The bolded is by far the biggest hurdle to becoming a true quality team.

There are far more Scandella's available then the kind of defenseman most people badly want, and really, how many of those kind of defensemen are A. great every single season and B. somehow 'available'?
- kingcong39

Draft draft draft!!

I think all of us on the "trade Kane" boat are resigned to the fact that you aren't getting the defenseman for Kane directly or even as part of a package. The idea is to free up the space and acquire that defenseman another way, using the money you didn't pay Kane to do so.
- buffalofan19

If Kane keeps playing this way through the all star break, and they are bold enough to make a move that early, they may get a D prospect with a very high upside from a team that is playing well and believes they need someone like Kane to put them potentially over the top.

I think all of us on the "trade Kane" boat are resigned to the fact that you aren't getting the defenseman for Kane directly or even as part of a package. The idea is to free up the space and acquire that defenseman another way, using the money you didn't pay Kane to do so.
- buffalofan19

We have the $$$ to sign Kane AND (for example) sign Carlson

It’s not one or the other!

Draft draft draft!!
- Sabresfan-365

I don't know nearly enough about the draft to know if there is much aside from Dahlin regarding true top pair D men, but there better be as banking on winning that lottery is a bad, bad proposition.

We have the $$$ to sign Kane AND (for example) sign Carlson

It’s not one or the other!
- jdfitz77

Carlson isn't coming here. A d through the draft is...

I don't know nearly enough about the draft to know if there is much aside from Dahlin regarding true top pair D men, but there better be as banking on winning that lottery is a bad, bad proposition.
- kingcong39

It's like 2015. How sick would it be to add a werenski to this team?

The problem is that you are signing a good player to "very good to great player" money, and banking on a bunch of scenarios all coming together at the same time. That's not likely. If even one of those groups of players doesn't live up to expectations, you're stuck needing a "Plan B", with a lot less money and cap room to do it, and a contract that's not going to help with that Plan B.
- buffalofan19

But my “plan b” is that if Nylander isn’t good on line 3,
then I’m hoping Bailey or Pu (etc) can be

Isn’t that more likely than Nylander becoming Kane on line 1?

And yes,
I think Kane will still be producing in 3 years
Idk why u think he won’t be?

It's like 2015. How sick would it be to add a werenski to this team?
- Sabresfan-365

Signing Kane wouldn’t prevent us from drafting a “Werenski” this year though

We just gotta choose right

Carlson isn't coming here. A d through the draft is...
- Sabresfan-365

You’re missing the point

He’s saying we need the Kane $$$ to get a defenseman
I’m saying we have the $$$ for BOTH

It's like 2015. How sick would it be to add a werenski to this team?
- Sabresfan-365

If it truly that deep of a draft, then trying to get multiple picks in the 1st round is the absolute way to go.

The money has to come from somewhere. And that somewhere is either Kane or Okposo. I would prefer it be the latter. I wouldn't lose sleep if it were both.
- buffalofan19

We have the $$$ to keep Kane AND address the defense
Idk what makes u think we don’t

But my “plan b” is that if Nylander isn’t good on line 3,
then I’m hoping Bailey or Pu (etc) can be

Isn’t that more likely than Nylander becoming Kane on line 1?

And yes,
I think Kane will still be producing in 3 years
Idk why u think he won’t be?
- jdfitz77

Contract year, He has never produced at this rate before.

You’re missing the point

He’s saying we need the Kane $$$ to get a defenseman
I’m saying we have the $$$ for BOTH
- jdfitz77

I'm not on about that. It's just not good value. Don't wanna be paying 7 mil for 25 goals, 65 games and awfully timed penalties

If you are a GM, and you have to figure out where you're going to get the most value to help your team in the long run, who are you trading?

Kane or Girgensons?
- thatsapickle

What are u getting for Kane though?
THAT’S MY POINT

I'm not on about that. It's just not good value. Don't wanna be paying 7 mil for 25 goals, 65 games and awfully timed penalties
- Sabresfan-365

So then what are u trading Kane for?

So then what are u trading Kane for?
- jdfitz77

For picks, prospects and not paying yet another bad contract.

Contract year, He has never produced at this rate before.
- ImThatGuy

I listened to all the Kane haters say he wouldn’t produce this year like he did last year...
and he’s doing even better

Is it bc it’s a contract year?

Or did a GREAT TALENT, finally just GROW UP and start taking hockey more seriously than being out till 4am?

I’m a bartender downtown
Haven’t heard 1 story about Kane even being out this year except for on Jack’s 21st bday

We have the $$$ to sign Kane AND (for example) sign Carlson

It’s not one or the other!
- jdfitz77

And then no be able to resign anyone else, and only become as good as John Carlson makes you.

It's a bad strategy. Were in 30th. Long term flexibility is the idea.

More big contracts are not.

For picks, prospects and not paying yet another bad contract.
- Sabresfan-365

And those picks & prospects take how long to make the Sabres?
3 years... 4 years...

And once they are here, how do they contribute?
Bc it’s my contention that they’re FAR MORE LIKELY to end up being McCabe & Girgensons then they are a top pair defenseman & top line goal scorer

And then no be able to resign anyone else, and only become as good as John Carlson makes you.

It's a bad strategy. Were in 30th. Long term flexibility is the idea.

More big contracts are not.
- sbroads24

Also not true

And it wouldn’t just be as good as Carlson makes us
It’s that, PLUS...
-how much better is the defense with Risto on pair 2
-how much better is the offense with Mittelstadt & Nylander on line 3 instead of line 1?

Those are significant differences
Very significant


Flexibility has its merits
So does having GOOD players instead of more “b” prospects

And those picks & prospects take how long to make the Sabres?
3 years... 4 years...

And once they are here, how do they contribute?
Bc it’s my contention that they’re FAR MORE LIKELY to end up being McCabe & Girgensons then they are a top pair defenseman & top line goal scorer
- jdfitz77

Oh I don't care about that. Just don't want another bad long term deal on this team. If we held on to every player based on the thinking that the picks and prospects won't turn into much we'd have even more terrible contracts. Aren't you the one who got mad that Murray took no d-men in the second round? How Anaheim keeps adding d-men with top 60 picks?

Oh I don't care about that. Just don't want another bad long term deal on this team. If we held on to every player based on the thinking that the picks and prospects won't turn into much we'd have even more terrible contracts. Aren't you the one who got mad that Murray took no d-men in the second round? How Anaheim keeps adding d-men with top 60 picks?
- Sabresfan-365

Yes, I was mad at GMTM for dumb draft decisions

I happen to think we can make better drafting decisions AND keep our top line scorer
I don’t think it’ll be a bad contract
I think he will still do well
And I don’t wanna move him for picks & prospects who likely won’t replace what we’ve lost in production

Also not true

And it wouldn’t just be as good as Carlson makes us
It’s that, PLUS...
-how much better is the defense with Risto on pair 2
-how much better is the offense with Mittelstadt & Nylander on line 3 instead of line 1?

Those are significant differences
Very significant


Flexibility has its merits
So does having GOOD players instead of more “b” prospects
- jdfitz77

So say Carlson and Kane combine for 13 mil.

13
10
7.5
5.4
6.0

That's 41 mil, in half of your top 6 and 2 d men. So like 30 mil with 18 spots left, and 0 for goaltending. Not to mention $$ for Ehrhoff and Hodgson. Not including Bogo's 5.14 that we have no clue we can move.

How exactly are we filling out a roster that is competing for anythign other than 30th again?

This team desperately needs Dahlin
- mattmoulson

With the first overall selection in the 2018 draft, Edmonton is proud to select...

So say Carlson and Kane combine for 13 mil.

13
10
7.5
5.4
6.0

That's 41 mil, in half of your top 6 and 2 d men. So like 30 mil with 18 spots left, and 0 for goaltending. Not to mention $$ for Ehrhoff and Hodgson. Not including Bogo's 5.14 that we have no clue we can move.

How exactly are we filling out a roster that is competing for anythign other than 30th again?
- sbroads24

I’ve posted Cap Friendly lineups before to show the money work

Give me a minute & I’ll find one that answers your questions