Speculation: The New and Improved Sabres Summer Roster Thread, 2026-27: Now With More Fiber

[Chainshot]

Now that we're about to hit the big lull, a place for Sabres roster conversation continued from here -

Speculation: Post in thread 'The 2026-27 Roster Speculation Thread: Summer Edition - Need to Find New Oars.'

Jul 2, 2026

The second most experienced player (and the only other one to play 200 games in this league) in the top 6 just turned 21.

I just hope they don’t use their high pick on another RHD next year

You're not going to like the projected #1 overall pick next year.

2027 NHL Draft lookahead: DuPont of Everett projected as No. 1 pick | NHL.com

WHL defenseman had 73 points this season; Joseph of Saint John, Zhilkin of Saginaw could be top forwards available

www.nhl.com

• Dingo44

As a gentle reminder of a specific rule that HFBoards has: Rule 4 of the forum states, in part:

4) Threadjacking/OT: Posts that waste space or time on the site, annoy users due to characteristics or repetition, or cause threads to veer off topic may be considered “threadjacking/OT”. Stay on topic as much as possible.

There are a couple of you that seem intent on petty little off-topic minutiae arguments or bringing the same topic/idea/opinion into every thread and jamming it down posters' throat. As a reminder, those posting behaviors are against HFBoards rules.
Another reminder:

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[Dubi Doo]

I think they're a playoff team, but would like a a move or two to make me feel a even more confident!

Also, if Kane is signed, does that signal the end of Quinn. I'd hate that swap unless Quinn is traded for a haul.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

I think their a playoff team, but would like a a move or two to make me feel a even more confident!

Also, if Kane is signed, does that signal the end of Quinn. I'd hate that swap unless Quinn is traded for a haul.

I honestly expect that. Quinn + out and Kane in

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

I really hope this isn’t the roster for this upcoming season. Not good enough to go further then last season

 

[26CornerBlitz]

I think their a playoff team, but would like a a move or two to make me feel a even more confident!

Also, if Kane is signed, does that signal the end of Quinn. I'd hate that swap unless Quinn is traded for a haul.

Bring in a 37 year old and ship out the 24 year old? Highly questionable.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Bring in a 37 year old and ship out the 24 year old? Highly questionable.

Unless Quinn is used for an upgrade in the top-6, I agree, and I'm actually fine with signing Kane. I just dont see who else gets moved? Maybe Krebs, but then that would mean someone in the top-9 taking his spot on the 4th line.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

Unless Quinn is used for an upgrade in the top-6, I agree, and I'm actually fine with signing Kane. I just dont see who else gets moved? Maybe Krebs, but then that would mean someone in the top-9 taking his spot on the 4th line.

Can't see where teams would be eager to give up a top 6 winger better than Quinn unless it involves an overpay. We shall see.

 

[Ace]

Bring in a 37 year old and ship out the 24 year old? Highly questionable.

You want to pay that 24 year old his next contract given what you’ve seen of his career? Because this is when his value to move him is the highest it’s going to be. And I don’t fancy paying him in a year.

 

[Browne88]

I'm not sure I get the hesitance to trade Quinn. If we can get an improvement in goal or at centre I'd have no issue trading him.

He was a black hole defensively from an xDef perspective, which I feel like more or less seems accurate to my eyes. I will say that he seemed to improve as the year went on and I felt he actually looked pretty good in the playoffs. So I'm fine keeping him, but I won't be losing sleep if they trade him either.

 

[Jetskiis]

Friedman keeps saying the same thing over and over. Clearly Hellebuyck will be traded. Everyone's sick of it by now just get it over with

 

[Browne88]

You want to pay that 24 year old his next contract given what you’ve seen of his career? Because this is when his value to move him is the highest it’s going to be. And I don’t fancy paying him in a year.

This is another aspect I wasn't even thinking about. While we can probably afford to pay him next year, what does that contract look like with another 50-60 point season? I bet it won't look good for what he is unless he can figure out his defensive game or really hit another level offensively I just don't see there.

 

[Jetskiis]

This is another aspect I wasn't even thinking about. While we can probably afford to pay him next year, what does that contract look like with another 50-60 point season? I bet it won't look good for what he is unless he can figure out his defensive game or really hit another level offensively I just don't see there.

We would be extremely fortunate if he took Benson/Doan numbers. If he bumps his points total to Tuch numbers, which given the increased opportunities and development I think he could, we'd be looking at somewhere around 10-11

 

[Tatanka]

This is another aspect I wasn't even thinking about. While we can probably afford to pay him next year, what does that contract look like with another 50-60 point season? I bet it won't look good for what he is unless he can figure out his defensive game or really hit another level offensively I just don't see there.

For a team looking to replace 30 goals per, trading another 20 seems like a bad idea.

 

[Jetskiis]

Sounds like Giroux may be out

 

[Ace]

For a team looking to replace 30 goals per, trading another 20 seems like a bad idea.

Sure.

Then what do we do next year? Pay him a ton because Jarmo decided not to try and replace Tuch? That seems like an even worse idea.

And I’m not sure Quinn’s production even outweighs what he gives up out there.

 

[Browne88]

We would be extremely fortunate if he took Benson/Doan numbers. If he bumps his points total to Tuch numbers, which given the increased opportunities and development I think he could, we'd be looking at somewhere around 10-11

Man I just don't see the Tuch upside at all... MAYBE in a down year from Tuch he could get close offensively, but unless he dramatically improves his defensive game he's not getting anywhere close to the Tuch contract. Tuch was getting Selke votes. Quinn would probably get a similar number of votes if they had a worst defense award.

 

[BFLO]

According to the EVH model Quinn was our 2nd worst forward, behind only Jordan Greenway, in xGAR/60 during the regular season. He was dead last in terms of defensive impacts among our forwards, and by a wide margin.

In the playoffs he upped his defensive game, but at the expense of his offense.

Guess the players

 

[Browne88]

For a team looking to replace 30 goals per, trading another 20 seems like a bad idea.

I'm fine keeping him, but I believe the kids can can replace Tuch's offensive production between them. I also would assume there's another player brought in to replace Quinn's production (Kane being the current rumour).

 

[Sometimes the Goalie]

For a team looking to replace 30 goals per, trading another 20 seems like a bad idea.

How about for a team looking to make a deeper playoff run? Trading Quinn (a one trick, regular season pony like Peterka) for a playoff-savvy vet capable of driving play and providing leadership when the real season starts seems like a rather good idea.

 

[Tatanka]

How about for a team looking to make a deeper playoff run? Trading Quinn (a one trick, regular season pony like Peterka) for a playoff-savvy vet capable of driving play and providing leadership when the real season starts seems like a rather good idea.

Nah. Quinn actually picked it up in the post season so unless you are getting an overpayment I would rather keep him. If Pasta is coming back I would reconsider, but goal scoring is a need we do not need to exacerbate for a desire for grit that can't score.

 

[Hasekperreault23]

Unless Quinn is used for an upgrade in the top-6, I agree, and I'm actually fine with signing Kane. I just dont see who else gets moved? Maybe Krebs, but then that would mean someone in the top-9 taking his spot on the 4th line.

I am actually down on McLeod.I know he brings PK and speed but man what a playoff disappointment he was.I mean he won't even lean on anyone nevermind hit them.I know people mention Norris because of his unavailability which is absolutely legit but I would take a chance on him over McLeod.Quinn is just getting his game back from multiple injuries I want to keep him.I am good with this team moving forward,my only concern is a lack of toughness otherwise very optimistic on some of the young players who performed well in playoffs and think our defence is deeper than last year

 

[Tatanka]

I'm fine keeping him, but I believe the kids can can replace Tuch's offensive production between them. I also would assume there's another player brought in to replace Quinn's production (Kane being the current rumour).

Kane is not the answer. He wasn't in NY nor Detroit. He plays for PKane and I would not bank on him fitting into Ruffs system. As part of a package for someone like ADB sure that is interesting. Relying on Kane is fools gold.

 

[JThorne]

Sounds like Giroux may be out

It really bothers me that a “journalist” doesn’t know piqued from peaked.

 

[Tatanka]

I'm fine keeping him, but I believe the kids can can replace Tuch's offensive production between them. I also would assume there's another player brought in to replace Quinn's production (Kane being the current rumour).

I don't. None have shown the offensive upside Quinn has. Not everyone is a selke candidate nor do they need to be
And if you are arguing Kane replaces him then you are agreeing defense doesn't matter. Again if you can upgrade him, sure. Don't think that is going to happen this offseason.

 

[markpenske]

I saw a fan proposed a one-for-one trade: J.Robertson for Tage.
At first I thought, this is crazy. The more I think about the more I like it.