So basically we can't sign Dahlin or Joki now.

I didnt make this team, but if they need more cap space for Dahlin and Joker, you do realize they can make trades the following offseason?

Not true - Rantta doesn't get resigned, Simmonds doesn't get resigned, McCabe doesn't get resigned, Larsson doesn't get resigned and they can move Gourde after he has bounce back season

Even if Buffalo makes 0 moves and signs all there RFAs to bridge deals or at the least the term and AAV they have earned signing that pair to a long-term deal is pretty much none existent - also probably best to sign them to bridges anyway as there is 0 benefit to being tight against the cap and not being considered a playoff team

So you traded a good young prospect in Thompson for a 1 year rental goalie? Bad move.

Dahlin will get at least $9mil a year and if Joki plays like he did this year, he'll probably get at least $4mil a year. That's $13 mil.

If you don't resign Raanta, Simmonds, McCabe and Larsson that's $10.6 mil in free cap. Somehow, you're counting on be able to move Gourde (which is silly, but whatever). But let's go against the odds and say you are able to move his ridiculous contract, that's an extra $5.1 mil. So you have $15.7 mil coming off the books. $13 mil of that is going to Dahlin and Joki and now you have $2.7 mil to replace the 5 players you didn't re-sign. Not possible. Even if it was, who are you replacing them with, minimum contracts? You're fielding a horrible squad at that point.

So your missing the point - Don't sign Dahlin to a 9 million dollar long-term contract - sign him to a 5 x 3 but I digress - the Sabres are in a major cap situation regardless of what they do - I have brought in players who are used to winning ( my thought is they won't stand for losing) both players are top 6 F ( needed in Buffalo) as for Thompson no he is not a "top" prospect and the last thing Buffalo should be doing is dipping into FA to sign a Goalie long-term at 6 plus, signing Top 6 F long term at 6 plus each - Buffalo has failed quite miserably at rushing this team

If after all you have done we still aren't good, then why are you trading picks and prospects like they are going out of style?

not taking Hutton for free

Hell yes from the Devils

I never said implied that after these moves Buffalo is not good