Made a mock offseason for next year. Gave Peterka 5.5, Quinn 4, Byram 4.9, Levi 1.9, UPL 3.25.

Traded for Zegras using picks prospects, kept and brought up Kulich, kept the 4th line with modest raises for McLeod Krebs NAK and Beck. Have 3.4M in space. Zegras and Benson go RFA when Skinner is owed 6.4M. Which means if all stays equal the following season, and betting on that season to be 96M in cap, you have about 5.5M to sign both. Zegras at 6.5, (+1), Benson at, who knows, 4? (+3), you should be able to do this.

Clifton is an easy cap expenditure if you need it too, as he's UFA in 2 years.
- TheSabresTaco

In total, those seems very low, especially if you want to sign anyone to term.

Still a RFA after those 2 years to
- Buff36

Exactly. Even more of a season to trade for him. Sabres would control those rights

I hope as well, but I think we can rest easy because the kid is a beast on the forecheck.
- TheSabresTaco

Yes, that's why I also hope Kulich takes that next step. McLeod was a very good passer in Juniors. Kulich could be deadly with him.

I hope as well, but I think we can rest easy because the kid is a beast on the forecheck.
- TheSabresTaco

A Paul’s Gaustad 2.0 with more skill and is way faster of a skater

Exactly. Even more of a season to trade for him. Sabres would control those rights
- Sabretooth9

Sure, he's the perfect chip if he fits in

I believe it was viewed as not losing much value going back 11-14, the consensus was deep into the teens.

I find it most interesting that Trouba, Konecny, Farabee, Ehlers, Zegras some of these guys so obviously made available, are all still hanging out.
- TheSabresTaco

Now that they have McLeod, I'd love to go back and get Buium or Richardinson even more.

Sure, he's the perfect chip if he fits in
- Buff36

Who ever the Sabres bring in as the top 6 forward instantly balances out all the lines.

Zegras - tage - tuch
JJ - cozens - Quinn
Zucker - McLeod - benson
4th liners we just signed

Forcing benson or even Kulich in a top 6 role for this season is not a good idea.

Lines like this look way better. Also not forcing Zucker into the top 6 also helps

In total, those seems very low, especially if you want to sign anyone to term.
- Lunaion

they were not all long term. in all fairness we have no clue how this year will impact their costs.

I don't think Quinn is owed 4M yet and I gave Peterka Mitt's contract, which bought UFA years and he's a center that put up similar offense.

I get the point you're trying to make. But those 'question marks' are guys the Sabres would kill for. I get there's risk, but it's also the best chance finding top tier talent.
- Lunaion

No it was question marks OR guys like those. Clearly topping out as middle sixers. You know, where McLeod plays. He just plays a different style than those.

they were not all long term. in all fairness we have no clue how this year will impact their costs.

I don't think Quinn is owed 4M yet and I gave Peterka Mitt's contract, which bought UFA years and he's a center that put up similar offense.
- TheSabresTaco

I know it's a year early, that's why I commented on the total. They'll need to get some term on at least a couple and hopefully they don't all have bad years. If you get the goalies that cheap, something probably went very wrong.

Arb's not a pretty picture for goalies. The comps just aren't there for him to get much.

Sounds like Kev is willing to fight a bit on this one. Glad to see it.
- Lunaion

I listened to several podcasts today, I think it was Chad and Austin on EBuffalo, made a quick comment on the Arb for goalies, they said Arb almost always goes in Goalies favor.

Honestly, this could not have worked out any better:
- UPL chooses Arb, Sabres choose 1 or 2 year term...no brainer; 1 yr
- if UPL wins big, it is in a year where Sabres have ample Cap to afford it
- effectively a 1 year "show me" contract, based on above...who really cares about $, it is the 1 yr Term that is critical to make a more informed decision
- Sabres will have 2 years of data as a starter to make their committment contract in the next offseason.

Just don't F it up Kevo, take the 1 year contract even if it's $6m...the additional year of evaluation data is the big win here...not guessing on a 5 or 6 year contract value. Data driven decisions are the best.

Mount St. Helenius signed his entry level contract

Mount St. Helenius signed his entry level contract
- Powerslave

That mean hes playing in NA?

Sure, he's the perfect chip if he fits in
- Buff36

You do realize he’s more nhl ready for the 2024/25 nhl season than Savoie?

Needed to improve immediately, I have no problem with giving up an injury prone prospect for a position of need

That mean hes playing in NA?
- DirtyDan

Not necessarily, but he can. Did the same thing with Ostlund.

Mount St. Helenius signed his entry level contract
- Powerslave

Why did he wait so long?

This is terrible news? Did he miss a curfew ?

You do realize he’s more nhl ready for the 2024/25 nhl season than Savoie?

Needed to improve immediately, I have no problem with giving up an injury prone prospect for a position of need
- Boss34

Yes Zegras is

I listened to several podcasts today, I think it was Chad and Austin on EBuffalo, made a quick comment on the Arb for goalies, they said Arb almost always goes in Goalies favor.

Honestly, this could not have worked out any better:
- UPL chooses Arb, Sabres choose 1 or 2 year term...no brainer; 1 yr
- if UPL wins big, it is in a year where Sabres have ample Cap
- effectively a 1 year "show me" contract, based on above...who really cares about $, it is the 1 yr Term that is critical
- Sabres will have 2 years of data to make their committment contract in the next offseason.

Just don't F it up Kevo, take the 1 year contract even if it's $6m...the additional year of evaluation data is the big win here...not guessing on a 5 or 6 year contract value.
- IonSabres

Guess I missed that episode. Just going on my own research and arb knowledge.

There aren't many RFA goalies signed in the expected range. Oettinger at 4m. Swayman at 3.45m. Those are both significantly better goalies. Gustavsson at 3.75, but buys UFA years.

I don't think he has a real case over 4m, which I imagine would be disappointing to him.

Mad because of those Garbage six players brought back. And Sorry if I want more from a former Top 10 pick in a trade then a 30pt 3C at this point. And Savoie was coveted in a few Trades that Adams said NO to because he wanted Savoie. He did his job and rebuilt the Bottom 6 that he could have started years earlier. Could have probably traded Savoie for a better bottom 6 last year if they thought so lowly of him.
- Buff36

It is very clear that their opinion on him changed rather dramatically. FO's don't hold him in the same regard as thinking only of him as #9 pick. 2 years of info changed that apparently. If he was late because he got drunk the night before his 1st NHL game...hmm, maybe he had other questionable "incidents" in the 2 years before.

He got F'd, by a should injury in his D+1 year, then by another shoulder injury in the Preseason last year..but mostly by the F'g dumb ass CHL rule so he couldn't develop in the A...Juniors or NHL.

I love Savoie and was really hyped to see him challenge for a spot this year.
Still, the bigger need is for a true 3C who has a proven NHL game and who has offensive upside coupled with very, very good defensive acumen.
McLeod is exactly what this team needed.

The Sabres PK could very well be elite this season...check, check and check.

Guess I missed that episode. Just going on my own research and arb knowledge.

There aren't many RFA goalies signed in the expected range. Oettinger at 4m. Swayman at 3.45m. Those are both significantly better goalies. Gustavsson at 3.75, but buys UFA years.

I don't think he has a real case over 4m, which I imagine would be disappointing to him.
- Lunaion

1yr 3.75mill Avv

1yr 3.75mill Avv
- Buff36

That would be perfectly fine. I get the feeling he's expecting better.

1yr 3.75mill Avv
- Buff36

For upl. I would love that.

It is very clear that their opinion on him changed rather dramatically. FO's don't hold him in the same regard as thinking only of him as #9 pick. 2 years of info changed that apparently. If he was late because he got drunk the night before his 1st NHL game...hmm, maybe he had other questionable "incidents" in the 2 years before.

He got F'd, by a should injury in his D+1 year, then by another shoulder injury in the Preseason last year..but mostly by the F'g dumb ass CHL rule so he couldn't develop in the A...Juniors or NHL.

I love Savoie and was really hyped to see him challenge for a spot this year.
Still, the bigger need is for a true 3C who has a proven NHL game and who has offensive upside coupled with very, very good defensive acumen.
McLeod is exactly what this team needed.

The Sabres PK could very well be elite this season...check, check and check.
- IonSabres

I do understand that lon, and have stated I have no problem with McLeod. Just bad Asset management in my opinion, he could have helped last year if they were low on him. Colton was traded for a 2nd

That would be perfectly fine. I get the feeling he's expecting better.
- Lunaion

So do I

If a #9 developed into a 25 point defensive 3C, you'd be disappointed.

It's a little odd after drafting a lower ceiling, higher floor, close to NHL ready, projected 3C a week earlier.

I'm just assuming they felt they had to move Savoie this summer.
- Lunaion

30 pt.
Yet, Helenius at 14 is a good pick, who projects in as a 3C ...maybe tweener to middle 6. Is 5 spots in the middle a huge difference? Idk.

Was thinking that McLeod - Helenius - Rosen could be a deadly shutdown L3 with intense puck pressure, each who could play up as necessary.

The more I think about this, the more I like it going forward.