thewookie1
Registered User
- Jan 21, 2015
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Hate we can't deal him with retention to someone, anyone but I'm guessing Skinner's being an ass.
My guess is that Skinner is being as much of an ass to the Sabres as he was to the Canes that led to his trade to Buffalo for a less than amazing trade package.Hate we can't deal him with retention to someone, anyone but I'm guessing Skinner's being an ass.
Hate we can't deal him with retention to someone, anyone but I'm guessing Skinner's being an ass.
I mean, when you have enough money that the dollars don't effectively matter, would you rather get 2/3rds of your remaining contract and freedom to live and work wherever you want or be given a list of 1 or 2 places to choose from and get all of it?
I think most people would choose the buyout over the trade unless it was to a market I was truly excited about living and playing in. I'll begrudge Skinner a lot, but not using the rights he earned in his contract.
In all seriousness though, I mentioned multiple times that if the Sabres were serious about winning this year, step 1 was buying out Skinner.
So this is a good first step.
But....this is simply the foundation for the work that still has to happen.
They need to add, by my count:
1. A top six scoring winger
2. A 3rd and 4th line center
3. A 2nd pair d-man to pair with Power
4. In an ideal world, a competent backup, though, it appears that won't be the case this year.
5. And probably 1-2 4th liners
Unfortunately, my guess is that Power's partner (Byram, Samuelsson, or Dahlin) , one of the 3C/4C (Krebs), and the backup (Levi) are already here.In all seriousness though, I mentioned multiple times that if the Sabres were serious about winning this year, step 1 was buying out Skinner.
So this is a good first step.
But....this is simply the foundation for the work that still has to happen.
They need to add, by my count:
1. A top six scoring winger
2. A 3rd and 4th line center
3. A 2nd pair d-man to pair with Power
4. In an ideal world, a competent backup, though, it appears that won't be the case this year.
5. And probably 1-2 4th liners
Interesting timing on this post, because I've been thinking a lot about the biggest problems with last years team, and I keep coming back to the offensive performance of our top line and 1D. While GAR/WAR is far from a perfect stat, I continually come back to this table:
View attachment 887316
The difference in EV Offense and PP offense from 22-23 to 23-24 is staggering, and it resulted in some extreme declines in GAR, WAR, and SPAR. among this group of players.
We can revamp the bottom 6, get grittier, improve our defense, and improve the coaching, but we need our big guns (perhaps sans Skinner) to return to form and stay healthy. We need this more than any other offseason change.
Guessing this has been posted, and I missed it.
Fairburn builds our roster out this offseason, and it’s pretty solid.
Wow. That logo looks awful. Looks like an iron-on.
Weird that the buyout smoke has dissipated with the approaching window.
Feel like I'm in the minority but I won't be too upset if we keep him. Aside from the presumed kane signing, it's going to take even more assets to replace his offense, which I'd rather spend on potentially 2 centers and marino.
I'm not going to try to make all the trades work, but I think we'd have the assets to bring in some solid depth even after a Zegras trade. If Zegras is our big top-6 ass, then I think it's imperative to get a top-9 C with defensive chops. A strong center spine can alleviate some of our wingers defensive issues. I also think we can still make a tough LU to play against even after adding Zegras:
Zegras-Thompson-Tuch:
Let's try to recreate magic. Ruff will need to make Tuch understand he needs to be the big body on this line. Work the front of the net. Zegras can add some nice playmaking and will be able to keep up. Heavy O zone usage.
Greenway-Cozens-Quinn:
I've wrote about this line in the past. Greenway needs to play the role of the 'big boy' who is a PITA to control down low. Quinn adds some crazy dynamic skill to the line. Cozens has two good linemates who will help him progress into that savage two-way player we need him to become.
Peterka-UFA/Trade-Benson:
Benson + our newly added top-9 center should create a nice defensive duo to go along with Peterka's dynamic offensive all the while covering up for Peterka's issues on the defensive side of the puck. I think there are few options that would work well in between these two. Cirelli is near the top of my list, though.
UFA/ Girgs-Krebs/Dowd-UFA/ Trade
A solid defensive line that is a PITA to play against. I would be fine with Girgs coming back but would like to see Carrier and Jeannot added to make this a true energy line. I also think it'd allow Krebs to unlock his rat game knowing he has Jeannot and Carrier who have his back. Dowd could be a nice add here, too.
Power-Dahlin
Power gets a true #1 to grow with. I think they can complement each other well.
Byram-trade/UFA (Jensen?)
Say we trade our 1st, Joki, and 1 of our better prospects + some other picks to net us Zegras and a top-9 C. I'm not sure we'd have the ammo to go for someone like Marino. I like the idea of Jensen here. I'd assume a 2nd round pick may be able to get the job done. He's older, and coming off a down year, but he can PK and allow Byram to do his thing. I also like the idea of them becoming a physical 2nd pairing.
Sammy-Clifton
Now, we have some nice depth. Sammy can move up in a pinch as could Clifton. Physical, third pairing D that is probably better than a lot of third pairings other teams ice.
So, do you guys think Joki, 1st, Kulich and/or Rosen, 2nd round pick, + a bit more can net us Zegras, Cirelli, Jeannot and Jensen?
Not sure if Greenway will be in the top 6.I'm not going to try to make all the trades work, but I think we'd have the assets to bring in some solid depth even after a Zegras trade. If Zegras is our big top-6 ass, then I think it's imperative to get a top-9 C with defensive chops. A strong center spine can alleviate some of our wingers defensive issues. I also think we can still make a tough LU to play against even after adding Zegras:
Zegras-Thompson-Tuch:
Let's try to recreate magic. Ruff will need to make Tuch understand he needs to be the big body on this line. Work the front of the net. Zegras can add some nice playmaking and will be able to keep up. Heavy O zone usage.
Greenway-Cozens-Quinn:
I've wrote about this line in the past. Greenway needs to play the role of the 'big boy' who is a PITA to control down low. Quinn adds some crazy dynamic skill to the line. Cozens has two good linemates who will help him progress into that savage two-way player we need him to become.
Peterka-UFA/Trade-Benson:
Benson + our newly added top-9 center should create a nice defensive duo to go along with Peterka's dynamic offensive all the while covering up for Peterka's issues on the defensive side of the puck. I think there are few options that would work well in between these two. Cirelli is near the top of my list, though.
UFA/ Girgs-Krebs/Dowd-UFA/ Trade
A solid defensive line that is a PITA to play against. I would be fine with Girgs coming back but would like to see Carrier and Jeannot added to make this a true energy line. I also think it'd allow Krebs to unlock his rat game knowing he has Jeannot and Carrier who have his back. Dowd could be a nice add here, too.
Power-Dahlin
Power gets a true #1 to grow with. I think they can complement each other well.
Byram-trade/UFA (Jensen?)
Say we trade our 1st, Joki, and 1 of our better prospects + some other picks to net us Zegras and a top-9 C. I'm not sure we'd have the ammo to go for someone like Marino. I like the idea of Jensen here. I'd assume a 2nd round pick may be able to get the job done. He's older, and coming off a down year, but he can PK and allow Byram to do his thing. I also like the idea of them becoming a physical 2nd pairing.
Sammy-Clifton
Now, we have some nice depth. Sammy can move up in a pinch as could Clifton. Physical, third pairing D that is probably better than a lot of third pairings other teams ice.
So, do you guys think Joki, 1st, Kulich and/or Rosen, 2nd round pick, + a bit more can net us Zegras, Cirelli, Jeannot and Jensen?
I wouldnt be a fan of it. Just trying to make it work.No thanks on Zegras
The season hasn't even started yet, and I don't see Adams handing out these contracts now. Byram is a question mark right now. Quinn's season was ruined by injury.
EH has Peterka at 6 x $5.2M and Quinn at 2 x $2M (likely due to injury and limited clarity on what he is).
MaybeI wouldnt be a fan of it. Just trying to make it work.
Unfortunately, my guess is that Power's partner (Byram, Samuelsson, or Dahlin) , one of the 3C/4C (Krebs), and the backup (Levi) are already here.
Especially Quinn, I think that contract would look ridiculous in a couple years. If I'm Quinn, I'm not signing anything long term until I show my abilities for a full healthy season.EH has Peterka at 6 x $5.2M and Quinn at 2 x $2M (likely due to injury and limited clarity on what he is).
If Peterka and Quinn would each take 6 x $6.5M, you lock them in ASAP, IMO.
You don't have to convince me that they should get a quality NHL backup like Stolarz and start Levi in Rochester to have as much 1-2-3 goalie depth as possible.We know that they plan on running UPL/Levi....which is silly. Similar to last year, there is absolute no reason to force NHL starts on Levi yet other than "We love Levi!".
This makes you an injury away from having to ride one of UPL or Levi excessively because your 3rd goalie is going to be a AHL grade starter. Last year UPL got worn out because Comrie sucked and it led to losses down the stretch.
With plenty of cap space and Levi's full AHL eligibility, the logical thing here is to get the best veteran backup you can for a 1 year.
As for the others, I'm hoping there is some common sense here. My hope is that Ruff insists on getting some Veterans in here for him to lean on, especially on D.