2025 26 Roster…too Soon

[ChicagoHockeyFan]

Exactly what was said last season and we added a top 6 forward in Teravainen who almost scored 60 points, a middle 6 guy in Bertuzzi and Donato scored 30 goals and 60 points yet we stilll sucked so bad.

Who we sign probably can come in and replace Donato's production since he's probably gone or at the very least not replicationg last year, but where does that leave us. I think our success largely hinges on Bedard and Nazar's development

It is definitely in the conversation to add someone better than both Teuvo and Bert and should be expected. Cant expect team to grow mostly from just Bedard and Nazar, getting them help will help their development and the team as a whole. Having a new coach also could slow them down at the start if they don't have any real talent to play with

 

[x Tame Impala]

I think if we’re relying on Nazar to be much more than a complimentary piece then we’re in trouble. He’s good, I don’t think he’ll ever be a line driver on a Cup team though. I hope we have at least 3 forwards better than him on this team.

 

[pvr]

I think if we’re relying on Nazar to be much more than a complimentary piece then we’re in trouble. He’s good, I don’t think he’ll ever be a line driver on a Cup team though. I hope we have at least 3 forwards better than him on this team.

Nazar will be a lot like Sharp…PKer, top 6, offensive threat…near core. If he’s playing first line, it’s because the lines are balanced. If he’s a third liner, we’re sitting pretty.

 

[featherhawk]

Nazar will be a lot like Sharp…PKer, top 6, offensive threat…near core. If he’s playing first line, it’s because the lines are balanced. If he’s a third liner, we’re sitting pretty.

Nice, I like the comp of Sharp for Nazar, I think Frank is faster than Patrick ever was though...

 

[x Tame Impala]

Nice, I like the comp of Sharp for Nazar, I think Frank is faster than Patrick ever was though...

Also smaller so that’s a good way to balance out the difference

 

[CallMeShaft]

We shouldn't rely on the hope that Nazar turns into a gamebreaker.

However, he did very well for himself in his rookie season. Not just points wise, but chances wise. He's also doing well at the WC.

It's not out of the realm of possibility that he becomes an elite, play-driving forward. I certainly don't think we necessarily need 3 guys better than him up front in order to contend.

Don't forget that those nerds at EP Rinkside voted for him as having the highest upside in that 2022 draft class. His development may have stalled a tad with that hip surgery in his D+1 season, but that upside is still there. Just a question if he hits that level.

 

[Taze em]

We shouldn't rely on the hope that Nazar turns into a gamebreaker.

However, he did very well for himself in his rookie season. Not just points wise, but chances wise. He's also doing well at the WC.

It's not out of the realm of possibility that he becomes an elite, play-driving forward. I certainly don't think we necessarily need 3 guys better than him up front in order to contend.

Don't forget that those nerds at EP Rinkside voted for him as having the highest upside in that 2022 draft class. His development may have stalled a tad with that hip surgery in his D+1 season, but that upside is still there. Just a question if he hits that level.

You certainly don't need 3 guys better than him up front. I would urge folks to look at Las Vegas as an example of the type of team we are building. 3 A+ D, a superstar, and the rest are not huge needle movers. The difference is they are big and heavy in the forward group and we are going for speed, quickness, and tenacious forechecking.

 

[Wally1112pac]

Nice, I like the comp of Sharp for Nazar, I think Frank is faster than Patrick ever was though...

 

[pvr]

I don’t even have to watch the video to know this play. Absolutely phenomenal. I’ve posted it here before.

 

[Malagahawks]

Not that this has any legs at because it doesn't, but would you do this deal?

NHL Trade Rumors: Sabres and Blackhawks Eye Franchise-Altering Deal - NHL Trade Rumors

A blockbuster NHL trade rumor is heating up involving the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks that could shake up the top of the 2025 NHL Draft.

www.nhltraderumor.com

The Chicago Blackhawks, on the flip side, are looking to fast-track their rebuild around generational talent Connor Bedard. The latest trade proposal making rounds in NHL insider circles could be a game-changer for both clubs:

• Chicago Blackhawks receive: Bowen Byram, JJ Peterka, 2025 first-round pick (9th overall)
• Buffalo Sabres receive: Lukas Reichel, Nolan Allan, Laurent Brossoit, 2025 first-round pick (3rd overall)

 

[u2wojo]

Not that this has any legs at because it doesn't, but would you do this deal?

NHL Trade Rumors: Sabres and Blackhawks Eye Franchise-Altering Deal - NHL Trade Rumors

A blockbuster NHL trade rumor is heating up involving the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks that could shake up the top of the 2025 NHL Draft.

www.nhltraderumor.com

The Chicago Blackhawks, on the flip side, are looking to fast-track their rebuild around generational talent Connor Bedard. The latest trade proposal making rounds in NHL insider circles could be a game-changer for both clubs:

• Chicago Blackhawks receive: Bowen Byram, JJ Peterka, 2025 first-round pick (9th overall)
• Buffalo Sabres receive: Lukas Reichel, Nolan Allan, Laurent Brossoit, 2025 first-round pick (3rd overall)

I would lean toward yes but it would depend a little on what contract demands of Peterka and Bowen especially (since I would be trying to flip him immediately) are. You give up 2 redundant pieces Allan/Brossoit, a guy not likely to live up to hopes (Reichel) and likely bottom of the lineup and 3 to 9 has you wioth still a good prospect which who knows in the end may end up better than who goes 3.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Not that this has any legs at because it doesn't, but would you do this deal?

NHL Trade Rumors: Sabres and Blackhawks Eye Franchise-Altering Deal - NHL Trade Rumors

A blockbuster NHL trade rumor is heating up involving the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks that could shake up the top of the 2025 NHL Draft.

www.nhltraderumor.com

The Chicago Blackhawks, on the flip side, are looking to fast-track their rebuild around generational talent Connor Bedard. The latest trade proposal making rounds in NHL insider circles could be a game-changer for both clubs:

• Chicago Blackhawks receive: Bowen Byram, JJ Peterka, 2025 first-round pick (9th overall)
• Buffalo Sabres receive: Lukas Reichel, Nolan Allan, Laurent Brossoit, 2025 first-round pick (3rd overall)

Yes.

Trading Reichel and Allan, the last of Stanley's blunders, would be a dream come true.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Yes.

Trading Reichel and Allan, the last of Stanley's blunders, would be a dream come true.

Allan is already better then Ian Mitchell

 

[WarriorofTime]

Adding Byram (coming off a bridge deal, needs what will essentially be his UFA deal) feels like the epitome of a doing things to do things kind of stupid move that helps tank rebuilds. Kind of thing that would lead them to asset mismanage another defensemen, move down in the draft without a real reason, and you can probably get a Peterka (a guy I do like a lot) level player some other way at some other point.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Adding Byram (coming off a bridge deal, needs what will essentially be his UFA deal) feels like the epitome of a doing things to do things kind of stupid move that helps tank rebuilds. Kind of thing that would lead them to asset mismanage another defensemen, move down in the draft without a real reason, and you can probably get a Peterka (a guy I do like a lot) level player some other way at some other point.

don't worry, Byram is taking a hometown discount

 

[Hawkaholic]

I'd do the trade, then package Byram, the 9th overall and Torontos pick to Nashville for #5.

 

[ChicagoHockeyFan]

That's an easy yes for that trade, I really love Peterka and Byram is still a very useful player.

 

[Muffinalt]

Not that this has any legs at because it doesn't, but would you do this deal?

NHL Trade Rumors: Sabres and Blackhawks Eye Franchise-Altering Deal - NHL Trade Rumors

A blockbuster NHL trade rumor is heating up involving the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks that could shake up the top of the 2025 NHL Draft.

www.nhltraderumor.com

The Chicago Blackhawks, on the flip side, are looking to fast-track their rebuild around generational talent Connor Bedard. The latest trade proposal making rounds in NHL insider circles could be a game-changer for both clubs:

• Chicago Blackhawks receive: Bowen Byram, JJ Peterka, 2025 first-round pick (9th overall)
• Buffalo Sabres receive: Lukas Reichel, Nolan Allan, Laurent Brossoit, 2025 first-round pick (3rd overall)

In a nano-second. Only moving down 6 spots while getting Peterka and Byram? Hell yes. Not to mention it's a draft where there isn't not a lot of difference between 3 and 9, beyond the top 2 really.

But I mean no way is that realistic. Also doesn't fit the need for what Buffalo wants to accomplish. They don't need more prospects, they should load up and go big game hunting.

 

[Darkstar]

I'd do that trade but I don't see Buffalo doing it.

 

[TheFridge]

In a nano-second. Only moving down 6 spots while getting Peterka and Byram? Hell yes. Not to mention it's a draft where there isn't not a lot of difference between 3 and 9, beyond the top 2 really.

But I mean no way is that realistic. Also doesn't fit the need for what Buffalo wants to accomplish. They don't need more prospects, they should load up and go big game hunting.

3 and 9 is the difference between your choice of Martone/Hagens/Desnoyers (whoever you covet, for whatever reason) and then maybe your choice of Martin/McQueen/Eklund. No doubt, there is a smaller gap between Misa and the next best forward(s) than there are between those guys and the guys that will be available at 9.

Doing that trade, you'd have to be comfortable knowing you're likely giving up the best player in the deal. I don't think Byram and Peterka are enough to justify it, personally.

Now if the deal centred around Power instead, that could be interesting.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Not to mention it's a draft where there isn't not a lot of difference between 3 and 9

Highly doubt that. If our scouts think that, they're probably lazy. Unless a draft has an unusually high number of misses, the options are almost always way better at 3.

Picks 3-8 vs. Picks 9-14

2020: Stutzle, Raymond, Sanderson, Drysdale, Holtz, Quinn off the board vs. Rossi, Perfetti, Askarov, Lundell, Jarvis, Holloway

2021: McTavish, L. Hughes, Johnson, Edvinsson, W. Eklund, Clarke vs. Guenther, Boucher, Sillinger, Coronato, Rosen, Cossa

2022: Cooley, Wright, Gauthier, D. Jiricek, Korchinski, Kasper vs. Savoie, Mintyukov, C. Geekie, Mateychuk, Nazar, McGroarty

2023: Fantilli, Smith, Reinbacher, Simashev, Michkov, Leonard vs. Danielson, Dvorsky, Willander, But, Benson, Yager

Your odds of nailing your pick and your upside of what happens if you do nail your pick are always going to be significantly higher picking third compared to ninth. Of course you can compare to whiffing the pick vs. hitting on the pick but that's not a fair comparison.

I think trading down holds a significant negative value that high in the draft which is why it's pretty rare. A third overall pick is an expected very high value in basically every draft, and one that carries tremendous upside, which is why "Buffalo" in this scenario is going to be interested. 9th is very much firmly into "cream of the crop has been picked over yet so you're going with best of the rest that likely had some sort of drawback to make them available at this point". You're just hoping the teams picking ahead of you messed it up, or you get lucky, to walk out with a high impact player.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Is the 3rd OVR pick going to be better than Peterka? If yes then I wouldn’t do it. Why would Buffalo give those assets up if they’re such valuable pieces??

 

[ColbyChaos]

Is the 3rd OVR pick going to be better than Peterka? If yes then I wouldn’t do it. Why would Buffalo give those assets up if they’re such valuable pieces??

Not that this has any legs at because it doesn't, but would you do this deal?

NHL Trade Rumors: Sabres and Blackhawks Eye Franchise-Altering Deal - NHL Trade Rumors

A blockbuster NHL trade rumor is heating up involving the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks that could shake up the top of the 2025 NHL Draft.

www.nhltraderumor.com

The Chicago Blackhawks, on the flip side, are looking to fast-track their rebuild around generational talent Connor Bedard. The latest trade proposal making rounds in NHL insider circles could be a game-changer for both clubs:

• Chicago Blackhawks receive: Bowen Byram, JJ Peterka, 2025 first-round pick (9th overall)
• Buffalo Sabres receive: Lukas Reichel, Nolan Allan, Laurent Brossoit, 2025 first-round pick (3rd overall)

hell no

 

[Bubba88]

Couldn't we get this done with the late 1st and one of the young LHD?
Maybe add another 2nd.

 

[Muffinalt]

3 and 9 is the difference between your choice of Martone/Hagens/Desnoyers (whoever you covet, for whatever reason) and then maybe your choice of Martin/McQueen/Eklund. No doubt, there is a smaller gap between Misa and the next best forward(s) than there are between those guys and the guys that will be available at 9.

Doing that trade, you'd have to be comfortable knowing you're likely giving up the best player in the deal. I don't think Byram and Peterka are enough to justify it, personally.

Now if the deal centred around Power instead, that could be interesting.

Actually I think the gap is bigger between Misa and Martone than Martone and Martin for example. Eklund for example especially I think is undervalued by mainstream outlets because he's the same tier as someone like Frondell. McQueen health withstanding should be right there with the likes of Martone. Martin is flying up public boards now. Bear would've been there too if no injury.

I think the forwards in the 3-10ish range are a big clump together, with Hagens being a little ahead. Actually, maybe only because of him I could agree with your opinion, but then there is still Peterka + Byram which are like a top 10 picks (and already established themselves).

Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Eklund, Martone, McQueen, Desnoyers, Frondell, Martin - and thats without any defensemen taken and some will be picked like always in that range anyway.

Peterka meanwhile was almost a PPG forward in his third year, and he's young. We'd all agree that outcome taken at 3rd would be good for this draft no? Not to mention Byram who is either a piece for you, or at the least a nice asset.

I think media/people would be surprised if that deal went through.

Highly doubt that. If our scouts think that, they're probably lazy. Unless a draft has an unusually high number of misses, the options are almost always way better at 3.

Picks 3-8 vs. Picks 9-14

2020: Stutzle, Raymond, Sanderson, Drysdale, Holtz, Quinn off the board vs. Rossi, Perfetti, Askarov, Lundell, Jarvis, Holloway

2021: McTavish, L. Hughes, Johnson, Edvinsson, W. Eklund, Clarke vs. Guenther, Boucher, Sillinger, Coronato, Rosen, Cossa

2022: Cooley, Wright, Gauthier, D. Jiricek, Korchinski, Kasper vs. Savoie, Mintyukov, C. Geekie, Mateychuk, Nazar, McGroarty

2023: Fantilli, Smith, Reinbacher, Simashev, Michkov, Leonard vs. Danielson, Dvorsky, Willander, But, Benson, Yager

Your odds of nailing your pick and your upside of what happens if you do nail your pick are always going to be significantly higher picking third compared to ninth. Of course you can compare to whiffing the pick vs. hitting on the pick but that's not a fair comparison.

I think trading down holds a significant negative value that high in the draft which is why it's pretty rare. A third overall pick is an expected very high value in basically every draft, and one that carries tremendous upside, which is why "Buffalo" in this scenario is going to be interested. 9th is very much firmly into "cream of the crop has been picked over yet so you're going with best of the rest that likely had some sort of drawback to make them available at this point". You're just hoping the teams picking ahead of you messed it up, or you get lucky, to walk out with a high impact player.

To be fair, even in those drafts above, I don't see enough separation between the prospects that would be worth Peterka, with the exceptions of maybe Fantilli, Michkov, Stutzle. But you're not getting that this year after 2.

Have to go draft by draft, and I think this year w have a really good 2, and then a crop of like 10 guys lead by Hagens that are kind of close to each other.

I understand the risk from an FO is that they'd be left not with their top choice from that crop, but then again they'd be adding Peterka and Byram too.