John Carlson is the big fish, and completely transforms the Sabres defense overnight with Dahlin. In order to make this work, Zach Bogosian MUST be traded and that cost may be a second round pick. However, would you rather pay Bogosian 5 million, or Carlson an additional 3? Of course, Carlson will need to continue to perform like he has.
Patrick Maroon. The Sabres do need to be faster, but we cannot underestimate the need for a player who is also big and physical somewhere in the lineup in the top six. Evander Kane was a physical who also had speed, which Maroon is not a burner, but he is tough to take the puck away from. Maroon can play with the big boys as he showed in Edmonton. What Maroon does best though is puck possession, and in this scenario, I have him on a line with the Sabres two best possession players ROR, and Sam Reinhart. This dominant possession line, which is also i'll admit slower, will be tough to play against for opposing teams, and good defensively, and will complement the much faster top line with Mittelstatdt, Eichel, and either Olafsson or Sheary.
Derek Ryan. An ideal third line center with speed who can help boost the penalty kill. He gives you a fourth center capable player who can also play top six if needed. Ryan O'Reilly could still eventually be traded, and Ryan allows you to have Eichel, Mittelstadt, and Ryan down the middle. He also buys time for prospects Rasmus Asplund, and possibly Andrew Olglevie.
Long term, the Sabres will free up 10 million in cap space next season with Moulson and Pommer off the books.
Kyle Okposo could be a good candidate for the new Seattle franchise in a couple years if the Sabres need more space for re-signing Dahlin and Mittelstadt.
The deals of Ryan and Maroon are relatively short deals and wont hurt the team financially. They could buyout both in the final year if they need more cap space.
Long term, Marco Scandella may be the defenseman who may not have the long term future in two years when his contract is up, and I can see his minutes going a more cost effective Guhle
Bailey, CJ Smith, and Baptiste compete for the final roster spots,...the fourth line is NOT set by anymeans.
Buffalo will buyout Hunwick and take on the cap hit that goes with it. Pittsburgh recieves a cost controlled defenseman with top four potential similar to Ian Cole.
for the same reason that you don't want bogosian is the reason ottawa doesn't want him. last place teams shouldn't be at the cap, but somehow the sabres are.
for the same reason that you don't want bogosian is the reason ottawa doesn't want him. last place teams shouldn't be at the cap, but somehow the sabres are.
Ottawa is a cap controlled team, no way do they take on Bogosian, he makes more money than his cap hit of 5.14 (its the exact contract Ottawa cannot afford to have)
And that pitt trade is ugly. Why are trading McCabe to buyout a player for Pitt? Sheary isnt enough of a prize to entertain that idea.
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