Speculation: The 2026-27 Roster Speculation Thread: Summer Edition - Throw in All The Oars, We're Trading for Battleships

[Jim Bob]

I agree with you.Why would Toronto trade a 23 year old power forward on a great contract?

His name was out in the rumor mill at the deadline.

But, plenty of things have changed around Knies. So, I won't be shocked if he stays. But, you never know in today's NHL.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Jets fans are Helle-splaining why trading the 4th for Hellebuyck is the thing to do.

Leafs fans are Knies-splaining why 4OA isn't enough. I really like Knies too, but no. Though no trade offer will every beat the Bozak and 2nd offers.

 

[Browne88]

Keep #4. Shop #20 for a 2nd pair defenseman or upgrade at forward or goal.

This is where I'm at now too. I was interested in a Hellebuyck trade before the Byram trade under the assumption no 1C's would be available for trade and Hellebuyck was the best option for winning next year and beyond.

Now I'd rather pick at #4 to get our 1C of the future, then see what you can get with #20 and Mrtka maybe. If you can get a good young top 4 D or Hellebuyck then great. Otherwise I'd wait and see how the seasons going.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I doubt they re-sign Tuch, even with last night's trade opening up cap space.

I think a significant portion of the cap space they have will go to re-signing Benson, Krebs, and Malenstyn.

And I do not believe in the Moneyball idea of replacing Tuch in the aggregate with returnees.

Jarmo is going to move some futures for immediate help, I believe. It's just a matter of what he gives up and what he gets back, for me.

But, we shall see.

It's possible to give Benson, Krebs, Malenstyn, and Tuch their AFP contracts without throwing a grenade in the middle of the roster. I worked that out and posted it just as proof of concept.

I disagree with the approach of trading picks now for future help. That's just me. I'd rather re-sign Tuch, or bring in 1-2 replacement UFAs with the money for his contract, and add players like Bjorck and Morozov to the prospect pool.

Part of my reason for that line of thinking is that I do not see the Sabres beating Florida or Carolina next season to get to the finals. It's going to be a 2-3 season grind. I'd rather have cheap, good players in a season or two ready to step in and playing on ELCs, than try to go for broke now.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

The Sabres have 22.1M in Cap space currently per Sabres Live

 

[Browne88]

The Sabres have 22.1M in Cap space currently per Sabres Live

Assuming Benson gets an extension in the 7M range you'll be looking at closer to 15M. So there's still room there for re-signing Malenstyn and Krebs plus one big addition before needing to move out any/much salary.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

The Byram return was insanely good, but fans and media are being a bit too giddy imo.

You have to replace a 2nd pair D now. If you can get a Carlson on 2 years until a prospect is ready then Ok, If not, that's a big hole in what was the strength of your playoff run.

You also loose size, physicality, pk in GW that will need to be replaced in some form.

You have two picks (one being extremely attractive) and what is likely a 3rd pair physical dman in return right now.

You're not wrong. It does leave holes and Jarmo has work to do.

But gaining more valuable assets and freeing up just over $9m on cap space opens sooooo many doors to a bunch of different possibilities to where it's hard to not be giddy. We'll have to wait and see what Jarmo does.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

The Sabres have 22.1M in Cap space currently per Sabres Live

What a great time for the Sabres to break the playoff drought and win a playoff round.

Thank god they ended up having the season they did

 

[Jetskiis]

If Jarmo can figure out a way to get Thomas out of STL WITHOUT including #4. Build the statue now.

 

[Jim Bob]

It's possible to give Benson, Krebs, Malenstyn, and Tuch their AFP contracts without throwing a grenade in the middle of the roster. I worked that out and posted it just as proof of concept.

I disagree with the approach of trading picks now for future help. That's just me. I'd rather re-sign Tuch, or bring in 1-2 replacement UFAs with the money for his contract, and add players like Bjorck and Morozov to the prospect pool.

Part of my reason for that line of thinking is that I do not see the Sabres beating Florida or Carolina next season to get to the finals. It's going to be a 2-3 season grind. I'd rather have cheap, good players in a season or two ready to step in and playing on ELCs, than try to go for broke now.

https://www.afpanalytics.com/nhl-contract-projections

Tuch at $10.1M, Benson at $6.975M, Krebs at $3.5M, and Malenstyn at $2.6M eats up basically all the cap space the Sabres have today.

So, that limits what you can do significantly.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

If Jarmo can figure out a way to get Thomas out of STL WITHOUT including #4. Build the statue now.

If Jarmo pulls that off, he's a closeted hypnotist..

 

[ValJamesDuex]

https://www.afpanalytics.com/nhl-contract-projections

Tuch at $10.1M, Benson at $6.975M, Krebs at $3.5M, and Malenstyn at $2.6M eats up basically all the cap space the Sabres have today.

So, that limits what you can do significantly.

Another reason why there are Quinn whispers perhaps

 

[Der Jaeger]

https://www.afpanalytics.com/nhl-contract-projections

Tuch at $10.1M, Benson at $6.975M, Krebs at $3.5M, and Malenstyn at $2.6M eats up basically all the cap space the Sabres have today.

So, that limits what you can do significantly.

I ran that earlier today. With Kulich and Danforth starting in Rochester, and Kozak, Carrick, and Ellis as scratches, it's $125K in cap space available. Some work to do to make that roster work but it's doable.

Not perfect but allows Jarmo to pull some trades which would need salary going out to make it work.

 

[Tatanka]

I ran that earlier today. With Kulich and Danforth starting in Rochester, and Kozak, Carrick, and Ellis as scratches, it's $125K in cap space available. Some work to do to make that roster work but it's doable.

Not perfect but allows Jarmo to pull some trades which would need salary going out to make it work.

Why is Krebs included in any analysis? He is a jag. Needing to make room for forwards he is the obvious odd man out.

 

[Jim Bob]

I ran that earlier today. With Kulich and Danforth starting in Rochester, and Kozak, Carrick, and Ellis as scratches, it's $125K in cap space available. Some work to do to make that roster work but it's doable.

Not perfect but allows Jarmo to pull some trades which would need salary going out to make it work.

I just don't think he rolls into the season with Timmins as a top 4 D with how much they relied on the top 4 last season and his interest in Parayko.

I think he makes other moves and Tuch isn't back.

Plus, I expect him to do something in goal with the Hellebuyck, Bob, and UPL rumors out there.

 

[Jim Bob]

Why is Krebs included in any analysis? He is a jag. Needing to make room for forwards he is the obvious odd man out.

The team likes him more than the fans do.

 

[Dubi Doo]

I just don't think he rolls into the season with Timmins as a top 4 D with how much they relied on the top 4 last season and his interest in Parayko.

I think he makes other moves and Tuch isn't back.

Plus, I expect him to do something in goal with the Hellebuyck, Bob, and UPL rumors out there.

My prediction:
- A top-4 defenseman who has a mature game.
- A new goalie to replace UPL
- a middle-6 (or better) center

That's what I think he's eyeing anyways. Maybe another winger if he's truly keen on moving Quiin. Doesn't mean that's what he'll get. The market is going to determine how many moves he makes, and while it was amazing the value he got for Byram- that also tells me that the prices for established players is pretty high right now. Time will tell, but Im expecting at least two of those areas to be addressed this offseason.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Why is Krebs included in any analysis? He is a jag. Needing to make room for forwards he is the obvious odd man out.

To show where the team would be if he’s re-signed. If I didn’t then other way, there would be questions about if the Sabres keep him.

It’s just a model to see what could work, not what I think they should do.

I just don't think he rolls into the season with Timmins as a top 4 D with how much they relied on the top 4 last season and his interest in Parayko.

I think he makes other moves and Tuch isn't back.

Plus, I expect him to do something in goal with the Hellebuyck, Bob, and UPL rumors out there.

I think that as well.

When I ran the same sim, with Tuch, and moved McLeod, UPL, and 1st to Winnipeg, it left around $50k in cap space. So it’s doable.

A move of a roster player or two for a 4D is also within striking distance.

That’s all possible with re-signing Tuch.

 

[Tatanka]

The team likes him more than the fans do.

But at 3.5 at those point in time, it should be an objectively easy call. No matter how much they like him. He is just a guy.

 

[Gras]

Never cook again. Tuch is gone, but might as well put him at 11m to be reasonable. Take out Ostlund and Quinn for helle. Krebs to the sun.

I think Beck signing for 2m is the most delusional part.

 

[MeenOlViks]

Anxiously awaiting the next Embedded episode...

 

[Fly Boy]

They're going to sign Bobrovsky aren't they?

 

[TehDoak]

Never cook again. Tuch is gone, but might as well put him at 11m to be reasonable. Take out Ostlund and Quinn for helle. Krebs to the sun.

Good sir, I've been cooking up terrible trade ideas for over 25 years. Why stop now?

https://www.afpanalytics.com/nhl-contract-projections

Tuch at $10.1M, Benson at $6.975M, Krebs at $3.5M, and Malenstyn at $2.6M eats up basically all the cap space the Sabres have today.

So, that limits what you can do significantly.

Another reason why there are Quinn whispers perhaps

To me, you only move Quinn if Tage re-ups. If Tage walks, Quinn has more value to the team.

I also wonder about Patrick Kane is Tuch walks.

 

[Beerz]

Maybe replace Byram with Nikishion

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

But at 3.5 at those point in time, it should be an objectively easy call. No matter how much they like him. He is just a guy.

I don't even want to trade Krebs but to me, out of what's left he would be the choice if one of the forwards had to go. I doubt the team feels that way and I'm expecting to be disappointed when they let Quinn go.