Roster Speculation Part XI...$teven $tamko$?? Pony up for PK?

[Chainshot]

Trade Ennis for a LHD.....

Draft another with their 1st

Can we stop with the "LHD for Ennis" thing, like it would actually fix the blueline? The way Ennis has played and with his concussions this year, how on Earth is that going to return something they don't basically already have on the back end? He's not a value add for anyone right now, he's a risk and also a luxury. Teams simply do not deal quality defensemen for that sort of return.

As for some sort of fix, finding a quality pickup for draft pick(s) this summer at or near the draft is certainly one way. Cap repercussions are likely to force some teams to look at moving existing mid-range contracts out to free up their ability to hand out unwarranted stupid money find flexibility, so shopping for deals will be key. UFA tends to be a price gouge that aren't necessarily worth it. Yost was obsessing on Fayne as a possession driver type who could be had for next to nothing. Rumblings are that the Jackets have Tyutin -- still a very good defenseman but no longer an offensive point producer -- on the block now, but his deal is a relative easy fit for 2 years. So too is Toby Enstrom from the Jets if they are going to keep Ladd and Trouba -- someone has to go and Enstrom seems like a likely candidate.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

Oh no. Poms looks now like Moulson did at this point last year. The wheels may not be off that wagon, but they're held on with shoestrings and tape.

My thought is more toward their blueline (Spurgeon or Scandella) or someone like The Nino.

Doubt they move Spurgeon after handing him that extension.

My guess if they move a D-man, it's Brodin, and it's for a significant return.

A guy like Coyle though could be interesting...

 

[Chainshot]

Doubt they move Spurgeon after handing him that extension.

My guess if they move a D-man, it's Brodin, and it's for a significant return.

A guy like Coyle though could be interesting...

One particular scenario is that not only doesn't Buffalo win a top-3 pick in the lottery, they wind up 5th or 6th or even 7th after all the balls drop. Putting something like #5/6/7 out on the market now might be the sort of return a guy like Brodin would warrant.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

One particular scenario is that not only doesn't Buffalo win a top-3 pick in the lottery, they wind up 5th or 6th or even 7th after all the balls drop. Putting something like #5/6/7 out on the market now might be the sort of return a guy like Brodin would warrant.

At that point though, it's a tough decision. Do you take the sure thing in Brodin, or go for the extra years of team control with Chychrun/Juolevi?

Besides, we definitely don't want to pair Risto with a Swede.

 

[Todd1a]

I wonder who would be the best player(s) to play with Stamkos if he does hypothetically signs here.

Would an RoR-Eichel-Stamkos mega line be best? RoR chasing down and retrieving the puck for two studs who arguably 2 of the top 5 shots in the league?

Or what about a line like Kane-Stamkos-Reinhart? Stamkos can play center which is supposedly one of his demands/requests and he can have a cerebral super smart Reinhart on his wing telegraphing where he will be to feed Stammer some one timers/tap ins? And where Stamkos can control the puck in the zone and feed Kane some hit percentage shots? (Though I feel Eichel and Stamkos are very similiar especially in the facet of the game where he would not mesh with Kane at all).

I actually could see (don't laugh) Tyler Ennis being a GREAT component to a possible Stamkos line. Ennis is obviously a pass first guy but he still will end up with his 20 goals. Ennis can create some space with the puck drawing defenders while he maneuvers with the puck hopefully freeing up Stamkos for a one timer from the slot.

And of course whoever we draft this year will also play a big part in it. Imagine a Laine, Matthews or Puljujarvi on a line with Stamkos and Eichel? :drooool. I am actually pretty angry at Bob McKenzie for saying what he did. I know that there is a realistic 10% chance he comes here if he even makes it to free agency at all but damn, I am going to be hoping and praying for a Stamkos signing until the day he re-signs with Tampa prior to free agency or the minute he ends up signing with another team. The possibility of Buffalo signing Stamkos has me as excited as the portion of our fan base was here regarding the chance of Buffalo acquiring RoR. Some were all for it, some were totally against it, some were only for it if he ended up extending and some were against it depending on cost (trade and contract wise). I was in the latter, for the trade only if the cost was reasonable and the salary though admittedly I was not the most enthusiastic poster. And 8 months later there isn't a single poster who isn't jumping for joy about the RoR trade. I feel Stamkos is the same way. There are quite a few who are against it, be it for cap reasons or the fact he isn't the same player. But if Murray can pull off a coup and add Stamkos I think everyone will end up loving the signing when at the end of the first year we have Eichel and Stamkos both with 40+ goals and 90+ points each leading the team in scoring with Reinhart and RoR behind them with 60+ points each as the Sabres are in the postseason as a top 3 divisional seed.

To me you would have to put stamkos on the left wing with Eichel. Stamkos has a deadly one timer still is deadly on the pp. he can't drive the net and score. Idk why? Maybe worries about breaking his leg again? If some one can feed him the puck and he can find space he still is a 30 or 40 goal guy. But pretty much he is a goal scorer got to have playmakers feeding him! And better put a great defensive forward with him because he is not good in his own zone.

 

[BB88]

To me you would have to put stamkos on the left wing with Eichel. Stamkos has a deadly one timer still is deadly on the pp. he can't drive the net and score. Idk why? Maybe worries about breaking his leg again? If some one can feed him the puck and he can find space he still is a 30 or 40 goal guy. But pretty much he is a goal scorer got to have playmakers feeding him! And better put a great defensive forward with him because he is not good in his own zone.

So
Stamkos-Eichel-Reinhart?


Brodin was shopped for Johansen and has a fantastic contract, don't know what it would take from the Sabres to get it done, their #1 need is C, 2nd young Rw.

 

[1TuchAnd1NoTuch]

To me you would have to put stamkos on the left wing with Eichel. Stamkos has a deadly one timer still is deadly on the pp. he can't drive the net and score. Idk why? Maybe worries about breaking his leg again? If some one can feed him the puck and he can find space he still is a 30 or 40 goal guy. But pretty much he is a goal scorer got to have playmakers feeding him! And better put a great defensive forward with him because he is not good in his own zone.

Stamkos-Eichel-Girgensons

 

[old kummelweck]

I don't see how stamkos fits under the cap. With oil prices where they are and the strength of the US dollar, it's looking like another flat cap year.

 

[Heraldic]

While I still don't think it's likely, let's assume Stamkos is willing to come if Murray promises to make moves this season. Let's say 10x7.

So we trade all of our pending UFAs or let them walk. It would open around 10 million cap space.

We extend Risto with long-term 6 million and Girgs with long-term 3,5 million. McCabe gets 1 million 1-2 years bridge. We draft whoever we can in top-10 (won't be a factor next season).

Then you go after Enström and offer a package that could include 1st rounder 2017. You also try to get rid of Franson, Gorges and Ennis. You try to package them for Enström, and if you can't, you try to get them elsewhere. Then, with clearly upgraded roster, you offer Brian Campbell 2 years deal with whatever salary he is willing to take.

Next season:

Kane (5,3) - Stamkos (10) - Reinhart (1)¨
ROR (7,5) - Eichel (1) - Girgs (3,5)
Foligno (2,5) - Larsson (1,5) - Gionta (4,25)
Des (1) - Schaller (1) - x(1)
Moulson (5), x (1)

45,55 mill.

Enström (5,75) - Risto (6)
Campbell (4,5) - Bogo (5,1)
McCabe (1) - Pysyk (1,1)
x (1)

24,45 mill

Lehner (2,25)
x (1)

3,25 mill

= 73,25

That's over today's cap, but you could tweak the numbers a bit. Or some of the players (Foligno/Larsson) could be a part of the Enström deal and replaced by players like Carrier/Bailey/Fasching.

Overall, that would give us (imo) a fairly competitive roster starting from next year, while giving us some time to figure out the LHD situation. When the contracts of Eichel and Reinhart are expiring, you get Kane, Campbell and Enström expiring as well. It would give you 15 millions, and by that time you could have younger options ready to replace the vets and you could let Kane walks/trade if is the smartest move. And you also could buy-out Moulson and Gionta wouldn't be on your books either. Sure, some guys will get raises along the way, but you replace them with guys coming from the pipeline if they become too expensive.

That's far from being a realistic scenario with so many moving parts, but I just wanted to illustrate that to get Stamkos we would have to be quite competitive from the get-go and if we get Stamkos we could be.

 

[Dahlin 2 Eichel]

While I still don't think it's likely, let's assume Stamkos is willing to come if Murray promises to make moves this season. Let's say 10x7.

So we trade all of our pending UFAs or let them walk. It would open around 10 million cap space.

We extend Risto with long-term 6 million and Girgs with long-term 3,5 million. McCabe gets 1 million 1-2 years bridge. We draft whoever we can in top-10 (won't be a factor next season).

Then you go after Enström and offer a package that could include 1st rounder 2017. You also try to get rid of Franson, Gorges and Ennis. You try to package them for Enström, and if you can't, you try to get them elsewhere. Then, with clearly upgraded roster, you offer Brian Campbell 2 years deal with whatever salary he is willing to take.

Next season:

Kane (5,3) - Stamkos (10) - Reinhart (1)¨
ROR (7,5) - Eichel (1) - Girgs (3,5)
Foligno (2,5) - Larsson (1,5) - Gionta (4,25)
Des (1) - Schaller (1) - x(1)
Moulson (5), x (1)

45,55 mill.

Enström (5,75) - Risto (6)
Campbell (4,5) - Bogo (5,1)
McCabe (1) - Pysyk (1,1)
x (1)

24,45 mill

Lehner (2,25)
x (1)

3,25 mill

= 73,25

That's over today's cap, but you could tweak the numbers a bit. Or some of the players (Foligno/Larsson) could be a part of the Enström deal and replaced by players like Carrier/Bailey/Fasching.

Overall, that would give us (imo) a fairly competitive roster starting from next year, while giving us some time to figure out the LHD situation. When the contracts of Eichel and Reinhart are expiring, you get Kane, Campbell and Enström expiring as well. It would give you 15 millions, and by that time you could have younger options ready to replace the vets and you could let Kane walks/trade if is the smartest move. And you also could buy-out Moulson and Gionta wouldn't be on your books either. Sure, some guys will get raises along the way, but you replace them with guys coming from the pipeline if they become too expensive.

That's far from being a realistic scenario with so many moving parts, but I just wanted to illustrate that to get Stamkos we would have to be quite competitive from the get-go and if we get Stamkos we could be.

Love the break down you did and also would love this scenario to happen but for all that to happen would be a miracle. But miracles do happen right

 

[Zip15]

Can you imagine if Ottawa trades Colin White (the player drafted with the pick to acquire Lehner) and Wiercioch for Drouin. I think there might be a meltdown in here.

 

[gallagt01]

Can you imagine if Ottawa trades Colin White (the player drafted with the pick to acquire Lehner) and Wiercioch for Drouin. I think there might be a meltdown in here.

Is there talk that White would be the centerpiece going to TB in a trade for Drouin?

 

[JThorne]

One aspect of Stamkos that nobody(Not a SINGLE person) has mentioned in regards to him signing here, is a NMC.

Let's say that his decline is a harbinger of what is really coming. Giving him the NMC he will surely want would spell certain doom. Are people really wanting to have a $10M player who will no longer do the dirty work or play good defense? Someone who isn't known as a playmaker? I just do not see it in the team I want.

Blah blah, but Ovechkin had similar numbers! Yeah, ok. One example. An example who is a freak of nature and also still plays a very physical game, unlike Stamkos.

Put me in the "let him be someone else's ride or die" column.

 

[Jame]

Can you imagine if Ottawa trades Colin White (the player drafted with the pick to acquire Lehner) and Wiercioch for Drouin. I think there might be a meltdown in here.

Yes. I can imagine it very easily. Lol

 

[Team Cozens]

Doubt they move Spurgeon after handing him that extension.

My guess if they move a D-man, it's Brodin, and it's for a significant return.

A guy like Coyle though could be interesting...

Does Hudson Fasching get you Brodin?

Maybe something around Fasching & Pysyk for Brodin & Nino???

I don't know enough about Brodin....

 

[Zip15]

Is there talk that White would be the centerpiece going to TB in a trade for Drouin?

There's some talk that the Sens may have tabled (or may table) an offer of White plus a minor piece.

 

[old kummelweck]

While I still don't think it's likely, let's assume Stamkos is willing to come if Murray promises to make moves this season. Let's say 10x7.

So we trade all of our pending UFAs or let them walk. It would open around 10 million cap space.

We extend Risto with long-term 6 million and Girgs with long-term 3,5 million. McCabe gets 1 million 1-2 years bridge. We draft whoever we can in top-10 (won't be a factor next season).

Then you go after Enström and offer a package that could include 1st rounder 2017. You also try to get rid of Franson, Gorges and Ennis. You try to package them for Enström, and if you can't, you try to get them elsewhere. Then, with clearly upgraded roster, you offer Brian Campbell 2 years deal with whatever salary he is willing to take.

Next season:

Kane (5,3) - Stamkos (10) - Reinhart (1)¨
ROR (7,5) - Eichel (1) - Girgs (3,5)
Foligno (2,5) - Larsson (1,5) - Gionta (4,25)
Des (1) - Schaller (1) - x(1)
Moulson (5), x (1)

45,55 mill.

Enström (5,75) - Risto (6)
Campbell (4,5) - Bogo (5,1)
McCabe (1) - Pysyk (1,1)
x (1)

24,45 mill

Lehner (2,25)
x (1)

3,25 mill

= 73,25

That's over today's cap, but you could tweak the numbers a bit. Or some of the players (Foligno/Larsson) could be a part of the Enström deal and replaced by players like Carrier/Bailey/Fasching.

Overall, that would give us (imo) a fairly competitive roster starting from next year, while giving us some time to figure out the LHD situation. When the contracts of Eichel and Reinhart are expiring, you get Kane, Campbell and Enström expiring as well. It would give you 15 millions, and by that time you could have younger options ready to replace the vets and you could let Kane walks/trade if is the smartest move. And you also could buy-out Moulson and Gionta wouldn't be on your books either. Sure, some guys will get raises along the way, but you replace them with guys coming from the pipeline if they become too expensive.

That's far from being a realistic scenario with so many moving parts, but I just wanted to illustrate that to get Stamkos we would have to be quite competitive from the get-go and if we get Stamkos we could be.

Then we have to trade Eichel or Reinhart after their ELC expires. I don't see a bridge deal for Eichel.

 

[Chainshot]

At that point though, it's a tough decision. Do you take the sure thing in Brodin, or go for the extra years of team control with Chychrun/Juolevi?

Besides, we definitely don't want to pair Risto with a Swede.

If they did put Brodin and Risto together, the area in front of the net would have to be called the DMZ. Edit: And to answer your question, right now, I take the known commodity in Brodin and worry about futures later.

 

[Zman5778]

Next season:

Kane (5,3) - Stamkos (10) - Reinhart (1)¨
ROR (7,5) - Eichel (1) - Girgs (3,5)
Foligno (2,5) - Larsson (1,5) - Gionta (4,25)
Des (1) - Schaller (1) - x(1)
Moulson (5), x (1)

45,55 mill.

Enström (5,75) - Risto (6)
Campbell (4,5) - Bogo (5,1)
McCabe (1) - Pysyk (1,1)
x (1)

24,45 mill

Lehner (2,25)
x (1)

3,25 mill

= 73,25

You're forgetting one major thing with these cap numbers:

Eichel and Reinhart's performance bonuses, which total to roughly $5m in cap space. It's my understanding that these performance bonuses are generally easily reached and generally pay out in full.

So, you need to add about $5m cap hit. You're at roughly $78m on the cap.

 

[sabres4ever]

Stamkos to Buffalo not happening, IMO.

 

[TehDoak]

Some trade deadline thoughts:

To Dallas: Foligno and Weber
To Buffalo: Oleksiak, 2nd

To Anaheim: McGinn
To Buffalo: 2nd

To anywhere: Franson
To Buffalo: 4th

To anywhere: Legwand
To Buffalo: 2017 3rd

To anywhere: Cola
To BUffalo: 5th/6th

Leaves us with:

Kane-O'Reilly-Reinhart
Girgensons-Eichel-Ennis
Moulson-Larsson-Gionta
Deslaurier-Schaller-Bailey

Gorges-Risto
McCabe-Bogo
Oleksiak-Pysyk

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

Can you imagine if Ottawa trades Colin White (the player drafted with the pick to acquire Lehner) and Wiercioch for Drouin. I think there might be a meltdown in here.

I was disappointed we traded both picks because of how much more valuable a prospect with 6mo of post-draft progression is than a pick in the 20s.

 

[SabresSharks]

Acquiring Stamkos, at the price, term, and conditions he will command, will be a mistake. Let another team mortgage its future on him.

 

[Wisent42]

One aspect of Stamkos that nobody(Not a SINGLE person) has mentioned in regards to him signing here, is a NMC.

Let's say that his decline is a harbinger of what is really coming. Giving him the NMC he will surely want would spell certain doom. Are people really wanting to have a $10M player who will no longer do the dirty work or play good defense? Someone who isn't known as a playmaker? I just do not see it in the team I want.

Blah blah, but Ovechkin had similar numbers! Yeah, ok. One example. An example who is a freak of nature and also still plays a very physical game, unlike Stamkos.

Put me in the "let him be someone else's ride or die" column.

I'm in your corner. While I would absolutely love having Stamkos on my team now, I'm worried about it down the line. And no matter how we try to squeeze him under the cap, sooner or later having $10M or more tied up in him will handcuff us when trying to re-sign players. I just don't want to be in a situation where we have to let good young players go because we can't re-sign them.

I think our core is already in place. ROR, Eichel, Rhino, Risto. Those are the guys to build on and spend money on. I also think guys like Zemgus and Larsson will be important for the team going forward because of the roles they play and because they won't cost a fortune. I guess Pysyk and McCabe fits in that column too. But once there's a core in place the rest has to be filled with young cost controlled guys through draft, and hand picked vets through free agency or trades. The latter should never be on long term.

So again, I'd love to have Stamkos, but not at the price of crippling our ability to keep talents down the line.

 

[SabresFanNorthPortFL]

So Stamkos just turned 26, young ufa...any chance he'd be lured with a fat small term deal?

So Eichel and Reinhart are legit, showing promise and that they belong. Plus, we also have young steady forwards in Girgensons, Larrson and Kane.

If you have a chance to get a huge fish, lure him in. Speed up the rebuild and go for it!

They're all part of the same agent, players know what's going on and who's on the team...

Offer him two years and 11-12 mil per. He'd be a ufa at the normal age of 28 at the end of the two years. He'd know that's when we'd have to sign Eichel and Reinhart to larger contracts. For the next two years go for it.

A top 9 consisting of 5 very good two way players in ROR, Kane, Reinhart, Girgensons and Larsson. Plus, pure offense in Eichel and Stamkos.

Rebuild the bottom 3 correctly and that's a pretty awesome forward group. Use Ennis, Foligno, Des, Moulson and whatever we get for this years UFA's to add a couple D and we could be pretty good. We wouldn't be counting on rookies (albeit 15 & 23 are very young but wouldn't be counted on to lead the team) but on solid 4-7 year pros like 90, 91, 9, 28 and 22.

If he can get past the "leaving the fat contract for two years," and be on board, we'd be pretty good.

It's not that far fetched....lets say we have pick #5 this year....think Anaheim would bite for Fowler, or Minn for Brodin??? Sign Golgoski, jettison Franson.....

Murray has got some work to do!!!