Équipe: 2021-22 Sabres de Buffalo

Date de création initiale: 25 mai 2021

Publié: 26 mai 2021

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

Trade Explanation:

Minnesota Trade:
Jack Eichel being traded to the Wild would help elevate their status from a good team to a legitimate contender. Minnesota would be adding in the extra 1st round pick in 2023 in this scenario due to the Sabres taking the Parise contract off of their hands. Boldy and Beckman are the two main prospects that come to Buffalo in this trade. This would allow Buffalo to restock their prospect pool while gaining assets for a player that wants to be moved.

Washington Trade:
One of the Capitals biggest detriments in their playoff series loss to the Bruins was their inability to have a threat other than Ovechkin on the powerplay. Adding Olofsson would add a lethal powerplay option on the opposite wall of Ovechkin. The Sabres would be getting a 2022 2nd Round Pick and Brett Leason, a prospect who took a step in the AHL this season.

Edmonton Trade:
After being swept in the 1st Round of the Playoffs by the Jets, the Oilers will have to be aggressive in this offseason if they want to take the next step. With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins being a pending UFA, adding Reinhart would give them a good option at 2nd line center if Nugent-Hopkins departs. If Nugent-Hopkins stays it would give them even more depth and make them more of a threat next season. The Sabres would be getting Dylan Holloway as the main piece of this trade and would be adding a 2022 unprotected 1st Round pick as a result of taking on the contract of Mikko Koskinen.

Winnipeg Trade:
The Winnipeg Jets and Rasmus Ristolainen have been connected to each other for a long time. At this point Ristolainen needs to be moved by Buffalo and Buffalo needs to move him. Retaining half of his salary in this trade would allow them to facilitate a trade with the Jets in this scenario.

Expansion Protection List:

Forwards:
Casey Mittelstadt
Anders Bjork
Rasmus Asplund
Tage Thompson
Victor Olofsson (Trade happens after)
Sam Reinhart (Trade happens after)
Jeff Skinner (NMC)

Defense:
Rasmus Dahlin
Henri Jokiharju
Will Borgen

Goalie:
Linus Ullmark (have to leave somebody exposed, Ullmark walks in this scenario)

Draft:

3. Luke Hughes: One of the youngest players in this whole draft has one of the highest ceilings in the whole draft. After Power and Beniers go 1 and 2 the Sabres would take the best skating defenseman in the draft.
29. Logan Stankoven: Stankoven lit up the WHL in the 6 games he played there and was a solid contributor for Canada. The reason he is available at this point of the draft is due to his height. Being 5'8", there are concerns with his size, however, the Sabres do need to take swings on upside in this draft.
32. Scott Morrow: Having one of the most high offensive ceilings for a defenseman in this draft, Morrow showed his vast skill and skating ability at Shattuck St. Marys this year.
51. Olen Zellwegger: Another puck moving defensman that show his upside in the WHL this year being over a point a game while being one of the youngest players in the draft.
82. Lorenzo Canonica: The Swiss forward is another of the youngest players in this draft. His two-way game was on display all season for the Shawinigan Cataractes in the QMJHL.
87. Ville Koivunen: Koivunen was a star for Finland in both the U18s this year and for Kärpät U20 team in the U20 SM-sarja in which he showed his goal scoring talent.
96. Yegor Guskov: The Russian goalie has been fantastic for Loko Yaroslavl in the MHL for the last 2 years in which he has put up a SV% of .945 over 62 games.
146. Lucas Forsell: The Swedish forward was a solid two way player for Färjestad BK J20 team in the J20 Nationell in Sweden.
160. Brody Lamb: Brody Lamb has been a stud in Minnesota high school hockey past 2 seasons. This past season the Minnesota Commit scored 52 goals and 87 points in just 24 games.
191. Florian Elias: The German forward was a solid depth forward for Adler Mannheim in the DEL scoring 8 points in 34 games, however, he shinned the most during the World Juniors in which he scored 9 points in 5 games while starring alongside J.J Peterka and Tim Stützle for Team Germany.
192. Elias Vilén: The oldest eligible player for this draft had an extremely productive season in the Liiga for the Pelicans in which he scored 7 goals and 14 points in 25 games.

Free Agency:

RFA:
Rasmus Dahlin: The best asset remaining in the organization had a down season with Ralph Krueger so a bridge deal is fair for all sides.
Henri Jokiharju: He finished the season on a high note after struggling under Krueger so both sides would agree to a bridge deal.
Casey Mittelstadt: When Don Granato took over as coach, Mittelstadt's career was rejuvenated and he appears to have a real NHL future.
Rasmus Asplund: Asplund exceled under Granato and showed that he can be an effective piece in the bottom of the lineup.
Will Borgen: Before he broke his arm, Borgen was one of Buffalo's best defensman in the Krueger portion of the season. When he came back from injury, Borgen picked up where he left off and was a key contributor.
Casey Fitzgerald: A solid AHL player is worth keeping around on another 1 year deal.
Dawson DiPietro: DiPietro was a college free agent signing last year and missed the whole AHL season with an injury. They would re-sign him to see what he can do.

UFA:
Jake McCabe: McCabe was the Sabres best defenseman before a knee injury ended his season. Signing him to a 2 year deal would give him security and would be attractive to him.
Devan Dubnyk: Dubnyk has been an average to below average backup goalie for the past few seasons. Signing him allows the Sabres to keep Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the AHL for at least 1 more season.
Luke Schenn: Schenn has had a wierd NHL career up to this point. He has been a member of elite Tampa teams so he would be a good player to bring in to the locker room.
Jon Merril: Merill is a solid defenseman who can play up and down the lineup and has been part of good teams.
Tobias Reider: Reider was solid in Buffalo and he does show the ability to be a bottom of the lineup player.
Drake Caggiula: Caggiula showed talent in the bottom of the lineup after being claimed off of waivers and is a solid depth piece.

Coach: Don Granato ends up getting the job.

Outlook: This Sabres team will not be good next year and will likely be in the bottom of the league hoping to draft one of Shane Wright, Brad Lambert, or Matthew Savoie.

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