Would be nice to just bring back Johan Larsson himself.

I think he would be more universally liked if our 2nd line did it’s job and scored goals.
- Pegullaville

It's a two-way street and almost everyone assumes he wants out of here.

Also, he should take some responsibility for the PK being last in the league so letting him go and finding someone who kills penalties better and might score a bit more would be a plus and we would shed no tears.

Him and pomms made up a good duo a few years ago in Minn.
- Buff36

Yeah, that was 2017-2018.

He was 33 then. He'll be 36 in a month.

NO


One important caveat to that statement however, is the fact that he’s almost exclusively served in offensively-tilted zone-deployments rates throughout the entirety of his career. For that reason, the Sabres will likely need to find another defensively competent centerman to handle the lion’s share of defensive zone draws, similar to the way Johan Larsson did from 2018-20.

From a special teams standpoint, don’t expect Staal to make a very big impact. He doesn’t really play on the penalty kill, and his power-play contributions are historically unspectacular for a player of his ability. In 357 minutes on the man-advantage this season, he did cause a minor xGF increase for the Wild, but his unit still produced at a 10-percent lower xGF clip than the league average.

https://www.diebytheblade...zing-the-eric-staal-trade
- GilPerreault11

Eric's mediocre PP numbers are related to his style of play. He's not really an accuracy guy. Historically he's gotten his goals on volume.

Eric's mediocre PP numbers are related to his style of play. He's not really an accuracy guy. Historically he's gotten his goals on volume.
- BINGO!

Stick him in the upper slot and let him clear up the garbage or allow him to be a one timer option from a down low play from Reinhart.

The PP should be carried by Dahlin and Eichel regardless with Olofsson teeing off. Should allow for Reinhart and Staal to get good looks.

Disco Dan Bylsma used him like that with Evander Kane occasionally
- jcragcrumple

Ralph did similar last season.

Yeah, that was 2017-2018.

He was 33 then. He'll be 36 in a month.
- BINGO!

AKA He was old then and he's still old now?

McCaffrey done ...

McCaffrey done ...
- GERBE!!!75PTS

49ers lost half of their team.

Barkley is done too.

McCaffrey done ...
- GERBE!!!75PTS

for 4-6 weeks done, you mean?

for 4-6 weeks done, you mean?
- sbroads24

By gerbe standards, his post was 102% accurate

By normal standards, it was -redacted- misleading.

The NHL staff at The Athletic did a mock draft, here it is up to the Sabres

1. New York Rangers: Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimousk-QMJHL
Rick Carpiniello: The Rangers need more top-line talent, and Lafreniere is all of that. He might not play on the first line right off the bat in 2020-21, but he will soon thereafter. They also love that, while he’s not considered a talent on the level of a Conor McDavid, he’s not far behind. He also has a knack for getting in on the forecheck and being hard to play against, both of which were scarce in the Rangers’ three-and-out qualifying series against Carolina. Lafreniere instantly becomes a cornerstone for a 2 1/2 year rebuild that is still ongoing but should soon start to show dividends.

2. Los Angeles: Tim Stutzle, C, Mannheim-DEL
Lisa Dillman: It was a far simpler time, 2019. In various mock drafts, I had my pick and actually stuck with it – defenseman Bowen Byram, who went to Colorado at No. 4. There was no waffling. This is all a prelude to a shift to Stutzle from Quinton Byfield. Stutzle would give the Kings something they desperately need: a creative offensive touch and versatility, the ability to play in the middle and left wing. The projections have him ready to play in the NHL sooner than Byfield. While the Kings have the luxury of time, they don’t have years and years of it.

3. Ottawa: Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury-OHL
Hailey Salvian: Byfield “falling” to No. 3 is a great scenario for the Senators. A true No. 1 center is one of the hardest things to find, and also one of the Senators’ biggest needs if they are going to become a contender. Byfield, a big, versatile and skilled center, is exactly what the Senators need.

4. Detroit: Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw-OHL
Max Bultman: The Red Wings need everything, and at this spot in the draft they’ll have the ability to go in a number of directions. But Perfetti, with his widely praised hockey smarts and puck skills, would check a number of boxes for Detroit. He can run the Red Wings’ future power play. He can score. He can make plays. And if he ends up being able to do all of that from the center position, it’ll be all the better.

5. Ottawa: Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda-SHL
Hailey Salvian: This is a difficult pick for me to make, considering Jamie Drysdale is available and he projects to be a top-pairing defenseman. He’s tough to pass on. But the Senators need more elite forwards, and Raymond could bring that to the table. Coaches I’ve spoken to have raved about his creativity with the puck, his elite skills and his playmaking ability. The Senators have some solid prospects in their pipeline, but Raymond would bring a dynamic skillset to the team. And he’s shown that he can step up in big games, like he did when he notched a hat trick in the U18 worlds gold medal game. He could be a future first-line winger and could help the Sens a lot moving forward.

6. Anaheim: Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie-OHL
Eric Stephens: I’m not going to lie, I’ve largely gone between Drysdale and Marco Rossi. I think the Ducks will do well with either. It’s basically deciding between a defenseman pegged to fit within a team’s top four, if not its top pair; and a center (or future wing) who just makes play after play and could be in the NHL next season. Virtually every team says it goes for the best player available with its top pick, and Anaheim is no different. Sure, Rossi is tough to pass on and Alexander Holtz might be the sniper on the wing they need. But the Ducks are counting on Sam Steel to take a larger step next season and have Trevor Zegras waiting in the wings. Troy Terry wants to be a big-time offensive performer. They’ve got no defense prospects that have 40- to 50-point potential. None. And Drysdale is right-handed. He might not become a star, but how do you pass on putting that on your future blue line if it isn’t already there?

7. New Jersey: Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa-OHL
Corey Masisak: The Devils have needs at every position, though Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes and Pavel Zacha make center the place where they are strongest. Above all, New Jersey needs another impact player or two from this draft and has three first-round selections to make that happen. Whether Rossi ultimately ends up at center or on the wing, he has the chance to become a core player next to or behind Hischier and Hughes. The Devils do have a couple of interesting connections to Jake Sanderson, so it shouldn’t be a big surprise if they went in that direction instead. If they do like Sanderson or Rossi’s teammate, Jack Quinn, exploring what Tom Fitzgerald could add for moving back a few spots would make sense, as well.

8. Buffalo: Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden-SHL
John Vogl: The Swedish right winger checks every box on the Sabres’ needs list, both now and down the road. In a defense-heavy organization, Holtz would slot behind only Dylan Cozens among Buffalo’s forward prospects. The goal-scoring sniper also fills a hole down the right side. Sam Reinhart is the only 20-goal scorer at right wing in Buffalo or Rochester, so Holtz could immediately compete for a top-six role whenever he makes the move to North America.

for 4-6 weeks done, you mean?
- sbroads24

He's basically dead

He's basically dead
- jcragcrumple

Yeah he got in a car accident and his arm was amputated. Out 8-10 weeks.

The NHL staff at The Athletic did a mock draft, here it is up to the Sabres

1. New York Rangers: Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimousk-QMJHL
Rick Carpiniello: The Rangers need more top-line talent, and Lafreniere is all of that. He might not play on the first line right off the bat in 2020-21, but he will soon thereafter. They also love that, while he’s not considered a talent on the level of a Conor McDavid, he’s not far behind. He also has a knack for getting in on the forecheck and being hard to play against, both of which were scarce in the Rangers’ three-and-out qualifying series against Carolina. Lafreniere instantly becomes a cornerstone for a 2 1/2 year rebuild that is still ongoing but should soon start to show dividends.

2. Los Angeles: Tim Stutzle, C, Mannheim-DEL
Lisa Dillman: It was a far simpler time, 2019. In various mock drafts, I had my pick and actually stuck with it – defenseman Bowen Byram, who went to Colorado at No. 4. There was no waffling. This is all a prelude to a shift to Stutzle from Quinton Byfield. Stutzle would give the Kings something they desperately need: a creative offensive touch and versatility, the ability to play in the middle and left wing. The projections have him ready to play in the NHL sooner than Byfield. While the Kings have the luxury of time, they don’t have years and years of it.

3. Ottawa: Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury-OHL
Hailey Salvian: Byfield “falling” to No. 3 is a great scenario for the Senators. A true No. 1 center is one of the hardest things to find, and also one of the Senators’ biggest needs if they are going to become a contender. Byfield, a big, versatile and skilled center, is exactly what the Senators need.

4. Detroit: Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw-OHL
Max Bultman: The Red Wings need everything, and at this spot in the draft they’ll have the ability to go in a number of directions. But Perfetti, with his widely praised hockey smarts and puck skills, would check a number of boxes for Detroit. He can run the Red Wings’ future power play. He can score. He can make plays. And if he ends up being able to do all of that from the center position, it’ll be all the better.

5. Ottawa: Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda-SHL
Hailey Salvian: This is a difficult pick for me to make, considering Jamie Drysdale is available and he projects to be a top-pairing defenseman. He’s tough to pass on. But the Senators need more elite forwards, and Raymond could bring that to the table. Coaches I’ve spoken to have raved about his creativity with the puck, his elite skills and his playmaking ability. The Senators have some solid prospects in their pipeline, but Raymond would bring a dynamic skillset to the team. And he’s shown that he can step up in big games, like he did when he notched a hat trick in the U18 worlds gold medal game. He could be a future first-line winger and could help the Sens a lot moving forward.

6. Anaheim: Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie-OHL
Eric Stephens: I’m not going to lie, I’ve largely gone between Drysdale and Marco Rossi. I think the Ducks will do well with either. It’s basically deciding between a defenseman pegged to fit within a team’s top four, if not its top pair; and a center (or future wing) who just makes play after play and could be in the NHL next season. Virtually every team says it goes for the best player available with its top pick, and Anaheim is no different. Sure, Rossi is tough to pass on and Alexander Holtz might be the sniper on the wing they need. But the Ducks are counting on Sam Steel to take a larger step next season and have Trevor Zegras waiting in the wings. Troy Terry wants to be a big-time offensive performer. They’ve got no defense prospects that have 40- to 50-point potential. None. And Drysdale is right-handed. He might not become a star, but how do you pass on putting that on your future blue line if it isn’t already there?

7. New Jersey: Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa-OHL
Corey Masisak: The Devils have needs at every position, though Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes and Pavel Zacha make center the place where they are strongest. Above all, New Jersey needs another impact player or two from this draft and has three first-round selections to make that happen. Whether Rossi ultimately ends up at center or on the wing, he has the chance to become a core player next to or behind Hischier and Hughes. The Devils do have a couple of interesting connections to Jake Sanderson, so it shouldn’t be a big surprise if they went in that direction instead. If they do like Sanderson or Rossi’s teammate, Jack Quinn, exploring what Tom Fitzgerald could add for moving back a few spots would make sense, as well.

8. Buffalo: Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden-SHL
John Vogl: The Swedish right winger checks every box on the Sabres’ needs list, both now and down the road. In a defense-heavy organization, Holtz would slot behind only Dylan Cozens among Buffalo’s forward prospects. The goal-scoring sniper also fills a hole down the right side. Sam Reinhart is the only 20-goal scorer at right wing in Buffalo or Rochester, so Holtz could immediately compete for a top-six role whenever he makes the move to North America.
- Leninthebuff

If the draft fell like this I’d personally take Lundell

*Hides*

Have to Hope Sanderson's stock continues to rise and that NJD decides he's their guy.
Sabres would then have their choice of Rossi or Holtz, and not another Dman.

If the draft fell like this I’d personally take Lundell

*Hides*
- Pegullaville

Jarvis would be interesting, stock seems to be rising lately

Jarvis would be interesting, stock seems to be rising lately
- IonSabres

He’s a good player.

Had very good numbers in the WHL this year.

If the draft fell like this I’d personally take Lundell

*Hides*
- Pegullaville

You better F@cking Hide!!! just kidding, that would be a tough one. We could really use either, and C are really harder to get or find.

You better F@cking Hide!!! just kidding, that would be a tough one. We could really use either, and C are really harder to get or find.
- Buff36

Well let’s say Cozens ends up being what we think he can be as the 2C.

Lundell would make a hell of a 2B option.

Could roll 3 lines and have the 4th line play no more then 7 Minutes a night.

Eichel-Cozens-Lundell down the middle would solve a lot of issues.

He’s a good player.

Had very good numbers in the WHL this year.
- Pegullaville

Man really sucks with Sutton and Lock, bad luck.

Man really sucks with Sutton and Lock, bad luck.
- Buff36

Black Sunday hit hard.

Well let’s say Cozens ends up being what we think he can be as the 2C.

Lundell would make a hell of a 2B option.

Could roll 3 lines and have the 4th line play no more then 7 Minutes a night.

Eichel-Cozens-Lundell down the middle would solve a lot of issues.
- Pegullaville

Yes it would, but on the other end, Holtz could give us a very strong top 6
Olofsson Eichel Rhino
Skinner Cozens Holtz

Well let’s say Cozens ends up being what we think he can be as the 2C.

Lundell would make a hell of a 2B option.

Could roll 3 lines and have the 4th line play no more then 7 Minutes a night.

Eichel-Cozens-Lundell down the middle would solve a lot of issues.
- Pegullaville

In fairness, it always looks good if guys hit their potential. Can probably skip the center pick then because Mitts still has a 2nd line potential NHLe score.

That being said, BPA all the way. If they think that's Lundell, go for it. Right? We're not ready to be picking based on need are we?

Man really sucks with Sutton and Lock, bad luck.
- Buff36

Injuries are apart of the game.

This was the year to really evaluate Lock and see if he could be the man moving forward.

Looks like he’ll be able to return in a few weeks but there is a 10% chance at the playoffs at best.

Black Sunday hit hard.
- TheSabresTaco

For a lot of Teams, a lot of bad injuries too, well not that any injury is good.