2018-19 Roster Speculation Pt. 3: Started from the bottom now we're here

[OkimLom]

Blues 1st
Thompson
Berglund
Sobodka

for

Parayko

Who would be dumb enough to accept that type of package? I think you're out to lunch on this one.

You have an inconsistent prospect, an unknown for the 1st round pick, which I'm assuming would be a top 10 protected pick, and two bottom 6 players for all of 4 years of a player that fills an important role.

 

[1972]

The top 2 teams in the east defence...

Tampa Bay

Hedman - first round pick
McDonagh - traded for
Coburn - traded for
Sergachev - traded for
Girardi - signed as UFA
Stralman - signed as UFA

Toronto

Rielly - first round pick
Gardiner -traded for
Hainsey - signed as UFA
Dermott - drafted in second round
Ozhiganov - signed as UFA
Zaitsec - signed as UFA


Those teams core forwards? Essentially all top end picks. Unless you are getting a Dahlin or Heiskanen draft forwards in the first round...it's not hard to find second and third pairing D. Our D will always be good enough to win with Dahlin/Risto and a rotation of Hainsey types and the odd young guy.

 

[Fezzy126]

The top 2 teams in the east defence...

Tampa Bay

Hedman - first round pick
McDonagh - traded for
Coburn - traded for
Sergachev - traded for
Girardi - signed as UFA
Stralman - signed as UFA

Toronto

Rielly - first round pick
Gardiner -traded for
Hainsey - signed as UFA
Dermott - drafted in second round
Ozhiganov - signed as UFA
Zaitsec - signed as UFA


Those teams core forwards? Essentially all top end picks. Unless you are getting a Dahlin or Heiskanen draft forwards in the first round...it's not hard to find second and third pairing D. Our D will always be good enough to win with Dahlin/Risto and a rotation of Hainsey types and the odd young guy.

I don't know that I would use Toronto as an example of a functional defense or a model for building one, their d group is not good. In my viewings Dermott does look impressive though.

 

[gallagt01]

The Skinner debate is more involved than whether or not he's worth the money.

This organization has been garbage for a decade. It's also been horrible at generating even strength production.

Botteril acquires an objectively terrific ES producer in Skinner while the team is seemingly on the rise...and he turns around and lets him walk at the end of the season?

I just don't know Terry and co. can send that message to the fan base after one season of icing a competitive team.

I'm not saying Jeff Skinner is worth $8 million or more per year. I'm not arguing that the Sabres can afford to pay him given their current cap situation. He's not, and they can't.

But I can totally understand why Botteril and Pegula may feel that they don't really have a choice.

 

[Djp]

Where did this Skinner getting Eichel money rumour come from? There’s not a chance in hell Botterill is coming close to Eichel money.

If its a short contract like 3-5 yrs then I can see a cap hit of 9 or so. If its longer then the hit could be lower like 7-7.5

internally he isn't getting above Eichel in terms of cap hit.

 

[debaser66]

Blues 1st
Thompson
Berglund
Sobodka

for

Parayko

Santa doesnt ship spare parts

 

[Reddawg]

The Skinner debate is more involved than whether or not he's worth the money.

This organization has been garbage for a decade. It's also been horrible at generating even strength production.

Botteril acquires an objectively terrific ES producer in Skinner while the team is seemingly on the rise...and he turns around and lets him walk at the end of the season?

I just don't know Terry and co. can send that message to the fan base after one season of icing a competitive team.

I'm not saying Jeff Skinner is worth $8 million or more per year. I'm not arguing that the Sabres can afford to pay him given their current cap situation. He's not, and they can't.

But I can totally understand why Botteril and Pegula may feel that they don't really have a choice.

I agree with this. It's the same kind of thing as matching the Vanek offer sheet. Obviously he wasn't worth the money he got and everyone knew it...but the optics would have been very bad if the team had taken the picks.

 

[DatGuy]

This Sabres Defense is fine:
Dahlin-Bogo
Pilut/McCabe-Risto
Pilut/McCabe-Scandella
Beaulieu
Hunwick
Nelson

Unless Bogo is sent the other way, which I don't see happening. If anything, I'd try to swap a 3rd pairing LD for a RD.

However, if the rumors are in fact true I'd move a large package of assets for Schwartz.

McCabe and Bogo picking up their "Game" makes the world of difference. to be fair last year we wanted these guys to be offensive, puck moving D.

A puck moving D isn't necessarily a guy who can make good pass, it's someone who can make the first move to open up the ice for the rest of the team. It's about creating space for your teammates.

 

[Djp]

The top 2 teams in the east defence...

Tampa Bay

Hedman - first round pick
McDonagh - traded for
Coburn - traded for
Sergachev - traded for
Girardi - signed as UFA
Stralman - signed as UFA

Toronto

Rielly - first round pick
Gardiner -traded for
Hainsey - signed as UFA
Dermott - drafted in second round
Ozhiganov - signed as UFA
Zaitsec - signed as UFA


Those teams core forwards? Essentially all top end picks. Unless you are getting a Dahlin or Heiskanen draft forwards in the first round...it's not hard to find second and third pairing D. Our D will always be good enough to win with Dahlin/Risto and a rotation of Hainsey types and the odd young guy.

generally if you are picking top 5 you draft forwards unless someone special comes along.

after pick 20 you have a much better shot of finding a top pair Dman than a top line forward.

Lets also not forget here what they were traded for.

Reilly and Hedman were top 5 picks
Sergashev was traded for a top 3 pick in Drouin

Tampa has used 3 1st rounders on Dmen they traded r traded 1sts to acquire Dmen.

 

[Jim Bob]

www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/5-teams-make-trade-blues-captain-alex-pietrangelo/

5 teams that could make a trade for Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo

Buffalo Sabres

The trade: Sabres trade forward Conor Sheary, defenceman Marco Scandella (IR), rookie defenceman Lawrence Pilut, and the Blues’ 2019 first-round pick to the Blues for Pietrangelo and defenceman Robert Bortuzzo.

Salary breakdown: The Sabres will save $275,000 in salary.

Why it could happen: These teams have a trade history, coming together on the Ryan O’Reilly trade in July. The Blues owe either their 2019 or 2020 first-round pick to Buffalo from the O’Reilly trade, but the Sabres can return that pick to St. Louis in this deal. The Sabres have followed up their 10-game winning streak by losing five straight and need a spark. The Sabres’ window to win is now while young players are still on entry-level contracts.

Why it won’t happen: Buffalo is close to the cap ceiling and won’t be able to commit to Pietrangelo long-term with a big contract for Rasmus Dahlin on the horizon.

 

[Der Jaeger]

www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/5-teams-make-trade-blues-captain-alex-pietrangelo/

No way. Giving up a Lafreniere lottery ticket and Pilut?

 

[CaptPantalones]

www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/5-teams-make-trade-blues-captain-alex-pietrangelo/

I would cry, then throw up on top of my tears. And cry again

 

[Chainshot]

Santa doesnt ship spare parts

Said another way, one does trade rowboats for battleships, no matter how many oars one throws in.

 

[Gabrielor]

There’s no way we’re doing that deal. Zero. Huge assets and minimal term left.


Also, our window is to win is definitely not now. Piet doesn’t fix much for us atm.

 

[davej0122]

The Skinner debate is more involved than whether or not he's worth the money.

This organization has been garbage for a decade. It's also been horrible at generating even strength production.

Botteril acquires an objectively terrific ES producer in Skinner while the team is seemingly on the rise...and he turns around and lets him walk at the end of the season?

I just don't know Terry and co. can send that message to the fan base after one season of icing a competitive team.

I'm not saying Jeff Skinner is worth $8 million or more per year. I'm not arguing that the Sabres can afford to pay him given their current cap situation. He's not, and they can't.

But I can totally understand why Botteril and Pegula may feel that they don't really have a choice.

You laid out good logic, but if Bots and Pegula actually feel they have to sign a contract they feel is a bad decision for the team for those reasons, well then I'd lost all respect for Bots.

 

[Team Cozens]

www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/5-teams-make-trade-blues-captain-alex-pietrangelo/

Personally, In would prefer to trade for Tarasenko to play on a line with Mittelstadt than add Petro.
Would instantly make us a contender IMO with secondary scoring. Sadly, we would need to send KO the other way.
Tarasenko's NTC kicks in after this season. He will be moved.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

"The Sabres' window to win is now..."

See? Dumb trade proposals can make it up to major sports news providers too! Not to mention the overpayment.

 

[DatGuy]

pietrangelo is an elite defenceman. I would rather trade them nylander and the Sabres first (instead of STL) and keep Pilut.

Healthy we go Risto - Piets - Dalhin - Bogo - McCabe - Pilut

 

[DatGuy]

Personally, In would prefer to trade for Tarasenko to play on a line with Mittelstadt than add Petro.
Would instantly make us a contender IMO with secondary scoring. Sadly, we would need to send KO the other way.
Tarasenko's NTC kicks in after this season. He will be moved.

Tarasenko has weight issues, Schenn is a better bet IMO.

 

[CaptPantalones]

pietrangelo is an elite defenceman. I would rather trade them nylander and the Sabres first (instead of STL) and keep Pilut.

Healthy we go Risto - Piets - Dalhin - Bogo - McCabe - Pilut

Yeah I'm where you are. I'm ok with nylander, guhle, scandella and a 1. I'd like to keep sheary

 

[OkimLom]

The Skinner debate is more involved than whether or not he's worth the money.

This organization has been garbage for a decade. It's also been horrible at generating even strength production.

Botteril acquires an objectively terrific ES producer in Skinner while the team is seemingly on the rise...and he turns around and lets him walk at the end of the season?

I just don't know Terry and co. can send that message to the fan base after one season of icing a competitive team.

I'm not saying Jeff Skinner is worth $8 million or more per year. I'm not arguing that the Sabres can afford to pay him given their current cap situation. He's not, and they can't.

But I can totally understand why Botteril and Pegula may feel that they don't really have a choice.

But they do have a choice, and with the choice, regardless of the outcome, they need to have a plan that fits after. Management needs to make a choice that will allow the team to competitive in the present and near future, if they are using fear of "what will the fans think" instead of "can we fit him and will we be competitive if we commit so much term and money", then I worry about our team. The fans' opinions should mean NOTHING when building a team. The fans, in general, will love whoever is on the team as long as they win.

Is Skinner a part of them winning, yes. Is he the only option/reason why you are winning games, nope. Can you find other options out there if Skinner doesn't decide to come back, odds are yes.

If Botts doesn't have a plan B in place if Skinner decides to test the market (something completely out of Buffalo's control), then we're in trouble.

 

[TehDoak]

This Sabres Defense is fine:
Dahlin-Bogo
Pilut/McCabe-Risto
Pilut/McCabe-Scandella
Beaulieu
Hunwick
Nelson

Unless Bogo is sent the other way, which I don't see happening. If anything, I'd try to swap a 3rd pairing LD for a RD.

However, if the rumors are in fact true I'd move a large package of assets for Schwartz.

Bogo isn't a top pairing guy. Nor will he ever be.

IF he's actually available, you pay the premium for Parayko. I'd offer up 2x 1sts (including St Louis) and basically any prospect we have for him. We'd have to make the salary work, and that isn't an issue past this season.

 

[Gabrielor]

Agreed on Parayko. He’s one of the few guys I would actually trade firsts for. I’d try realllllllllllllly hard not give up pilut in the deal though.

Dahlin Parayko
Pilut risto

Yeah, that’s incredible, young, big, mobile, offensive, defensive. That’s top tier.

 

[DatGuy]

Agreed on Parayko. He’s one of the few guys I would actually trade firsts for. I’d try realllllllllllllly hard not give up pilut in the deal though.

Dahlin Parayko
Pilut risto

Yeah, that’s incredible, young, big, mobile, offensive, defensive. That’s top tier.

in terms of skills i would want Piets; however, Parayko fits our financial situation better. I like it.

 

[Fezzy126]

Bogo isn't a top pairing guy. Nor will he ever be.

IF he's actually available, you pay the premium for Parayko. I'd offer up 2x 1sts (including St Louis) and basically any prospect we have for him. We'd have to make the salary work, and that isn't an issue past this season.

How many defense groups in the league feature two "top pairing guys"? I'd be surprised if you could find more than 5 (Suter/Dumba, Josi/Ellis, Giordano/Brodie, Slavin/Hamilton & Trouba/Morrissey maybe?)... It's not a prerequisite for building a contender, finding a good compliment is more important, and right now Bogo seems to compliment Dahlin well.