Sabres Need to Trade 9th Overall

[RWatson29]

If you think McCann is a pass first guy you gotta watch him more lol.

Yeah the exact problem with the Sabres forward group right now is that they have all shoot first mentality guys. Nobody is pass first. The only way I’m okay with trading a guy like Peterka is just for a different style of player. If they’re around the same age and value sign me up. They just have too many of the same type players

 

[Beerz]

We 100% need a finisher in the top 6. McLeod isn't a natural finisher, and Quinn is way too inconsistent to be in the top 6. Zucker isn't a natural finisher, you could even say Benson as well doesnt fit the criteria.

True finishers on the team? Thompson, Norris, Tuch, Kulich, Peterka. We need to add to that list

No we don't.

I'm certainly not giving up 9th OA for a 30 year old with a career high of 60 points.
That is just dumb.

 

[CowbellConray]

I feel like I'm in crazy land. Players are not type cast into specific styles and they are only good at one thing. There are players who are perfectly capable at multiple things. A guy like McCann is not JUST a finisher, and while he isn't Joe Thornton, he is a perfectly capable passer. He is not like Josh Norris - McCann is a legit high end ES producer, in part due to his strong defensive acumen.

We sit here and get upset that guys like Krebs and Quinn are getting PP time and top 6 opportunities, and then scoff at the idea of adding what would be the 3rd best forward on this roster who costs $5M a year this year and next.

And people then want to say we need top 6 talent, we need better forward defense, we need cost controlled assets, we need to buy to bring players in, but dont want to give up 9th overall in a weak class to make it happen.

People want to bring Bryan Rust here, but not Jared McCann.... I'm so confused

 

[Zman5778]

People want to bring Bryan Rust here, but not Jared McCann.... I'm so confused

No one WANTS Rust here. We just think Adams wants Rust......big difference.

 

[CowbellConray]

No one WANTS Rust here. We just think Adams wants Rust......big difference.

That's false, there have been several posters who have wanted to target Rust on this board over the past months.

 

[RWatson29]

i sure as shit don’t want rust

 

[THUNDERBURST]

No one WANTS Rust here. We just think Adams wants Rust......big difference.

That's false, there have been several posters who have wanted to target Rust on this board over the past months.

Baker and Fairburn want Rust.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

That's false, there have been several posters who have wanted to target Rust on this board over the past months.

Maybe those posters would be OK with trading the #9 pick for McCann. . Fans aren't a monolith.

McCann is a nice player that would be nice to have but personally I'm not interested in using our prime trade assets on a winger at all this off season unless it's the fabled gritty power forward with offensive skill (pipe dream) or an elite talent like Robertson.

We need two top 4 defenseman that are strong defensively and more reliable top 6 centers than young Kulich and "will he play more than half the season" Norris. Fix some of those things or what wingers we have won't matter. Build a balanced roster.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

Maybe those posters would be OK with trading the #9 pick for McCann. . Fans aren't a monolith.

McCann is a nice player that would be nice to have but personally I'm not interested in using our prime trade assets on a winger at all this off season unless it's the fabled gritty power forward with offensive skill (pipe dream) or an elite talent like Robertson.

We need two top 4 defenseman that are strong defensively and more reliable top 6 centers than young Kulich and "will he play more than half the season" Norris. Fix those things or what wingers we have won't matter. Build a balanced roster.

I would definitely be ok with trading 9 for McCann, I just don't see that as a realistic possibility. I have a hard time imagining Seattle trading him at all, let alone for the 9th pick in this draft, but stranger things have happened, of course.

I brought up trading 9 for Rust semi-recently, not specifically to target Rust, but as an example of a player that could help in the short term, who might be available for a draft pick. I would not claim that's good value, but I would love to stabilize the forward core a little bit with players who have experience, are responsible defensively, and can still provide some production.

We should be prepared for Adams to have to overpay to get anything he wants this summer, or we should be prepared for him to again be cautious and not make significant moves. I'll believe he can swing a great deal when I see it, but there's always hope.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Maybe those posters would be OK with trading the #9 pick for McCann. . Fans aren't a monolith.

McCann is a nice player that would be nice to have but personally I'm not interested in using our prime trade assets on a winger at all this off season unless it's the fabled gritty power forward with offensive skill (pipe dream) or an elite talent like Robertson.

We need two top 4 defenseman that are strong defensively and more reliable top 6 centers than young Kulich and "will he play more than half the season" Norris. Fix some of those things or what wingers we have won't matter. Build a balanced roster.

I’d rather trade 9 for Sharangovich.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

No one WANTS Rust here. We just think Adams wants Rust......big difference.

Likely someone Zucker has asked for/recommended as well

i sure as shit don’t want rust

We have enough rust here after Winter/Spring
The only Rust we want in WNY...

 

[Beerz]

I’d rather trade 9 for Sharangovich.

You all need Jesus.

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

You all need Jesus.

Jesus is a goalie. Always making saves ya know......

Watch Adams trade Levi for him... (Jesus for the Jewish tax collector...he, he...)

 

[MarkusKetterer]

You all need Jesus.

 

[Jim Bob]

Rasmus Andsersson has been Byram level bad defensively the past two seasons. The contract extension he's projected to get is going to age like milk.

Andersson wouldn't be the perfect top 4 D to add. But, he might be the best available option for the Sabres this offseason, as well.

If any better fits have trade protection, they are likely to be off the table.

And a UFA like Ekblad may have zero interest in signing in Buffalo unless the overpay is crazy.

They need to upgrade the D. I am not locked into any one or two specific names. But, they can't run back the same D group they have under team control today. It wasn't good enough last season and is unlikely to be good enough next season.

 

[THUNDERBURST]

Andersson wouldn't be the perfect top 4 D to add. But, he might be the best available option for the Sabres this offseason, as well.

If any better fits have trade protection, they are likely to be off the table.

And a UFA like Ekblad may have zero interest in signing in Buffalo unless the overpay is crazy.

They need to upgrade the D. I am not locked into any one or two specific names. But, they can't run back the same D group they have under team control today. It wasn't good enough last season and is unlikely to be good enough next season.

I don't think Andersson is the only guy that's available, he's just not the right guy. We've already discussed Whitecloud and Kesselring here. Maybe some other veterans, like how Ottawa added Jensen not too long ago. Murphy, DeMelo, someone. Hell, I'd rather have Severson than Andersson right now.

 

[Jim Bob]

I don't think Andersson is the only guy that's available, he's just not the right guy. We've already discussed Whitecloud and Kesselring here. Maybe some other veterans, like how Ottawa added Jensen not too long ago. Murphy, DeMelo, someone. Hell, I'd rather have Severson than Andersson right now.

Whitecloud is too cost effective for Vegas to move. They are down with moving guys, but they are in the stage of their build where they have to move the costly guys and not a quality guy making less than $3M AAV for 3 more seasons like Whitecloud.

Kesselring is interesting, but he is also a really cost effective RHD making $1,4M this season. He is an RFA next summer. The argument against moving Kesselring is that if you look at what Durzi ($6M AAV and no trade protection until 7/1/2026) and Kesselring did last season, Durzi might be the guy they look to move. If Utah moves Kesslering, he is going to be really expensive trade-wise as a quality RHD making less than $2M AAV.

Demelo & Murphy have 10 team NTCs. I will believe they are willing to waive when we see the Sabres announce a trade for them.

 

[TageGod]

We 100% need a finisher in the top 6. McLeod isn't a natural finisher, and Quinn is way too inconsistent to be in the top 6. Zucker isn't a natural finisher, you could even say Benson as well doesnt fit the criteria.

True finishers on the team? Thompson, Norris, Tuch, Kulich, Peterka. We need to add to that list

All we have is goal scorers. That's why we are a 45% corsi team with 55% expected goals lol. You are saying our entire top 6 are true finishers. Where are the playmakers here? The defensively responsible ones? Play drivers? (Tuch Tage and to a lesser extent Peterka off the rush). Last thing we need is goal scorers.

 

[THUNDERBURST]

Whitecloud is too cost effective for Vegas to move. They are down with moving guys, but they are in the stage of their build where they have to move the costly guys and not a quality guy making less than $3M AAV for 3 more seasons like Whitecloud.

Kesselring is interesting, but he is also a really cost effective RHD making $1,4M this season. He is an RFA next summer. The argument against moving Kesselring is that if you look at what Durzi ($6M AAV and no trade protection until 7/1/2026) and Kesselring did last season, Durzi might be the guy they look to move. If Utah moves Kesslering, he is going to be really expensive trade-wise as a quality RHD making less than $2M AAV.

Demelo & Murphy have 10 team NTCs. I will believe they are willing to waive when we see the Sabres announce a trade for them.

I just gave you an example of some guys. I can find you a dozen more, pointing out that Rasmus Andersson is not the player the Sabres should be adding, much less pairing him with Power.

 

[Jim Bob]

I just gave you an example of some guys. I can find you a dozen more, pointing out that Rasmus Andersson is not the player the Sabres should be adding, much less pairing him with Power.

You are pointing out guys that might not be realistic options, though.

There are all sorts of potential options out there that in all likelihood aren't realistic options. People have been wondering about Jason Robertson for the Sabres and then Dallas trades Marchment while taking back no salary. That likely takes Robertson off the table.

And I am sorry, but I do not buy that there will be over a dozen better top 4 RHD options available to the Sabres this offseason.

 

[THUNDERBURST]

You are pointing out guys that might not be realistic options, though.

There are all sorts of potential options out there that in all likelihood aren't realistic options. People have been wondering about Jason Robertson for the Sabres and then Dallas trades Marchment while taking back no salary. That likely takes Robertson off the table.

And I am sorry, but I do not buy that there will be over a dozen better top 4 RHD options available to the Sabres this offseason.

Neither you nor I can objectively evaluate the available options because we don't know for sure, also GMs can be desperate enough to overpay, and an option that seems unavailable is suddenly traded.

For example, I see Durzi, Marino, Kesselring and Lamoreaux in Utah, four right-handed defensemen. Could any of them theoretically be available? I think so, it's just not being reported. Depends on the offer.

 

[CowbellConray]

All we have is goal scorers. That's why we are a 45% corsi team with 55% expected goals lol. You are saying our entire top 6 are true finishers. Where are the playmakers here? The defensively responsible ones? Play drivers? (Tuch Tage and to a lesser extent Peterka off the rush). Last thing we need is goal scorers.

McCann is a defensively responsible player who would also be our 3rd best playmaker....

As I mentioned in other posts, people here are looking at a guy who put up a strong goal scoring season and going "We already have finishers". McCann is a much more well rounded guy that just a finisher. He is a perfectly capable playmaker, especially at ES, and while he is a shoot first guy, he has no issues making a good pass to set up a chance. 3 years of 30 assists or more, and his 3 year assist average of 35 would put him second on this team under just Peterka for assists last year (and McCann actually put up 39 assists last year, but some are calling that an anomaly so I'm using 3 year averages)

We need finishers who can also support other areas of the game (playmaking/defense). McCann does that

 

[Jim Bob]

Neither you nor I can objectively evaluate the available options because we don't know for sure, also GMs can be desperate enough to overpay, and an option that seems unavailable is suddenly traded.

For example, I see Durzi, Marino, Kesselring and Lamoreaux in Utah, four right-handed defensemen. Could any of them theoretically be available? I think so, it's just not being reported. Depends on the offer.

I would expect Utah to be a team that Adams is talking to about a deal for a RHD.

I hope Lamoureux isn't a Sabres target. They don't need another U22 guy, especially as Power's partner.

With Marino's 8 team No Trade list and the fact that the Sabres didn't land him last offseason, I would be surprised if that were on the table.

It would come down to Durzi and Kesselring for Buffalo as neither guy has trade protection. My guess is that the Sabres might want Kesselring and Utah is more open to moving Durzi. But, like you said, we are just guessing.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

Andersson wouldn't be the perfect top 4 D to add. But, he might be the best available option for the Sabres this offseason, as well.

If any better fits have trade protection, they are likely to be off the table.

And a UFA like Ekblad may have zero interest in signing in Buffalo unless the overpay is crazy.

They need to upgrade the D. I am not locked into any one or two specific names. But, they can't run back the same D group they have under team control today. It wasn't good enough last season and is unlikely to be good enough next season.

An imperfect fit is one thing. Paying $8 million to that imperfect fit into his mid 30s when hes already showing signs of decline at 28 is another thing.

In Byram and Peterka, Buffalo is has at their disposal some of the better young talent available in the market this year outside of Robertson. The Sabres draft picks and prospects are in play as well.

Adams needs to force another GMs hand to give up someone they might not necessarily want to give up, like with Mccleod. No one is giving up their best players but good players that play their role well can be had. On defense, that's what we need. Not a star defensemen, just someone that compliments Dahlin or covers Power's deficiencies.

 

[Jim Bob]

An imperfect fit is one thing. Paying $8 million to that imperfect fit into his mid 30s when hes already showing signs of decline at 28 is another thing.

In Byram and Peterka, Buffalo is has at their disposal some of the better young talent available in the market this year outside of Robertson. The Sabres draft picks and prospects are in play as well.

Adams needs to force another GMs hand to give up someone they might not necessarily want to give up, like with Mccleod. No one is giving up their best players but good players that play their role well can be had. On defense, that's what we need. Not a star defensemen, just someone that compliments Dahlin or covers Power's deficiencies.

I don't think Adams forced Edmonton to give up McLeod. Plenty of people felt like McLeod was on the outs after how last year's playoffs played out and his impending RFA status this summer.

Adams merely made a strong offer and got the deal done. But, McLeod was a guy they were shopping.

Adams also can't make guys waive to come to Buffalo.

Andersson isn't the only option. But, there are not a lot of top 4 RD out there without trade protection who are on the block, either.