With respect to the Sabres I don't know what their plan is. Are they trying to compete or are they trying to rebuild? I don't feel like they really committed either way and those half-measures make them a D+ for me.
I see so much potential with all of that unused cap space going to waste. A team like Arizona was able to get assets back and weaponize their cap space. They aren't doing that. How are they getting better to compete? They add Lyubushkin and Comrie? Both are solid pieces but a #5 defenceman and a backup goaltender don't really move the needle for me enough for me.
You don’t think they’ve committed to a rebuild allowing their young players to play when they make moves designed to allow their young players to play?
The second half of last year they played so much better that they’re going to add three high end rookies (Quinn, Peterka and Power) and not block them with overpaid vets.
Comrie is literally here so they don’t have to rush UPL. You think they should be going after long term at high dollars instead?
If you’re docking them for not taking bad assets to block young players…that’s kind of ridiculous. And it flies in the face of committing to a rebuild.
I think you’re confusing a rebuild with a tank. They are not committed to a tank. They are not committed to taking other teams mistakes because they don’t care what roster they field. They are committed to player development whether that means getting a goalie to allow a prospect to cook…or not bringing in vets to block young players who have.
I don’t know how their plan is hard to follow. The have accrued a billion prospects and the ones who are ready are going to play. They have vets like Okposo and Tuch to be leaders. They have proven scorers like Skinner and Olofsson on the scoring lines. Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens are going to get pushed to build on their steps forward last year. Krebs and Mittelstadt will have more on their plate to show progress. Asplund gonna Asplund. You’d have them dump developing players who started to turn the corner as a team to…what? Curb their development so they can give money and term to players not in any long term plan? do you see how that doesn’t work?
This year is about development. Not taking steps back because other teams have junk for them. Not rushing guys who aren’t ready. Development.
Being graded harshly when they quickly fill in exactly the two things they needed but didn’t take on bad contracts or needless players is short sighted and wrong. They’re being punished for half the team being on ELCs…but also punished for not…blocking those players on ELCs with plugs like Zach Kassian?
Ok.
Their adds this year are Owen Power, Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka. All for a combined less than 3 million dollars. Because they’re ready for roles with the team and they’re going to be brought to the next step in development.
Sorry they aren’t icing JVR, Kassian and Patrick Nemeth instead so they can keep young players ready to contribute in the minors.
What fools.
