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The 2026 NHL Off-Season Thread: More Fools And Their Cap Space, Soon Parted

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Benson did it! #1!!!
 
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Fezzy126 said:
Han with a fantastic "what this means for copycats" thread:







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Fans and media hate to wrestle with how much luck factors into winning in pro sports.

Whether it is waiver luck, draft luck, ref luck, injury luck, puck luck, or any other kinds of luck, people want someone to point at and yell at after a loss. And you don't get a scapegoat when it comes to luck.
 
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www.sportsnet.ca

11 bold predictions for the NHL off-season

The Carolina Hurricanes' Stanley Cup win officially opened the door to the off-season. Rory Boylen dives into the hot topics we need to watch for in what could be a pivotal summer.
www.sportsnet.ca www.sportsnet.ca

The Sabres are not involved in any of them. But, a player or two that have been kicked around for the Sabres are mentioned as landing elsewhere, however.
 
Sabreality said:
I don't mind it for Philly either really, Woll has bounce back potential as insurance for Vladar regressing again. But ya know, goalies...
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I'm not a big Woll fan after what the Amerks did to him in the playoffs a few years ago. But maybe for the Flyers, he finds something else.
 
Chainshot said:
I actually don't mind that from the Leafs end of things.
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Sabreality said:
I don't mind it for Philly either really, Woll has bounce back potential as insurance for Vladar regressing again. But ya know, goalies...
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Yeah, I think I like it more for Philly. Woll is an infinitely better goalie than Ersson (nevermind Ersson owning the Sabres), and Benoit is a better defender than Andrae.

I'm always wary of analytical darlings that really haven't shown much.
 
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Der Jaeger said:
If I'm taking two series worth of lessons from the Sabres and applying it:

- Taking care of the puck needs to be a premium. When the Sabres are in puck possession mode, they are really difficult to stop. Many of their errors were self inflicted. The number of giveaways in bad areas and just throwing the puck away will need to end for the team to advance. This fix comes with time and experience.

- They don't have a net front presence. Benson, Zucker, and Doan do it but they don't have that one net front player who can make a difference with an ugly goal. It doesn't need to be a huge acquisition. Jake DeBrusk?

- Goaltender. They don't have a player who can take over, even in a two goalie tandum. I think this problem may need to be delayed for a year, as the fixes this off-season aren't really there. And I'm not sure we really know if UPL is the answer or not. And Levi is still in the wings to prove himself. I'd rather let that play out a year.

- Fix the power play.

I think the Sabres need to lean into their puck possession game. It's what defines them and makes them great.
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I think the main lesson of this years SC playoffs for me is goaltending - platoon style. At least 2 shut the door, game saving tenders who can be counted on to preserve an initial lead. Until this is resolved - goaltending you can absolutely count on, Buffalo will suffer.

And....... fast, speedy, aggressive, relentless forward forecheckers who create havoc and don't let the opposing D cleanly gain possession and make that clean outlet pass. Buffalo is in great shape here.

Injuries aside, I was struck by how Vegas... which defeated Colorado 4 straight primarily by taking away any offense that Colorado's D would normally generate, was totally flummoxed by Carolina in the same exact manner. Torts couldn't overcome the exact same thing his team had used against the Avalanche. I'll take Dahlin, Power and Byram over McNabb and Theodore any day!

Carolina is as balanced a team as any of those who have won the Cup in the last 5 years.

Think of all those Dallas Star fans kicking themselves watching Stankoven killing the VGK all by hisself! Perfect fit for Ron's system. LOL
 
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Zman5778 said:
www.nhl.com

Vegas Golden Knights Provide Update on Team's Coaching Staff | Vegas Golden Knights

GM Kelly McCrimmon announces John Tortorella will not return following the 2025-26 season
www.nhl.com www.nhl.com

Torts not going back to Vegas, per McCrimmon
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Seems like they are blaming the wrong guy. They should be asking Eichel, Marner and Stone why they all choked at the same time.

Torts was bit stubborn about Hart but Hart played well in game 6. Vegas's offense couldn't break thru to score....
 
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Zman5778 said:
Yeah, I think I like it more for Philly. Woll is an infinitely better goalie than Ersson (nevermind Ersson owning the Sabres), and Benoit is a better defender than Andrae.

I'm always wary of analytical darlings that really haven't shown much.
Click to expand...

(I actually like it most for the draft pick Toronto got.)
 
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littletonhockeycoach said:
Seems like they are blaming the wrong guy. They should be asking Eichel, Marner and Stone why they all choked at the same time.

Torts was bit stubborn about Hart but Hart played well in game 6. Vegas's offense couldn't break thru to score....
Click to expand...

Torts had said earlier in the playoffs that this was temporary though. Doesn't seem surprising in that light.
 
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