Decisions Decisions Decisions caught up a bit quicker to the Sabres than expected. Gonna be fun to see what Decisions are made over the next 7 or 8 months that could really set the tone for the next few seasons.
- Buff36

This is also why several of us have been beating the drum for not signing high-priced vets for more than a year of two of term. We are used to huge jumps in the NFL cap. The NHL cap doesn't move nearly as much as people think it will.

I don't think it's going to go up as much as people have been saying. But even then, if we apply the upper end of Cozens comparable (hischier) to a potential 87 mil cap, thats 7.7 mil. And even if Cozens maintains his pace, he doesn't have the same pedigree Hischier had.
- Michael Ghofrani

Notice you left out the very real possibility that Cozens improves upon his production over the next 2 to 3 seasons.

CapFriendly has the cap going to $87M, then $92M when the escrow is paid off.

I'm predicting cozens takes an identical deal to tage.
7 for 50 million.

Very vibey
- Boss34

Does that logic apply to Dahlin this offseason?

Does that logic apply to Dahlin this offseason?
- kingcong39

No, Dahlin looks like a tougher sell.

He waited a bit on the last deal, I feel like he breaks the bank. And rightfully so.

Dahlin could realistically be the best defenseman in the league for all 8 years of his deal.

Numero uno

11 for 88 , if he gives us the discount.

Notice you left out the very real possibility that Cozens improves upon his production over the next 2 to 3 seasons.

CapFriendly has the cap going to $87M, then $92M when the escrow is paid off.
- kingcong39

yeah but he cant renegotiate his deal? He's not going to take a bridge deal. He didn't sign this summer cause the reward far outweighed the risk cause he hadn't piled up the points yet.

He scores 80 pts this year, he can sign for 7-7.5 mil. If he scores 85-90 over the next two years and signs at 87 mil he can squeeze another 1.5 mil. Assuming he can do that. And if he does, his contract expires in his 30s, his second deal will likely be at a significantly smaller number/term than the second deal he gets after he signs this summer.

1.5 mil aav isnt worth risking the possibility the bridge does south. Dahlin did it because his bridge deal paid him what he was worth at the time. But to get a bridge from the Sabres, Cozens would have to spend prime years making below what he's worth.

I don't think it's going to go up as much as people have been saying. But even then, if we apply the upper end of Cozens comparable (hischier) to a potential 87 mil cap, thats 7.7 mil. And even if Cozens maintains his pace, he doesn't have the same pedigree Hischier had.
- Michael Ghofrani

Curious why you'd call Hischier the upper end of comps. Would imagine his agent is focused on Norris.

No, Dahlin looks like a tougher sell.

He waited a bit on the last deal, I feel like he breaks the bank. And rightfully so.

Dahlin could realistically be the best defenseman in the league for all 8 years of his deal.

Numero uno

11 for 88 , if he gives us the discount.
- Boss34

I could see a similar scenario with Cozens, where he takes a 2 to 3 year bridge deal, and then cashes in huge when his production hits its peak.

It's probably why the Sabres have been negotiating an extension with Cozens for a while now.

yeah but he cant renegotiate his deal? He's not going to take a bridge deal. He didn't sign this summer cause the reward far outweighed the risk cause he hadn't piled up the points yet.

He scores 80 pts this year, he can sign for 7-7.5 mil. If he scores 85-90 over the next two years and signs at 87 mil he can squeeze another 1.5 mil. Assuming he can do that. And if he does, his contract expires in his 30s, his second deal will likely be at a significantly smaller number/term than the second deal he gets after he signs this summer.
- Michael Ghofrani

Dahlin took a bridge when the Sabres tried to get him to sign long term, and he's about to cash in huge.

You can't see Cozens agent taking a similar approach?

Curious why you'd call Hischier the upper end of comps. Would imagine his agent is focused on Norris.
- Lunaion

The 8th year. In the mock thing I did I put cozens at 7 years.

yeah but he cant renegotiate his deal? He's not going to take a bridge deal. He didn't sign this summer cause the reward far outweighed the risk cause he hadn't piled up the points yet.

He scores 80 pts this year, he can sign for 7-7.5 mil. If he scores 85-90 over the next two years and signs at 87 mil he can squeeze another 1.5 mil. Assuming he can do that. And if he does, his contract expires in his 30s, his second deal will likely be at a significantly smaller number/term than the second deal he gets after he signs this summer.

1.5 mil aav isnt worth risking the possibility the bridge does south. Dahlin did it because his bridge deal paid him what he was worth at the time. But to get a bridge from the Sabres, Cozens would have to spend prime years making below what he's worth.
- Michael Ghofrani

What if the bridge deal is 3 years at $7M per?

Dahlin took a bridge when the Sabres tried to get him to sign long term, and he's about to cash in huge.

You can't see Cozens agent taking a similar approach?
- kingcong39

Sabres tried to get him to sign long term well below what his draft status suggested he was worth. It was a case of the points being there but the impact lagging. That and, Dahlin is going to be on the top pair.

Dahlin knew he could probably pry 11 mil out of the Sabres if he turned it around. But Cozens is already at the height of where most people projected him to be impact and points wise. If he gets market value he'll probably sign.

What if the bridge deal is 3 years at $7M per?
- kingcong39

There is absolutely no scenario in which Sam Ventura okays this for the organization.

The team that is eager to give thompson seven years after a one year breakout and samuelsson seven years before he scores a single goal in the nhl, is not bridging dylan cozens at 7 million per.

They'll trade him before that happens.

I think they are the perfect example of two players that need someone dynamic to drive the line and they don't often have that. VO gets accused of floating - I don't agree with that. He is extremely slight so I get why he isn't always charging into corners. I think he also tried hard but he just isn't strong enough to win many battles.
- Slump Buster

I wonder if they genuinely click in practice or if this is Donny making the best line he can with his misfit toys.

Sabres tried to get him to sign long term well below what his draft status suggested he was worth. It was a case of the points being there but the impact lagging. That and, Dahlin is going to be on the top pair.

Dahlin knew he could probably pry 11 mil out of the Sabres if he turned it around. But Cozens is already at the height of where most people projected him to be impact and points wise. If he gets market value he'll probably sign.
- Michael Ghofrani

Kids a stud and you give him some real line mates instead of a couple rookies or 2 bottom 6 guys and that production is going to take off even further.

Kids a stud and you give him some real line mates instead of a couple rookies or 2 bottom 6 guys and that production is going to take off even further.
- DirtyDan

You mean like PP1 minutes with a literal machine and a potential Norris nominee?

You mean like PP1 minutes with a literal machine and a potential Norris nominee?
- Michael Ghofrani

Im talking 5v5

There is absolutely no scenario in which Sam Ventura okays this for the organization.

The team that is eager to give thompson seven years after a one year breakout and samuelsson seven years before he scores a single goal in the nhl, is not bridging dylan cozens at 7 million per.

They'll trade him before that happens.
- Michael Ghofrani

The player and his agent have a strong say in the decision as well.

You're also leaving out the confidence and belief of the player when it comes to how high their performance can go.

Doubt the player gives a poop about what others predicted for him.

There is absolutely no scenario in which Sam Ventura okays this for the organization.

The team that is eager to give thompson seven years after a one year breakout and samuelsson seven years before he scores a single goal in the nhl, is not bridging dylan cozens at 7 million per.

They'll trade him before that happens.
- Michael Ghofrani

It’s not 100-% up to the Sabres though. Cozens has to agree.

If he refuses to take 7 on a long term deal he’s probably going to get a bridge deal

Sabres tried to get him to sign long term well below what his draft status suggested he was worth. It was a case of the points being there but the impact lagging. That and, Dahlin is going to be on the top pair.

Dahlin knew he could probably pry 11 mil out of the Sabres if he turned it around. But Cozens is already at the height of where most people projected him to be impact and points wise. If he gets market value he'll probably sign.
- Michael Ghofrani

Why would Cozens or his agent care about what most people think?

The player and his agent have a strong say in the decision as well.

You're also leaving out the confidence and belief of the player when it comes to how high their performance can go.

Doubt the player gives a poop about what others predicted for him.
- kingcong39

Im sure that will all be part of the negotiation and I concede there's a real chance they sign him above market value.

But they won't bridge him. Not at 7 mil. That much I can guarantee.

Why would Cozens or his agent care about what most people think?
- kingcong39

Because negotiating is all about what you can leverage. He can't ask for 12 for instance. Even if he believes he's that good. Who is going to pay him that right now?

He can bridge, but not at 7 mil. Teams rarely ever give bridge deals at market value. If they're giving up long term security of an asset, they expect something in return as well.

It’s not 100-% up to the Sabres though. Cozens has to agree.

If he refuses to take 7 on a long term deal he’s probably going to get a bridge deal
- sbroads24

I think they'll just overpay him before they bridge.

There is absolutely no scenario in which Sam Ventura okays this for the organization.

The team that is eager to give thompson seven years after a one year breakout and samuelsson seven years before he scores a single goal in the nhl, is not bridging dylan cozens at 7 million per.

They'll trade him before that happens.
- Michael Ghofrani

Are you objecting to the 7m or the bridge?

Feel like a bridge is always a possibility. 7m seems a little high for a bridge.

Are you objecting to the 7m or the bridge?

Feel like a bridge is always a possibility. 7m seems a little high for a bridge.
- Lunaion

Im objecting both based on what I've seen from the new regime, but in this case mostly the seven mil.

Thats going to be his MV

This is also why several of us have been beating the drum for not signing high-priced vets for more than a year of two of term. We are used to huge jumps in the NFL cap. The NHL cap doesn't move nearly as much as people think it will.
- Slump Buster

Getting a physical 3LW or a RD last off-season or now wouldn't have hurt there cap.