VAN decline, they are not trading Virtanen.

We don't need Bernier from DET, we got UPL (Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen) coming up he and Ullmark would be the smart choice for the duo next year.

That's brave. Ullmark hasn't started more than 37 games in an NHL season and UPL spent the majority of this season in the Coast. They need another goalie to help Ullmark. Or else they have no shot at the playoffs.

Works for me I don't think Detroit is going to let him go they do need at least one decent goalie for next season.

No way this team makes the playoffs

1st off Bernier is better than Hutton and Pilut has signed with KHL, why would any team give you anything for him?

Then the Sabres play Montour on the third pair instead of Gudas one year on an arbitration deal and the Sabres sign a more proven two way forward from the UFA crop. Toffoli, Dadonov or Hoffman

UPL was not ready for the AHL last year. Why would he assume one season later he can skip that level and be ready for an even higher level

He has an out in his KHL contract for the nhl so he can accept a deal to play here at any time. Had the KHL contract not come about would be asking for a 3rd for him if it was clear he wasn't going to be in their top 6 this year. It is the belief he took the KHL deal to force a trade. If the Sabres won't comply he can play there for the next couple of years and make more money as his contract their would be tax free. If he is given a one way contract in the 1-1.5 million AAV range I believe he will definitely accept. He just does not want to be buried in the AHL again behind lesser players just because he is the guy that doesn't have to go through waivers

Exactly, Plus there's already been some speculation that Yzerman might reup Bernier for a year or two after this deal is over.

No thanks Detroit isn't moving Bernier.

Bernier and Hutton are very similar players. Last year Bernier had a better season than Hutton but career wise they are about the same. This gives Detroit the ability to pick up an asset in Pilut that equates to a second -third round pick about a 33% chance he will sign in nhl and become productive for years to come. If he does you have a top 6 dman for years to come. If not you get a second round pick. Hutton is good in the room and will accept the role of backup of you decide to bring in a bonafide # 1. If not he can lose just as well for you as Bernier did this year and help you solidify a top 5 pick again next year. The Sabres in the deal get a backup goalie that performed slightly better than Hutton did last year and is not coming off of corrective surgery. I really don't get the rationale for why Detroit wouldn't make this deal. Even if they are really high on Bernier he will be in his mid 30's before they are any good.

It has been reported but those KHL contracts are not always what they seem.

Again Bernier played well in front of a bad defense corp. No body in Detroit blamed him, he was probably their best player.

You are using a contract like Pilut to dump Hitton, but that is misleading because he may never play in the NHL thus making it moot. Just can not see Yzerman trading Bernier.

That is why there is a conditional second attached. If he doesn't sign then Detroit gets a useful asset back to help in the rebuild. Can't see why Yzerman would be so locked into a non difference making player on a team that was historically bad if he can get a good asset in return. If he was 25 I could understand the reluctance, but again even if they are very high on his ability his game will have significantly eroded before Detroit is any good. There are lots of goalies that can be brought to be average for a couple of years and won't complain being on a bad team because they are happy to be continuing their career and still getting decent ice time.

you have a deal from the penguins.
If Jugs is healthy you can flip him. The metro is way to competitive for this team to make the playoffs. ATL. is only getting 3 teams in.
BOS TB and TOR look to be it currently. Although with TOR defensive issues another team there can sneak in.

Well he had a major hip injury that affected his game for some time, besides I just don't want Bernier

Iv'e watched enough of Ullmark to know that I think he could take on a bigger role. Also with UPL I guess it's more of just a gut feeling, maybe you are right, idk

Understood that the surgery set back his timeline for a year and that is why he is not ready for the nhl to start this season. I mean if he starts in Roch AMD is undeniable then you can bring him up and if it is a Carter Hart situation then you flip Bernier for a mid round pick. Maybe a fourth or a late 3rd

I guess that makes sense

I think if the Sabres acquire the right 2C, then they will at least be in the mix at the end of the year. If their young guys step up Middlestadt, Cozens Virtanen proves to be a legit top 6 winger then I think they get in.