🥳
- Buff36

Is the trade that seemed to have been ruined by trading back the one we thought was with Philly?

If that’s the case, based on briers face when that trade fell through at the draft I’m happy we didn’t make it.

Wait...

You think Wahlberg >>> Savoie?

That would be quiet something. I do love Wally, but I would say that's a pretty wild take personally. Wahlberg is going to be a fine bottom6 player one day, Savoie still has the chance to be a top6 guy (and sooner).
- QuinnFan

I think his value is absolutely higher than Savoie's was. As many have pointed out, some of this is because he is a more recent draftee. He also faired very well in limited time in Roch.

The other side of this is organizational need. I don't think you want 2 guys the size of Savoie and Benson on your team. Wahlberg has the size that many of our prospects are missing.

Is the trade that seemed to have been ruined by trading back the one we thought was with Philly?

If that’s the case, based on briers face when that trade fell through at the draft I’m happy we didn’t make it.
- Shadman306

Laughton for 14 would have been the end of me

Laughton for 14 would have been the end of me
- Hank Balling

This is probably why briere was about to cry, he thought he was gonna win HUGE

Laughton for 14 would have been the end of me
- Hank Balling

The reports were that we like Frost. Trading 14 or even Savoie for Laughton would have been a joke.

I think his value is absolutely higher than Savoie's was. As many have pointed out, some of this is because he is a more recent draftee. He also faired very well in limited time in Roch.

The other side of this is organizational need. I don't think you want 2 guys the size of Savoie and Benson on your team. Wahlberg has the size that many of our prospects are missing.
- Slump Buster

I think also that the league is somewhat over the hype of small skilled wingers, especially after seeing this years playoffs.

The panthers won due to a team game, hard work, and size.

Savoie would be out game one of the playoffs with another shoulder injury

Laughton for 14 would have been the end of me
- Hank Balling

If the total value gap between Savoie and McLeod is a surface crack in a sidewalk, the gap between Helenius and Laughton is an open draw bridge.

- washedup20

Most all reports from around the league agree Wahlberg is >> savoie
- Shadman306

Where are those? Not trying to be a jerk, I've just never seen one that has him ahead of Savoie. Before the draft, this was fair. Helenius jumps to the top to replace Benson as his ceiling is high and also unknown (newness factor).

https://thehockeywriters....op-ten-prospects-2023-24/

Where are those? Not trying to be a jerk, I've just never seen one that has him ahead of Savoie. Before the draft, this was fair. Helenius jumps to the top to replace Benson as his ceiling is high and also unknown (newness factor).

https://thehockeywriters....op-ten-prospects-2023-24/
- QuinnFan

There were a number of tweets shared in the last blog along the lines of “savoie has been the prospect Buffalo has been shopping all offseason” and that the “perception of other GMs is that savoie’s value wasn’t very high”

I believe Savoie is seen as a 55 point middle six winger, which can be had for (pulls up the Buchnevich trade) about nothing

If he's one dimensional, 55 point guy, Jeff Skinner just signed for 3 million kangaroos
- TheSabresTaco

Skinner just signed that to go to a Finals team, could've gotten more elsewhere, including TO. Buch just signed for 6x8, so he has a lot of value to the Blues for sure.

I dk, at the end of the day I think we traded a 50pt guy for a 25pt guy. We're not that far off. I just don't get how this is a good thing. I'm hoping I'm dead wrong.

Or in Hockeybuzz terms, I hope I am "mocked" in short order. Nothing would please me more.

There were a number of tweets shared in the last blog along the lines of “savoie has been the prospect Buffalo has been shopping all offseason” and that the “perception of other GMs is that savoie’s value wasn’t very high”
- Shadman306

Kind of moving the goal posts then, Wahlberg isn't better, Savoie was simply the one we were shopping as Wahlberg likely has little to no trade value until he hits the NHL ranks.

As I've said, if this is the case, they should've traded Savoie in a year after he got some pro minutes and proved worth. At this rate, even if he busted out, I think it would've been the wiser gamble.

Kind of moving the goal posts then, Wahlberg isn't better, Savoie was simply the one we were shopping as Wahlberg likely has little to no trade value until he hits the NHL ranks.

As I've said, if this is the case, they should've traded Savoie in a year after he got some pro minutes and proved worth. At this rate, even if he busted out, I think it would've been the wiser gamble.
- QuinnFan

Kevo didn't have another poopty year left to waste and he knew it

So he went from doing nothing to.... panicking? So from June 27 to July 5th, people kill him for not doing anything because other teams were shuffling around their bottom 6. He then makes a move that *might* be an overpayment, and it is... panic? The narratives never cease to amaze. Panicking would have been selling Eichel for 50 cents on the dollar.
- Slump Buster

Very well said!! Need more like you on the blog.
Most on here are screaming 😱 the sky is falling!
Forget last year it’s over the mistakes from last year are in the Rearview mirror!! This is a new season. And winning the offseason means squat.

Skinner just signed that to go to a Finals team, could've gotten more elsewhere, including TO. Buch just signed for 6x8, so he has a lot of value to the Blues for sure.

I dk, at the end of the day I think we traded a 50pt guy for a 25pt guy. We're not that far off. I just don't get how this is a good thing. I'm hoping I'm dead wrong.

Or in Hockeybuzz terms, I hope I am "mocked" in short order. Nothing would please me more.
- QuinnFan

We traded a 50 point guy (maybe) that only does offense for a 30 (hopefully more) point guy who does defense and forechecking.

It's valuing one set of skills for another. One that is significantly more useful for the Sabres and the Oilers.

Kind of moving the goal posts then, Wahlberg isn't better, Savoie was simply the one we were shopping as Wahlberg likely has little to no trade value until he hits the NHL ranks.

As I've said, if this is the case, they should've traded Savoie in a year after he got some pro minutes and proved worth. At this rate, even if he busted out, I think it would've been the wiser gamble.
- QuinnFan

Maybe the polite way to put this is they bought high and sold low.

I'm surprised how ardent a few are defending the value of this trade. I expected more of "it's OK to overpay".

We traded a 50 point guy (maybe) that only does offense for a 30 (hopefully more) point guy who does defense and forechecking.

It's valuing one set of skills for another. One that is significantly more useful for the Sabres and the Oilers.
- TheSabresTaco

I don't think they're done, either.

We traded a 50 point guy (maybe) that only does offense for a 30 (hopefully more) point guy who does defense and forechecking.

It's valuing one set of skills for another. One that is significantly more useful for the Sabres and the Oilers.
- TheSabresTaco

Instead of losing 8-6

Maybe they win 4-2

Stopping the puck from going in your net, just as important as putting in the other one.

Maybe the polite way to put this is they bought high and sold low.

I'm surprised how ardent a few are defending the value of this trade. I expected more of "it's OK to overpay".
- Lunaion

They didn’t buy anything.

They selected high cause they sucked.

Savoie just happened to be the player chosen.


Would you say the Nylander was a poop trade also, he was drafted 8OA after all.

Maybe the polite way to put this is they bought high and sold low.

I'm surprised how ardent a few are defending the value of this trade. I expected more of "it's OK to overpay".
- Lunaion

"low" is subjective. His value was on a bit of an down turn. I also don't get the "should have traded him last offseason" statements. Nobody has a crystal ball. Also, even a downturn isn't permanent. His story hasn't been written either way.

Are you serious? While he may have inquired about some of them, there is no way that he banked his offseason on any of those players.

Also, can you name the other top 6 forwards that have moved this offseason? The moves have shaken out in a predictable way: the 4th line filled out because those guys are most plentiful. The 3rd line followed. The entire league is waiting for the logjam at top 6 to break up. Everyone in the league is looking for top 6 help. If the numerous reports out there are true, Adams is still working to fill out that last major hole. And it really isn't even necessarily a hole - we could bring up Kulich and put him there if we want to. We have options, but given what happened the last 2 years, I think we want it to be as close to a sure thing as possible.
- Slump Buster

Great post!!

They didn’t buy anything.

They selected high cause they sucked.

Savoie just happened to be the player chosen.


Would you say the Nylander was a poop trade also, he was drafted 8OA after all.
- ImThatGuy

What does Nylander have anything to do with this

Kevo didn't have another poopty year left to waste and he knew it
- Hank Balling

Agree 100%. It was a desperation move. That being said, what was best for the franchise isn't always going to be the best for a GM on the hot seat. That's all.

We can be happy we brought in a player of need, not about the cost of doing so. That is a glaringly bad trade. We need to hope Savoie completely busts out in order to win this one IMO.

Instead of losing 8-6

Maybe they win 4-2

Stopping the puck from going in your net, just as important as putting in the other one.
- ImThatGuy

2022-23: Run
2023-24: Stop the run
2024-25: Run and stop the run

Maybe the polite way to put this is they bought high and sold low.

I'm surprised how ardent a few are defending the value of this trade. I expected more of "it's OK to overpay".
- Lunaion

I’m firmly in the: at this moment it’s a bit of an overpay but it’s worth it for filling a glaring hole in the bottom 6 and getting the fastest player in the league who actually plays a north south forecheck game.

In a couple years when savoie doesn’t make the nhl or makes it and pulls an Alex nylander we will be the winners of the trade.

But frankly I don’t really care what things cost at the moment, if you look at the roster we got much better. The small differences in perceived value of unknowns that are coming in a year or two means nothing to me I just want to watch fun hockey and get an extended stay hotel in Buffalo next spring for the entire playoffs