1b goalies aren't going to be able to mentor Levi and be the x factor that helle would be. 3 venza nominations in 6 years is difficult to do and being able to have that Levi helle tandem is just so valuable. Also takes him away from other teams that would want him such as ottawa who are within the same division

Keep Stanley as he stinks, we'd take Gawanke

But if it doesnt go well towards the end of a 4 year deal he's leaving a ton of money on the table. He'll choose the guaranteed money over the potential future earnings from when he's in his mid 30s. its unlikely to be that much higher any how factoring age

You refer to him as a rental if he stays and extends for 4 years that's where it's fair which would be why the trade happens

Gawanke signed in the DEL for I think 4 years so if you want but I think stanley could be a good 3rd pair lhd on buffalo for some size and upside as he didn't really get to have a fair shot this year

Yeah but would buffalo want to sign him until he's 38? It's probably a whole balancing act on contract as there's a good reason for years 2-7. Kinda got to meet in the middle and match what works best for buffalo

Well no buffalo wouldnt, a team in FA would. Im 100 percent certain if BUF acquires him its strictly for him to be a rental.

Which I guess is another way of saying I doubt that they trade for him lol

I think that he would sign that shorter term deal where he can be the number 1 guy on a team that if he was on I'd think could win a first round matchup. He signs 4 years takes him to 35 and by then buffalo can flip him as a rental and he signs with Detroit.

Mentorship isn't worth the 13th overall pick and a top quality prospect.

No shot imo. 4 years is too long. I think they project Levi to be a #1 in 12-24 months. I just dont see a fit.

Samberg then. Stanley doesnt fit our D style (big and slow).

When was the last time a 22/23 year old goalie was the number 1 goalie? I realistically see him ahl next year to get more games or backup and then 2 years where he is backup/1b so in about 3/4 years (levi is now 24/25) becomes the 1a/ unanimous starter playing 50 plus games. Young goalies need time and rushing him is certainly not the best idea

I'd do brenden Dillon retained

When was Korpisalo bad? He was very solid for the Kings, which is why they probably can't afford him.

Im not saying its the right move, but they played him down the stretch when they were fighting for their playoff lives and he was shutting the door on guys like panarin. He's absolutely 100% not going to the AHL (to start at least).

Almost every regular season with Columbus? his goals saved above expected was routinely well below average.

Sure, no retention necessary though

How does 7 games in the nhl equal that he's unanimously in the nhl? He wouldn't be the starter and I doubt he is a 1b. That's why if they trade for helle they can run that tandem and have Levi play 30 some games against some of the weaker teams where he can gain confidence and have an elite goalie that can bring them to the playoffs. Imo 1 years in the ahl wouldn't be the worst thing for his development. I think we forget that he is 21 years old with 7 games played. He isn't going to become this insane goalie in a year, it takes time. There's learning curves, changes to adjusting to a full 82 game schedule, and so much more that goalies go through and why many don't break through until mid 20s. Levi is a special goalie to be in this position at 21 so instead of just throwing him in to focus on what makes him the best goalie and having a mentor like helle, man there isn't an better goalie available in terms of skill and mentoring.

Bound to happen when you play for a terrible team. Put him on a good team like the Kings and he did quite well. Probably not starter or 1A well, but well enough to play in a 1B role.

I just included sranley as he's younger, cheaper, could really improve and when you're a 6'7 dman there's definitely some things that help with him that size.

Im not saying your logic is off. Im telling you, they have penciled him in as one of the NHL starters for next year. He will likely be part of a tandem where he gets a lower split of the games, but theyve all but confirmed hes not going to the AHL. Thats what I was trying to say.

They are really high on him, and one of the larger concerns before he signed was guaranteeing him playing time. As a result, its highly unlikely they bring in someone of hellebuyck's caliber and give him an extension.

There's a near zero chance the Sabres trade for hellebuyck. You dont have to believe me, all the ppl connected to the organization through media will likely mention it repeatedly in the off season. They all said hes not going to the AHL, and theyll all say the Sabres wont bring in a guy like hellebuyck because they are that confident in Levi

Again, not arguing against any of your points, they are all correct, but the organization has decided on its path for better or for worse.

He gave up a ton of weak goals in each of those years. All the underlying analytics suggest he was /as much/ of a problem in CBJ as his team was.

Then why is buffalo a team that is in these Hellebuyck rumors? To have helle and Levi as the tandem for 3 years is very similar to the tandem of ullmark/swayman. If buffalo wants Levi to have a mentor and really improve which they seem to want with them in the Hellebuyck rumors, then helle makes a lot of sense. You can't deny there is a reason why helle to buffalo is in rumors and if they aren't a team that would trade for him there would be news coming out about the plan for the goalies or put the rumors to rest.

Might be redundant at this point, but I just think there is no way buf trades #13 overall this year and any of their recent 1st round picks.

I think it's either 2024 1st and Rosen or ostlund. Or a 2023 1st and A B level guy.

Yeah thats what I had in mind
2023 first upl and b level prospect but if the jets add in stanley or Dillon the prospect becomes a rosen/ostlund.