Quoting: DahlinOlofsson67
just a few things 1) I think Brassard should be number 2 center 2) Victor Olofsson should be on the team and not Tage Thompson. other than that i think the team is good
While Brassard costs nothing in assets, he is 32 this season and will probably be looking for $3.5M minimum coming off his $5M prior contract. I floated the idea of the Sabres bringing in Sam Gagner as the 2C for the following reasons:
1. Oilers have cap issues and by a lot of reports from Edmonton, would happily dump Gagner and his $3.1M contract. He's presently slotted as their 3rd line winger.
2. However, Gagner turns 30 this fall and is in final year of his contract - so there's no long-term commitment to worry about if the Sabres envision Mittelstadt needing only 1 more year in a less-pressured 3rd line role until he assumes the 2C position.
3. Gagner is still an offensively-creative player who is effective on power plays and has some decent speed.
4. Gagner played under Krueger for 2 seasons and had some good seasons in the process - so there's a good chance reuniting coach and player might squeeze some decent production out of Gagner in a 2C role with increased ice time........plus we know that Reinhart will be more of the offensive catalyst on the line so that could boost Gagner's contributions.
5. Related to # 1, Sabres could probably send Oilers a draft pick or the RFA rights to Girgensons to get Gagner.
Again, just as with Brassard, the M.O. is for a 1-year stop gap. All of the legitimate 2Cs under more term aren't on the market or affordable with what assets Sabres have to offer to get them IMO.