Speculation: Speculation, rumours and trade & free agency ideas thread

[Classic16]

DET doesn’t want to move Cossa but he’s not waiver exempt so they’ll possibly lose him for free anyway…I say offer a 2nd…at worst he becomes our backup

I like Cossa as a backup role.

Buffalo has an extra goalie also, and probably want their second back.

They used Lyon in the playoffs more and Levi is probably backup ready. Luuk moving would clear up 4.75 of cap for them.

Luuk for a their 2nd+?
Cossa 2nd?

Helle for Lundell?

 

[MelikeJets]

for all we know is helle just wants back to the states

I think this as well.

 

[CanMerc]

What's the actual rumoured ask though? Personally, if Helenius is required I would just run it back with UPL and Lyon. UPL is a good to very good goalie, so paying that much for an upgrade isn't worth it.

I believe the rumoured ask is a young 2C and top 4D

 

[Browne88]

I’d be asking Helenius (or Kulich), UPL (needs to waive), 20OA and Mrtka

I'd think about that package with Kulich not Helenius. It may still be too hard to stomach though. Kulich has been passed by both Helenius and Ostlund IMO, but mostly due to injury.

 

[CanMerc]

I like cossa as a backup role.

Buffalo has an extra goalie also, and probably want their second back.

They used Lyon in the playoffs more and Levi is probably backup ready. Luuk moving would clear up 4.75 of cap for them.

Luuk for a their 2nd+?
Cossa 2nd?

Helle for Lundell?

If we get UPL in a Sabres deal, we could grab Cossa as his backup

 

[Browne88]

I believe the rumoured ask is a young 2C and top 4D

Byram and McLeod as the base? I guess maybe Byram and Kulich/Ostlund if you're thinking even younger plus more offensive upside.

I'm not sure I'd want to move Byram for a goalie, but if we can get a replacement Top 4 D elsewhere then maybe.

 

[Daximus]

I think Colorado would jump at the chance, but they’re low on the required assets for the trade and I don’t know if Helle waives for there

I think he would think about it but they have a tandem that had better stats than Helle last year and are cheaper combined. I think they'd prefer to roll with their tandem for one more year and might be more interested in an upgrade once Wedgewoods deal is up.

 

[CanMerc]

Byram and McLeod as the base? I guess maybe Byram and Kulich/Ostlund if you're thinking even younger plus more offensive upside.

I'm not sure I'd want to move Byram for a goalie, but if we can get a replacement Top 4 D elsewhere then maybe.

Personally, my line is Helenius, but I’m not GM

 

[Gm0ney]

Elliott last night on SN said the Wild offered was better than the Panthers but Brady said no.

What do the Wild have left? Stramel, Wallstedt/Gus? No 1st this year, no 2nd for the next 3 years (they do have their 1sts 2027 onward though...but still).

 

[Buffdog]

I'd think about that package with Kulich not Helenius. It may still be too hard to stomach though. Kulich has been passed by both Helenius and Ostlund IMO, but mostly due to injury.

Chevy has a way of getting GMs to give up guys they'd rather not give up in deals like these

 

[Browne88]

Personally, my line is Helenius, but I’m not GM

My line would be NOT Helenius lol so ya depends what other opinions than our are I guess.

 

[CanMerc]

My line would be NOT Helenius lol so ya depends what other opinions than our are I guess.

I also have no interest in Byram.
Whats Kulichs deal?

 

[Classic16]

If we get UPL in a Sabres deal, we could grab Cossa as his backup

I agree. UPL is alot of cap for a goalie they dont 100% need, UPL carries the load for us till Cossa gains some experience.

Buffalo runs Lyon/Levi and gains some cap space to sign some guys/Tuch.

We move Helle for Lundell or a 2C.

 

[Sleestak Nation]

Whats Kulichs deal?

Blood clot.

 

[CanMerc]

Blood clot.

Is it cleared or a permanent issue

 

[Hunter368]

I would like to see from Sabres UPL (maybe Levi, but he’s unproven), Helenius, maybe a plus.

 

[Sleestak Nation]

Is it cleared or a permanent issue

From their website:
May 19 – Update on Jiri Kulich (blood clot)

Forward Jiri Kulich addressed the media Tuesday and shared that he underwent a procedure two months ago to completely remove his blood clot. Out of game action since Nov. 1, Kulich has been non-contact skating for the last few months and expects to be full-go for the 2026-27 season.

“I’m just so grateful how this organization treated me, and they were helping me every single day,” he said. “They even allowed me to see some experts (Mayo Clinic in Minnesota), so I think everything’s going the right way, and looking forward for next season.

“… Excited to (be) working hard again and be on the ice, too. So, yeah, I’ll be able to play hockey again.”

 

[Daximus]

I also have no interest in Byram.
Whats Kulichs deal?

Kulichs coming off a blood clot. So no idea what his health looks like.

If I'm trading with Buffalo I'm standing firm at Helenius, Levi, 20th overall and Mtrka. Helenius is the only non-magic bean in this scenario so gotta stand firm on him.

 

[CanMerc]

From their website:
May 19 – Update on Jiri Kulich (blood clot)

Forward Jiri Kulich addressed the media Tuesday and shared that he underwent a procedure two months ago to completely remove his blood clot. Out of game action since Nov. 1, Kulich has been non-contact skating for the last few months and expects to be full-go for the 2026-27 season.

“I’m just so grateful how this organization treated me, and they were helping me every single day,” he said. “They even allowed me to see some experts (Mayo Clinic in Minnesota), so I think everything’s going the right way, and looking forward for next season.

“… Excited to (be) working hard again and be on the ice, too. So, yeah, I’ll be able to play hockey again.”

I’m just curious because there’s a condition where blood clots are a recurring issue that has to be constantly monitored

 

[Browne88]

Is it cleared or a permanent issue

He's expected to play next year per his end of season press conference. He had a procedure to have it removed but was not cleared to play this year.

Talent wise, he has very high potential offensively, perhaps the highest of the three, and he was developing his defensive game nicely before his injury. The reason he was passed IMO is Ostlund and Helenius are unusually mature for their age. They're dogs on the puck and have great positioning and hockey IQ. Kulich more so has one excellent trait in his shot, but the rest is more potential than all the way there. It looked like he might be putting it together before the blood clots, but who knows how far if at all that has set back his development.

 

[CanMerc]

I don’t want to continue to beat a dead horse, but trading Perfetti for Wright frees Chevy up to trade Hellebuyck for the best offer he can get, irregardless of a young 2C inclusion.

 

[Daximus]

I’m just curious because there’s a condition where blood clots are a recurring issue that has to be constantly monitored

Yeah seems like something we might want to avoid.

If we go for anything on Buffalo it has to be Konsta. Kids a solid two-way C, speed to burn. won AHL's fastest skater competition. We need that speed in the lineup, especially if he's playing with Cole.

Konsta has to be the main piece.

 

[Browne88]

Kulichs coming off a blood clot. So no idea what his health looks like.

If I'm trading with Buffalo I'm standing firm at Helenius, Levi, 20th overall and Mtrka. Helenius is the only non-magic bean in this scenario so gotta stand firm on him.

I think you're underselling Ostlund, but if you mostly just saw the playoff's he was injured and missed a lot of time. If you listen to Ruff talk about Ostlund he absolutely glows which is funny coming from a coach who often (somewhat unfairly) is seen as not trusting young players.

I'd be absolutely floored if Ostlund isn't at least a 50pt player next year at centre or wing. He's great at centre but needs to work on his faceoffs.

 

[Hunter368]

 

[Browne88]

I’m just curious because there’s a condition where blood clots are a recurring issue that has to be constantly monitored

Most Sabres fans I would say feel this makes him as trade piece unrealistic. Just in that his value won't likely be there until he's proven to be fully healthy.