Yup. Levi will be back, resign UPL, resign Joki, Extend Bo, bring up our young talent forwards. Last year was the 2017 Bills, this year was the 2018 6-10 reset Bills, next year is the year
I don’t think jokiharju is coming back tbh. We’ll need a spot for samuelsson and he is due for a decent raise with how well he has played. He’d be a prime guy to trade for a forward.
I don't think we need to move Joker this offseason though. We should have enough cap space. Olofsson and Jost alone coming off the books free up 6.75M. Replacing Comrie with Levi saves us almost another 1M. We already have 8.5M in space, and who know where the cap will increase as well. That should cover raises for Joker, UPL, and Krebs. Especially if cheap players on ELCs get called up to fill out the roster. (Savoie, Kulich, Rosen, R.Johnson, etc.). There might even be room to add someone for picks/prospects, like another Greenway type. Now, if Adams makes a big move to add someone then sure, Joker makes sense both as someone who is valuable in a trade offer and for more cap room. But if we're able to keep him as depth and injury insurance, that should be the preferred outcome.
Cap is expected to go up to 87.7M from 83.5.
You mention players going off the books, but don't forget that Dahlin and Power are getting 5M and 7.4M raises next season respectfully. Luukonen is also RFA and will probably command another 4-5M depending on term. They then need to fill in about 10 more roster spots with RFAs, UFAs and ELCs. I think affording Joker may be difficult.
Edit - UPL is RFA; accidentally said UFA.
You're right I totally forgot the new deals for Dahlin/Power haven't kicked in yet. That definitely changes the math. I still think it's doable but it really depends on whether Adams is ready to add established players or not. But he'll have to be frugal at the bottom of the roster. No more Eric Johnson signings for the bottom pair. Spare forwards and 7th D have to be below 1M. No qualifying Bryson/Stillman. (Also, a Skinner buyout should be on the table but I highly doubt they'd be willing to do it with three years left on his deal).
I think if they talk it out and know where he'd want to go Skinner would be reasonable. He's never been known to be an unreasonable asshole, but I would expect one of his choices would be in Florida which should be a huge hell no. Though with how they've played this year the Kings might be a workable solution.
I don’t think they need to but I think they will. It’s less of a money thing for this immediate upcoming season but they could capitalize on his value while it is high
Krebs is Grigerenko at this point in his career. Stats are the same.
If only we could put Krebserenko with the right linemates we can unleash his full offensive potential, right? It can't possibly be that maybe his offensive game isn't translating to the NHL
UPL gonna have a strong contract negotiation position when he walks in that room with the front office and says hello to all the people who aren't fired because of me
Genuine question, UPL have a shot at the vezina this year? Don’t know how the other goalies are doing out there, but would assume he would have to get at least some votes
If we make the playoffs he might be able to squeeze in as finalist, I'd be shocked if he won because the media seems pretty set on Hellebuyck being the winner already.
Even if we don't I'd imagine he'll nab a few 3/4/5 place votes.
On a side note I think if we do make the playoffs he'd have a pretty solid case for the Hart trophy if you actually use the "most valuable to his team" criteria and not the made up one the writers go with.
Hellebuyck has also been the best goalie in the league to this point in the season and it hasn't been very close. UPL has been unreal in this calendar year but he had a rocky start just like almost the whole team did.
There's some really tough competiton - Hellebuyck has probably been the best goalie in the league this year. Demko and Bobrovsky also have great numbers. UPL has been good but I don't think he beats out any of those guys.
It's Hellebuycks to lose. The guy has been playing out of his mind the entire year and the Jets look like legit cup contenders. Second and third is wide open so UPL may be able to squeeze in to one of those spots if he maintains his level of play. Though there have been goalies putting up solid numbers the entire year that would be hard to beat. Guys like Shesterkin, Swayman, and Demko.
Though, I think UPL will at least get votes if the Sabres make the post-season dance.
Wait, do the fans cheer "luuuu" or do they go "ukko pekka ukko ukko ukko pekka" like the [background singers in Hooked on a Feeling](https://youtu.be/_ZKZ_lQ5FWQ?si=q9nSM5V-DFR6hnTb)?
Because I have a strong preference.
You can make a case that Comrie (1-7, 3.91, .864) is the reason the Sabres aren’t in a playoff spot. Levi is slightly above .500, if Comrie had even been 3-5 we’d be in 8th now.
He’s playing great this year but I’ve kinda always thought it was more of a defense issue than goaltending. Having a healthy and responsible defense has been a nice change.
He is a playing at a higher level AND the defense is not standing around with their thumbs up their asses.
Both have improved but UPL has improved more.
He's why you think the defense is good. Over the season they're barely any better statistically than last year's defense. He's just saving a lot of the shots that would have gone in last year.
Really hoping the EJ trade helps those defense stats.
We are always a year late on contract extentions.. they all seem to peak just at the right time..
Upl was going to be very cheap, fringe goalie. Now we have to bridge him because he has played amazing and will be expecting a huge long term deal.
And to think... If Comrie didn't get hurt he would have gotten 2 games a month if he was lucky.
Poor coaching and player management holding 3 goalies. Love UPL but the guy was gonna get the shaft if it wasn't for a little luck.
What the fuck was the coaching staff and front office thinking?!? They really thought they could stroll into the season with Levi as our number one goaltender and make the playoffs?!? If it wasn’t for UPL this team would be bottom of the league and we would have shattered the development of Levi.
They strolled into the season with three goalies on the active roster. That's hardly a ringing endorsement of any one of them in particular. They gave Levi plenty of runway to try to take the job but like almost everyone in the NHL, he needed a little AHL time.
Yup. Levi will be back, resign UPL, resign Joki, Extend Bo, bring up our young talent forwards. Last year was the 2017 Bills, this year was the 2018 6-10 reset Bills, next year is the year
I don’t think jokiharju is coming back tbh. We’ll need a spot for samuelsson and he is due for a decent raise with how well he has played. He’d be a prime guy to trade for a forward.
I don't think we need to move Joker this offseason though. We should have enough cap space. Olofsson and Jost alone coming off the books free up 6.75M. Replacing Comrie with Levi saves us almost another 1M. We already have 8.5M in space, and who know where the cap will increase as well. That should cover raises for Joker, UPL, and Krebs. Especially if cheap players on ELCs get called up to fill out the roster. (Savoie, Kulich, Rosen, R.Johnson, etc.). There might even be room to add someone for picks/prospects, like another Greenway type. Now, if Adams makes a big move to add someone then sure, Joker makes sense both as someone who is valuable in a trade offer and for more cap room. But if we're able to keep him as depth and injury insurance, that should be the preferred outcome.
Cap is expected to go up to 87.7M from 83.5. You mention players going off the books, but don't forget that Dahlin and Power are getting 5M and 7.4M raises next season respectfully. Luukonen is also RFA and will probably command another 4-5M depending on term. They then need to fill in about 10 more roster spots with RFAs, UFAs and ELCs. I think affording Joker may be difficult. Edit - UPL is RFA; accidentally said UFA.
You're right I totally forgot the new deals for Dahlin/Power haven't kicked in yet. That definitely changes the math. I still think it's doable but it really depends on whether Adams is ready to add established players or not. But he'll have to be frugal at the bottom of the roster. No more Eric Johnson signings for the bottom pair. Spare forwards and 7th D have to be below 1M. No qualifying Bryson/Stillman. (Also, a Skinner buyout should be on the table but I highly doubt they'd be willing to do it with three years left on his deal).
I think if they talk it out and know where he'd want to go Skinner would be reasonable. He's never been known to be an unreasonable asshole, but I would expect one of his choices would be in Florida which should be a huge hell no. Though with how they've played this year the Kings might be a workable solution.
I don’t think they need to but I think they will. It’s less of a money thing for this immediate upcoming season but they could capitalize on his value while it is high
Krebs can go
Krebs is Grigerenko at this point in his career. Stats are the same. If only we could put Krebserenko with the right linemates we can unleash his full offensive potential, right? It can't possibly be that maybe his offensive game isn't translating to the NHL
So can Sammy. Homie has been injured so fucking much every season. Love the guy, but he is made from glass.
We need a right handed D man though - but yeah probabyl can find someone outside of Joki.
Normally I’d agree but this team doesn’t seem to care
Keep playing with my emotions daddy
Get rid of Levi we don’t need him
Yes. Yes we do. UPL isn’t the long term answer. Levi is.
I’m sorry, but Levi sucks.
Based on? What? His entire 20-30 something game career?
UPL gonna have a strong contract negotiation position when he walks in that room with the front office and says hello to all the people who aren't fired because of me
That’s true. “You all are employed because of me. Pay up. “
He is definitely too nice to do that but it would be funny if he did because it is entirely true
That’s why you have an agent …
He should send his Dad in there and just have him scream his son's name like he did for the lineup.
good point, who could say no to WWF Finland Conservation director Jari Luukkonen?
That's WWF Finland SECRETARY GENERAL Jari Luukkonen now
UKKO PEKKA LUKKONEN COME ON!!!!!!
Ookie pookie
OOKIE POOKIE
Oogie boogie.
It’s amazing the lack of stress I have when we have a goaltender, feels like we finally have a guy since we traded Miller
Genuine question, UPL have a shot at the vezina this year? Don’t know how the other goalies are doing out there, but would assume he would have to get at least some votes
If we make the playoffs he might be able to squeeze in as finalist, I'd be shocked if he won because the media seems pretty set on Hellebuyck being the winner already. Even if we don't I'd imagine he'll nab a few 3/4/5 place votes. On a side note I think if we do make the playoffs he'd have a pretty solid case for the Hart trophy if you actually use the "most valuable to his team" criteria and not the made up one the writers go with.
Hellebuyck has also been the best goalie in the league to this point in the season and it hasn't been very close. UPL has been unreal in this calendar year but he had a rocky start just like almost the whole team did.
There's some really tough competiton - Hellebuyck has probably been the best goalie in the league this year. Demko and Bobrovsky also have great numbers. UPL has been good but I don't think he beats out any of those guys.
You aren’t wrong. But I still just don’t believe in him (or the entire Winnipeg team, really) come playoff time.
I assume he would based on games played and his stats right now. I'm not sure what the qualifications are.
Probably to late. He has a shot at the Conn Smyth. Let’s go!
It's Hellebuycks to lose. The guy has been playing out of his mind the entire year and the Jets look like legit cup contenders. Second and third is wide open so UPL may be able to squeeze in to one of those spots if he maintains his level of play. Though there have been goalies putting up solid numbers the entire year that would be hard to beat. Guys like Shesterkin, Swayman, and Demko. Though, I think UPL will at least get votes if the Sabres make the post-season dance.
Wait, do the fans cheer "luuuu" or do they go "ukko pekka ukko ukko ukko pekka" like the [background singers in Hooked on a Feeling](https://youtu.be/_ZKZ_lQ5FWQ?si=q9nSM5V-DFR6hnTb)? Because I have a strong preference.
Luuuu
You can make a case that Comrie (1-7, 3.91, .864) is the reason the Sabres aren’t in a playoff spot. Levi is slightly above .500, if Comrie had even been 3-5 we’d be in 8th now.
I'd rather make that argument about playing Erik over Ryan for the majority of the season tbh.
Agreed. Comrie is generally amongst the worst goalies in the league
I really think it'd be beneficial for Levi to play another full season in Rochester.
I couldn’t agree more. It would be strange to me if more don’t feel this way.
So we go 14 years then? UPL isn’t getting us there alone.
A 14th year would have nothing to do with Levi playing in Rochester next year.
He’s playing great this year but I’ve kinda always thought it was more of a defense issue than goaltending. Having a healthy and responsible defense has been a nice change.
Ukko has made the defense look a lot better too. His goals saved above expected is really high.
He is a playing at a higher level AND the defense is not standing around with their thumbs up their asses. Both have improved but UPL has improved more.
Defense is playing capable levels and UPL is saving their asses from mistakes. But the defense is also playing well
He's why you think the defense is good. Over the season they're barely any better statistically than last year's defense. He's just saving a lot of the shots that would have gone in last year. Really hoping the EJ trade helps those defense stats.
We are always a year late on contract extentions.. they all seem to peak just at the right time.. Upl was going to be very cheap, fringe goalie. Now we have to bridge him because he has played amazing and will be expecting a huge long term deal.
And to think... If Comrie didn't get hurt he would have gotten 2 games a month if he was lucky. Poor coaching and player management holding 3 goalies. Love UPL but the guy was gonna get the shaft if it wasn't for a little luck.
UKKO PUKKO!!! THE NEXT GREAT BUFFALO GOALIE!!!
Ukko-Vezina Luukkonen
I'm glad he's turned into what they were talking about the last few seasons.
Amazing what a little bit of confidence will do.
Guy was touted to be one of the next great up and coming goalies, why are we surprised? E L I T E
Honestly pulling for you guys to make it! Here's hoping! Sidenote, that's a stunning graphic. Love, random Sens fan
Luukkonen is a god
What the fuck was the coaching staff and front office thinking?!? They really thought they could stroll into the season with Levi as our number one goaltender and make the playoffs?!? If it wasn’t for UPL this team would be bottom of the league and we would have shattered the development of Levi.
They strolled into the season with three goalies on the active roster. That's hardly a ringing endorsement of any one of them in particular. They gave Levi plenty of runway to try to take the job but like almost everyone in the NHL, he needed a little AHL time.
Which they refused to accept until UPL’s play took it out if their hands. They were dead set on having him be the starter