I would grab James Neal if the Oilers buy him out.
- SABRES 89

Now that I would agree with you on. He would definitely fit somewhere in the top nine and could be a guy that would go up and down in the lineup where needed.

Given his bonus is already paid, and Botterill isn't here anymore, and the mandate to be "leaner" in cash spending, I wonder if Okposo could be bought out.
- buffalofan19

Buying out Okposo right now is not a good idea.

https://www.capfriendly.c...ut-calculator/kyle-okposo

20-21 Cap Hit: $4M - Savings $2M
21-22 Cap Hit: $5M - Savings $1M
22-23 Cap Hit: $3M - Savings $3M
23-24 Cap Hit: $1M - No Savings
24-25 Cap Hit: $1M - No Savings
25-26 Cap Hit: $1M - No Savings

Buying out Okposo right now is not a good idea.

https://www.capfriendly.c...ut-calculator/kyle-okposo

20-21 Cap Hit: $4M - Savings $2M
21-22 Cap Hit: $5M - Savings $1M
22-23 Cap Hit: $3M - Savings $3M
23-24 Cap Hit: $1M - No Savings
24-25 Cap Hit: $1M - No Savings
25-26 Cap Hit: $1M - No Savings
- kingcong39

Whether it's this year or next they need to get him off the books. It's embarrassing how teams can get out of these deals but the Sabres can never figure it out

Whether it's this year or next they need to get him off the books. It's embarrassing how teams can get out of these deals but the Sabres can never figure it out
- sbroads24

Berglund, Hunwick, Klesla all disagree

Perhaps we shouldn't either... I'm pretty sure that we got absolutely demolished because of stupid contract stipulations on a certain player in StL now.
- SDSabre

Pietrangelo is a top 5 defenseman in the league.

Whether it's this year or next they need to get him off the books. It's embarrassing how teams can get out of these deals but the Sabres can never figure it out
- sbroads24

After this year, the real money left ($8m) is less than the total cap hit ($12m). With the economics being a dumpster fire, I think the Pegulas will keep that contract around. There are two outcomes as I see it: either he gets knocked out one too many times and finally decides it's not worth it, or he rides out his career here, maybe getting waived in the final year a la Matt Moulson

Pietrangelo is a top 5 defenseman in the league.
- kingcong39

For how long? He's 30, about to be 31, and has been ridden pretty hard by StL. Not denying his talent, but for the people who hated Skinners contract, at least that will end when he's 34. Pietrangelo's will end when he's 38.

Whether it's this year or next they need to get him off the books. It's embarrassing how teams can get out of these deals but the Sabres can never figure it out
- sbroads24

After next season makes a bit more sense, but still doesn't save much money for next season.

21-22 Cap Hit: $5M - Savings $1M
22-23 Cap Hit: $3M - Savings $3M
23-24 Cap Hit: $1M - No Savings
24-25 Cap Hit: $1M - No Savings

After this year, the real money left ($8m) is less than the total cap hit ($12m). With the economics being a dumpster fire, I think the Pegulas will keep that contract around. There are two outcomes as I see it: either he gets knocked out one too many times and finally decides it's not worth it, or he rides out his career here, maybe getting waived in the final year a la Matt Moulson
- jcragcrumple

Thus taking away a roster spot from a different player who can actually play in the modern NHL and help our team win...someone young, fast and cheap. Buying him out is more about the team on the ice than the money imo, and about keeping the player himself from ending up like Mr. Potato Head after the next nasty hit.

Thus taking away a roster spot from a different player who can actually play in the modern NHL and help our team win...someone young, fast and cheap. Buying him out is more about the team on the ice than the money imo, and about keeping the player himself from ending up like Mr. Potato Head after the next nasty hit.
- LandlordTom

Okposo lives in Buffalo year round and was part of the royal blue jersey unveiling. I wouldnt get my hopes up for any kind of movement. He'll probably be flanking Larry Lazar for the next two seasons, barring injury

Okposo lives in Buffalo year round and was part of the royal blue jersey unveiling. I wouldnt get my hopes up for any kind of movement. He'll probably be flanking Larry Lazar for the next two seasons, barring injury
- jcragcrumple

He can fill in Matt Ellis's old position

Pietrangelo is a top 5 defenseman in the league.
- kingcong39

He’s also about to turn 31

He’s also about to turn 31
- jdfitz77

People seem to think we are 1 piece away... we are 1 piece at every position away

For how long? He's 30, about to be 31, and has been ridden pretty hard by StL. Not denying his talent, but for the people who hated Skinners contract, at least that will end when he's 34. Pietrangelo's will end when he's 38.
- SDSabre

https://theathletic.com/2...ource=user-shared-article

Do you have a subscription to The Athletic?

Dom L. did an analysis of the expected impact of Pietrangelo during the course of what would be an 8 year contract.

The result of the analysis was he would continue to be a high impact defenseman during the first 6 years of the deal. Years 7 and 8 are where the decline would take place.

cap-hit beginning this year for the next three years:

$4M
$5M
$3M

that's rough
- Michael Pachla

It's $6 million for the next 3 years if they don't.

I'm not suggesting they should do it, just wondering if they would. They would save cash by doing so.

https://theathletic.com/2059658/2020/09/22/nhl-agents-break-down-the-stalemate-between-the-blues-and-alex-pietrangelo/?source=user-shared-article

Do you have a subscription to The Athletic?

Dom L. did an analysis of the expected impact of Pietrangelo during the course of what would be an 8 year contract.

The result of the analysis was he would continue to be a high impact defenseman during the first 6 years of the deal. Years 7 and 8 are where the decline would take place.
- kingcong39

That's all well and good. Funny thing about numbers though, while they never lie, you can make them say whatever you want. Expected impact doesn't take into account: new team, different system, different home life due to new city, different expectations, wear and tear on a body that can't be predicted, new role on that team, level of stress brought on by the high demand of meeting expectations on that new contract. There's a chance he completely dominates throughout the life of the contract. There's also a chance it's an albatross by year 3. Pietrangelo doesn't make this team a cup contender, really one player alone doesn't. Seems silly to lock that up that long when that's not the case. IMO of course.

That's all well and good. Funny thing about numbers though, while they never lie, you can make them say whatever you want. Expected impact doesn't take into account: new team, different system, different home life due to new city, different expectations, wear and tear on a body that can't be predicted, new role on that team, level of stress brought on by the high demand of meeting expectations on that new contract. There's a chance he completely dominates throughout the life of the contract. There's also a chance it's an albatross by year 3. Pietrangelo doesn't make this team a cup contender, really one player alone doesn't. Seems silly to lock that up that long when that's not the case. IMO of course.
- SDSabre

The analysis takes into account the rising risk of injury due to age and minutes played, and 22 active players were used to create the comparable.

So no, the numbers weren't manipulated to make it say what the analyst wanted.

In fact, the analyst had been saying it would be a bad idea, until he actually did the analysis.

Grant McCagg
@grantmccagg
·
1h
Why are NHL scouts still reticent to pick a smaller player (under 5-10) in the top ten, or oft times even the first round? Looking at the scoring leaders in the NHL playoffs - there are two forwards listed under 5-10 in the top 75 scorers. There are exceptions - but still rare.

@grantmccagg
It looks like Marco Rossi will become the first player since Marcel Dionne drafted in the top ten who is under 5-9. I don't believe there are any players under 5-9 in the top 200 in playoff scoring. It gives you an idea of how highly regarded Rossi is..scouts love him.

Grant McCagg
@grantmccagg
·
1h
Why are NHL scouts still reticent to pick a smaller player (under 5-10) in the top ten, or oft times even the first round? Looking at the scoring leaders in the NHL playoffs - there are two forwards listed under 5-10 in the top 75 scorers. There are exceptions - but still rare.

@grantmccagg
It looks like Marco Rossi will become the first player since Marcel Dionne drafted in the top ten who is under 5-9. I don't believe there are any players under 5-9 in the top 200 in playoff scoring. It gives you an idea of how highly regarded Rossi is..scouts love him.
- GilPerreault11

Marco Rossi is listed everywhere at 5'9, and he weighs 180, or more at this point.

So he's not under 5'9, unless the listings are lies, but then again, is Brayden Point really 5'10? Is Yanni Gourde really 5'9? Who knows when comparing what players are listed to at to their actual, true height.

Bobby Ryan's getting bought out

The analysis takes into account the rising risk of injury due to age and minutes played, and 22 active players were used to create the comparable.

So no, the numbers weren't manipulated to make it say what the analyst wanted.

In fact, the analyst had been saying it would be a bad idea, until he actually did the analysis.
- kingcong39

You do realize you picked exactly one of my points that change how a player plays and thus throw out my entire argument right? Seems semi disingenuous. How about this one. Pietrangelo makes this team barely a playoff contender while absorbing 12% of the cap hit. He will undoubtedly take the defense from top 10 to top 5. And how are going to score more goals? What happens when Dahlin and Joki need contracts (rough totals being 12M on the low end?) Was this analysis done for the Sabres specifically, or Pietrangelo in general? That also matters. Will he make a team significantly better short to mid term? Yep. Will he turn THIS team into a cup contender? I have my doubts, and will constrict the ability to eventually do so down the road.

Grant McCagg
@grantmccagg
·
1h
Why are NHL scouts still reticent to pick a smaller player (under 5-10) in the top ten, or oft times even the first round? Looking at the scoring leaders in the NHL playoffs - there are two forwards listed under 5-10 in the top 75 scorers. There are exceptions - but still rare.

@grantmccagg
It looks like Marco Rossi will become the first player since Marcel Dionne drafted in the top ten who is under 5-9. I don't believe there are any players under 5-9 in the top 200 in playoff scoring. It gives you an idea of how highly regarded Rossi is..scouts love him.
- GilPerreault11

Rossi and Jarvis will be steals wherever they get picked.

Rossi is the 3rd or 4th best player in this draft class.

Marco Rossi is listed everywhere at 5'9, and he weighs 180, or more at this point.

So he's not under 5'9, unless the listings are lies, but then again, is Brayden Point really 5'10? Is Yanni Gourde really 5'9? Who knows when comparing what players are listed to at to their actual, true height.
- kingcong39

If Rossi is available, take him and don't think twice about it.

He's a young qb. What did you expect. He was the 3rd qb picked 2 years ago.

It takes time. He has played really well for 2 years now. Right under your nose.

How great has dahlin been? I do not agree that he has been great. But, everyone else agrees according to you.

Dahlin has been good. At best.

Look at makar, heskinen, hughes and hedman.

They are becoming great
- Boss34

You do realize Hedman was almost run out of town early on. He was a dumpster fire his 1st few yrs.

Pietrangelo is a top 5 defenseman in the league.
- kingcong39

If he was a couple years younger I could deal with a 7 yr. contract. He's got some tough miles on him.