Agreed, but that means taking calculated risks, one where the numbers show legit upside. I don't think we're there yet with olofsson. We might be there with Jokiharju.
- Michael Ghofrani

I'd love to see an article that breaks out players who fit the parameters above, league wide, as I'm generally curious how many players qualify for that description.

I still dont see what the upside is in waiting and providing a bridge deal. Best case scenario, he outperforms the deal and then you pay him more at the end and you have 2 Skinner contracts
- jcragcrumple

I don't see the problem with two Skinner contracts. if they stop playing this style of hockey and dont put him with a winger for a centre he probably earns far more of his current deal.

I'd love to see an article that breaks out players who fit the parameters above, league wide, as I'm generally curious how many players qualify for that description.
- kingcong39

Id say there's at least one candidate per team, its just not always the name you expect. and the degree of upside probably varies too if that makes sense.

Why are we downplaying Olofsson now?

Referring to shooting percentage, not total goals.
- Michael Ghofrani

Yes, but he only scored one goal, which means he didn't take very many shots. If it was another guy around 10 PPG, then that's a fair comparison.

Yes, but he only scored one goal, which means he didn't take very many shots. If it was another guy around 10 PPG, then that's a fair comparison.
- Wetbandit1

I have him at 28 shots to olofsson's 42


Nope, that's Gurianov. you were right thats my bad.

So, Olofsson had a better SH% on the PP than Eichel, McDavid, Matthews, MacKinnon, Ovechkin, Horvat, Bergeron, Scheifele, Stamkos, and Kessler. So that's just a bit better than "Filppula's was higher". Talk about making the numbers say what you want them to. Matthews and MacKinnon had one more PPG, and Eichel, McDavid, and Bergeron had the same amount of PPG. Stamkos and Scheifele had one less; Phil the Thrill had 2 less.

Edit: Numbers per Natural Stat Trick

So, Olofsson had a better SH% on the PP than Eichel, McDavid, Matthews, MacKinnon, Ovechkin, Horvat, Bergeron, Scheifele, Stamkos, and Kessler. So that's just a bit better than "Filppula's was higher". Talk about making the numbers say what you want them to. Matthews and MacKinnon had one more PPG, and Eichel, McDavid, and Bergeron had the same amount of PPG. Stamkos and Scheifele had one less; Phil the Thrill had 2 less.

Edit: Numbers per Natural Stat Trick
- Wetbandit1

I just read it incorrectly

So, Olofsson had a better SH% on the PP than Eichel, McDavid, Matthews, MacKinnon, Ovechkin, Horvat, Bergeron, Scheifele, Stamkos, and Kessler. So that's just a bit better than "Filppula's was higher". Talk about making the numbers say what you want them to. Matthews and MacKinnon had one more PPG, and Eichel, McDavid, and Bergeron had the same amount of PPG. Stamkos and Scheifele had one less; Phil the Thrill had 2 less.

Edit: Numbers per Natural Stat Trick
- Wetbandit1

How many games did he miss as well which would have no doubt upped his even strength and PP goals? He is a pretty decent passer which separates him from Skinner as a player, also can sort of play the 200 fit game as a rookie. That is some money in his pocket as well.

Interesting back read centering on Olofsson, whether to bridge him or offer a long-term contract now. The difference between the 2 paths is the risk of overpaying now on a longterm deal or paying a higher AVV later after the bridge contract.

He scored
-20 G's with 11 on PP and 9 at EV ... pretty good split I'd say
-20 A's with 4 on the PP and 16 at EV
-40 Pts with 15 on PP and 25 at EV
He produces at EV, not sure why that has been called into question

He has produced in 2 other professional leagues, and again now in his 1st year in the NHL
He is 24 and is pretty consistent player
He looks like a 25/25/50 type player
There is no need to bridge him IMO. The trendline and logic says his contract is only going to go up.
5x$4.5 -> $5.0m

It's been beaten to death, but the best move...the imperative move for the Sabres to take the next step is to find that 2C. Period.
If Botts, or hopefully the New GM doesn't acquire a suitable player there, it is a blunder of epic proportions. A fireable offense.

It's been beaten to death, but the best move...the imperative move for the Sabres to take the next step is to find that 2C. Period.
If Botts, or hopefully the New GM doesn't acquire a suitable player there, it is a blunder of epic proportions. A fireable offense.
- IonSabres

Pray to the lotto gods.

We very well might be drafting another option this year.

How many games did he miss as well which would have no doubt upped his even strength and PP goals? He is a pretty decent passer which separates him from Skinner as a player, also can sort of play the 200 fit game as a rookie. That is some money in his pocket as well.
- GilPerreault11

Olofsson is a special teams weapon that is an average 5v5 player. Olofsson and Kahun would realistically make up 2/3 of a good third line if they throw a defensively responsible Center between the two.

Imo, armia turned in to a good 3rd liner, and will continue as such as long as he stays relatively motivated...as for roslovic?...i don't understand the love for a guy that looks like a good 4th liner
- Michael Pachla

Roslovic is buried behind Wheeler and Laine on the RW depth chart and does not get any PP minutes.

So is he really a good 4th liner ? Or a victim of circumstance ?

Pray to the lotto gods.

We very well might be drafting another option this year.
- Pegullaville

Great! Seriously, I'm all for it.
Now, how about for the next 2 - 3 years...need someone.
Cozens looks GREAT playing against 16 & 17 year olds...can't rely on him like the mistake they made with Mitts. If he proves to be the guy in 2 years...TERRIFIC, trade the other guy. No lose scenario.

I don't see the problem with two Skinner contracts. if they stop playing this style of hockey and dont put him with a winger for a centre he probably earns far more of his current deal.
- Michael Ghofrani

I see the problem with one skinner contract never mind two.

Spend the money down the middle and on the defence. Then try and find value wingers that are able to put their stick on the ice in the slot. It’s really not rocket science.

Interesting back read centering on Olofsson, whether to bridge him or offer a long-term contract now. The difference between the 2 paths is the risk of overpaying now on a longterm deal or paying a higher AVV later after the bridge contract.

He scored
-20 G's with 11 on PP and 9 at EV ... pretty good split I'd say
-20 A's with 4 on the PP and 16 at EV
-40 Pts with 15 on PP and 25 at EV
He produces at EV, not sure why that has been called into question

He has produced in 2 other professional leagues, and again now in his 1st year in the NHL
He is 24 and is pretty consistent player
He looks like a 25/25/50 type player
There is no need to bridge him IMO. The trendline and logic says his contract is only going to go up.
5x$4.5 -> $5.0m
- IonSabres

Totally agree. He produces while playing with pace and while also playing with Johansson as his center.

Salary and term here is also spot on

Great! Seriously, I'm all for it.
Now, how about for the next 2 - 3 years...need someone.
Cozens looks GREAT playing against 16 & 17 year olds...can't rely on him like the mistake they made with Mitts. If he proves to be the guy in 2 years...TERRIFIC, trade the other guy. No lose scenario.
- IonSabres

Cozens should start off on the wing then move to Center once he is comfortable.

Getting Byfield would be an absolute game changer for this franchise.

However just selecting anyone of the forwards that would be available to us at 7-8 would be great for the long term.

Botts definitely needs to make a move for the short term though, I don’t disagree with that.

I see the problem with one skinner contract never mind two.

Spend the money down the middle and on the defence. Then try and find value wingers that are able to put their stick on the ice in the slot. It’s really not rocket science.
- Pegullaville

If the League and Players Assoc agree to two (2) Compliance Buyouts as a way to combat a low Cap Ceiling it would be perfect for the Sabres. I'd do both Skinner and Okposso.
I like Skinner, I do, but LW is the easiest and least costly position to re-stock. Likely, they won't get his production in the high-years, but won't be squirming at $9m in the low-years...he has proven to by cyclical in that regard.

Totally agree. He produces while playing with pace and while also playing with Johansson as his center.

Salary and term here is also spot on
- Michael Pachla

Thanks.

Now, I'd also look to trade Reinhart if his contract is anything higher than $7.25 per and over 6 years. Could he be a guy to pull in a veteran, stay at home, defensive RhDman to pair with Dahlin?
Yup, then trade Risto and Montour...Joker is my 2nd pairing RhD.

Bold, controversial moves for sure.

Thanks.

Now, I'd also look to trade Reinhart if his contract is anything higher than $7.25 per and over 6 years. Could he be a guy to pull in a veteran, stay at home, defensive RhDman to pair with Dahlin?
Yup, then trade Risto and Montour...Joker is my 2nd pairing RhD.

Bold, controversial moves for sure.
- IonSabres

Nobody successful ever got anywhere by agreeing with the majority and only making popular moves.

The difference between Skinner and Reinhart for me though is that we’d be paying for Reinhart’s prime and he should come in around $7M which is fine as I believe he would do better on his own line and be able to produce.

We paid Skinner for numbers he’ll never touch again and most of those years will be past his prime.

His skillset is radically different from Okposo. Okposo's claim to fame was having elite bigness and playing with Tavares. Olofsson has a top-10% NHL shot.

If you don't value PP goal production, by all means, trade him as part of a package for a center, but bridging him is a huge mistake because any NHL coach on the flat plane of earth is going to play him on PP1 and set him up for 20-30 goals a year. That costs cash. Better to pay him some cash now than all the cash later
- jcragcrumple

Are we all going to ignore that jcrag is a flat earther?

I think a lot of what is being missed is the time Olofsson took to adjust to the NHL and playing with new linemates. 1 EV goal in his first 22 games and 8 in the next 32. This includes a dry spell of only 1 goal in 10 games after returning from injury.
The 32 games after a slow start at EV strength he is shooting around 15% EV strength and about .25 gpg.
This would equate to about 20 EV goals and add anywhere from 10-20 PP goals and you're looking at a 30-40 goal scorer who is also contributing with assists (he has as many EV assists this year that Skinner has in the last 3 seasons combined.)
If they bridge him at $4m a year or less that's fine, but he could turn into a $7-9m player on his next deal. If they can get him on a deal like Tuch, 7yrs $4.75m, I think that would be ideal.

Roslovic is buried behind Wheeler and Laine on the RW depth chart and does not get any PP minutes.

So is he really a good 4th liner ? Or a victim of circumstance ?
- Pegullaville

From what I've seen, a good 4th liner. Perhaps could have used bottom six forward

Thanks.

Now, I'd also look to trade Reinhart if his contract is anything higher than $7.25 per and over 6 years. Could he be a guy to pull in a veteran, stay at home, defensive RhDman to pair with Dahlin?
Yup, then trade Risto and Montour...Joker is my 2nd pairing RhD.

Bold, controversial moves for sure.
- IonSabres

I love Reinhart's production. Pace seems to be a struggle for him.