Buffalo Sabres 2025 Off-Season Plan

[RefsIdeas]

FWIW - AFP Analytics projects Byram at 5.2m AAV for a short term deal (2 yrs) and 7.2m AAV for a long-term deal (7 yrs).

If we’re forced to sign him, I’d rather go the short-term route at those rates.

 

[slip]

I still don't get where this idea that he's asking for 1D money has come from considering that isn't what he has done on the ice.

I’d be fine with locking him up for his last two years of RFA at around 5 mil per. Maybe bump that up to 5.5-6 if he willing to go 3-4 years. Not a guy I want a long term commitment with.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

I really hope the Power injury doesn't result in no movement on defense this off season. The top 4 needs a complete overhaul. We can't pay three of them 7 million plus and keep this same defense composition. Do not pay Byram long term. One of Power or Byram still needs to go and a top 4 caliber play stopper brought.

But I'm fully expecting them to just bridge Byram and make a small change on the bottom pairing and call it a day.

 

[Ace]

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

I don't even care if the team moves to Arizona.

 

[debaser66]

Trusting Norris as the 1C feels like a surefire way to end up not having a 1C by December when his injury bug strikes.

Not to say that he is a 2C at best and has proven that for just 1 season

 

[ValJamesDuex]

I really hope the Power injury doesn't result in no movement on defense this off season. The top 4 needs a complete overhaul. We can't pay three of them 7 million plus and keep this same defense composition. Do not pay Byram long term. One of Power or Byram still needs to go and a top 4 caliber play stopper brought.

But I'm fully expecting them to just bridge Byram and make a small change on the bottom pairing and call it a day.

Adams said the injury should NOT run into next season, no excuses

 

[BFLO]

If Power actually did his ACL/meniscus, the Byram trade talk stops in its tracks.

Silver lining is maybe they're forced to go add a top 4 D that will still be here whenever Power is ready to go next year.

Elsewhere, McCann is the guy I'd pay up to go get.

Nah. Adams will treat the Power injury just like he did the Quinn injury. He'll keep a spot open in the lineup for a prospect to make the team rather than sign a veteran.

 

[TehDoak]

Nah. Adams will treat the Power injury just like he did the Quinn injury. He'll keep a spot open in the lineup for a prospect to make the team rather than sign a veteran.

Power is ALOT more proven than Quinn has been. Even with his warts, he's a top 4 d-man with upside still.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Dubi Doo]

How does Byram with Dahlin compare to other players that have played with Dahlin? Does he elevate Dahlin more than other players? Shouldn't be hard given the other options Dahlin has to play with.

If he's fine riding shotgun with Dahlin for 6-7 million a year, then cool. I'm still iffy on giving up on Power. I do fear his injury is going to hinder his development quite a bit.

Also, what do we do with JBD? Is he a better option than Clifford as our bottom pairing RD? I vaguely remember Clifton being pretty bad on his offhand, and I'm not sure JBD can handle playing his offhand as well. This defense is the epitome of 'trying to fit a square peg into a round hole'.

Really, we need to revamp the top-6 and the defense. We're so screwed for next year.

 

[Jim Bob]

How does Byram with Dahlin compare to other players that have played with Dahlin? Does he elevate Dahlin more than other players? Shouldn't be hard given the other options Dahlin has to play with.

If he's fine riding shotgun with Dahlin for 6-7 million a year, then cool. I'm still iffy on giving up on Power. I do fear his injury is going to hinder his development quite a bit.

Also, what do we do with JBD? Is he a better option than Clifford as our bottom pairing RD? I vaguely remember Clifton being pretty bad on his offhand, and I'm not sure JBD can handle playing his offhand as well. This defense is the epitome of 'trying to fit a square peg into a round hole'.

Really, we need to revamp the top-6 and the defense. We're so screwed for next year.

Dahlin-Byram had great results with not the best underlying numbers compared to Dahlin-Power this season. And some of the underlying numbers of Dahlin-Jokiharju were better than Dahlin-Byram.

And the other challenge with Byram will be the Power injury and what they can expect from him next year if he has his offseason meaningfully impacted by the rehab he will require and if that will be after a surgery or not.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

How does Byram with Dahlin compare to other players that have played with Dahlin? Does he elevate Dahlin more than other players? Shouldn't be hard given the other options Dahlin has to play with.

If he's fine riding shotgun with Dahlin for 6-7 million a year, then cool. I'm still iffy on giving up on Power. I do fear his injury is going to hinder his development quite a bit.

Also, what do we do with JBD? Is he a better option than Clifford as our bottom pairing RD? I vaguely remember Clifton being pretty bad on his offhand, and I'm not sure JBD can handle playing his offhand as well. This defense is the epitome of 'trying to fit a square peg into a round hole'.

Really, we need to revamp the top-6 and the defense. We're so screwed for next year.

Power should be OK by the season. Need to find his partner

Then decide on Byram. Although it is true he does not look great away from 26.

Johnson should be on bottom pair

But KA has let too much go, too long and that makes a task like this hard going into year 15 and 6 for KA.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Djp]

FWIW - AFP Analytics projects Byram at 5.2m AAV for a short term deal (2 yrs) and 7.2m AAV for a long-term deal (7 yrs).

If we’re forced to sign him, I’d rather go the short-term route at those rates.

I see a 3-5 yr contract. With the cap going up, these numbers need to be sdjusted

I really hope the Power injury doesn't result in no movement on defense this off season. The top 4 needs a complete overhaul. We can't pay three of them 7 million plus and keep this same defense composition. Do not pay Byram long term. One of Power or Byram still needs to go and a top 4 caliber play stopper brought.

But I'm fully expecting them to just bridge Byram and make a small change on the bottom pairing and call it a day.

They csn still move Samuelsson

Adams said the injury should NOT run into next season, no excuses

What details? Ive had surgery on meniscus in both knees. It will take 5 months at least. He could play at 80% and not play b2bs

Any ligament/ tendon damage will push him to thxgvg

 

[TehDoak]

Don't give us none of your aggravation
We had it with your discipline
Saturday night's alright for fighting firing
Get a little action in

 

[Chainshot]

 

[ValJamesDuex]

What details? Ive had surgery on meniscus in both knees. It will take 5 months at least. He could play at 80% and not play b2bs

Any ligament/ tendon damage will push him to thxgvg

The GM said it here, thats the info they have but everyone is a twitter Dr these days

https://www.audacy.com/podcast/schopp-and-bulldog-dcf5d/episodes/hour-three-kevyn-adams-joins-the-show-842bf

 

[Chainshot]

I would like to think we aren’t yet again looking at a 2015 scenario, but I can see this team being very much in the hunt for 1OA next year.

 

[sabremike]

I would like to think we aren’t yet again looking at a 2015 scenario, but I can see this team being very much in the hunt for 1OA next year.

Only way that happens is if Dahlin misses the season with an injury. Him alone will carry them to 6th-7th bottom. If he did they likely wouldn't reach 20 wins.

 

[Chainshot]

Only way that happens is if Dahlin misses the season with an injury. Him alone will carry them to 6th-7th bottom. If he did they likely wouldn't reach 20 wins.

It only takes one injury.

 

[Selanne00008]

I would like to think we aren’t yet again looking at a 2015 scenario, but I can see this team being very much in the hunt for 1OA next year.

I am here for it!

As far as Byrum goes, management/coaching needs to be smarter about how they assign partners on ice.

If you are slick, you don't put the one guy that needs a new contract WITH Dahlin. It's going to pump up his numbers and bloat a new contract. if you already signed Power (or whoever) you put THAT guy with Dahlin.

Same for offense. Don't play an offensive run and gun game 2 years ago when Cozens and others need a new deal, and then sign him to a lofty contract and THEN play a defensive suffocating game the next year when your goalie needs a new deal. Idiots.

Putting Benson on the top line isn't the right move financially next year. If you throw him in with Tage and your top center then get ready to pay up

** Edit: To clarify, this is half sarcasm. A contending team isn't going to play financial chess and BS their sneaky way to schemes like this. but, this team, which you'd think has money savings on the mind constantly is going to care more about suppressing future contracts than if Benson is a great fit on the 1st line regardless if it will make his value inflate. But this team does neither. Asleep at the Wheel.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I don't see a way forward tbh unless a few players take key steps forward.

Too many bricks in drafting; 2016-2023 didn't yield enough.

11 1sts, 12 2nds and they have Dahlin, Power, Benson, Kulich, Norris, Bryam, Peterka, Greenway, UPK, and Macleod to show for it.

It's not enough players for the number of holes they had. The extra picks are from retooling Eichel/Reinhart/Ristolianen. That's a lackluster group for two 1OA, and a lot of top 10s.

They have two first line caliber players in Tuch/Thompson, and a capable 2nd line winger in Peterka. On defense Dahlin is a good 1D, but after that there's not a lot; and what they have is very expensive. When Norris is available he's a 2nd line talent.

Benson/Kulich/Greenway/Zucker(maybe)/Macleod(ish) are 3rd line players on a play off team.

How do they get out of this unless Helenius turns into an Aho caliber player? There's no salvation in free agency.

1 . Benson, Kulich, Power, UPK or Levi, and Bryam all need to take steps.
2. They need a value 4th line add, who they probably won't get
3. One of Ostlund/Rosen/Helenius needs to force their way onto the team
4. Norris needs to stay healthy
5. Thompson/Tuch need to stay on their pace
6. They need a RHD who isn't available

That's a hell of a parlay.

 

[DJN21]

I would like to think we aren’t yet again looking at a 2015 scenario, but I can see this team being very much in the hunt for 1OA next year.

Good Mcenna landing in our laps is better than anything Kevyn will do anyways....

 

[Chainshot]

Good Mcenna landing in our laps is better than anything Kevyn will do anyways....

Not sure if they are able to even get there and not advocating that they do. A terrible year is likely the death knell of Tuch and Dahlin as Sabres.