2024-25 Trade Rumors and Speculation

[Taro T]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

David Jiricek is someone that intrigues me. 

 

2 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

For sure.

My two concerns with Jiricek are:

1) This team doesn't need to get younger on D at the moment, even if the ceiling of the top 4 would go through the roof in the next few seasons, and

2) If I recall correctly, he or his camp had some playing time/power play time concerns last season, while Werenski was out. Bringing him here behind Dahlin, Power, and potentially Byram... he'd have a serious uphill climb to PP time, even with his heavy shot.

Jiricek is someone that's right on Adams timeline and holy cow does the D look stacked in 2-3 years if they get him.  If he could be serviceable as a partner for Power today would be very happy to see them pull the trigger on a move like that.  Because right now, they are shy 1 top 4 D-man.  Whether people like Byram or not, he's at least legitimately top 4 in the offensvie end and in transition.

Expect that Adams would be looking for someone a bit more seasoned to help today; but all the moves he's made to date have been with Dahlin's timeline in mind and he'd be approaching his peak when Dahlin is firmly in his.  So, maybe Jiricek might be in his wheelhouse.

[Flashsabre]

Kulich for Jiricek

Kulich for Kreider

would people make those trades is they were on the table

Edited November 25 by Flashsabre

[mjd1001]

18 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

They’d want Quinn or Peterka and neither are available for a 33 year old with 9 goals but 0 assists with 2.5 more years at 6.5mil per. 

Kreider might be good for a year or so, but yeah, I'd not trade anything of substance for him.

-33, going to be 34 years old by the end of the year.

-Unless he has an injury, it Looks like he hit the same age-related wall Skinner hit last year for sure. If you look at his metrics, he was one of the fastest/best skaters in the league.  Last year his numbers skating were down (top speed and 'speed burts'). This year they are way down even from last year, and as a result he is not getting off as many shots.  He has zero assists and is getting off 10% less shots than last year.

-He's been a 'plus' player by quite a but over the last few years.  This year he is a 'minus' player on a plus team.

If the Rangers are looking to trade him, I'd be wary.  Just like the Sabres had first hand knowledge of Jeff Skinner 'hitting the wall' last year, because they saw him in practice every day, the Rangers have the same visibility on Kreider.

Did I mention he is turning 34 later this year, and is signed for 2 more years AFTER this year at $6.5 per?  

Again, put him on this team and he probably helps the team, but he isn't the player he was...and I think if you are patient, you can find a better fit that won't cost you as much for the next 2 years where that contract is going to be an anchor (you already have Skinner you are paying for, and remember his buyout accelerates to a higher number coming up)

I understand the desire to bring in veterans that can help the team now, but I really don't want anymore 'Skinner' type contracts.  I'm happy with a guy like Zucker.  Wait until the deadline and get another rental like him (or maybe better if you have the assets to trade.) In the mean time, keep looking for a 'hockey' trade where you can get a really good, veteran player closer to his prime even if it means more assets.

Edited November 25 by mjd1001

[krakensabr56390]

9 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

Kulich for Jiricek

Kulich for Kreider

would people make those trades is they were on the table

Absolutely not the 2nd and the 1st can be achieved with another less immediately impactful player/ pick 

I wouldn’t give up much at all for a declining kreider

Edited November 25 by krakensabr56390

[thewookie1]

If they just wanted him off the books; I’d send them our Russian who’s hiding in the KHL, our 2nd and Lafferty. 
 

Id see him as a solid add if garnered cheaply since he’s a net front menace with playoff experience coming out his ears. 
 

Otherwise his underlying decline in play would keep me unwilling from offering any sizable offer.

[EM88]

I haven't watched Trouba much lately, I'd be interested in him.

Kreider no way. If he was only signed for this year and it was a salary dump where I'd give them a mid level prospect then maybe.  But he is signed for 2 more years so that make it a no way for me. Others have also mentioned his play looks to be taking a deep slide in many metrics. The Rangers see this, they are looking for a sucker to unload him to.

I would take my chances that with the cap room and assets the Sabres have they will be in position as the year goes on leading to the deadline to make a better move than Kreider.

Edited November 25 by EM88

[ska-T Palmtown]

3 hours ago, JohnC said:

A second-line winger who can score and a stay-at-home defenseman would better round out this team. It would be such a bonus if Quinn can regain his form. My concern about him this season is that it is not unusual for a player who suffered a serious leg to take an added year after healing to get the zip back to his legs. 

I'm not sure if I buy that considering he played just fine BOTH times he came back last year. I get the feeling this is the first time he as been asked to play in a complex system that even has the word "defense" near it. Not saying he can't do it - he just looks like he is over thinking a little. The west coast trip actually had a few flashes of the Quinn we need going forward. Also, perhaps it is The Cozens Effect? Two years ago, Cozens somehow played out of his mind and Quinn and JJP just sorta had to show up. This year JJ is with the big boys on line one and Quinn is with "not so great" Cozens and struggling. Causation? Correlation? A bit of both? 

[Scottysabres]

This is where I'd disagree, respectfully.

You've all watched as 13 seasons of pure carnage rolled through Sabres nation. Eichel, Reinhardt, ROR, Kane, and so many more.......

While the organization was busy grooming players for Cup series we fans here in Buffalo were left to eat the ashes that were left in that disaster. We've accumulated enough "future", or prospects if you will. More than enough. 

I don't know about ya'll, but I'm tired of waiting for the next waive of youts to collectively try the same old strategy. I'd like to see the organization progress to playoff appearances. Yes, I know it hurts to give up some "future" talent, but you have to give to get as the old adage goes and I'm old and grumpy now. So give it, get it and let's get this ship back in the fight.

All views expressed by Scotty are his own, no refunds after 30 days and.........Scotty is calling about your Hockey Teams extended warranty.

Make a trade or 2 and let's roll...

Go Sabres!!!

[PerreaultForever]

4 hours ago, msw2112 said:

I think we are agreeing more than you think.  My post praised Zucker and also the Savoie for McLeod trade.  What I said was that I didn't want to see the team make a "major deal" like trading off regular players like Cozens, Quinn, etc.  I also said that I'd be comfortable trading a 2nd round pick and/or additional lower picks to acquire some veteran players.

What I don't want to see is Adams blowing up the roster, now that we've FINALLY started to see some progress.  Other than Quinn (who may be coming along and still has a lot of upside), most of the younger players have improved this season and they seem to be getting used to Lindy's system.  Adding a couple of quality veterans for "prospects, picks or fringe players and not for key roster pieces" is fine, although I'd rather trade picks (and fringe players) than prospects.  The prospect pipeline is looking pretty good right now, so picks might be more valuable to a team that doesn't have a very deep prospect pool and could be flipped for veteran assets.

I think that the current team, with Lindy as coach, and with Thompson and Greenway coming back, is in a better position to MAKE the playoffs by a point or two rather the MISS by a point or two.  That said, success is fragile.  Despite a great game by Reimer the other night, if UPL goes down with a significant injury, a lot of this changes.  Levi will be sharper and better after playing regularly in Rochester, but I'm not sure that he and Reimer could get the job done.

One more thing to add is that the trade deadline is a long ways away.  We'll have a much better picture of what the team looks like by then.  Will they be buyers or sellers?  I don't know, but I'd like to see the current roster marinate with the new Ruff system for a little bit longer before shaking things up.  Bring in a veteran for a 2nd round pick?  Sure.  Blow it up by dealing major roster pieces - not what I want to see.

The problem with this is you aren't getting anything of impact value with a "2nd round pick". We don't need another Malenstyn, we need a 2C and a tough defensive defender. Those are the roster weak spots. 

I couldn't care less how many prospects we have any more. I want playoffs and I want them to do EVERYTHING possible to make that happen. End of the year I do not want to hear "we liked our progress, we are trying to build long term success, fans need to be patient" etc. Do it now. 

[PerreaultForever]

4 hours ago, Scottysabres said:

I've watched a good deal of Ranger games this past year and a half, Trouba is 100% not what this team needs in my most humbled opinion. He's not the Trouba of his past. 

Kreider? Ya, he's definitely the solid line 2 player, even at his age and with his contract, we should be somewhat aggressively targeting. You are correct in that his net front presence is exactly what we need. I'd give a roster player for him, Cozens, Quinn, along those lines. Yes I realize we're sacrificing long term for 2.5 seasons, but, let's be candid, not so much yourself but to others that read this. The Sabres cup of near or 2.5 seasons out roster ready youth floweth over. Kreider would be not just a "for wins now" move, he's an example setter by his mere play to be sure.

So, it is with that in mind, I'm all aboard that type of move train.

Trouba is not what he used to be, I'd agree with that, but I disagree that he isn't what we need. I think he'd make us better and allow the offensively skilled D we have to be more aggressive offensively. Kreider is a very good power forward no question. I am reluctant to give up Cozens, I'd rather give up prospects, but I'd probably do it. 

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, ska-T Chitown said:

I'm not sure if I buy that considering he played just fine BOTH times he came back last year. I get the feeling this is the first time he as been asked to play in a complex system that even has the word "defense" near it. Not saying he can't do it - he just looks like he is over thinking a little. The west coast trip actually had a few flashes of the Quinn we need going forward. Also, perhaps it is The Cozens Effect? Two years ago, Cozens somehow played out of his mind and Quinn and JJP just sorta had to show up. This year JJ is with the big boys on line one and Quinn is with "not so great" Cozens and struggling. Causation? Correlation? A bit of both? 

What I have seen from him in his play this year is distinctly different from before he got hurt. Maybe, he is just overthinking (as you noted) because the coach is requiring more two-way play than the prior coach did? I had high expectations on him before the season started. For whatever reason he hasn't come close to matching my expectations. I'm certainly not giving up on him. As I said in prior posts, patience is both a virtue and tough to deal with. If he can return to form, it will give the team a big boost.  

[mjd1001]

5 hours ago, msw2112 said:

I think we are agreeing more than you think.  My post praised Zucker and also the Savoie for McLeod trade.  What I said was that I didn't want to see the team make a "major deal" like trading off regular players like Cozens, Quinn, etc.  I also said that I'd be comfortable trading a 2nd round pick and/or additional lower picks to acquire some veteran players.

What I don't want to see is Adams blowing up the roster, now that we've FINALLY started to see some progress.  Other than Quinn (who may be coming along and still has a lot of upside), most of the younger players have improved this season and they seem to be getting used to Lindy's system.  Adding a couple of quality veterans for "prospects, picks or fringe players and not for key roster pieces" is fine, although I'd rather trade picks (and fringe players) than prospects.  The prospect pipeline is looking pretty good right now, so picks might be more valuable to a team that doesn't have a very deep prospect pool and could be flipped for veteran assets.

I think that the current team, with Lindy as coach, and with Thompson and Greenway coming back, is in a better position to MAKE the playoffs by a point or two rather the MISS by a point or two.  That said, success is fragile.  Despite a great game by Reimer the other night, if UPL goes down with a significant injury, a lot of this changes.  Levi will be sharper and better after playing regularly in Rochester, but I'm not sure that he and Reimer could get the job done.

One more thing to add is that the trade deadline is a long ways away.  We'll have a much better picture of what the team looks like by then.  Will they be buyers or sellers?  I don't know, but I'd like to see the current roster marinate with the new Ruff system for a little bit longer before shaking things up.  Bring in a veteran for a 2nd round pick?  Sure.  Blow it up by dealing major roster pieces - not what I want to see.

Agree with most of what you said.

I don't want to make a move now just because its available.  I'd rather wait for the 'right' move rather than the 'right now' move. There WILL be other guys on the market, there are every year.

[Flashsabre]

44 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

Trouba is not what he used to be, I'd agree with that, but I disagree that he isn't what we need. I think he'd make us better and allow the offensively skilled D we have to be more aggressive offensively. Kreider is a very good power forward no question. I am reluctant to give up Cozens, I'd rather give up prospects, but I'd probably do it. 

Giving up Cozens for Kreider and/or Trouba does nothing to help the roster.

Who is playing 2nd line centre?

Trouba is making $8 million and Kreider $6.5 million. How would that fit? And both have 15 team no trade contracts.

[Archie Lee]

I don’t think giving up Cozens in a deal for either Ranger makes us better. I do think that if you replaced Quinn and Jokiharju in our line-up with Krieder and Trouba, that we are just better. Cap-wise, the Rangers  would need to eat 1/2 of Trouba’s salary for it to work and we would need to add. I understand why some fans would not want to part with Quinn, and there would be real risk that he becomes the very good winger some were thinking he would be as soon as this year. But we would still have Peterka, Benson, Kulich, Rosen, Neuchev, Wahlberg, Östlund, Helenius…

No need to fret on this one though. It doesn’t work from multiple angles. Conceptually though: Quinn, Joker, ++, for Krieder and Trouba equivalents would be a positive move in my view. 

[PerreaultForever]

3 hours ago, Flashsabre said:

Giving up Cozens for Kreider and/or Trouba does nothing to help the roster.

Who is playing 2nd line centre?

Trouba is making $8 million and Kreider $6.5 million. How would that fit? And both have 15 team no trade contracts.

I said I would be reluctant to give up Cozens. Cozens was floated out there by the person I was replying to. I prefer to give up prospects and picks to make us better now. Take us over the top.

2 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

I don’t think giving up Cozens in a deal for either Ranger makes us better. I do think that if you replaced Quinn and Jokiharju in our line-up with Krieder and Trouba, that we are just better. Cap-wise, the Rangers  would need to eat 1/2 of Trouba’s salary for it to work and we would need to add. I understand why some fans would not want to part with Quinn, and there would be real risk that he becomes the very good winger some were thinking he would be as soon as this year. But we would still have Peterka, Benson, Kulich, Rosen, Neuchev, Wahlberg, Östlund, Helenius…

No need to fret on this one though. It doesn’t work from multiple angles. Conceptually though: Quinn, Joker, ++, for Krieder and Trouba equivalents would be a positive move in my view. 

If you make the playoffs and get back to legitimacy it doesn't matter if Quinn or the prospects you traded become "good" 2, 3 or 4 years later. We'd be in the playoffs and back on track with new prospects coming every year. You got to spend a little to get a little, that is not a problem at all. 

[Archie Lee]

5 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

I said I would be reluctant to give up Cozens. Cozens was floated out there by the person I was replying to. I prefer to give up prospects and picks to make us better now. Take us over the top.

If you make the playoffs and get back to legitimacy it doesn't matter if Quinn or the prospects you traded become "good" 2, 3 or 4 years later. We'd be in the playoffs and back on track with new prospects coming every year. You got to spend a little to get a little, that is not a problem at all. 

I generally agree. A GM in Adams’s position, with the # of high end prospects he has, needs to balance his own organizational intel on which of the prospects is most likely to emerge, with the demand that exists in the market. If you are only going to trade the prospects that your own intel suggests are longer shots to hit as good NHL players, you will limit the level of impact player that you can get in return. If you trade a prospect that your internal scouting is very high on, then there is increased risk that down the road people will question the decision. This is further complicated in Adams’s case, by the weight of 13 seasons out of the playoffs. Teams who are on rebuild #1 have the luxury of patiently projecting out what their contending roster and timeline looks like. When you are on rebuild two or three (like Ottawa, Detroit, Buffalo), the pressure to make the playoffs now is a real factor. 

On balance, the Sabres are well positioned to take some risk. If they trade the wrong kid, they still have enough young talent to soften the blow. I don’t think they should be reckless, but they should not be afraid of the long-term consequences of trading a player like Quinn or any of their players still with a prospect label. 

Edited November 26 by Archie Lee

[JohnC]

14 hours ago, Flashsabre said:

Kulich for Jiricek

Kulich for Kreider

would people make those trades is they were on the table

Question #1: No. 

Question #2: No.

Simple questions with simple responses. 

[Archie Lee]

23 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Question #1: No. 

Question #2: No.

Simple questions with simple responses. 

I haven’t watched any Ranger games this year (I even missed their game against us). So, I haven’t seen Kreider play this year. His fancy stats aren’t good. He is on pace to score 38 goals, which is basically what he scored the last two years. Not sure if the “0” assists portends something ominous or is just an early season statistical fluke. I’m not sure if it would be good value to move Kulich for him.  I think that right now in this moment, Kreider likely makes us a better team. 

We run into some trouble though if every prospect who gets to the NHL and shows some signs of being a legit NHL player, then becomes untouchable (not suggesting @JohnC, that you are saying Kulich is untouchable; I recognize you are just saying you wouldn’t trade him for Kreider or Jiricek). This was the board’s general position on Quinn 5 months ago.  If we can’t move Quinn or Kulich or Benson for a veteran top-6 upgrade, then we are left with no room, not only for the prospects not yet in the NHL, but for any forward that we might acquire for those prospects. 

[thewookie1]

17 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

I haven’t watched any Ranger games this year (I even missed their game against us). So, I haven’t seen Kreider play this year. His fancy stats aren’t good. He is on pace to score 38 goals, which is basically what he scored the last two years. Not sure if the “0” assists portends something ominous or is just an early season statistical fluke. I’m not sure if it would be good value to move Kulich for him.  I think that right now in this moment, Kreider likely makes us a better team. 

We run into some trouble though if every prospect who gets to the NHL and shows some signs of being a legit NHL player, then becomes untouchable (not suggesting @JohnC, that you are saying Kulich is untouchable; I recognize you are just saying you wouldn’t trade him for Kreider or Jiricek). This was the board’s general position on Quinn 5 months ago.  If we can’t move Quinn or Kulich or Benson for a veteran top-6 upgrade, then we are left with no room, not only for the prospects not yet in the NHL, but for any forward that we might acquire for those prospects. 

Benson is the most untouchable among them

Quinn being traded just sounds like a very bad idea; especially at his age, in the midst of underachieving situation. So trading a 22 year old for a 33 year old practically just bails NY out of a badish contract while giving them a far younger and cheaper replacement which frankly isn't good asset management in the slightest.

Kulich is a harder one if only because he's showing capabilities to play center which makes him far more valuable than a more pure winger.  

[xzy89c1]

22 hours ago, inkman said:

The Sabres could use both vets.  It will never happen but I’d trade Noah Östlund and Ryan Johnson level prospects for them.  Size, toughness, play the game the right way, yada yada.  
 

We’ve already seen what infusing grown professional men in Zucker and McLeod into the lineup can do.  
 

 

ryan johnson is not a player other teams want. kyle clague future in the league

[msw2112]

1 hour ago, xzy89c1 said:

ryan johnson is not a player other teams want. kyle clague future in the league

I thought Johnson played pretty well when he was with the Sabres.  Even though he was a rookie, he held his own and didn't look out of place.  I think he's in Rochester right now because they wanted to go with veterans players with a physical presence (Clifton and Gilbert) and because he can, as far as I know, go up and down without having to clear waivers.  Rather than being the 7th defenseman in Buffalo, he's better off getting a lot of playing time and development time in Rochester.  I could see him as a trade asset, given the acquisition of Byram, whose skill set is somewhat similar to Johnson's.  They already also have young puck-moving defensemen in Dahlin and Power as well.  I could also see the team moving on from Jokihairu and Johnson filling that slot.  Bryson has also been somewhat of a pleasant surprise since the later part of last season, and after being left for dead, also giving them the "luxury" of developing Johnson in the AHL.

Truth be told, I don't follow the Amerks very much, so I don't know how Johnson has played there, but he played pretty well in Buffalo.

[inkman]

1 hour ago, xzy89c1 said:

ryan johnson is not a player other teams want. kyle clague future in the league

Ok.  Komorov?

[triumph_communes]

Not sure why Ryan Johnson hasn’t been given more chances I don’t think he’s ever been a liability when he’s played pro. Must not impress in practice 

[Taro T]

19 minutes ago, triumph_communes said:

Not sure why Ryan Johnson hasn’t been given more chances I don’t think he’s ever been a liability when he’s played pro. Must not impress in practice 

Because he's 23 years old and the team is already the youngest in the league.  On day 1 he wasn't going to be in their top 4 so there really wasn't a compelling reason to have him on the Sabres roster sitting in the press box or getting bottom 6 minutes.

He'll get his chances.  But there is no reason for the team to intentionally make itself even younger without a player demonstrating he's clearly better than the guy he's trying to beat out.

Been a long time coming, but the Sabres finally have an NHL caliber roster and kids are no longer gifted roster spots.  (Well, most of them aren't.)  And, his having to earn a spot on the big club is actually a great thing.  MHO.  Ymmv.

Edited November 26 by Taro T

[shrader]

56 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Because he's 23 years old and the team is already the youngest in the league.  On day 1 he wasn't going to be in their top 4 so there really wasn't a compelling reason to have him on the Sabres roster sitting in the press box or getting bottom 6 minutes.

He'll get his chances.  But there is no reason for the team to intentionally make itself even younger without a player demonstrating he's clearly better than the guy he's trying to beat out.

Been a long time coming, but the Sabres finally have an NHL caliber roster and kids are no longer gifted roster spots.  (Well, most of them aren't.)  And, his having to earn a spot on the big club is actually a great thing.  MHO.  Ymmv.

And he’s a second year pro with 41 NHL games under his belt already. I’d say he’s already been given more time than most players at that point. There’s been no need for him so far this year. We’ll have to see if he’s given some time if and when the injury bug hits.