Whether Adams likes it or not, moves need to be made this upcoming season. His press conference where it was mentioned that Pegula sits in on Amateur scouting and takes notes and asks questions is slightly worrisome, as it makes me think its Pegula that is holding Adams back from trading prospects to improve the team.
UPL gets a pay raise (gets same contract Samsonov got in TOR) but I'm betting the team still doesn't fully commit to him because of Levi...so it's likely time to put a future on UPL winning the Vezina in his career like Ullmark did. The team loves Jokiharju too much to let him walk for nothing, and he has been better this year, but the team needs to upgrade RHD desperately in some manner/capacity, and I think Clifton isn't capable of being moved with his contract, so Jokiharju could be moved at the draft or sign and trade.
Mittlestadt is also a guy that could be sign and traded. He has 2 years left of RFA, which gives Sabres more leverage if they want to move him, but I think they get the deal done.
This also assumes Okposo retires this offseason and that Girgensons signs elsewhere to actually try and play in the playoffs in his career.
For RHD, I think Pesce stays in CAR and Tanev goes to a more competitive team, which leaves Roy, Walker, Carrier, and Demelo as guys to target. Carrier has had solid underlying analytics this year and Walker offers a ton more physicality than the team currently has, but Buffalo isn't a FA destination with all this losing, so the only way to get FA is to overpay (and yes, I think the UFA deals I have here are overpays). I could see Roslovic signing here on a 1 year due to his Donny connection but that would leave no place for Kulich/Rosen/Savoie and also assumes Donny keeps his job.
The Joshua pickup is to give the team something they don't have, physicality, and he has double digit goals and assists this year, and his shooting % this year is only 3% higher than last year, his first full season, so I think 10 goals and 15 assists is a reasonable number from him on a deal like this. He might get a bit more on the market, but I think this is around what he could get at 27 years old.
Krebs probably needs a fresh start somewhere else. The Sabres have completely stunted his development with his role/utilization, so if they resign Mittlestadt and keep him, the top 3 centers are locked up, so at that point, you need to move him. The laughton deal comes from Philly having scouts at a few sabres games, so this could be a move made.
These moves leave ~13M for next year for Peterka, Quinn (likely bridge due to his injuries), Ryan Johnson, and Levi. Which means they actually need to move salary next year to afford these extensions.
Gets 2 years younger at 3C, fits window slightly better and lets Krebs play a more offensive role (to note, Mark stone called him one of the best passers he's seen, the Sabres just didnt develop him properly). Adding a pick because Krebs' age and having more potential.
Agreed. The op is right about the kind of player to target, I just don't think Laughton is who he thinks.
Quoting: Shibbal18
Laughton is atrocious and it's an idea that should be buried away
I agree on both accounts that Laughton is bad. That's why I said "reputation of defensive and physical" because he's been bad, but this is the type of move that Adams would make to "make the fans happy" and "Get a new style of player onto the team" so when it doesn't work, they can say "I told you so".
I agree on both accounts that Laughton is bad. That's why I said "reputation of defensive and physical" because he's been bad, but this is the type of move that Adams would make to "make the fans happy" and "Get a new style of player onto the team" so when it doesn't work, they can say "I told you so".
A defensive physical player would be great, but Laughtons stats are very not fun to look at
I agree on both accounts that Laughton is bad. That's why I said "reputation of defensive and physical" because he's been bad, but this is the type of move that Adams would make to "make the fans happy" and "Get a new style of player onto the team" so when it doesn't work, they can say "I told you so".
If you're suggesting that adams is guilty of half measures, I'm in full agreement.
If you're suggesting that adams is guilty of half measures, I'm in full agreement.
The title of my post here says it all. "The offseason that doesn't change as much as we want". The fact that Adams had a press conference to clarify regarding "shopping" Mittlestadt was due to what was said on After the Whistle (by Andrew Peters) says it all to me. Adams wants the appearance of being in full control and the puppet master when he has inherited a top prospect pool and multiple 1st round picks, and the only moves that have been made are to bring in players with a connection to the head coach (Clifton, Greenway both were part of the USNTDP) and Erik Johnson was the "veteran to bring leadership and help Okposo and Girgensons". Once Donny is fired, going to be real awkward for the new coach because of how many of "Donny's guys" are here.
Pretty spot on. I am optimistic they wont try for laughton though. I think they did entertain it at one point, but his play being what it is now just isn't worth adding to the lineup even if it costs nothing. Plus I think theyre warming up to Krebs as a 3C but we'll see.
My guess is they avoid FA altogether this summer. Every single one of his FA moves is a total dud. Like they've all been negative wins above replacement guys. I dont think theyll make a huge move or anything like that but I think internally they probably realize they've reached a point where overpaying via trade for someone who is a little more consistent will add more value to the team than clifton 2.0
AntiAnalytics liked this.
Reply
Quinn,
CapFriendly
CapFriendly