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rktkt66
Joined: Jun. 2018
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Some insights on my thought process:
RE: Coaching staff - Gronborg stands out as an innovative thinker, great teacher and communicator and having experience with veteran/NHL players (and stars) as well as developing young players. By all accounts from international players that have played under him, he has a presence that earns respect.....all of which are qualities that Botterill said he's looking for in the next coach. Adding in an associate coach like Hakstol, who has a good relationship with Gronborg and who also has been a head coach in NHL (something to ease Botterill's mind, if it's as big a concern as some would say), will help bring a voice in sync with the new head coach and who also was praised for his work with young players in Philadelphia and in college beforehand. Knoblauch, a respected head coach from the OHL before joining Hakstol's staff in Philadelphia, was credited as an innovative strategist for the power play - with Vigneault taking over in Philadelphia, odds are he'll replace the incumbent assistants with his own people, making Knoblauch available. Botterill and several media have talked about Smith's contributions this past season with Dahlin, Pilut and with guiding the PK to a solid standing for 3/4 of the season before the season-ending slump the team endured. Biron, while he may be comfortable as a media analyst, nevertheless is involved as a goalie coach with the Academy of Hockey and frequently engages the Sabre players. One would suspect that he may welcome a formal position with the Sabres to work with the goalies. By all accounts, Allen won't be retained nor should he, Payne or Hajt.
RE: Free agent signings - Along with returning many of the players key in Rochester's program, McCabe has always been a warrior and proven his competitive fire in battle. As one of the better shot-blockers and being versatile, it seems smart to extend him at an affordable deal as a part of the top 4, pairing him in a partnership with Montour. Rodrigues also proved more than valuable as the 'swiss army knife' he got billed as by Housley - adaptable at any forward position and someone who can slide up and down the lineup and help both specialty teams. CJ Smith has earned an NHL look at a modest contract commitment while Ullmark warrants a raise, albeit at a shorter term to promote him proving his status as either a starter or perennial backup as the Sabres wait and see what Luukkonen's development does. On the UFA front, Hagelin is reunited with Botterill as a veteran presence for the 4th line that adds speed and enhances the penalty-killing in the wake of Larsson's and Girgenson's RFA rights being dealt away. Donskoi appears unlikely to be re-signed in San Jose with higher priorities to get re-signed there and would slide in as Eichel's winger with similar playmaking and scoring abilities to Reinhart but with speed to keep up on the 1st line. Skinner is re-signed for all of the obvious reasons (chemistry with Eichel and his teammates, work ethic, skating, finishing ability) and given a deal no other team can match ($70M) but still fair value below other deals at the $9M+ level. Ruotsalainen is reportedly on the verge of signing a 3-year ELC - in premise, he'd join Rochester at first but it's not been reported specifically if he will only play in Buffalo or in Europe.
RE: Trades -
1. TPA-BUF: With a lack of youth and mobility in their top 4 behind Hedman and with cap issues staring at them, the rumored trade of Ristolainen to Tampa seems the likeliest of any scenario (assuming he is traded, and his lockerroom comments about not being unhappy if he were moved couldn't have earned points with Botterill in terms of a player committed to the cause). Miller, while not the ideal 2nd line scoring center, is nevertheless on an affordable contract with term and at 26 with great speed and versatility to play any forward position, seems to give the Sabres flexibility - especially if Mittelstadt evolves into the 2nd line offensive player the Sabres project him at, allowing Miller to slide into the 3C role. Absorbing Callahan's cap hit warrants a draft pick as a sweetener on the Sabres' side; hopefully, Callahan's return to his hometown region sparks a rejuvenated effort in his final year. If nothing else, he brings the same grit and physicality that Girgensons did.
2. WPG-BUF: With the Jets eager to free up cap space for their key RFAs like Laine, Connor, Copp and Roslovic, the odds are strong that Trouba will be dealt simply because they can't afford a raise to the $6.5M-7M range that Trouba is likely going to demand. The Jets will likely look to re-acquire a 1st rounder to replace the one they gave up for Hayes; for a top pairing defenseman at only 25, Trouba will likely cost multiple draft picks and a prospect (where Nylander becomes sacrificed as the Sabre prospect with the lowest market value at the moment). Sabres sign Trouba to a 6 year deal as Dahlin's partner.
3. FLA-BUF: With Florida looking to free up cap space by many reports to go after key UFAs and with Pysyk appearing to be a defender that could be sacrificed under Quenneville, swapping Nelson (similar age, also RHD but much lower cap hit) with a draft pick provides Sabres with a mobile, possession-strong RHD to act as the defensive net for Pilut's offensive rushes.
4. PHA-BUF: With a shortage of mobile veteran defenders, Scandella seemingly would be attractive to his former Minnesota GM who publicly was disappointed in having to trade him for salary reasons in 2016.
5. DET-BUF: Sheary adds more speed and forward scoring depth to the bottom 9 in Detroit in place of several free agents the Wings are likely to let go this summer.
6. CGY-BUF: A pair of 31-year old veterans with below-average skating and each floundering at the bottom of their current team's depth charts because of undesirable contracts seems like a recipe for the proverbial change of scenery. Neal reunites with Botterill as a depth option marginally less expensive than Okposo, while Okposo joins a team closer to Cup contention at the moment.
7. WSH-BUF: Wilson for Boyd represents little drop-off in talent or offense for either team and both have Cup winning experience. Boyd's lack of speed in comparison to Wilson is offset by his ability to play center or wing and at a lower cap hit.
BALANCE: Draft picks are acquired for RFA rights to Larsson and Girgensons while Hunwick is dealt after the 2019 draft as a cap dump, forfeiting a lower pick in next year's draft.
RE: Lineups - The defense tries to pair offensive-minded with defensive-minded (aside from the top pairing, where both excel at each). The top 9 forwards would seemingly provide more offensive balance than the past year while the 4th line has more speed and playoff experience to be both a respectable checking line and one that can offer the occasional offense.