What will be the Sabres approach at the trade deadline?

[Sidc3000]

1 hour ago, SabreFinn said:

It was a joke, I think a retool is needed. But making the right trades are difficult, unfortunately that is a position they have put themselves into. And trade deadline is usually not right time to do that for a team in Sabres position. Unless they want draftpicks in return. It sounds like they want hockeytrades though.

True. No doubt the off season is the time to work trades. We’ll see what happens in the summer

[HumanSlinky39]

5 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Players burnt out from losing - means more want out. 

Sabres overly cautious - means FO has no answers. 
 

They went all in on KA's approach of loading up on "skill" regardless of how it fit into the roster as a whole. They were emboldened by encouraging early returns when the team played really well over the last couple of months of the 2022/23 season. What they failed to identify is that that was likely an aberration based on teams not knowing how to handle the Sabres offense first (only?) attack. The league caught on and the Sabres growth has plateaued at best and regressed badly in many cases. Glaring deficiencies are obvious to anyone with 2 firing neurons in their brain and it's pretty evident there is/was no Plan B.

If they're afraid to make roster alterations because other guys they've traded have gone on to have great success, God help us. They want to make "hockey trades"? Okay, they're gonna have to go find partners with assets that don't have NTC/NMCs. Then they have a short window to win to keep those guys from wanting out.

In short, it's a big ***** sandwich and we're all gonna have to take a bite. 

Edited 9 hours ago by HumanSlinky39

[GASabresIUFAN]

As I am watching the Sabres attempt to comeback against the Habs without Mule and Joki in the lineup, I think the deadline strategy is becoming a little clearer.

The Strategy

1) Move players management does want back or who don’t want to return -  Joki, Mule, and possibly Zucker and Greenway fit the bill.  I think Adams will take futures for these guys.  

2) The big trade - Guys like Cozens, Quinn, JJP, Tuch, Byram and Power have appeared in the rumor mill.  I don’t see any of them being moved unless it’s in a “hockey” trade.  Adams is going to want an NHL player or two under contract or control for any of the players mentioned.  All these guys are under contract and control so there is no urgency to move any of them.  If Adams doesn’t like any of the offers he can always wait until the summer when hockey trades maybe easier to make.

If Mule isn't traded he’ll be bought out this summer.  I’m currently no longer expecting a big trade and think only 2 of the 1st group will be traded as Adams might be willing to keep Greenway and or Zucker to see if he can get them signed.

Edited 2 hours ago by GASabresIUFAN

[GASabresIUFAN]

I’m going to amend my earlier post and say you can still do a series of trades that result in a roster upgrade, but it takes a creative GM.

For example:  Adams could trade Cozens to team A for picks and prospects and then turn around and trade those assets for a top 4 RHD from Team B.  To do this effectively Adams would have to have both deals committed too before pulling the trigger.  

Edited 1 hour ago by GASabresIUFAN

[Mr Peabody]

Nice interview with Tage.  Usually not much said in these; refreshing change.