Edit: nvm, too much here.

Maybe SJS accepts but I think the other 3 teams would hold out for better deals

I don't think it would just be looking for better deals, they'd probably just not entertain trades for those returns.

There's no way I see Meier becoming a Sabre by the trade deadline; however, if the Sharks don't trade him by then and he's available at the draft, maybe Buffalo revisits it because they'd possibly be more willing to tinker with the forward group than they seem now. The trick is the timing - Meier would need to be qualified before July 1st in order for SJ to retain his rights, which means he'd get locked into the $10M QO that no one - including the Sabres - would want to take on. And the Sabres can't extend Dahlin or Power until July 1st, when their contracts enter the final year of each's term. I'd bet my house that Adams will want to have both of his core defensemen locked in and know what their cap hits are before he'd consider committing $9M+ to Meier for long-term.

As for the Chicago deal, it's pretty unlikely that McCabe or the Sabres would want a reunion: McCabe was loyal to Eichel and left the Sabres on his own choice and probably wouldn't accept a 3rd pairing role that the Sabres would be looking to upgrade.

The Dvorak trade is pointless - it blocks Krebs from elevating to the 3C spot next season; dumps Johnson right after he's signed (per your forecast) and also deals the highly-effective, younger and cheaper Jost in the process. Assuming you're a Sabres fan, that Montreal trade doesn't improve Buffalo IMO.

Like i said….
As long as these trades are in the ballpark, we have plenty more assets to put the deal over the top

I don't think McCabe cares if Eichel is there or not. McCabe wasn't resigned by BUF because of his injury, which I don't think is something he wanted. But, I also don't think he would be opposed to making a return to BUF now that they are ready to contend. I think his biggest gripe would be the fact that he lives in the Chicago area during the offseason. He is a Wisconsin boy and his wife is from CHI. Regardless, he only has a no trade list, whether BUF is on that list or not is TBD, but if they aren't, he has no choice in the matter.

If it's a 2nd round pick we get for him, it has to be that PHI 2nd. VGK is definitely a no go.

I gotta think MTL declines that.

On their side, the retention is long and significant. The pick is also unnecessary.

On Buffalo side, Johnson is a soon-to-be free agent and I don't remember any American college player going the FA route to sign in Canada so the odds aren't favorable. The Habs passed on Jost when he was waived earlier. Kisakov, while being a somewhat high draft pick, is having a pretty unimpressive season with Rochester.

Not that Dvorak is worth a ton, but they aren't gonna retain for 2 (or 2.5) seasons and not receive an enticing piece.

1- Sabres have already called about Meier, proving Adams DOES (in fact) have interest NOW- so the rest of your point with him is thus rendered moot

2- it’s been years since Eichel was traded (& McCabe leaving).
And I’d argue that McCabe left to find a better situation (chance to win) and not some nonsense about being “loyal to Eichel”
Idk where u even got that from to begin with?
But regardless, Buffalo is a familiar spot where he now does have a chance to win. I see no reason he’d be opposed to a reunion. Even if he had some lingering issues with how things went down when he left, it’s completely different Management now- and until given a legit reason, I’m not gonna assume there’s still any ill will coming from McCabe- IF there ever was

3- that MTL trade is a great improvement
To out it simply, Dvorak > Jost, and not particularly close. Dvorak is a pretty good 2way Center- just stuck on a bad team.
And he wouldn’t block Krebs from anything. If you’re hung up on that, with this lineup setup I’d envision lines 3 & 4 getting roughly the same icetime, so swap lines 3 & 4 if that eases your mind.
Plus, look at Krebs linemates- MUCH better than Girgs & Okposo (at least offensively), and that will be a benefit to his development
Also, Dvorak isn’t signed long term, so he’s just here to make Krebs transition to 3C go smoothly & without throwing too much on his plate


All 3 of those moves are:
-reasonable to get done
-in the ballpark of being possible
-and a GREAT idea

If u think otherwise, that’s fine
We are allowed to disagree

Just did the retention to fudge the numbers & make him fit
I’m sure the Sabres could save $2mil elsewhere

I don't mind these. I assume San Jose would push for a 23 first, unless savoie or kulich was the other main piece. Not sure about barbashev and dumba, what's your reasoning?

Yeah, with the SJ deal in particular, changes could be made
If it NEEDS to be the ‘23 1st, then fine i guess- just wouldn’t be my preference


With Dumba,
Minny fans keep saying he’s gotten much better defensively- to the point that’s he’s become known more for his defense than his offense
And also that they expect his next contract to be around $4mil per
That sounds to me like he could be Power’s “Samuelsson”
Also moves Jokiharju down to the 3rd pair, where i think he & McCabe could be very effective together

With Barbashev,
he’s a good (not great) 2way player who i think would be a good fit on the 3rd line
Bringing him in is a move for “now” that lets guys like Kulich, Savoie, etc continue their development & not be rushed into the lineup prematurely
And at some point, if one of the kids passes him, i think he can still be a good 4th liner
Guys like him (& Dvorak) can play a key role on a winning team imo

I don't think that deal interests Minnesota at all

That's probably fine value for Dvorak without the retention

And Chicago wants a first for McCabe

I get that you’re a Wild fan….
But what do u think you’d get in the summer for a declining Foligno coming off a down season?
Maybe I’m wrong here, but I’m assuming the biggest value to u guys in the deal would just be getting rid of his Cap

Yeah, like i said before, was just fudging the numbers to make Dvorak fit under the Cap
I think we could find savings elsewhere if necessary

And my thinking with McCabe is that a 2nd & decent prospect is roughly equal to a late 1st, and i don’t think anyone will actually give up a 1st for him

I don’t know who Brandon Biro is. Not sure he would be someone we are targeting. Weissbach is doubtful to ever be an NHLer. He was just okay at Wisconsin

Both good AHLers who look ready for an NHL shot
Like i said though, we have other “B level” prospects to choose from as well

I think a 1st is possible is not probable for McCabe. He's not a rental and he's at the very least worth his cap hit. And with Buffalo battling for a playoff spot, I don't think Bloom would jump you up half a round if you were to try and trade up on draft day

Foligno isn't just a dump, nor does he need to be. He's still a physical leader, with very good defense at the very least. We've seen that fetch much more than fringe guys. Mid 20s AHL guys that won't amount much if anything aren't of interest to Minnesota with guys like Dewar, Shaw, Duhaime and Walker all already on the team or able to make the team next year in more limited roles. I think either a pick, Asplund or Mitts could make sense in a Foligno trade. Maybe some other pieces involved. Foligno is far from valueless or a cap casualty right now. Speaking of Asplund, has he fallen out of favour with Buffalo and/or the fans?

I think you're good on the Dvorak front if you drop the 3rd and clear up that 2+ mil so you're not paying for retention as well

Asplund hasn’t fallen outta favor,
he’s just been caught in a numbers game

We like Jost & Krebs better at Center than him,
and we aren’t gonna sit guys wearing a letter (Girgensons & Okposo)
He’s played fine when in the lineup

And i didn’t say Foligno is a dump
But i do think u guys would like to clear his Cap
And he is declining
Maybe he’s worth more than I’m thinking, but o don’t think he’s worth much
We probably would do Asplund for Foligno, and maybe even include a mid-round pick

Yes, he called - but as TBN reported, it was only a call out of due diligence to see what the cost was - something Adams himself says he does with every team. Too many are latching onto one mention by LeBrun about "the Sabres checked in on Meier" as if it's a given the Sabres and San Jose will pull a trade.



"Years"? Eichel was traded only 15 months ago (November 2021).

Several of the Buffalo media outlets reported how close McCabe and Eichel were during their time together in Buffalo and mentioned that he wasn't happy with the squabble the Sabres had with Eichel in the summer of '21 leading up to trade.



Not true - Adams was the GM and Granato the coach when McCabe chose to sign elsewhere.



Dvorak has another 2 years after this season - no, it's not a 6-7 year term but it's still 2 more years of blocking the path of Krebs. And you still haven't justified why the Sabres would sign Johnson out of college, only to then package him in a trade after they acquire McCabe.



If you say so.....



I do for all the reasons noted.

I’d rather just get a 2nd round pick. I trust our scouting department enough to get better than a typical b prospect with it.

All I was referring to was what was reported in summer of '21 by the local media about McCabe not agreeing with how the Sabres' medical staff treated Eichel's injury and the squabble that ensued. It sounded like something that he'd be hesitant to go back to with the same management, ownership and medical staff. I would think he may have Buffalo on his NTC list for that reason but we won't know for sure unless the Sabres actually do seek out McCabe. My guess is that they won't.

I think that Asplund+ return should interest Guerin. I like it as the base of a trade.

Personally, I think with Eriksson-Ek finally playing with Boldy, both Foligno and Greenway should be seen as expendable. As you've mentioned, the cap relief would be nice and GREEF line lost it's touch and heavily rrgressed from last season.

Oh. Interesting. I didn't know that. Then yeah, I guess it is possible that he wouldn't be interested in going back. He seems to be a man of strong convictions too. So it wouldn't surprise me. But at the same time, being on a team that is actually competitive might be appealing to him, and he might be just the kind of player BUF needs. Plus, there is some familiarity there. Who knows though...

An aging & declining Foligno is unlikely to get you a 2nd imo
But i guess we’ll see

Then there is no point in Minnesota trading him.