I know Thompson has been getting rave reviews with his play, but Cozens in his third NHL season is playing well. Looks like two very good long term centres for the Sabres.
And you want to add Bedard? Atlantic division teams would waiving the white flag.

Savoie less likely to make the team next year than guys like Rosen, Kulich, Rousek etc imo, Bryson better be a 7th D man for next season, we need a better option (Johnson).

Yeah I considered putting Rosen instead

I see some PIT fans still looking to give away Dumoulin just to get rid of his Cap hit
He’d be a great 3rd pair guy imo
We could take him for the rest of the year & see if he works out
And if he does, we can sign him for a couple more years

I'd do it, nothing to lose. However, Johnson would be the much better piece moving forward and I wouldn't want him to think "Oh look they just acquired another LHD, there is no room for me" and not sign with us. He seems to have already felt that with the Sabres this past offseason, hence why he didn't sign.

First of all, **** Ryan Johnson then
If he wants to be gift wrapped a spot, then we can trade him to Arizona

Are we trying to win?
Or trying to coddle a prospect who hasn’t proven anything at all yet?
Even if he did make the roster, how much is he gonna play per night on the 3rd pair? 12min?
Big whoop, we can get by without him

BUT
To play the game & assume we want to keep Johnson….
(In order)
1- trade for Dumoulin
He’s a UFA after this season, so no threat to Ryan Johnson
2- get Johnson signed
That could happen after his college season is over, and would be with a handful of NHL games left- just promise him a spot on the Sabres for the rest of this year
That gives us a small look at him to show his stuff, and burns a year of his ELC (which is beneficial to the player)

Then, in the offseason….
3- decide is we wanna bring back Dumoulin or not
Don’t care how Johnson feels about it- do what’s best for the Sabres

You could get a compensatory 2nd if you don’t sign Johnson

I know that
Doesn’t really have anything to do with Skyraider’s point of not wanting to lose him though
And it doesn’t apply to my point of doing what’s best for the Sabres over fearing he might not sign either