and yet Okie and Girgensons consistently outscored Krebs and it didn't matter if they had Jost or him as their C. Frankly, they might've been a more impactful line without Krebs. He's just not a good NHL player, yet.
I don't think people want to admit that Krebs is not what they thought he'd be. I'm not seeing flashes of a guy that'll be an impact player. I compare that to Mitts or even Quinn, where you constantly see flashes of elite traits in their games that give you hope of a good top 6 player.
I think we all need to be done making excuses for him. He's been provided with ample opportunity to who he was more than a 4th liner/13th forward type. Clearly the Sabres have realized he's not someone they're willing to rely on going into the year. If they could somehow package him for something better, it'd probably be for the best. But, I'm still not willing to give him away for a late round pick.
However, from a roster value standpoint, Krebs does have the benefit of being able to play center. You can argue "how well?" all you want, but he is a center.
I’m not sure why we are talking about Okposo’s NHL career when the topic is related to Krebs in regard to the tail end of his career, where he quite literally might have been the slowest skater in the league.
I don’t think Krebs has had a fair shake, and I also think it’s reasonable he hasn’t, given the shakeup of our roster.
Krebs best assets are his vision and passing. It’s a bad feeling for me because I can see him being successful elsewhere in the right environment.
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He turns 24 in January and has yet to establish a clear role for himself. He's odd-man out among the current forwards, with Kulich, Rosen, and Ostlund looking to compete for a roster spot. Several quality forward prospects are lined up behind them. Krebs is in a very challenging situation if he hopes for a long-term future with the Sabres.
My guess is that him and his agent feel he hasn't been given a fair shot, which isn't totally unreasonable. Unfortunately for them, his leverage is close to zero.
Krebs is probably a goner. Hopefully he lands with a bottom-feeder who can offer him a long look at a middle-6 position.
there can't be more than a couple teams who are feeding closer to the bottom than BUF with a greater lack of center depth / center opportunity.
Good riddance. Wouldn’t be upset to see him leave. Not a part of the future. Jack of all, master of none player.
Most, if not all, playoff and championship teams have those players.
Is this too big brained - would that AAV make him more likely to pass through waivers, like Reimer?
Exactly. It's Bryson's (prior) contract (from 2022 offseason), only this time at forward.
Another Adams special. Player has no leverage and yet they get exactly what they want.
And for 2 years is even weirder.
You spent all summer pushing the guy out of the lineup and now you are paying him like he's going to be a regular forward.
For a team with a ton of unused cap space, they sure like to waste a lot of it on deals like this.
Lots of marginal players are signed for 2 years.
Or, BUF could save the cap because the phone will ring on September 32nd from Stan Bowman explaining McDavid wants a trade to BUF.
Krebs will improve playing for Lindy it just depends how big that improvement is.
Agreed. Would be perfectly happy with Krebs becoming a Mike Grier or Jochen-Hecht clone.
Don't forget taking low IQ penalties
I actually do like his low-IQ decisions to throw down with guys over his weight class.
If you think this is a bad contract, it's right in line with most other RFAs in similar situations (Bottom six player with some prospect pedigree and a little production)
Krebs 2x1.45
Dellandrea 2x1.3
Drury 2x1.7
Grundstrom 2x1.8
Veleno 2x2.3
You may some preference across that group, but they all are relatively the same from production over the past two seasons. Adding in that Krebs seems to be a good locker room guy and plays center.... this deal isn't a shock at all.
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I think Krebs is in their plans for opening night roster. He has been specifically stated by Ruff as a piece of the team.
I dont think he was being pushed out, I think they wanted more of the snarl and want to put Krebs in a role with like players.
Agreed with both of CC's points.
Pretty sure $1.45 AAV x2yr is also the going rate to show a middle-aged hot hockey-mom in the crowd a few times a year.
I'm not good at this stuff, but honestly it looks a bit like a slightly cheaper version of Tyson's Josts last contract. Guessing we just signed our new Jost if the plan of Krebs earning a spot goes south.
Exactly. Both 1st rounders with minimal AHL development and about a 0.33 ppg NHL career.
