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

[LiseL]

It would tell me they don’t think there is one. Doesn’t mean they’d be right…but they wouldn’t have convinced themselves otherwise.

Well Sabres scouts recognized Benson's value, I kinda trust their judgement unless Jarmo overrides them.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

Robertson clearly only wants to sign with Buffalo.

 

[LiseL]

McLeod for Trochek straight up? Rangers get younger and faster. Sabres get a reliable vet who can take big faceoffs.

I sort of think it makes sense.

I think the Rangers are prime trading partners with Buffalo as they need to retool and we could use players they have.

4th Overall
Ostlund
20th Overall
Krebs
Levi

for
Trochek
Cuylle
5th Overall

Krebs is going to get $4-5M a year, so this moves him to NYR to develop while we add a top 6 center and 2nd line power forward. Upgrade center and wing while we drop and take BPA (this is contingent on Reid going 3rd which I dont think happens, but alas)

I don't know, I'd like to offer:
20th overall,
top 10 protected 2027 1st,
Krebs or McLeod,
B defense prospect or Levi

for Trocheck and Schneider. Acquiring Trocheck means the young centers can play wing, Schneider can replace Byram in the top 4 as a stay-at-home RD to play with Power.

This way, the team keeps # 4, gets rid of some of the logjam in forward group and replaces Byram.

I think it's possible that Trocheck waives as it's been reported he wants to stay in East close to his family in Pittsburgh.

It's been reported that Schneider is looking for some term around the $6M mark. Another Western Canada boy, should fit right in.

I think it would cost a lot more than that to get Thomas/Parakyo, assuming they'd even waive.

 

[Sabre the Win]

He's not UFA, he's still a RFA.

Im not sure what you're getting at here? You can sign and trade an RFA.. he literally just turned down St. Louis and Seattle who were doing just that.

 

[LiseL]

Wondering if Trochek is one of the guys who would now allow himself to be moved to Buffalo that Jarmo was talking about at his presser yesterday.

It's been reported that he wants to stay in the east near his family in Pittsburgh. Coming from a non-playoff team about to start a rebuild, would think he'd be open to joining an up and coming Buffalo team. Probably doesn't hurt that Carrick is already here.

Edit: corrected spelling error.

 

[LiseL]

I think this all depends on what Jarmo's timeline is. If he thinks this team needs to compete THIS season, and Jarmo believes our first line center is currently on the roster, I think we move up to draft Stenberg. If he thinks its 2-3 years out, we draft Bjorck.

View attachment 1259105
If we can move up to 2 to get Stenberg, he immediately plugs in and replaces Tuch.
(i moved Quinn here for Mintyukov, but we could make any move for a 2nd pairing D partner for Power) We have to many forwards and someone needs to go. I am guessing Quinn because he has the most value and could return us a 2nd pairing D.

Chicago couldn't get 2OV with their 4OV, what would Jarmo have to give up to get them to take it this time?

 

[LiseL]

I just made the karaoke of going to the Leafs board to see what they think they can get for Knies.

“Hold firm on Power/Helenius + 4 for Knies” LOL.

I think I’d be happy with 4 for Knies IF we also got McCabe or Carlo.

McCabe for me, Carlos has been dreadful for them. Leaf fans now know why Boston was willing to trade him.

 

[Jetskiis]

Chicago couldn't get 2OV with their 4OV, what would Jarmo have to give up to get them to take it this time?

Chicago didn't try to get 2 from San Jose. San Jose and Chicago are kind of rivals because of their rebuild timelines kind of matching up. Chicago made the Byram deal partly so San Jose couldn't get him. With Chicago not an option to take Reid at 4, SJ might be willing to swap 2 for 4 if they are super set on reid and think they can squeeze more assets out of us. 2 + 20 + Mrtka would get us close.

 

[LiseL]

Welcome to our board.

Depending on who you believe and if you can believe the sources.

Sabres traded away Byram because he was not fitting into their long term plans due to Byrams desire to want 1st pairing minutes and roles and paycheck which the Sabres are currently paying two other players for currently, one of which is their captain. Neither of those players were giving management any reason to move them, so, budget and asset management pointed towards moving on from Byram. IMO his agent also influenced him to not take anything less which is his right and decision, as his agent is infamous for leading players to the money bag over. Sabres sold high when they had no leverage.

In the case of Tuch, it sounds like Jarmo traded him due to term of the contract that Tuch wanted. They couldn’t come to an agreement for a shorter deal, as Jarmo referenced age and contract terms in his presser. This movement had less information tied to it as less was leaked about it.

From all accounts Buffalo wanted to keep both but the two sides just weren’t speaking the same language.

My take on the two moves: Loved the Byram move, and it did a ton to help Buffalo from the asset side. No issue with the player. Tuch, I’m in full agreement with the Sabres POV, as I was in favor of a, at max, 5 year deal. The aav didn’t matter as much.

Jarmo said in his presser Byram wouldn't even negotiate so it was a non-starter. Luckily Byram had a record year so Sabres got a great (unreal) return. Thank you Kyle Davidson.

 

[LiseL]

It was reported he wants to stay in the east so could impact Anaheim/LA if they're on his 12 NT list. Drury's ask is supposedly 1st round pick, player and prospect. Leafs have no 1st till 2029 as they won't be giving up 1st OV. L/A has # 17, Anaheim doesn't have a pick this year, Jarmo can offer # 20 + I think a better player/prospect than L/A can. It would seem Buffalo should be in the mix.

 

[LiseL]

4 for Hellebuyck or Knies is a bad idea to me.

And I will lose my mind if I hear a rumor of 4 for Trocheck.

I think that would only happen if they get NYR # 5 back and include one of the centers like McLeod or Krebs.

 

[LiseL]

Agreed. Robertson is great but is he worth being the highest paid player in the league? Team USA left him off their roster and Dallas almost moved him before last season. No way he's worth $14 million in a tax-free state. You'd have to build your entire roster around his contract and then expect him to carry the entire team - and we already have Dahlin who is that player for us. I'm going to pass at that contract. I'm hoping it's not the Sabres if that is what he wants and I'll be very curious to see where he ends up and who gives him a contract he'll sign.

A winger should not be your highest paid player IMO. That's usually a top notch center or D.

 

[LiseL]

I like Trocheck if they are moving Norris or McLeod out.

I do not like the idea of expecting 2 of Helenius, Ostlund, and Kulich to be top 9 centers for a playoff team.

I wonder if Jarmo adds Trocheck and then moves McLeod or Norris in a deal that adds a top 4 D.

Jarmo wasn't willing to trade Norris last year in the Thomas talks. Was that because he didn't want to disrupt the team or he really likes the player? Norris only joined the team halfway through the previous season and missed a lot of time since then so how disruptive would it have been? I guess it's possible he's really liked in the room. Guess we'll find out soon as his 10 team NTC clause is kicking in on July 1st.

 

[LiseL]

Ya McLeod+#20 sounds pretty good to me.

That would be my preference as well but I'm biased, I really like Norris.

 

[UrbanAchiever]

yea no shit Pierre.

I’m going to have to say that forever now when someone states the obvious near me.

 

[LiseL]

So far, I am unimpressed with Tage's ability to be a Team USA magnet.

He needs to up his recruiting skills.

Or, maybe it's just that Benny has pissed off the entire Team USA contingent that nobody wants to come here.

Come on, Benny's the guy you hate to play against but love having on your team. Should be a selling point if you ask me.