At least Ralph is scratching Frolik.

If Okposo was coming out to save his spot, I was going to riot.

Pitchfork away. See you goobers at 10pm for some good old fashion complaining.

4-2 Swords
Samson
Eichel
Olo x2

Stat night for the top line.

There’s talk about Calgary blowing it up this offseason if they don’t at least win a round or 2
- jdfitz77

Sure, but that package of Risto a 2020 1st and a prospect is not enough for Johnny Hockey (unless that 2020 1st is a lottery win)

- I like Bonino and would consider it my self. But he is like Anisimov and doesn't fit profile


Not snarky at all actually.
Thanks for the response, seriously.
My feedback i inserted above for each option isn't intended to shoot down options, rather to shine a light on where their profile isn't a match for the desired 2C profile...so, some give and takes would be necessary. That was the question I posed...who are all these options that are better. I also didn't look into the Advanced Stats, which may change things for the good, or for the bad.


I have combed through the rosters several times during different parts of the season, even created my own database by combining different data from CapFriendly, Hockey-Reference, and Natural Stat Trick. So, based on that there just aren't that many that fit that profile (I used PPG of 0.65 - 0.85 over 2 years).

I mean, there are options out there, and you named quite a few....but I don't see many that fit the desired profile. There are alot of very knowledgeable posters here, yet I'm a bit stunned at the cavalier attitude and the dismissal of concern for reasons related to they can do better.
- IonSabres

If they had pulled off the Trocheck deal we would have all been thrilled. It's just that maybe he isn't elite enough to cry about too much if we can't have him.

I think this board has too high of requirements for center. I got Jack and Cozens long term as top centers, Mittelstadt, Pekar, Ruotsoleinen, and Asplund as prospects for third center or fourth line center, etc. Larsson is a good 3rd or 4th line guy. Lazar is fine as a #4.

I don't need a young guy. Give me someone who is 31-33, can pot 20 goals or 45 points, win around half his faceoffs, and I'm good. Then get me a legitimate 2nd line wing who can do 55-65 points, and all my issues are solved. I only need this center for like a year until Cozens is ready.

Granlund has also been playing on the Wing for years now
Is he really a Center?
- jdfitz77

Played his best as a center in Minny. But again, all of it is dependent on price. I view him as a center that can play wing in the same that MaJo is a wing who can play center. You are better at a certain position, and IMO Granlund's is center.

I think we all know they're going to have to spend in terms of assets, or cap hit or both to acquire that guy, whoever he is. That's just how it works. If the Sabres are too worried about losing their prime prospects in a trade, then they're going to have to pay someone like him 6x6+
- jcragcrumple

Right like I said, if the price specifically for Granlund is too high walk away. There are guys to overpay, and he's not one of them. Market value, I think he could be great for us.

Right like I said, if the price specifically for Granlund is too high walk away. There are guys to overpay, and he's not one of them. Market value, I think he could be great for us.
- SDSabre

You have to overpay for free agents. All of them, but particularly top six forwards.

We need two top six forwards, maybe botts pulls a magic trade for one, but then we better be signing another.

Hoffman is going to get 7.5 I would think
Granlund around 6
Hall probably 9.5 or 10
Dadonov around 6.5 maybe
Toffoli 5.5 or 6
Haula is probably about 5

Sabres need to get one of those six in my opinion. UFA signings are the only viable way to increase the overall talent level of your organization comparitively to other teams, and that's what we need.

Well, I have heard Krueger mention a couple if times how the Coaching Staff in fact IS working specifically with him to help improve his game. Do you hold the same argument then if Skinner is sort of rejecting the help?
I'm not there to see it, it is why I have said several times "If true" in my earlier posts and still have questions about it.
Also, from Bingo, he apparently had the same knick in Carolina and was a reason Brind'amour wanted him out...so 2 coaches now.
- IonSabres

Rod didn't like Skinner because he wasn't great defensively and he didn't put the same effort into defense that he does offense. I'd be willing to bet that's the same issue Ralph has with him, but that's like asking a horse to be a hippo, because that's not who Skinner is as a player, and it's well known.

Essentially, stop trying to put a square peg in a round hole.

You have to overpay for free agents. All of them, but particularly top six forwards.

We need two top six forwards, maybe botts pulls a magic trade for one, but then we better be signing another.

Hoffman is going to get 7.5 I would think
Granlund around 6
Hall probably 9.5 or 10
Dadonov around 6.5 maybe
Toffoli 5.5 or 6
Haula is probably about 5

Sabres need to get one of those six in my opinion. UFA signings are the only viable way to increase the overall talent level of your organization comparitively to other teams, and that's what we need.
- matty12345

I have a difficult time believing Haula is getting $5M per. I'd look to trade for Strome and Bonino.

Bonino has one year left, and if Cozens looks ready by the end of this season, you have Eichel, Cozens, Strome, and Larsson (assuming they extend him) after next year.

If Cozens still needs more time, reassess next offseason.

You have to overpay for free agents. All of them, but particularly top six forwards.

We need two top six forwards, maybe botts pulls a magic trade for one, but then we better be signing another.

Hoffman is going to get 7.5 I would think
Granlund around 6
Hall probably 9.5 or 10
Dadonov around 6.5 maybe
Toffoli 5.5 or 6
Haula is probably about 5

Sabres need to get one of those six in my opinion. UFA signings are the only viable way to increase the overall talent level of your organization comparitively to other teams, and that's what we need.
- matty12345

Granlund make's 5.75 now, so that's not exactly an increase by much (since I'm using him as an example.) We didn't overpay for MaJo, and they're similar guys so maybe his contract? 2/3 years 5 per? I'd do that.

Rod Brind'Amour said Skinner wasn't the type of player the Hurricanes wanted. I wonder why? Production, work ethic?

By the way, you are all welcome for me bringing to light how sh*tty his game was. It wasn't popular but it had to be done. The truth hurts sometimes
- GilPerreault11

Nothing to do with either in bold. Rod and Ralph are all about defensive play, and that is why they both don't like him.

Like Mamossers wing sauce ..Like heaven
- cabin

Reading this sentence spurred a Pavlovian salivary response to me. So pasty, so good.

How could you not be pissed off if you waive a NTC, in part to play with an elite center, perform with said elite center, sign an extension, partly because you wanna continue playing with elite center, to then start the season with a slug, and Marcus Johansson, a winger, as his center? The coach has made him a pariah. All because his practice habits? That’s a joke. He’s not a 20 year old
- sbroads24

He gets paid $9M.......

Also, Olofsson on that line has them producing more. Eichel is shooting more. It’s a win-win.

Skinner has better odds of producing on his own than Olofsson does. Krueger does what he think is best for the team to win games and Skinner decides to pout. Jeff is definitely a victim of crappy circumstance however he made the commitment to us just like we made the commitment to him.

Live with it.

Assuming this wasn't 100% all snark, some viable options:

Free Agents:
Derick Brassard - more of a Berglund type stopgap, but a useful player
Backstrom - still good for 70+ points, likely resigns in Wash?
Eric Haula - good two way center
Mike Hoffman can play center as well
Granlund


Trade Options:
Eric Staal - one year left at 3.25, probably not hard to get. At 35 he still has 18G 26A this season. Will come close to 60P
Blake Coleman/Yanni Gourde/Brayden Point - Hard to see Tampa needing all these guys with Stamkos, my bet is Gourde for a D may be available in a few months.
Alex Kerfoot - If the leafs get bounced there will be a roster revision, and Kerfoot might be the piece to go.
Backlund/Monahan - If Calgary is bounced in the first round, there are probably big shakeup moves coming. Either of this guys could be part of a big trade. Might need to include your top 10 pick for Monahan among other pieces.
Adam Henrique - Anaheim is probably going to try a rebuild
Anisimov - Bit overpaid, but would probably be not too hard to get. Only one year left which isn't a big risk.
Nick Bonino- Probably Nashville will be retooling a bit, I can see them open to this trade.
- matty12345

Backstrom negotiated his own new deal:

https://www.capfriendly.com/forums/thread/297851

I am all aboard trading for Bonino and Strome.

Nothing to do with either in bold. Rod and Ralph are all about defensive play, and that is why they both don't like him.
- kingcong39

Rod Brind'amour on Jeff Skinner 2018:

"I've been around Jeff, I know him," Brind'Amour said. "Jeff's one of the smartest players we have. He knows how to play. I think he hasn't been held quite to the standard we need to hold him to. I think if he is, and realizes, 'Man, I've got to do it that way or I won't get out here,' I think you'll see a different Jeff Skinner. That's what I'm hoping, is that he comes back with that attitude."

https://www.newsobserver....rts/article214199854.html

He gets paid $9M.......

Also, Olofsson on that line has them producing more. Eichel is shooting more. It’s a win-win.

Skinner has better odds of producing on his own than Olofsson does. Krueger does what he think is best for the team to win games and Skinner decides to pout. Jeff is definitely a victim of crappy circumstance however he made the commitment to us just like we made the commitment to him.

Live with it.
- Pegullaville

I could be incorrect, but I believe the advanced stats actually show the Skinner Eichel Reinhart line last year produced more 5v5 than the Olofsson Eichel Reinhart has this year.

My target, and this will be unpopular, is Mikael Granlund. I know his stats aren't eye popping, but he could fill in at 2C until one of the kids is ready, and will be free with a cap of 4ish give or take. Here's why. He played up tempo in Minny, and put up the stats, but now is playing in defense scheme in Nash thus lowering his offensive production. Maybe I'm wrong on this, just seems that most O players there seem to dip in production. I think he's a serviceable stop gap that's actually a center unlike who we thought MaJo would be. Basically, he's the center version of MaJo, which is a 3C at the 3C cost, that can fill in for 2C until a kid is ready. Ok guys, flame the poop away of my idea as I've wanted to post it for a couple weeks but knew it'd be knee capped the moment I did.
- SDSabre

I can absolutely see JB landing Mikael Granlund. On a shorter deal, I guess I could dig it. He’d be a better center option for $kinner than anyone else we have.

Rod Brind'amour on Jeff Skinner 2018:

"I've been around Jeff, I know him," Brind'Amour said. "Jeff's one of the smartest players we have. He knows how to play. I think he hasn't been held quite to the standard we need to hold him to. I think if he is, and realizes, 'Man, I've got to do it that way or I won't get out here,' I think you'll see a different Jeff Skinner. That's what I'm hoping, is that he comes back with that attitude."
- BINGO!

Translation: he needs to be better defensively.

Translation: he needs to be better defensively.
- kingcong39

"Now we've got guys to push him out of spots," Brind'Amour said. "If you're not going to quite dig in every shift then maybe you don't get every shift. That's definitely what I'm trying to preach and I've got to back that up.

"Now I have, from the top, the authority to do it that way, which is the right way. And Jeff, I think he wants that, too. We know he can do it. We just need him to do it every night."

"Now we've got guys to push him out of spots," Brind'Amour said. "If you're not going to quite dig in every shift then maybe you don't get every shift. That's definitely what I'm trying to preach and I've got to back that up.

"Now I have, from the top, the authority to do it that way, which is the right way. And Jeff, I think he wants that, too. We know he can do it. We just need him to do it every night."
- BINGO!

Post all you want: his short comings are all about effort defensively IMO.

Will they take prospects not named Mitts, Cozens, UPL, &/or non 1st round picks?
Then ok
But if we are moving Montour or Risto,
I’d aim higher & be willing to add

Stroke would be in the 2nd tier as far as guys I’d want to being in
- jdfitz77

Strome may be a more realistic target if the Hawks don't want to pay him on a new deal.

Post all you want: his short comings are all about effort defensively IMO.
- kingcong39

It counts for both sides of the puck. Like it or not the part of the game IS important and if you aren't scoring and not buckling down and contributing to the game plan like the coach needs then what the (frank) are you even doing out there?

All I'm saying is that this isn't a new problem. These were issues when he was a rookie but too much came too easy for him and he's just never tried to fix it.

Granlund has also been playing on the Wing for years now
Is he really a Center?
- jdfitz77

nope, he really wasn't good as a center

I could be incorrect, but I believe the advanced stats actually show the Skinner Eichel Reinhart line last year produced more 5v5 than the Olofsson Eichel Reinhart has this year.
- kingcong39

They did.

And remember Eichel hitting all those posts early on last year? They should’ve produced even more.

Last year they were a dominant line.

This year it’s just Eichel being dominant

nope, he really wasn't good as a center
- navinrjohnson

He’ll fit right in then.

They did.

And remember Eichel hitting all those posts early on last year? They should’ve produced even more.

Last year they were a dominant line.

This year it’s just Eichel being dominant
- sbroads24

jack had a 4 or 5 game streak when he must have hit the pipe a dozen times



CLANK