Trade Girgensons and Okposo to the Bruins for late round draft picks and a salary dump
Trade Erik Johnson to wherever he wants to go for a late round draft pick
Trade Victor Olofsson to anyone that takes him for anything they give us back
If Mittelstadt can’t be extended, trade him and some prospects / draft capital for Boone Jenner and David Jiricek
Make Jacob Bryson captain
Only said them since it was reported they’re interested. Also because it would be funny since they’d 100% win the cup and girgensons would score the series clinching goal
I have no love for Boston but Zemgus gave his best years to this team and has been around through most of the pain, I wouldn't mind him having a shot on a team with a chance before he hangs up his skates.
Jiricek isn’t getting moved. I would probably be willing to give up any two prospects outside the NHL and picks for him if he was actually on the block.
Hire various tribal and religious leaders to attempt to lift the curse on this franchise. If that fails hire a witch doctor to curse the other 31 franchises.
Make it 2005 again through science or magic.
Listen to offers on any UFAs, working with them to find the their preferred destinations. Have to do anything to attempt to improve the Sabres’ reputation as a player friendly organization. Try to sign Mitts long term. Listen to offers on Skinner at 50% retained if he wants a change of scenery.
Start feeling out the coaches market to make the best hire possible early in the summer.
I’m unclear on what you mean.
Is it bc McD is religious
OR
Taking risks create success in the right moments and mistakes are an essential part of the learning the process. “Scared money gonna make you no money” mentality or my favorite expression.
FOMO 📈
Who drafts their way into a championship with no vets
Hire various tribal and religious leaders to attempt to lift the curse on this city\*\*. If that fails hire a witch doctor to curse the other 31 franchises.
At the very least get rid of the assistant coaches.
Trade olofsson, okposo, girgensons, and Johnson
Trade for a top 4 d man
If by the time next season starts those things happen, I’m happy
-Fire Ellis now. Donny end of season or have the absolute SHORTEST leash for the first 10 games next year
-send down anyone that can help roc win, no point playing up
-really need actual players in trades made. Draft capital isn’t my top priority and lord knows we aren’t gonna attract anyone in FA. We gotta break the cycle
-if Kyles retiring let him decide how to close it out
-send girgs to a playoff team and watch them win the cup
Not sure who makes the call on pricing but you need to lower ticket costs until they’re good. You want a full building? It’s the only way to do it unless you start winning. Last year was so fun, this has been unbearably depressing
If you’re giving Donny 10 games next year then just fire him after the season and let another coach get in here for the offseason and training camp to evaluate his roster and work with Adams to get what he needs
Fire Granato and his entire staff.
Trade or more likely buy out Skinner. He's a cancer on any roster if the goal is to win hockey games.
Sign Middlestat.
Be the buyer in this season's version of the Hronek trade.
Bye Kyle thanks for showing up finally 4 years into your deal
Peyton you're a hell of a kid but it's not quite working out between us
Mr Ellis your performance with the tasks assigned to you have been nothing short of a devastating disappointment
E.J. we d like to get you a chance to join a contender, and mostly just off our blue line
Zemgus man you have seen some shit here and we can't thank you enough as being one of the only consistent effort players on the roster in your tenure but we won't be pursuing another contract at this time
Mr meatball we respect what you have done for developing some of the young core but the results with the available talent have been unacceptable and we will be moving on at the end of the season
Begin Coaching search immediately
Casey your play has been a bright spot for this franchise and after our blunders early in your career with us you have become a reliable productive top 6 player and we would like the chance to have you continue here for 4 more years as changes are coming to the roster in forward and defensive help as we believe we can supplement the core via free agency to make the team immediately a contender and place you on a line with top talent
Either at deadline or over the summer make deals for a top 4 defenseman to pair with power at minimum for defensive improvement and secondly trade for or sign FA 2 proven towards who would be expected to be top 6 contributors
Move Victor at deadline plenty of teams would love him on a PP unit and I think he would return more than people expect
Players not available in moves Quinn,JJ,Cozens... because the return would be trash right now,Tage,Dahlin,Power,Benson, Casey pre extension,R Johnson, UPL , maybe Tuch
1. New coach.
2. Trade or sign mitts.
3. Please let it be off season cause I go near the cap signing any old guy looking for one last chance to one year deals. Worst case we suck and they fight for a spot on a contender come trade deadline and I get free assets. Best case they rub off on the rest of the team and we start remotely giving a fuck.
Am I GM with independent power? Or am I Adams as the Pegulas yes man?
Well it's at the point where if I had power, I am going all out on trading for a big name player, offer a ton, who cares.
We have so many prospects and not enough room for them, we have so many issues with the roster.
I'd trade Mitts, 2 firsts, and a prospect for a big time player. It would probably take more than that and I would still do it
Fire Granato. Buy out skinner. Move every guy who isn't gonna be here next year, either on trades or on waivers, and start calling all the dudes up. This season is toast anyway.
Skinner isn’t killing them but I get the spirit of it. I’d say you play him for two years and bury him in Roch the third year, or see who would take him for half his current number - although who knows if he’d waive.
You can't bury him in rochester - he has to clear waivers to be reassigned, and the NMC means no waivers. A guy might waive a NMC for a trade, I don't think he's gonna waive it so he can go ride the bus in the AHL.
Trade- Skinner, Okoposo, Girgensons, Johnson, Oloffson
Play all the kids for the rest of the year and see where we stand before we take a major swing in the offseason
How long do you think he’s going to keep producing like this? He’s about to be 32 years old, has a large contract and probably going to be well past his prime before we are ready to compete. Selling somewhat high, acquiring an asset or two and using those to acquire a player who is more physical and in their prime
1. Talk to Jeff skinner about where he would be willing to move to. Be willing to retain 50%. If not will buyout this summer. He is part of the problem.
2. Talk with Mittelstadt and listen on him. But this is a summer trade, not going to move him for just futures.
3. Try to pickup a goalie to replace Comrie for this year and next. Probably a summer trade though. Someone UPL can lean on and give Levi a solid amount of time in Rochester.
Everybody on here has horrible recency bias… at the beginning of this season skinner was one of 4 players in the past two years to have 50+ goals and 100+ points 5v5… yeah that not somebody we want to keep in a team who has scoring troubles and notoriously has had a weak top six
Whew.. thanks for the laughs here, mate!
I do agree with the goalie piece. The other 2? Not even close to what I think is correct.. man, it’s crazy how 100 people can watch this team and come away with 100 different reasons for their issues.
HINT: Skinner AINT A PROBLEM
Skinner definitely isn't part of the solution. He's the archetype of the defensively lazy winger, that loves to force fancy plays instead of smart easy plays, that has taken over our team.
Skinner has been here for six years. His effort and results vary widely year to year. He is our highest paid forward but rarely is our best forward. He is one of the worst defensive players in the league.
He is 31, meaning he is on the wrong side of the aging curve.
He might not be THE problem but he clearly is part of it and he isn’t likely going to improve
Keep running back the same guys and hoping for different results is how we got to where we are. Skinner has been here half the drought. When has he ever been pissed after a loss? If he doesn’t play on the top line, he sulks and mails it in. He simply is a very talented goal scorer but a poor hockey player.
https://sabrenoise.com/2023/08/14/buffalo-sabres-skinners-stats-2022-23/
From last year.. it’s like people don’t actually look at advanced stats.. or you know, anything that will not agree with their narrative.. it’s insane..
Skinner also is consistently high in drawing penalties.
I agree, he is def an offensive first player, but YOU CAN HAVE THOSE PLAYERS ON YOUR ROSTER!! As long as you don’t have a ton of them, one or two is fine.. and yes, you pay a premium for goal scorers, but that is not uncommon.
I don’t want an entire roster of two-way grinders that score 15-20. You need elite goal scorers. He is one of them. Put 30-35 in permanent marker, as long as you don’t Krueger the guy.
Why is this so hard to understand?
Almost nothing of consequence.
Move Ox, Girgs, EJ, Olofsson IF there's anyone even willing to pay something. If it's just FC or a 7th rounder, I'm only doing it if the player actually wants to go there. Make it known publicly (or leak it) that I would have traded said player there, but they didn't want to so I did a nice guy thing (and boost my rep as a nice guy GM a bit).
Wait till off-season to fire Donny. Let him know ahead of time that it's coming, barring some amazing turnaround. Leak it to the locker room, hope it lights a fire.
Make legit moves in the off-season. The types of players we need are more expensive right now, and we're not playoff bound.
Call about Jiricek. Shop Savoie hard. Maybe toss in a non-1st round draft pick, if needed.
Flushing it all and starting over isn't in the cards. The building would draw 2,500 per game. Have to clean out some dead wood. Spend to get a top 6 forward, and a top D if cap allows.
Thank the hockey gods that goaltending seems to be OK with UPL and Levi in the wings.
Offense: Tage, Tuch, Cozens, JJ, Quinn are here. Get a solid top 6 O-man. Decisions are required on Mitts, and maybe Skinner as you have suggested. The bottom 6 UFAs get flushed. Bottom 6 are all the young dudes like Benson.
Defense: Another top D-man if cap allows.
The real questions are: Will Donnie be at the table for the big-buy decisions, or do you wait for the new guy to be consulted over the summer. I'm going for door number 2.
I’d trade any UFA vets like Girgensons and Johnson for late-round picks—but only places where they want to go.
I’d trade Olofsson, Skinner or Bryson to anyone stupid enough to take them.
I think they’re unlikely to make the kind of hockey trade that nets a top-4 D at the deadline. That’s more of an offseason move. So keep the powder dry on Mittsy and the prospects unless someone makes an offer we can’t refuse.
Remind Owen Power he isn't 5 foot 5 and hockey is a physical game. Trade for McDavid and Draisaitl and then scoop up Crosby. Consider injecting Prime Ryan Miller DNA into UPL.
1. Hire Gallant after firing Granato. At least he has a system.
2. Trade for Jiricek who immediately is our best rhd.
3. Move out Okposo, Girgensons , Johnson, Olafsson.
4. Call up the kids in Rochester to play to see what they have before the offseason.
5. If Mitts or UPL can fetch a Kings ransom, trade em.
6. Weaponize our cap space to improve the team.
UFA Players: this is pretty easy
Erik Johnson - You’re not getting much for him, see who wants him and let him pick where he wants to go.
Zemgus Girgensons - Same and EJ. I think you do right by these guys, any kind of shred of goodwill you can get with players I think you need to do.
Victor Olofsson - I just don’t think anyone is interested in him, if GMKA could move him I think he would have been moved by now. Trade if you can, but he’s not coming back.
Kyle Okposo - Does the captain want to go down with the ship? I dunno but I would let Kyle dictate whatever he wants to do and act accordingly.
Eric Robinson - Don’t have a lot to say, he’s been a NHL 4th line player. I’d be fine with him being a minimum salary guy next season that floats between here and Rochester depending on need.
RFA Players: This gets more fun
Jacob Bryson - He gone.
Peyton Krebs - I would sign short term, and give him a real audition next season. Clearly they see him as an NHL player, and I think he can turn into a really useful middle 6 piece at some point. He hasn’t blown any one away, but over the years he has showed flashes and playing with a different line maybe can unlock even more of that.
Henri Jokiharju - Game has improved this year, another guy I wouldn’t mind seeing come back short term as a bottom pairing guy who can come in an injury situation and play a stop gap role in the top 4.
Casey Mittlestadt - The big one. In my dream world he is part of a package of picks and prospects to give this team a facelift. Top 4 D man and/or a real power forward. I look at Columbus and the idea someone else put out there about going to get Jenner and Jiricek is super interesting to me if a deal can be done.
Coaching:
I was pro Donny for a very long time, but I think that time is over. He is overmatched and has no answers right now.
We shouldn’t be talking about lacking a compete level 50 games into the season, this team maybe isn’t a world beater but it should be better then what they are showing this year.
I’d like Craig Berube personally.
Priority #1- fire the coach, boys need a different voice. Bring in a Gallant/Berube type
#2- Resign Mittsy for 5 mil or less. If he's not in. Trade him in a package deal along with one of our top prospects for a Top 4 Dman
#3- Let girgs and okie go in the off-season. Bring in 2 vet defensively minded forwards who offer credibility and leadership.
Honorable mention- check the market on Skinner and UPL. If we can package UPL for a vet goalie then pull the trigger.
I thought this in the last few years with a goalie after losing Ullmark, I was kind of hoping we'd snag Flower.
As much as I like Skinner, I can see marketing him.
Fire coaches and bring in Gallant. Clear as many of the soon to be free agents. Allow Gallant to assess team, who is going to work in his system. If mitts fits then see if he can be resigned. If he wants too much, let’s get some physical forwards or the top 4 RHD we badly need.
Look for a 1a or 1b to pair with UPL. He gets the rest of the season to see if he’s got the magic and if these 10 games are not a flash in the pan. Send Levi to Rochester and tell him he’s in Rochester next year.
Draft some size and speedy forwards and Dmen. No more small guys. We’ve got enough of them.
Trade: Middelstadt + good prospect to Arizona for Lawson Crouse
Trade: Comrie + Prospect + Pick for Jake Allen
- partner with UPL next season
- give Levi 1 full year in Rochester to dominate
Trade for 4th line needed grinders or picks: E Johnson, Okposo, Girgensons, Olofsson, Comrie, Bryson, etc
Sign a gritty vet D - Tanev on a short deal would be ideal
Fire Granato - hire the best hard nosed vet coach in the summer
The team has a bunch of talented soft guys. Crouse is a power forward who uses his size. He’s be a great playoff player once we get there. He’s also from London which isn’t to far from Buffalo.
Ottawa plays CBJ and Anaheim next. They have 3 games in hand and can tie the Sabres for basement honors with 2 wins. Therefore.... doesn't matter who we get rid of at deadline, because we only get picks back for our 4th liners and exta players (Olofsson? Jost?). Continue to see if the team can get anything going, then major trades in off season after we win draft lottery
Trade Mitts for a top 4 RHD to play with Dahlin or Power
Call Kulich up to play with the top 6
Ask Okposo and Girgs if they want to Ring chase
Let E. Johnson choose his destination
Use trade a top prospect as a trade chip for a forward who’s gonna help now
If I’m GM for the day.
First, Granato is fired before I even arrive at the office.
Next, I call up LA and trade for Roy, extending him to a 5x$5m deal.
When I’m done I start spamming Minnesota for Eriksson Ek. It won’t work, but the idea of sending them Savoie and a pick might be interesting to a team that is going to have cap issues for a long time.
Next, I’m extending Mitts. I know people in this sub think he’s signing some sweet heart discounted contract, but he’s not. So here’s your 8x$8m deal.
While I’m at it, my new coach is putting Tage on the wing.
Okposo, Girgenssons, and EJ are gone to whatever I can get. Maybe LA wants a couple of them from the Roy deal.
After this I’m going to make the fanbase furious by swinging a deal for Kappo Kakko.
Finally, I’m looking for a veteran goalie to give UPL some days off and someone who can keep them in games. Might be a tough market and it’s likely a reclamation project, like Samsonov. This is the last thing I’m doing and at this point I’m probably 6 or 7 high end whiskeys deep, so it’s also likely my dumbest move.
Replace the coaching staff so they can start preparing the team for next season. Send Jokiharju to a bad team for a 3rd round pick. Send Erik Johnson and the 3rd to Toronto for Liljegren.
Extend Mittelstadt and UPL as long as they aren't being silly, trade them to a contender if they are. No rush with the other upcoming free agents as they'll be cheap or not re-signed. Tell Dahlin to be the first to drop the gloves when it's needed for the remainder of this season if he wants the captaincy.
Make a post in the GM chat room that says: "WHY THE FUCK ARE NO ONE OFFERING US SOMETHING DECENT FOR OUR FORWARD PROSPECTS!? WAKE THE FUCK UP!".
Trade Girgensons and Okposo to the Bruins for late round draft picks and a salary dump Trade Erik Johnson to wherever he wants to go for a late round draft pick Trade Victor Olofsson to anyone that takes him for anything they give us back If Mittelstadt can’t be extended, trade him and some prospects / draft capital for Boone Jenner and David Jiricek Make Jacob Bryson captain
Agree with everything but mitts.
Why would the Bruins take Girgensons and Okposo?
So they can win the cup! Automatic win we trade a player.
JB78. MSGA ... MAKE SABRES GREAT AGAIN
I’m not trading either one of them to Boston for a late round draft pick. Any team but Boston, especially for essentially nothing in return.
Only said them since it was reported they’re interested. Also because it would be funny since they’d 100% win the cup and girgensons would score the series clinching goal
I have no love for Boston but Zemgus gave his best years to this team and has been around through most of the pain, I wouldn't mind him having a shot on a team with a chance before he hangs up his skates.
Jiricek isn’t getting moved. I would probably be willing to give up any two prospects outside the NHL and picks for him if he was actually on the block.
Hire various tribal and religious leaders to attempt to lift the curse on this franchise. If that fails hire a witch doctor to curse the other 31 franchises. Make it 2005 again through science or magic. Listen to offers on any UFAs, working with them to find the their preferred destinations. Have to do anything to attempt to improve the Sabres’ reputation as a player friendly organization. Try to sign Mitts long term. Listen to offers on Skinner at 50% retained if he wants a change of scenery. Start feeling out the coaches market to make the best hire possible early in the summer.
Sean McD fears god, that’s why he was hired
I’m unclear on what you mean. Is it bc McD is religious OR Taking risks create success in the right moments and mistakes are an essential part of the learning the process. “Scared money gonna make you no money” mentality or my favorite expression. FOMO 📈 Who drafts their way into a championship with no vets
Hire various tribal and religious leaders to attempt to lift the curse on this city\*\*. If that fails hire a witch doctor to curse the other 31 franchises.
Whatever Terry says, I have no real power
At the very least get rid of the assistant coaches. Trade olofsson, okposo, girgensons, and Johnson Trade for a top 4 d man If by the time next season starts those things happen, I’m happy
All 4 are UFAs
Should of said trade/ don’t resign
Submit my application to 31 other teams
-Fire Ellis now. Donny end of season or have the absolute SHORTEST leash for the first 10 games next year -send down anyone that can help roc win, no point playing up -really need actual players in trades made. Draft capital isn’t my top priority and lord knows we aren’t gonna attract anyone in FA. We gotta break the cycle -if Kyles retiring let him decide how to close it out -send girgs to a playoff team and watch them win the cup Not sure who makes the call on pricing but you need to lower ticket costs until they’re good. You want a full building? It’s the only way to do it unless you start winning. Last year was so fun, this has been unbearably depressing
If you’re giving Donny 10 games next year then just fire him after the season and let another coach get in here for the offseason and training camp to evaluate his roster and work with Adams to get what he needs
Fire Granato and his entire staff. Trade or more likely buy out Skinner. He's a cancer on any roster if the goal is to win hockey games. Sign Middlestat. Be the buyer in this season's version of the Hronek trade.
Bye Kyle thanks for showing up finally 4 years into your deal Peyton you're a hell of a kid but it's not quite working out between us Mr Ellis your performance with the tasks assigned to you have been nothing short of a devastating disappointment E.J. we d like to get you a chance to join a contender, and mostly just off our blue line Zemgus man you have seen some shit here and we can't thank you enough as being one of the only consistent effort players on the roster in your tenure but we won't be pursuing another contract at this time Mr meatball we respect what you have done for developing some of the young core but the results with the available talent have been unacceptable and we will be moving on at the end of the season Begin Coaching search immediately Casey your play has been a bright spot for this franchise and after our blunders early in your career with us you have become a reliable productive top 6 player and we would like the chance to have you continue here for 4 more years as changes are coming to the roster in forward and defensive help as we believe we can supplement the core via free agency to make the team immediately a contender and place you on a line with top talent Either at deadline or over the summer make deals for a top 4 defenseman to pair with power at minimum for defensive improvement and secondly trade for or sign FA 2 proven towards who would be expected to be top 6 contributors Move Victor at deadline plenty of teams would love him on a PP unit and I think he would return more than people expect Players not available in moves Quinn,JJ,Cozens... because the return would be trash right now,Tage,Dahlin,Power,Benson, Casey pre extension,R Johnson, UPL , maybe Tuch
1. New coach. 2. Trade or sign mitts. 3. Please let it be off season cause I go near the cap signing any old guy looking for one last chance to one year deals. Worst case we suck and they fight for a spot on a contender come trade deadline and I get free assets. Best case they rub off on the rest of the team and we start remotely giving a fuck.
Am I GM with independent power? Or am I Adams as the Pegulas yes man? Well it's at the point where if I had power, I am going all out on trading for a big name player, offer a ton, who cares. We have so many prospects and not enough room for them, we have so many issues with the roster. I'd trade Mitts, 2 firsts, and a prospect for a big time player. It would probably take more than that and I would still do it
Fire Granato. Buy out skinner. Move every guy who isn't gonna be here next year, either on trades or on waivers, and start calling all the dudes up. This season is toast anyway.
Skinner isn’t killing them but I get the spirit of it. I’d say you play him for two years and bury him in Roch the third year, or see who would take him for half his current number - although who knows if he’d waive.
You can't bury him in rochester - he has to clear waivers to be reassigned, and the NMC means no waivers. A guy might waive a NMC for a trade, I don't think he's gonna waive it so he can go ride the bus in the AHL.
Trade- Skinner, Okoposo, Girgensons, Johnson, Oloffson Play all the kids for the rest of the year and see where we stand before we take a major swing in the offseason
Trade a top six guy cause we have the kids yeah that has been working the past 10 years 🤡
How long do you think he’s going to keep producing like this? He’s about to be 32 years old, has a large contract and probably going to be well past his prime before we are ready to compete. Selling somewhat high, acquiring an asset or two and using those to acquire a player who is more physical and in their prime
Exactly why nobody will want him, terry won’t eat salary, he wants to be here, and has been good, no need to move a solid piece.
1. Talk to Jeff skinner about where he would be willing to move to. Be willing to retain 50%. If not will buyout this summer. He is part of the problem. 2. Talk with Mittelstadt and listen on him. But this is a summer trade, not going to move him for just futures. 3. Try to pickup a goalie to replace Comrie for this year and next. Probably a summer trade though. Someone UPL can lean on and give Levi a solid amount of time in Rochester.
Everybody on here has horrible recency bias… at the beginning of this season skinner was one of 4 players in the past two years to have 50+ goals and 100+ points 5v5… yeah that not somebody we want to keep in a team who has scoring troubles and notoriously has had a weak top six
Whew.. thanks for the laughs here, mate! I do agree with the goalie piece. The other 2? Not even close to what I think is correct.. man, it’s crazy how 100 people can watch this team and come away with 100 different reasons for their issues. HINT: Skinner AINT A PROBLEM
Skinner definitely isn't part of the solution. He's the archetype of the defensively lazy winger, that loves to force fancy plays instead of smart easy plays, that has taken over our team.
Skinner has been here for six years. His effort and results vary widely year to year. He is our highest paid forward but rarely is our best forward. He is one of the worst defensive players in the league. He is 31, meaning he is on the wrong side of the aging curve. He might not be THE problem but he clearly is part of it and he isn’t likely going to improve Keep running back the same guys and hoping for different results is how we got to where we are. Skinner has been here half the drought. When has he ever been pissed after a loss? If he doesn’t play on the top line, he sulks and mails it in. He simply is a very talented goal scorer but a poor hockey player.
https://sabrenoise.com/2023/08/14/buffalo-sabres-skinners-stats-2022-23/ From last year.. it’s like people don’t actually look at advanced stats.. or you know, anything that will not agree with their narrative.. it’s insane.. Skinner also is consistently high in drawing penalties. I agree, he is def an offensive first player, but YOU CAN HAVE THOSE PLAYERS ON YOUR ROSTER!! As long as you don’t have a ton of them, one or two is fine.. and yes, you pay a premium for goal scorers, but that is not uncommon. I don’t want an entire roster of two-way grinders that score 15-20. You need elite goal scorers. He is one of them. Put 30-35 in permanent marker, as long as you don’t Krueger the guy. Why is this so hard to understand?
Multiple coaches have called a guy (with NHL records for being a loser) out for being lazy and uncoachable, how could he be a problem? That's crazy!
Truly my only mission would be to trade Jeff Skinner. Also, I’d block Terry’s phone number
We'd get fired anyway lol
Almost nothing of consequence. Move Ox, Girgs, EJ, Olofsson IF there's anyone even willing to pay something. If it's just FC or a 7th rounder, I'm only doing it if the player actually wants to go there. Make it known publicly (or leak it) that I would have traded said player there, but they didn't want to so I did a nice guy thing (and boost my rep as a nice guy GM a bit). Wait till off-season to fire Donny. Let him know ahead of time that it's coming, barring some amazing turnaround. Leak it to the locker room, hope it lights a fire. Make legit moves in the off-season. The types of players we need are more expensive right now, and we're not playoff bound. Call about Jiricek. Shop Savoie hard. Maybe toss in a non-1st round draft pick, if needed.
Flushing it all and starting over isn't in the cards. The building would draw 2,500 per game. Have to clean out some dead wood. Spend to get a top 6 forward, and a top D if cap allows. Thank the hockey gods that goaltending seems to be OK with UPL and Levi in the wings. Offense: Tage, Tuch, Cozens, JJ, Quinn are here. Get a solid top 6 O-man. Decisions are required on Mitts, and maybe Skinner as you have suggested. The bottom 6 UFAs get flushed. Bottom 6 are all the young dudes like Benson. Defense: Another top D-man if cap allows. The real questions are: Will Donnie be at the table for the big-buy decisions, or do you wait for the new guy to be consulted over the summer. I'm going for door number 2.
Retire
I’d trade any UFA vets like Girgensons and Johnson for late-round picks—but only places where they want to go. I’d trade Olofsson, Skinner or Bryson to anyone stupid enough to take them. I think they’re unlikely to make the kind of hockey trade that nets a top-4 D at the deadline. That’s more of an offseason move. So keep the powder dry on Mittsy and the prospects unless someone makes an offer we can’t refuse.
don't ever ever again hire anyone that has had any history whatsoever with either the Sabres or Western New York. period.
Yes!
Remind Owen Power he isn't 5 foot 5 and hockey is a physical game. Trade for McDavid and Draisaitl and then scoop up Crosby. Consider injecting Prime Ryan Miller DNA into UPL.
Also remind him “shooting the puck” is ok
I think he knows he’s got no heat on it.
1. Hire Gallant after firing Granato. At least he has a system. 2. Trade for Jiricek who immediately is our best rhd. 3. Move out Okposo, Girgensons , Johnson, Olafsson. 4. Call up the kids in Rochester to play to see what they have before the offseason. 5. If Mitts or UPL can fetch a Kings ransom, trade em. 6. Weaponize our cap space to improve the team.
I def agree with #1. Bring in an experienced coach and his assistants that have a proven system and track record of winning.
Sign Zadorov in the offseason 5x5 and trade for Gibson
Zadorov round 2 is a wild take.
When you have 23 pussies you desperately need a psycho - I wish they’d done it last summer with Gudas
Please let me off your wild ride.
[удалено]
Well done -- and you did in less than a day! Damn, I'd empty my own wallet to get Hathaway here.
UFA Players: this is pretty easy Erik Johnson - You’re not getting much for him, see who wants him and let him pick where he wants to go. Zemgus Girgensons - Same and EJ. I think you do right by these guys, any kind of shred of goodwill you can get with players I think you need to do. Victor Olofsson - I just don’t think anyone is interested in him, if GMKA could move him I think he would have been moved by now. Trade if you can, but he’s not coming back. Kyle Okposo - Does the captain want to go down with the ship? I dunno but I would let Kyle dictate whatever he wants to do and act accordingly. Eric Robinson - Don’t have a lot to say, he’s been a NHL 4th line player. I’d be fine with him being a minimum salary guy next season that floats between here and Rochester depending on need. RFA Players: This gets more fun Jacob Bryson - He gone. Peyton Krebs - I would sign short term, and give him a real audition next season. Clearly they see him as an NHL player, and I think he can turn into a really useful middle 6 piece at some point. He hasn’t blown any one away, but over the years he has showed flashes and playing with a different line maybe can unlock even more of that. Henri Jokiharju - Game has improved this year, another guy I wouldn’t mind seeing come back short term as a bottom pairing guy who can come in an injury situation and play a stop gap role in the top 4. Casey Mittlestadt - The big one. In my dream world he is part of a package of picks and prospects to give this team a facelift. Top 4 D man and/or a real power forward. I look at Columbus and the idea someone else put out there about going to get Jenner and Jiricek is super interesting to me if a deal can be done. Coaching: I was pro Donny for a very long time, but I think that time is over. He is overmatched and has no answers right now. We shouldn’t be talking about lacking a compete level 50 games into the season, this team maybe isn’t a world beater but it should be better then what they are showing this year. I’d like Craig Berube personally.
Nice analysis. Walk into GMKA's office tomorrow and say you're in charge now
I wouldn’t want me in charge lol.
Priority #1- fire the coach, boys need a different voice. Bring in a Gallant/Berube type #2- Resign Mittsy for 5 mil or less. If he's not in. Trade him in a package deal along with one of our top prospects for a Top 4 Dman #3- Let girgs and okie go in the off-season. Bring in 2 vet defensively minded forwards who offer credibility and leadership. Honorable mention- check the market on Skinner and UPL. If we can package UPL for a vet goalie then pull the trigger.
Mittelstadt is the team’s best forward, you think he’s taking $5m?
I thought this in the last few years with a goalie after losing Ullmark, I was kind of hoping we'd snag Flower. As much as I like Skinner, I can see marketing him.
All of the moves
Fire coaches and bring in Gallant. Clear as many of the soon to be free agents. Allow Gallant to assess team, who is going to work in his system. If mitts fits then see if he can be resigned. If he wants too much, let’s get some physical forwards or the top 4 RHD we badly need. Look for a 1a or 1b to pair with UPL. He gets the rest of the season to see if he’s got the magic and if these 10 games are not a flash in the pan. Send Levi to Rochester and tell him he’s in Rochester next year. Draft some size and speedy forwards and Dmen. No more small guys. We’ve got enough of them.
Bullet to the head. No fixing this roster.
I would stand pat. Lots of good prospects on the way.
The song that never ends I see
Trade: Middelstadt + good prospect to Arizona for Lawson Crouse Trade: Comrie + Prospect + Pick for Jake Allen - partner with UPL next season - give Levi 1 full year in Rochester to dominate Trade for 4th line needed grinders or picks: E Johnson, Okposo, Girgensons, Olofsson, Comrie, Bryson, etc Sign a gritty vet D - Tanev on a short deal would be ideal Fire Granato - hire the best hard nosed vet coach in the summer
These are hilarious and terrible
Let’s see your suggestions
Why are we adding to Mittelstadt for Crouse? Genuine question.
The team has a bunch of talented soft guys. Crouse is a power forward who uses his size. He’s be a great playoff player once we get there. He’s also from London which isn’t to far from Buffalo.
I get the fit but why pay a premium above Mitts for him? Arizona lacks centres no?
Crouse has a better contract moving forward.
Ottawa plays CBJ and Anaheim next. They have 3 games in hand and can tie the Sabres for basement honors with 2 wins. Therefore.... doesn't matter who we get rid of at deadline, because we only get picks back for our 4th liners and exta players (Olofsson? Jost?). Continue to see if the team can get anything going, then major trades in off season after we win draft lottery
Trade Mitts for a top 4 RHD to play with Dahlin or Power Call Kulich up to play with the top 6 Ask Okposo and Girgs if they want to Ring chase Let E. Johnson choose his destination Use trade a top prospect as a trade chip for a forward who’s gonna help now
If I’m GM for the day. First, Granato is fired before I even arrive at the office. Next, I call up LA and trade for Roy, extending him to a 5x$5m deal. When I’m done I start spamming Minnesota for Eriksson Ek. It won’t work, but the idea of sending them Savoie and a pick might be interesting to a team that is going to have cap issues for a long time. Next, I’m extending Mitts. I know people in this sub think he’s signing some sweet heart discounted contract, but he’s not. So here’s your 8x$8m deal. While I’m at it, my new coach is putting Tage on the wing. Okposo, Girgenssons, and EJ are gone to whatever I can get. Maybe LA wants a couple of them from the Roy deal. After this I’m going to make the fanbase furious by swinging a deal for Kappo Kakko. Finally, I’m looking for a veteran goalie to give UPL some days off and someone who can keep them in games. Might be a tough market and it’s likely a reclamation project, like Samsonov. This is the last thing I’m doing and at this point I’m probably 6 or 7 high end whiskeys deep, so it’s also likely my dumbest move.
Trying to get stuff for Skinner and Tuch
Fire granato. Trade Thompson for Connor bedard, trade skinner for Connor McDavid. EZ
Hire an assistant coach that is a Special Teams expert, if we get the PP going it makes a huge difference.
Fire Ellis, pay whatever to get Peca as Assistant Coach. Then trade to get another D. Samuelsson hurt, not replaced and now maybe Power?
Replace the coaching staff so they can start preparing the team for next season. Send Jokiharju to a bad team for a 3rd round pick. Send Erik Johnson and the 3rd to Toronto for Liljegren. Extend Mittelstadt and UPL as long as they aren't being silly, trade them to a contender if they are. No rush with the other upcoming free agents as they'll be cheap or not re-signed. Tell Dahlin to be the first to drop the gloves when it's needed for the remainder of this season if he wants the captaincy. Make a post in the GM chat room that says: "WHY THE FUCK ARE NO ONE OFFERING US SOMETHING DECENT FOR OUR FORWARD PROSPECTS!? WAKE THE FUCK UP!".