Today we will look at our first team whose season is officially over...The Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres could have a book written about them to be honest....or at least someone's PHD thesis...
This is a team that continues to look like they are getting better and yet every year falls out of the playoffs hard leaving their amazing fanbase scrambling... This off-season truly feels as important as they get for the Sabres.
First off, the top players have made it known they aren't happy...especially Jack Eichel. Now I don't see Eichel EVER being the kind of guy who asks for a trade, ever....rather the kind of player who will let it be known when he is unhappy and wants everyone around him to match his compete level. That is why Jack Eichel is one of the best players in the NHL.
The Sabres have finally gotten it right with Krueger. He is the epitome of the kind of NHL coach this team has needed for years...The Sabres players and management knows this as well. That said, Krueger will demand a lot this off-season. He will certainly be asking for more of his type of players.
And the Sabres should be able to do this...
Up front the only signed players are Eichel, Skinner, Okposo, and Johansson. Thats it. Beynd that you are looking at 5 UFAs and 5 RFAs.
The Forward UFAs:Sobotka, Frolik, Simmonds, Vesey, Girgensons and Larsons
The Forward RFAs: Reinhart, Mittelstadt, Kahun, Olofsson, Lazar, Thompson.
The questions is who among these players are Krueger-type players?
On the defense they have some more stability with 5 D under contract...But Montour is an RFA and he is a player they definitely need to keep as a part of their future...
Ristolainen is on the trade market....again...
In goal a big RFA is Linus Ullmark. Only Carter Hutton is signed for the 20-21 season...
What can the Sabres do? A lot.
With the Cap not going up much they will have their pick of players and I expect them to go for character players above all else...
Join the Discussion:
»