My analysis extended out through the 7 year contract...assumes Eichel and Reinhart sign bridge deals, if you can call it that of
Eichel 3 years at $7.5m
Reinhart 3 years at $6m
And other RFA signings ...plus sprinkling in Rookies on ECLs
...the Chicago model.
In the out years, we still would have $4M or so to play with each season.
It also assumes Lehner is the starter and creeps himself up to $6m in 4 years.

I do think it was realistic, and it still leaves money on the table if you need/want to sign Eichel/Reinhart to larger deals if necessary.
There are casualties...like Kaner and Bogo are gone at the end of their current contracts...replaced with less costly UFA's
- IonSabres

Yeah, I assume Eichel and Reinhart get max length deals. Won't be surprised if Kane and/or Bogo get traded like you said.

The Wings have been dominating.

Good thing about a loss is that they keep pace at the bottom and don't help the Flyers.
- rmiethaner

The forwards on this team have a really tough time with zone exits.

You back in the USA Goosie ?

If yes ... Welcome back and sorry at the same time .
- cabin

Yup. I'm glad to be home in a lot of ways. I like going away on vacation, but after awhile I miss home. Wasn't happy to be back at work though.

So today I spent (too much) time on projecting the Sabres roster moves and the Cap impact with bringing in Stamkos at $11m for 7 years.
My analysis assumes that the cap is $74M for next season, as Bettman has suggested.... Then it increases each year by $2.75M. That seems reasonable, perhaps conservative ( light) based on recent seasons.
For next season, I
I assumed Ennis was traded, Moulson plays up with the big club, and various RFA's receive a new contract:
Foligno up to $2.25m
Girgenson at $1.25m
Larson at $1.15m
Dlo $0.9m
Schaller at $1.1m
Risto bridge deal at $3.0m
UFA/ Trade Dman at $3.75m
Johnson at $2.0m
Those moves leave us about $4m in space.

So, the question becomes what to do with that space?
Lock up Risto now long term for $5.50 or more
Target a better/more expensive Dman
Other, what?

Since I have been one of the louder red flag waivers on signing Stamkos...I must admit that my analysis has shown me that they can absorb Stamkos and make a couple of need moves to bolster the roster.

So, thanks for listening to my rationale..I'm now jumping over to the sign Stamkos side!
- IonSabres

Welcome aboard!
Haha

It seems like Stamkos is going to be the #1 thing on Murray's agenda this offseason
That said,
Getting these RFAs signed (for as cheaply as possible, hopefully) will give him an idea of the room he'll have to acquire other salaries...
Whether it's defense, someone like Nash, etc

He really could go in many directions

Also depends if he can get rid of contracts like Moulson, and possibly guys like Franson, Gorges or Gionta

Pretty tough to speculate at the moment

But I'd say we need a defenseman to play with Risto
And that's prob gotta happen via trade

The Wings have been dominating.

Good thing about a loss is that they keep pace at the bottom and don't help the Flyers.
- rmiethaner

Sort of the MO for the Sabres over the past month ............. get outplayed but never get down by more than a goal.

Yeah, I assume Eichel and Reinhart get max length deals. Won't be surprised if Kane and/or Bogo get traded like you said.
- Frizzlefry

Kane isn't going anywhere unless he wants to leave.

Jesus...

I haven't seen him much. I don't have cable and don't watch too many games on NBCSN on stream either, so thankfully I'm spared him and Pierre "Bemidji State" McGuire. The "Eichel is lazy" thing was blown way out of proportion as well. He said something along the lines of he could be lazy in college at times because he wasn't really challenged. Which is not saying that he's a lazy player.

But generally, he's just an bumhole and a thug.

Yay! No Milbury, at least this intermission.
- Wetbandit1

No Milbury at all tonight
Just Roenick & Jones, both of whom I like for the most part

Jesus...
- feetontheair22

Wicked shot

Sort of the MO for the Sabres over the past month ............. get outplayed but never get down by more than a goal.
- fastek

Down by 2 atm.

Down by 2 atm.
- cabin

Game over then ...........

Hudson looks a bit gassed out there.

Bogo

Game over then ...........
- fastek

They were down by 2 in the Winnipeg game on Saturday as well. Won that one 3-2.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
Representatives for Jimmy Vesey today informed NSH their client will be exercising his right to unrestricted free agency on Aug. 15. #TSN

Wow... What a load of crap...

I hope he doesn't end up in Toronto... The thought of them getting Matthews, Stamkos and Vesey makes me sick...
- bluengold12

I am surprised he didn't wanna sign in Nashville though
I'd say Boston is probably in consideration as well
Every team will contact him
He'll have his choice where to go

I know a good friend of his needs a LW on his line...

They were down by 2 in the Winnipeg game on Saturday as well. Won that one 3-2.
- HonkFortheGoose

Not quite the same though.

Vesey Eichel Reinhart
Kane ROR Stamkos

Trade 1st for top 2 D...

Thank you sir

Think Eichel and Vesey know each other????

Check out the Jackets tied with the Caps after 2 periods.......

Vesey Eichel Reinhart
Kane ROR Stamkos

Trade 1st for top 2 D...

Thank you sir

Think Eichel and Vesey know each other????
- Stripes77

I think he knows his dad and brother more.

They were down by 2 in the Winnipeg game on Saturday as well. Won that one 3-2.
- HonkFortheGoose

That's true .....forgot about that one .... that was 27 cocktails ago so I'm giving myself a mulligan.

They were down by 2 in the Winnipeg game on Saturday as well. Won that one 3-2.
- HonkFortheGoose

This game isn't against the Peg. Sabres look slow out there. Maybe they are saving it for the third ?

Total horsepoop and the reason the NHL (frank)ing sucks. O'Riley CLEARLY just got interfered with yet they don't (frank)ing call it

WHere the (frank) was the call on that one?!

smart icing

And penalty

(frank) YOU REFS YOU banana eaterS