Getting this team a goalie and a top 4 D and the Sabres make the playoffs but probably get absolutely destroyed in the first round of the playoffs. Maybe not on the scoreboard but physically beaten up. Cozens, Greenway, and the 4th line minus Krebs would be fine but the rest of the forward group will look like a deer in the headlights. Think Tampa where they couldn't win in the playoffs. Nothing wrong with that for this year, but the team needs some sandpaper and grit eventually.
- Stripes77

There's a chance some of these guys have that in their game already. Thats where the stat about playoff aggressiveness comes from. Its not that goonery reigns supreme, its that with higher stakes, everyone plays with more edge.

But we havent done that with this core yet. May be some players who have that to them, there may be some we think have it but actually don't.

Agreed. A lot of fast skilled forwards without any real size and almost not defensemen.

Where they were a few years ago, I completely understand drafting for speed and skill, now it's time to round out the roster.

I would be happy with a top 4 D man with some size and sandpaper and a goalie to split with Levi (or play more than him).

See what that team looks like this year, make the playoffs and see what they need to add. I will be very annoyed if the roster looks exactly the same as last years team come Monday.
- Stripes77

Good post , 2 small changes and you're happy.

A gritty 4th d and someone to split the net with levi.

Hope they get something done before October 12th vs the rangers.

I could see another boosh type 5th guy that they pretend is a 4th ( 2nd pairing) .

They're doing well now. Monitoring my little one with the specialist but she seems all systems go now which is good.

My oldest, well explaining to a 9 year old why one of her friends passed away from cancer was never a conversation I practiced for. But health wise she is doing very well. Her hockey team is playing in a tournament up in Buffalo in November, can't wait to see these Florida parents freeze!
- Stripes77

Good to hear. Sorry you had to go through all that but we're glad you're back. Parenting isn't for the faint of heart.

There's a chance some of these guys have that in their game already. Thats where the stat about playoff aggressiveness comes from. Its not that goonery reigns supreme, its that with higher stakes, everyone plays with more edge.

But we havent done that with this core yet. May be some players who have that to them, there may be some we think have it but actually don't.
- Michael Ghofrani

Good post

Would you consider okposo and girgs ,guys that would fit that edgy playoff effort?

Aside from leadership, both seem like playoff type guys IMO

Adams using performance enhancing drugs to look betterer

https://twitter.com/Human.../1674104402200625182?s=20

Going back to what Adams said the other day about not being afraid to make tough choices, he had to have been talking about Michkov. I bet any name other than Kulich is fair game.
- Slump Buster

I'd do Savoie and 13 for Arizona or Phillys pick if thats where we need to be.

I'm not happy about a conservative management group, I'm just saying:

Why get your expectations up, when you know exactly what is going to happen?

We are at 13 forwards including olofsson right?

Have a full 7 nhl defenseman

And 3 goalies.

I might be a footlocker, but I'm realistic.

You're crushing yourself for no reason. Relax and try and enjoy the foundation this team has built.

Seriously, it's still june.
- Boss34

Are you trying to say it's still early in the offseason? 95% of it takes place in this 1 week window. These 48 hours are their best trade opportunity.

Good post , 2 small changes and you're happy.

A gritty 4th d and someone to split the net with levi.

Hope they get something done before October 12th vs the rangers.

I could see another boosh type 5th guy that they pretend is a 4th ( 2nd pairing) .
- Boss34

I wouldn't call them small Boss. A real NHL goalie and a true top 4 D seems to be pretty difficult to find these days.

I'd do Savoie and 13 for Arizona or Phillys pick if thats where we need to be.
- DirtyDan

Kev won't.

Good post

Would you consider okposo and girgs ,guys that would fit that edgy playoff effort?

Aside from leadership, both seem like playoff type guys IMO
- Boss34

No its not the fringe guys that matter.

What made VGK great was Kolesar or Barbashev. It's that in-spite of all the damage he took to his already hurt back, Mark Stone didn't fold. Neither did Eichel after he got clocked. Pietrangelo was targeted in every series, he still showed up (didnt like the slash on leon but).

Need to see if any of the core guys can handle being the focal point of all that contact.

Kev won't.
- TheSabresTaco

It'd be worth it.

He's arguably #1 without that 3 year KHL contract

It'd be worth it
- DirtyDan

Not to them. They're not trading Savoie.

I wouldn't call them small Boss. A real NHL goalie and a true top 4 D seems to be pretty difficult to find these days.
- Stripes77

1.) Offer a bunch of crap for good players
2.) Get denied
3.) "We tried"
4.) Ryan Johnson/UPL instead
5.)??????
6.) Profit

Good post

Would you consider okposo and girgs ,guys that would fit that edgy playoff effort?

Aside from leadership, both seem like playoff type guys IMO
- Boss34

You're probably right, they would give the best handshakes of the entire playoffs after losing the series.

Not to them. They're not trading Savoie.
- TheSabresTaco

If it meaans getting Mich.. they should 1billion %.

Something about making tough decisions

1.) Offer a bunch of crap for good players
2.) Get denied
3.) "We tried"
4.) Ryan Johnson/UPL instead
5.)??????
6.) Profit
- Hank Balling

I actually forgot that Johnson signed

Could be, but then it's probably what? 7mill AAV for 4-5 years?

As much as everyone loves the type of player he is on ice, I don't think he makes any sense for the sabres.
- matty12345

It could definitely just be a 1 year deal as I think Fitz knows he can't go crazy with multiple high cap hits as others will need a raise and all down the line

Mercer
Luke Hughes
Nemec
To name a few who will need a raise
Depends how long an extension may be for

Devils have some big contracts already
Hamilton
Nico
Bratt
Meier
Hughes
Palat

But you have to make sure the core is signed and that you feel they can bring you to a championship and then add where and when you can and not stand still to try and bump you up a little to help get there

1.) Offer a bunch of crap for good players
2.) Get denied
3.) "We tried"
4.) Ryan Johnson/UPL instead
5.)??????
6.) Profit
- Hank Balling

Adams hairline just recessed 2" after reading this approach, expect a call and an offer letter to join the front office!

They're doing well now. Monitoring my little one with the specialist but she seems all systems go now which is good.

My oldest, well explaining to a 9 year old why one of her friends passed away from cancer was never a conversation I practiced for. But health wise she is doing very well. Her hockey team is playing in a tournament up in Buffalo in November, can't wait to see these Florida parents freeze!
- Stripes77

Dude.. half of them are from NY to begin with.

Getting this team a goalie and a top 4 D and the Sabres make the playoffs but probably get absolutely destroyed in the first round of the playoffs. Maybe not on the scoreboard but physically beaten up. Cozens, Greenway, and the 4th line minus Krebs would be fine but the rest of the forward group will look like a deer in the headlights. Think Tampa where they couldn't win in the playoffs. Nothing wrong with that for this year, but the team needs some sandpaper and grit eventually.
- Stripes77

Lol, Tampa Bay was the heaviest team in the league last year.

Lol, Tampa Bay was the heaviest team in the league last year.
- matty12345

He was talking pre-cups. When they got swept.

Dude.. half of them are from NY to begin with.
- burner087

The ones that I have aren't.

I have a Toronto family, a Boston family, a Pittsburgh family and a Minnesota family. The rest are all Florida born!

Are you trying to say it's still early in the offseason? 95% of it takes place in this 1 week window. These 48 hours are their best trade opportunity.
- Lunaion

... and then free agency starts. And again, every freaking player that has been discussed as an option for us is still out there.

He was talking pre-cups. When they got swept.
- DirtyDan

Correct

Lance thinks the Sabres trade for a blueliner today