It’s funny cause posters want to trade for a 26 year old Couterier but don’t want to sniff the 22 year old version of him in Kempe. Couts didn’t have a season of 40+ points till his 5th season in the league. Yes Kempe has had a bad statistical season to date but he’s stuck behind Kopitar and Carter on the depth chart and gets barely any PP minutes as a guy on the 2nd unit. By the time this team is a bonfide year in and year out cup contender Couts will be 29 in the last year in his deal and Kempe will be 25 and still have RFA status and a horse on the 2nd or 3rd line playing all situations minutes.
- Pegullaville

So
1- IF he turns into Sean Coutrier, sure I'm all over it...but will he is the question. If they are buying low and not risking much, I'm in...but they are placing an if-come bet.
2 - will he immediately get PP time here? Doubtful. So, it doesn't change here, right? (not that the PP is great cause it has taken a big step backwards, but who is he replacing?)
3 - Are you then assuming he jumps to 2C? Else he will be behind Jack and Mitts, which is again a similar situation.

I'm not against the trade, especially if it involves dumping Sobotka, and If Nylander is included I have not regrets there either. But, they are betting on the future with him.

forget the playoffs this season

if casey is a second line center, these 2 help our top 9 big time, if the trade happened
- homiedclown

I like Toffoli and Kempe. I was high on Toffoli as a prospect and I think we would be buying low on both those players. I don't know much about Kempe but Toffoli is a big upgrade.

Still would like to see some kind of center help.

What service is he providing?
- sbroads24

If he was making 2 million dollars he wouldn't be a target. He is not a liability on the ice. So why throw away draft picks until it becomes a cap problem?

Kempe stinks,there is nothing about him that makes the Sabres a better team. He would be another below average player.

So
1- IF he turns into Sean Coutrier, sure I'm all over it...but will he is the question. If they are buying low and not risking much, I'm in...but they are placing an if-come bet.
2 - will he immediately get PP time here? Doubtful. So, it doesn't change here, right? (not that the PP is great cause it has taken a big step backwards, but who is he replacing?)
3 - Are you then assuming he jumps to 2C? Else he will be behind Jack and Mitts, which is again a similar situation.

I'm not against the trade, especially if it involves dumping Sobotka, and If Nylander is included I have not regrets there either. But, they are betting on the future with him.
- IonSabres

Kempe is also in his 2nd full season in the league. He’s going to get better. Can I guarantee you he’ll be Couterier ? No. He does have all the traits to become that player though and I think he’ll have a better chance of succeeding here in our system on a better team then in LA. If he is a 40 point 3rd line C that is tough to play against that’s exactly what we’ll need as soon as Mitts continues to develop.

If he was making 2 million dollars he wouldn't be a target. He is not a liability on the ice. So why throw away draft picks until it becomes a cap problem?
- sabresfan69

I wouldn’t really want to throw away draft picks but his cap hit will absolutely prevent them from signing someone or trading for someone at some point

It’s funny cause posters want to trade for a 26 year old Couterier but don’t want to sniff the 22 year old version of him in Kempe. Couts didn’t have a season of 40+ points till his 5th season in the league. Yes Kempe has had a bad statistical season to date but he’s stuck behind Kopitar and Carter on the depth chart and gets barely any PP minutes as a guy on the 2nd unit. By the time this team is a bonfide year in and year out cup contender Couts will be 29 in the last year in his deal and Kempe will be 25 and still have RFA status and a horse on the 2nd or 3rd line playing all situations minutes.
- Pegullaville

his best season ever (since playing for Kramfors U18 2010), was last year at 16 goals what makes you think he's on the level of Couterier who had 4 30+ goals seasons since 2005? Kempe has ZERO history to even suggest he will ever score 20 or more goals (and he's never score more than 27 point except last year) .

his best season ever (since playing for Kramfors U18 2010), was last year at 16 goals what makes you think he's on the level of Couterier who had 4 30+ goals seasons since 2005? Kempe has ZERO history to even suggest he will ever score 20 or more goals.
- gordong

In Kempe's defense, he really doesn't have too much of a history, period

In Kempe's defense, he really doesn't have too much of a history, period
- Powerslave

but his history shows he is not a points guys.... ?I mean if we are getting him to be a 30-35 point 3rd line center fine, but I just think the trade that was proposed is WAY too much based on this guys history from U18 to the NHL.

Nylander has WAY more upside points wise.... YEAH OUR Nylander

Kempe stinks,there is nothing about him that makes the Sabres a better team. He would be another below average player.
- SABRES 89

Yes just like how Tatar is yet he’s going to score 20+ this year.

but his history shows he is not a points guys.... ?I mean if we are getting him to be a 30-35 point 3rd line center fine, but I just think the trade that was proposed is WAY too much based on this guys history from U18 to the NHL.

Nylander has WAY more upside points wise.... YEAH OUR Nylander
- gordong

If that's actually the trade that happens, then yeah, I'm not overly thrilled about it.

But that's what pro scouts are for.

I wouldn’t really want to throw away draft picks but his cap hit will absolutely prevent them from signing someone or trading for someone at some point
- sbroads24

Worry about it when that point comes. Also I mentioned already they CBA might get renegotiated over the summer and we might be able to buy him out.

but his history shows he is not a points guys.... ?I mean if we are getting him to be a 30-35 point 3rd line center fine, but I just think the trade that was proposed is WAY too much based on this guys history from U18 to the NHL.

Nylander has WAY more upside points wise.... YEAH OUR Nylander
- gordong

pretty sure botts would see it that way as well

Federal judge rejects possible 'do-over' of Rams-Saints playoff game


Shocking... NOT

pretty sure botts would see it that way as well
- Michael Pachla

his best season ever (since playing for Kramfors U18 2010), was last year at 16 goals what makes you think he's on the level of Couterier who had 4 30+ goals seasons since 2005? Kempe has ZERO history to even suggest he will ever score 20 or more goals (and he's never score more than 27 point except last year) .
- gordong

Couterier has one 30+ goal season in the NHL, the only season he’s also scored over 20 goals, and one 40+ point season in the NHL. However he’s always been a dominant defensive player and he always had the offensive upside but took until the age of 25 to figure it out. Kempe is having a poor offensive year to date on the worst hockey team in the NHL. I think he will be a good middle 6 player for a long time. He’s also RFA eligible for the next 5 seasons. I trade for a 22 year old over a 26 year old all day long. Kempe could even play 2nd line Wing for us. He’s versatile. He fits the timeline better then Couts does and will most likely be half the price on the cap.

Yes just like how Tatar is yet he’s going to score 20+ this year.
- Pegullaville

Stop, no comparison what so ever.

but his history shows he is not a points guys.... ?I mean if we are getting him to be a 30-35 point 3rd line center fine, but I just think the trade that was proposed is WAY too much based on this guys history from U18 to the NHL.

Nylander has WAY more upside points wise.... YEAH OUR Nylander
- gordong

Nylander doesn’t even have 20 goals in 3 AHL seasons yet he has more offensive upside then Kempe ?

but his history shows he is not a points guys.... ?I mean if we are getting him to be a 30-35 point 3rd line center fine, but I just think the trade that was proposed is WAY too much based on this guys history from U18 to the NHL.

Nylander has WAY more upside points wise.... YEAH OUR Nylander
- gordong

Nylander doesn’t even have 20 goals in 3 AHL seasons yet he has more offensive upside then Kempe ?

Couterier has one 30+ goal season in the NHL, the only season he’s also scored over 20 goals, and one 40+ point season in the NHL. However he’s always been a dominant defensive player and he always had the offensive upside but took until the age of 25 to figure it out. Kempe had 21 goals in his inaugural rookie season.... He is having a poor offensive year to date on the worst hockey team in the NHL. I think he will be a good middle 6 player for a long time. He’s also RFA eligible for the next 5 seasons. I trade for a 22 year old over a 26 year old all day long. Kempe could even play 2nd line Wing for us. He’s versatile. He fits the timeline better then Couts does and will most likely be half the price on the cap.
- Pegullaville

Well I'll just agree to disagree with you... I think he is another 3rd 4th line player moving forward. Couterier had 3 season of 30+ goals in Minor hockey so he at least had some record of producing points.... Kempe has not. In my opinion we need guys that can score and have a history of it.....

Stafford score 30 goals once too.

Well I'll just agree to disagree with you... I think he is another 3rd 4th line player moving forward. Couterier had 3 season of 30+ goals in Minor hockey so he at least had some record of producing points.... Kempe has not. In my opinion we need guys that can score and have a history of it.....

Stafford score 30 goals once too.
- gordong

And if they both played in the CHL you'd have a point. Dahlin has 8 more points in 9 more games this year in the NHL than he had last year in Sweden. Young players get no ice time overseas.

Edit: Not saying Kempe is Couturier, but using that to say he's not doesn't work.

Nylander doesn’t even have 20 goals in 3 AHL seasons yet he has more offensive upside then Kempe ?
- Pegullaville

you like Kempe, Fine

I'd rather take my chances with Nylander and keep the 1st rd pick..

And if they both played in the CHL you'd have a point. Dahlin has 8 more points in 9 more games this year in the NHL than he had last year in Sweden. Young players get no ice time overseas.

Edit: Not saying Kempe is Couturier, but using that to say he's not doesn't work.
- Wetbandit1

gotta factor in age there as well though...but yes you are correct about playing time, although Im not sure how that did or didn't affected Dahlin.

you like Kempe, Fine

I'd rather take my chances with Nylander and keep the 1st rd pick..
- gordong

I have no problem keeping all 3 picks myself and I’ve stated that multiple times as im sure you know over the course of the past few months on the site. If I’m moving the SJS pick though it has to be a guy in that 22-24 range imo and Kempe is an interesting player in my eyes. The other 3 first rounders over the next two years to me are untouchable though. Toffoli was also in that hypothetical deal was well don’t forget and I wouldn’t bat an eyelash moving Guhle and Nylander out of our system.

you like Kempe, Fine

I'd rather take my chances with Nylander and keep the 1st rd pick..
- gordong

see now that is not what was thrown out there

much more then that