Sens sign Tarasenko 1 year $5 million...

[Pimlach]

51 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

I rest my case.

You don’t have a case.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, Buffalonill said:

I think Some fans Are undervaluing what quinn was gonna bring this year.

He was gonna go off.

Now we have to wait a full year for him to fully recover 

OK.  What does that have to do with your earlier post and the reply to it?

[Taro T]

32 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

You don’t have a case.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

He could always go to the corner store to pick one up.  Hearing that Bud Light is pretty inexpensive these days.  😉

[Buffalonill]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

OK.  What does that have to do with your earlier post and the reply to it?

You made it seem it's easy to replace jack Quinn. 

But if I looked at that wong I apologize 

[nfreeman]

On 7/27/2023 at 10:42 PM, Buffalonill said:

Embarrassing he would have been a great replacement for jack Quinn. 

Adams just away from the summer that doesn’t give a ***** 

I too have always liked Tarasenko’s game and would’ve been psyched if KA had signed him on this deal.  But it’s far from embarrassing.

Your 2nd sentence is just gibberish. Again – don’t waste other people’s time like this.
 

On 7/28/2023 at 12:11 AM, TheAud said:

I might be, I have always liked Tarasenko and he has had some injuries. But I would go for the upside and experience on a 1-year bet.

It was only the season before last that he put up 34g and 48a in 75 games, his 6th season over 30 goals. He'll turn 32 this season which isn't by any means young, but guys with elite talent like Tarasenko can often be productive well into their 30's. And a guy who scored between 33 and 40 goals every year for 5 seasons (2014-15 through 2018-19) is, or was, elite. 

Maybe Olofsson will score more this year, but his best goal scoring season last year at 28 would be Tarasenko's 7th best season, and unlike VO:

• He's no Selke contender but I believe Tarasenko plays something that resembles defense
• He has 44 goals in 97 NHL playoff games...something that might be nice to have on the team come next Spring 

Doesn't matter...KA isn't going to make a move like this anyway. 
 

good stuff here.  I’ve generally been a supporter of VO’s but he’s nowhere near Tarasenko’s level.  
 

On 7/28/2023 at 9:27 AM, DarthEbriate said:

I agree Tarasenko would've been an excellent fill-in for Quinn.

But if I'm Tarasenko, why would I go to a team where my playing time is going to be significantly cut at New Year's if all goes according to plan? He chose Ottawa because DeBrincat is gone; if DeBrincat is coming back halfway through the year Tarasenko likely goes elsewhere.

For him, this season is a "get top minutes" on a hopeful team and then next season when some contender caps shuffle (Boston) or the cap goes up, go take either one final good contract with term or start hunting for mid-/bottom- six jobs on contenders to pad the trophy case and legacy.

I agree on the PT and opportunity factors, and would also point out that Ottawa has 2 Russians on the roster while the Sabres have zero.  

EDIT:  I forgot about Loobie!

 

On 7/28/2023 at 9:55 AM, Pimlach said:

But Terry is apparently on board with Adams and the pace, so he could miss the playoffs again and still get another year.  
 

Terry sees Adams as a guy who will do what he wants,  just like he did with Boterill until he would not.   I would be shocked if was fired.  It would likely mean that Adams and he were no longer lock step. 

 

I agree with most of this, but I don’t think KA is a yes-man so much as he just knows how to manage his boss.   I also don’t think that TP’s reason for hiring him was that he thought he was getting a yes-man.  
 

 

On 7/28/2023 at 12:43 PM, FrenchConnection44 said:

It is true that teams often over-value prospects. But it's hard to say. It all depends on the player for whom they are trading. 

If a player Adams' wants to trade for is a borderline top 4 D or borderline top 6 forward or a goalie who would barely be an upgrade, then he shouldn't give up a top tier prospect like Kulich. It all comes down, imo, to the player for whom we would be trading. And it also depends on the long term prospects of the player for whom we trade. Is it a one year loaner? Or a guy who will be here for the next 6 years? And there are variables out of his control. Frankly, some cities and franchises have greater appeal to certain players than others. New York, LA, Chicago, Nashville, even Raleigh, et al have significant appeal. 

 

I agree with this. I'm more patient with Adams than some fans on here because he has done really well, imo, accumulating talent. I don't want to sell out just to squeeze into the playoffs and lose. Nor do I want to switch gears with an entirely new GM who goes in a different direction. I've been following this team since 1970 and some heartbreaking losses ('75 and '99 in particular). But I haven't felt this positive in a long time. This team has some elements that remind me of the early 70's Sabres teams (high scoring talented forwards; added a couple of young defensemen; and a veteran). 

I do have hopes for a playoff appearance but not a big run there - as long as we are healthy.  Adams also needs to get Dahlin and Power under new deals. That too is crucial. 

I am more concerned about having a strong team for 4-5 plus years to make a consistent run in the playoffs a-la Tampa Bay. I really like what they've done and how they've done it. They had a losing record in 2012-13; but had strong youth similar to Buffalo - though they had a solid vet goaltender in Ben Bishop in those early years - a key difference between them and us at this stage - and built a strong playoff run: 9 out of the last 10 years; played in the Finals 4x; 2 Cups. 

But their losing team in 2012-13 was not too different in its core than Buffalo is right now. A young goalie with potential - it took him 4 years from his draft (3 yrs at the NHL level) to become their true #1 starter. In their first playoff year (13-14) - they were swept 4-0 in the first round. But their core, Hedman, Stamkos, Johnson, Gudas, were each 23; Palat was 22; Kucherov wasn't yet a star and was 20. Vasilevskiy was 19 and not on the roster til the following year. And then they added other young players from their system (Cirelli; Point; etc.).

That's the kind of run I want to see from this team and the young talent is there (as opposed to trying to patch together a mixture that won't last just to get into the playoffs). Much of it will come down to the goaltending play. Of course, you need veterans to mix in and make the right trades at the right time. Hopefully, that will come. But this is not, imo, a Cup-winning roster - yet. Not all the prospects in Buffalo's system will make it. But the quantity and quality are such that I feel pretty confident that there are 3-4-5 who will be very good players and fit in nicely on the roster in the next 2-5 seasons. 

So I'm for Adams remaining on for at least two if not 10 more years. If goaltending holds up the core of this team has the potential to be strong for 8-10 years. And hopefully, other veterans (maybe a goalie to split time with Levi) will see the potential of winning a cup and come our way. 

 

 

This is a great post.  

[Buffalonill]

2 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

I too have always liked Tarasenko’s game and would’ve been psyched if KA had signed him on this deal.  But it’s far from embarrassing.

Your 2nd sentence is just gibberish. Again – don’t waste other people’s time like this.
 

I agree on the PT and opportunity factors, and would also point out that Ottawa has 2 Russians on the roster while the Sabres have zero.  

 

 

I agree with most of this, but I don’t think KA is a yes-man so much as he just knows how to manage his boss.   I also don’t think that TP’s reason for hiring him was that he thought he was getting a yes-man.  
 

 

This is a great post.  

Had too much rum&coke mixed with just looking a credit  bills will do that .

 

Edited July 28, 2023 by Buffalonill

[tom webster]

4 hours ago, matter2003 said:

We just watched Murray try this and fall flat on his face which led to needing another rebuild since all the prospects were gone and he had nothing left in the cupboards...

 

Fair enough and he has the talent coming up where he doesn't feel the need to.

There is a large gap between repricating what Murray did and doing what Adams appears to be content with doing.

[Huckleberry]

10 hours ago, Curt said:

Losing Norris for 74 games was a big blow for them last season.  They didn’t have their 1C coming off a 35 goal season for basically the whole season.

Also, Chychrun.  They added him but he only played 12 games for them.  Hard to imagine he will play close to a full season, but I’d imagine they will have him for 50 games this season.

So they are also adding a top 6 C and a top-4 D to their lineup, and they should get continued development improvements from some young guys.  They should be improved over last season..

Yeah but we are not getting worse either, I think Clifton is an uderrated signing.   Greenway might surprise us next year.

Goalie with Levi is a question mark for the entire league, but I believe in him.   Personally I think Comrie might make a good back up this year.

[Curt]

Just now, Huckleberry said:

Yeah but we are not getting worse either, I think Clifton is an uderrated signing.   Greenway might surprise us next year.

Goalie with Levi is a question mark for the entire league, but I believe in him.   Personally I think Comrie might make a good back up this year.

Yeah, sure.  Sabres should be better too but I’m not sure if it will be to the same degree as Ottawa.

Them adding a legit top 6 C and top 4 D is tough to match.  Losing Quinn hurts.

[Randall Flagg]

On 7/27/2023 at 11:20 PM, Randall Flagg said:

I'm going to look at 1 or 2 major outlets that do these rankings every year, check the histories, and see what the teams do after finishing 1 (or maybe top 3)

This might not happen

[PerreaultForever]

18 hours ago, Huckleberry said:

This is like 2022 summer all over again and where did they end up ? Only thing I liked from both summers was adding debrincat.

Could be the same, but just because you got it wrong one year (or something else went wrong) doesn't mean you get it wrong the next year. There's some solid adds on those teams and Ottawa especially also has a number of young guys who could have breakout years. Hard to say.

[mjd1001]

11 hours ago, Curt said:

Yeah, sure.  Sabres should be better too but I’m not sure if it will be to the same degree as Ottawa.

Them adding a legit top 6 C and top 4 D is tough to match.  Losing Quinn hurts.

Ottawa is better, but I think Tarasenko is a slight step back from Debrincat.  You needed to replace him, but at this point in Tarasenko's career and with his health lately, he is for sure 1/2 step back.  I do agree that I am more worried about Ottawa than I am about Detroit.  Both have an advantage over the Sabres as they have been adding more Vets that are ready to compete "right now" while the Sabres are still sticking to youth/status quo a bit more.  I do like the Sabres plan more...although It wouldn't surprise me if Ottawa jumps the Sabres in the standings (at least for a year).  

[DarthEbriate]

6 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

Ottawa is better, but I think Tarasenko is a slight step back from Debrincat.  You needed to replace him, but at this point in Tarasenko's career and with his health lately, he is for sure 1/2 step back.  I do agree that I am more worried about Ottawa than I am about Detroit.  Both have an advantage over the Sabres as they have been adding more Vets that are ready to compete "right now" while the Sabres are still sticking to youth/status quo a bit more.  I do like the Sabres plan more...although It wouldn't surprise me if Ottawa jumps the Sabres in the standings (at least for a year).  

Tarasenko won't replace DeBrincat's scoring straight up, but if Norris is back and healthy the top 6 will be better overall. Chychrun for an entire season is a positive. And an underrated acquisition: swapping Talbot for Korpisalo in the lineup should be helpful, especially since they kept Forsberg. With health and average-to-good goaltending they'll be a 90-110 point team, just like the Sabres. 

[matter2003]

15 hours ago, tom webster said:

There is a large gap between repricating what Murray did and doing what Adams appears to be content with doing.

 

With so many young players the majority of the improvement should be expected to come from them gaining experience and improving...sort of like what happened with Tage and Cozens and Dahlin...can expect that next season with Power and Peterka and I would have said Quinn but unsure how the injury will impact him this year...Peterka was named the best forward at the World's this year..that is no small feat.

Filling in around them is what he should be doing not looking to bring big ticket players in unless there is a major need that he doesn't have covered 

Edited July 29, 2023 by matter2003

[Curt]

3 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

Tarasenko won't replace DeBrincat's scoring straight up

Honestly, he might.  Debrincat didn’t have a particularly good season for them.  27 goals, 66 points.  Tarasenko had injuries last season but put up 34-82 in 2020-21.

[dudacek]

11 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

Could be the same, but just because you got it wrong one year (or something else went wrong) doesn't mean you get it wrong the next year. There's some solid adds on those teams and Ottawa especially also has a number of young guys who could have breakout years. Hard to say.

The biggest difference between Buffalo and Ottawa on paper is the prospect pool, Buffalo’s remains strong while Ottawa’s has mostly graduated.

Their NHL rosters look similar enough at this point that a few surprise or disappointing individual performances could tilt the balance in either direction.

Stutzle and Tkachuk are studs. Sanderson is going to be very good. Norris is back. I suspect each team will be a thorn in each other’s sides for years to come.

[tom webster]

1 hour ago, matter2003 said:

 

With so many young players the majority of the improvement should be expected to come from them gaining experience and improving...sort of like what happened with Tage and Cozens and Dahlin...can expect that next season with Power and Peterka and I would have said Quinn but unsure how the injury will impact him this year...Peterka was named the best forward at the World's this year..that is no small feat.

Filling in around them is what he should be doing not looking to bring big ticket players in unless there is a major need that he doesn't have covered 

There is one major need(goalie) and a couple of important (in my mind) pieces. 

[Sabres Fan in NS]

On 7/27/2023 at 9:05 PM, tom webster said:

Again, all these pats on the back for him standing pat with his plan flies in the face of what I know to be true. He has tried, and failed to improve the team this off-season. Players have refused to wave, he has placed a higher value on his prospects, teams have asked for more then he perceives as value, other teams paid more then he wanted.

Bottom line, if the team enters this season as currently constituted, it won’t be because Kevyn wanted it that way, it will be because he couldn’t make anything happen. 
Don’t get me wrong. This doesn’t necessarily mean they will fail. Some of the best deals teams persue are ones they don’t complete. It just means that he knows this team needs improvement but hasn’t been able to address it.

He has improved the D, which needed to be done.  G is a question that will be answered as the season progresses.  F is pretty well set.

[tom webster]

38 minutes ago, Sabres Fan in NS said:

He has improved the D, which needed to be done.  G is a question that will be answered as the season progresses.  F is pretty well set.

I still don’t like Jost being a top 12. He was great considering he was free last year but I would be more comfortable if he was just depth and insurance in case Krebs doesn’t develop.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

3 minutes ago, tom webster said:

I still don’t like Jost being a top 12. He was great considering he was free last year but I would be more comfortable if he was just depth and insurance in case Krebs doesn’t develop.

Good point.  I think he will be pushed this year and I do think that a 1 year at 2.5 is pricy for an insurance type guy.  I think he was rewarded for being a good soldier and KA had the cap space.  I think Jost is unlikely to be back next season, but if he is he will hopefully be at least #13 or more on the depth chart.  He is an NHL player though.  They brought him back instead of Hiney-Stroka.

[PerreaultForever]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

The biggest difference between Buffalo and Ottawa on paper is the prospect pool, Buffalo’s remains strong while Ottawa’s has mostly graduated.

Their NHL rosters look similar enough at this point that a few surprise or disappointing individual performances could tilt the balance in either direction.

Stutzle and Tkachuk are studs. Sanderson is going to be very good. Norris is back. I suspect each team will be a thorn in each other’s sides for years to come.

Regarding the prospect pool, that's not wrong, but I'm only concerned with this season coming and who makes the playoffs first. After that, we MIGHT get better but that's next year's off season discussion. 

Eventually I think Power will be better than Sanderson, but Sanderson is more developed now. He could very well fully break out this year. They are built better for the playoffs, we are built slightly better for the regular season. We will see who gets there first. The pivotal point for me is the goaltending. We are banking on a rookie and they are banking on a free agent signing. I personally think Korpisalo could be the difference but it's just a hunch and I could be wrong. If he gets hurt and Levi can handle the load, then maybe we end up ahead of them. 

I'm sure most of us remember Hasek beating Ottawa in the playoffs. Maybe Levi gives us that again one day. 

[dudacek]

52 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

Regarding the prospect pool, that's not wrong, but I'm only concerned with this season coming and who makes the playoffs first. After that, we MIGHT get better but that's next year's off season discussion. 

Eventually I think Power will be better than Sanderson, but Sanderson is more developed now. He could very well fully break out this year. They are built better for the playoffs, we are built slightly better for the regular season. We will see who gets there first. The pivotal point for me is the goaltending. We are banking on a rookie and they are banking on a free agent signing. I personally think Korpisalo could be the difference but it's just a hunch and I could be wrong. If he gets hurt and Levi can handle the load, then maybe we end up ahead of them. 

I'm sure most of us remember Hasek beating Ottawa in the playoffs. Maybe Levi gives us that again one day. 

They aren't bigger, aren't more experienced, aren't more battle proven, aren't faster, aren't more competitive, aren't deeper...?

Where's does this come from?

[Curt]

14 minutes ago, dudacek said:

They aren't bigger, aren't more experienced, aren't more battle proven, aren't faster, aren't more competitive, aren't deeper...?

Where's does this come from?

They have a Tkachuk.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

1 minute ago, Curt said:

They have a Tkachuk.

So does FLA.  Got them to the cup, but not the cup.  That's real close, but still just a cusp @PASabreFan

[matter2003]

4 hours ago, tom webster said:

There is one major need(goalie) and a couple of important (in my mind) pieces. 

Levi should take care of that, IMHO. He was already a far better option than anything we had before him. Sabres would have made the playoffs by at least 10 points last year if he was our full time goalie from the start of the season.

Edited July 29, 2023 by matter2003