Goaltending still a giant question mark
And Skinner on line4 doesn’t make any more sense in your lineup than when Ralph put him there

Tage would have to play a decent bit worse this season to only get 5.9

I get the desire for a legit 1st line center. That said there is no way MacK makes it to UFA, but lets say he does for some crazy reason. He won't be taking a 1 year deal, he will want the certainty of a long term deal and would easily get multiple 7 year offers.

Just stop it

Honestly, I don't hate this. I doubt Tage gets $5.9mm if he has another 30+ goal campaign. Also, doubt Mac signs in BUF, but $16mm is a lot of dough. A 1-year deal gives him a chance to cash in again big when the cap might go way up. Not sure he takes the bait though and this team still is probably a 1st round exit in the playoffs, unless UPL can steal games, which is possible. Still, no playoff experience from this group as a whole, so Kane and Mac are one and done. Still, I like it. This is how BUF can weaponize their cap space.

Right now it doesn't make sense, but in a year it might depending on other players' development through the year

This isn't the one? I didn't get it this time?

I can see Pat Kane signing here 3 yr 19mil. Little over 6 mil a year to play and try to win a cup in Buffalo. No chance on Mac. But we will make a splash with trades and in UFA if the Sabres are going in the right direction next offseason

Hard to see it
If Skinner has the type of season this year where we are happy with him on line4 next season,
then that means Tage had a bad season too (most likely) and we wouldn’t want him on line2

And having Skinner on line4 would pretty much never make sense
If it comes to that point with his play, he should be bought out

Buying out Skinner is worse than signing him to that contract in the 1st place.

In 3 years min, he will be our new okposo but a little better. Up and down the lineup and reliable

Skinner is NOT, and will never be, anywhere close to “reliable” defensively

We’ve got all kinds of Cap room, and will for many years
His buyout would barely leave a dent
And I’m only doing it if his play declines

If the best options for him are buy out or 4th line duty,
then a buy out is easily the better choice

No, we don't.

If Skinner is bought out after this season, as you propose:

2023-24 $10,000,000 $9,000,000 $0 $2,666,667 $2,666,667 $7,333,333 $1,666,667
2024-25 $10,000,000 $9,000,000 $0 $2,666,667 $2,666,667 $7,333,333 $1,666,667
2025-26 $7,000,000 $9,000,000 $0 $2,666,667 $2,666,667 $4,333,333 $4,666,667
2026-27 $5,000,000 $9,000,000 $0 $2,666,667 $2,666,667 $2,333,333 $6,666,667
2027-28 $0 $0 $0 $2,666,667 $2,666,667 -$2,666,667 $2,666,667
2028-29 $0 $0 $0 $2,666,667 $2,666,667 -$2,666,667 $2,666,667
2029-30 $0 $0 $0 $2,666,667 $2,666,667 -$2,666,667 $2,666,667
2030-31 $0 $0 $0 $2,666,667 $2,666,667 -$2,666,667 $2,666,667

He would be counting $6.66mm in a year when we should be competing for a Cup...not to play. You really haven't thought it through.

Who said anything about defense?

And, Skinner typically has way more TK than GV. You're selling his defensive game wayy short.

NOPE
You’re way off here, bc i don’t think Skinner’s play will dictate him being on the 4th line next season, so i wouldn’t wanna buy him out

Granato doesn't number his lines. I think you're way off by giving them numbers.

He was compared to Okposo, who is reliable defensively
And for players to be considered “reliable” moving up AND DOWN the lineup, their defensive play sure matters

How reliable is Skinner gonna be on the 4th line offensively?
Not very (see ‘20-‘21)
So again, his defensive play would certainly matter

Putting him in that slot on this site implies less icetime

Again, you're using numbers for lines, which is absurd when you consider the talent the Sabres will have. Go look at Skinner's linemates and his coach. Completely different situations, Mr./Mrs. Love (lol).

No, you calling it the "4th line" implies that you do not listen to the coach.

The guy who made this ACGM is clearly not granato
And the bottom line is that the above lineup doesn’t make sense

I did partly consider the lines in Granato lighting as he doesn't number them. Also thought Asplund carried the defensive load here on the SKA line. But, yes, does imply less ice-time - which he should have naturally as he ages to prevent injury. Kane is 20lbs lighter tho so less toll on his body - hence, "1st line" w/ more minutes. I think any winger pairing above would fit nicely and it would most likely come down to chemistry in the end

I also did not say defensively. I just meant overall, can rely on his effort, skill, leadership, attitude. He did play well offensively when not paired with Thompson/Tuch last season. I honestly believe Krueger's "disciplines" ruined his 20-21 szn. Krueger such a joke fml smh

Sure, Kruger was terrible
But you’re burying Skinner just like he did
He isn’t gonna be effective in that type of role/icetime
We’ve already seen this