Off-Season Roster Thread #2 -- Nothing to do but wait

[Sabresfansince1980]

I'm just going to assume KA is insisting on Wyatt Johnston as the add...

2 RDs and two goalies, maybe one forward. But you’re right, we can just grab Holtby and Stetcher for a couple million and be set, instead of spending a bit more and acquiring players that could help both short and long-term.

I’ve gone through every teams CapFriendly numerous times. Gone through what projected lineups are while taking into consideration what their RFAs will get. I have a spreadsheet of each teams estimated cap space. This is the most cap strapped I can remember the NHL being as a whole. There are a ton of quality players that will be moved for less than they are worth because the team needs to acquire cap space. There will be mid tier FAs well into July that are left unsigned because there won’t be teams that can afford to pay them a fair market rate.

If (and this is still if) we acquire Bishops contract for nothing, while not signing other players to help our team and also don’t weaponize the rest of our cap - the Pegulas are doing this team a disservice. Hell, even Merulo is willing to acquire bad contracts to help his team, and he’s as cheap as they come.

This is a better explanation than I gave. There will be plenty of ways to get to the cap floor in August.

 

[Der Jaeger]

There are ways to improve the team while getting to the cap floor. There are teams that are desperate to move contracts for players that can help in the short-term and could be flipped at the deadline.

I guess I don't see how waiting until free agency shakes out, where they may buy their way out of a cap floor problem with quality players, causes them any more strain or weaker leverage if that plan doesn't work out.

This is essentially a non-move move. Sabres have $40M in cap space. And the Sabres will put him on IR for the year. So he's not blocking anyone from making the team.

Dallas has $14M in cap space, and this basically gives them $5M more.

If the Sabres get a pick, or even future considerations, who cares? It's not like signing Campbell and Subban are getting the Sabres where they need to be, and it's not blocking anyone from coming.

It's a blah move.

 

[TehDoak]

This is essentially a non-move move. Sabres have $40M in cap space. And the Sabres will put him on IR for the year. So he's not blocking anyone from making the team.

Dallas has $14M in cap space, and this basically gives them $5M more.

If the Sabres get a pick, or even future considerations, who cares? It's not like signing Campbell and Subban are getting the Sabres where they need to be, and it's not blocking anyone from coming.

It's a blah move.

Given the that Bishop has a 1M signing bonus, my guess is the Sabres are getting an asset along with Bishop.

If they were getting, say, Holtby's rights + a late pick...

 

[RefsIdeas]

This is essentially a non-move move. Sabres have $40M in cap space. And the Sabres will put him on IR for the year. So he's not blocking anyone from making the team.

Dallas has $14M in cap space, and this basically gives them $5M more.

If the Sabres get a pick, or even future considerations, who cares? It's not like signing Campbell and Subban are getting the Sabres where they need to be, and it's not blocking anyone from coming.

It's a blah move.

It matters if this is the move that helps us float above the cap floor all year. It’s a way for the Pegulas to spend less real dollars than they have to.

It’s the same BS they pulled last year. Other teams regularly use their cap space to acquire assets - if this is just for future considerations, why are the Sabres doing the Stars a favor? We’re not a charity organization, we’re trying to win a Stanley Cup. There’s no other reason they do this unless they don’t want to improve their team in a meaningful way in the offseason - unless we are being compensated for this.

Just to be clear - if we get a 2nd or 3rd for this - my point is moot. If it’s future considerations, it stands.

 

[Ehran]

Given the that Bishop has a 1M signing bonus, my guess is the Sabres are getting an asset along with Bishop.

If they were getting, say, Holtby's rights + a late pick...

The trade could always officially take place after the signing bonus is due. Aren't they normally due on July 1st even if the season doesn't start until July 15th?

 

[thewookie1]

My guess is we get a 4th or 5th for Bishop's salary dump. He'll be LTIR eligible regardless so if we actually end up spending some money it won't exactly hurt us.

 

[BloFan4Life]

Here's our Boychuk replacement.

Hopefully this is to use some of our extra cap space to pick up another draft pick and not a vehicle to reach the lower limit. (I can always hope)

So let me try to understand this correctly. The Pegulas want to spend as little money as possible on players. So KA would go out and spend 3.5 million on a player that will never play and adding an extra 1.5 million above the salary to the cap?

I would rather just give Hino 3.5 million dollars next year. Way over payment, but at least you used the little cash we have for a serviceable player.

Also, why do people think we will have issues getting to the floor at all? Have people looked at this roster lately? All we need to do if add 18 million. VO will cost 5.5 ish, Bryson about 1.5, goalies will cost 6 ish, a new d man will cost 6 ish.

So we really have zero plans to go after a top forward, whether through trade or FA. That is extremely disappointing. I can't stand when people act like this team is littered with PPG players. We have lots of young players that could be improved on.

 

[EichHart]

If this actually happens without any further compensation...I'll just let myself out. Even if it does come with a pick or so, it still shows what the mentality is going into next season.

Yeah they're trying to tank one more season for the Bedard/Michkov/Fantilli sweepstakes.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

This is essentially a non-move move. Sabres have $40M in cap space. And the Sabres will put him on IR for the year. So he's not blocking anyone from making the team.

Dallas has $14M in cap space, and this basically gives them $5M more.

If the Sabres get a pick, or even future considerations, who cares? It's not like signing Campbell and Subban are getting the Sabres where they need to be, and it's not blocking anyone from coming.

It's a blah move.

I'm not worried about blocking any prospect...especially in goal. I know he'll go straight to LTIR, I just don't want that contract to be how the org reaches the cap floor while signing some more randoms to 1 mil deals. I'd rather they fork out legit dollars to Campbell, Husso, etc. Then go big on a vet RHD. Then if they still have a few mil to reach the floor, go find a bad contract then. This may ultimately mean nothing, except if they turn around and re-sign Anderson, or someone similar.

 

[TehDoak]

So let me try to understand this correctly. The Pegulas want to spend as little money as possible on players. So KA would go out and spend 3.5 million on a player that will never play and adding an extra 1.5 million above the salary to the cap?

I would rather just give Hino 3.5 million dollars next year. Way over payment, but at least you used the little cash we have for a serviceable player.

Also, why do people think we will have issues getting to the floor at all? Have people looked at this roster lately? All we need to do if add 18 million. VO will cost 5.5 ish, Bryson about 1.5, goalies will cost 6 ish, a new d man will cost 6 ish.

So we really have zero plans to go after a top forward, whether through trade or FA. That is extremely disappointing. I can't stand when people act like this team is littered with PPG players. We have lots of young players that could be improved on.

Someone correct me if I am wrong on this, but LTIR'd players, the insurance pays 90% of the salary since he was signed before he was 35, though I DO believe the Sabres would have to pay the signing bonus. So...1.25M of actual cash? My guess is that they are getting something else along with this contract. Holtby's rights could make a bit of sense. Either way, this doesn't block them from spending above the cap floor, regardless. I'd be pretty disappointed if they needed this to get there, though.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Yeah they're trying to tank one more season for the Bedard/Michkov/Fantilli sweepstakes.

Woah...slow down. I'm not even that cynical quite yet.

 

[Der Jaeger]

It matters if this is the move that helps us float above the cap floor all year. It’s a way for the Pegulas to spend less real dollars than they have to.

It’s the same BS they pulled last year. Other teams regularly use their cap space to acquire assets - if this is just for future considerations, why are the Sabres doing the Stars a favor? We’re not a charity organization, we’re trying to win a Stanley Cup. There’s no other reason they do this unless they don’t want to improve their team in a meaningful way in the offseason - unless we are being compensated for this.

Just to be clear - if we get a 2nd or 3rd for this - my point is moot. If it’s future considerations, it stands.

I'm not worried about blocking any prospect...especially in goal. I know he'll go straight to LTIR, I just don't want that contract to be how the org reaches the cap floor while signing some more randoms to 1 mil deals. I'd rather they fork out legit dollars to Campbell, Husso, etc. Then go big on a vet RHD. Then if they still have a few mil to reach the floor, go find a bad contract then. This may ultimately mean nothing, except if they turn around and re-sign Anderson, or someone similar.

Both of your concerns won't be concerns until after free agency and we see what Adams does.

 

[RefsIdeas]

Someone correct me if I am wrong on this, but LTIR'd players, the insurance pays 90% of the salary since he was signed before he was 35, though I DO believe the Sabres would have to pay the signing bonus. So...1.25M of actual cash? My guess is that they are getting something else along with this contract. Holtby's rights could make a bit of sense....

I read that it's 60% of over 35 players, so it's 1.4m of actual cash this year.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Both of your concerns won't be concerns until after free agency and we see what Adams does.

But have free time right now, and I prefer to get my @#$%ing in while I have the time!!

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

I read that it's 60% of over 35 players, so it's 1.4m of actual cash this year.

But are signing bonuses insured or just salary? it could be closer to 2 million if they aren't. It may be that Dallas didn't want to dole out more cash given they need to sign Robertson and Oettinger this summer.

 

[Jim Bob]

I’m not going to speak on the character aspects and off ice work of our draft picks because I don’t know the first thing about it…but they sure seemed to target skill hard last year. The line about expecting a focus on character over talent is weird. They’ve made hard pushes on targeting guys with high end skill

I said when building out the NHL roster they will continue to focus on character more than pure hockey skill.

That's why the rumors of interest in guys like Campbell and Subban, two noted locker room guys, makes sense.

Campbell and Subban aren't the most talented goalie and RHD on the market this summer. But, they have some of those intangible traits that the Sabres have prioritized to date and I expect that to continue.

 

[threeVo]

Good start getting a free asset (regardless of what) to eat up some of the deficit to get to the floor.

 

[Jim Bob]

So, Adams couldn't even wait until the draft to kill my dream of actually acquiring NHL talent to get above the cap floor...

 

[RefsIdeas]

But are signing bonuses insured or just salary? it could be closer to 2 million if they aren't. It may be that Dallas didn't want to dole out more cash given they need to sign Robertson and Oettinger this summer.

Not sure. I guess we'll find out how much they actually wanted to get rid of Bishop if we get any sort of return for this.

 

[Jim Bob]

Good start getting a free asset (regardless of what) to eat up some of the deficit to get to the floor.

Although, who knows if he is getting anything beyond a late pick or just more future considerations.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

So much for any big FA sigings!

 

[BuffaloGooner]

Whatever guys were still adding Subban + Campbell (fingers crossed) and if anything else happens on top of that it’s gravy

 

[TehDoak]

So, Adams couldn't even wait until the draft to kill my dream of actually acquiring NHL talent to get above the cap floor...

IF Kevyn doesn't get any assets for taking on dead weight AND is simply using this to circumvent the cap floor, I'll meet you near keybank arena with a spare pitchfork. Bring some torches. If we burn down the arena they'll HAVE to fix the seating, right?

 

[Sabre Dance]

So, Adams couldn't even wait until the draft to kill my dream of actually acquiring NHL talent to get above the cap floor...

Hard to do that without giving up prospects or picks. They’d have to overpay on long term deals in free agency. I don’t mind overpaying for 1-2 years but I don’t know how many players would sign up for that in Buffalo right now.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Whatever guys were still adding Subban + Campbell (fingers crossed) and if anything else happens on top of that it’s gravy

TT extension ?