier if there were a couple injured players and AHL call-ups playing.

As I mentioned up thread, I think the way KA would play the cap dump would be to use our cap space to help another team fit a big trade under their cap.  For that we'd be given a prospect or draft pick.

The example of how this would work would be Carolina wants to acquire Meier from SJ, but can't fit his 6 mill cap figure under their cap limits.  SJ eat s 50% (3 mill) and then trade Meier to us.  We eat another 50% (1.5 mill) and then complete the trade to Carolina.  Therefore Carolina gets Meier for a 1.5 mill cap hit in the end.  Carolina gives SJ their 1st and a good prospect (plus maybe a cap dump forward like Stepan) and we'd get Carolina's 2nd rd pick or SJ's 3rd.  Obviously who knows what the exact terms would be, but the deal would function some like this.

Carolina did a similar trade last year to get Max Domi at the deadline. 

https://www.jacketscannon.com/2022/3/21/22989703/max-domi-traded-to-carolina-hurricanes-columbus-blue-jackets-2022-nhl-trade-deadline-aiden-hreschuk

 

Edited January 25, 2023 by GASabresIUFAN

[Taro T]

19 minutes ago, MattPie said:

 

The interesting part about bringing in cap dumps is the Sabres would have to send down current players (who we're mostly pretty happy with right now) to make room on the roster. This would be easier if there were a couple injured players and AHL call-ups playing.

No, they send the cap dump(s) down.  They'd only be getting brought in for futures.  If they're not going to play the futures (and you can't play a 2024 4th round pick in 2023), no need to play the trash.

And if somebody grabs them off the waiver wire, awesome.  The team isn't even out the cash for the picks.

[GASabresIUFAN]

The Meier and McCabe rumors beg the question if KA was going to "go for it"  what are our biggest needs?

Goaltending? top 4 D? depth D? power forward? faceoff specialist? 

[Thorner]

6 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

The Meier and McCabe rumors beg the question if KA was going to "go for it"  what are our biggest needs?

Goaltending? top 4 D? depth D? power forward? faceoff specialist? 

BPA 

(salary, term, age, inclusive within) 

[Porous Five Hole]

7 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

The Meier and McCabe rumors beg the question if KA was going to "go for it"  what are our biggest needs?

Goaltending? top 4 D? depth D? power forward? faceoff specialist? 

I’ll take a new partner for Boosh please. A 4/5 D type who can act as injury insurance in case Joki breaks again. 
 

Other than that, roll with the kids and let them get this experience playing important minutes and under pressure. They’ll be better for it in the long run.  
 

If there’s an injury up front, insert Krebs and call up Aspy to the fourth line.  No forward blockers please.  

[dudacek]

I don't agree at all with the idea that making a Meier-type deal is outside Adams' style.

IMO, one of the reasons he's been hoarding cap space and assets instead of spending them on the Ben Chairots and David Perrons of the world is to keep his powder dry for those times the Timo Meiers and Jakub Chychruns become available.

He's not against acquiring good players, they just have to fit in with the rest of what he's building.

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, dudacek said:

I don't agree at all with the idea that making a Meier-type deal is outside Adams' style.

IMO, one of the reasons he's been hoarding cap space and assets instead of spending them on the Ben Chairots and David Perrons of the world is to keep his powder dry for those times the Timo Meiers and Jakub Chychruns become available.

He's not against acquiring good players, they just have to fit in with the rest of what he's building.

Meier would be a terrific addition. But the issue that would make a deal for him challenging is the near term cap implications. In the not too distant future, Dahlin is going to get maximum money. And Cozens will also get a sizeable deal when his contract comes up. Based on Power's projected play he will eventually be in the gilded contract category. I just don't see a Meier deal materializing for Buffalo. 

I haven't heard about the McCabe rumors. But if there is substance to those whispers, he would be an excellent addition that would solidify that unit. Pairing him with Lybushkin would make a lot of sense. That would be our rugged pair. And if need be he would also be able to move up and be a good partner for Power. 

[Buffalonill]

I honestly hope they do nothing why should you mess up the great  Chemistry in the locker room .

I believe this team right now will go pretty far in the playoffs as is.

[Brawndo]

 

[Porous Five Hole]

I’ve been an advocate of letting the kids play up a role and leaving the top six alone for the stretch run. But the Cozens injury made me realize how vulnerable the Sabres are to a long term injury.
 

With all the cap space available, I’m ready to “disrupt” the chemistry with a shot at a pending UFA forward acquisition for the stretch run. 

Assuming the cost this year is the same as last year at the deadline, Claude Giroux cost Owen Tippett, a first-round pick 2024 or 2025, and a third-round pick. 
This is the equivalent to Jost, a first rounder in two or three years, and a third round pick. 
 

It may cost more for Pat Kane (UFA) or Brock Boeser (who has term remaining) than the Giroux cost, but it should be close and I’m firmly in the camp that it’s time.   
 

A move like this isn’t cost prohibitive to the rebuild, and no one has to eat salary for us (potentially reducing cost to acquire). 

I think Buffalo should be a buyer and not a passenger at the deadline.

While goaltending isn’t a strength on this roster, I don’t think anyone would be excited about playing the Sabres in a playoff series (this team can score). And what if UPL or any tender got hot??

Theres room on this roster and on the cap to acquire. And if it pushes Peterka to the third line to be a problem for an opponent, well then even better. 

[Contempt]

At this point, all I want is another defensive D-man.  If they can make a hockey trade for Mitts I'm listening but I need to know what it's for.  If they can make a hockey trade for Skinner I'm also listening because I want out from under that contract if possible and he's Robin, not Batman.  I don't think either of those things will happen.  Olofsson I'm neither here nor there about.  I like his shot obviously and that will always have value to a team on a PP unit.  I feel like he's not a guy we will be re-signing long term though so if there's a deal to be made involving him to make the team better and open a spot for one of the kids I'm ok with it.  It may be that he just walks at the end of the day but I don't like that asset management.

My issue with the deadline is IMO, making the playoffs will be huge for this team mentally and the experience everyone will gain from playing meaningful games through March and into April will be massive.  This is why I'm not moving guys for strictly futures.  If it's hockey deal that helps us now AND later then yeah let's do it.  If it's just moving people to gather more picks or guys that won't be NHL ready for 2-3 years then I'm not interested.  The only exception to that is Anderson and it's ONLY if Anderson wants to be moved.  Even with that you wouldn't be doing it for what you're getting back, you're doing it for the lineup flexibility.  KNowing that it's might be worthwhile to keep Anderson around as insurance.

If Terry wants to spend some money to facilitate cap dumps for guys that we then send to Rochester on waivers in order to acquire something worthwhile then go for it. However, we've talked about that LOTS of times and it doesn't really ever seem to happen.

[PerreaultForever]

On 1/27/2023 at 10:40 AM, Buffalonill said:

I honestly hope they do nothing why should you mess up the great  Chemistry in the locker room .

I believe this team right now will go pretty far in the playoffs as is.

I agree, team chemistry is important and this team has developed some bonds. 

idk if they can "go pretty far" but I could see them pulling a first round upset against the Bruins with their speed. If we make the playoffs, Granato needs to watch and copy the Carolina game from today. Old Bruins are hopeless against that sort of tenacious speed. 

[GoPuckYourself]

I think it will be an interesting deadline for us, I think we'll deal Vinny Hinistroza. Also does this organization think Ryan Johnson/Erik Portillo will sign here? If not can we ship them out for picks or a player/players? I'd love a big, nasty defensemen like Luke Schenn (VAN), he's 32 but only counts 750K against the cap, blocks shots, kills penalties, Leads NHL in hits with 230 (Next best is 199) is a defensive defensemen and are the types of guys that Stanley Cup teams have. I'd also like to add a big winger and C in the bottom 6 like a Nick Ritchie (24th in hits) who is a 2.5M cap hit, the Coyotes certainly wont be asking for a 1st round pick for him. Just adding those 2 players could add another element to our team. Adding Schenn would replace Bryson and adding Ritchie would replace Asplund.