To be fair Ive actually had those thoughts about those two teams some offseasons, as well haha.. think they're going to be better/make playoffs the upcoming season. Really thought Sabres were going to be in a WC spot, or at least challenging much more for one, last season. Thought the Red Wings would too and was right....they were so close ...all of those come from behind wins in the last few weeks.
- MattStrat

As of now the wings will likely take a step back

This line of thinking is why Sabres and Sens fans cling to hope every off season.
- Feds91Stammer

For the last 3 years, I've been told, "This is the year the Sabres turn it around and make the playoffs." And just like the Flyers, all they do is spin their tires in the same mud they've been stuck in since the previous season.

My-totally-serious-plan-to-fix-the-Penguins

1) Trade for Zegras
2) Playout this season as is
3) Sign Marner

Zegras-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Marner

I am taking no questions at this time.


- SuperHenderson13

I have wondered if Dubas has a plan of signing all one year deals. Trading off some cap space at the deadline and opening it up for Marner, McCabe, and/or Tavares. Players that he is familiar with from Toronto.

It would put him in an interesting spot with tons of younger prospects to take over the bottom six and save some cap space.. All just wishful thinking though.

Having their best stretch late in the season. Just giving you poop but the Sens and Sabres fans have been like this for a while. Like look how good they played once the games were essentially meaningless. Next year is our year.
- Feds91Stammer

There's a big difference though between saying last year was a disappointment, not much has changed so next year will be equally disappointing -- versus the past 10 years have been a disappointment, not much has changed but next year's our year.

Sebastian Aho to Pens

There's a big difference though between saying last year was a disappointment, not much has changed so next year will be equally disappointing -- versus the past 10 years have been a disappointment, not much has changed but next year's our year.
- MickV

Pens are on like 5 years of disappointment though.

Knights get Olofsson for only a little over a mill per season for two seasons. I would have liked it if the Pens did this. 20 goal guy whos under 30 years old for a mill a season? Yup.


EDIT: its just one season...even better

Sebastian Aho to Pens
- Weisenheimer

I guess thats the final writing on the wall that POJ is a goner haha

Aho was 2nd in xGF% and 3rd in HDCF% out of every d-man the Isles used at 5 on 5 last season. 10 d-men in total.

Pens are on like 5 years of disappointment though.
- Feds91Stammer

They made the playoffs 3 of the last 5 years including one division title. None of that is relevant though to thinking that based on getting 91 and 88 points the past 2 years, they'll likely end up with 85-90 points again next year if they stay healthy.

It's hard to get less than 80 points unless you intentionally tank, have a lot of injuries, or just have terrible goalies. If Sid gets hurt and has to miss a lot of time, they should trade both goalies and shoot for a top-5 pick, but otherwise they'll again end up around 85-90 points.

Aho was 2nd in xGF% and 3rd in HDCF% out of every d-man the Isles used at 5 on 5 last season. 10 d-men in total.
- MattStrat

Where does he fit though? Praying for a Graves trade, but is it gunna be Petts being moved?

Where does he fit though? Praying for a Graves trade, but is it gunna be Petts being moved?
- buckster2342

It's a league-min contract. He'll compete with Shea, Ludwig, and Graves for the 6 and 7 spots.

Where does he fit though? Praying for a Graves trade, but is it gunna be Petts being moved?
- buckster2342

There's also Ludvig kicking around too....something has to be in the works and I really, really hope its not Petts being shipped out.

Aho for 775k per x 2 is good value.

It's a league-min contract. He'll compete with Shea, Ludwig, and Graves for the 6 and 7 spots.
- MickV

Thats true...however one of those things isnt like the others hahaha...

Hint: three 775k's......and one 4.5 mill

Thats true...however one of those things isnt like the others hahaha...

Hint: three 775k's......and one 4.5 mill
- MattStrat

St Ivany too... 5 guys for 2 bottom pairing spots seems like overkill. Just like he's stacking up on 3rd/4th liners but not addressing Sid's wing.

They made the playoffs 3 of the last 5 years including one division title. None of that is relevant though to thinking that based on getting 91 and 88 points the past 2 years, they'll likely end up with 85-90 points again next year if they stay healthy.

It's hard to get less than 80 points unless you intentionally tank, have a lot of injuries, or just have terrible goalies. If Sid gets hurt and has to miss a lot of time, they should trade both goalies and shoot for a top-5 pick, but otherwise they'll again end up around 85-90 points.
- MickV

Sure but they are 6-15 in the playoffs over the last 6 years.

It's a league-min contract. He'll compete with Shea, Ludwig, and Graves for the 6 and 7 spots.
- MickV

Aho and Graves are roster locks. The other 2 suck.

St Ivany too... 5 guys for 2 bottom pairing spots seems like overkill. Just like he's stacking up on 3rd/4th liners but not addressing Sid's wing.
- buckster2342

Oh yeah! Forgot about St. Ivany....

Sure but they are 6-15 in the playoffs over the last 6 years.
- Feds91Stammer

Which has no impact on how many points they'll get in the regular season next year.

Just offersheet Necas and be done with it.

Oh yeah! Forgot about St. Ivany....
- MattStrat

Unless he has a brutal camp, pretty sure he has 3rd pair RD locked up.

Just a random thought... Considering the direction of things. Could Petts get moved? If you don't want to give him a long term deal, now is the time.

Just offersheet Necas and be done with it.
- drummer829

Keep dreaming, that would help us win now... thats not an option!

Just a random thought... Considering the direction of things. Could Petts get moved? If you don't want to give him a long term deal, now is the time.
- madmike71

No we don’t want to be wholly uncompetitive. Trading Pettersen would break the whole blue line.

Just a random thought... Considering the direction of things. Could Petts get moved? If you don't want to give him a long term deal, now is the time.
- madmike71

I thought he was specifically named as part of the future by Dubas but don't count anything out until he has signed an extension. If we really are writing this year off, Petterson would bring back a pretty strong haul with 50% of his salary retained.