Guys...........I spoke with Dan in Portugal.........pretty sure he is happy with this Fire and cleaning of the Sabre House. He and wife are doing well and loving Portugal but Hate Covid.........don't we ALL. He told me to say Hi to the L4S gang.
I was not happy with the firing. It’s not so much that I loved what Jason Botterill had done, but I felt that he deserved to get past this offseason. Everything he’d done pointed to this offseason as THE TIME his plan would coalesce. The Sabres have a large number of roster spots going away as UFA’s with a hearty “seeya!”. Three years is a minimum time frame for us to get a read on his draft capabilities. It has not been great, but a lot better than poor. The firing just seemed like the equivalent of punting on third down (NFL rules). His trades were IMO good overall - particularly since it seems as though the ROR trade was mandated by ownership. Now there is a “report” on ProHockeyRumors that Arizona GM, John Chayka, could be Buffalo bound. Since this is a crucial time for the Sabres - get better this offseason, or go into another rebuild - I would support such a move*. (* It isn’t clear that Chayka would come in to replace Kevyn Adams as GM. Rather, he could have a broader role with PSE.) There are some considerations that lend plausibility to this rumor, which I call “informed speculation”: - The Yotes recently presented UFA to be Hall with a lowball contract offer. An odd move made more strange by the fact that Chayka was not involved. I read a report that he did not even know about their plan to make the offer. - Chayka grew up about an hour from Buffalo, so it may be that he’d be interested in relocating. I think he’s done a credible job of vastly improving the Coyotes. He certainly has shown a willingness to make bold moves. Lastly, even in a broader role, it would help Adams to have fresh opinions about FA’s and trade targets.
10 year old Jack Eichel with Connor Garland. great story in The Athletic about Eichel's tenure on the Junior Bruins. 13 years old playing junior hockey while most of his teammates and opposition were 17-18 years old. He actually didnt score for the first 6 weeks of that season and then BAM!, hasnt stopped scoring since.
The curious thing about this trade is How TF did a rookie GM hump a respected GM like this?! Staal is 5 years older, but he’s better and cheaper. (Buffalo knocks $1.5MM off their cap.) Age really is not a factor since the Sabres were looking for a stopgap 2C to give Cozens a year of seasoning. If Cozens, Mittelstadt, Thompson, and No. 8 all become legitimate NHL’ers then the Sabres litany of woe will come to an end. A lot of “if’s”, I ‘spose, but what else have we got? Adams still has to find a replacement in the goalie tandem. Hutton had a medical condition of the eyes (literally couldn’t see straight). Still, the team needs a replacement and the fans are adamant about that. This is a buyers market for goalies, but it also means dumping Hutton will prove a challenge.
I was shocked when I looked up Staal's contract. i was assuming Minny was shedding $$$. Agree that Adams won this one. Hate to say it but it looks like Mittelstadt is either damaged goods or in need of a scenery change. Cozens should take the long road. Glad you brought up goaltending. I really think Buffalo should make a goaltending splash. Some good names reported available. I'm on the Lehner wagon now, not sure how the relationship with the Sabres ended when he left though. Looks like he's re-signing in Vegas anyway. Kuemper or Matt Murray would entice me. Fleury and Khudobin are old men but they could be just what the doctor ordered in Buffalo. A couple seasons to let the kids season. Seems like dumping contracts will really cost teams this off season. Am I way off, or is spotrac, in that the Swords only have 4 Fs signed for next season? Excluding 2-way deals. https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/
MN wanted to move on from Staal. That's the only explanation I can come up with; they just need to shake things up. But it's hard to believe other teams would not have offered up a better return. Staal did not want to be traded, he'd made Minnesota his home, and for this I cannot blame him one bit. He had a 10-team NTC clause that (oddly) Buffalo was not on. Reports are that Staal refused several trades over the past year or two, (including Boston), that shows that he really wanted to stay in MIN. He and his agent played a strategy of what type of team would want him - essentially a one-year rental for a playoff team. They had to leave 20 teams and bar 10, so they probably chose teams like BOS & TOR over perennial suckazz teams for this reason.(I'm speculating here; I do not have information to substantiate this.) Interesting take on Mittlestadt; and perhaps right. Personally, I think it's a bit too early to know, and it's obviously too soon to call him a bust. Note: that has not stopped some Sabres fans from labeling him with a B. He did something like zero pullups at his draft combine. Clearly, Casey got where he is [was] purely on God-given talent rather than hard work and effort. He does, however, really care about the game and he took his demotion to Rochester well. After the requisite approx. 10 games to get acclimated to the AHL, he actually played rather well. He also seemed dedicated to work on aspects of his game that weren't up to NHL standards. He went into the corners; he was willing to "get dirty". His reluctance to do that in Buffalo was probably a function of his still-undeveloped body. We need to see if he's lost his double chin (not a literal description of his physique) when camp opens. I think he'd have to have an almost shockingly good camp to make the team. But, Rochester seems like his destination. How long he stays an Amerk is the question in my mind. I'd rather run the risk that any trade value he may have is torpedoed rather than trade him now. His potential remains sky high. Obviously he may never achieve that, but he's too good to sell low, too. Tage Thompson has also been badly smeared in Sabresland. Of course, he'll be damned by association as the face of the ROR trade. He started last season in Rochester (after, a la Casey, he had finally been sent down the previous spring) but was quickly recalled only to be hurt on his first shift. His size has always been his intrigue since the laws of physics dictate that he has the potential to be a game changer. Again, it's a matter of his frame being filled with muscles rather than potential. Here the reports are promising; word is he showed up on a golf course looking buff. The problem at goal is really the problem with getting rid of Hutton's final season more that finding a replacement. There are a lot of available goalies with better stats (and eyesight). In the past, Terry Pegula would just pay him off or send him to an AHL team - salary be damned. But all teams are going to give second thought to such moves in this economic environment, and the word is that they wish to have an internal cap up to $10MM below the real cap. I just don't know how they can extricate themselves. It's too bad since Carter is a great lockerroom presence. I believe he deserves a shot at a backup role, but Ullmark is really only marginally better, that's to say he's a backup too. Ullmark is an RFA so it's possible they move on from him and Hutton. But replacingtwo goalies is obviously harder than replacing one. The team has two - stretching things, three - goalies in the pipeline with NHL potential. But a grand total of zero of them are going to be ready anytime soon.
The problem at goal is really the problem with getting rid of Hutton's final season more that finding a replacement. Dan what about Luukkonen ....what is his status with Buffalo ???...I have been waiting patiently for him to come up to the NHL......very good goalie.
UPL needs at least another season in development, maybe two years. It's simply too soon to know. There's a lot of buzz around him, and that is deserved. Still, he does not belong in the discussion about the 20-21 Sabres. As a follow up on Cozens. As a 19 year old, he cannot be assigned to Rochester. He's probably just too good for Lethbridge. If he's hit the weight room, (a common theme for Sabres prospects' development), then he will probably be in Buffalo. Not having him abused at 2C may be the most important benefit of the Staal steal.
I understand not wanting to sell low on Mittelstadt. I wonder what his value is to the rest of the league right now. Hypothetical I just came up with for fun- would you trade Mittelstadt for Matt Murray straight up? Damn CHL/NHL in bed together again screws over a kid. Cozens having only the NHL or back to Jrs option is bullshit. Happens at least once a year to some kid.
Good question. I'd be more inclined to approve this trade: Murray -> BUF for Miitlestadt AND Hutton -> PIT. (Getting rid of Hutton vexes me more than finding his replacement.)
I watched a couple of YouTube interviews with Eric Staal; his first presser and also The Instigators*. (* The Instigators are obviously Buffalo centric/biased, but they're knowledgeable and very entertaining.) I cannot copy & paste links on this device, but they're worth searching for. My overall impression is to be extremely impressed with Staal. He's a true hockey guy, so you don't hear a whole lot about the guy. He's not on social media - not as an "old guy" thing, or as any kind of statement. I think he summed it up very well when he said "I'm not interested". Like I said, he's a true hockey guy. Obviously his skill & role is something the team has desperately needed for some time. I was very impressed with what he will probably add to the lockerroom. Specifically, he's a lead-by-example kind of guy and he stressed the need for a team identity/getting the entire team to really buy into the collective goals for the team. That's the way to transition from talent** to execution at the NHL level. (** He reminded us that the talent level throughout the NHL is uberhigh; getting that talent to process positive results is the challenge.) This indicates that turning the Sabres around, while difficult, may not be as daunting of a task as casual observers may expect. Of course they need better players in key roles, but the reality is they have decent talent with a couple of great players. They have a lot to build upon. I think one of the keys is to not being forced to have players assume a role that they're not suited for. Marcus Johansson is a good player, but he was forced into a 2C role by default. Staal has been a 1C for well over a decade so stepping into the 2C role will be much more natural for him. It will also help his linemates (presumably his old Canes mate, Skinner will be one) fit more naturally into their assigned role. Staal will probably raise the level of play for everyone else on the ice. It's hard to not have my (badly beaten down) spirits lifted with this trade and its implications. As icing on this gift, we now hear reports that Kevyn Adams does NOT have a MANDATE for an internal cap. As someone who spent some time in business, I have no qualms about being very judicious about budget decisions. It is ALWAYS preferable to have cap flexibility. But an internal cap is a violation - not only a violation for what Terry Pegula told us when he bought the team, but also what he told us in June 2020. BTW, I doubt Botterill would have even tried to make this trade; Adams' prior relationship with Staal may have been one reason he had the confidence to make the call to Guerin.
Linus Ullmark signed a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. The 27-year-old goalie was a restricted free agent and avoided a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Monday. He was 17-14-3 with a 2.69 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage and one shutout in 34 games for the Sabres last season. Selected by Buffalo in the sixth round (No. 163) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Ullmark is 41-41-10 with a 2.81 GAA, a .911 save percentage and three shutouts in 97 NHL games (92 starts). NHL.com _________________ _______________________________ Do you like this, Dan? Decent numbers, I think.
I’m happy that he’s locked up for the season at a reasonable rate based on his stats. I am not loving the fact that it’s only one year and that in one year he’ll be a full UFA. I was hoping for a three-year settlement for a few reasons: - The Sabres have one G that will be e-draft eligible in Jonas Johansson and they get to protect one goalie. It seems a waste to use that on JJ. - The team is going to have the same problem one year from now - the need to extend Ullie. Only in a year they will not have the leverage they had this year. - The Sabres have a decent g-pipeline with JJ, Ukka Pekka Luukkanon, and Eric Portillo. All three have potential (especially UPL), but they need at least 2 or 3 more years. I would have liked the assurance that Ullmark would be there to bridge the development gap. I want to make another observation about the Sabres goalie stats. Ullmark had much (much!) better stats when you look at 5v5 performance only. The man-down stats really dragged down his overall stats. The PK goalie stats cannot, or should not, be pinned entirely on the G. The team HAS to improve their PK*, and in fact a few of the below-the-radar moves this offseason are intended to do just that. (* The Sabres had an absolutely abhorrent PK last season. In around 1080 teams since PK stats have been kept, the Sabres rank somewhere around 1040th. That’s really bad.) I’m not saying that we can ignore the entirety of his stats. I’m just pointing out that they don’t tell the entire story. It’s not out of the question that the Sabres’ PK will be better this year (they almost have to be better - literally have to be). If this happens Ullmark could go from an average starter to a very good starter. We’re not talking Hazek domination; just the potential to be very good. Also, Carter Hutton’s performance last year was absolutely putrid. But again, the stats do not tell the whole story. Huts had vision problems that were treated with treatment and not surgery. This problem was recognized mid season and Huts actually performed well while Ullie was injured. So the Sabres could have a very good starter in Ullie, and a decent backup in Huts. But both contracts will be up after the season and I’m not loving that. I’d like to se them trade for a G (AZ or Columbus could be trade targets). Buffalo has an almost absurd amount of NHL RHD talent. It’s actually too many players. Perhaps that’s a good problem to have, but it’s a problem nonetheless. Miller has a reasonable contract but has not - for whatever reason - seemed a good fit under Krueger’s scheme. So, I guess I’ve talked about more than just Ullmark’s new deal. But it is all tied together, and I just felt like rambling over the big picture.
Very well said, Dan and I appreciate the 'read'. I like Ullmark and I think your right on the money with having/wanting him signed for more than 1 year. That would be more secure, in my opinion. Goalie health will be a big factor... Ullmark stays healthy, better play in front of him on special teams, things should be fun in Buffalo.
Excellent Post Dan...........as you know I have UPL in my Keeper Money League and have been waiting on him to play. He is in the Prospect Bin so I can hang on.......he may be good Trade Bait ???
Great post Dan, I hadn't looked at Ullmark's stats too in depth but I buy what you're selling related to the PK issues. Tobias Reider should help. In my opinion Ullmark would be better suited as the backup on a strong team. Seemed like this could be the year to strike in acquiring a goalie, still could be. I would check in with Rangers and BJ's about their goalie situations, they'll have to make a move at some point or lose one of them to Seattle. Maybe Adams is waiting for one of those GMs, or another, to fold his hand and take less for a Shesterkin/Merzlikins. I'd also keep an eye on the Islanders because I think Sorokin makes Varly expendable sooner rather than later. In the end the Taylor Hall signing was probably the best move the Sabres could make and probably negated any shot at swinging for a big time goalie. Interesting the RHD thing in Buffalo. Good problem to have being in control of that market.
Olofsson signs two-year contract with Sabres Forward to receive $3.05 million annually, avoids arbitration hearing Victor Olofsson signed a two-year, $6.1 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. It has an average annual value of $3.05 million. The 25-year-old forward was a restricted free agent who had a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Nov. 4. He scored 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) in 54 games with the Sabres last season, tied for fourth among rookies in points and tied for second in goals and was named to the All-Rookie Team. Olofsson led rookies in goals (16) and points (35) when an injury in January caused him to miss 15 games. "I think that's something I've got to learn, just to be at a high level and be a threat all the time throughout an 82-game season," Olofsson told the Sabres website after the season. "I think that's going to be the biggest challenge for me because I feel like I have the capability of scoring a lot of goals, so I've just got to learn to manage the amount of games. That's my biggest challenge." Selected by Buffalo in the seventh round (No. 181) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Olofsson has 46 points (22 goals, 24 assists) in 60 regular-season games. "I think his work ethic and his dedication to hockey is probably the thing that jumps out the most," Sabres captain Jack Eichel said after the season. "Obviously, he wants to be a good hockey player. He cares about his game; he takes care of himself and he's constantly working on his shot. He definitely holds himself accountable. When you put those things together, you're bound to have success." Olofsson is the third Sabres player who avoided a salary arbitration hearing. Forward Sam Reinhart and goalie Linus Ullmark each signed a one-year contract on Oct. 25. NHL.com
good deal for both. Sabres get a nice skilled F for 2 relatively cheap seasons and VO sets himself up for a big payday if he can put up consecutive strong seasons.
