So they’d have to dump one or two of their “surplus” Dmen for picks/prospects and then turn around and try to deal with TB. Wonder if they are exploring this at all.
- Ratsreign

I don't think they will be dealing with TB. Just my opinion

I’m assuming you could get him for minimal cost, some combination of picks (definitely not a first rounder) and/or a middling prospect. That would be the sweetener, getting a solid, proven NHL contributor for almost peanuts.
- Ratsreign

I'd venture to say that Tampa's best return for trading those guys is Cap Space...those contracts are a tough sell in this market...hence, the Bolts would need to add for most teams to take these guys on...with maybe a late pick going back.
On the Athletic these trade ideas were considered for Johnson, Kilorn, and others with Detroit as the trade partner. In those mock trades a significant sweetner was required.

Palat put up 41 pts in the regular season and 18 more in the playoffs being a perfect plugin and Stamkos replacement with Point and Kucherov. He added great value to that line doing the dirty work, crashing the net and being a solid 200' player. He did benefit playing with those two studs, but they benefited from him as well.
His style would be a perfect fit with Hall and Jack, but he is a LW. Same with Kilorn.
I just don't think The Bolts are a good trade partner for the Sabres
- IonSabres

I’d say he’d look great with Barky and Huberdeau, but Huberdeau is LW. But FL could put him on line 2 LW with Wennberg playing center and Verhaege on RW. You live in Bolt territory, so I’m assuming you watch them quite often, what do you think of Verhaege, and which position did he usually play? From the little I’ve seen of him, I think Zito made a hell of a pick up grabbing him from the FA market.

I don't think they will be dealing with TB. Just my opinion
- Buff36

Agreed, the Bolts players they would consider moving just don't fit on this roster at the contract prices and term. Even a sweetner of futures doesn't offset those contracts enough, IMO.

I'd venture to say that Tampa's best return for trading those guys is Cap Space...those contracts are a tough sell in this market...hence, the Bolts would need to add for most teams to take these guys on...with maybe a late pick going back.
On the Athletic these trade ideas were considered for Johnson, Kilorn, and others with Detroit as the trade partner. In those mock trades a significant sweetner was required.
- IonSabres

All the guys they're trying to trade have NTCs which means they can basically tell Tampa to either kick rocks or say "I'll go to this one team." At that point, that team has Tampa by the short hairs and can demand whatever they want. Leveraging a 1st + is what a good GM should get

I’d say he’d look great with Barky and Huberdeau, but Huberdeau is LW. But FL could put him on line 2 LW with Wennberg playing center and Verhaege on RW. You live in Bolt territory, so I’m assuming you watch them quite often, what do you think of Verhaege, and which position did he usually play. From the little I’ve seen of him, I think Zito made a hell of a pick up grabbing him from the FA market.
- Ratsreign

He didn't play alot in terms of TOI, kinda moved around a bit.
They had higher hope's for him, but just couldn't crack the top 6 and Tampa wanted more gritty in their Bottom 6. Not beating out Tampa's top 6 isn't a reflection of bad play mind, but he didn't fit for what they are looking for.
I'd say more of a middle 6 prospect...probably a 3rd liner who could move up in short periods until he settles in...upside to 2nd line..either LW or C

I’d say he’d look great with Barky and Huberdeau, but Huberdeau is LW. But FL could put him on line 2 LW with Wennberg playing center and Verhaege on RW. You live in Bolt territory, so I’m assuming you watch them quite often, what do you think of Verhaege, and which position did he usually play? From the little I’ve seen of him, I think Zito made a hell of a pick up grabbing him from the FA market.
- Ratsreign

That's a lot of faith in Wennberg as 2C. imo

All the guys they're trying to trade have NTCs which means they can basically tell Tampa to either kick rocks or say "I'll go to this one team." At that point, that team has Tampa by the short hairs and can demand whatever they want. Leveraging a 1st + is what a good GM should get
- jcragcrumple

Yup, agreed.
Johnson did however give a list of 8 or 9 teams he would consider going to after he was waived and no one took him...a sign that a big sweetner is needed to move him and his $5m contract for 4 years

Moving Monty doubles that space.

Do something Darcy!!!
- Michael Pachla

I miss the days of Doolittle Darcy.

Much simpler times, especially around here.

So are the Sabres going to sign Mitts? What about Pilut?

There is no way there is a full season, 48 games like the lock out year.

New divisions, no Leafs games

Get a goalie, move a defensemen or two, sign Hoffman for a year, and make a run at it...why the hell not?

So are the Sabres going to sign Mitts? What about Pilut?

There is no way there is a full season, 48 games like the lock out year.

New divisions, no Leafs games

Get a goalie, move a defensemen or two, sign Hoffman for a year, and make a run at it...why the hell not?
- Stripes77

Because there are limited options left on the 05-06 Hurricanes, and Ralph only coached 40 games in Edmonton so his rolodex is a short list

So are the Sabres going to sign Mitts? What about Pilut?

There is no way there is a full season, 48 games like the lock out year.

New divisions, no Leafs games

Get a goalie, move a defensemen or two, sign Hoffman for a year, and make a run at it...why the hell not?
- Stripes77

Skinner, Hall, Olofsson, Reinhart, Cozens, Thompson.

Where's Hoffman going?

That's a lot of faith in Wennberg as 2C. imo
- Michael Pachla

It sure is. Just hoping with Zito being with Columbus front office for the last several years that he sees something in him that others don’t.

So are the Sabres going to sign Mitts? What about Pilut?

There is no way there is a full season, 48 games like the lock out year.

New divisions, no Leafs games

Get a goalie, move a defensemen or two, sign Hoffman for a year, and make a run at it...why the hell not?
- Stripes77

Would rather use that money to upgrade defense

It sure is. Just hoping with Zito being with Columbus front office for the last several years that he sees something in him that others don’t.
- Ratsreign

Not sure how he'll turn out. Perhaps he and Torts were oil and water?

Skinner, Hall, Olofsson, Reinhart, Cozens, Thompson.

Where's Hoffman going?
- TheSabresTaco

Skinner Eichel Hoffman
Hall Staal Reinhart
Oloffson Cozens Thompson
Z Eakin Okposo


Could flip Skinner and Hall

Would rather use that money to upgrade defense
- Michael Pachla

I just want to be entertained and see a high flying offense

The blue line and goaltending is not good enough to make a run, even if you were able to pull Kuemper you still need to improve the blue line by a lot

He didn't play alot in terms of TOI, kinda moved around a bit.
They had higher hope's for him, but just couldn't crack the top 6 and Tampa wanted more gritty in their Bottom 6. Not beating out Tampa's top 6 isn't a reflection of bad play mind, but he didn't fit for what they are looking for.
I'd say more of a middle 6 prospect...probably a 3rd liner who could move up in short periods until he settles in...upside to 2nd line..either LW or C
- IonSabres

Thanks for your input. He most likely will get more TOI with the Panthers to show what he can do.

Skinner Eichel Hoffman
Hall Staal Reinhart
Oloffson Cozens Thompson
Z Eakin Okposo


Could flip Skinner and Hall
- Stripes77

NHL 21 doesn't even let you.

I just want to be entertained and see a high flying offense

The blue line and goaltending is not good enough to make a run, even if you were able to pull Kuemper you still need to improve the blue line by a lot
- Stripes77

So getting rid of a D or two makes it better? I just don't follow the logic. And bringing in Hoffman amplifies the defensive deficiency.

So getting rid of a D or two makes it better? I just don't follow the logic. And bringing in Hoffman amplifies the defensive deficiency.
- TheSabresTaco

Moving Risto and or Montour would make it better

They're both not very good in the D zone

Moving Risto and or Montour would make it better

They're both not very good in the D zone
- Stripes77

So Hoffman + Borgen > Risto or Monty? For defensive ability?

Doubt it. I'd much rather just not Hoffman, because the team doesn't need him, as opposed to like, an actual better dman. And that's a trade.

Not sure how he'll turn out. Perhaps he and Torts were oil and water?
- Michael Pachla

That is a real possibility. It seems Torts has been oil to many other players’ water.
But Q also demands solid two way play from his forwards, it will be interesting to see how it shakes out. Maybe Wennberg has a chip on his shoulder to prove Columbus wrong for buying him out.

Trickle down economics has been touted sand passed by the GOP three times--I'm still waiting for that first trickle from the 80's to have an impact on me
- Michael Pachla

Trickle up poverty is worse.

I just want to be entertained and see a high flying offense

The blue line and goaltending is not good enough to make a run, even if you were able to pull Kuemper you still need to improve the blue line by a lot
- Stripes77

Fair enough, although I believe unlike the forward group, the defense could use an upgrade more so than the forwards, not to mention goaltending which may be first on the list