Trade Deadline Thread (March 3)

[deVolt]

Right. If making the playoffs is great for player development…wouldn’t fighting for a playoff spot do a lot too?

Sure you could make the argument that you could learn a lot by participating in sword fighting, but you could learn helluva more if you were given a real sword instead of a wooden one.

 

[Chainshot]

Do you think Tuch or Skinner are cool to wait another year to compete in the playoffs? How about Okposo or Anderson? On one of their last chances to make it to the playoffs, the reason they play the games, do you think they're fine just letting the season play out?

Doing nothing is unacceptable, and not just to the fans but for the players as well. You don't let a shot at the cup, as small as it may be, slip away because of "development" or that it doesn't "fit our process"

I'm sorry to be blunt, but f*** that loser mentality

Yep. There is a lack of managerial reciprocity at play. The guys worked and their reward for the work is... the Canucks' 7th defenseman.

 

[Dirty Dog]

They tried to trade the pick they used on Savoie to get Murray and take another player in Marco Kasper.

That’s not my point though. My point is last year debrincat was available for a first. We didn’t make that trade. Ottawa did. By the same logic people are applying to the Chychrun trade, it would also apply to that…we shoulda traded the pick for debrincat. It was a long term, young player, that filled a need. We didn’t take a swing. I’m fact, we didn’t make a move for any scorer. And a year later, it looks like we made the right choice in my opinion.


So let’s give KA some time and see what he does with this defense instead of awarding Ottawa for the move and being upset at Adams

 

[Ace]

Do you think Tuch or Skinner are cool to wait another year to compete in the playoffs? How about Okposo or Anderson? On one of their last chances to make it to the playoffs, the reason they play the games, do you think they're fine just letting the season play out?

Doing nothing is unacceptable, and not just to the fans but for the players as well. You don't let a shot at the cup, as small as it may be, slip away because of "development" or that it doesn't "fit our process"

I'm sorry to be blunt, but f*** that loser mentality

hey now…there’s no way Okposo wasn’t consulted before they made their big Stillman move!

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

That’s not my point though. My point is last year debrincat was available for a first. We didn’t make that trade. Ottawa did. By the same logic people are applying to the Chychrun trade, it would also apply to that…we shoulda traded the pick for debrincat. It was a long term, young player, that filled a need. We didn’t take a swing. I’m fact, we didn’t make a move for any scorer. And a year later, it looks like we made the right choice in my opinion.


So let’s give KA some time and see what he does with this defense instead of awarding Ottawa for the move and being upset at Adams

Yeah, it would be a true shame if Cozens had had DeBrincat on his wing instead of Peterka.

 

[Beerz]

Even those quotes he says he’s been involved and immediately qualifies it by saying that he is not changing their course or giving up futures for short term success.

I didn’t watch that press conference, but I did read that article. It’s the same stuff he’s been saying for months. He is extremely open about not trading futures for short term success. And I get it, some of these players have term. But I don’t think he is willing to overpay with futures for what he thinks is fair value

Sorry.. then his process is f***ing stupid. He would have 3 shots at the playoffs with Chych... can resign him beyond that or recoup the pieces he dealt at the deadline... this deal is not thinking short term.

 

[Djp]

Same sort of analysis from the Ekholm trade:

Ottawa 1st is likely to be just a few picks away from Buffalo's, so that's a wash.

2nd round pick is Washington's 2024 pick. Who knows now that shakes out, so Buffalo's 2nd makes it a wash.

2026 2nd between Ottawa and Buffalo is a wash, who knows how that shakes out.

Adams could've added one of the 2023 2nds and put the Sabres over the top. So, disappointed he didn't make that trade. Though Chychrun gives me some Bogosian vibes with his injury history.

ottawa first is a teen pick. Buffalo wasn’t offering that.

they likely offered PHL 2nd that became buffalo 1st if thry made conf finals, pick. 24 1st, 26 2nd and a prospect. 23 1st was off the table

I wouldn’t care as much if we had a few promising D prospects that would be arriving to help in the next couple years. It’s Johnson (maybe) and that’s it. Anyone else is 3-4 off if I remember correctly

he wants to use the 23 1st on a D

Worth a 1 Plus though?

NYI 1st is a top 12 protect 1st. Buffalo not offering 23 1st.

To get a player like Chychrun with our 1st round pick at 15th is going to be extremely tough and take 2-3 years to develop.

Trading the 1st and 2 2nds away for Chychrun is like paying 2 2nds to have that player now.

I just don't see how Adams doesn't do this even if it takes a sweetener.

False…a D picked mid teens can be on the Sabres roster in 24/25. Most top 20 make nhl by second season after draft.

it's made worse by seeing just how little a player like chych went for. If we had made that trade i think the entire board would have celebrated regardless of some of us being apprehensive about chychrun before. The price was just too good.

he went for a teen 1st + 2nd+2nd. If the 1st is bottom 4 thrn it becomes 2 1sts+2nd.

a first in the teens = 2 late 2sts+

 

[Chainshot]

I thought the trade was 7 and Murray for 16.

That is correct.

That’s not my point though. My point is last year debrincat was available for a first. We didn’t make that trade. Ottawa did. By the same logic people are applying to the Chychrun trade, it would also apply to that…we shoulda traded the pick for debrincat. It was a long term, young player, that filled a need. We didn’t take a swing. I’m fact, we didn’t make a move for any scorer. And a year later, it looks like we made the right choice in my opinion.


So let’s give KA some time and see what he does with this defense instead of awarding Ottawa for the move and being upset at Adams

Position and roster construction matter.

The Sabres did not have a need for an additional scoring line winger of suboptimal stature. They have a very clear need for defensemen.

 

[Ace]

So let’s give KA some time and see what he does with this defense instead of awarding Ottawa for the move and being upset at Adams

He was hired in 2020. He inherited 2/3 of his good D and the third one he won a lottery for.

Everyone else is crap.

He has an empty pipeline behind it.

a great D with term just went for little To a divisional opponent right where you are.

….

Time’s up.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Who hired the alcoholic gm that mismanaged the team into a historic pit

Again, he’s a sports owners. The majority of hires don’t work out. I don’t attribute blame to owners for that.

The Sabres did not have a need for an additional scoring line winger of suboptimal stature. They have a very clear need for defensemen.

That is revisionism. We absolutely had a need for a big time scorer last year. And people here absolutely wanted to trades first for him.

We have a search feature. You wanted to trade two first for him last summer: Off-Season Roster Thread #2 -- Nothing to do but wait

So again. You see in hindsight how making that trade might not in the best interest and patience was? Would you traded Kulich AND ostlund in hindsight to add Debrincat and his 9 million. Of course not. That issue solved itself with some patience and not taking the swing

 

[Chainshot]

Even those quotes he says he’s been involved and immediately qualifies it by saying that he is not changing their course or giving up futures for short term success.

I didn’t watch that press conference, but I did read that article. It’s the same stuff he’s been saying for months. He is extremely open about not trading futures for short term success. And I get it, some of these players have term. But I don’t think he is willing to overpay with futures for what he thinks is fair value

Chychrun is this season, all of next, and then almost all of the one beyond. That isn't short term.

My exact quote -

I'd be interested in DeBrincat but not at an equivalence of three first round pieces PLUS. Offer the 1st-round lacking Hawks 16 and 28 this year and see where that gets you. But no on Quinn and definitely not a 4-piece deal.

 

[Djp]

Sorry.. then his process is f***ing stupid. He would have 3 shots at the playoffs with Chych... can resign him beyond that or recoup the pieces he dealt at the deadline... this deal is not thinking short term.

Except re-signing him in 25 is going to be difficult without much cap.

they need to draft a D with the high pick.

 

[Chainshot]

Again, he’s a sports owners. The majority of hires don’t work out. I don’t attribute blame to owners for that.



That is revisionism. We absolutely had a need for a big time scorer last year. And people here absolutely wanted to trades first for him.

We have a search feature

If you want to set up a straw man that Buffalo should have traded for a position they didn't need to fill, that isn't revisionism on my part.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

Except re-signing him in 25 is going to be difficult without much cap.

they need to draft a D with the high pick.

And get really excited when he hits the ice for the first time in 2026-27?

 

[Chainshot]

Again, he’s a sports owners. The majority of hires don’t work out. I don’t attribute blame to owners for that.



That is revisionism. We absolutely had a need for a big time scorer last year. And people here absolutely wanted to trades first for him.

We have a search feature. You wanted to trade two first for him last summer: Off-Season Roster Thread #2 -- Nothing to do but wait

And that changes not making a move today for the position of need less how?

 

[Gabrielor]

Except re-signing him in 25 is going to be difficult without much cap.

they need to draft a D with the high pick.

I guaranteed you Reinbacher finds his way into the top 10.

Pellikka, who I don't actually think is a great fit, may go just outside.

That'll leave us with the big lefty russian Simashev, or Lukas Dragicevic, who some love to the heavens, and others call undraftable.

It's a bad year for defense. It's a wonderful year for 5'10"-6'0" skilled forwards.

 

[Dirty Dog]

If you want to set up a straw man that Buffalo should have traded for a position they didn't need to fill, that isn't revisionism on my part.

See above. You wanted to trade two first for him. Plenty did. And it was one hundred percent a need. This is absolute revisionism.

Goal scoring was a need going into this off-season, yet it isn’t now. And we didn’t make a move

Please don’t call this a straw man argument. It isn’t

Off-Season Roster Thread #2 -- Nothing to do but wait

Those ended up being awful, but I think its a little unfair to call that type of move a middle finger to fans. They were misguided honest attempts to improve It was like pooping on a plate and calling it dinner. Honey, I know we have no goalie and a coach that loves ritual sacrifice but I got...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[zenthusiast]

Again, he’s a sports owners. The majority of hires don’t work out. I don’t attribute blame to owners for that.

Well, that’s your prerogative, but considering both of them have agency, and that both of them have exercised that agency to hands-on effect, I think we can consider these adults responsible for the decisions they make, especially when “not working out” in this case has led to literally the worst playoff drought in the history of a 100+ year old league

 

[Hasekperreault23]

Given how vibe-heavy that KA seems to be.............if he gets the hint that his inaction are killing the vibes, I believe he'd make a more significant move. I honestly think that right now, DG and the vets in the room are telling him "Hey, we've got this." If they miss the playoffs, KA can say "Hey, you tried....you need help. I'm going to help you".

Now, if we miss the playoffs and KA does nothing but hope for natural growth.............that will be problematic.

You cant honestly believe this? You don't think Gus and Okposo don't want help at the twilight of their careers especially with Tuch out long term and Dahlin for a few weeks? I find it hard to believe you endorse this

 

[Djp]

Chychrun is this season, all of next, and then almost all of the one beyond. That isn't short term.

If you acquire him and kept the 23 1st they could draft a D to replace him in 25/26 season.

I see him going after Rasta’s Anderson without trading the 23 1st. He has 3 yrs, younger, is a RD. Then can give 1st longer to develop and trade RA in summer 25 when the 1st is ready and recoup some.

calgary is in cap trouble next year

 

[start winnin]

Except re-signing him in 25 is going to be difficult without much cap.

they need to draft a D with the high pick.

Then we trade him at the deadline and re-coup assets? For over 2 years of a legitimate top 4 defenseman which gives us multiple opportunities to make the playoffs with him this is a no brainer move that Adams should of made, future be damned. That price is an absolute joke, the highest value piece is a mid tier 1st.

Edit: literally just realized the conditional 1st is if the Senators make THIS YEAR'S ECF. ROFL. If we make that trade and we make the ECF, I don't give a damn who we draft with the 2024 pick because that experience is INVALUABLE to growth for players. Christ, I can't remember the last time I was so furious with the ineptitude of this team's management.

 

[Chainshot]

Except re-signing him in 25 is going to be difficult without much cap.

they need to draft a D with the high pick.

The defense in this draft are questionable in terms of being to his level and likely won't be to his level until after the guy is into his next contract. It's the time between now and when his deal comes up that is of best use. And then if he's not all plugged into the vibes, move him on. And if he is, retain him and find a savings somewhere else. That's what good teams regularly due and we sit amazed at their ability to consistently add and then retain talent.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

If you acquire him and kept the 23 1st they could draft a D to replace him in 25/26 season.

I see him going after Rasta’s Anderson without trading the 23 1st. He has 3 yrs, younger, is a RD. Then can give 1st longer to develop and trade RA in summer 25 when the 1st is ready and recoup some.

calgary is in cap trouble next year

Calgary will move every D on their roster before they move Andersson.

 

[Ace]

Except re-signing him in 25 is going to be difficult without much cap.

they need to draft a D with the high pick.

I’m going to guarantee you they’ll have cap space a plenty in 2025.

 

[Chainshot]

If you acquire him and kept the 23 1st they could draft a D to replace him in 25/26 season.

I see him going after Rasta’s Anderson without trading the 23 1st. He has 3 yrs, younger, is a RD. Then can give 1st longer to develop and trade RA in summer 25 when the 1st is ready and recoup some.

calgary is in cap trouble next year

Sure. There is potentially a magic bean at pick 16 who is going to be as good as Chychrun is now but in three years. And in the intervening three years... what? Hope? Prayer? People with blow darts full of tranquillizers to handle the constant terrible defensive zone play of d-men 4-8 on the current roster and beyond?