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

[Dubi Doo]

Hell no. I really want to keep McLeod and add Trocheck.
We have prospects and picks to offer for Trocheck.

The main reason Im throwing McLeod out there is bc he's been rumored to be on Jarmo's trade list.

 

[HaNotsri]

The main reason Im throwing McLeod out there is bc he's been rumored to be on Jarmo's trade list.

I refuse to believe Jarmo has communicated a trade list to anyone except Lindy. Losing the speed Adams worked hard to get would mean erasing the only good thing Kevyn did.

 

[TommyDangles]

 

[Jetskiis]

this was evident for a year to anyone who can add or has access to a calculator.

 

[enthusiast]

Who would you give up? Curious

Hard to know what they'd want. I tried a thread on the main forums and not a single stars fan posted in it.

However, assuming they'd want a balance of immediate help and future value, I'd give something like one elite young developing player, one young forward who's already producing, Mrtka, and a 1st. If they'd take Norris for his value/cap reasons, great, but I think that has to be resolved separately.

Helenius/Ostlund
Mcleod/Quinn
Mrtka
1st

 

[Jetskiis]

Hard to know what they'd want. I tried a thread on the main forums and not a single stars fan posted in it.

However, assuming they'd want a balance of immediate help and future value, I'd give something like one elite young developing player, one young forward who's already producing, Mrtka, and a 1st. If they'd take Norris for his value/cap reasons, great, but I think that has to be resolved separately.

Helenius/Ostlund
Mcleod/Quinn
Mrtka
1st

helenius off the table
1st, mrtka, mcleod, ostlund would be an acceptable offer. I wouldnt be thrilled about it, but we could wipe our tears with 40 goals for the next 6 years

 

[enthusiast]

helenius off the table
1st, mrtka, mcleod, ostlund would be an acceptable offer. I wouldnt be thrilled about it, but we could wipe our tears with 40 goals for the next 6 years

I really like Helenius and think he's upped his value both to the Sabres and acquiring teams considerably. If they insisted on his inclusion I think the Sabres could manage to get more value or dump a bad contract.

Also wonder if other teams see Krebs as valuable.

 

[Club]

I really hope Kulich is healthy & good to go next season. Will definitely help our depth

 

[TommyDangles]

Who would you give up? Curious

Quinn
Kulich
Mrtka
1st
2nd

 

[enthusiast]

I can't imagine Kulich having much value to other teams at the moment. Dude has to show he can come back.

 

[Zman5778]

Hard to know what they'd want. I tried a thread on the main forums and not a single stars fan posted in it.

However, assuming they'd want a balance of immediate help and future value, I'd give something like one elite young developing player, one young forward who's already producing, Mrtka, and a 1st. If they'd take Norris for his value/cap reasons, great, but I think that has to be resolved separately.

Helenius/Ostlund
Mcleod/Quinn
Mrtka
1st

Not trading a center, where our depth is already questionable, for a winger. Trading away McLeod in such a deal basically forces Tage into center and then we get half a season of Norris....and when he's hurt we have to rely on two kids and hope they're actually centers.

The one piece in a Robertson deal that I'm a bit surprised you didn't mention: Kesselring. Dallas is HURTING for RHD. Kess is going to be cheap and is an instant plug and play for them next year.

I wonder if 1st/Mrtka/Quinn/Kesselring is enough to get it done.

 

[Grinder44]

Center depth:
1 Norris
2 Helenius
3 McLeod
4 Ostlund
5 Carrick
6 Krebs
7 Thompson
8 Kozak

So we're not really looking at filling holes so much as finding upgrades. And really, just at 1C. What 1C's are available? And would Norris + Quinn + 1st + top prospect be enough to bring a true #1 back? I'm thinking Hirscher, Thomas (not likely), Scheifele, etc. It would have to be a true, top NHL center. Otherwise, upgrade other areas.

 

[enthusiast]

Not trading a center, where our depth is already questionable, for a winger. Trading away McLeod in such a deal basically forces Tage into center and then we get half a season of Norris....and when he's hurt we have to rely on two kids and hope they're actually centers.

The one piece in a Robertson deal that I'm a bit surprised you didn't mention: Kesselring. Dallas is HURTING for RHD. Kess is going to be cheap and is an instant plug and play for them next year.

I wonder if 1st/Mrtka/Quinn/Kesselring is enough to get it done.

I'd rather not trade McLeod if they don't have to, but I think Dallas might insist on it in a hypothetical deal. I remember reading something about needing left shots and defensively capable guys, and well...

I want to believe that Kesselring is the guy we were pulling out mock trades for early in last offseason. If they think he is, by all means.

 

[LiseL]

Not trading a center, where our depth is already questionable, for a winger. Trading away McLeod in such a deal basically forces Tage into center and then we get half a season of Norris....and when he's hurt we have to rely on two kids and hope they're actually centers.

The one piece in a Robertson deal that I'm a bit surprised you didn't mention: Kesselring. Dallas is HURTING for RHD. Kess is going to be cheap and is an instant plug and play for them next year.

I wonder if 1st/Mrtka/Quinn/Kesselring is enough to get it done.

Who are you getting rid of to make the cap room? If you think Tuch's ask is high, Robertson's is even higher (around $14M). Doubtful he gets that amount as only 2 players make that amount or more (Draisaitl, Kaprikov) but they were both UFA and Wild have to overpay to keep their stars. The highest paid wingers after that make $12M (Marner, Rantonen, Kyle Connor) and again, all UFA contracts. if Jarmo is willing to spend that kind of money on a winger, should just keep Tuch IMO.

 

[Jetskiis]

Who are you getting rid of to make the cap room? If you think Tuch's ask is high, Robertson's is even higher (around $14M). Doubtful he gets that amount as only 2 players make that amount or more (Draisaitl, Kaprikov) but they were both UFA and Wild have to overpay to keep their stars. The highest paid wingers after that make $12M (Marner, Rantonen, Kyle Connor) and again, all UFA contracts. if Jarmo is willing to spend that kind of money on a winger, should just keep Tuch IMO.

if we move greenway and zucker we have plenty of room for robertsons ask at 14. We have too many forwards anyways and need to make room for the young guys. We could afford to bring back mal and krebs too. I would MUCH rather pay Robertons 14x7 than tuch 11-12x8

Robertson's an automatic 40 goal a year for the next 5 years at least. The cap keeps going up and 14 Mil for a wing will be average to below average by the end of it. Makars looking for 19. Top line centers will be looking for 17-19
Robertson is easily on par with Kaprizov and Draisaitl and he is younger.
Draisaitl is getting 14 for the next 6 years and he is 30. Optimistically, he'll continue to produce at his current level for 4 years.
Kaprizov gets 17 for the next 8 years and he is 29. Optimistically, he'll continue to produce at his current level for 5 years.

Robertson is 26. All 7-8 years of that contract, he should be able to continue to produce at his current level. He is a STEAL at 14. And when his contract is up we can probably let him keep it moving because we will have replaced him internally.

Buffalo hasn't had a winger on the level of Robertson since MOGILNY. Adding Robertson would have a bigger impact than trading for larkin, barzal, hischier.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

if we move greenway and zucker we have plenty of room for robertsons ask at 14. We have too many forwards anyways and need to make room for the young guys. We could afford to bring back mal and krebs too. I would MUCH rather pay Robertons 14x7 than tuch 11-12x8

Robertson's an automatic 40 goal a year for the next 5 years at least. The cap keeps going up and 14 Mil for a wing will be average to below average by the end of it. Makars looking for 19. Top line centers will be looking for 17-19
Robertson is easily on par with Kaprizov and Draisaitl and he is younger.
Draisaitl is getting 14 for the next 6 years and he is 30. Optimistically, he'll continue to produce at his current level for 4 years.
Kaprizov gets 17 for the next 8 years and he is 29. Optimistically, he'll continue to produce at his current level for 5 years.

Robertson is 26. All 7-8 years of that contract, he should be able to continue to produce at his current level. He is a STEAL at 14. And when his contract is up we can probably let him keep it moving because we will have replaced him internally.

Buffalo hasn't had a winger on the level of Robertson since MOGILNY. Adding Robertson would have a bigger impact than trading for larkin, barzal, hischier.

Robertson is one of my favorite players, but I'd rather have Tuch at 11 and keep all the pieces it'd take to get Robertson, than Robertson at 14 minus a bunch of other stuff.

 

[Jetskiis]

Robertson is one of my favorite players, but I'd rather have Tuch at 11 and keep all the pieces it'd take to get Robertson, than Robertson at 14 minus a bunch of other stuff.

If it was:
Krebs
Kesselring
Mrtka
Ostlund
1st

For

Robertson

I'd be ok with that

 

[enthusiast]

Robertson is one of my favorite players, but I'd rather have Tuch at 11 and keep all the pieces it'd take to get Robertson, than Robertson at 14 minus a bunch of other stuff.

It’s more efficient management but I think the team would end up being worse. True elite talent matters and Robertson is that.

 

[enthusiast]

If it was:
Krebs
Kesselring
Mrtka
Ostlund
1st

For

Robertson

I'd be ok with that

I’d carry those guys to Dallas on my back. I’m just not sure what they’re looking for

 

[toddkaz]

If it was:
Krebs
Kesselring
Mrtka
Ostlund
1st

For

Robertson

I'd be ok with that

I would have gladly done that for Rob Thomas if he was available.

 

[Jetskiis]

I would have gladly done that for Rob Thomas if he was available.

me too, unfortunately he is not

 

[UrbanAchiever]

me too, unfortunately he is not

And unfortunately they would have said NFW

 

[Sabreality]

so people are still chasing goalies? lol

 

[Jetskiis]

so people are still chasing goalies? lol

the Lindy Ruff Goalie Throuple has grown on me. I'd just run it back, maybe replacing lyon or ellis with levi and see what happens

 

[Zman5778]

Who are you getting rid of to make the cap room? If you think Tuch's ask is high, Robertson's is even higher (around $14M). Doubtful he gets that amount as only 2 players make that amount or more (Draisaitl, Kaprikov) but they were both UFA and Wild have to overpay to keep their stars. The highest paid wingers after that make $12M (Marner, Rantonen, Kyle Connor) and again, all UFA contracts. if Jarmo is willing to spend that kind of money on a winger, should just keep Tuch IMO.

So.....I mistakenly assumed that Robertson was under contract for this year.

Totally agreed that I'd rather just re-sign Tuch and keep the assets we'd need to trade for Robertson.