Équipe: 2017-18 Sabres de Buffalo

Date de création initiale: 12 mai 2017

Publié: 12 mai 2017

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

GM - Botterill
HC - Housley

C- Eichel
A- O'Reilly
A- Ristolainen


Decided to go 8/1 on the expansion list, protecting:
O'Reilly
Okposo
Kane
Carrier
Ristolainen
McCabe
Van Riemsdyk
Schultz
Lehner

Leaving Larsson, Girgensons, Foligno exposed. Any of them could go and it'd likely be fine, so for this we had Vegas take Ullmark.

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Left side of the defense seems a little weak, but rather than spending money on free agents or spending resources trading for a big name, we let Guhle and Antipin go through the growing pains (more so Guhle). McCabe showed he was capable last year to log heavy minutes and can keep up with Ristolainen.
No point in buying out Gorges like I see so many people doing, his contract is up after this year and will come off the books anyways. Could flip him at the deadline for a pick to a contender or keep for your own depth.

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Pittsburgh gets a young defenseman they can groom along with the 8th overall pick this year for Schultz's rights, allowing them to protect 7-3-1 and keep Maata. Can make the pick or flip it for further depth after the expansion.

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Chicago gets a young forward with speed for the west and a 3rd rounder to dump Kruger's salary and prevent losing TVR for nothing. They take Deslauriers back in order to meet exposure requirements with the draft.

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I know it doesn't seem likely that the Sabres would buyout two contracts, but there aren't many other options if they're trying to improve. Bogosians cap hit on the buyout is pretty low, and while Moulson's goes up to over 3M next year, it drops below 1M the final two. Ennis sticks with the team in hopes of some extra bottom 6 offense, can slide up the line up in a pinch. Maybe they can move him with salary retained.

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