Player Discussion Buffalo Pickers - The Search For Serviceable Defensemen, Summer of '23 Edition

[Ace]

It can be hard to acquire a top 4 D while also not being nearly as hard as Adams makes it look.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Right. I'm not expecting Columbus to suddenly trade David Jiricek to us.

But a team with the opposite pipeline of what we have - ie weak at forward but deep on defence - might be interested in a 'hockey' deal to balance things out? Given that we'd likely be moving a winger, we'd probably need to give up a slightly 'better' prospect - but it still makes sense if that guy is further down on our list than he would be

Is this still an issue after this year's draft? The pipeline doesnt look nearly as bare as last year.

Johnson
Novikov
Strbak
McCarthy

It seems they have quite a few options that have top-4 potential. Obviously, not any blue chippers, but that's not really a concern when Dahlin and Power are our 1-2 for the next decade +. We just need on of those four to pan out as Power's partner, and we're good.

I don't care much for a prospect for prospect swap based on positions. Trade one of those forward prospects for a roster player that will help today.

Not saying Im against a prospect for prospect trade. I just don't view our defensive prospect pool as in dire need. Our top-3 defensemen are set for 7 years. I dont want to give extra value to a team based on a positional need that, in my mind, doesnt really exist.

Find a top-4 guy that can play for the next 3-4 years, then hopefully one of those four prospects can stick with Power who should be capable of driving his own pair by then. This doesnt even consider who we draft next year and beyond.

We're in an incredibly unique situation with having TWO defensemen takien #1 in the draft only a few years apart.

 

[Jim Bob]

Is this still an issue after this year's draft? The pipeline doesnt look nearly as bare as last year.

Johnson
Novikov
Strbak
McCarthy

It seems they have quite a few options that have top-4 potential. Obviously, not any blue chippers, but that's not really a concern when Dahlin and Power are our 1-2 for the next decade +. We just need on of those four to pan out as Power's partner, and we're good.

I don't care much for a prospect for prospect swap based on positions. Trade one of those forward prospects for a roster player that will help today.

Not saying Im against a prospect for prospect trade. I just don't view our defensive prospect pool as in dire need. Our top-3 defensemen are set for 7 years. I dont want to give extra value to a team based on a positional need that, in my mind, doesnt really exist.

Find a top-4 guy that can play for the next 3-4 years, then hopefully one of those four prospects can stick with Power who should be capable of driving his own pair by then. This doesnt even consider who we draft next year and beyond.

We're in an incredibly unique situation with having TWO defensemen takien #1 in the draft only a few years apart.

Johnson signing and this draft class makes the D pipeline significantly better today than it looked 6 months ago, IMO.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Is this still an issue after this year's draft? The pipeline doesnt look nearly as bare as last year.

Johnson
Novikov
Strbak
McCarthy

Lindgren, Komarov, Metsa, Jandric as well


Jim, you may want to add at least Metsa to your list. @Chainshot likes Jandric as well

View attachment 724110

Johnson signing and this draft class makes the D pipeline significantly better today than it looked 6 months ago, IMO.

 

[Dubi Doo]

View attachment 724110

Johnson signing and this draft class makes the D pipeline significantly better today than it looked 6 months ago, IMO.

Thanks for putting that list together! I was having a tough time remembering everyone. It feels like we've added a ton of defensive prospects to the system in the last two months.

 

[Jim Bob]

Lindgren, Komarov, Metsa, Jandric as well


Jim, you may want to add at least Metsa to your list. @Chainshot likes Jandric as well

I did not include any of the Amerks contract D. So, that is why Metsa, Jandric, Prow, and Nic Savoie were not listed.

 

[Dex]

nvm

 

[Perry Tegula]

Find a top-4 guy that can play for the next 3-4 years, then hopefully one of those four prospects can stick with Power who should be capable of driving his own pair by then. This doesnt even consider who we draft next year and beyond.

This is the play. High AAV and short term, in 3 seasons Power will be carrying his partner so roll out a rookie or a veteran plug.

 

[Ace]

Vsevolod Komarov was signed by Buffalo, correct?

Yes. He has another year in juniors but they rewarded his growth with a contract right before he won the Memorial Cup

 

[Rowley Birkin]

They just drafted two guys who could realistically be solid second pair or great bottom pair players. If they're trading prospects it should be for someone who can be a solid top 4 player right now.

Also @Dubi Doo.

Of course - the dream would be to trade for a legit top 4 guy who is signed long term. Pesce, Hanifin, or whoever of that calibre. You then hopefully don't need to worry about the position for another 5 or more years.

But that type of trade isn't a given.

And none of these prospects are the same calibre as many of the forwards. It's great that Adams finally started to address the position (with his third pick, at least) but... shiny new toy syndrome.

 

[Paxon]

Also @Dubi Doo.

Of course - the dream would be to trade for a legit top 4 guy who is signed long term. Pesce, Hanifin, or whoever of that calibre. You then hopefully don't need to worry about the position for another 5 or more years.

But that type of trade isn't a given.

And none of these prospects are the same calibre as many of the forwards. It's great that Adams finally started to address the position (with his third pick, at least) but... shiny new toy syndrome.

I deleted my post right after posting it cuz I thought maybe I misread you, that you were talking about acquiring an NHL-ready defenseman. I guess I had it right the first time, so I'll reiterate:

I'm not against a prospect-for-prospect trade, I just don't see why it should be any sort of focus. We need a defenseman now. We don't need anything on the pipeline. The pipeline now looks fine. They can add to it next draft. While it lacks a blue chip top pair sort, the Sabres have those players on the roster long-term already.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

I deleted my post right after posting it cuz I thought maybe I misread you, that you were talking about acquiring an NHL-ready defenseman. I guess I had it right the first time, so I'll reiterate:

I'm not against a prospect-for-prospect trade, I just don't see why it should be any sort of focus. We need a defenseman now. We don't need anything on the pipeline. The pipeline now looks fine. They can add to it next draft. While it lacks a blue chip top pair sort, the Sabres have those players on the roster long-term already.

I think it's dependant on other moves made :

- dream scenario is we trade for a young stud just breaking out as a top 4 guy. It's completely unrealistic to think that happens though since no GM is trading that away.

- best realistic scenario is we trade for a Pesce/Hanifin, sign long term & hopefully profit.

- another (maybe more) likely scenario is we trade for an older guy like Tanev or sign an older/lesser UFA short term. Or worse still - run it back with what we had last year. It's this type of scenario where I'd see the 'prospect swap' as being a bigger priority.

Hopefully i'm clear...

 

[JLewyB]

Alright. Its time to talk Gudas. Hes better than what we have. Im pessimistic about the more elite options working out. I dont want to sign expensive long term good but not so great free agents. Gudas is the best of that 2nd tier

 

[Fjordsen]

I don't like Gudas

 

[Jim Bob]

Alright. Its time to talk Gudas. Hes better than what we have. Im pessimistic about the more elite options working out. I dont want to sign expensive long term good but not so great free agents. Gudas is the best of that 2nd tier

Gudas is better than Boosh, but not good enough to play the 20+ minutes a game that a top 4 D requires.

Gudas has never played 20 min/G for a season in his entire NHL career. He's been a 17-18 min/G guy his last 6 seasons.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Is Cernak completely out of the realm of possibilities?

He's 26 making 5.2mil for the next 8 years.

Tampa is already at the cap and still needs to resign Jeannot.

I know it would cost an arm and a leg but I am willing to pay that price.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Is Cernak completely out of the realm of possibilities?

Yes.

 

[Zman5778]

Is Cernak completely out of the realm of possibilities?

Yes. Granted Tampa is nuts-to-butts to the cap.....but Tampa's management is highly intelligent. Highly intelligent front offices don't trade Cernak types unless forced to by outside forces.

 

[Weltschmerz]

Is Cernak completely out of the realm of possibilities?

He's 26 making 5.2mil for the next 8 years.

Tampa is already at the cap and still needs to resign Jeannot.

I know it would cost an arm and a leg but I am willing to pay that price.

They have about 7 millions from the Seabrook LTIR.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Yes.

Yes. Granted Tampa is nuts-to-butts to the cap.....but Tampa's management is highly intelligent. Highly intelligent front offices don't trade Cernak types unless forced to by outside forces.

Alright...

 

[Fjordsen]

Is Cernak completely out of the realm of possibilities?

He's 26 making 5.2mil for the next 8 years.

Tampa is already at the cap and still needs to resign Jeannot.

I know it would cost an arm and a leg but I am willing to pay that price.

I think he not available and I don't want to pay too much for him.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

 

[Paxon]

I think it's dependant on other moves made :

- dream scenario is we trade for a young stud just breaking out as a top 4 guy. It's completely unrealistic to think that happens though since no GM is trading that away.

- best realistic scenario is we trade for a Pesce/Hanifin, sign long term & hopefully profit.

- another (maybe more) likely scenario is we trade for an older guy like Tanev or sign an older/lesser UFA short term. Or worse still - run it back with what we had last year. It's this type of scenario where I'd see the 'prospect swap' as being a bigger priority.

Hopefully i'm clear...

I agree with all of this, except to the last bit I'd say in the event we don't do any NHL D moves this offseason, crazy as that'd be, I still don't see the specific need to do a forward-for-defenseman prospect swap unless the guy is going to be ready to play a real role in 2024-2025 -- more ready than the guys we already have at that.

 

[Gabrielor]

View attachment 724110

Johnson signing and this draft class makes the D pipeline significantly better today than it looked 6 months ago, IMO.

My man! Using excel!

 

[Jim Bob]

Lindgren, Komarov, Metsa, Jandric as well


Jim, you may want to add at least Metsa to your list. @Chainshot likes Jandric as well

Another way to look at it with the green meaning players that are signed to NHL deals or a pending RFA (Clague), yellow meaning players are on the Sabres reserve list and need to be signed, and red meaning players on minor league deals.

Also of note is that I believe Komarov is in the NHL or CHL boat this season. So, he likely goes back to the Q and his ELC will slide.