Sabres Sign Jason Zucker to a One Year 5 Million AAV Deal

[DarthEbriate]

Five million? We could almost buy our own ship for that.

[...]

1 minute ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

The guy had 34 pts last year, including 14 goals. It’s about a $1 mill over payment. 

He'll be expected to move between the second and fourth lines, depending on need. KA: "guys who can do that don't come cheap."

[msw2112]

$5M was an overpay, but it's only for 1 year, so it has no long-term salary cap implications.  The guy is a solid veteran player who has played a long time in the league, scored some goals, plays a solid 2-way game and has playoff experience.   He's exactly what the team needed.  If the team makes the playoffs this season, it will be easier to sign guys in the future to more reasonable contracts.

For those of us who were born and raised in Buffalo, and those who have lived there/live there now, we know what a great place it is.  Many Sabres players agree and make it there permanent home after their Sabres career ends.  That said, to convince someone unfamiliar with the area to choose to come to the city, and to play for a team with the longest playoff drought in professional sports history, the team is going to have to overpay.  The Bills suffered that problem for years.  Then, they put a competent coaching staff and front office in place, drafted a great QB, started winning games and making the playoffs every year, and now they have no problem signing guys.  If the Sabres can turn it around, the same will happen.

[Archie Lee]

Just now, LTS said:

Theoretically... assuming he has any interest in signing in Buffalo. Perhaps he has no interest.

Maybe.  We'll see what he ends up signing for elsewhere.  Hard for me to imagine he wouldn't take a 5x5 to sign here.  That would be an overpay, but he would make us better now than Zucker will make us, and you can figure out next year...next year. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

1 minute ago, ... said:

He'll be expected to move between the second and fourth lines, depending on need. KA: "guys who can do that don't come cheap."

Good thing he traded Mitts.  Don’t want a guy who can play lines 1-3 at center or wing.

Edited July 1 by GASabresIUFAN

[Thorner]

Just now, Archie Lee said:

Maybe.  We'll see what he ends up signing for elsewhere.  Hard for me to imagine he wouldn't take a 5x5 to sign here.  That would be an overpay, but he would make us better now than Zucker will make us, and you can figure out next year...next year. 

I agree they still seemed focused on the LT cap 

[WhenWillItEnd66]

Ok, this is a waste .... serious overpay.... not even a good player.  It's this what our franchise has fallen to?? 

[Derrico]

1 minute ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Good thing he traded Mitts.  Don’t want a guy who can play lines 1-3 at center or wing.

Sure but then we’re in that D market instead no?  Some pretty ‘interesting’ D signings today that I’m glad we’re not having to partake in. 

[triumph_communes]

Zucker is a good veteran with an injury history but only signed to one year. These guys always go for the 2-4 year anchor contracts and we got him on one.  If his wheels fall off who cares. You really can’t hate this deal

[Thorner]

Just now, triumph_communes said:

Zucker is a good veteran with an injury history but only signed to one year. These guys always go for the 2-4 year anchor contracts and we got him on one.  If his wheels fall off who cares. You really can’t hate this deal

Agree. Another deal that’s totally fine, but nonetheless leaves the sum total appearing lacking 

At least for now 

[That Aud Smell]

The complaining about an overpay really makes no sense.

We're agreed that the Sabres have to overpay for quality NHL UFAs.

This is an overpay. But not a crazy one.

[GASabresIUFAN]

1 minute ago, Derrico said:

Sure but then we’re in that D market instead no?  Some pretty ‘interesting’ D signings today that I’m glad we’re not having to partake in. 

I’m not sure we would be.  He planned on re-signing Joki and Johnson looks ready for 3rd pair duty.  

[...]

2 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Good thing he traded Mitts.  Don’t want a guy who can play lines 1-3 at center or wing.

In a grotesque way, I'm kind of glad this is how that transformation occurs. I maintain that committing to Mitts would have been the wrong move for this Sabres roster. 

[RochesterExpat]

Low risk contract since it's one year, but it's definitely an overpayment. Doesn't matter if we can't use the rest of the cap room to bring anyone else in. I'm fine with it.

[sabrefanday1]

does not score as much as Grigs did he? We replace Skinner, VO and Grigs (like 50 goals) with 4th liners...can't wait for next season already said no one

[Justin C]

3 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

The complaining about an overpay really makes no sense.

We're agreed that the Sabres have to overpay for quality NHL UFAs.

This is an overpay. But not a crazy one.

Right? If it was 3 years at the price I would hate. One year? Whatever

[GASabresIUFAN]

Just now, ... said:

In a grotesque way, I'm kind of glad this is how that transformation occurs. I maintain that committing to Mitts would have been the wrong move for this Sabres roster. 

Who is your 3rd line center?  Krebs? Kulich? Savoie? Bob the Builder? Do those guys make the Sabres better than with Mitts?  

[Sidc3000]

18 minutes ago, #freejame said:

lol what a ***** joke. He’s a good fourth liner on a playoff team. 

But the Sabres are not a playoff team. Instant promotion for him and pad his retirement 

[thewookie1]

Overpaid for 1 year, not really anything to wring your hands over

[LGR4GM]

Just now, GASabresIUFAN said:

Who is your 3rd line center?  Krebs? Kulich? Savoie? Bob the Builder? Do those guys make the Sabres better than with Mitts?  

I think every post of yours is either Adams sucks or something about Mittelstadt

[GoPuckYourself]

Solid player when healthy who can play all over the bottom 6. 

[mjd1001]

Its not a big deal, but not sure what to think.  Can he still bring 20+ goals like he has in the past? or with age/injuries has he lost enough where that isn't possible?

If he can give you 16-22 goals with 15-17 minutes of ice time, I'm good with it, especially if only for 1 year.

I think he's here for the 3rd line with the possible ability to jump up to the 2nd line in case of injuries. He's not that fast, doesn't seem to have a reputation as a stellar defensive guy, will throw a couple hits but not a big part of his game either. I don't think he is the guy you want on a 4th line, he's 3rd line or bust.

Edited July 1 by mjd1001

[Sidc3000]

1 minute ago, thewookie1 said:

Overpaid for 1 year, not really anything to wring your hands over

Exactly. 

[Thorner]

14 minutes ago, Thorny said:

Krebs is 3C so far

- - - 

These additions look reasonable so far, we should have a good 4th line.

Im not sure I’d bet on additions beyond shoring up that line, though, tbh. We said the Skinner buyout only makes sense if they spend the money, 5 mil for Zucker will help get there 

 

[Rasmus_]

11 minutes ago, msw2112 said:

$5M was an overpay, but it's only for 1 year, so it has no long-term salary cap implications.  The guy is a solid veteran player who has played a long time in the league, scored some goals, plays a solid 2-way game and has playoff experience.   He's exactly what the team needed.  If the team makes the playoffs this season, it will be easier to sign guys in the future to more reasonable contracts.

For those of us who were born and raised in Buffalo, and those who have lived there/live there now, we know what a great place it is.  Many Sabres players agree and make it there permanent home after their Sabres career ends.  That said, to convince someone unfamiliar with the area to choose to come to the city, and to play for a team with the longest playoff drought in professional sports history, the team is going to have to overpay.  The Bills suffered that problem for years.  Then, they put a competent coaching staff and front office in place, drafted a great QB, started winning games and making the playoffs every year, and now they have no problem signing guys.  If the Sabres can turn it around, the same will happen.

You're thinking of a player from at least 3-4 years ago.  He was lost in translation last year.  Character and grit are fine with players like Lafferty, settling for trash like this is why we're going to miss the playoffs again.