blow it up and restart, good time for a rebuild. If they weren't anything with johnny and Tkachuk then they wont with this

Uhhh...they don't. Lose Tkachuk and you're rebuild bound

1. Sabres aren’t trading for Tkachuk. Last year They shipped out Eichel, Reinhart, and Risto for futures. We’re at least a year away from a big move like this.
2. Sabres aren’t trading Samuelson. He finished last year on our top pair with Dahlin in his rookie season, and is expected to start there this year. This would leave a big hole in our defense, and not something the Sabres would do.
3. To answer your question, they don’t. They went out in the first round last year and then lost their leading point producer. They are a playoff contender this year, but don’t have any legitamite cup aspirations.

I'd would do it up until Samuelsson, that would be a hard pill to swallow right now, but Samuelsson is definitely not in your bottom pair. I think both teams pass, Calgary would want more of their needs hit and Buffalo would be reluctant to part with Samuelsson who CGY doesnt need

They still have elite defense and goaltending. Offense will take a big hit but depending on what they can get in return for Tkachuk it may not be the end of the world (they could get another elite forward back instead of a package of futures). They still have Lindholm and strong secondary pieces in Mangiapane, Toffoli, Coleman, Backlund but may be missing some top tier talent

I would hate losing Samuelsson, but I think I'd have to do it

Take out Samuelson and add something else

Who ? Sabers fans only have a handful of players they are willing to depart with. For most the price will be either to high or its not enough to get the deal done