Roster Speculation 2015-16 Part IV

[Superhero]

Defense is looking weak and there are no assets for trade left.

 

[mikemcburn]

It also depends on whether Bylsma thinks he can use Hodgson and turn his game around.

Yeah, and maybe TM's comments re: not slotting Eichel and Reinhart immediately into 1c-2c roles opens up some showcasing of Hodgson opportunity for next season after all?

But it'd still only work if 1-2 others (ie: Foligno, Larsson, McGinn, Legwand, Des, etc.) are shipped off in a package for a D.

The cap hit on a Hodgson buyout looks much worse if we wait a year (pushing 1.8 million a year over the last three years) vs 750k or so per year over the last 4. If a buyout is in the cards it happens this summer or not at all. I can see a few teams with cap space, offensive need, and tight trading fists settling on a third round, hopefully in the draft the year after next when Murray Duke and Duke attempts to corner the third round market.

Yep. True stuff, that.

Personally I'd rather see him get a showcasing gig next season. For the team's benefit, I hate the idea of mismanaging another rookie like he was by drop shipping Eichel and Reinhart into the top 6 mix out the gate, and I equally dislike getting nothing back from from the offensive asset Hodgson proved to be in 3 of his 4 years to-date. Worse would be a buyout that means getting nothing + paying to get nothing.

But I still lean to there being zero room even to start the season - especially after today with 3 new forwards. For the kid's sake (and the team's), I'd hope for a late pick flip to, say, a Toronto or Arizona or something.

Much better for both the player, who in my opinion has already taken the brunt of beatings in these parts that no one else has been subjected to, despite that more should have been expected of them (cough, Moulson, cough). Much better for the team not to pay for nothing.

 

[dkollidas]

long term:
(any of the guys with question marks are trade candidates, the other guys I feel are pretty core to the next 4/5 yrs.)
O'Reilly-Eichel-Ennis
Kane-Reinhart-Bailey?/Baptiste?/Fashing?
Moulson-Girgensons-Larsson?
Deslauriers-Foligno?-McGinn?

?-Ristolainen
McCabe?-Pysyk
?-Bogosian

Team needs d-men, but has 3 pretty good core pieces, and a good chance at a 4th, but the '16 1st should be a good player.

Guy I'd love to see them make a play for is Kylington. He could be very interesting and has played against men in Sweden.

 

[mikemcburn]

Defense is looking weak and there are no assets for trade left.

Hodgson, Foligno, Des, Legwand, McGinn, Larsson, and a slew of prospects.

 

[DJN21]

Defense is looking weak and there are no assets for trade left.

Thats why God made free agency, and frankly we still technically have in my opinion the most trade-able assets left...Baptiste, Bailey, Fasching....

hell losing Zads sucks but I was higher on McCabe anyways and have said for months I'd rather trade Pysyk or Zads than McCabe.

Maybe we welcome Sekera on down, or bring in a PP QB like Green/Martin idk...ce la vie its over with...move on.

 

[DJN21]

I'm a homer I'll admit but what exactly is the motivation for moving Foligno barring an overpayment? He can play up and down the bottom 9, and if Kaleta is gone which frankly (the writing is on the wall given our 4 body insert of players he is) he fits the mold of everything this team needs for another year or two at least? Hard to play against? Two way? Beside Des is the only legit enforcer we have left...is still cheap...can play all 3 forward positions...seems like the kinds guy you wanna keep for a year or two.

 

[mikemcburn]

I'm a homer I'll admit but what exactly is the motivation for moving Foligno barring an overpayment? He can play up and down the bottom 9, and if Kaleta is gone which frankly (the writing is on the wall given our 4 body insert of players he is) he fits the mold of everything this team needs for another year or two at least? Hard to play against? Two way? Beside Des is the only legit enforcer we have left...is still cheap...can play all 3 forward positions...seems like the kinds guy you wanna keep for a year or two.

Foligno isn't my fav at all, but I'm with you re: versatility and willingness to stand up for his mates. I'd also say he's got it in spades over new guys insofar as community attachment, and certain new guys like McGinn and Legwand re: upside, age and over all talent.

But that's what might make him part of a package - he's got more value than most of the bottom 9.

ADD-ON EDIT:

When I dream up lines late at night, I think of Kane, Girgensens and Foligno on each of the top 3 lines, slotted in to protect and make space for the rookies. But then... Well, isn't that a role Larsson could be envisioned taking over IF Foligno were traded, say in a D package?

 

[dkollidas]

Defense is looking weak and there are no assets for trade left.

Guys I could see being dealt for help on defense (in order of value, IMO):

Larsson
Foligno
Bailey
Baptiste
Fashing
Hurley
Cornel
Hodgson

They'll get a guy, or two, with these assets. Not saying one specifically WILL be dealt, I'm just saying that I could see one or two of these guys being moved for a LHD and others in this group replacing them or that role being easily filled (top-9 forward).

 

[MagnumForce2]

Gotta think a F for D swap is coming at some point. I'm looking at you Arizona

Wouldnt mind a trade for Gormley.

 

[mikemcburn]

Guys I could see being dealt for help on defense (in order of value, IMO):

Larsson
Foligno
Bailey
Baptiste
Fashing
Hurley
Cornel
Hodgson

They'll get a guy, or two, with these assets. Not saying one specifically WILL be dealt, I'm just saying that I could see one or two of these guys being moved for a LHD and others in this group replacing them or that role being easily filled (top-9 forward).

5 prospects who haven't played an NHL game and may not actually ever make the NHL leap, have more value in your opinion than a 3-time 40+ point top 6 producer who happened to have 1 dismal season under adverse and ultimately toxic conditions...

This is precisely why I want Hodgson out of here asap. It'd be cool to talk about the Sabres without needing to toss in the resident misfit mascot for another over-the-top kick down.

Anyway, you can add McGinn and Legwand to that list. Would rather somehow package them out and keep both of Foligno and Larsson.

 

[Paxon]

Wouldnt mind a trade for Gormley.

I'm not a believer myself

 

[Paxon]

5 prospects who haven't played an NHL game and may not actually ever make the NHL leap, have more value in your opinion than a 3-time 40+ point top 6 producer who happened to have 1 dismal season under adverse and ultimately toxic conditions...

This is precisely why I want Hodgson out of here asap. It'd be cool to talk about the Sabres without needing to toss in the resident misfit mascot for another over-the-top kick down.

Anyway, you can add McGinn and Legwand to that list. Would rather somehow package them out and keep both of Foligno and Larsson.

Hodgson's value, if he has any, is marginal. That's the cruel reality of having a long-term deal and you're considered to be a risky proposition. Clarkson scored 30 goals and his value was the privilege of paying Nathan Horton's corpse. Someone has to be confident he'll turn it around to consider taking on his contract.

 

[mikemcburn]

Hodgson's value, if he has any, is marginal. That's the cruel reality of having a long-term deal and you're considered to be a risky proposition. Clarkson scored 30 goals and his value was the privilege of paying Nathan Horton's corpse. Someone has to be confident he'll turn it around to consider taking on his contract.

Totally get it. And he's a kid I've still got hope for and whose character I like, so that's part of the annoyance I suspect.

But much of the professed "opinion" about his value stems from it being the "in thing" to repeat someone else's trash talk, and it's that combination of petty and boredom which boggles the brain.

Anyway, I'd still argue that a 3-time 40+ point producer who is still only 25 has a lot more proven upside and a lot less risk than average (aka: non Eichel) prospects who haven't seen sun in the NHL.

 

[Takeo]

Moulson - O'Reilly - Ennis
Kane - Eichel - Gionta
Foligno - Girgensons - Reinhart
McGinn - Legwand - Deslauriers
Larsson, McCormick

 

[mikemcburn]

Moulson - O'Reilly - Ennis
Kane - Eichel - Gionta
Foligno - Girgensons - Reinhart
McGinn - Legwand - Deslauriers
Larsson, McCormick

Not seeing either Gionta or Moulson in the top 6, or McGinn, Legwand and Des iced in favor of Larsson. Kid earned a shot to show he can perform during the long stretch on a genuine NHL roster.

Kane - Eichel - Ennis
Girgensens - Reinhart - OReilly
Foligno - Larsson - Moulson
Des - Legwand - Gionta

if McCormick is ready to go, he's the 13th and McGinn is sent off in a d package

 

[26CornerBlitz]

Sabres add Eichel, O'Reilly, Lehner to Speed Rebuild

By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray isn't a fan of talking in hypotheticals, but even he knows Friday could be remembered as an unprecedented day.

"Hey, it's exciting, it's exciting," Murray said. "We've gotta get ready for [Saturday], but we did hit some targets today, and that's satisfying when you can do that."

If Friday only featured the selection of Boston University forward Jack Eichel with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center, that might have been enough to be considered one of the most important days in Sabres history. But Murray built on it by acquiring forwards Ryan O'Reilly, Jamie McGinn and David Legwand, and goalie Robin Lehner in separate trades.

 

[Zman5778]

Ennis-ROR-Eichel
Reinhart-Girgensons-Kane
Moulson-Larsson-Gionta
McGinn-Legwand-Foligno/Deslauriers


?????-Bogosian
Weber-Risto
Gorges-Pysyk


Need 2 LHD, IMO. One for Bogo and one for if Gorges is done or still injured come game 1.

 

[TehDoak]

LW

Kane
Moulson
Foligno
McGinn
Deslaurier

C:

O'Reilly
Eichel
Girgensons
Reinhart
Legwand
Larsson
Hodgson

RW:

Ennis
Gionta
McCormick

So my rough count is 15 forwards

LD:

Gorges
Weber
McCabe

RD:

Bogo
Risto
Pysyk

G:

Lehner
Johnson

I gotta wonder if McGinn and Legwand even start the season with the Sabres at this point. I wonder how Legwand looks to "18M from the capfloor with no centers" Coyotes right now.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[mikemcburn]

LW

Kane
Moulson
Foligno
McGinn
Deslaurier

C:

O'Reilly
Eichel
Girgensons
Reinhart
Legwand
Larsson
Hodgson

RW:

Ennis
Gionta
McCormick

So my rough count is 15 forwards

LD:

Gorges
Weber
McCabe

RD:

Bogo
Risto
Pysyk

G:

Lehner
Johnson

I gotta wonder if McGinn and Legwand even start the season with the Sabres at this point. I wonder how Legwand looks to "18M from the capfloor with no centers" Coyotes right now.

How 'bout ~$7m to Coyotes and they can have Hodgson and Legwand for a 2-3 "punch"?

Incidentally, I *think* McCormick is a center, not RW. But of course it hardly matters there will already be a couple centers playing out of their pivot roles so why not McCormick too.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

Wouldnt mind a trade for Gormley.

I've been a big fan of his for a couple years now, after this season he's definitely on the downward trend. If they're looking to hit the cap floor I'd pull a Murray and turn it into a hockey trade + contracts but I wouldn't be paying now what I was willing to a year ago.

 

[CarlWinslow]

I'll say this about the team. Our forwards look a lot less ploddy than they did yesterday.

 

[Takeo]

Not seeing either Gionta or Moulson in the top 6, or McGinn, Legwand and Des iced in favor of Larsson. Kid earned a shot to show he can perform during the long stretch on a genuine NHL roster.

Kane - Eichel - Ennis
Girgensens - Reinhart - OReilly
Foligno - Larsson - Moulson
Des - Legwand - Gionta

if McCormick is ready to go, he's the 13th and McGinn is sent off in a d package

I don't see Reinhart in the top 6. You're probably right about Moulson and Gionta. I just figure that if they're going to be in the lineup, it might be useful to pair them with younger, emerging offensive players...as opposed to lumping them into third line roles with little upside. My bottom 5 of McGinn/Legwand/Deslauriers/Larsson/McCormick is interchangeable. It sounds like medical could dictate McGinn's role for awhile.

 

[Chemical]

Reinhart in AHL for a year?

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

I'll say this about the team. Our forwards look a lot less ploddy than they did yesterday.

There's 5-6 guys that could play on almost any teams top line.

Reinhart in AHL for a year?

toss up at this point, while I don't expect management to force him into the lineup I also don't think they'd force him to Rochester either, after camp I'm expecting that answer to be pretty clear