Michael Pachla: Questions galore as the Sabres ready for the opening of NHL free agency

Michael Pachla: Questions galore as the Sabres ready for the opening of NHL free agency
- Michael Pachla

just listened to the presser post draft


solid question Michael

just listened to the presser post draft


solid question Michael
- homiedclown

cheers!

I was hoping the devil's take a flier on duclair but someone said he is looking at 5mill per so fuk that

Think both the devils and sabres will be quiet

Maybe a couple small signings that's Al

Devil's do need a goalie

I was hoping the devil's take a flier on duclair but someone said he is looking at 5mill per so fuk that

Think both the devils and sabres will be quiet

Maybe a couple small signings that's Al

Devil's do need a goalie
- dmarsden2988

Will give you Hutton

Will give you Hutton
- Buff36

Fitz does well with trades

Simmonds for a 5th which turned into Murray
Coleman for Foote and a 1st
Hall for Bahl, merkley and a 1st

Fitz does well with trades

Simmonds for a 5th which turned into Murray
Coleman for Foote and a 1st
Hall for Bahl, merkley and a 1st
- dmarsden2988

Yeah, glad we could help you guys out, now it's time to return the favor.

Yeah, glad we could help you guys out, now it's time to return the favor.
- Buff36

Hutton and olof for a 3rd

Fitz does well with trades

Simmonds for a 5th which turned into Murray
Coleman for Foote and a 1st
Hall for Bahl, merkley and a 1st
- dmarsden2988

You used your own 5th round pick to get Murray, not our 5th round pick.

You used your own 5th round pick to get Murray, not our 5th round pick.
- RawDog

Ahh thought I saw it was from the Simmonds trade

Ehh either way only a 5th

"No one expects Buffalo to be in the mix for an Alex Pietrangelo or Taylor Hall but Adams has something on his mind while Sabreland simply has questions galore as to what this roster will look like come January 1st."

Wait, Eklund told us Pietrangelo was likely for Buffalo. Now you tell us it isn't likely. I am heart broken.

With respect to the question of a recapture penalty if Okposo retired.
I'm no Cap expert, but from quick research I did a couple weeks ago, there should not be a recapture penalty.
Recaptures happen when a player retires who had a front-loaded contract I which the Actual pay exceeds the AAV...then the difference becomes the recapture amount spread over the remaing term
Pretty sure I have that right.

Okposo did not have a front-loaded contract. It is relatively Buyout proof for another 2 seasons though, so he would need to retire ... doesn't look like that will be the case this season.
- IonSabres

Okposo did have a front loaded contract:

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/kyle-okposo

He made $8M each of the first seasons in his deal, and then $6M the next 3, along with $6M this upcoming season, which means he is $4M ahead, as the last 2 years of his deal are $4M per season, which means there would be a recapture penalty.

If they bought out his contract right now, it would be ugly as you hinted at:

https://www.capfriendly.c...ut-calculator/kyle-okposo

"No one expects Buffalo to be in the mix for an Alex Pietrangelo or Taylor Hall but Adams has something on his mind while Sabreland simply has questions galore as to what this roster will look like come January 1st."

Wait, Eklund told us Pietrangelo was likely for Buffalo. Now you tell us it isn't likely. I am heart broken.
- The Don

hopefully he won't reed what i rote

Sure, that's fine. Then we need 2 centers and Kahun becomes an asset we could have sold the rights to instead of letting him walk. What happens if Cozens outplays Toffoli this year. Just a scenario. Or what happens when the team wants Cozens with Staal?
- TheSabresTaco

I've been saying they need another center for months on end as it's clear Staal is not enough for this coming season, and long term.

Putting aside the likelihood of Cozens outplaying Toffoli, as that's very low, if they are dead set on playing Cozens at RW with Staal at center, then make that the preferred matchup line, i.e. the 3rd line, with a solid LW (wonder who that could have been?), and form a 2nd line with Skinner and Toffoli as the wings.

Bottom line: When do we stop making reasons for not wanting to bring in good players and just start actually bringing in good players?

Okposo did have a front loaded contract:

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/kyle-okposo

He made $8M each of the first seasons in his deal, and then $6M the next 3, along with $6M this upcoming season, which means he is $4M ahead, as the last 2 years of his deal are $4M per season, which means there would be a recapture penalty.

If they bought out his contract right now, it would be ugly as you hinted at:

https://www.capfriendly.c...ut-calculator/kyle-okposo
- kingcong39

i've resigned myself to the fact that he'll be here the next two seasons...did that a couple years ago

i've resigned myself to the fact that he'll be here the next two seasons...did that a couple years ago
- Michael Pachla

The only hope to get rid of the contract would be retirement.

I feel bad for him with all he went through (concussions, abuse as a child), as he's still a serviceable player. If he was making $3M or less, everybody would like the guy.

dreger

Anderson year by year with the Habs. 1) $4 mil 2) $4 mil 3) $7 mil 4) $8 mil 5) $7 mil 6) $5 mil 7) $3.5. Also includes no trade clause.

The only hope to get rid of the contract would be retirement.

I feel bad for him with all he went through (concussions, abuse as a child), as he's still a serviceable player. If he was making $3M or less, everybody would like the guy.
- kingcong39

totally agree...the only thing we can hope for is a 30-point season in a mostly defensive role

Unless Adams pulls off a trade, i don't see them doing anything today in FA. I am still kinda scratching my head over not qualifying Kahun and re-signing Z. I guess I should not be surprised at all at this point.

I've been saying they need another center for months on end as it's clear Staal is not enough for this coming season, and long term.

Putting aside the likelihood of Cozens outplaying Toffoli, as that's very low, if they are dead set on playing Cozens at RW with Staal at center, then make that the preferred matchup line, i.e. the 3rd line, with a solid LW (wonder who that could have been?), and form a 2nd line with Skinner and Toffoli as the wings.

Bottom line: When do we stop making reasons for not wanting to bring in good players and just start actually bringing in good players?
- kingcong39

if they can land craig smith for 3rw, am of the opinion that mitts may end up serviceable at 3c this season with a vet winger like that...

have red that smith wants a three-year deal...give it to him

Unless Adams pulls off a trade, i don't see them doing anything today in FA. I am still kinda scratching my head over not qualifying Kahun and re-signing Z. I guess I should not be surprised at all at this point.
- hehateme

I'm not surprised about Kahun, I'm SHOCKED!!! It was such a simple move - QO him, and use that time to negotiate, and if it gets to arbitration, pay the man. After all we've been through as a fan base, this is the move that has be on the brink. It's pure stupidity and a complete misuse of assets.

Ahh thought I saw it was from the Simmonds trade

Ehh either way only a 5th
- dmarsden2988

You didn't get our 5th

LOL 😅😂😅😂

Girgensons will eat pucks with his face, possess the puck, work the corners, finish checks, he may only score like 1 of 10 on breakaways but if this team makes the playoffs he will be seen and appreciated honestly. We can't have 12 Eichels each player brings a unique skillset

https://twitter.com/solly.../1314546396889075719?s=19

Hey there. I know how good hockey teams are built. I watch them come into Buffalo to play the Sabres all the time.

https://twitter.com/Buffa.../1314553650807799810?s=19

Stastny is getting traded to the Jets.

if they can land craig smith for 3rw, am of the opinion that mitts may end up serviceable at 3c this season with a vet winger like that...

have red that smith wants a three-year deal...give it to him
- Michael Pachla

What makes you think Mittelstadt will end up being a serviceable 3rd line center for the upcoming season?

Also, if you only think he may, then you go out and get another center and in no way plan on Mittelstadt being able to do the job.