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

[MarkusKetterer]

I don't blame RoBo for not signing in Seattle. I wouldn't wanna play for a team filled with middle 6's

So the Sabres won’t be getting any stars then

 

[nickdawg95]

Jarmo chose Marchenko at 49OA in 2018, so there would be a strong connection there. Haven't watched him much but he looks like a 25-year old version of Tuch.

Brothers a CBJ fan. we see pretty much every columbus away game in toronto/buffalo. love him as a player. slippery for bigger guy.

 

[Dingo44]

He will eagerly mention how he has no desire to know anything about a draft class. I've never understood that. *shrug*

Schopp was 10 times better when we was on 107.7 back in the old days. I've always thought Bulldog was useless and Schopp has sunk to his level. But I'll always appreciate him bringing the world Haseoke.

 

[Chainshot]

Schopp was 10 times better when we was on 107.7 back in the old days. I've always thought Bulldog was useless and Schopp has sunk to his level. But I'll always appreciate him bringing the world Haseoke.

Chris was a fan like you or I back when WBEN had their evening sports programing with John Murphy and the station had a contest to find a local fan to be on the air. I think he took the nickname from the TV show Frasier. Sometimes he's still just a fan. Mike it feels like slipped out of love with sports when he got passed over by ESPN Radio years ago.

 

[dickiedunnwrotethis]

Brothers a CBJ fan. we see pretty much every columbus away game in toronto/buffalo. love him as a player. slippery for bigger guy.

If he was available I'd much rather take a swing for him than Robertson. Lower acquisition cost and salary cap hit.

 

[LiseL]

Per Moneypuck, UPL's High Danger Save% this season was .796 with Lyon at .802.

Hellebuyck was at .799.

In 24-25, UPL was at .715 and Helley was at .780.

So Lyon is better.

 

[LiseL]

Hellebuyck has also saved 180ish goals above his expected GA over his last 10 years in the league (a positive GSAx in 9 of the 10 seasons). The only active goalie who is anywhere near matching Helle's consistent body of work is Shesty. To find a Buffalo goalie who has finished a singular season better than Hellebuyck's career average measured by GSAx, you're going all the way back to... you guessed it, 2009-10.

To portray Hellebuyck as just any 33-year-old goalie in a discussion on his trade value is about as intellectually dishonest as calling Helenius an unproven prospect.

I'm not going to continue this discussion any further on another team's boards, but it had to be pointed out.

Our 3 goalies last year led the Sabres to the the top of the Atlantic but they faltered in the playoffs. Hellebuyck led the Jets to a President's Trophy 2 years ago, but has faltered in the playoffs. Winning Olympic gold with a stacked team isn't the barometer I'd use to measure his success. Also, doesn't Winnipeg play a more defensively structured game? Would he even do well in Buffalo?

 

[LiseL]

I get the appeal, but if I had to pick a reason the Sabres didn’t demolish the Canadiens, it’s because they didn’t win their one on one’s in the O zone. It wasn’t because the goaltending was bad. They need more gas in the top 6 and on the PP. if they lose Tuch and then trade KH to get Hele, they will have gotten worse overall.

Lindy waited too long to split Tuch and Tage and move Tage to the wing IMO.

 

[enthusiast]

Seattle is lost in the desert. Buffalo was a goal from the conference finals.

 

[nickdawg95]

If he was available I'd much rather take a swing for him than Robertson. Lower acquisition cost and salary cap hit.

I think if the 4oa is in play they should try and get a sure fire 1c (thomas / larkin)

But i wouldn't be mad if they got either of those players you mentioned (or made the pick.)

Robertson give us 2 40-50 goal scoring wingers with him and thompson.

i do feel like marchenko/robo would single handedly fix our PP lmfao

 

[Djp]

Our 3 goalies last year led the Sabres to the the top of the Atlantic but they faltered in the playoffs. Hellebuyck led the Jets to a President's Trophy 2 years ago, but has faltered in the playoffs. Winning Olympic gold with a stacked team isn't the barometer I'd use to measure his success. Also, doesn't Winnipeg play a more defensively structured game? Would he even do well in Buffalo?

It’s also only one game, not best of 3-5-7 games

 

[LiseL]

I lost count of how many breakaways the Sabres gave up vs Boston, and how many Canadiens we alone in front of the goalie, no one within 10 feet, with HDSCA type shots.

Buffalo has their 1C and 2C of the future (and potentially a 3C or top 6 winger) on the NHL team now in Ostlund, Helenius, and Kulich. They are prospect projections. Each has had significant success at the NHL level in some way. It's the hardest thing in the league to do, when it comes to finding top centers.

Buffalo needs a goalie and Hellebuyck is elite. But Jarmo will be able to find a goalie easier than replacing center depth, especially 1C and 2C. That's where Helenius and Ostlund project. Kulich was as well prior to his blood clots.

Yeah, Buffalo needs to tighten up defensively so they don't need other-worldy goaltending.

 

[LiseL]

Wish they had spent the picks on Logan Thompson a few years ago instead of trying to bid on Hellebuyck now.

Or one of the Woods currently with the Avs.

 

[TNABuffalo]

For the last time, Kulich is NOT starting the year in Rochester.

 

[LiseL]

Jets fans, sure. We dont see this team as contenders even though we were the best team a year ago. Management like most in the league are in win now, think a small move can put us back on top.

Which can be a recipe for being mediocre for years to come when you can't attract top-end UFA's and are on most players NTC/NMC. Sometimes you just need to rip the band-aid.

 

[Chainshot]

Or one of the Woods currently with the Avs.

Wait until I tell you that one of the Woods was in Rochester as part of the Sabres in the same way Devin Cooley was a few years later. (Wedgewood in '18-19, Cooley in '23-24.)

 

[LiseL]

I just want to see we made a trade and celebrate because I think "Wow - that's a great trade and we didn't give up too much for that!" and not "Why did we have to throw in that as well? Seems like an overpay..." or even worse "We traded for WHO? And gave up WHAT? Ugh."

You got your wish.

 

[Jetskiis]

Yeah, Buffalo needs to tighten up defensively so they don't need other-worldy goaltending.

Or just score more. Scoring more is the fun option

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Ace]

Just to let you know where Toronto fans heads are at on what Knies should cost…

Get ready for it because it blows any Rangers bullshit out of the water…

Are you ready?

From their board in a thread comparing packages from different teams.

“Buffalo - Pick 4, 1st next year, plus Konsta Helenius and Radim Mrtka - Toronto Picks Stenberg/Carels I would not hate Verhoff or Rudolph.”

 

[LiseL]

I didn't think 4OA was possible for Byram and yet here we are.

Crazy times, friends, crazy times.

But Jarmo isn't Davidson. Say what you will about Jarmo, but his trade track record suggests he's a shrewd negotiator and wins a lot of trades.

 

[LiseL]

I just can't think a 4th OA for a goalie is even plausible

I'd only do it for Shesterkin or Swayman, that's the list.

 

[LiseL]

I will be up again to pee about 3 (prostate) lol

Me too (just old)

 

[Dirty Dog]

Just to let you know where Toronto fans heads are at on what Knies should cost…

Get ready for it because it blows any Rangers bullshit out of the water…

Are you ready?

From their board in a thread comparing packages from different teams.

“Buffalo - Pick 4, 1st next year, plus Konsta Helenius and Radim Mrtka - Toronto Picks Stenberg/Carels I would not hate Verhoff or Rudolph.”

Can’t wait for the first round to be done so we can stop the madness

 

[Zman5778]

I'd only do it for Shesterkin or Swayman, that's the list.

Sorokin might make that list for me. Maybe. Vasi maybe too.