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

[Djp]

Does Kulich have 1st round draft pick value?(not trading him for a 1st just asking value)

Not right now. He has 1st+ if he’s back in the nhl and performing

Does anyone else feel like going into next year with Kulich, Ostlund and Helenius is too much youth?

I don’t see Kulich starting with the Sabres given his medical stuff. He needs to be monitored in Rochester after playing full games for a few weeks.

Kulich seems like a good trade chip that we can get a free asset for him but how much value does he have?

Low right now

Don't get me wrong I love all 3 but this team doesn't need all 3. It needs to improve the center position with someone who has more experience and preferably playoff experience.

Next summer some decisions will need to be made. Not just those 3 but with Quinn and nemson ( if on a bridge ) and possibly trade one. If they trade one it is likely for ELCs/ prospects/ picks

Right now it’s just to early to trade Kulich or decide say which 2 of the 3 do they keep and trade one.

 

[Jetskiis]

Bro is putting a complete question mark at 1C above 3 centers who have proven more and a 4th that looks infinitely better than Kulich ever did.

I'm not doing anything, Ruff has said that is where he wants Kulich. And he looked good when he was there before his injury.

 

[oldgoalie]

Brendan Warren would like a word.



Including Keith Gretzky and Jeff Jackson as interim guys, five GM's. He's about to be on coach #6.

Shades of Eric Lindros

 

[CowbellConray]

This team reminds me of the 2014-15 Lightning.

1. Will lose one of their star players from the prior year (Tampa: MSL, Buffalo: Tuch)
2. Young young team top to bottom, a lot of new talent coming through the wings
a. Tampa: Tyler Johnson, Kuch, Palat, Killorn, Drouin, Namestnikov, Paquette, etc.)
b. Buffalo: Benson, Doan, Quinn, Ostlund, Helenius, Kulich, Kozak, Krebs, etc.)
3. Top end young D (Hedman, Dahlin)
4. Semi question marks in goal (Tampa: Bishop and Vasi, Buffalo: UPL and Lyon/Ellis/Levi)
5. Prime top end talent piece (Stamkos, Thompson)
6. Vets to fill in down the lineup (Tampa: Callahan, Filppula, Boyle, Buffalo: McLeod, Norris, Zucker)

That Lightning team went all the way to the Cup Finals.

Youth shouldn't be deterred, especially if it looks as good as Ostlund/Helenius did in the playoffs, and Kulich looked last season. Of course, insulating the lineup is smart, but that's where guys like Kozak and Danforth come in.

 

[Selanne00008]

Does Kulich have 1st round draft pick value?(not trading him for a 1st just asking value)

Does anyone else feel like going into next year with Kulich, Ostlund and Helenius is too much youth?

Kulich seems like a good trade chip that we can get a free asset for him but how much value does he have?

Don't get me wrong I love all 3 but this team doesn't need all 3. It needs to improve the center position with someone who has more experience and preferably playoff experience.

I think he would, assuming his health scare is somewhat behind him. teams may need to see a prove it kind of thing where he produces come October. but, that doesn't help us make acquisitions cone draft time when there's some trades happening.

I'm honestly getting tempted to just run it back and we have a solid young core of Kulich, Konsta, Ostlund, Doaner, Benson. with Tage as the main vet, along with Norris and Zucker for a year.

I think my biggest question mark is what do we do with Norris. Expensive, and injury prone still. When he was in he was... good? but not great. I'd have to think his value is nearly neutral. If some team valued him in a bigger trade push, then I would look into that further, then maybe add one of the kids and come out with a top 6 + powerplay producer

 

[TageGod]

I'm not doing anything, Ruff has said that is where he wants Kulich. And he looked good when he was there before his injury.

That was at the beginning of the season before Ostlund and Helenius and when Norris was hurt lol.

 

[toddkaz]

This team reminds me of the 2014-15 Lightning.

1. Will lose one of their star players from the prior year (Tampa: MSL, Buffalo: Tuch)
2. Young young team top to bottom, a lot of new talent coming through the wings
a. Tampa: Tyler Johnson, Kuch, Palat, Killorn, Drouin, Namestnikov, Paquette, etc.)
b. Buffalo: Benson, Doan, Quinn, Ostlund, Helenius, Kulich, Kozak, Krebs, etc.)
3. Top end young D (Hedman, Dahlin)
4. Semi question marks in goal (Tampa: Bishop and Vasi, Buffalo: UPL and Lyon/Ellis/Levi)
5. Prime top end talent piece (Stamkos, Thompson)
6. Vets to fill in down the lineup (Tampa: Callahan, Filppula, Boyle, Buffalo: McLeod, Norris, Zucker)

That Lightning team went all the way to the Cup Finals.

Youth shouldn't be deterred, especially if it looks as good as Ostlund/Helenius did in the playoffs, and Kulich looked last season. Of course, insulating the lineup is smart, but that's where guys like Kozak and Danforth come in.

Youth is great, thats not the issue. There is no 1C for next season.

You want to take the next step you need a 1C and a Goalie.

The team lacks that 1C the team can lean on in the playoffs. I don't expect to get one because its extremely hard to trade for one but it doesn't mean we cant talk about it.

 

[Jetskiis]

That was at the beginning of the season before Ostlund and Helenius and when Norris was hurt lol.

either way, in that scenario, Tage is probably still the 1c, with Kulich and Benson helping to mask some of Tage's deficiencies. In a roster where we have Thompson, Kulich, Norris, Mcleod, Helenius, Ostlund all needing top 9 minutes at center, Thompson, Norris, Mcleod are probably getting the bulk of the center time. Unless Norris gets bumped up to 1st line and Tage onto wing in which case, it'd probably be Norris, Mcleod, and Helenius or Ostlund at 3c.

Does Kulich have 1st round draft pick value?(not trading him for a 1st just asking value)

Does anyone else feel like going into next year with Kulich, Ostlund and Helenius is too much youth?

Kulich seems like a good trade chip that we can get a free asset for him but how much value does he have?

Don't get me wrong I love all 3 but this team doesn't need all 3. It needs to improve the center position with someone who has more experience and preferably playoff experience.

Trading Kulich right now would be selling at the absolute lowest point of his value. It does not make sense to do that, he has top line potential and an elite shot. I generally dont ever want to sell low on someone with that kind of potential and pure goal scoring skills like Kulich has.

 

[Selanne00008]

either way, in that scenario, Tage is probably still the 1c, with Kulich and Benson helping to mask some of Tage's deficiencies. In a roster where we have Thompson, Kulich, Norris, Mcleod, Helenius, Ostlund all needing top 9 minutes at center, Thompson, Norris, Mcleod are probably getting the bulk of the center time. Unless Norris gets bumped up to 1st line and Tage onto wing in which case, it'd probably be Norris, Mcleod, and Helenius or Ostlund at 3c.

Trading Kulich right now would be selling at the absolute lowest point of his value. It does not make sense to do that, he has top line potential and an elite shot. I generally dont ever want to sell low on someone with that kind of potential and pure goal scoring skills like Kulich has.

And I also don't want to sell high on Ostlund or Konsta lol. That's why i think those 3 might just stick around.

We have to offer Mrtka, 2026 1st, plus another solid asset and see what we can obtain. But for that kind of package we aren't getting a Robertson. maybe add Quinn, or, Levi, Norris. Idk.. but I get you have to give to get. Some other true prospect other than Mrtka..

 

[Jetskiis]

And I also don't want to sell high on Ostlund or Konsta lol. That's why i think those 3 might just stick around.

We have to offer Mrtka, 2026 1st, plus another solid asset and see what we can obtain. But for that kind of package we aren't getting a Robertson. maybe add Quinn, or, Levi, Norris. Idk.. but I get you have to give to get. Some other true prospect other than Mrtka..

Mrtka, 1st, plus one of Norris/Mcleod/Quinn probably lands something nice

 

[Beerz]

That was at the beginning of the season before Ostlund and Helenius and when Norris was hurt lol.

No it wasn't. He said it after we were eliminated from the playoffs.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

No it wasn't. He said it after we were eliminated from the playoffs.

Can confirm

 

[Jetskiis]

No it wasn't. He said it after we were eliminated from the playoffs.

and between Lindy saying in January that he "wouldn't rule out Kulich coming back before the end of the season" and the way he has talked about him after the season, I got the impression Lindy does not expect Kulich to miss any time and that he will be ready at the start of the season.

 

[toddkaz]

Not right now. He has 1st+ if he’s back in the nhl and performing


I don’t see Kulich starting with the Sabres given his medical stuff. He needs to be monitored in Rochester after playing full games for a few weeks.


Low right now



Next summer some decisions will need to be made. Not just those 3 but with Quinn and nemson ( if on a bridge ) and possibly trade one. If they trade one it is likely for ELCs/ prospects/ picks

Right now it’s just to early to trade Kulich or decide say which 2 of the 3 do they keep and trade one.

Kulich doesn't have to clear waivers so that is a bonus.

I would expect a Rochester start for him but I can't see him playing more than 10-15 games if things go well.

 

[Djp]

Kulich doesn't have to clear waivers so that is a bonus.

I would expect a Rochester start for him but I can't see him playing more than 10-15 games if things go well.

My guess as well...about the first month in richester checking yo ser if there us something else going on.

Gives me flashbacks to cody Hodgson. They didnt find it till after he was bought out by the sabres snd his mucke calcification condition.

I wonder if kulich has some underlying condition that causes the blood clotting that can be watched closely as he plays full gsmes and they do some blood draws. Does something happen in athletes during full burn aerobic respiration that wouldnt occur in regular folks like us.

 

[Jetskiis]

My guess as well...about the first month in richester checking yo ser if there us something else going on.

Gives me flashbacks to cody Hodgson. They didnt find it till after he was bought out by the sabres snd his mucke calcification condition.

I wonder if kulich has some underlying condition that causes the blood clotting that can be watched closely as he plays full gsmes and they do some blood draws. Does something happen in athletes during full burn aerobic respiration that wouldnt occur in regular folks like us.

from my understanding it is the legs taking a beating and then sitting in a bus or plane for a long period of time immediately afterward that can cause blood clots.

 

[CowbellConray]

Youth is great, thats not the issue. There is no 1C for next season.

You want to take the next step you need a 1C and a Goalie.

The team lacks that 1C the team can lean on in the playoffs. I don't expect to get one because its extremely hard to trade for one but it doesn't mean we cant talk about it.

I'm not saying we cannot discuss adding a 1C. I've been vocal that it's the number 1 need on the team (my style of top 6 C may differ to others, but top 6 C is a need).

I'm stating this more to the fact of youth stepping up. If the fear is having Ostlund/Kulich/Helenius in your lineup all at once, I say there is nothing to fear. They have shown to be individually capable in some of the most stressful environment.

 

[alehman42]

Mrtka, 1st, plus one of Norris/Mcleod/Quinn probably lands something nice

"A couple of moderately valuable players that won't be seriously missed plus a 1st for something nice" is literally the format for every hare-brained trade proposal on these boards

 

[toddkaz]

I'm not saying we cannot discuss adding a 1C. I've been vocal that it's the number 1 need on the team (my style of top 6 C may differ to others, but top 6 C is a need).

I'm stating this more to the fact of youth stepping up. If the fear is having Ostlund/Kulich/Helenius in your lineup all at once, I say there is nothing to fear. They have shown to be individually capable in some of the most stressful environment.

Its not that people don't want them in the lineup its that they are the most sought after or tradable to get a 1C along with Mrtka and the 1st round pick.

 

[Ace]

Bro is putting a complete question mark at 1C above 3 centers who have proven more and a 4th that looks infinitely better than Kulich ever did.

…

He’s the one who actually did the job well enough to keep it for any length of time.

Did you just skip that year? Are you a Memento unable to retain new memories?

I’m beyond tired of people tearing down Kulich for literally no reason. He stepped in and did something no one else has been able to do. Push Tage to win where he belongs. When he went out…Tage went right back to center with all those other options in the organization.

Pretending Lindy doesn’t think differently about it is ignorance for the sake of argument,

 

[CowbellConray]

Its not that people don't want them in the lineup its that they are the most sought after or tradable to get a 1C along with Mrtka and the 1st round pick.

Your second question was "Does anyone else feel like going into next year with Kulich, Ostlund and Helenius is too much youth?". The answer to that from me is "no"

 

[Jetskiis]

"A couple of moderately valuable players that won't be seriously missed plus a 1st for something nice" is literally the format for every hare-brained trade proposal on these boards

part of that could at least get a goalie. Gustavsson or Demko?

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

part of that could at least get a goalie. Gustavsson or Demko?

I'd rather not pay to downgrade.

 

[Zman5778]

Gustavsson or Demko?

A guy that's currently injured or the goalie version of Norris.

Pass on both.

 

[Selanne00008]

we could even move on from UPL. His salary is no albatross and should hold value. Even with a couple bloody games against Montreal. We play a run and gun style so we give up chances. I just don't know about goalies and really paying premium. These days a goalie staying top 5 or top 10 year after year is hard to come by. System goalies, puck luck, etc. I think I'd rather make a splash move for a top 6 if anything.