there are play-in games and playoff games...

the play-in series' finish the regular season, as does the round-robin format for the top-four teams in each conference

the playoffs begin after the play-in round is finished...

not sure what part of this equation people don't understand
- Michael Pachla

Understand what you are saying, then they should have just played out the regular season, because in that aspect the Sabres technically still could have made the playoffs, never would have happened, but technically yes.

Raymond - going to be a player in a 3 years that should have went 2nd ( style comparison Marner)

Holtz - boeser

Perfetti- RNH ( people can disagree but i see it )
- gerbe75pts

Muchas gracias

The Sabres badly need any of those 3 comparables above.
- kingcong39

They need them now, not 3 years from now when Eichel has extended his middle finger to the Pegulas

I think it's much more of a possibility that somebody like Crosby tests positive for Covid and is out for the play-in round than teams tanking it.
- kingcong39

Good post

Probably going to effect the gambling line as well.

Game 1 and 2 price has a fever
Game 3, 4 and 5 price is back, crosby and malkin test covid positive

Wonder how soon/ frequently before the actual game is played, that players will be tested?

Late scratches 🤔

They need them now, not 3 years from now when Eichel has extended his middle finger to the Pegulas
- Powerslave

It's not either or. Trading 8th overall isn't the only way to add talent immediately. It does however tend to have the highest margin of error.

I mean obviously if a core player can be had for 8th you do it, but it hasn't happened since the salary cap was introduced.

Actually, I might say Jordan Staal was, but the circumstances surrounding that deal don't really exist today (playing behind Crosby/Malkin and wanting a massive 10 year deal)

I dont see him going 8th .. im not going to get my hopes up the only thing thats a little weakness is his speed moves like Vanek but his scoring is elite
- gerbe75pts

Assuming the top 3 is Lafreniere, Byfield, and Stutzle, 2 of the following 6 will be available when the Sabres pick, and I'd be happy with any one of them, including Drysdale.

Raymond, Rossi, Perfetti, Holtz, Lundell, Drysdale

It's not either or. Trading 8th overall isn't the only way to add talent immediately. It does however tend to have the highest margin of error.

I mean obviously if a core player can be had for 8th you do it, but it hasn't happened since the salary cap was introduced.
- Michael Ghofrani

It doesn't have to be just 8th overall for a core player.

That's not what I'm saying.

If you can package it (or if you NEED to package it) for the core player, you do it.

Risto isn't going to get you a core player by himself.

Neither is Montour.

Trading Reinhart for a core player is basically spinning your wheels, so I don't know why you do it.

All this is said, obviously, without knowing who that core player is.

It's not either or. Trading 8th overall isn't the only way to add talent immediately. It does however tend to have the highest margin of error.

I mean obviously if a core player can be had for 8th you do it, but it hasn't happened since the salary cap was introduced.

Actually, I might say Jordan Staal was, but the circumstances surrounding that deal don't really exist today (playing behind Crosby/Malkin and wanting a massive 10 year deal)
- Michael Ghofrani

All of the above, but especially the first sentence.

Add another top prospect that they are sorely lacking by making the pick, and then go about the business of improving the team for next year.

It doesn't have to be just 8th overall for a core player.

That's not what I'm saying.

If you can package it (or if you NEED to package it) for the core player, you do it.

Risto isn't going to get you a core player by himself.

Neither is Montour.

Trading Reinhart for a core player is basically spinning your wheels, so I don't know why you do it.

All this is said, obviously, without knowing who that core player is.
- Powerslave

If the core player coming back is a Center, I strongly disagree.

All of the above, but especially the first sentence.

Add another top prospect that they are sorely lacking by making the pick, and then go about the business of improving the team for next year.
- kingcong39

And how is that done with the garbage we have?

If the core player coming back is a Center, I strongly disagree.
- kingcong39

That's why I said, all this is said without knowing who that core player is.

Of course you do it.

It doesn't have to be just 8th overall for a core player.

That's not what I'm saying.

If you can package it (or if you NEED to package it) for the core player, you do it.

Risto isn't going to get you a core player by himself.

Neither is Montour.

Trading Reinhart for a core player is basically spinning your wheels, so I don't know why you do it.

All this is said, obviously, without knowing who that core player is.
- Powerslave

No I got that, but that's a lot like the Carter to Columbus deal. They packaged 8th with Voracek and it burned them bad.

Ristolainen and Montour won't fetch those returns but they don't have to. There's no doubt the team was bad, but you don't really need to swing for core talent to make this a playoff contending team.

Their secondary talent is what let them down, and you can find these guys by looking for value where others aren't. Let guys like Cozens and Lundell/Holtz round out your core.

It doesn't have to be just 8th overall for a core player.

That's not what I'm saying.

If you can package it (or if you NEED to package it) for the core player, you do it.

Risto isn't going to get you a core player by himself.

Neither is Montour.

Trading Reinhart for a core player is basically spinning your wheels, so I don't know why you do it.

All this is said, obviously, without knowing who that core player is.
- Powerslave

The harsh reality is the following:

If Ristolainen gets you Andrew Copp and a pick, it immediately improves the team.

If Montour gets you Kerfoot and Johnsson, it immediately improves your team.

That's why I said, all this is said without knowing who that core player is.

Of course you do it.
- Powerslave

I'm not sure that dealing Reinhart to Calgary for Sean Monahan is a big win or even a small win, but that's the kind of deal that is likely to happen.

And how is that done with the garbage we have?
- Powerslave

See my post above this one.

We won't know if that core player will be available or if there is even one until we see what happens with the the Cap. This years pick should not be available unless you are getting a Larkin type back.

No I got that, but that's a lot like the Carter to Columbus deal. They packaged 8th with Voracek and it burned them bad.

Ristolainen and Montour won't fetch those returns but they don't have to. There's no doubt the team was bad, but you don't really need to swing for core talent to make this a playoff contending team.

Their secondary talent is what let them down, and you can find these guys by looking for value where others aren't. Let guys like Cozens and Lundell/Holtz round out your core.
- Michael Ghofrani

I guess if you're talking a short term piece, OK.

A guy like Henrique can fit that bill. A placeholder.

The harsh reality is the following:

If Ristolainen gets you Andrew Copp and a pick, it immediately improves the team.

If Montour gets you Kerfoot and Johnsson, it immediately improves your team.
- kingcong39

But all you're doing is trading for more 3rd line players, forcing the coach to, YET AGAIN, play guys above where they should be.

I guess if you're talking a short term piece, OK.

A guy like Henrique can fit that bill. A placeholder.
- Powerslave

The Sabres have players occupying roles in which they are subtracting wins from the team.

You move those guys (or move others and move them down a notch or two) and replace them with players who can add any sort of value and you'll notice a big change.

I think one of Rossi or Perfetti drops to 8th maybe even Raymond(doubt it)

I think some teams will see size as an issue and we could also see Sanderson, Lundell or Quinn jump into the top 7.

If we trade the pick I would wait until its our turn on the board. The price goes up if that happens and we could get some interesting phone calls.

I am waiting for Tampa to call and offer Cirelli.

Yes it was said on tsn .. that's only if the playoffs are canceled
- gerbe75pts

You are reading it wrong. It is not correct. The teams that were 8th - 15th get a chance, Sabres were 7th. So not from the results of the lottery last night, the seeding before the lottery. No way one team (Sabres, or whomever that was bottom 7) will still get a chance at 1st overall. Sorry. I wish too, but not happening.

I think one of Rossi or Perfetti drops to 8th maybe even Raymond(doubt it)

I think some teams will see size as an issue and we could also see Sanderson, Lundell or Quinn jump into the top 7.

If we trade the pick I would wait until its our turn on the board. The price goes up if that happens and we could get some interesting phone calls.

I am waiting for Tampa to call and offer Cirelli.
- sabresfan69

That would be nice but that's going to be a long wait as I don't believe there's a chance they move him.

You are reading it wrong. It is not correct. The teams that were 8th - 15th get a chance, Sabres were 7th. So not from the results of the lottery last night, the seeding before the lottery. No way one team (Sabres, or whomever that was bottom 7) will still get a chance at 1st overall. Sorry. I wish too, but not happening.
- Lilroot9

I just want a do-over because we dropped. I know we can't get 1 ... I'd like to be a little higher than 8 though.

I just want a do-over because we dropped. I know we can't get 1 ... I'd like to be a little higher than 8 though.
- kritter65

Can I convince you that dropping to 8th instead of 9th or 10th actually worked in their favor due to the players that will be available at 8...?

Can I convince you that dropping to 8th instead of 9th or 10th actually worked in their favor due to the players that will be available at 8...?
- kingcong39

Could we get up to 2 or 3 ? That's what I want. Forgive my ignorance/stupidity. Took a hydrocodone as i just got out of Sisters Hospital after 6 days of being in there.