Roster
I believe that the sabres have a great core in place. Whether Thompson and Skinner can continue there current pace will determine the sabres needs. The biggest current needs in my opinion is another top 4 defenseman to play with Power, I don't think Jokiharju is that player but he has been great recently. Goaltending is pretty solid IMO, just going to need a 2 year stop gap till either Levi or Portillo is ready to move up.
I WOULDN'T sign another top9 forward. If the sabres sign a UFA Forward it should be a player on a 1 year deal. Someone like Johan Larsson, or Curtis Lazar.
I WOULDN'T sign ad UFA Goalie or RD for more than 2 years. That's when the most contracts will need to be renewed.
The Athletic Guide to a Stanley Cup Winner
Elite Center - Thompson
Elite Winger - Skinner
Elite Defensemen - Dahlin
Elite Goalie - UPL, Levi, or Portillo
Top Line Center - Cozens
Top Line Winger - Quinn
Top Line Winger - Tuch
No. 1 Defensemen - Power
Top Six Forward - Olofsson
Top Six Forward - Krebs
Top Pair Defensemen - Samuelsson
Top Pair Defensemen - UFA Defensemen, Jokiharju, Johnson or Drafted Dman.
Depth Players
Bottom 6 Forwards
Peterka, Mittelstadt - Play these 2 on the third line with the winger who isn't in the top 6. Krebs/Olofsson.
Asplund, Routsalainen, Okposo, Girgensons, Brett Murray, Laaksonen, Fitzgerald, Bryson.
Captaincy
This is probably an unpopular opinion but I'd give the captaincy to Rasmus Dahlin. Tuch is the popular player but we did trade for him and he isn't a home grown talent like Dahlin. Dahlin is also our best player and probably will be for a long time.
C - Dahlin
A - Tuch
A - Thompson
A - Okposo
Draft
8th - Take Jiricek or Nemec, if neither available you take the best forward available.
16th - If we don't get a RD at 8, go for Ryan Chesley here. Best available if we get Jiricek or Nemec.
20nd-32nd - if we get a RD at 16 go for best available. No RD try for Ty Nelson.
Special Teams
Power Play 1 -
I'd play Thompson and Quinn on the walls, Skinner behind, Cozens in the middle and Dahlin at the Point.
Power Play 2 -
Power at the point. Olofsson and Krebs on the walls, Peterka behind, Mitts in the middle.
I would be OK with signing a goaltender to a three-year deal, because Levi and Portillo may both need more than one year in Rochester once they come out. Luukkonen can split games with whoever we bring in, and his deal would run out around the time that one of the two younger goaltenders is ready to back up or supplant Luukkonen. In the meantime the team could be competitive enough to make the playoffs and get our core necessary experience. Above average goaltending with some player development should be enough to get the Sabres to the playoffs.
i like what you're doing here, but Thompson and Skinner aren't close to being elite. Thompson can be
Well, I don't know if they can constantly be. But they have been for the last 45 games. Both in the top 15 in 5v5 scoring per 60 minutes in the whole league since Jan 1, 2022. I do think though that the sabres have 3 potential Elite wingers. Krebs, Peterka and Quinn. They also have Cozens and Thompson as potential Elite centers. I don't think Mitts can be that anymore.
I would be OK with signing a goaltender to a three-year deal, because Levi and Portillo may both need more than one year in Rochester once they come out. Luukkonen can split games with whoever we bring in, and his deal would run out around the time that one of the two younger goaltenders is ready to back up or supplant Luukkonen. In the meantime the team could be competitive enough to make the playoffs and get our core necessary experience. Above average goaltending with some player development should be enough to get the Sabres to the playoffs.
It would create MAJOR cap issues IMO. Dahlin, Quinn, Peterka, Power, and Krebs would all need a raise. And Power, Quinn and Dahlins could all be 15-20m together in raises.
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
Saskleaf, homiedaclown et sabres89 a aimé ceci.
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