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

Beat me to it

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.
- SDSabre

If adding Pietrangelo means saying goodbye to Ristolainen and Montour, that is a big win right there, and the salary would be the same when comparing Pietrangelo to the combined salary of Ristolainen and Montour.

I picked the one point that can be estimated, as you cannot estimate the other items you mentioned. You can only assign a make believe value to them, at best.

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

I responded to the guy on Twitter who seems to have inside knowledge that Rossi is actually shorter than his listed height of 5'9.

I responded to the guy on Twitter who seems to have inside knowledge that Rossi is actually shorter than his listed height of 5'9.
- kingcong39

I'm ok with it haha. He's a special talent and will make someone look smart imo.

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
- kingcong39

You're still talking a 5M cap hit with jack, Skinner Dahlin and probably skunk on the books for big chunks of change. Not to mention the 2C everyone is clamoring for.

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

All those items in bold that you listed are guesses at best.

As for different expectations and a new role: They would be the same as he's had with the Blues, which is to be the number 1 defenseman and drive play both offensively and defensively.

You're still talking a 5M cap hit with jack, Skinner Dahlin and probably skunk on the books for big chunks of change. Not to mention the 2C everyone is clamoring for.
- Michael Pachla

I wouldn't do it as I am not keen on having a $5M cap hit for literally nothing.

If adding Pietrangelo means saying goodbye to Ristolainen and Montour, that is a big win right there, and the salary would be the same when comparing Pietrangelo to the combined salary of Ristolainen and Montour.

I picked the one point that can be estimated, as you cannot estimate the other items you mentioned. You can only assign a make believe value to them, at best.
- kingcong39

Again, as much as people bag on those two.. We have a top 10 def right now. We haven't been able to score for upwards of how long now. Give me some Off talent. I think one of those two has to go regardless. If we got rid of both and got Pie, cool, but imo we shortened our window to win now and do it quickly. Because we're starting another rebuild in like 4/5 years with some real bad contracts on the books.

If adding Pietrangelo means saying goodbye to Ristolainen and Montour, that is a big win right there, and the salary would be the same when comparing Pietrangelo to the combined salary of Ristolainen and Montour.

I picked the one point that can be estimated, as you cannot estimate the other items you mentioned. You can only assign a make believe value to them, at best.
- kingcong39

Add Petro, trade Risto and Monty for forward help, sign DeMelo and Dillon.

Easy peezy. 😂

I wouldn't do it as I am not keen on having a $5M cap hit for literally nothing.
- kingcong39

Not to mention you could accomplish the same cap savings by waiving him and you'd still have the ability to recall him if needed

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.
- buffalofan19

I hear ya. But add in at least $1M for a fourth-liner who's not guaranteed to be better and it's basically a wash

All those items in bold that you listed are guesses at best.

As for different expectations and a new role: They would be the same as he's had with the Blues, which is to be the number 1 defenseman and drive play both offensively and defensively.
- kingcong39

Yeah, they are. And they are things that cannot be accounted for. Anytime someone says "change of scenery" when talking about a trade they are trying to account for something that can't be measured.

Please tell me that playing 1D for the Blues and 1D for the Sabres is the same thing. It might all be hockey, but the level of play for the team today is vastly different for someone to have the same level of team success at both places.

Again, as much as people bag on those two.. We have a top 10 def right now. We haven't been able to score for upwards of how long now. Give me some Off talent. I think one of those two has to go regardless. If we got rid of both and got Pie, cool, but imo we shortened our window to win now and do it quickly. Because we're starting another rebuild in like 4/5 years with some real bad contracts on the books.
- SDSabre

The defense was top 10, and cratering towards the end of the season, due to the safe and vanilla style of play Ralph employed.

It was every bit of bend but don't break. Ristolainen and Montour were the same players they have always been: Full of physical tools, low on hockey IQ, and bad at actual defense.

Speaking of scoring, Pietrangelo had 16 goals last year. He would have been the 4th leading goal scorer on the Sabres last season.

Add Petro, trade Risto and Monty for forward help, sign DeMelo and Dillon.

Easy peezy. 😂
- Powerslave

Replace Dillon with Jon Merrill and I am good.

Replace Dillon with Jon Merrill and I am good.
- kingcong39

Deal.

Now who are we trading Risto and Monty for then?

The defense was top 10, and cratering towards the end of the season, due to the safe and vanilla style of play Ralph employed.

It was every bit of bend but don't break. Ristolainen and Montour were the same players they have always been: Full of physical tools, low on hockey IQ, and bad at actual defense.

Speaking of scoring, Pietrangelo had 16 goals last year. He would have been the 4th leading goal scorer on the Sabres last season.
- kingcong39

We defended well because of the LOG line.

Larry and Girgensons are leaving and that will definitely impact our defence unless we get suitable replacements.

Deal.

Now who are we trading Risto and Monty for then?
- Powerslave

I’d take a few second rounders in this years draft.

You're still talking a 5M cap hit with jack, Skinner Dahlin and probably skunk on the books for big chunks of change. Not to mention the 2C everyone is clamoring for.
- Michael Pachla

At the same time, though, it's a $6 million cap hit in those first two seasons if you don't buy him out. The only reason I suggest it might happen is if the Pegulas are looking to save cash. It would be more of a real dollars move than a cap dollars move.

The defense was top 10, and cratering towards the end of the season, due to the safe and vanilla style of play Ralph employed.

It was every bit of bend but don't break. Ristolainen and Montour were the same players they have always been: Full of physical tools, low on hockey IQ, and bad at actual defense.

Speaking of scoring, Pietrangelo had 16 goals last year. He would have been the 4th leading goal scorer on the Sabres last season.
- kingcong39

And he had 29 ES points. Our new favorite whipping boy (I guess) Dahlin had 21 ES points playing 5 full minutes less on a clearly worse team.

If you could pull off the plan of moving Risto and Montour for help, signing him is fine. Long term it's going to be a poopshow, but at this point I get the desire to find a way to win now. Possibly turns the tide for the franchise. Also, if it helps the owners up their internal cap just for him also cool.

Bobby Ryan's getting bought out
- TheSabresTaco

I’m not sure where his game is at .... but I would take him for a 1 yr 3 million contract at very most.

Says the guy who rips on Dahlin for not scoring enough goals
- jdfitz77

You are seriously slow fitz.

Dahlin scored an underwhelming 4 goals last year.

Thats a fact. 4 goals



Now your vag is gonna hurt because allen is good and you didn't give him a chance?


2 x wrong again today futz

I’d take a few second rounders in this years draft.
- Pegullaville

Click.

If you're trading Risto and Monty, there'd better be a top 6 RW coming back in one of those deals.

If adding Pietrangelo means saying goodbye to Ristolainen and Montour, that is a big win right there, and the salary would be the same when comparing Pietrangelo to the combined salary of Ristolainen and Montour.

I picked the one point that can be estimated, as you cannot estimate the other items you mentioned. You can only assign a make believe value to them, at best.
- kingcong39

Paying pietro for his previous success in the nhl is a bad idea. It’s like when we paid okposo based on his previous 3 years with the islanders.

If I am overpaying. I want it to be a player with high upside and a future. Like the Eichel deal sort of. Pay for future high end production.

I’m Not overpaying did a guy on the downside of his career with lots of miles.

Yeah, they are. And they are things that cannot be accounted for. Anytime someone says "change of scenery" when talking about a trade they are trying to account for something that can't be measured.

Please tell me that playing 1D for the Blues and 1D for the Sabres is the same thing. It might all be hockey, but the level of play for the team today is vastly different for someone to have the same level of team success at both places.
- SDSabre

One thing that rarely enters the equation is the effect the forward group has on overall team defense not to mention almost of your good teams have a set, yet somewhat adaptable, system where guys know what needs to be done in all situations. Teams like STL, VGK, NYI , BOS, etc all have a group of forwards who know how they re supposed to play within the team and adhere to it.

Bobby Ryan's getting bought out
- TheSabresTaco

Is he finally going home