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2019-20 Sabres Remade amp ready to compete

Created by: rktkt66
Team: 2019-20 Buffalo Sabres
Initial Creation Date: May 5, 2019
Published: May 5, 2019
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
Head coach: Rikard Gronborg
Assoc. coach: Dave Hakstol
Asst. coach: Kris Knoblauch (PP/forwards)
Asst, coach: Steve Smith (PK/defense)
Goalie coach: Martin Biron
Free Agent Signings
RESERVE LISTYEARSCAP HIT
3$925,000
3$925,000
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
3$850,000
2$808,500
1$866,200
4$3,125,000
3$1,575,000
3$1,125,000
2$1,950,000
6$7,000,000
UFAYEARSCAP HIT
2$810,000
2$961,536
1$720,000
8$8,750,000
1$720,000
3$2,750,000
3$2,950,000
CREATEDYEARSCAP HIT
Ruotsalainen, Arttu
3$925,000
Trades
1.
BUF
  1. Callahan, Ryan
  2. Miller, J.T.
  3. 2020 2nd round pick (TBL)
TBL
  1. Ristolainen, Rasmus
  2. 2019 6th round pick (TOR)
2.
BUF
  1. Trouba, Jacob [RFA Rights]
Additional Details:
Trouba agrees to new contract prior to trade
WPG
  1. Nylander, Alexander
  2. 2019 1st round pick (SJS)
  3. 2021 2nd round pick (STL)
3.
FLA
  1. Nelson, Casey
  2. 2020 7th round pick (DAL)
4.
BUF
  1. 2019 5th round pick (PHI)
  2. 2020 3rd round pick (PHI)
5.
BUF
  1. 2019 2nd round pick (SJS)
DET
  1. Sheary, Conor
  2. 2019 6th round pick (WPG)
6.
BUF
  1. 2020 4th round pick (ARI)
ARI
  1. Girgensons, Zemgus [RFA Rights]
7.
8.
BUF
  1. 2020 6th round pick (OTT)
OTT
  1. Hunwick, Matt
  2. 2020 3rd round pick (PHI)
9.
BUF
  1. Neal, James
  2. 2019 3rd round pick (CGY)
CGY
  1. Okposo, Kyle
  2. 2019 3rd round pick (BUF)
10.
BUF
  1. 2020 3rd round pick (VAN)
VAN
  1. Larsson, Johan [RFA Rights]
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2019
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the SJS
Logo of the CGY
Logo of the SJS
Logo of the PHI
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
2020
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the TBL
Logo of the VAN
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the ARI
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the OTT
Logo of the BUF
2021
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
Logo of the BUF
ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
22$83,000,000$76,480,000$0$4,257,500$6,520,000

Roster

Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$8,750,000$8,750,000
LW, RW
UFA - 8
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$10,000,000$10,000,000
C
UFA - 7
$2,950,000$2,950,000
RW
UFA - 4
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$767,500$767,500 (Performance Bonus$132,500$132K)
RW, LW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Tampa Bay Lightning
$5,250,000$5,250,000
C, LW, RW
UFA - 4
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$3,650,000$3,650,000
RW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$1,125,000$1,125,000
LW
UFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$925,000$925,000 (Performance Bonus$850,000$850K)
LW, C
RFA - 1
Logo of the Calgary Flames
$5,750,000$5,750,000
RW, LW
UFA - 4
$2,750,000$2,750,000
LW
UFA - 4
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$1,575,000$1,575,000
LW, C
UFA - 1
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$800,000$800,000
C, RW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Tampa Bay Lightning
$5,800,000$5,800,000
RW
M-NTC, NMC
UFA - 1
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$925,000$925,000 (Performance Bonus$2,850,000$3M)
LD/RD
UFA - 2
$7,000,000$7,000,000
RD
UFA - 7
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$2,750,000$2,750,000
G
UFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$3,125,000$3,125,000
LD/RD
UFA - 2
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$3,387,500$3,387,500
RD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$925,000$925,000 (Performance Bonus$425,000$425K)
LD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Florida Panthers
$2,733,333$2,733,333
RD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$1,950,000$1,950,000
G
UFA - 1
Logo of the Buffalo Sabres
$1,300,000$1,300,000
RD
UFA - 1

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May 5, 2019 at 9:12 p.m.
#1
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Jets want more for trouba signed. Instead of Nylander, one of pilut or McCabe. Also do not want the 2019 1st, make it a top 10 protected 2020 1st
May 5, 2019 at 9:54 p.m.
#2
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rktkt66
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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.
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May 5, 2019 at 9:57 p.m.
#3
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rktkt66
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Quoting: arafay
Jets want more for trouba signed. Instead of Nylander, one of pilut or McCabe. Also do not want the 2019 1st, make it a top 10 protected 2020 1st


With no 1st rounder in this year's draft, I doubt they'd look to next year in lieu of it. If the Sabres were to include a defenseman at low cap hit, it would likely be Borgen, Hickey or the rights to Samuelsson - not Pilut or McCabe.
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May 5, 2019 at 10:13 p.m.
#4
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hey not bad man id just swap miller and mittelstadt

casey is more skilled just needs better wingers not wilson and sobotka
May 6, 2019 at 8:09 a.m.
#5
Eichel Tower
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This is the most comprehensive, well thought out, accurate assessment of the future. IMO you have presented Betterall's plan as well as he could have. You have invested a great deal of time researching the trades and preparing your comments.
As you have presented, Betterall will continue to develop the defense, sign UFA's to small contracts, and improve the offense with moderate trades.
While one may present contrary opinions, one cannot object to the over all post.
Five stars are insufficient to rate this post, great job, ALL other posts pale in comparison to this one.
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May 6, 2019 at 9:08 a.m.
#6
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Quoting: rktkt66
With no 1st rounder in this year's draft, I doubt they'd look to next year in lieu of it. If the Sabres were to include a defenseman at low cap hit, it would likely be Borgen, Hickey or the rights to Samuelsson - not Pilut or McCabe.


This draft is not that deep so I think Chevy will push for a 2020 1st not one in 2019. We can do without a 1st this year

I think the ask would be one of your younger defencmen like pilut or McCabe not another winger like nylander

Those prospects have nowhere near nylander’s potential. If you are replacing nylander in this deal, you need to have a “replacement”. The jets want a young d back and nylander doesn’t get us that
May 6, 2019 at 6:05 p.m.
#7
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I agree with almost everything you have here, it is very well thought out. Only thing is I think signing Ruotsalainen can replace the need for Donksoi in this lineup. Also I think they would be willing to give Borgen a shot before trading for Pysyk. Lastly, I think putting Rodrigues on LW with Mittelstadt would be smarter than having CJ there. Everything else... spot on.
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May 6, 2019 at 11:50 p.m.
#8
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rktkt66
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Quoting: sabertooth12
I agree with almost everything you have here, it is very well thought out. Only thing is I think signing Ruotsalainen can replace the need for Donksoi in this lineup. Also I think they would be willing to give Borgen a shot before trading for Pysyk. Lastly, I think putting Rodrigues on LW with Mittelstadt would be smarter than having CJ there. Everything else... spot on.


With Ruotsalainen, he's a LH shot and thus not ideal for a RW slot (compared to Donskoi as natural right-hand shot). Also, his size and being a center also seems like it'd be a forced fit for 1st line. Reports thus far have been that he's signed to 3 year deal with Finnish team, meaning he'd have to make Sabres or return to Finland. I added him in only because of the reported signing happening soon but I'm not sure if he's NHL-ready......he could excel like Pilut did or he could struggle like Antipin did the year before. It seems that Botterill is probably signing him as a low-risk depth move rather than filling a key role.

Regarding Borgen, he just finished his rookie year and looked like he wasn't quite ready for the NHL speed at his end-of-year audition. Since we know Botterill leans towards giving prospects time to build confidence at the pro level and Borgen went from college straight to the pro game, my hunch is that he'll allow Taylor to groom Borgen further with more minutes on top pairing after Pilut's graduation to Buffalo full-time. Also, as Pilut will be looked to provide offense and be given freedom to roam, adding a strong possession-type defender like Pysyk on affordable contract made sense.

As for Rodrigues, he's a RH shot while Smith is a LH shot so flipping them doesn't really help their offensive chances by playing their off wings. Part of my thoughts of adding Hagelin was that his defensive awareness and speed can help either the 4th line as a checking linemate to Rodrigues and Boyd or the 3rd line to help compensate for Mittelstadt's continued learning curve. Since Smith also has speed and a good 2-way game, he can go back and forth with Hagelin as needed.

In general, I tried to build the bottom 6 with blend of speed, offensive and defensive capabilities while also balancing the youth with seasoned vets.
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