Taking a day to watch the dust settle — even just a bit — on this trade. Most people online seem to think we lost by a mile, but that means absolutely zero. I think it's very obvious the deal helps the team short-term because there was almost no way Savoie would be in the NHL in 2024-25 with Buffalo. If we are maximizing value, we are using the $6 M to $8 million (guess at this point) we have left to further bolster the roster. Jury out on that until the season starts.
My concern with the deal is mostly whether it is another example of where the Sabres pulling the trigger a bit early and don't quite get the return they should have gotten. To me, that's been the biggest flaw in Pegula era, just not having the leadership or experience on contracts or deals to maximize value. People say well, we have to build credibility, but I think it's the other way around. You show you are shrewd, and that's how you build credibility.
So do I like this deal? Sure, why not? Needed to do something. My concern is minor on this one deal we could have boosted it to get a bit more. My bigger issue is overall, this team needs better leadership at the top to extract more value on an ongoing basis. Whether it's on a $5 M deal for Zucker, $2.5 million overpays for guys like Okposo/Girgensons or deals like this.
GMKA is learning on the job and that's fair enough. He said that himself. But his learning curve is costly. We have a key contract with UPL coming up. The cap hit and pay and whether it is two, three or four years are key. He picked arbitration and the game is on. We have the next way of RFAs coming. Are the Sabres really up to this? And contract negotiation. Do they have A+ NHL management? My worry is it is barely B management with the caveat that scouting looks strong.