Not this coming season, and likely not next.

Why not help Cozens properly develop by bringing in somebody who is very good?
- kingcong39

Yeah I get that. I guess by long term I meant 2-3 years down the road.

I think the smart thing to do would be to wait and see how Cozens does rather than pump money into a position that will likely become redundant.

If they get a competent 3C, then it stunts Cozens growth, or the 3C shifts to wing which may not be ideal either. If Conzens takes off, by next year he could then push Staal down to 3C.

All the above is even more relevant if the Sabres draft say Rossi or Lundell would could be ready for 3C the season after next.
- IonSabres

Will it though? Staal is a one year solution.

Another top 9 center + Cozens makes a great center spine of Eichel/Player X/Cozens.

That makes the need for a long term center even greater.

The Staal deal is a great trade in terms of value. I just think it’s one you make after exhausting all options for top 9 centers.

We will see what happens. I’m not writing it off I just think it’s doubtful they get one now.

I fear

Eichel
Staal
Cozens
Asplund
- sbroads24

Depends on who else they bring in. If they bring in a few wingers that can hold their own water it might not be too bad.

Depends on who else they bring in. If they bring in a few wingers that can hold their own water it might not be too bad.
- Pegullaville

They could yeah, I am just hoping this wasn’t the big move up front

Yeah I get that. I guess by long term I meant 2-3 years down the road.
- IndianaSabresFan

If Eichel played 2C in year 1,
Dach progressed from 3RW->3C->2C in year 1,
Point played 2C in year 2
Aho played 2C in year 2
Nick Suzuki progressed into 2C minutes in PO in year 1
...
Why can't we anticipate Cozens handling 3C in year 1 and certainly be a 2C by the end of year 2 into year 3?

If Eichel played 2C in year 1,
Dach progressed from 3RW->3C->2C in year 1,
Point played 2C in year 2
Aho played 2C in year 2
Nick Suzuki progressed into 2C minutes in PO in year 1
...
Why can't we anticipate Cozens handling 3C in year 1 and certainly be a 2C by the end of year 2 into year 3?
- IonSabres

Accidentally flagged when I went to hit the reply button.

I aee Cozens starting off on the wing but being able to handle 3C duties by the end of the year

If Eichel played 2C in year 1,
Dach progressed from 3RW->3C->2C in year 1,
Point played 2C in year 2
Aho played 2C in year 2
Nick Suzuki progressed into 2C minutes in PO in year 1
...
Why can't we anticipate Cozens handling 3C in year 1 and certainly be a 2C by the end of year 2 into year 3?
- IonSabres

I am of the opinion Cozens can handle it, I would like to see them take care of 2RW, 2LD and goalie.

Can you believe the audacity of that beady eyed pig to literally walk up to the stage and say all of 6 words, to then watch the player picked next take home the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay award a few years later.

Thank you GMTM your services will be missed
- Pegullaville

Where's Sam he should have 3 of those by now 😏

Looks to me that Adams has been sniffing around quite a few options. He's not done.
- Buff36

Obviously 'not trying to be an ass btw "

They have lots of work ahead

Friedman: Niklas Hjalmarsson refuses to waive NMC

Welp thats sad

Obviously 'not trying to be an ass btw "

They have lots of work ahead
- GERBE!!!75PTS

Yep

Kucherov must be on the Keto Diet with all these empty calorie PP assists

Shattenkirk has been Tampa’s 2nd best D man this playoffs He makes like a mil for them

Looks to me that Adams has been sniffing around quite a few options. He's not done.
- Buff36

Yeah, a lot of nhl media guys have said the Sabres are looking around

Friedman: Niklas Hjalmarsson refuses to waive NMC

Welp thats sad
- GERBE!!!75PTS

He’s old and sucks. Easy pass.

Obviously 'not trying to be an ass btw "

They have lots of work ahead
- GERBE!!!75PTS

Maybe I'm just over optimistic but with 2/3 of the league in cap hell I would think Adams should be able to acquire what the team needs and not overpay for it. Getting Staal cheap and even reduce the cap in the process is very important as he killed two birds in doing it.
Probably the hardest acquisition will be a decent goalie. LD should be rather easy I think whether it's by trade or free agency. 2RW is a must, after that the rest of the 4th line can be found on the unemployment line. I'd like to see Clifford as 4th line LW.

Friedman: Niklas Hjalmarsson refuses to waive NMC

Welp thats sad
- GERBE!!!75PTS

Now I’ve lost my bjustead AND my hammer. Who’s next on my most wanted list of the obscure and barely wanted...

Now I’ve lost my bjustead AND my hammer. Who’s next on my most wanted list of the obscure and barely wanted...
- Gr8daygo

Stepan

Stepan
- Pegullaville

That's a lot of celery for a 3rd line C

That's a lot of celery for a 3rd line C
- Powerslave

Key words were obscure and barely wanted

That's a lot of celery for a 3rd line C
- Powerslave

It is? He makes $2M in actual salary next season as his bonus was already paid.

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/derek-stepan

Stepan
- Pegullaville

As a 3C that is fine. Still don’t love him.

Garth.............I mean Mark Pino is at it again.

As a 3C that is fine. Still don’t love him.
- Sabretooth9

I could have sworn we already had a 6M bottom six guy.

Hmm.

Garth.............I mean Mark Pino is at it again.
- SABRES 89

MacKinnon for McCabe and a first?