rktkt66
Joined: Jun. 2018
Posts: 999
Likes: 619
Some thoughts on proposal:
Coaching:
1. With the hiring of Krueger, Smith will likely be promoted to his Associate coach based on his 3 years working with Krueger in Edmonton from 2011-13.
2. Knoblauch, who was recently released in Philadelphia, is another bright, innovative mind known for his development of young players, power play strategies and use of analytics.
3. Promoting Taylor for his great work in Rochester both affords him NHL experience and provides a liaison for the promoted Amerks of Olofsson, Pilut and CJ Smith.
4. Martin Biron is hired as goalie coach, advancing his prior work as goalie developmental coach with the PSE Academy of Hockey.
Free agency:
1. Most of the key Amerk free agents are re-signed to continue keeping the roster in Rochester a blend of veteran and youth.
2. Ruotsalainen would begin in Rochester.
3. Rodrigues, McCabe and Ullmark are re-signed to new deals with fair term and dollar.
4. Sabres re-sign Skinner to term at salary other teams can't meet ($8.65M x 8 yr. = $69.2M, which would force other teams to pay Skinner $9.8M over max. 7 year term in order to match Buffalo's offer).
5. Donskoi is signed to slot in at RW on Eichel's side, creating another speedy forward that is strong in possession and on the forecheck with offensive creativity.
6. As a player familiar with Botterill, Hagelin is signed to replace the Larsson/Girgensons contributions to the PK as well as upgrade the speed and 2-way abilities of the 4th line.
Trades:
FLA-BUF: Panthers gain valuable cap space in a swap of bottom 4 RHD with a draft pick sweetener while Sabres reacquire a former defender with strong possession stats, mobility and defensive awareness as safety net for Pilut's offensive forays.
PHA-BUF: Flyers add veteran depth to blueline with player Fletcher didn't want to part with in Minnesota while Sabres gain cap space and some draft picks.
AZ-BUF: Coyotes acquire rights to a 25-year old two-way physical winger fitting Tocchet's style who can kill penalties while Sabres add a draft pick for a player they weren't likely going to qualify.
EDM-BUF: Oilers replace Larsson at RHD with a more offensive-minded, mobile, physical younger defenseman with more remaining term and add speed and scoring with 2 wingers. Sabres acquire the 2C they desperately need within the age bracket and cap hit fitting their model and gain Larsson as defensive-minded shutdown RHD to team with fellow Swede Dahlin. As a player who Krueger coached on Team Europe in 2016, Reider's RFA rights are sent to Buffalo. Swap of Sabres 1st rounder from SJ or STL for Oilers' 2nd rounder bumps Edmonton up 6-7 spots likely in this year's draft.
CGY-BUF: Teams exchange anchor contracts to each's caps but gain more in areas of weakness (Calgary with size and physical strength in Okposo, who waives NTC to join Cup contender; Buffalo with goal-scoring and finishing ability from a player familiar with Botterill).
OTT-BUF: Needing to get to cap floor, Ottawa acquires Hunwick and a 4th rounder from Buffalo in a cap dump for 1 year.
VAN-BUF: Canucks acquire rights to Larsson as depth 3C/4C and penalty killer. Sabres acquire a draft pick for a player they'll likely not qualify.
WAS-BUF: In an exchange of wingers with Cup experience, Capitals add a better penalty killer while Sabres add a younger and faster checking winger.