So Who's Gone A Week From Tomorrow?

[dudacek]

Pettersson is to 1st-line centres right now as Dylan Cozens is to 2n-line centres.

[HumanSlinky39]

12 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Pettersson is to 1st-line centres right now as Dylan Cozens is to 2n-line centres.

What has to be so frustrating for VAN is that when his head is screwed on straight, Pettersson is one of the most talented players in the game. He put together what amounts to 2 full seasons (across 3 total seasons, 2021-24) of elite production. And they paid him like it. Then shortly after he signed the contract, his production fell off a cliff, he started feuding with JT Miller and to this point hasn't recovered. He was invisible in the 2024 playoffs and this year's 4 Nations. He hasn't scored a goal since January 21st and has 1 in his last 20 games. He has 6 points in his last 18 games. That's as big a red flag as you can see. At this point, VAN would have to pay ME to take on that contract.

Edited Monday at 07:40 PM by HumanSlinky39

[FrenchConnection44]

The discussion that makes the best sense is to forego making trades at the deadline, especially by Adams, as what we will get back won’t help us in the near future. I also would like Greenway and Zuckerberg back. 
 

I would be happy to trade Cozens or Samuelsson in the offseason, as well as some prospects, and even the likes of Power if the offer is right. And try to get back some glue players who play a more physical game. 
 

if somehow we could procure a defensive defenseman who plays a physical game and a more intimidating forward who plays with physicality and can stand up to the most rugged players on other teams, those two steps alone would be a big boost to this team, imo. 
 

 

[LGR4GM]

53 minutes ago, Crusader1969 said:

Let's not forget Tuch is a UFA after next season.   No guarantee he resigns or Sabres get a home team discount 

at this point all options , including trading away a popular player, needs to be on the table 

as for EP, he wasn't able to train last off season.   You have to feel comfortable that a full offseason of training gets him back to his potential

i dont think I'm going out on a limb here and saying EP at his potential is greater than AT at his highest potential 

Tuch being a UFA after next season is irrelevant. Buffalo can't even sign him to an extension until July 1. This reminds me of the McLeod stuff from GA. We shouldn't trade these types of players away unless we are getting a guaranteed improvement, like Tuch for Eichel. 

[sabresouth]

We can only hope, ka.

[SabreFinn]

34 minutes ago, FrenchConnection44 said:

The discussion that makes the best sense is to forego making trades at the deadline, especially by Adams, as what we will get back won’t help us in the near future. I also would like Greenway and Zuckerberg back. 
 

I would be happy to trade Cozens or Samuelsson in the offseason, as well as some prospects, and even the likes of Power if the offer is right. And try to get back some glue players who play a more physical game. 
 

if somehow we could procure a defensive defenseman who plays a physical game and a more intimidating forward who plays with physicality and can stand up to the most rugged players on other teams, those two steps alone would be a big boost to this team, imo. 
 

 

Novikov is big, strong and currently second best +/-stats overall in AHL. He is a LHD but he will get the job done in a couple of years. A scenario I am thinking of this moment is a trade where we send Power to Islanders in exchange for Noah Dobson (RHD). We probably at least would have to send them a prospect or take a bad contract like Pageau in exchange. 

[Pimlach]

4 hours ago, JP51 said:

Aside from Dahlin (which I am not sure I totally disagree with you, on the generational thing) We are thinking the exact same thing... if they trade Tuch unrealistic that they are getting anything more than an expendable player, picks and prospects for him because whomever is trading for him is look to improve on a playoff run... they are not breaking their team down... so unless the player is expendable not happening...  

With respect TO Tuch, agreed, I like him and we could use several like him... but I am not going to preclude trading him if we make our team instantly better... like he is a piece of a package that we trade away to get the superior player...  At this point our hockey trades should be TO obtain the superior player, not hope for the future... 

With respect to player for pick and prospect... I think that is the likely outcome of this trade season... it will be a mistake to use this strategy as a rebuilding plan... rinse wash repeat... but our GM and dysfunctional organization is likely to do this...  from my perspective with players that we should resign like Greenway and Zucker but know that they are not going to do it.... so they will trade them away so they can be successful elsewhere and we will get a faint hope for them that may or may not payoff somewhere in the future because  we are that inept...

With respect to Dahlin... I see him as better than a top 6 2nd or 3rd pairing D... but thats just me... 

 

I mean top 6 in the league, not a 2nd or 3rd paring. 

Just among Swedes there is Hedman, Karlsson, and Forsling that all (right or wrong )were given more ice on Team Sweden during 4 Nations.   That is a data point.  

There is Maker, Warrensky, Hughes,  McAvoy, Fox, Josi, Heskinan, Bouchard, Morrisey, Toews, Slavin, and more.  

I like Dahlin but he is not generational when there are this many other defensemen that are arguably in the same category.  Me saying top 6 in the league is not easy to defend when I think about it.  

[HumanSlinky39]

52 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

I mean top 6 in the league, not a 2nd or 3rd paring. 

Just among Swedes there is Hedman, Karlsson, and Forsling that all (right or wrong )were given more ice on Team Sweden during 4 Nations.   That is a data point.  

There is Maker, Warrensky, Hughes,  McAvoy, Fox, Josi, Heskinan, Bouchard, Morrisey, Toews, Slavin, and more.  

I like Dahlin but he is not generational when there are this many other defensemen that are arguably in the same category.  Me saying top 6 in the league is not easy to defend when I think about it.  

Dahlin to me is probably top-15 right now. He's a legitimate #1 defenseman. The question is, how good would he be if he played for TB, FLA, or Carolina? I think he's shown the ability that it's reasonable to think he might be a top-5 in the league if he was developed by a legitimate NHL organization. That he's as good as he is now on ***** teams is a testament to his ability.

[Taro T]

Would be very surprised if the Sabres make more than just a small move along the fringes of the roster.

They have more prospects than they know what to do with and absolutely don't need to get any younger so it isn't likely they'll be sellers.

They'd need to win about 20 of their last 25 games to have any shot at the playoffs and that ain't happening so they aren't going to be buying a rental.

Really don't see Adams going anywhere this offseason so don't see him being in desperation mode, again leaning towards them not buying a rental.

Maybe there's a real hockey trade to be made like the Byram for Mittelstadt deal last year a smidge before the deadline, but can't see a team looking to trade a 1 for 1 guy that is on the same timeline as what we'd be sending out and can't see a point to getting the younger guy AGAIN so don't see that happening either.

Used to be one of the funnest days of the year.  Not even sure will even be spot checking in for updates on what happened that day.

We really are in purgatory, aren't we?

[Crusader1969]

3 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Tuch being a UFA after next season is irrelevant. Buffalo can't even sign him to an extension until July 1. This reminds me of the McLeod stuff from GA. We shouldn't trade these types of players away unless we are getting a guaranteed improvement, like Tuch for Eichel. 

EP for Tuch straight up ?  Yes or no 

2 hours ago, SabreFinn said:

Novikov is big, strong and currently second best +/-stats overall in AHL. He is a LHD but he will get the job done in a couple of years. A scenario I am thinking of this moment is a trade where we send Power to Islanders in exchange for Noah Dobson (RHD). We probably at least would have to send them a prospect or take a bad contract like Pageau in exchange. 

Not the craziest idea but is there another way to get Dobson and keep Power? 

[JP51]

6 hours ago, Pimlach said:

I mean top 6 in the league, not a 2nd or 3rd paring. 

Just among Swedes there is Hedman, Karlsson, and Forsling that all (right or wrong )were given more ice on Team Sweden during 4 Nations.   That is a data point.  

There is Maker, Warrensky, Hughes,  McAvoy, Fox, Josi, Heskinan, Bouchard, Morrisey, Toews, Slavin, and more.  

I like Dahlin but he is not generational when there are this many other defensemen that are arguably in the same category.  Me saying top 6 in the league is not easy to defend when I think about it.  

Oh ok that makes more sense to me

[SabreFinn]

4 hours ago, Crusader1969 said:

 

Not the craziest idea but is there another way to get Dobson and keep Power? 

I don't see any reason to keep Power if Dobson would sign a longer contract. Even if Novikov would not be ready as an top4 NHLer next season, understandable, there are much more stay at home LHD veterans to choose from.

[EM88]

4 hours ago, Crusader1969 said:

EP for Tuch straight up ?  Yes or no 

No, for sure no.

[LTS]

22 hours ago, Crusader1969 said:

Let's not forget Tuch is a UFA after next season.   No guarantee he resigns or Sabres get a home team discount 

at this point all options , including trading away a popular player, needs to be on the table 

as for EP, he wasn't able to train last off season.   You have to feel comfortable that a full offseason of training gets him back to his potential

i dont think I'm going out on a limb here and saying EP at his potential is greater than AT at his highest potential 

If you want to talk about players at their potential then the Sabres roster is incredible already.  As for Tuch being UFA.. see below

21 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Tuch being a UFA after next season is irrelevant. Buffalo can't even sign him to an extension until July 1. This reminds me of the McLeod stuff from GA. We shouldn't trade these types of players away unless we are getting a guaranteed improvement, like Tuch for Eichel. 

This 100%.  You don't trade a player before you put an offer in front of him. If he rejects it then he can be traded in the off-season or next season. You'll know the answer.

Bottom line EP is a headcase who had some good seasons earlier in his career and now has questions about durability and desire.  We lament Samuelsson and others for durability and people want to bring in EP who people are wondering has degraded due to injury?

EP is the concept of the player the Sabres need, but he is NOT the player the Sabres need. Vancouver would have to provide a lot to take on that contract and subsequent risk.

[EM88]

3 hours ago, LTS said:

If you want to talk about players at their potential then the Sabres roster is incredible already.  As for Tuch being UFA.. see below

This 100%.  You don't trade a player before you put an offer in front of him. If he rejects it then he can be traded in the off-season or next season. You'll know the answer.

Bottom line EP is a headcase who had some good seasons earlier in his career and now has questions about durability and desire.  We lament Samuelsson and others for durability and people want to bring in EP who people are wondering has degraded due to injury?

EP is the concept of the player the Sabres need, but he is NOT the player the Sabres need. Vancouver would have to provide a lot to take on that contract and subsequent risk.

I did want Pettersson earlier in the year, but the more I read about them the less and less I want that deal to be made.

I do not think he is a head case, I just think it is likely he has some ailment and its more a case of 'damaged goods' than anyone else.  Someone else referenced that during the 4 nations, he was putting ice on his knee or leg.  That, with the huge drop in his production, is a large yellow flag.

[FrenchConnection44]

On 3/3/2025 at 2:42 PM, SabreFinn said:

Novikov is big, strong and currently second best +/-stats overall in AHL. He is a LHD but he will get the job done in a couple of years. A scenario I am thinking of this moment is a trade where we send Power to Islanders in exchange for Noah Dobson (RHD). We probably at least would have to send them a prospect or take a bad contract like Pageau in exchange. 

Yes. I would love to see Novákov move up and add a vet Dman. Should have included him in my post because I think he could could really be a strong player for us in the future. Hopefully next year. Don’t know a lot about Dobson (I avoid Islander games like the plague as I have hated them since the late 70s early 80s).  

[sabresouth]

No one, not even ka.😬

[Night Train]

Who should be gone ?   Muel, Cozens, Powet, Quinn and plenty more...

Who will be gone ?   Probably no one..

[Archie Lee]

I say this every year. While it is true that trades can happen through most of the calendar year, there are two periods where there is the most opportunity to make change and improvement. Those two periods are the trade deadline and the draft-UFA window. If you are a team that needs to make changes to improve and you go through either period without doing so, then it is a lost opportunity. 

With the signing of Greenway, the Sabres have nine forwards who we would pencil in as top-9 players: Thompson, Peterka, Kulich, Tuch, Cozens, Quinn, Benson, McLeod, and Greenway. This doesn’t account for re-signing Zucker, or for the promotion of Rosen. It also doesn’t account for the near universal view that the Sabres need to upgrade their top 6. Some of these players could be 4th liners, but it would not be a good allocation of money to have Greenway or an extended McLeod on line 4. Benson on line 4 more permanently, would be infuriating. Quinn is not made for 4th line play. 

If we are going to improve our forwards, one or two have to go. This was true last off-season and it is true today. The alternative is to wait on something that may  or may not ever happen (see this year’s “2nd line” of Cozens, Quinn, and to a lesser degree, Benson).  One of the two big windows for change and improvement, closes tomorrow. Sadly, I’m not expecting much. 

[MISabresFan]

I hope they gut the pig.  Start at the top of this organization and start over at the admin level.  Obviousy it is broken.  13 years of history to fall back on.  then work on the roster.

[Stoner]

1 hour ago, MISabresFan said:

I hope they gut the pig.  Start at the top of this organization and start over at the admin level.  Obviousy it is broken.  13 years of history to fall back on.  then work on the roster.

But who are "they"? They is Terry. KA has done pretty much what he was asked to do. Look at that fan poll. The rank and file seems to think with some tinkering on the margins that playoffs are nigh. Attendance has not been great, but the bottom has hardly dropped out.

[HILLsabre]

Thanks for all your input folks! Some of you have hit on the fact that we just don't have legit top line players...a bunch of 3 and 4th liners, but at least three fellas short on the top two lines. So why not suck it up , take some of these 3rd liners that are, (yes still young,)  and a few prospects and futures acquired from trade deadline, and fill a hole or two? Go after the line 1 stars in the off season. I think the front office is SO snake bit they're afraid to make some serious moves with all these prospects piling up. They've got the "yeah buts " and the "what ifs." Make a move because this is not working. How could KA think that releasing Skinner (top 6 player) and sign a bunch of 3/4th line players be considered progress? Another example is Eichel trade. In return we got nothing legitimate for top 6. Instead the hole was filled with youngsters and Tuch who is at best a 2nd liner. 3/4th liners have continually been plopped into top 6 positions under KA and failed to produce because they don't have the skill set or just too young. Time to go all in. Pull the trigger. You know what they say when it's too hot in the kitchen.

[mjd1001]

24 minutes ago, HILLsabre said:

Thanks for all your input folks! Some of you have hit on the fact that we just don't have legit top line players...a bunch of 3 and 4th liners, but at least three fellas short on the top two lines. So why not suck it up , take some of these 3rd liners that are, (yes still young,)  and a few prospects and futures acquired from trade deadline, and fill a hole or two? Go after the line 1 stars in the off season. I think the front office is SO snake bit they're afraid to make some serious moves with all these prospects piling up. They've got the "yeah buts " and the "what ifs." Make a move because this is not working. How could KA think that releasing Skinner (top 6 player) and sign a bunch of 3/4th line players be considered progress? Another example is Eichel trade. In return we got nothing legitimate for top 6. Instead the hole was filled with youngsters and Tuch who is at best a 2nd liner. 3/4th liners have continually been plopped into top 6 positions under KA and failed to produce because they don't have the skill set or just too young. Time to go all in. Pull the trigger. You know what they say when it's too hot in the kitchen.

Thompson is a top line player, hes one of the best goal scorers in the league.  Tuch is also a good 1/2 line guy.  He's good enough as a first liner, and he would be a great 2nd liner on a lot of teams.

Not sure why you say Tuch is a 2nd liner at best...he's one of the better forcheckers in the league, is close to getting his 2nd 30 goal season in 3 years....leads the team in plus/minus, is a clutch scorer (no one has more game winning goals on the team since he has been here), and it is rare, REALLY rare that he makes a mistake definsively by being out of position.  Since leaving Vegas and arriving here with more ice time, he has developed into a really solid all around winger.

Buffalo's 'first line' (Thompson, Tuch, and Zucker) have a combined 70 goals, are a +20 and are shooting 17.2% collectively (you can sub in Peterka for Zucker and the numbers don't change much).  I'm not going to list every team, but that puts them in the top 1/3 in the league's top lines in most of those categories around the league.

Of course you can always use more great first liners, but the issue with this team is lines #2 and #3, mostly Cozens and Quinn who actually have hurt the team and made it worse when they were out there this year.

This team would be a playoff team, and probably a legit contender if you take away Cozens and Quinn and replace them with good 2nd line players (a bit of better goaltending and an extra good vet D-man would help)

Edited Thursday at 09:57 PM by mjd1001

[Gatorman0519]

Nobody is trading with the Sabres anything significant but picks and some lame prospects in return.

[mjd1001]

2 minutes ago, Gatorman0519 said:

Nobody is trading with the Sabres anything significant but picks and some lame prospects in return.

A lot of posters think some players on this team have a lot of value. I have read comments from many people that a lot of teams want Cozens and he is in high demand.

I disagree with that, I think the return for him will be more in line with what you say, but some disagree.