Edited Jul. 25, 2023 at 9:08 a.m.
@Stadel
@BUFF36
@homiedaclown
Quoting: Affectionate_Side_64
Don't want to get caught up in the Timmins conversation because I can see now it might not be the best fit; this is why I welcome constructive criticism.
With regards to Hellebuyck, any reward that great comes with some amount of risk. The way I see it, you guys have acquired every piece you need to be a cup winner and goaltending remains the only question mark.
Having Cozens and Thompson as your top 2 centers signed for less than 8 mil long term is dreamy. Having Dahlin, Power and Samuelsson as the foundation of your D core for years to come is unfair. Then you add the talent you have at wing with guys like Tuch, Peterka, Skinner (for now), Quinn, Krebs etc.; add further your wealth of blue chip forward prospects like Benson, Savoie, Rosen, Ostlund; tradeable assets like Middelstadt and Oloffson; as well as your incredible amount of cap space and... man, Bringing in Hellebuyck gives you at least 5 years where you're a top 4 team in the leaue in my opinion. That to me is one of those rosters where a cup is just inevitable.
I understand there's risk involved, but in my opinion there's equal risk in not making a move like that as well. Look at Edmonton; if they had pulled off a trade for a player of Hellebuyck's caliber just as they were entering their window it's hard to believe they wouldn't have at least one cup to their name.
Your roster is incredible, it's time to take that next big step in my opinion...
First, great comments.
Very refreshing not seeing insulting statements about the Sabre failures over the past 10 years or directed to the ACGM.
Actually, Edmonton did take a big swing and miss when they traded Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson.
But let's move on to the Sabres' roster.
Players who were traded for when they were very young, Jokiharju, Thompson,
Levi and Krebs
Players who were traded or signed who had a connection to Granato or team mate Greenway, Clifton with Granato; Stillman with Hinostroza and Johnson with Okposo.
Players who have been on the team for what seems like forever Girgensons and Okposo.
Players who like playing for Buffalo Tuch and Okposo (yes he gets mentioned twice as he moved his family to Buffalo shortly after his signing).
Players were drafted by the Sabres Peterka, Quinn, Cozens, Bryson, Samuelsson, Dahlin, Power, Mittelstadt, Olofsson, and Luukkonen.
All others Lyubushkin, Comrie, Jost and Skinner.
All others is a very short list and other than Skinner are role players.
I will imagine Power and Dahlin will sign for less than expected as they will take the Western NY
Cost of LIving discount.
You are correct, Buffalo has a wealth of cap space with a 24 player roster and only the Hawks and Ducks will be lower when the season starts as Wings, Preds and Yotes need to add a player while Buffalo will shed one.
Why Hellebuyck does not work:
First, he does not fit well in any of the above catagories.
Second, the cap space is a mirage because even without Connor some very difficult decisions will have to be made for the 2024-'25 season when Casey, Rasmus, Peyton and Owen are all looking for raises (along with Connor Hellebuyck).
All of the surplus cap space will just melt away when Conner wants his $10,000,000.
Third, the Sabres believe Levi will be their Hellebuyck, and so do I.
Lastly, their window starts in two years when Tampa, Boston and Leafs either cannot afford the talent that they have or the talent ages out.
There will be other challenges from the Devils, Wings, Sens but as you correctly pointed out it is not only the NHL roster that is young and talented but their pipeline is top notch as well.