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

[MeenOlViks]

Now this is interesting. Portzline usually is dialed in on all things CBJ.

Back to Helle…

 

[old kummelweck]

IF we are interested (I think we are) it’s down to us, the habs and maybe one other team. No way we get this guy for scraps. My guess is we’ll have to part with Ostlund + to make it happen.

Those aren't scraps. I am not sure why buffalo fans have convinced themselves that Quinn is not a valuable asset that other teams don't want. He's an NHL player with upside, can shoot, play the PP, and is defensively responsible. I'd be happy to hold on to him and do nothing. The main pieces are Quinn and a first round pick. That's fair value. Ryan Johnson is equivalent to a developed second round player that has NHL upside - he's just approaching tweener status in this organization which has an embarrassment of riches at that position. If you want to swap out Ryan Johnson for a 2nd or 3rd, that is about the value.

Anything more is overpayment. Olstlund and a first would be slight overpayment, but Quinn and Ostlund from a value perspective are not all that far apart. Quinn is just due a contract sooner so that reduces his value a bit, as opposed to Ostlund, that still could get a bridge deal if not signed log-term.

Marchenko is not going to get any more than that from Jarmo. They could get it somewhere else.

 

[joshjull]

It's like asking the wife what she wants for dinner. Just can't give me a real answer lol

Thats pretty good


I think the problem is we’re coming at this from two different perspectives and your question doesn’t apply to my pov.

I don’t envision a battle for the second top 6 center spot (Norris is obviously the other). I envision it as being Kulich’s unless he isn’t 100%. Whereas you view an open battle for that spot. In my scenario, he isn’t beating anyone out for that spot. It’s already his. I could certainly be wrong but that’s how I see it

I expect us to come into camp with a center spine of Norris/Kulich/McLeod/Carrick

XXX/Kulich/Tage
XXX/Norris/XXX
Zucker/McLeod/XXX
Krebs/Carrick/Beck

I think the battles will be on the wings. Obviously Benny/Doan are locks for two of those three top 6 winger spots. Quinn could get the 3rd spot and get the first shot at replacing Tuch. Or it could be one of the young guys Helenius/Ostlund with the other going to Rochester (with Quinn on 3rd line). If one of those two make the roster then they would have to risk sending Kozak thru waivers (Danforth would be the extra forward). Since one of the 2 possible extra forward spots will be the 3rd goalie (I’m assuming they still plan to do that)

Another option is to send both of Helenius/Ostlund to Rochester. Then slide Krebs to the 3rd line with Danforth or Kozak on 4th line (the other as the extra). That would put Quinn in the top six. It would be an inexperienced top six** and a veteran bottom six. But they’d be able to call up the youngsters at will from Rochester as needed.

Obviously injuries, trades or Kulich not being 100% changes things dramatically.

By the way, this is not what I want nor am I against it. It’s just how I think things will play out.

** That is going to be the case regardless of who gets that 3rd top 6 winger spot (Barring a trade of course)

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

My guess is CBJ runs it back with Marchenko and sees what's up at the TDL

 

[Jetskiis]

I expect us to come into camp with a center spine of Norris/Kulich/McLeod/Carrick

this certainly seems to be what Jarmo and Ruff expect and what Jarmo based his offseason moves around.

and I agree, I think there will be competition for that 3rd wing spot and my prediction is going to be between Quinn or Helenius.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Thats pretty good


I think the problem is we’re coming at this from two different perspectives and your question doesn’t apply to my pov.

I don’t envision a battle for the second top 6 center spot (Norris is obviously the other). I envision it as being Kulich’s unless he isn’t 100%. Whereas you view an open battle for that spot. In my scenario, he isn’t beating anyone out for that spot. It’s already his. I could certainly be wrong but that’s how I see it

I expect us to come into camp with a center spine of Norris/Kulich/McLeod/Carrick

XXX/Kulich/Tage
XXX/Norris/XXX
Zucker/McLeod/XXX
Krebs/Carrick/Beck

I think the battles will be on the wings. Obviously Benny/Doan are locks for two of those three top 6 winger spots. Quinn could get the 3rd spot and get the first shot at replacing Tuch. Or it could be one of the young guys Helenius/Ostlund with the other going to Rochester (with Quinn on 3rd line). If one of those two make the roster then they would have to risk sending Kozak thru waivers (Danforth would be the extra forward). Since one of the 2 possible extra forward spots will be the 3rd goalie (I’m assuming they still plan to do that)

Another option is to send both of Helenius/Ostlund to Rochester. Then slide Krebs to the 3rd line with Danforth or Kozak on 4th line (the other as the extra). That would put Quinn in the top six. It would be an inexperienced top six** and a veteran bottom six. But they’d be able to call up the youngsters at will from Rochester as needed.

Obviously injuries, trades or Kulich not being 100% changes things dramatically.

By the way, this is not what I want nor am I against it. It’s just how I think things will play out.

** That is going to be the case regardless of who gets that 3rd top 6 winger spot (Barring a trade of course)

Yup. I think Jarmo had other ideas if Hellebuyck was aquired, but thankfully, he didn't pay the outrageous cost that was rumored.

What I like...
-The center spine isn't too youthful.
-3 of our 4 centers are really good in their roles. Carrick is a great 4C, McLeod is a good 3C, and Norris is a solid top-6C. We really need 1 of Helenius, Ostlund, or Kulich to be a good middle-6C, and the center spine should be good enough to win games.
-Benson, Doan, Quinn, and 1 of Helenius/Ostlund rounding out the rest of the top-9 is nice. It's possible all 4 of them become good top-6 options.
- We'll have potentially a black ace like Ostlund last year in the A ready to make an impact when their time is called. Ostlund, Helenius, or Kulich can play that role well.
- The forward depth is still deep with an interesting blend of role players to fill in where they'd fit best. Kozak and Danforth are good for bottom 6 roles. Black ace is good for a middle role.
-Lots of center depth for when Norris inevitably gets injured. I worry about Ostlund & Kulich too, but you have Tage, Kulich, and Helenius who can all likely play a top-9 C role well. Danforth, Krebs, Kozak can all play bottom-6C roles in a pinch.
- There's a whole lot of DAWG in that group

What I dislike...
-Norris, Ostlund, and Kulich all have injury concerns
-we really, really could use one of the young Cs stepping up into a legit top-6C is we want any chance to actually contend
- Theyre a bit small and lack those dirty SOBs that I hate to play against, but a lot of the big dawgs in the division employ. Still, they got DAWGs all over the LU, so I would not call them soft.
- I really, really wish Jarmo could get a legit veteran savvy top-6 player. That'd go a long way easing my concerns.
- we lack a true game breaker in the forward core.
I think this is a playoff squad IF they stay relatively healthy, and the goaltending performs well. Defense really intrigues me, and I like that Jarmo got guys that seem to fit what Ruff wants out of that unit.

I suppose I'm optimistic. Strange feeling. Ok, time to wipe my ass, and get back to parenting, haha

 

[Chainshot]

My guess is CBJ runs it back with Marchenko and sees what's up at the TDL

Can't really see any contender giving up a younger, cost controlled player or high enough value prospect(s) though. Deadline pricing tends to be a lot of later draft picks and we are seeing draft pick values sink overall.

 

[enthusiast]

Can't really see any contender giving up a younger, cost controlled player or high enough value prospect(s) though. Deadline pricing tends to be a lot of later draft picks and we are seeing draft pick values sink overall.

I think we might see a bump in value of those picks as contracts continue to balloon. You’ll need to have more strong ELC contributors when your third line winger is pulling in 7 mil

 

[Chainshot]

I think we might see a bump in value of those picks as contracts continue to balloon. You’ll need to have more strong ELC contributors when your third line winger is pulling in 7 mil

That's going to be a way off with another big cap bump coming couple summers. They are on track for a $123M cap in two seasons. That's another Leo Carlsson offer sheet per team.

 

[old kummelweck]

I think we might see a bump in value of those picks as contracts continue to balloon. You’ll need to have more strong ELC contributors when your third line winger is pulling in 7 mil

I'm starting to think this rumored ELC top six player is a winged pegasus. Those are going to be HIGH first rounders or absolutely steals later in the first round/second round. A good team is not going to have a crack at those to keep their payroll balanced if they are appearing in the playoffs - and if they do get some other teams pick, those are generally top-10 protected.

I am having a hard time wrapping my head around what player signings and movement will look like when the cap jumps like this. Everyone new it was coming, but someone threw a switch and all of a sudden, the Sabres contracts are looking better and better.

 

[Zman5778]

Those aren't scraps. I am not sure why buffalo fans have convinced themselves that Quinn is not a valuable asset that other teams don't want. He's an NHL player with upside, can shoot, play the PP, and is defensively responsible. I'd be happy to hold on to him and do nothing. The main pieces are Quinn and a first round pick. That's fair value. Ryan Johnson is equivalent to a developed second round player that has NHL upside - he's just approaching tweener status in this organization which has an embarrassment of riches at that position. If you want to swap out Ryan Johnson for a 2nd or 3rd, that is about the value.

Anything more is overpayment. Olstlund and a first would be slight overpayment, but Quinn and Ostlund from a value perspective are not all that far apart. Quinn is just due a contract sooner so that reduces his value a bit, as opposed to Ostlund, that still could get a bridge deal if not signed log-term.

Marchenko is not going to get any more than that from Jarmo. They could get it somewhere else.

I think you're undervaluing Marchenko by quite a bit. Dorofeyev went for two firsts and a 3rd....and I think Marchenko is a better, more complete player. I can't picture him being traded for less than Dorofeyev.

I agree that Quinn is worth more than some fans here think, but he's not a 1st round value either.

You say that Ostlund and a 1st is overpayment......I'm pretty sure it's not enough.

I'd do a top 10 protected 1st, Ostlund and Quinn for an extended Marchenko with no complaint.

 

[Jetskiis]

 

[old kummelweck]

I think you're undervaluing Marchenko by quite a bit. Dorofeyev went for two firsts and a 3rd....and I think Marchenko is a better, more complete player. I can't picture him being traded for less than Dorofeyev.

I agree that Quinn is worth more than some fans here think, but he's not a 1st round value either.

You say that Ostlund and a 1st is overpayment......I'm pretty sure it's not enough.

I'd do a top 10 protected 1st, Ostlund and Quinn for an extended Marchenko with no complaint.

Dorofeyev is the player I'm using as a comparable. So.... Quinn (former top 10 first rounder), next year's first (protected), and Ryan Johnson (former second rounder) OR a second or third (this is the least consequential).

Vegas got a 2026 first (26), 2026 third (92), and a top 10 protected 2027 first. Arguably the package I just framed is a better package that what the rangers gave up for Dorofeyev.

The disagreement seems to be the value of Quinn, which I think fans under-rate but GMs wont. Quinn would certainly get back a late first round pick if traded straight up.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Dorofeyev is the player I'm using as a comparable. So.... Quinn (former top 10 first rounder), next year's first (protected), and Ryan Johnson (former second rounder) OR a second or third (this is the least consequential).

Vegas got a 2026 first (26), 2026 third (92), and a top 10 protected 2027 first. Arguably the package I just framed is a better package that what the rangers gave up for Dorofeyev.

The disagreement seems to be the value of Quinn, which I think fans under-rate but GMs wont. Quinn would certainly get back a late first round pick if traded straight up.

Yeah, maybe Im overrating Quinn, but I think he'd be worth a first from any team that's a contender or is close to contending.

 

[TommyDangles]

I think it will take one or two pieces that fans would be unhappy with giving up to land him.

It's not going to be Mrtka and Krebs for Marchenko.

It will be similar to the DeBrincat / Timo Meier trades.

So they'll get a decent return but their fans will be saying that's it?

This board is overrating a winger that needs a big contract quite a bit. They also overrated what DeBrincat/Timo Meier would return too.

 

[enthusiast]

That's going to be a way off with another big cap bump coming couple summers. They are on track for a $123M cap in two seasons. That's another Leo Carlsson offer sheet per team.

I’m budgeting in a earth-shaking recession

 

[enthusiast]

I'm starting to think this rumored ELC top six player is a winged pegasus. Those are going to be HIGH first rounders or absolutely steals later in the first round/second round. A good team is not going to have a crack at those to keep their payroll balanced if they are appearing in the playoffs - and if they do get some other teams pick, those are generally top-10 protected.

I am having a hard time wrapping my head around what player signings and movement will look like when the cap jumps like this. Everyone new it was coming, but someone threw a switch and all of a sudden, the Sabres contracts are looking better and better.

We’ve got one in Russia, god willing

But yeah, I’m not talking gamebreakers, just decent contributors that can fill roles without the team suffering.

 

[old kummelweck]

But yeah, I’m not talking gamebreakers, just decent contributors that can fill roles without the team suffering.

I'm having a hard time coming up with an example.

I think for years we've told ourselves this is the Sabres model, but what team has effectively executed this? This is what Adams was so patiently managing, but what team with a cup has done it this way?

The reality is you have to lock up your players coming off their ELC, when they have JUST started to develop, long-term as soon as you can. With the cap going way up and the offer sheet ever-present, I don't see players singing those anymore - they'll just use the cap rising and offer sheet possibility and bide their time.

 

[Chainshot]

I think you're undervaluing Marchenko by quite a bit. Dorofeyev went for two firsts and a 3rd....and I think Marchenko is a better, more complete player. I can't picture him being traded for less than Dorofeyev.

I agree that Quinn is worth more than some fans here think, but he's not a 1st round value either.

You say that Ostlund and a 1st is overpayment......I'm pretty sure it's not enough.

I'd do a top 10 protected 1st, Ostlund and Quinn for an extended Marchenko with no complaint.

Quinn seems like he should have Samoskevich value.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Can't really see any contender giving up a younger, cost controlled player or high enough value prospect(s) though. Deadline pricing tends to be a lot of later draft picks and we are seeing draft pick values sink overall.

I could, he's pretty good. He also plays with the size and speed teams crave.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I'm having a hard time coming up with an example.

I think for years we've told ourselves this is the Sabres model, but what team has effectively executed this? This is what Adams was so patiently managing, but what team with a cup has done it this way?

The reality is you have to lock up your players coming off their ELC, when they have JUST started to develop, long-term as soon as you can. With the cap going way up and the offer sheet ever-present, I don't see players singing those anymore - they'll just use the cap rising and offer sheet possibility and bide their time.

That's basically Carolina's strategy. Snowball value and hope it gets there.

 

[TommyDangles]

Quinn seems like he should have Samoskevich value.

Samoskevich coming off a 32 point season. Quinn coming off a 51 point season.

Samoskevich got more opportunities this year and didn't do much with it. Quinn has been inconsistent but he's flashed that higher level of play far more than Samoskevich.

I can still see Quinn becoming a legit top 6 winger. I don't see that at all for Samoskevich. See more of a career 3rd liner.

Quinn >> Samoskevich

 

[Chainshot]

I could, he's pretty good. He also plays with the size and speed teams crave.

Among contenders there are precious few of that variety of player. There are some awesome brands and some teams that are trying to build that might have something of interest. I could see Anaheim, maybe changing gears with Gauthier, or maybe one of San Jose‘s high-quality young forwards. But I don’t see it from a contender.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Among contenders there are precious few of that variety of player. There are some awesome brands and some teams that are trying to build that might have something of interest. I could see Anaheim, maybe changing gears with Gauthier, or maybe one of San Jose‘s high-quality young forwards. But I don’t see it from a contender.

Minnesota and Washington. The caps would need to Vegas that cap somehow but they'd be terrifying adding him.

People are going to be shocked how big and fast their forward crew is.

 

[Chainshot]

Samoskevich coming off a 32 point season. Quinn coming off a 51 point season.

Samoskevich got more opportunities this year and didn't do much with it. Quinn has been inconsistent but he's flashed that higher level of play far more than Samoskevich.

I can still see Quinn becoming a legit top 6 winger. I don't see that at all for Samoskevich. See more of a career 3rd liner.

Quinn >> Samoskevich

And Samoskevich went for more than people here value Quinn. My point is people here are undervaluing Quinn.