Right, and not every 28th overall pick the Sabres make will come close to Kulich. They’ll most likely pick a few Justin Bailey’s at some point soon. Which is why I want them to trade some picks. They’re on a heater and that luck won’t last forever
- sbroads24

So if you were ever going to sell high, to try and make a big time trade to bring in a high impact player...
- kingcong39

Need some contracts figured out before we can trade for a high end player

When you hit over and over and over again.... it ain't due to luck
- DirtyDan

Right now, they haven't hit. We're just assuming they will. If they do, is this just a collection of good picks, or is someone going to turn into more?

Fair or not, I do leave Power out of the mix. He was a gift.

Fun question: Will Jiri Kulich's stock ever be higher then it is right now, as a prospect, and maybe even as a player, in terms of trade value to another team?
- kingcong39

But this is the guy they are /most/ sure of? It's one thing to sell high on players who you may not project having a role in your contending team, but trading the ones who you think could just makes you vulnerable to a cap issue. And when that hits, you'll want cost controlled talent coming through to replace it. If you've traded the guy you're most sure of, you end up with a supply issue.

Sell high on the guys who don't have a future here, not the ones that do.

Fun question: Will Jiri Kulich's stock ever be higher then it is right now, as a prospect, and maybe even as a player, in terms of trade value to another team?
- kingcong39

Yes.

But this is the guy they are /most/ sure of? It's one thing to sell high on players who you may not project having a role in your contending team, but trading the ones who you think could just makes you vulnerable to a cap issue. And when that hits, you'll want cost controlled talent coming through to replace it. If you've traded the guy you're most sure of, you end up with a supply issue.

Sell high on the guys who don't have a future here, not the ones that do.
- Michael Ghofrani

If you want to make the most of the next few seasons, selling high makes all the sense in the world.

We know they don't feel that pressure and selling high on anyone is very difficult to do in practice.

If you want to make the most of the next few seasons, selling high makes all the sense in the world.

We know they don't feel that pressure and selling high on anyone is very difficult to do in practice.
- Lunaion

I dont see why they couldn't accomplish this without moving guys that actually have a future here?

The most effective way to add value is to sell high on guys you aren't high on. Ripping off teams who don't know better etc.

But this is the guy they are /most/ sure of? It's one thing to sell high on players who you may not project having a role in your contending team, but trading the ones who you think could just makes you vulnerable to a cap issue. And when that hits, you'll want cost controlled talent coming through to replace it. If you've traded the guy you're most sure of, you end up with a supply issue.

Sell high on the guys who don't have a future here, not the ones that do.
- Michael Ghofrani

Bravo.
Mitts seems like a perfect example, he finally has positive trade value and IF he doesn't regress, will likely cost substantially higher contract wise. He becomes a primary target to replace with a high- end NHL-ready player like Kulich.
Same with a younger player as a trade target, Krebs before he needs a new contract.

Sabres will likely need to use a top prospect and pick to secure that Top4 D though.

Bravo.
Mitts seems like a perfect example, he finally has positive trade value and IF he doesn't regress, will likely cost substantially higher contract wise. He becomes a primary target to replace with a high- end NHL-ready player like Kulich.
Same with a younger player as a trade target, Krebs before he needs a new contract.

Sabres will likely need to use a top prospect and pick to secure that Top4 D though.
- IonSabres

Maybe, maybe not. This is where the analytics dept makes its bread though. Finding the player who costs a 2nd that is every bit as good as the guy who costs a 1st and more. Or being able to add value using guys who they're quite sure aren't as good as other make them out to be.

Maybe, maybe not. This is where the analytics dept makes its bread though. Finding the player who costs a 2nd that is every bit as good as the guy who costs a 1st and more. Or being able to add value using guys who they're quite sure aren't as good as other make them out to be.
- Michael Ghofrani

And our analytics department has done this 0 times so far

And our analytics department has done this 0 times so far
- sbroads24

Hopefully Greenway is that guy.

Maybe, maybe not. This is where the analytics dept makes its bread though. Finding the player who costs a 2nd that is every bit as good as the guy who costs a 1st and more. Or being able to add value using guys who they're quite sure aren't as good as other make them out to be.
- Michael Ghofrani

Sounds good and all, but I'd love to know what happened last summer. Same issues on D, same front office. More contract flexibility, more draft capital. Added a 2 year filler and didn't take a D until the 4th round. Were they trying to do more and it all fell through?

But this is the guy they are /most/ sure of? It's one thing to sell high on players who you may not project having a role in your contending team, but trading the ones who you think could just makes you vulnerable to a cap issue. And when that hits, you'll want cost controlled talent coming through to replace it. If you've traded the guy you're most sure of, you end up with a supply issue.

Sell high on the guys who don't have a future here, not the ones that do.
- Michael Ghofrani

Why does Kulich have a future over Peterka?

Why are they most sure of Kulich over others like Peterka?

Sounds good and all, but I'd love to know what happened last summer. Same issues on D, same front office. More contract flexibility, more draft capital. Added a 2 year filler and didn't take a D until the 4th round. Were they trying to do more and it all fell through?
- Lunaion

They definitely tried to do more than what ended up happening. They got NTC'd a few times, and in others they just didnt have what those teams were looking for.

I still feel like they could've done more in spite of that, but I don't know who was actually available or not.

Why does Kulich have a future over Peterka?

Why are they most sure of Kulich over others like Peterka?
- kingcong39

I wasn't referring to peterka? I think they plan on a future with both? You can do that if one is on an ELC through the compete window

Guess it depends what kind of Game Hunting is Adams going for. Sabres have the pieces to go High End Hunting if they choose. Sooner or later you have to give to get.

They definitely tried to do more than what ended up happening. They got NTC'd a few times, and in others they just didnt have what those teams were looking for.

I still feel like they could've done more in spite of that, but I don't know who was actually available or not.
- Michael Ghofrani

Sure feels like there were missed opportunities last summer. Hope they have a better plan to tackle this summer. Need to get some moves done and not settle for whatever's left after the fact.

Sure feels like there were missed opportunities last summer. Hope they have a better plan to tackle this summer. Need to get some moves done and not settle for whatever's left after the fact.
- Lunaion

It's an awkward line though. I want them to be active. I want them to make financial commitments. But Im also aware that 95% of FA contracts end up being bad value. And I would hate to have them do all this (hopefully correct) building to have it undone by a goofy FA signing or two.

They've got really smart people working with KA, that's about all you can ask for. Hopefully they can pull the strings.

It's an awkward line though. I want them to be active. I want them to make financial commitments. But Im also aware that 95% of FA contracts end up being bad value. And I would hate to have them do all this (hopefully correct) building to have it undone by a goofy FA signing or two.

They've got really smart people working with KA, that's about all you can ask for. Hopefully they can pull the strings.
- Michael Ghofrani

I really want an F for D trade at or before the draft. Prospects aren't always easy to move, picks are.

I really want an F for D trade at or before the draft. Prospects aren't always easy to move, picks are.
- Lunaion

Yeah I think its pretty likely one or two of the top 60 picks is moved for a d-man. Maybe a goalie.

Yeah I think its pretty likely one or two of the top 60 picks is moved for a d-man. Maybe a goalie.
- Michael Ghofrani

I personally hold on to 13 this year.

But the Flyers second, and our first and second in next years draft can easily be parted with if the right player(s) are available

I personally hold on to 13 this year.

But the Flyers second, and our first and second in next years draft can easily be parted with if the right player(s) are available
- Swedish_Jesus

I think they'd move 13 if no one from their top 10 falls there. Alternatively they could move up a spot or two to get someone from their top 10.

I think they'd move 13 if no one from their top 10 falls there. Alternatively they could move up a spot or two to get someone from their top 10.
- Michael Ghofrani

I could see that too.

Just makes too much sense though to take one last kick at a blue chip prospect, especially when a guy they get at 13 this year would have most likely gone top 10 if not top 8 in last years class (depending on how the board falls).

No, unfortunately. My fiance is the major F1 fan in this family so I'm sure she's bummed. We're expecting in the fall so we have plenty to get done this summer.

Are you going?
- Hank Balling

I have never been but obviously know several people who have been to the indy 500. I hear it’s an awesome time. It’s just a huge party and if the weathers great like yesterday it’s just a hell of a time. I believe parking and getting there is a female dog though

Ryan Johnson's contract included no performance bonuses. Strange ending to a strange story.