Team: 2024-25 Buffalo Sabres

Initial Creation Date: Dec. 24, 2023

Published: Dec. 25, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Trades:
- Sturm is the exact kind of player we need. Amazing faceoff player, great on the PK and good leadership. Has a Cup ring and brings a diverse experience. Clifton is not the answer for our blueline and a team like San Jose might want a guy like him during the rebuild.
- Andersson is a very underrated player imo. Plays a hard-nosed two-way game. His consistency is something I really like about him and something we sorely lack on our blueline. He's gonna cost an arm and a leg if he's even available. Rosen and Savoie are both top notch prospects and both are expendable as our pipeline up front is loaded.
- The Montreal trade is probably a bit unpopular with my fellow Sabres fans but here is my reasoning. Sabres need goaltending and could use better quality D-depth. Allen is a vet goalie with a history of putting up >.900 save percentages (which is better goaltending than we have had the past handful of seasons). Great mentor to work with Levi and a guy who can play starter if need be. Harris has some upside but in essence is a guy to rotate in the lineup in case of injury or if RJ would need some more developmental time in the AHL (which I think is unlikely). Buffalo sends Krebs and UPL, both of which should be of interest to Montreal who could use another young center and a goalie who could rebound (pun intended) with a different team.

Signings:
- Mittelstadt --> a no-brainer to me. He has been one of our best and most consistent players the past 2 seasons. His faceoff numbers suck but he makes great plays in the O-zone and his compete and hustle have been notable on the backcheck. Sign him until he's 32 and at a fair AAV for a 2nd/3rd line guy.
- Jokiharju --> with Andersson brought in, Joki moves to the 3rd pair which he is a great fit for. 4 years and a 3.2 AAV is a comfortable contract for a player who could still grow a bit in his game
- Biro --> like this kid. Smart player and competes very hard. Reminds me of Zach Hyman in the way he plays. Great 13th forward option.
- Cederqvist --> Big body guy who is still adjusting to the AHL but I like the potential so keep him in the org
- Trenin --> Big, physical, knack for goal scoring despite 14-15 mins of playing time. Great option for the 4th line and good PK player
- Girgensons --> a 1 year deal at a fair AAV would make me okay with bringing Z back. He'd be forward depth and a good leader.

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