*DISCLAIMER* I do not mean to hurt feeling but making the boomer comments, but generalizing, these are the ideas and comments I hear from the older generation who still believe hockey is won by the biggest guys. I wanted to design a team that would make those happy who believe grit, grind, and size are the most important features of a player, not analytics. I'm trying to keep it somewhat realistic.
Trades - Act One:
After another season of losing and another GM fired, "back it up" Terry comes into Yes Man's office(Adams) and says "Adam, oh errr...Kevin, we need to be a contender today, and we're going to do that by being bigger, meaner, and tougher than every other team. Boston just won another cup and the strength of their grit and grind guys, and the leafs got that LaffyTaffy kid. The only way we can compete with those teams is to beat them up. I know I told you to go leaner, but I mean on the staff! I want this team to be thick and heavy!"
As Terry walks out the door, he turns around and says "And fix our f***ing center problem".
Thought Process:
Sabres - Caps
Tom Wilson is one of the last true POWER forwards in this game. He can hit, he can fight and he puts up decent numbers. That's a guy Terry's gotta have. Our biggest player asset that Washington could want would be Reinhart. I believe Rheino's value is higher, so I added another grit and grind guy to the mix. Maybe a pick in there, whatever.
Sabres-Bruins
The next trade with Boston is simple., it's a 1 for 1. Mojo for Krejci. Sabers get a guy who is more equipped to play C, Boston gets a guy they're familiar with and save a bit of cap space. Krejci has to waive his NTC and I'm not sure that happens.
Sabres - Blues
Goalie Swap with STL, same idea as Boston, they get a guy who played well in their system and save cap, we get a guy who they want out and *can* be a better goalie at times.
Sabres - Flames
We move on from Montour as we don't want to pay what we believe he'll get in an arb hearing and receive two bottom 6 guys. Jankowski to replace Larsson at 4C and Bennett as I know the boomers I know love him.
Other trades considered:
Lucic for Okposo, similar contract Lucic is much more boomer friendly but I think he fits in well with CGY and Ox has been good in the 4W role in BUF.
Risto is an untouchable in Terry's mind, so he's going no where.
Draft - Act 2:
The Sabres were able to make all of their trades and "fix" their team without trading 8th overall. And due to a few reaches both Marco Rossi and and Lucas Raymond are both sitting there at 8. As Adams is about to lock in his pick, he looks at Terry and says, "whos that guy". The both turn to look at the crowd, Adams says row 7 seat 1, and Terry looks over. He looks shocked and back at Adams."I don't care what his numbers say, that kid is way too small to ever do anything in the NHL! What about that tall American kid, Sanderson?" Disheartenly, Adams removes Rossi from the draft board and clicks submit on Sanderson.
UFA - Act 3:
Terry looks over the team and is very pleased, but has some concerns about the lack of defensman. "You know Kevin, defense wins championships. I had the last guy stockpile them and I expect you to do the same." "Yes, Terry" Kevin replies. Scrolling though the UFA's Available, Kevin clicks the "sort by" button and click PIM. He notices both Radkos Gudas and Mark Borowiecki sitting high up and available. Terry watching over his should says "Sign them". "Yes, Terry" as Kevin picks up the phone and starts dialing.
Radko Gudas, I mean his reputation speaks for itself.
Borowiecki is the same deal, I doubt he signs that cheap, or if he leaves Ottawa, but its the thought that counts.
Post-season Final Act:
Terry storms into the GM's office. "KEVIN!!!!! HOW DID WE MISS THE PLAYOFFS AGAIN!" "But sir, I built a team as you instructed, we were tough to play against, led the league in PIMs, caused the most injuries." Kevin whimpers. "How could let this happen Kevin, what went wrong?!?" "Well sir, we averaged 1.5 goals a game, and those 10 goalless games while Jack was out with a concussion in December really tanked our season." responded Kevin. "DON'T YOU EVER SAY THAT WORD AGAIN! WE NEVER TANKED!!!" screamed Terry. "Oh, um, ok, yes sir." Kevin once again whimpered. During this heated argument, there is a knock on the door. "COME IN!" Screams Terry, his face redder than a cherry.
(Enter Jack Eichel)
"I'm glad I caught you both, I am requesting a formal trade."
FIN
I hope you all enjoyed my story.
The best UFA decision the Sabres could make this offseason is re-sign Larsson to whatever he wants and let all the other UFAs walk, but too often I hear "Larsson has been here for all the losing and he'll always be a loser, so he needs to go". Dumb take, but this is from the same boomer who believes we don't play Risto enough....also I'm pretty sure Risto has been here the SAME amount of time...
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
CapFriendly
CapFriendly