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

[truthbluth]

Sabres reportedly in on Fiala who may get moved today

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Sabres reportedly in on Fiala who may get moved today

In on that scenario the same way they were in on Babcock??

 

[UnleashRasmus]

Sabres reportedly in on Fiala who may get moved today

Where did you find that? Twitter?

 

[Fezzy126]

Where did you find that? Twitter?

 

[Archie Lee]

That flies in the opposite direction, in my opinion, of everything Adams said the past two days. You can make an argument, I suppose, that it fits in with the idea of being willing to do something if it makes us better in the short and long-term, but when you consider what the acquisition cost would be and that signing Fiala long-term would almost certainly require an overpayment in AAV, it quickly stops making sense relative to what Adams has outlined as the plan.

 

[TehDoak]

That flies in the opposite direction, in my opinion, of everything Adams said the past two days. You can make an argument, I suppose, that it fits in with the idea of being willing to do something if it makes us better in the short and long-term, but when you consider what the acquisition cost would be and that signing Fiala long-term would almost certainly require an overpayment in AAV, it quickly stops making sense relative to what Adams has outlined as the plan.

Given the cap floor shenanigans we are already pulling, I'd be pretty shocked if dropped the kind of coin it'd take to get Fiala signed long term.

 

[BuffaloGooner]

Anything a GM says during the months of June and July is a lie IMO.

Go get Fiala.

 

[zenthusiast]

What’s expected cost for him?

 

[jmelm]

In life, find someone who loves you the way those two love to hate on Olofsson.

Interesting (but also not surprising) to hear Friedman say he doesn't think Sabres will sign VO to a long term deal.

What’s expected cost for him?

Much more than we want to pay. We're better off targeting UFA's who won't cost trade assets.

 

[Fjordsen]

I like Fiala, but then someone has to gone. Perhaps Ottawa and New Jersey make more sense.

 

[Zman5778]

What’s expected cost for him?

He's been nearly PPG on a playoff team the last 3 years.

I imagine his cost will be between $8M and $9M AAV on a long-term deal.

I can't see us in on something like unless the long-term plan is to bridge literally all of our kids outside of Dahlin and figure it out later.

 

[Zman5778]

I like Fiala, but then someone has to gone. Perhaps Ottawa and New Jersey make more sense.

Imagine if Jersey lands him.

A top 6 of Hughes, Hischier, Bratt, Fiala and pick 2? Good god their offense would be good.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I'd love for there to be a 3-way trade going here. Fiala wants a long term deal, going to NJ to play with Hischier would be a pretty comfortable move for him. 2nd overall is way too steep of a price for Fiala.

- NJ trades 2nd overall to Buffalo for 9, 16, and Portillo (add in a 2023 conditional 2nd to make it work if need be).
- NJ trades 9 and a prospect for Fiala.

The Devils get a top line winger and another pick, which they can use or trade for more help.
The Wild get a pick and a prospect for Fiala, who they can't afford
The Sabres get a high end prospect in Wright, Slafkovsky, or Cooley, and still have another 1st round pick to make.

Win-win-win

 

[old kummelweck]

What’s expected cost for him?

Well, they would still need to sign him as an RFA or he goes to arbitration. Not sure if he's an UFA in one year or two. There is risk here.

I would start with Mittlestadt and R2, then figure the picks out. WIth those two, I wouldn't give up #9 or #16. So #28, and a second or third next year. If it's a sign and trade, that package would go up.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

I personally wouldn't spend any valuable assets to acquire a winger at this point, even a talented winger like Fiala. We have plenty of talent we can play on the wings.

If futures (young roster players, picks, or prospects) are being sent, it's only for a C or a RD that can help long term. I know we have a couple young guys who can play C, but are they surefire winners at that position for the long run? Not yet. Spending valuable assets on a winger before solidifying C and D would be undisciplined and foolish, IMO. You can get a good winger any time.

 

[toomuchsauce]

I guess you kinda hate to pay for a guy coming off an obvious "career year," but Fiala is unquestionably a good player. Even if he's not going to score at a point-per-game pace for the next 5 (or 7) years, he's probably still going to be a positive impact player. I would absolutely hope the Sabres are aggressively trying to acquire him.

 

[Ace]

If they’re going to spend assets and big money I’d rather they do it on a rhd or c. especially knowing they aren’t likely to do it twice if they do it once.

 

[Djp]

Translation….

MIN——we’d like to get one of your NHLready ELCs for 3 yrs and one of your first for Fiala ….are you interested?

BUF— NO…( click )

MIN—- let media know Buffalo is interested

 

[toomuchsauce]

If they’re going to spend assets and big money I’d rather they do it on a rhd or c. especially knowing they aren’t likely to do it twice if they do it once.

Agree in theory, but: look at the Avs. They acquired Devon Toews and Nazem Kadri for very little. The Sabres still desperately need good forwards, and here's one in Fiala who is available now. The Avs example shows you can be patient and look for those types of guys when they become available (if you're a smart organization, and the Sabres...might be...becoming...that?)

 

[Zman5778]

Agree in theory, but: look at the Avs. They acquired Devon Toews and Nazem Kadri for very little. The Sabres still desperately need good forwards, and here's one in Fiala who is available now. The Avs example shows you can be patient and look for those types of guys when they become available (if you're a smart organization, and the Sabres...might be...becoming...that?)

The Avs had glaring holes at 2C and LD when they acquired them. Like, huge mega holes there.

The Sabres may not have someone as talented on Fiala on wing..........but what we have (Skinner, Olofsson, whoever of the kids we put there) isn't terribly far off. We aren't desperate for wing help. By any means.

 

[Lloydchristmas138]

Fiala is an absolute stud, I’d have no hesitations on his season being a one-off. He’s kind of exactly what this forward group needs, more bonafide high end talent. Maybe Minnesota could think that Olofsson can replace some of his production at half the cost. Something like Olofsson, 16 and Johnson?

 

[Jim Bob]

Sabres reportedly in on Fiala who may get moved today

Fiala is an absolute stud, I’d have no hesitations on his season being a one-off. He’s kind of exactly what this forward group needs, more bonafide high end talent. Maybe Minnesota could think that Olofsson can replace some of his production at half the cost. Something like Olofsson, 16 and Johnson?

Given his contract situation, I doubt Minnesota has any interest in VO.

And given that there is no guarantee that Johnson signs, I doubt those two pieces move the needle for the Wild.

They likely want Quinn or Peterka in a deal for Fiala.

 

[WeDislikeEich]

Pham just did a 1-on-1 with Adams, his responses seemed much more guarded with a bunch of vague responses. However, there were a few interesting tidbits:

- He wouldn't commit to a goaltending plan at all. (The question started with Pham asking if they needed an answer from Anderson prior to July 13th)​

- He also wouldn't commit to UPL being up with Buffalo.​

- Re-emphasized how strongly they feel about the kids (particularly UPL & Levi)​

- Wouldn't commit to resigning Subban, sounds like they're just going to circle back with him once the dust settles after free agency​

- Hasn't heard from Portillo's camp about signing or not signing next year, supports his decision to go back to school, expects to meet with his reps next week at the draft. Expects to see Portillo at prospect camp this year, Portillo told him he would be there as of last week.​

- Expects everyone to attend prospect camp, they invited everyone that is eligible - including Quinn, Peterka and current NHLers (Power, Sammy, Krebs)​

​

I thought it was also interesting that KA referenced Bryson and Fitzgerald as part of their top 6. Now obviously that could just be him using past tense in reference to last year's group, but that's not the impression I got. I think our top 6 is pretty much set and they'll only be looking at a vet to add to the group.

Did you think it was a bit odd that he didn’t even mention Portillo when discussing how he feels strongly that they have internal options in goal? As you said he mentioned UPL and then raved about Levi. Didn’t mention Portillo. Maybe I’m reading too much into it but it Makes me wonder if he’s skeptical Portillo will be signing here.

 

[Fezzy126]

Did you think it was a bit odd that he didn’t even mention Portillo when discussing how he feels strongly that they have internal options in goal? As you said he mentioned UPL and then raved about Levi. Didn’t mention Portillo. Maybe I’m reading too much into it but it Makes me wonder if he’s skeptical Portillo will be signing here.

He mentioned Portillo a little later on:
1) He supports/respects his decision to go back to school
2) He plans on talking with Portillo's representatives about his future plans during the draft
3) He expects Portillo to attend prospect camp in 2 weeks, based on conversations with him last week

I agree though, it does seem like there is some hesitancy on Adams part to talk him up too much when discussing the future

 

[thewookie1]

Given his contract situation, I doubt Minnesota has any interest in VO.

And given that there is no guarantee that Johnson signs, I doubt those two pieces move the needle for the Wild.

They likely want Quinn or Peterka in a deal for Fiala.

And that is where I lose any and all interest in a trade