Buffalo Sabres 2025 Off-Season Plan

[Puppa2Miller]

My #1 priority would be a complete overhaul of the coaching staff.

Lindy hasn't been a total disaster, but he's not the answer. Let's face it, he was mostly a feel-good Pegula hire. The assistants are all disasters.

Can we please see what this roster can do with a top-notch coaching staff? They have too much talent to be as bad as they perform on too many nights.

Maybe a better question would be "can Adams hire one?".

Lindy has been a total disaster. Granato had these same assistants, probably worse with Ellis, and performed better.

They all, plus Adams, need to go by like yesterday

 

[slip]

Isn't Center set in Buffalo?
Norris
Kulich
McLoed
Krebs

Norris/Kulich as your 1-2 center spine is a recipe for a failure, and precisely what to expect if Adams sticks around.

 

[toddkaz]

Norris/Kulich as your 1-2 center spine is a recipe for a failure, and precisely what to expect if Adams sticks around.

I completely agree, neither are 1C and Kulich at the moment is not a 1-2C.

But I don't expect Adams to make changes at center so I am just being realistic.

 

[RefsIdeas]

It’ll be very interesting if Power is indeed out long-term, and they decline to LTIR him and utilize the open cap space for next year.

Obviously depends on the seriousness of his injury, but at right this moment I’d think Christmas is the earliest we could expect a return. Might be closer to the all star break.

 

[HOOats]

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.

 

[TehDoak]

It’ll be very interesting if Power is indeed out long-term, and they decline to LTIR him and utilize the open cap space for next year.

Obviously depends on the seriousness of his injury, but at right this moment I’d think Christmas is the earliest we could expect a return. Might be closer to the all star break.

Not really how it works.

Unless he is going to miss the whole season, you have to account for his cap once he returns.

I mean, lets say its a year long injury you could bring him back for the playof........

Wait, who are we kidding. The PLAYOFFS. lol.

 

[RefsIdeas]

Not really how it works.

Unless he is going to miss the whole season, you have to account for his cap once he returns.

I mean, lets say its a year long injury you could bring him back for the playof........

Wait, who are we kidding. The PLAYOFFS. lol.

I understand that, but teams in a similar situation usually still max out the cap savings and figure it out when the player is close to returning. Once you operate in LTIR territory there is some malleability to the cap + you can take advantage of it if other players are injured throughout the year.

 

[Chainshot]

My summer plan is to find a different source of dopamine.

 

[Ace]

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

So we are doubly f***ed?

 

[toddkaz]

Posters - Power sucks get rid of him!

also

Posters - Oh no Power is out for next season? We are doomed!

I guess it ends the trade talks......still should be back at some point next season.

 

[Chainshot]

So we are doubly f***ed?

Triple-f'd - they won't move one of those two AND they won't make any other defense changes because of the volume of dollars stacked into the group.

 

[debaser66]

Better off putting Bryam in a package for a more solid defender.
If Power is out or not doesn't matter.
A solid RD who will be a partner for OP to stabilize the 2nd pairing when he returns.
Nothing flashy. Until then RDX supports the 2nd pairing.
Probably better than keeping Bryam, one premium OD in Dahiln is enough.

 

[CowbellConray]

Am I just alone in my feelings of Byram? I think he is a perfectly fine middle pairing D who, if you can lock down for 6-7M a year, would be a solid idea? I think he is clearly a step above Power right now, is more consistent, and is still 23 years old with room to grow.

38 points this year, only 4 PP points, 22 minutes TOI, 50% o-zone starts, yea he doesn't look amazing when Dahlin isn't his partner, but Power and Clifton have not been great this year.

I know he has value, so if the idea is to trade him to bring a value piece back I understand. But I'd much rather try to bridge or keep him and work on dealing other pieces

 

[Beerz]

Isn't Center set in Buffalo?
Norris
Kulich
McLoed
Krebs

On the flip side of that Tavares says he wants to keep his family in Toronto so Ottawa and Buffalo would be ideal destinations if Toronto doesn't want to resign him. It also sounds like Tavares will take a discount to resign in Toronto.

No Center should not be set

That is a gross Center spine.


Unfortunately Tavares is not the answer.


But would be a great PR move that Adams can sell..

FML

 

[Chainshot]

Better off putting Bryam in a package for a more solid defender.
If Power is out or not doesn't matter.
A solid RD who will be a partner for OP to stabilize the 2nd pairing when he returns.
Nothing flashy. Until then RDX supports the 2nd pairing.
Probably better than keeping Bryam, one premium OD in Dahiln is enough.

What team is trading a play-killer for offense though?

 

[Buffalowing1988]

No Center should not be set

That is a gross Center spine.


Unfortunately Tavares is not the answer.


But would be a great PR move that Adams can sell..

FML

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

 

[Selanne00008]

Triple-f'd - they won't move one of those two AND they won't make any other defense changes because of the volume of dollars stacked into the group.

My summer plan is to find a different source of dopamine.

I've been more of a Debbie Downer lately with the team. Finally hit a breaking point of caring but not really invested or watching much. And this isn't gonna help, but i am already prepared for a top 5 lotto pick next year and we are toast by Christmas. I'd imagine it's the odds on favorite. Probly looking at O/U of 80 points in Vegas.

Crazy how close to the cap ceiling the roster will actually be.

I don't think Byram was going anywhere even before the Power injury. Bryam is Adams' reminder to Pegula that he knows talent and can win trades. He is a keeper!

 

[kirby11]

Am I just alone in my feelings of Byram? I think he is a perfectly fine middle pairing D who, if you can lock down for 6-7M a year, would be a solid idea? I think he is clearly a step above Power right now, is more consistent, and is still 23 years old with room to grow.

38 points this year, only 4 PP points, 22 minutes TOI, 50% o-zone starts, yea he doesn't look amazing when Dahlin isn't his partner, but Power and Clifton have not been great this year.

I know he has value, so if the idea is to trade him to bring a value piece back I understand. But I'd much rather try to bridge or keep him and work on dealing other pieces

The biggest issue is, IMO, he's gonna ask for 1D-lite money even though he's stunk something fierce whenever he's pressed into that role, like when Dahlin was out during most of the 13-game losing streak. They'd have a stupid amount of money sunk into the defense long-term between a Byram extension, Dahlin, OP, and Sammy (assuming they keep him) when Ras is the only one who's consistently good in his own end.

 

[toddkaz]

No Center should not be set

That is a gross Center spine.


Unfortunately Tavares is not the answer.


But would be a great PR move that Adams can sell..

FML

I don't disagree but like I said, I am being realistic. Adams isn't changing that in my opinion.

There is what should happen and then there is what Adams will do

 

[Djp]

McBain is a 3 C and Kesselring is a true top 4 RD. This isn’t Clifton and Krebs.

It’s the Savoie for McLeod style deal.

I don't see it with either

It’ll be very interesting if Power is indeed out long-term, and they decline to LTIR him and utilize the open cap space for next year.

Obviously depends on the seriousness of his injury, but at right this moment I’d think Christmas is the earliest we could expect a return. Might be closer to the all star break.

If yhr injury is s torn meniscus and h D gas the surgery now he'd be back in October.

Only ig he ysly blee out hud knee with multiple ligament and other damage woukd he possi b ly be out the full season

I understand that, but teams in a similar situation usually still max out the cap savings and figure it out when the player is close to returning. Once you operate in LTIR territory there is some malleability to the cap + you can take advantage of it if other players are injured throughout the year.

The team's have an idea. If activated you must still be cap compliant

Am I just alone in my feelings of Byram? I think he is a perfectly fine middle pairing D who, if you can lock down for 6-7M a year, would be a solid idea? I think he is clearly a step above Power right now, is more consistent, and is still 23 years old with room to grow.

38 points this year, only 4 PP points, 22 minutes TOI, 50% o-zone starts, yea he doesn't look amazing when Dahlin isn't his partner, but Power and Clifton have not been great this year.

I know he has value, so if the idea is to trade him to bring a value piece back I understand. But I'd much rather try to bridge or keep him and work on dealing other pieces

He's on his bridge contract now

 

[Dubi Doo]

They will change out one forward, one defenseman, and maybe a goalie. That's it. That's the summer. And "change" is relative since it may involve simply filling in from below.

I'm not expecting much, but I'm hoping Adams has learned his lesson of forcing a young player into a top-6 C role. I'm not really expecting this, but it's the most I can see Adams doing. Signing a middle-6 C and trading for a top-4 RD. It'd be an aggressive offseason by Adams standards, but a man can dream.

C options from FA:
Tavares
Bennett
Nelson
Duchene
Granlund

Of those, Tavares, Nelson, and Duchene I'd be interested in. I'd LOVE Bennett, I fear Bennett is going to be massively overpaid due to his style of play. Duchene probably isn't coming here; I vaguely remember him wanting to play for a winner. Nelson may be re-signed by Colorado since they desperately need a top-6C. Tavares may be our best option, and honestly- I'm fine with it if it keeps Kulich as the 3C. When the inevitable injury hits Norris, McLeod can move to C, and then you play your hot hand between him and Kulich.

I'm also keeping a close eye on Calgary praying they miss the playoffs and want futures for some of their veterans. Weegar would be someone we could possibly pry from Calgary.

It wouldn't be a sexy offseason, and more needs to be done. But if we're getting another Adams like offseason with perhaps a bit more aggression due to feeling the pressure, then this is probably the best we can hope for.

 

[Chainshot]

The biggest issue is, IMO, he's gonna ask for 1D-lite money even though he's stunk something fierce whenever he's pressed into that role, like when Dahlin was out during most of the 13-game losing streak. They'd have a stupid amount of money sunk into the defense long-term between a Byram extension, Dahlin, OP, and Sammy (assuming they keep him) when Ras is the only one who's consistently good in his own end.

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.

 

[CowbellConray]

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.

The closest comparison I can find from last year is Sean Durzi.

Durzi at time of contract:
25 years old
41 points
22:43 TOI
51% Zone Start

Byram:
23 years old (about to be 24)
38 points
22:47 TOI
52% Zone Start

Durzi got 4x6M. I'm going to Byram's agent and offering that same deal, or maybe 6x7 to lock him down

 

[DapperCam]

Posters - Power sucks get rid of him!

also

Posters - Oh no Power is out for next season? We are doomed!

Sabres fans aren’t a homogenous group. Different people have different opinions.

 

[toddkaz]

Sabres fans aren’t a homogenous group. Different people have different opinions.

Its amazing how people watch the same game but come to different conclusions.