I'd take that. It frees us from the risky Suter contract given it goes until he's 40 and also brings us a decent mid-6 winger.

I would also make this trade. Anything to get Bailey off the Isles.

He's that bad?

He’s an empty calorie scorer who only puts up points because he’s given a ton of ice time in high leverage situations. Horrible defensively, doesn’t drive offense at all. He’s a passenger with great passing ability

Yeah i wouldnt. That suter contract is terrible.

I don't see Varlamov as goalie situation resolution for Sabres, so Buffalo pass.

Both contracts are awful. I’ll take the risk with Suter.

Sabres say “maybe”
I’m sure they’d be looking at other options first though

I agree with this - I think stat wise he looks like he's been solid and consistent but I'd want to know more about his health and just what type of guy he is - The NY press has some articles where they are basically saying he shouldn't be a starter and is too expensive to be a backup.

I hate the hypocrisy of it all. You b*tch about lou getting old guys but then you wanna trade for a 37yo whose contract runs till hes 40. And dont forget the nmc he has so it might be unmoveable. Its a terrible trade for nyi but since the cool narrative rn is get rid of bailey no matter what you jump on that train 🤡🤡🤡

What’s hypocritical about wanting to take the risk with Suter over Bailey? Considering their level of play and cap hit, it is far more likely Suter will provide more value than Bailey.

Bailey is 33 YO, he is so bad at 5v5 that whatever team he is on is better off A. making him 13 F or B. Only using him for special teams. Bailey hurts his team at 5v5 whenever he’s on the ice, Suter was a star defenseman most of his career and is aging pretty well. At this point any team that Bailey is on the top 9 can’t make the playoffs, he’s that much of a liability.

Whats hypocritical is that youre constantly complaining abput the age of the roster yet now youre advocating for a guy in his late 30s whose contract runs till 40 that you cant move unless he agrees bc he has an nmc.
I understand the idea of moving bailey and its actually one i agree with. But that doesnt mean make a bad trade just for the sake of moving him.

When you have a contract on the books as bad as Baileys, you have take calculated risks, and that might mean trading an old player like Bailey for an old (and more impactful) player like Suter. I’m only advocating trading for Suter if it gets rid of Bailey and his contract, me being a hypocrite would be trading a pick for Suter.

To be fair, we likely won’t have the pick of the litter
So Varlamov could be a legitimate option
I just don’t think he’d be the first choice

It’ll be an interesting offseason though
Looking forward to the moves we do make

I would make this trade:
First, it is for only one year,
Second, Semyon's SV 0.911 is significantly better than Anderson/Tokarski duo last year 0.898.
Let's presume a team gives up 30 shots per game over 82 games Semyon would give up 219 goals while our best tandem last year would give up 251 goals, 32 fewer goals.
Third, Semyon would be an insurance policy in case Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is not ready for full time NHL action.
Fourth, his salary would help the Sabres to reach the cap floor, while upgrading at the weakest position.
Fifth, if Semyon plays as well next year as he has this year, there will be many teams offering a second round pick for him.

IMO this is a no brainer, Buffalo upgrades their GK while allowing Luukkonen to develop, helps to reach the cap, would get the second back at the end of the year.

It's not about Varlamov not being upgrade over Tokarski or Anderson. The issue is that, Sabres must find 1A goalie, UPL will the backup. I think with all this cap space, Sabres can do better.

I would rather give up a 2nd and a 5th to have someone like Arizona, Detorit or Ottawa take on his contract, or even buy him out, then take on Suter. Rather just wait and sign someone younger in free agency or trade for a Soucy, Sanheim or Rielly . We seen where the isles got with an aging defenseman like Green and Chara, I don't want to go on that road again even if Suter is having a resurgence in his late career. Just reminds of Giordano, too much risk to take on with where the organization is at right now.

The problem is a 1A goaltender might not be available. In the UFA market you looking at Jack Campbell where you would have to outbid heavily to get him ( I don't think he wants to leave Toronto) . MAF is prob retiring. Kuemper is most likely resigning with the Ava's. Holbty is now a backup at this time. Realisticilly you looking at Korpisalo who have a horrendous season and is not as good as Varlamov . So unless you give a team a trade package that they can't refuse like NYR for Georgiev, (which the Rangers see pretty happy with their tandem ) or WASH for Vanecek Varlamov might be your best option.

Then Sabres have to explore trade option. Right now, they can give any UFA goalie, that they like, 1,5-2mil aav over anybody else. Thay may lure some big name.