Speculation: Sabres Roster Speculation - Pre-season 2023 Edition

[Djp]

The cap is being kept low so owners can recoup their share of the money lost From Covid.

Also this owner spends far below the cap already being kept low to double dip.

All while his franchise has tripled in value but he doesn’t count that and is clearly losing money all over.

Capitalism.

but many teams are under the threat of losing local tv money which will hinder cap growth rate

Demko and Ullmark

Demko would probably be a good pickup, three more years of 5 million. We could even take Myers from them as cap dump and send Joki to Vancouver if they were interested in him. Although Adams would still need to find the top 4 D, because Myers with his game is now a maximum player of the third pair, but all this is depth.

Demko ask is going to be way over I’d give for him.

 

[Fjordy]

Demko ask is going to be way over I’d give for him.

Well at a reasonable price I'm always ready.

 

[Gras]

Demko and Ullmark

Demko would probably be a good pickup, three more years of 5 million. We could even take Myers from them as cap dump and send Joki to Vancouver if they were interested in him. Although Adams would still need to find the top 4 D, because Myers with his game is now a maximum player of the third pair, but all this is depth.

I brought up Demko a week ago

Speculation: - Sabres Roster Speculation - Pre-season 2023 Edition

a stretch? What? How many games did we miss 2 of Power/Dahlin/Samuelsson? Maybe 3? 4? 82 game season. Every. Single. Team. has injuries all season, including cluster injuries like we had. "when conditions are ideal, we are a playoff team" is such a cop out. No team is a 100% healthy...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[Irie]

I brought up Demko a week ago

Speculation: - Sabres Roster Speculation - Pre-season 2023 Edition

a stretch? What? How many games did we miss 2 of Power/Dahlin/Samuelsson? Maybe 3? 4? 82 game season. Every. Single. Team. has injuries all season, including cluster injuries like we had. "when conditions are ideal, we are a playoff team" is such a cop out. No team is a 100% healthy...

forums.hfboards.com

Great idea in theory, except that I think the window to trade for Demko was while he was trying to come back from his injury he sustained last year and tried to play through. It seemed to linger well into this season and I think Vancouver was willing to move him due to long-term hip concerns.

Now he seems to be back to normal, and it seems the Canucks have changed their position. Demko is probably one of the last players they are currently looking to trade, so it is going to require a big offer to even get them to consider it.

I think it is doubtful they will bundle him with some cap dumps just to clear cap, whereas in Jan/Feb, i think your trade premise as a base may have been a real possibility.

 

[Zman5778]

Now he seems to be back to normal, and it seems the Canucks have changed their position. Demko is probably one of the last players they are currently looking to trade, so it is going to require a big offer to even get them to consider it.

And therein lies the "problem" -- a team with a legit starting NHL goalie just doesn't part with said NHL goalie unless there is full reason to (trade request, player has said he won't re-up, blowing things up, etc).

Winnipeg, Vancouver and Nashville have all said that rebuilds are off the table. I highly doubt Hellebuyck or Demko or Saros go anywhere.

So who does that leave? Ullmark/Swayman??? I highly, highly, highly doubt that KA goes after Ullmark after what happened. Swayman? I fully expect Boston to toss a bridge deal his way and he'll take it -- especially given how much those 2 appear to love each other.

Carter Hart? OK, Philly has used the "R" word. I'm skeptical that their advisory panel actually lets Danny do a full rebuild, but the term has been uttered. That said -- what is Hart? Dude looked not good in the 2 years preceding this and then upped his play to "solidly average at best".

I really doubt that KA dips his toes into the FA market again unless a guy like Varlamov or Andersen tell KA that they'll take a one year deal. We're not an attractive FA destination for goalies at the moment given the style we play.

At this point, I think we're going with what we got. I'll be surprised if we don't.

 

[Ace]

At this point, I think we're going with what we got. I'll be surprised if we don't.

They can’t. I don’t know how anyone can make a living running a hockey team and not recognize that they can’t run back this goalie group. That’s not how you surround a rookie skipping the AHL. That’s not how you treat the young players on the roster who are signing long term deals. That‘s not how you do your returning captain talking about not being afraid of expectations and it being time to win.

It can’t be done. No front office would do it. Not even one who has done it two years running.

 

[Irie]

And therein lies the "problem" -- a team with a legit starting NHL goalie just doesn't part with said NHL goalie unless there is full reason to (trade request, player has said he won't re-up, blowing things up, etc).

Winnipeg, Vancouver and Nashville have all said that rebuilds are off the table. I highly doubt Hellebuyck or Demko or Saros go anywhere.

So who does that leave? Ullmark/Swayman??? I highly, highly, highly doubt that KA goes after Ullmark after what happened. Swayman? I fully expect Boston to toss a bridge deal his way and he'll take it -- especially given how much those 2 appear to love each other.

Carter Hart? OK, Philly has used the "R" word. I'm skeptical that their advisory panel actually lets Danny do a full rebuild, but the term has been uttered. That said -- what is Hart? Dude looked not good in the 2 years preceding this and then upped his play to "solidly average at best".

I really doubt that KA dips his toes into the FA market again unless a guy like Varlamov or Andersen tell KA that they'll take a one year deal. We're not an attractive FA destination for goalies at the moment given the style we play.

At this point, I think we're going with what we got. I'll be surprised if we don't.

Completely agree with all of your points.

I don't think they are bringing in a goalie, and a few posters here are going to have epic meltdowns when they don't.

I still think Adams/Granato/Roth/Pegula collectively have a plan that is a financial roadmap for this team and they are committed to the slow rebuild/improve from within philosophy until they are a legitimate playoff team.

I believe the biggest concern for Adams/Granato is a defensive upgrade. There is no masking the fact that when one of the top four D goes out, the others are playing 27+ minutes a night, and that down the stretch at the most critical stretch of games for the franchise in a decade, the third pairing is averaging 7 minutes on the first game of a back-to-back.

If they make a single move, I really expect it to be to address that issue. It was too big of a redflag to ignore imo.

 

[Zman5778]

I believe the biggest concern for Adams/Granato is a defensive upgrade. There is no masking the fact that when one of the top four D goes out, the others are playing 27+ minutes a night, and that down the stretch at the most critical stretch of games for the franchise in a decade, the third pairing is averaging 7 minutes on the first game of a back-to-back.

If they make a single move, I really expect it to be to address that issue. It was too big of a redflag to ignore imo.

Completely agree. That KA was so in on Chychrun certainly seems to indicate that he knows we need another top 4-caliber Dman.

If we do that and then DG really hammers play in their own end during camp......the goalie situation could very well fix itself. We'll see.

 

[Fjordy]

And therein lies the "problem" -- a team with a legit starting NHL goalie just doesn't part with said NHL goalie unless there is full reason to (trade request, player has said he won't re-up, blowing things up, etc).

Winnipeg, Vancouver and Nashville have all said that rebuilds are off the table. I highly doubt Hellebuyck or Demko or Saros go anywhere.

So who does that leave? Ullmark/Swayman??? I highly, highly, highly doubt that KA goes after Ullmark after what happened. Swayman? I fully expect Boston to toss a bridge deal his way and he'll take it -- especially given how much those 2 appear to love each other.

Carter Hart? OK, Philly has used the "R" word. I'm skeptical that their advisory panel actually lets Danny do a full rebuild, but the term has been uttered. That said -- what is Hart? Dude looked not good in the 2 years preceding this and then upped his play to "solidly average at best".

I really doubt that KA dips his toes into the FA market again unless a guy like Varlamov or Andersen tell KA that they'll take a one year deal. We're not an attractive FA destination for goalies at the moment given the style we play.

At this point, I think we're going with what we got. I'll be surprised if we don't.

I disagree.

Adams is looking for a goalie and that's a fact, too much smoke. UPL and Comrie obviously didn't convince me. We don't know what Levi will look like in the NHL long-term. I think there are a lot of interesting goaltending options.

What is the problem with FA? Adams was already chasing some bigger UFA than Comrie. Comrie was not the first choice.

In UFA will have Jarry, Andersen, Hill, Raanta, Varlamov, Talbot and Korpisalo.

If we look at trades, there may still be more options.

- Ullmark or Swayman

- We have already heard about Helle

- MсKena said about Demko

- kick tires on Saros

- Briere said that Hart available (Hart showed normal results with such a team and defense in front of him)

- Markstrom or Vladar both options are risky, but one of them will definitely be available because of Wolf

- kick tires on Vejmelka

- Gibson (not a fan of it, but Adams was already interested in him)

 

[Zman5778]

And I do want to say this:

I say that I'm expecting KA to not change a thing in goal. I'm not sure if I agree or disagree with it......I honestly don't know. I can make a case either way and have it make total sense in my head.

I just think KA isn't going to do anything in net.

 

[Zman5778]

I disagree.

Adams is looking for a goalie and that's a fact, too much smoke.

I don't think it's a fact at all. It has been readily proven time and again that national talking heads don't have a clue what Adams is thinking or going to do. I think maybe one local guy said that KA might have kicked tires on Helle?

But no, I don't think it's a FACT that there's "too much smoke" around Buffalo and a goalie. I see national guys taking stabs at what they think will make sense and couching it with an "I've heard".

 

[Fjordy]

I just think KA isn't going to do anything in net.

Adams has been looking for goalie for a long time, even when Levi was already in the system.

1. Adams ask Swayman when he was trading Hall in Boston (but that was a long time ago)

2, Adams want trade for Gibson a year ago

3. After Gibson's decline, he tries to trade Murray

4. There's a lot of smoke about Helle now

I don't think it's a fact at all. It has been readily proven time and again that national talking heads don't have a clue what Adams is thinking or going to do. I think maybe one local guy said that KA might have kicked tires on Helle?

But no, I don't think it's a FACT that there's "too much smoke" around Buffalo and a goalie. I see national guys taking stabs at what they think will make sense and couching it with an "I've heard".

Well, it seems to me that many sources have already spoken about this.

 

[Zman5778]

Adams has been looking for goalie for a long time, even when Levi was already in the system.

1. Adams ask Swayman when he was trading Hall in Boston (but that was a long time ago)

2, Adams want trade for Gibson a year ago

3. After Gibson's decline, he tries to trade Murray

4. There's a lot of smoke about Helle now

Yeah, I'm going to need proof from LOCAL sources on this. National sources mean nothing when it comes to KA and this Sabres' FO.

 

[SabresFanNorthPortFL]

My somewhat pipe dream....

At the draft we are going to trade for John Tavaras. Instant creds from the rest of the league....enough to convince a UFA goalie to sign, as well as defense.


Yes, I know he has a no move clause but....

 

[Fjordy]

Yeah, I'm going to need proof from LOCAL sources on this. National sources mean nothing when it comes to KA and this Sabres' FO.

Why don't they mean? There are always at least two teams talking. We'll see if Adams adds a goaltender or not, but I think it makes a lot of sense for Buffalo, the same goes for the top 4 D.

 

[Duddy]

My somewhat pipe dream....

At the draft we are going to trade for John Tavaras. Instant creds from the rest of the league....enough to convince a UFA goalie to sign, as well as defense.


Yes, I know he has a no move clause but....

What a horrible dream

 

[Irie]

Completely agree. That KA was so in on Chychrun certainly seems to indicate that he knows we need another top 4-caliber Dman.

If we do that and then DG really hammers play in their own end during camp......the goalie situation could very well fix itself. We'll see.

I dont really have much faith in DG hammering play in their own end. I think this team needs to replace an assistant in the worst way. Bring in a dzone special teams specialist to take the reins and upgrade that PK. Let Granato focus on the neutral zone and offensive development he is better at.

With a 78%+ PK, the goalies are likely above .900%. I don't think this goalie group is strong by any means, but I agree that the gaping hole many seem to feel they represent would be substantially reduced with improved defensive and PK play, and I think that road starts and ends with an upgrade in assistants.

 

[Irie]

Adams has been looking for goalie for a long time, even when Levi was already in the system.

1. Adams ask Swayman when he was trading Hall in Boston (but that was a long time ago)

2, Adams want trade for Gibson a year ago

3. After Gibson's decline, he tries to trade Murray

4. There's a lot of smoke about Helle now


Well, it seems to me that many sources have already spoken about this.

Sabres had zero goalies and needed to sign two multiple times, so of coarse they were inquiring about available options.

Murray was much more about the added picks to take him as a serviceable dump than it was to just add him.

I don't believe there was ever much interest in Gibson and that contract.

The situation is vastly different now. They have two goalies under contract and a legitimate third who may or may not make the team out of camp.

I am not saying I agree that the goaltending is fine, but I am with @Zman5778 on this one in that I think Adams has shown that he is not likely to pay premiums for short-term solutions, so I do not expect a move.

 

[thewookie1]

I say that I'm expecting KA to not change a thing in goal. I'm not sure if I agree or disagree with it......I honestly don't know. I can make a case either way and have it make total sense in my head.

I just think KA isn't going to do anything in net.

I both agree and disagree with you; I could definitely see us ending up with UPL and Levi as the goalies but only after strenuous efforts to get a better goalie fell through. Effectively I feel Adams wants a goalie; but is completely unwilling to pay a king’s ransom to acquire one.

 

[Fjordy]

Sabres had zero goalies and needed to sign two multiple times, so of coarse they were inquiring about available options.

Murray was much more about the added picks to take him as a serviceable dump than it was to just add him.

I don't believe there was ever much interest in Gibson and that contract.

The situation is vastly different now. They have two goalies under contract and a legitimate third who may or may not make the team out of camp.

I am not saying I agree that the goaltending is fine, but I am with @Zman5778 on this one in that I think Adams has shown that he is not likely to pay premiums for short-term solutions, so I do not expect a move.

Well I don't agree with you. I read rumors about Gibson on another site and this source is usually very reliable, I don't need to lie. It wasn't long before he wanted to trade for Murray.

Two goalies on a contract don't change anything, it doesn't matter if they both bad. When you enter the season with young Levi (who maybe play the whole season in Rochester) and two goalies who sucked last season and Anderson was average, don't expect anything good.

 

[Irie]

Well I don't agree with you. I read rumors about Gibson on another site and this source is usually very reliable, I don't need to lie. It wasn't long before he wanted to trade for Murray.

Two goalies on a contract don't change anything, it doesn't matter if they both bad. When you enter the season with young Levi (who maybe play the whole season in Rochester) and two goalies who sucked last season and Anderson was average, don't expect anything good.

The thing is, Adams probably inquired about every goalie in the league when he had no one signed, but that does not necessarily mean he had a large interest in acquiring them.

Reporters jobs are to report when a GM inquires. They likely did. But unless Adams is making offers or comes out and says "We tried to acquire" like he did with Murray, then I am going to assume the inquiries were strictly preliminary value gauging and nothing more.

Adams seems to be a GM that kicks tires on a lot of deals, but generally does not get past the initial inquiry stage.

 

[BUCKSHOT]

The thing is, Adams probably inquired about every goalie in the league when he had no one signed, but that does not necessarily mean he had a large interest in acquiring them.

Reporters jobs are to report when a GM inquires. They likely did. But unless Adams is making offers or comes out and says "We tried to acquire" like he did with Murray, then I am going to assume the inquiries were strictly preliminary value gauging and nothing more.

Adams seems to be a GM that kicks tires on a lot of deals, but generally does not get past the initial inquiry stage.

what makes you think this ?

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

What a horrible dream

It’s on par with Dwight Co-owning a bed and breakfast with satan

 

[Irie]

what makes you think this ?

He often talks about looking for upgrades, the Sabres are reported to seem to be in on every available player league wide the past year and a half, but rarely make trades, and we never hear reports of offers Adams made. Adams mostly just says something akin to "the asking price was more than we were looking to pay".

There are several GMs who are reported as inquiring often about players, but we never hear details about offers. They are the tire kickers. Then there are the GMs that make a lot of trades, we often hear reports about offers made that fell through from them after the fact. They are the more compulsive and active GMs. I think a lot of signs have pointed to Adams being in the first category, which is honestly a good thing imo.

 

[Dingo44]

Love this Die By The Blade trade suggestion: Savoie for Jiricek

No way Columbus does it though even if we add.

A Trade Idea So Crazy it Might Work

The teams in the only two cities I’ve ever lived both have clear and obvious needs. The Sabres took substantial strides last season, ending up painfully close to the playoffs. They showed two notable…

www.diebytheblade.com