Id do it, but I dont think ownership wants to pay anyone that much yet. If he was a centre maybe.

Point taken.

I don’t think the sabres should do that Lambert,Krebs> Fiala

*shrugs*

Maybe. Lambert is an unknown and considered the most polarizing player in the draft. Krebs looks like the type of player who can put up points in a very streaky manner but game-to-game, at least from what I've seen of him in Buffalo, he's very flaky with the puck. Last night's Rochester game sealed it for me--Pillsbury Peyton.

I’m fine with the idea of going after Cam Talbot, and I might check in on the price for Fiala. But likely that price tag is way too high to even consider it. I would go after Talbot if you can’t sign a free agent goaltender instead of giving up assets to get one.

I agree, it could very well be high for Fiala, especially when you look at his playoff numbers. However, honest question, what does anyone who sees this believe the projection to be for Krebs and any of the 2022 draft prospects (pick your favorite in the area of No. 9) at the NHL level?

This isn't to pick a fight, just trying to figure out what people think.

Playing prognosticator with any draft class is always funny. Every year there are players you think will be great and couldn’t possibly end up being a bust, and then they fail to take that next step at the NHL level. I think Krebs can be an effective top six forward who can be a playmaker. Maybe he tops out and 50 to 60 points in a season, but since when is that not good? I would think depending on the position of the player the Sabres end up with at number nine you can think they may have a similar ceiling. Young players are producing quickly, making the NHL roster faster than I can ever remember them doing before. In the last 20 years or so I’ve never seen more teenagers and 20-year-olds making significant impacts as rookies. I think it’s especially risky to give up a top 10 pick any year.

Solid response. That said, I've italicized words that are indicative of unknowns as opposed to Fiala who's a known quantity with the big question being whether or not last year's breakout season of 33 goals and 85 points is an aberration or indicative of a player that's ready to produce at or close to those levels.

Considering that Fiala is going to get a massive contract wherever he is playing next season it’s a risk to expect him to repeat that performance. Do I think he can solidly produce 50 to 60 points a season? Yes, but is that enough to warrant paying him eight or $9 million a year, which I think his next contract might? I think of it like Jeff Skinner‘s contract with Buffalo after his 40 goal season. Yes, he had a track record of being a productive goal scorer. But he also followed signing that contract with two of the least productive seasons of his career. Thankfully he rebounded this year, and hopefully he returns to annual 30 goal form. Fiala is younger than Skinner was, but he would need to have chemistry with your lineup to continue producing at that level.