this article is old, but nothing really has changed in the last 5 years
https://www.diebytheblade...irgensons-buffalo-sabres/

Over the past three seasons, Zemgus Girgensons has been a complete disappointment despite showing a great deal of promise early on in his career.

After being selected 14th overall by the Sabres in 2012, he spent just one season with the Rochester Amerks before being thrust into NHL action. Though he certainly didn’t take the league by storm, the 19-year-old was a rare bright spot on a team of misfits that finished in last place two years in a row.

Thanks in large part to his home country of Latvia, Girgensons was voted into the NHL All-Star Game in 2015; a year he would finish with 30 points in 61 games. Not bad for a second-year player forced into top-line minutes on a roster that was specifically designed to lose games. As the Sabres “tank” season came to a merciful conclusion, fans pegged him as a long-term piece of the future core in Buffalo.

Unfortunately, from the moment former head coach Ted Nolan left town, Girgensons’ play has taken a nosedive. Since his “all-star campaign” three years ago, has failed to eclipse 20 points in a single season.

From October 15th to December 12th this season, he went a whopping 21 consecutive games without registering a point. With seven goals and eight assists, he experienced career-lows in both categories. He also posted the worst all-situation Corsi percentage of his career at -6.9. The only time fans saw even a glimpse of NHL-level play from him was when he skated alongside Jack Eichel, and even then he left a lot to be desired.

With one year remaining on his contract that carries a cap hit of $1.6 million, it will be interesting to see what the Sabres decide to do with him in the offseason. There isn’t likely to be a significant demand for his services on the trade market, though it’s possible the team could try to move him as part of a larger package deal.

If he does return next season, his cap hit is certainly manageable, but Phil Housley needs to keep him far away from the top-six. This past year was Girgensons’ last chance to claw his way out of “bust” territory and he failed miserably.

It’s clear at this point that he will never be the reliable two-way forward that fans saw flashes of during his first two seasons in Western New York. But hey, at least a Latvian rap group named a song after him in 2015, so that’s.... something
- homiedclown

23/24 season:


https://twitter.com/llyso...&t=hqR9TYIpzRsCOAnvTWKdTw

Zemgus Girgensons told us he wants to be back with the Sabres next season.

Girgensons informed Team Latvia this morning that he won’t be able to play at the World Championships, which will be held in Riga next month. He has a few “bumps and bruises” that require rest.


Elite GM decisions

23/24 season:


https://twitter.com/llyso...&t=hqR9TYIpzRsCOAnvTWKdTw

Zemgus Girgensons told us he wants to be back with the Sabres next season.

Girgensons informed Team Latvia this morning that he won’t be able to play at the World Championships, which will be held in Riga next month. He has a few “bumps and bruises” that require rest.


Elite GM decisions
- washedup20

How is Gus supposed to kidnap Irbe and bring him back if he doesn’t play for Latvia.

I really don't see how the Sabres can bring both Girgensons and Okposo back. They are going against there own Mantra of not blocking younger players. They could take away there ability to even get better. Sabres can roll out a decent top 12 without either of them. Be a even Faster Team to.

23/24 season:


https://twitter.com/llyso...&t=hqR9TYIpzRsCOAnvTWKdTw

Zemgus Girgensons told us he wants to be back with the Sabres next season.

Girgensons informed Team Latvia this morning that he won’t be able to play at the World Championships, which will be held in Riga next month. He has a few “bumps and bruises” that require rest.


Elite GM decisions
- washedup20

23/24 season:


https://twitter.com/llyso...&t=hqR9TYIpzRsCOAnvTWKdTw

Zemgus Girgensons told us he wants to be back with the Sabres next season.

Girgensons informed Team Latvia this morning that he won’t be able to play at the World Championships, which will be held in Riga next month. He has a few “bumps and bruises” that require rest.


Elite GM decisions
- washedup20

Z has been a good soldier. He's been through the ringer here. Love the heart. Hate that he wears Ric Seiling's skates.

I really don't see how the Sabres can bring both Girgensons and Okposo back. They are going against there own Mantra of not blocking younger players. They could take away there ability to even get better. Sabres can roll out a decent top 12 without either of them. Be a even Faster Team to.
- Buff36

Z has been a good soldier. He's been through the ringer here. Love the heart. Hate that he wears Ric Seiling's skates.
- Powerslave

https://twitter.com/llyso...&t=hqR9TYIpzRsCOAnvTWKdTw

Rasmus Dahlin confirmed he’s been playing through multiple injuries. Has yet to give any thought to signing an extension. He’s leaving that to his agents at Newport Sports.

Who signs 1st Johnson or Dahlin……..and where do they sign?

I really don't see how the Sabres can bring both Girgensons and Okposo back. They are going against there own Mantra of not blocking younger players. They could take away there ability to even get better. Sabres can roll out a decent top 12 without either of them. Be a even Faster Team to.
- Buff36

You are assuming that they feel that Kulich, Savoie and/or Rousek are ready. Maybe they don't feel they're ready. Or maybe they have other moves they're going to make.

Perhaps KO is the 13th forward. Olo is trade bait. One of the aforementioned kids slides into a 3rd line role. Maybe they hate Greenway as much as the fans do and expected more and HE'S outta here. So many scenarios. It's a long summer.

Before we freak out (which won't happen because this is kneejerkreactionbuzz, after all), let's see what happens over the summer.

- homiedclown

You have players that may be young, but have been on the team for Awhile
Dahlin- C
Tuch- A
Cozens-A
They could flip a A between Tage and Skinner to. Skinner is really liked in that Locker-Room.
It's Time to move to the next faze, could see one but not both.

You are assuming that they feel that Kulich, Savoie and/or Rousek are ready. Maybe they don't feel they're ready. Or maybe they have other moves they're going to make.

Perhaps KO is the 13th forward. Olo is trade bait. One of the aforementioned kids slides into a 3rd line role. Maybe they hate Greenway as much as the fans do and expected more and HE'S outta here. So many scenarios. It's a long summer.

Before we freak out (which won't happen because this is kneejerkreactionbuzz, after all), let's see what happens over the summer.
- Powerslave

I think you can go back and see many of my posts the last week talking about this offseason. And they gave up a good pick to give up on Greenway already.
Skinner Tallness Tuch
Mitts Cozens Quinn
JJ Krebs Savoie
Greenway Jost Rousek

I think you can go back and see many of my posts the last week talking about this offseason. And they gave up a good pick to give up on Greenway already.
Skinner Tallness Tuch
Mitts Cozens Quinn
JJ Krebs Savoie
Greenway Jost Rousek
- Buff36

And just because Z wants to be back doesn't mean they want him back.

How do you know Savoie is ready?

And just because Z wants to be back doesn't mean they want him back.

How do you know Savoie is ready?
- Powerslave

Because I don't think they will send him back to Juniors.

And just because Z wants to be back doesn't mean they want him back.

How do you know Savoie is ready?
- Powerslave

OK, never said they did want Z back. Said it would be stupid to bring both back.

I think you can go back and see many of my posts the last week talking about this offseason. And they gave up a good pick to give up on Greenway already.
Skinner Tallness Tuch
Mitts Cozens Quinn
JJ Krebs Savoie
Greenway Jost Rousek
- Buff36

And furthermore 😁 89 mentioned they wanted another top 6 F for next year (which should be good news for everyone).

And furthermore 😁 89 mentioned they wanted another top 6 F for next year (which should be good news for everyone).
- Powerslave

Very much so, so like you stated and I have said the offseason is important for this Organization. Sabres have many options available to them which is a Fantastic thing.

And furthermore 😁 89 mentioned they wanted another top 6 F for next year (which should be good news for everyone).
- Powerslave

Nothing 89 shared mentioned toughness after a season where GM publicly stated the teams gets bullied.

Nothing 89 shared mentioned toughness after a season where GM publicly stated the teams gets bullied.
- washedup20

Well hopefully Greenway brings more than his purse next year.

Very much so, so like you stated and I have said the offseason is important for this Organization. Sabres have many options available to them which is a Fantastic thing.
- Buff36

Most important off-season in a decade.

Olo gone?

Joker gone or slide to bottom pair?

Does the interest in a top 6 F signal that Savoie WILL BE returning to junior for one more?

To me, if they bring in a top 4 D and top 6 F, that tells me that it's definitely playoffs or bust, regardless of what they do regarding the 4th line.

Nothing 89 shared mentioned toughness after a season where GM publicly stated the teams gets bullied.
- washedup20

Maybe Tom Wilson is that top 6 F.

We. Shall. See.

Most important off-season in a decade.

Olo gone?

Joker gone or slide to bottom pair?

Does the interest in a top 6 F signal that Savoie WILL BE returning to junior for one more?

To me, if they bring in a top 4 D and top 6 F, that tells me that it's definitely playoffs or bust, regardless of what they do regarding the 4th line.
- Powerslave

Yep

Most important off-season in a decade.

Olo gone?

Joker gone or slide to bottom pair?

Does the interest in a top 6 F signal that Savoie WILL BE returning to junior for one more?

To me, if they bring in a top 4 D and top 6 F, that tells me that it's definitely playoffs or bust, regardless of what they do regarding the 4th line.
- Powerslave

I think Savoie gets his 9 games and they send him back.

I think he can be ready for the NHL next year, but I also see from the Sabres perspective why they’d want to let the ELC slide one more year (ditto Kulich).

Maybe Tom Wilson is that top 6 F.

We. Shall. See.
- Powerslave

Would be dope

A deals a deal Boss, you won fair and square. I have named a lot throughout the last few weeks.
Severson
Clifton
Mayfield
Dumba
Graves at LD
Trade wise: I would see what Vegas is up to this offseason. They have a lot of D, and a few young ones that need to either start playing or be moved. Are they willing to listen to a offer for Theodore, if not Whitecloud. See if they are willing to move a RD. If they aren't ready to move on from those guys maybe Korczak is available then.
- Buff36

Good post

My "insider" has been saying dumba for the past few weeks.

All.in good fun 🤝