I think you got it.
Great job all around.
Did you get to watch any of the practices.
I would have loved to have been able to attend.

Who would have thought Thompson would be in the NHL after his 2018-'19 season, much less starting on the top line.
He did exceptionally well after being sent down to Rochester getting 14 goals in 29 games including the playoffs.
Then he was voted the most outstanding player in last years prospect challenge.
I thought he would make the starting team last year, but Krueger thought Sobotka was a second line forward and demoted Tage to the AHL.

1997 first OA, Joe Thornton was thought to be a bust with only 19 goals after 136 games.
All of Buffalo is writing off 2017 8th OA Casey Mittelstadt who has has 17 goals in 114 games.
This is your team. Good job.

EDIT
Derek Ryan would be a great pick up.
He can win faceoffs, he KP's and he has 134 pts with 49 goals over the past 4 seasons.
Cody Eakin has 95 with 41goals over that same period.
He could be our #3 Center in a pinch.
If you move Girgensons to LTIR, there is cap space for Derek.

I think Thompson (or Mitts) is a no brainer to play the top line for a few reasons. It would be a total waste to play those guys on the third or fourth lines with their offensive potential being the strong point of their game. Also, this allows for balance through three lines. The third line scares me with youth, but I'd rather take a chance with Ruotsolainen than someone line Eakin. Skinner would be ruined. I say swing for the fences there and hope. I can only work with what the GM gave us, which is probably an improvement, but still very thin.

I agree that Mittelstadt may be on the team next year.
Read my post here:
https://www.capfriendly.com/forums/thread/407955?post_id=2042424
About Casey and Derek Ryan.

Read my post here.
I believe I wrote this after I commented on yours.
https://www.capfriendly.com/forums/thread/407900?post_id=2042462
Derek Ryan would be a huge addition to the Sabres.
That would give them real strength down the middle, let Cozens develop on the and give Kevyn possible trade assets at the TDL.