Ryan Johansen is pretty bad he definitely has Motivational issues and is not a player that goes into battle ...

But if we get Tolvanen its a totally win
- gerbe75pts

Ryan Johansen though is a massive upgrade to Marcus Johansson. If he’s lazy or not.

Reinhart and Calle Jarnkrok as balancing pieces?

Mitts, Reinhart, Okposo for RyJo, Jarnkrok and Tolvanen?
- jcragcrumple

Jarnkrok is a LW, and he would be a nice get at his cap hit for 2 more years, assuming you're moving Olofsson to RW, but why would Nashville have any interest in Okposo?

So it sounds like Nashville might blow it up, people calling for Bonino might get there wish.
- Buff36

❤️❤️❤️
He’s only got 1 year left, so it does kinda make sense for them to move him
An Asplund or Tage type player &/or a pick is what i think they’d be looking for

Ryan Johansen though is a massive upgrade to Marcus Johansson. If he’s lazy or not.
- Sabretooth9

Talent wise, of course
Problem is that he shows his talent so inconsistently bc of his effort/attitude

Regardless of how talented he is...
the last thing we need is an $8mil “passenger”
His contract makes him way too much of a risk imo

Jarnkrok is a LW, and he would be a nice get at his cap hit for 2 more years, assuming you're moving Olofsson to RW, but why would Nashville have any interest in Okposo?
- kingcong39

I don't think they'd have any interest in him unless the Sabres bribed them with a sweet prospect or draft pick in the deal

Jarnkrok is a LW, and he would be a nice get at his cap hit for 2 more years, assuming you're moving Olofsson to RW, but why would Nashville have any interest in Okposo?
- kingcong39

They wouldn't. But if they're rebuilding and going younger, Maybe Mittelstadt and reinhart would be enticing enough to make it happen.

Some celery has to go their way. If Mittlestadt was the key piece they wanted, then the simplest deal would probably be Mitts + Risto for Ryjo and a prospect. I would only include Reinhart if we're dumping Okposo

They wouldn't. But if they're rebuilding and going younger, Maybe Mittelstadt and reinhart would be enticing enough to make it happen.

Some celery has to go their way. If Mittlestadt was the key piece they wanted, then the simplest deal would probably be Mitts + Risto for Ryjo and a prospect. I would only include Reinhart if we're dumping Okposo
- jcragcrumple

Salary would definitely have to go back and the Sabres are trying to deal D. Does Nashville need D yet, I haven't paid attention to them in a while.

Salary would definitely have to go back and the Sabres are trying to deal D. Does Nashville need D yet, I haven't paid attention to them in a while.
- GilPerreault11

I read an article this morning saying that they only have 3 D who aren't complete trash in their own zone. Risto doesn't really help them in that regard but maybe they don't know that 🤫

Talent wise, of course
Problem is that he shows his talent so inconsistently bc of his effort/attitude

Regardless of how talented he is...
the last thing we need is an $8mil “passenger”
His contract makes him way too much of a risk imo
- jdfitz77

That is a fair point ..... but how many other 2cs are available?

I read an article this morning saying that they only have 3 D who aren't complete trash in their own zone. Risto doesn't really help them in that regard but maybe they don't know that 🤫
- jcragcrumple

Montour and his 5+ million could be in the deal, not to mention Ralph likes Risto.

Montour and his 5+ million could be in the deal, not to mentor Ralph likes Risto.
- GilPerreault11

So Montour and Mitts for Ryjo and a prospect?

Sign me up.

What about Tolvanen's 36 goals in his 121 AHL games the past 2 years indicates he's a sniper?

Olofsson had 30 in 66 in his first AHL season. Tolvanen has 6 more goals in 55 more games.
- kingcong39

He always been know as a sniper I remember when drafted he should of been a top 15 pick then Nashville for some reason didn't want to play him but he's fully developed now

If the Sabres have the opportunity to trade for him, I think they'd be nuts not to.
Risto straight up?
Montour for Josh Anderson.
Sam + in a package for a suitable 2C
Draft Rossi or Holtz.

I wonder if UFA's like DeMelo and Dillon would then look at the Sabres as serious contenders and consider making the jump
- IonSabres

Right now... doubt it
After a couple trades like above? Maybe

I suppose that’s what we’ve gotta hope for this offseason
Problem is...
if we make those trades & cant get the UFA defensemen to sign as replacements,
then our defense just got dangerously thin...
especially if there’s an injury or 2
It’s pretty risky

Salary would definitely have to go back and the Sabres are trying to deal D. Does Nashville need D yet, I haven't paid attention to them in a while.
- GilPerreault11

They've got $19M committed to Ellis, Josi, and Ekholm starting next year as their core 3.

Maybe we could dump Skinner on them for Johanson if they want a supposed goal scorer and we have the Twitter analytical crew invited on the call and sell their GM on his undoubted rebound and his impact with his shots. RJ makes 8 million, Skinner 9, we could eat 1 million of his salary until the 40 goal scorer hits 40 again and then we don't eat anymore.
- GilPerreault11

He averages 30 goals per 82 games and over the past 3 years, which includes a career worst season, he’s 11th in 5 on 5 goals.

Yeah, I’m sure we’d need to really do a ton of convincing for them to give us the 36 point 8 mil center

That is a fair point ..... but how many other 2cs are available?
- Sabretooth9

Idk...
but there’s an argument to be made that it’s better to bring in a “”3C” who u know is good & plays the right way, than a bad contract that we’ll be regretting for 6years
Especially bc we have Cozens who we all think will be a “2C” guy, and likely sooner than later

Montour and his 5+ million could be in the deal, not to mention Ralph likes Risto.
- GilPerreault11

There's also the expansion draft factor.

Nashville will be protecting all three of Ellis, Josi, and Ekholm.

Would they protect Ristolainen or Montour as well? Doubtful.

Also, I could care less if the coach likes Ristolainen. Not every coach or GM has a 100% great opinion on every player.

So Montour and Mitts for Ryjo and a prospect?

Sign me up.
- jcragcrumple

🤮🤮🤮 horrific idea

RyJo at half price.... then I’d consider
If he doesn’t work we’d be stuck with another Okposo contract
Way too risky at 8mil per

He always been know as a sniper I remember when drafted he should of been a top 15 pick then Nashville for some reason didn't want to play him but he's fully developed now
- gerbe75pts

Being known as a sniper and actually being a sniper are different, no?

There's also the expansion draft factor.

Nashville will be protecting all three of Ellis, Josi, and Ekholm.

Would they protect Ristolainen or Montour as well? Doubtful.

Also, I could care less if the coach likes Ristolainen. Not every coach or GM has a 100% great opinion on every player.
- kingcong39

Every coach we’ve had has liked him. Every coach we’ve had has sucked.

Coincidence?

🤮🤮🤮 horrific idea

RyJo at half price.... then I’d consider
If he doesn’t work we’d be stuck with another Okposo contract
Way too risky at 8mil per
- jdfitz77

In addition to everything that's been said, there's also the draft factor. If Marco Rossi falls to the Sabres, him combined with Cozens really makes the need for a Center a short term need, ideally.

2 quick takes on the Ryan Johansen bashing

take 1, they play a defensive first game and their first line players put up second line numbers due to this. Look at the team numbers over the years. There is a reason why Josi led them in scoring, by a mile.

take 2 Johanson is durable, a true play making center and even in this defense first system, put up 249 points in 351 games with the preds

🤮🤮🤮 horrific idea

RyJo at half price.... then I’d consider
If he doesn’t work we’d be stuck with another Okposo contract
Way too risky at 8mil per
- jdfitz77

A horrific idea is doing nothing to lift the burden off Cozens for next year

In addition to everything that's been said, there's also the draft factor. If Marco Rossi falls to the Sabres, him combined with Cozens really makes the need for a Center a short term need, ideally.
- kingcong39

Johansen would be a very underwhelming big addition

Every coach we’ve had has liked him. Every coach we’ve had has sucked.

Coincidence?
- sbroads24

Not one bit.

Look at Sullivan constantly playing Jack Johnson.

Every coach has a player or two that stink that they just seem to love playing despite those players sucking.

As a GM, you have to take away players like that from coaches ASAP.