Should target Connor Murphy and trade Joker

Given how reasonable his contract is, if this is all CHI could get for McCabe they'd probably just keep him.

As appealing as Meier is on so many levels, it seems pointless to think that Adams will give up either Mittelstadt or the '23 1st rounder. I think Adams will also be very reluctant to commit the rumored $9M on long-term deal that Meier wants before he has gotten Cozens, Dahlin and Power locked up as his priorities. If Meier is still available later this summer (after July 1st when they can extend Dahlin and Power), that might change.

McCabe was always a favorite and his competitiveness and physicality would be a nice fit but it seems Adams may create a roadblock by adding a LHD before signing Johnson: in theory, Johnson would sign rather than go to free agency because he sees a chance to be on the roster (and not as a depth defenseman). If McCabe or another LHD is acquired beforehand, that would likely discourage him from signing. There also is the possibility, based on past reports when McCabe was in Buffalo, that he was loyal to and sympathetic to Eichel and Reinhart and thus could bring a bad vibe back to the lockerroom now. As fans, that's easy to dismiss but there's been so much talk from the players, coaches and Adams about the culture and "wanting to be in Buffalo", it's hard to see Adams welcoming back a player that voluntarily left Buffalo in favor of Chicago.

You’re not getting a 1st or a top prospect for him
Not sure what u think u could get, but….

If Kyle Davidson likes Nadeau as a prospect as much as I do, Hawks probably accept

I disagree. Jokiharju has been exceptional as of late. Could we improve there yes but I'm not sure Murphy is a huge upgrade. Jokiharju is also a big locker room piece by all accounts.

Ok then you are stuck with Joker on the top 4 and Lyubushkin on the 3RD

Excellent post!
Completely agree with Meier and his salary demands, Tage took a very team friendly contract, he knew how good he was yet signed early.
Did he do it so the Sabres could afford all of their young up and coming stars?
Before I read what you believed was the locker room situation with McCabe, I was a huge fan of his for all of the reasons you mentioned.
You are the first ACGM to comment how important looker room and team chemistry is to the success of a team.
If Meier demanded $2,000,000 than Tage how will not only he feel but the other players on the team?

Let's get Johnson, Levi and Portillo signed first before making a trade.
Granato has this team believing in them selves.
Look how well they played last night without Samuelsson.
Few people believed this was a playoff team, while I thought the team would be around 90 pts and in the hunt for most of the season, but now even passing Tampa is a possibility.

EDIT
@Chapee44 OMW I thought I was only Sabre fan who noticed how well Jokiharju was playing.
I guess Granato noticed as well because he led the team with 3:26 min of PK 25:58 total minutes.

Not sure why it gets downplayed or overlooked by fans when it comes to the Sabres - their GM, coach and players have only emphasized over and over and over in every interview how the culture and "vibe" is so strong and how much playing for and with each other means to them. As much as it makes sense on paper to propose dumping Mittelstadt, Olofsson, Bryson, Girgensons and any other player the fans are frustrated with, the reality is that all of those players apparently are highly-regarded by the coaching staff and players in the locker room.

I wouldn't get that carried away - there's still over 30+ games to go and Tampa is still the more experienced, talented team. Short of a miraculous run (as well as staying healthy) over those remaining games, it seems more likely that the Sabres will continue to hover around the wildcard fringe and, if they get in, land in the 7th or 8th spot at best.



Fans need to in general let go of the notion that Jokiharju is a spare part that will either be traded or relegated to minimal minutes in a 3rd pairing role - the Sabres coaching staff have shown from Day 1 that they have complete trust and confidence in Jokiharju being in their top 4 and like his pairing with Power. He's used in the 1st penalty-killing pairing more than half the time if he didn't have a shift beforehand and is clearly seen as a defensive conscience for Power to play more offensively. Given his age, low cap hit and potential for growth, I don't see why anyone would expect the Sabres - with their stated philosophies and actions thus far - to abandon Jokiharju as part of their core.

As you would suspect, completely agree with your comment.
While Jokiharju did not have the highest ice time last night he played 3:05 min PK and his 24:52 min was third behind Rasmus and Owen.
When I read your posts it is as if I am talking to myself, LOL!

That's not "stuck" in my opinion as long as we have a good piece with Lyubushkin. This doesn't mean that if something comes available or if they wanna try something in the offseason I'll be 100% against it but as of right now I want a good partner for Lyubushkin that will eat some PK minutes and less importantly has some physical edge to their game.

I was saying Lyubushkin is fine on the 3RHD, BUF would need a solid top 4 RHD + a solid 3LHD to make the playoffs
Bryson & Joker aren’t it IMO (I only watched a couple games ). From what I’ve seen, those are the two missing pieces to take another step

I disagree. Bryson needs to be replaced yes but we need another elite forward to play with Cozens on the second line. Peterka and Quinn are great and my be stars but they're holding him back right now in my opinion.

Would you keep Mitts as the 3C or Jost ? Moving JJP on the 3rd line if BUF acquire an Elite forward to play with Cozens. Send one of Jost or Mitts in the trade acquiring that top 6 forward
Skinner-TT-Tuch
Top6F-Cozens-Quinn
JJP-CMorJost-Olofsson
Girgensons-Krebs-Okposo

I would ideally sell Mittelstadt while his value is up right now being on pace for 50 points and only being 24. Jost is the one carrying that line.