Trade Deadline Thread (March 3)

[OkimLom]

It's both. They are trying to make the playoffs but also focusing on the future.

They (management) are NOT trying to make the playoffs, they are just allowing whatever happens on the ice happen. They have shown and said in so many words, development takes priority over results. I'd be willing to bet that if Buffalo was outside the playoff line he would be doing the same he's doing now.

 

[Jim Bob]

I wonder if signing Levi and Johnson play into Adams' thoughts on the trade deadline?

Assume he's got verbal agreements for both to join the team after their college seasons are completed. Those two players joining the organization on ELCs is a big deal. Levi is very much the goalie of the future, and Johnson has top 4 potential. High end, he has Samuelsson type impact.

If Adams makes a move (Saros, Demko, etc, high end defenseman), does that change the decision for Levi or Johnson?

I don't endorse Adams' position, if this is what he's doing. But it might be something to think about and talk about.

If he is playing chess when fans want him to play checkers, it would be entertaining.

If he signs Johnson and Levi when their college seasons end and then trades for a #1 goalie like Saros or Demko and acquires a top 4 D that does push Johnson to Rochester, I will be surprised.

But I do think that he expects to sign Johnson and Levi and he sees that as meaningful adds to the pro depth.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I wonder if signing Levi and Johnson play into Adams' thoughts on the trade deadline?

Assume he's got verbal agreements for both to join the team after their college seasons are completed. Those two players joining the organization on ELCs is a big deal. Levi is very much the goalie of the future, and Johnson has top 4 potential. High end, he has Samuelsson type impact.

If Adams makes a move (Saros, Demko, etc, high end defenseman), does that change the decision for Levi or Johnson?

I don't endorse Adams' position, if this is what he's doing. But it might be something to think about and talk about.

Adding Stillman is a move that would block Johnson, if at all. Adding a top-four shouldn't have any effect. I see/hope Johnson can be good enough to lock down 3rd LHD for a long time (with Jokiharju). Then get a #4 RHD (which probably won't happen).

 

[Jim Bob]

What I would like Adams to do, based on what I think is within the realm of the possible (for him and his plan):

JVR. Sabres could use his hands around the net.
Fabbro. Need more defenseman.

The question on JVR would be internal budget.

The question on Fabbro is acquisition cost as I doubt Adams is willing to give up a 1st right now.

 

[Sabretooth]

We don't have anything to sell. We have no pending free agents and I don't see them selling some one like Olofsson either. I do think they will make additions this offseason by way of trade. A lot of these teams that went all in will want to recoup some picks and will be willing to trade players for them.

Anybody who is not Thompson, Tuch, skinner, cozens, dahlin, samuelson, or power are slots that need to be improved upon.

Not saying all those spots need replaced. Some slots will organically improve. Some are fine in their role but not expecting anything more. Don't want change for the sake of change but retooling the slots mitts, Olofsson, or joker occupy would be a plan. Revamping the bottom 6 or bottom pair would be a plan. Don't need to do everything at once but maybe at least pick 1 or 2 spots and just try something different. Bringing everyone back next season and expecting different results is......

 

[Beerz]

No, they can't. It would've been basically a two-year rental.

Just stop.. its been laid out countless times that they can afford it.

 

[stealth1]

They (management) are NOT trying to make the playoffs, they are just allowing whatever happens on the ice happen. They have shown and said in so many words, development takes priority over results. I'd be willing to bet that if Buffalo was outside the playoff line he would be doing the same he's doing now.

I disagree. If they were way out of the race they would most likely sell some players. They want to make the playoffs but at the same time they aren't interested in moving picks right now. The team is still rebuilding.

 

[Duddy]

Bold strategy to put all moves on hold for prospects. Bet the guys on the team are happy about that.

 

[sabremike]

I wouldn't go that far.

Ryan Johnson has the potential to improve the D after the top 3. That is a need.

Kulich has the potential to be an overall upgrade over VO. That is a need.

Savoie has game breaking offensive potential that would allow them to push a current top 6 forward to the 3rd line. While not a need, it does make the team better.

I agree that Adams will need to eventually make some trades as the prospect pipeline is overly slanted towards offensive wingers and the D pipeline is woefully thin, especially when it comes to anyone that you could project as helping in 23-24 or 24-25.

I just think that Adams will continue to be more patient than many fans want.

Shouldn't he be looking to find a team with surplus defense prospects in need of forward prospects?

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I wonder if signing Levi and Johnson play into Adams' thoughts on the trade deadline?

Assume he's got verbal agreements for both to join the team after their college seasons are completed. Those two players joining the organization on ELCs is a big deal. Levi is very much the goalie of the future, and Johnson has top 4 potential. High end, he has Samuelsson type impact.

If Adams makes a move (Saros, Demko, etc, high end defenseman), does that change the decision for Levi or Johnson?

I don't endorse Adams' position, if this is what he's doing. But it might be something to think about and talk about.

I think you're overthinking this. More likely, he sees the most intimidating eastern conference playoff lineup of his lifetime and figures he'll wait to surf the next wave, when the conditions are more favorable.

I'm assuming he'll trade a 3rd or a 4th for a rental at most, just for optics.

 

[Jim Bob]

Just stop.. its been laid out countless times that they can afford it.

What to make of Sabres trading Erik Portillo and passing on a Jakob Chychrun deal

The return for Chychrun wasn't as high as expected but the Sabres decided to stay the course.

theathletic.com

As appealing as Chychrun is, the Sabres already have two high-end, offensive-minded defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Both Dahlin and Power are going to need new contracts, possibly as soon as this summer. It’s not crazy to think the Sabres will need to commit at least $17 million per year combined for those two deals. Dahlin and Power also both occupy the power play quarterback spots on the power play, a role Chychrun would have wanted if he was going to commit to signing somewhere long-term.

I think the bigger question would be would Chychrun want to re-sign long term with Dahlin & Power here and likely getting the vast majority of PP time.

 

[stealth1]

Anybody who is not Thompson, Tuch, skinner, cozens, dahlin, samuelson, or power are slots that need to be improved upon.

Not saying all those spots need replaced. Some slots will organically improve. Some are fine in their role but not expecting anything more. Don't want change for the sake of change but retooling the slots mitts, Olofsson, or joker occupy would be a plan. Revamping the bottom 6 or bottom pair would be a plan. Don't need to do everything at once but maybe at least pick 1 or 2 spots and just try something different. Bringing everyone back next season and expecting different results is......

I agree with you. That's off season stuff. You don't make those moves at the deadline. Moving guys like Mitts, Olofsson or Joker at the deadline most likely doesn't get you guys that are better then them. You most likely get picks or prospects.

 

[Jim Bob]

Shouldn't he be looking to find a team with surplus defense prospects in need of forward prospects?

That is a really short list if you look around the league. And he may have a hard time finding another GM that wants to move a D prospect Adams likes for the forward prospects that he is willing to move.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Bold strategy to put all moves on hold for prospects. Bet the guys on the team are happy about that.

I think the guys on the team think they have a good group and are fine with whatever happens at trade deadline. When they feel they're contenders, that's when they'll insist on some help.

It's not like they've been playing like a team who just needs one more piece, so I don't really see the difference between making a trade or not making one at the deadline. Buffalo isn't making a run regardless.

I think the bigger question would be would Chychrun want to re-sign long term with Dahlin & Power here and likely getting the vast majority of PP time.

Of course he wouldn't. It would be for two years only and everyone knows it.

 

[elchud]

Crouse is signed for *4* more years at a really nice cap hit. I'd move the 2023 1st for him, but with top-10 protection, and they have to take Olofsson at half-retention. If our pick is top-10, then unprotected 2024 1st plus our 2nd in this draft.

Murphy for Vegas 2nd and 2024 2nd.

Target a guy like Lauzon, someone who is signed for a bit, and can work on the 3rd pair. Someone who should have been targetted instead of Stillman. Lauzon for the LA 3rd + Weissbach, something like that.

I'm good for a bit of an overpay on a player if it means we can take one of our guys off the ice. No more Olofsson and Bryson.

Ready to move on from Mitts and Joker. We can also half-retain on them. Need a D to replace Joker, but I'm good to call-up Biro or Rousek with Mitts off the team. Mitts is fine as a player but eventually we have to see what some of these other guys can do. When Kulich + Savoie are on the team, Mitts almost certainly won't be.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

That is a really short list if you look around the league. And he may have a hard time finding another GM that wants to move a D prospect Adams likes for the forward prospects that he is willing to move.

Seattle has a surplus of defensemen, but not necessarily defense prospects.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[joshjull]

 

[sabremike]

I think you're overthinking this. More likely, he sees the most intimidating eastern conference playoff lineup of his lifetime and figures he'll wait to surf the next wave, when the conditions are more favorable.

I'm assuming he'll trade a 3rd or a 4th for a rental at most, just for optics.

I would rather the team get into the playoffs now and learn the hard lesson about what it takes instead of getting in 2-3 seasons from now with a division winning team that gets swept by a veteran Tampa side that's declined but knows how to win in the postseason.

 

[Duddy]

I think the guys on the team think they have a good group and are fine with whatever happens at trade deadline. When they feel they're contenders, that's when they'll insist on some help.

It's not like they've been playing like a team who just needs one more piece, so I don't really see the difference between making a trade or not making one at the deadline. Buffalo isn't making a run regardless.


Of course he wouldn't. It would be for two years only and everyone knows it.

You don't think they want to make the playoffs? Guys that are hypercompetitve like Dahlin are cool with nothing?

I really don't think so, but maybe they are just content being meh.

 

[joshjull]

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

You don't think they want to make the playoffs? Guys that are hypercompetitve like Dahlin are cool with nothing?

I really don't think so, but maybe they are just content being meh.

Also, I'm pretty confident a bunch of guys want to see Okposo and especially Girgensons get in the playoffs.

 

[Jim Bob]

Seattle has a surplus of defensemen, but not necessarily defense prospects.

Again, it all comes down to are they willing to move the type of D that Adams is looking for and what do they want.

Like many, I'd love to see Will Borgen back in Buffalo. I just doubt Seattle wants to move him. And I do not know that any of the D they would be willing to move really fit what the Sabres need.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

What I would like Adams to do, based on what I think is within the realm of the possible (for him and his plan):

JVR. Sabres could use his hands around the net.
Fabbro. Need more defenseman.

I see you mention Fabbro a lot.

He seems like a complete gamble at this point to me . Good chance he's not better than anyone we have. If all it cost was a mid round pick or whatever then take a look. But if Adams wouldn't move a R1 for a proven guy like Chychrun there's absolutely no chance he'd move it for a guy like Fabbro.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I would rather the team get into the playoffs now and learn the hard lesson about what it takes instead of getting in 2-3 seasons from now with a division winning team that gets swept by a veteran Tampa side that's declined but knows how to win in the postseason.

I feel that learning a lesson from 4 brutal, embarrassing losses in a row will bring less growth than people make it out to be.

Again, it all comes down to are they willing to move the type of D that Adams is looking for and what do they want.

Like many, I'd love to see Will Borgen back in Buffalo. I just doubt Seattle wants to move him. And I do not know that any of the D they would be willing to move really fit what the Sabres need.

I didn't say they should trade for any of them, just stating a fact.