Roster speculation part XIV

[Jim Bob]

I still think there's a legit question on whether Gionta comes back next year or not. That, more than anything, will influence whether or not Fasching/Bailey make the squad full time next year. Ennis's health is another factor to consider, but sounds like things might be clearing up.

I would be shocked if Gionta wasn't back next year.

He's the captain of the team he grew up rooting for and just down the road from his hometown.

I can't see him walking away from that.

And I don't get the sense that Murray would look at moving him to a team that is allowed under the limited NTC in Gionta's contract.

 

[TehDoak]

I would be shocked if Gionta wasn't back next year.

He's the captain of the team he grew up rooting for and just down the road from his hometown.

I can't see him walking away from that.

And I don't get the sense that Murray would look at moving him to a team that is allowed under the limited NTC in Gionta's contract.

My thought is how his contract is setup. He's due 3.25M next year, 1.25 of it is a signing bonus. So, after 7/1, he's owed 2M of his 12.75M contract for the season. Like I've said before, it really depends on what he wants, which we don't know yet. I could see it both ways.

 

[Tyler2829]

I would be shocked if Gionta wasn't back next year.

He's the captain of the team he grew up rooting for and just down the road from his hometown.

I can't see him walking away from that.

And I don't get the sense that Murray would look at moving him to a team that is allowed under the limited NTC in Gionta's contract.

That, and it's not like he's hit a wall due to age. He's not a dead-man walking like Moulson seems to be. He can still play. Granted we don't know how he actually feels health wise but, Disco finally found him a proper role to play and he's playing it well.

 

[Zip15]

I still think there's a legit question on whether Gionta comes back next year or not. That, more than anything, will influence whether or not Fasching/Bailey make the squad full time next year. Ennis's health is another factor to consider, but sounds like things might be clearing up.

I don't see why he wouldn't come back. Next year is the payoff for two tough years, of varying degree. He'll be the RW3 heading into the season.

 

[couture23]

Yeah I don't have an issue with Gionta finishing out his contract - it's just one more year.

Moulson is the real problem.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Yeah I don't have an issue with Gionta finishing out his contract - it's just one more year.

Moulson is the real problem.

Especially since Gionta is still useful in a limited role. He was a problem when Bylsma was feeding him 20+ minutes of ice time, but he's been fine as a 3rd liner.

Moulson, on the other hand...

 

[Ace]

Moulson is a necessary evil until the expansion draft. They have to expose 25 % of their cap. Moulson makes up a good chunk of that.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[Der Jaeger]

Moulson is a necessary evil until the expansion draft. They have to expose 25 % of their cap. Moulson makes up a good chunk of that.

Agree.

Moulson: $5M
Gorges: $3.9M
Franson: $3.325M
Gionta: $4.25M

That's 22% of the $74M cap. Expose Kane or Ennis, and Murray's there.

 

[gallagt01]

Agree.

Moulson: $5M
Gorges: $3.9M
Franson: $3.325M
Gionta: $4.25M

That's 22% of the $74M cap. Expose Kane or Ennis, and Murray's there.

Gionta and Franson don't have contracts beyond next season.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Gionta and Franson don't have contracts beyond next season.

They will still count toward the 2016-2017 25% of cap space. They are under contract until July 1st, when they become free agents. Teams can talk to, but not agree to terms, with up-coming free agents in between the entry draft and July 1st.

The expansion draft historically comes before the entry draft. Gionta and Franson will still count against the $74M cap if still with the Sabres.

 

[Husko]

Is it 25% of the cap or 25% of the previous year's payroll? I think it's the latter

 

[Der Jaeger]

Is it 25% of the cap or 25% of the previous year's payroll? I think it's the latter

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-clearing-expansion-draft-questions/

20. In all of the discussions about potential expansion draft rules, a couple execs warned the “25 per cent rule†did not get enough play. If you spend to the projected ceiling of $74 million, you’ll have to expose at least $18.5 million of unprotected salary. That’s not going to be easy, especially if players with no-move clauses can’t be exposed.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[Der Jaeger]

I'd line-up the top 9 this way:

Girgensons - Eichel - O'Reilly
Kane - Reinhart - Fasching
Foligno - Larsson - Gionta

 

[dotcommunism]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-clearing-expansion-draft-questions/

The wording on that definitely makes it seem like 25% of payroll, not 25% of the total cap (also, the latter would really screw with cap floor teams)

 

[Der Jaeger]

The wording on that definitely makes it seem like 25% of payroll, not 25% of the total cap (also, the latter would really screw with cap floor teams)

I don't read it that way. $18.5M is 25% of the projected $74M cap. I don't know why Friedman would write it that way.

Even it is total salary, most of the important future players are all exempt: Baptiste, Bailey, Ullmark, Guhle. Only one I see possibly getting plucked is Carrier.

If an expansion team bypasses NHL roster players to snag Ruhwedel or Schaller, there's not much organizational loss for Buffalo.

 

[Chemical]

"If you spend to the projected ceiling ..." Implies that it matters how much you spend.

 

[jc17]

I'd line-up the top 9 this way:

Girgensons - Eichel - O'Reilly
Kane - Reinhart - Fasching
Foligno - Larsson - Gionta

Its really incredible. We went from not having a decent first line the past 2-3 years to three lines that can be solid. Obviously there's still room for growth but it's pretty cool.

The fact that the third line is clicking is opens things up so much.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Its really incredible. We went from not having a decent first line the past 2-3 years to three lines that can be solid. Obviously there's still room for growth but it's pretty cool.

The fact that the third line is clicking is opens things up so much.

With 5 viable top 9 centers....

 

[jc17]

A little off-topic but how far do we think certain Rochester guys are? I'm really interested in Dupuy, Bailey and Carrier.

 

[gallagt01]

They will still count toward the 2016-2017 25% of cap space. They are under contract until July 1st, when they become free agents. Teams can talk to, but not agree to terms, with up-coming free agents in between the entry draft and July 1st.

The expansion draft historically comes before the entry draft. Gionta and Franson will still count against the $74M cap if still with the Sabres.

I trust you and all, but can you link me to something that confirms this?

It seems strange to me that players not under contract during the expansion team's first season in the league (like Gionta and Franson -- players who won't even be claimed because they don't have contracts and will be UFAs) will count towards the percentage of payroll the original team is required to expose in the draft.

That was wordy. Hopefully you follow what I'm trying to convey.

 

[Sabre Dance]

I'd line-up the top 9 this way:

Girgensons - Eichel - O'Reilly
Kane - Reinhart - Fasching
Foligno - Larsson - Gionta

I actually like this. I really want Nash though. Put him in Girgensons spot, Girgensons in Fasching's spot. Fasching in the AHL.

 

[Ron C.]

Matt Moulson has a "No trade clause" not a "No movement clause". He is still eligible to be waived, sent to the AHL or, likely in this case, exposed to an expansion draft.

 

[Djp]

I'de still like to see the Sabres build a 4th line centered by Larsson.

Trade for Rick Nash (2017 1st, Ennis, 3rd 2016) and sign Loui Erikson.

serious over payment. Id trade a 2017 2nd + 2016 3rd for him max.

Trade for Tobias Enstrom ( 2 2nd round picks, 2016 and 2017).

I would go BUF 2nd 2016 max. 2 2nds---they would have to be late 2nds. Could get away with a 2017 2nd and BUF 3rd 2016

Sign Alex Goligowski.
Draft Joulevi, Chychrun, or Bean in 1st round 2016.
Re-sign Chad Johnson.

Is it doable?

Johnson at a reasonable contract sure
draft pick sure
Goligowski at the amount you probably think of---no way

If you want Fasching to get time in AHL you could sign a bridge player like hmmmm, Jamie McGinn for Eichel. The time for playoffs is now.

I would not sign a 2 yr bridge deal for a vet to fill Faschings shoes. Id leave a winger spot open for competition for the kids.

Does anybody else think that if the Sabres let vets walk, add nothing in FA, and just promote prospects, they could be significantly better next year?

I think if the season started with the way this team is playing today, and if Lehner were healthy, we're pushing for a playoff spot.

Basically, my point is: player growth is more important and reliable than FA additions.

I can see keeping Johnson
I can also see keeping Legwand at a lower contract hit for a 4th line center.

The question with Legwand is what kind of numbers would he be looking to get?

How much do you give to a veteran 4th line center and good locker room guy?

I would give him $1.5M.

At 36 you can give him a bonus driven contract tied to games played or points.

Oshie would have to be an idiot not to re-up in Washington. No chance he goes UFA.

Oshie would be an idiot to play wing for Eichel or Reinhart, arguable the best up-and-coming center combo in the league?

If Oshie wins the cup he could look elsewhere for money. He doesn't win the cup and they fall short he likely resigns with Washington.

I still think there's a legit question on whether Gionta comes back next year or not. That, more than anything, will influence whether or not Fasching/Bailey make the squad full time next year. Ennis's health is another factor to consider, but sounds like things might be clearing up.

Unless there is something I am not aware of, Gionta would be coming back.

Him coming back doesn't matter much with Fasching/Bailey.

Buffalo has a few options. A lot depends on what the roster changes for next season. Assume no changes for the moment what I can see happening

Buffalo has 3 offensive lines and one checking line:

checking line: Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
3 offensive lines would be:

Kane-ROR-BBFC
UFA/trade-Eichel-Ennis
Moulson(2)-Reinhart(1)-Girgensons (3)

approach of 4 players for 3 ines

My thought is how his contract is setup. He's due 3.25M next year, 1.25 of it is a signing bonus. So, after 7/1, he's owed 2M of his 12.75M contract for the season. Like I've said before, it really depends on what he wants, which we don't know yet. I could see it both ways.

Can anything happen---sure.

For Gionta to get traded it would be a deadline trade sending him to a cup favorite if he plans on retiring after the season. I also could see him being resigned an additional year for about $1.5M if Buffalo makes moves this offseason and ends up being a playoff team who advances.

Gionta would accept and understand his role as a 13th forward who may play 50 games covering injured players.