Another thing to keep in mind is to release your exempt list based on what other teams are releasing. All of these GMs do drafts from the non-exempt list. If you're stuck between keeping a F or D, figure out which position group is stronger. That way, when Seattle is drafting, they're hopefully taking the lesser of the 2 position groups the Sabres has released.

Jimmy Vesey will be a member of the Social Justice Warriors of Seattle.
- buffalofan19

Let's see what Jimbo's next contract looks like. Could be, though.

That's why I only picked 4 players. We're going to lose someone we like this time around.

We have more than 4 guys at F or D that are worth keeping. Probably Joker Pilut Dahlin Miller Monty and any other guy he trades for on the back end.

Up front is Eichel Reinhart Skinner, probably Mittelstadt, probably Olofsson, and any other forward they pursue in the next two years.

Even if you do a 4/4 split, you're letting go of a good foward or a good D. As for G, all we need to do is protect Ullmark. UPL is exempt and so is Hutton because he's UFA.
- TheSabresTaco

My takeaway from the last draft is that you're better off letting the team just take someone than trying to outsmart them - and yourself - by playing 4D chess and giving them picks and players.

If they lose someone like Miller or Montour (if they're even still here), that's not the end of the world.

It's different if they're getting Okposo and a pick. That I would do, but who knows if Okposo is even still playing by then.

Still skeptical of that guy's sources outside the NYC metro.
- TheSabresTaco

Nsekhe was kept out of practice today, though he was there in full pads.

Kneejerk reaction requires that he be traded to Houston for Clowney.

Arguing over 1-1.5 mil as opposed to letting him walk and not having him on this roster is an argument that is well beyond by comprehension
- sbroads24

You get it.

Even if you do a 4/4 split, you're letting go of a good foward or a good D. As for G, all we need to do is protect Ullmark. UPL is exempt and so is Hutton because he's UFA.
- TheSabresTaco

I think UPL will need to be protected. Last season was his first under a pro contract.

"Players with no-movement clauses will be protected automatically. Also, any first- or second-year professionals and all unsigned draft choices are exempt."

He would have 3 years as a "professional ".

I think UPL will need to be protected. Last season was his first under a pro contract.

"Players with no-movement clauses will be protected automatically. Also, any first- or second-year professionals and all unsigned draft choices are exempt."

He would have 3 years as a "professional ".
- adambuffalo

If he needs to be, and Ullmark unprotected, so be it.

Nsekhe was kept out of practice today, though he was there in full pads.

Kneejerk reaction requires that he be traded to Houston for Clowney.
- buffalofan19

I agree, but it will take a bit more than that, I would imagine.

Another one....


@WhySoSeriousPOD
SOURCES: Bills closing in on Jadeveon Clowney. Details of trade with Houston not yet known...

Another one....


@WhySoSeriousPOD
SOURCES: Bills closing in on Jadeveon Clowney. Details of trade with Houston not yet known...
- Lilroot9

God I hope not.... My guess is that it would be something like Nskehe, Lawson, and at least 1 first. Then you have to sign him to a big contract. I feel like that would come back and bite them in a year or two.

God I hope not.... My guess is that it would be something like Nskehe, Lawson, and at least 1 first. Then you have to sign him to a big contract. I feel like that would come back and bite them in a year or two.
- ajb2493

It is hard to speculate on what the trade would be, I would imagine 1 offensive lineman and a 1st at minimum, but hard to speculate on, really depends on their needs and who we are even willing on giving up.

Apparently there was a deal with Miami, but Clowney would not agree to a long term deal so the Dolphins backed out of the deal.
Many reports say that the Texans will not get as big of a return than if the deal would have been made before July 31st. Don't know what a deal would look like now.

Arguing over 1-1.5 mil as opposed to letting him walk and not having him on this roster is an argument that is well beyond by comprehension
- sbroads24

We aren’t winning the cup this year, we aren’t winning it next year. If he’s still scoring 40 goals and 75 points through the years 2022-2025 then the contract will be worth it. If not I really don’t see the difference of us letting him walk and pocketing another high pick rather then having $9M on our salary cap for when it actually matters.

(frank).

Eichel
Skinner (have to)
Reinhart
Mittelstadt
Vesey
Oloffson (I think he will have 3 years then)
Sheary

Dahlin
Miller
Montour

Ullmark

If Jokiharu turns into a stud, Montour is out.
- buffalofan19

I’m seeing Super Sniper Tage Thompson on this list.

Yeah, it's his job to lose. An interesting middle 6 could be

Olofsson-Mitts-Reinhart
Vesey-Erod-mojo

Some will say that's too much to throw on Olofsson's plate, but his shot should be in the lineup and that 2b/3rd line looks pretty decent as an actual 2-way line
- jcragcrumple

I wouldn’t mind trying that
But my preference is to have MoJo & Sam with Mitts bc I think it’s really important that he progresses & that 2nd lone is a legit scoring threat

I’m also sure that lines will get juggled a bit till we see who has chemistry with who

We aren’t winning the cup this year, we aren’t winning it next year. If he’s still scoring 40 goals and 75 points through the years 2022-2025 then the contract will be worth it. If not I really don’t see the difference of us letting him walk and pocketing another high pick rather then having $9M on our salary cap for when it actually matters.
- Swedish_Jesus

Aw man. Are the Sabres tanking the next two seasons?

Tampa Bay Lightning

We have acquired a 2020 fourth-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Adam Erne.

https://t.co/Jr0VMca2BQ

Pominville was on pace for 25. I’m not saying you can just put a monkey out there but we didn’t need to drop $9M on a winger for Jack either.

Olofsson-Eichel-Johnsson
Vesey-$9M 2C-Reinhart

Skinner-Eichel-Johnsson
Olofsson-Mitts-Reinhart

Which Top 6 wins more games barring Mitts having a huge breakout year ? Look at the Centres making that kind of dough and put any of them in that 2C lineup and I take that roster 10/10.
- Swedish_Jesus

I take top6 #2
Are we competing for a Cup this year? Nope
So what’s best in the long run should be the goal
And with Mitts, and Cozens,
it would be foolish to spend 9-10mil on a 2C
*unless it’s a legit 2way stud like Point

We aren’t winning the cup this year, we aren’t winning it next year. If he’s still scoring 40 goals and 75 points through the years 2022-2025 then the contract will be worth it. If not I really don’t see the difference of us letting him walk and pocketing another high pick rather then having $9M on our salary cap for when it actually matters.
- Swedish_Jesus

No more high draft picks

Tampa Bay Lightning

We have acquired a 2020 fourth-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Adam Erne.

https://t.co/Jr0VMca2BQ
- adambuffalo

Clearing space for point .....

Tampa Bay Lightning

We have acquired a 2020 fourth-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Adam Erne.

https://t.co/Jr0VMca2BQ
- adambuffalo

My first reaction was I would not mind that player for that pick, but I think he was slower, from what I remember. Getting 20 points in 65 games in not horrible, but that was on TB who scored all the time.

No more high draft picks
- jcragcrumple

Botts isn’t tanking. This roster should at the very least be in the playoff conversation. It still remains to be seen how our cap situation will work out though in a few years and if Skinner can live up to that contract.

Arguing over 1-1.5 mil as opposed to letting him walk and not having him on this roster is an argument that is well beyond by comprehension
- sbroads24

To be fair,
you did make a really big deal about that amount of overpayment to ROR

Changing the subject, because I like reading the heated arguments here...

Who is going to be protected in the expansion draft? I know it is a ways away, and we don't have too many players signed long term, but who would you sign after this year, and who would you protect (assuming same protection rules as the Vegas expansion)?
- ajb2493

I think we lose a defenseman unless we make a side deal with them

Pomminville couldn't keep up especially for a full season

Evander Kane couldn't hit the net

Okposo couldn't play well with Jack

The notion that anyone could play with Jack is wrong

Jack does make everyone better but it takes someone who understands how Jack thinks and can be in the right places at the right times to really shine while playing with Jack. Sam does it well but he is more of a playmaker.

Jeff Skinner scored at almost will while on a line with Jack.
- Stripes77

Good post
Although i wouldn’t hate it if Okposo got another shot with him (hides)