2025 NHL Trade Deadline (March 7) Thread

[DarthEbriate]

18 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

The Sabres for years and years have had cap room, and have had the ability to take on salary, retain salary, take on bad contracts for their own (eventual) advantage, yet they hardly ever do that, at least not recently.  Its like Pegula will not part with an extra dollar to allow the team to do something creative like this.

The only time the Sabres have "weaponized" their cap space since the beginning of the EEE phase of Pegula's ownership was to get to the cap floor with the Ben Bishop deal.

They could have been gathering additional picks to move for players/first-round picks or been bringing on some poorer deals, but with those veterans who can at least provide some learnings --- think getting a bad contract veteran D + a draft pick instead of signing Erik Johnson for an overpriced one-year deal in UFA, and heck, maybe you can then retain salary, orchestrate a 3rd party GM to retain more, and ship out that bad contract as a playoff rental for another bit of draft collateral.

The reason for the Sabres existence stopped being a Stanley Cup and became EEE. The owner has not spoken about moving on from EEE yet. Maybe he never will.

10 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Were he to have been willing to weaponize some of the crazy amounts of cap space he's thrown away every year of the Adams era the Sabres could be sitting on easily the deepest prospect / pick pool and they'd be in a spot to make about 4 McLeod for a reasonably highly rated prospect deals which would improve the current team (read next year's club, this season is done) and they'd still have a deep prospect pool.

Just so everyone remembers how much cap space has been "used" under Adams -- who claims to have full control to spend as he sees fit.

Coincidentally, thanks to some breakout (i.e., statistical outlier) seasons, their best record was when they had the most space. But, wouldn't it have been nice for that 22-23 to use a bit more of that available cap to get 2 more points in the standings and end the drought? Then, you'd get playoff revenue and increased season ticket sales as a result.

 

[mjd1001]

3 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

The only time the Sabres have "weaponized" their cap space since the beginning of the EEE phase of Pegula's ownership was to get to the cap floor with the Ben Bishop deal.

They could have been gathering additional picks to move for players/first-round picks or been bringing on some poorer deals, but with those veterans who can at least provide some learnings --- think getting a bad contract veteran D + a draft pick instead of signing Erik Johnson for an overpriced one-year deal in UFA, and heck, maybe you can then retain salary, orchestrate a 3rd party GM to retain more, and ship out that bad contract as a playoff rental for another bit of draft collateral.

The reason for the Sabres existence stopped being a Stanley Cup and became EEE. The owner has not spoken about moving on from EEE yet. Maybe he never will.

Just so everyone remembers how much cap space has been "used" under Adams -- who claims to have full control to spend as he sees fit.

Coincidentally, thanks to some breakout (i.e., statistical outlier) seasons, their best record was when they had the most space. But, wouldn't it have been nice for that 22-23 to use a bit more of that available cap to get 2 more points in the standings and end the drought? Then, you'd get playoff revenue and increased season ticket sales as a result.

 

I just hate how Pegula operates the team SOOO much.

Right now its the exact opposite of what he promised the fans when he bought the team.  Its disgraceful.

[shrader]

I pulled this from a TSN story on that Boston trade:

“The New Jersey Devils have received Shane LaChance from Edmonton for facilitating the deal, retaining 50 per cent of Frederic's salary. LaChance, who remains at Harvard University, was selected by the Oilers in the sixth round of the 2021 draft.”

Im sure it’ll be corrected by the time many click that link, but I’m amazed that they would screw that up. He’s Jack Parker’s grandson and there was only one school he’d be going to. 

[Rasmus_]

This GM and this owner have the urgency of four flat tires at the Indy 500.  Nothing is going to happen, and they'll regurgitate the same putrid take on, "trusting the process".  I truly feel bad for the kids like JJ, who work their ***** off. 

[Broken Ankles]

1 hour ago, shrader said:

I pulled this from a TSN story on that Boston trade:

“The New Jersey Devils have received Shane LaChance from Edmonton for facilitating the deal, retaining 50 per cent of Frederic's salary. LaChance, who remains at Harvard University, was selected by the Oilers in the sixth round of the 2021 draft.”

Im sure it’ll be corrected by the time many click that link, but I’m amazed that they would screw that up. He’s Jack Parker’s grandson and there was only one school he’d be going to. 

I searched a few articles on LeChance after you posted, and seems like a guy you might want to speculate if all you have to do is retain salary.  Maybe EDM had no shot of signing him, but 6-5, third leading scorer for BU, Captain as a sophomore and solid pedigree (father played in NHL on top of the maternal grandfather as you note) seems like just the type of kid you want developing on the farm.  Does Adams even get a call to option or do they bypass, cause Terry?  

[SabreFinn]

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/reacting-to-your-mock-nhl-trade-deadline-deals-who-says-no

Peterka and Cozens in mocktrades

[thewookie1]

6 minutes ago, SabreFinn said:

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/reacting-to-your-mock-nhl-trade-deadline-deals-who-says-no

Peterka and Cozens in mocktrades

Both were easy nos 

[PerreaultForever]

3 hours ago, shrader said:

I pulled this from a TSN story on that Boston trade:

“The New Jersey Devils have received Shane LaChance from Edmonton for facilitating the deal, retaining 50 per cent of Frederic's salary. LaChance, who remains at Harvard University, was selected by the Oilers in the sixth round of the 2021 draft.”

Im sure it’ll be corrected by the time many click that link, but I’m amazed that they would screw that up. He’s Jack Parker’s grandson and there was only one school he’d be going to. 

and, while there is of course still time for Adams to act, you have a Boston team much closer to a playoff spot (but also likely on the outside) selling their UFAs and disappointments. 

The thing with Adams too is he says he wants NHL players in trades not picks and prospects and that's fair, especially earlier in the year, but if you'd have built a roster with veterans on it you'd be able to move out underachievers for picks and prospects and still build a roster. They constantly create a self fulfilling prophecy. 

[SabreFinn]

1 hour ago, thewookie1 said:

Both were easy nos 

Peterka definitely no, the Cozens trade is something I would consider.

[Flashsabre]

15 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

The only time the Sabres have "weaponized" their cap space since the beginning of the EEE phase of Pegula's ownership was to get to the cap floor with the Ben Bishop deal.

They could have been gathering additional picks to move for players/first-round picks or been bringing on some poorer deals, but with those veterans who can at least provide some learnings --- think getting a bad contract veteran D + a draft pick instead of signing Erik Johnson for an overpriced one-year deal in UFA, and heck, maybe you can then retain salary, orchestrate a 3rd party GM to retain more, and ship out that bad contract as a playoff rental for another bit of draft collateral.

The reason for the Sabres existence stopped being a Stanley Cup and became EEE. The owner has not spoken about moving on from EEE yet. Maybe he never will.

Just so everyone remembers how much cap space has been "used" under Adams -- who claims to have full control to spend as he sees fit.

Coincidentally, thanks to some breakout (i.e., statistical outlier) seasons, their best record was when they had the most space. But, wouldn't it have been nice for that 22-23 to use a bit more of that available cap to get 2 more points in the standings and end the drought? Then, you'd get playoff revenue and increased season ticket sales as a result.

 

Kevyn Adams: “No Financial Constraints”

Sure Kevyn. Lying Yes man that will do and say whatever Terry wants.

[JP51]

On 3/2/2025 at 12:02 PM, HumanSlinky39 said:

I think that means Vesey has now played for every team in the league.

Literally I saw that and was like he is still in the league... Wow... now thats sounds like a guy Adams would go get... again.... 

[JP51]

On 3/2/2025 at 1:54 PM, Flashsabre said:

I mean if they trade Tuch for a first round pick or young prospect what the hell are we doing?

The only way I want  Tuch moved is if the return causes everyone to say “I can’t believe we got that”

This may be simplistic... and I agree with you... the only way I am making a hockey trade is if we get the best player in the deal... no more Tuch for a first and a prospect trades...  if we are getting the best player I am open to trading anyone...  McDavid for Dahlin, Peterka, Cozens and a 1st... or whatever... (no I dont think I have approximated the price one way or the other nor am I saying it is realistic... just an example)....   Dahlin is not untouchable... as long as I am getting the best player in the trade... that just my stance at this point... 

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, Flashsabre said:

Kevyn Adams: “No Financial Constraints”

Sure Kevyn. Lying Yes man that will do and say whatever Terry wants.

I said bluntly Kevyn was a liar when he lied about the coaching search. I was largely called out for it but low and behold, Adams lied about it. He's the guy who does what Terry wants and I think only randomly do we get to see others push through their ideas. For example, I think the McLeod trade is the analytics departments idea but I also bet they sold it by contrasting the 6'2" center to the 5'9" winger and that is what got Terry on board. 

"Hey terry we should trade Savoie because we already got Benson who is just better Savoie and we could get this 6'2" center instead, sound good? Here's a nice Pinot Noir while you think it over." 

[DarthEbriate]

39 minutes ago, JP51 said:

Literally I saw that and was like he is still in the league... Wow... now thats sounds like a guy Adams would go get... again.... 

You know what they say.  The third time's third round pick traded for Vesey is the charm.

[Mr. Allen]

NJ Devils took on some money to help out a trade and got a prospect for it.  The type of prospect that I think our organization should be targeting.  I get jealous when teams make moves like this. 

“Shane Lachance, 21, is a sophomore and captain at Boston University. The 6’5” left winger has 25 points in 32 games for BU, though it should be mentioned that he’s capitalized on a lot of power play time that he won’t get at the pro level. Per SportContract, Lachance ranks third among all BU forwards in average time on ice (17:27). The former sixth-round pick is a late bloomer who plays a hard-nosed game and, at least at the college level, complements skill guys as a power forward. 

Lachance is a project but he has the tools to become a character, bottom-six winger in the NHL. Even with that limited upside, he’s worth taking a chance on for the cost of unneeded cap space and a few dollars out of the owner’s bank account.”

[LTS]

10 hours ago, Broken Ankles said:

I searched a few articles on LeChance after you posted, and seems like a guy you might want to speculate if all you have to do is retain salary.  Maybe EDM had no shot of signing him, but 6-5, third leading scorer for BU, Captain as a sophomore and solid pedigree (father played in NHL on top of the maternal grandfather as you note) seems like just the type of kid you want developing on the farm.  Does Adams even get a call to option or do they bypass, cause Terry?  

I would venture a guess the only reason the Devils were in on this was because his father, ex-NHL'er Scott LaChance, is the head of USA Scouting for the Devils.

I get a feeling the Devils know already whether Shane LeChance will sign a deal.

[Mr. Allen]

Sorry.  I didn’t see Lachance was already being talked about. 

[LGR4GM]

 

[LGR4GM]

 

 

[Carmel Corn]

Given the price Tampa just paid, that should take them out of any rumor discussion for Alex Tuch.

[thewookie1]

11 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

 

 

Jesus man

[DarthEbriate]

That seems like a lot for Bjorkstrand and the expiring contract of Gourde.

However, if Seattle can get a 1st each for Bjorkstrand/Gourde, then Adams theoretically can easily get a 1st for Zucker. Just would need to retain some salary. If that's permitted.

[Flashsabre]

30 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

That seems like a lot for Bjorkstrand and the expiring contract of Gourde.

However, if Seattle can get a 1st each for Bjorkstrand/Gourde, then Adams theoretically can easily get a 1st for Zucker. Just would need to retain some salary. If that's permitted.

Narrator: “Alas, it was not permitted”

[HumanSlinky39]

On 3/4/2025 at 2:38 PM, DarthEbriate said:

The only time the Sabres have "weaponized" their cap space since the beginning of the EEE phase of Pegula's ownership was to get to the cap floor with the Ben Bishop deal.

They could have been gathering additional picks to move for players/first-round picks or been bringing on some poorer deals, but with those veterans who can at least provide some learnings --- think getting a bad contract veteran D + a draft pick instead of signing Erik Johnson for an overpriced one-year deal in UFA, and heck, maybe you can then retain salary, orchestrate a 3rd party GM to retain more, and ship out that bad contract as a playoff rental for another bit of draft collateral.

The reason for the Sabres existence stopped being a Stanley Cup and became EEE. The owner has not spoken about moving on from EEE yet. Maybe he never will.

Just so everyone remembers how much cap space has been "used" under Adams -- who claims to have full control to spend as he sees fit.

Coincidentally, thanks to some breakout (i.e., statistical outlier) seasons, their best record was when they had the most space. But, wouldn't it have been nice for that 22-23 to use a bit more of that available cap to get 2 more points in the standings and end the drought? Then, you'd get playoff revenue and increased season ticket sales as a result.

 

2021 - no playoffs

2022 - no playoffs

2023- no playoffs

2024 - no playoffs

2025 - no playoffs

[PerreaultForever]

Nice haul for Seattle. Tampa obviously thinks they can make a run this year. Gourde was a huge part of their playoff success after all. I would suspect the Leafs will panic now and maybe make a big move(s).