He's a good 1D and you're getting his prime years. It'll be fine.

Huge deal, and I think it'll end up okay, especially with the cap rising and all that.

I don’t remember a defenseman signing for anywhere near this much since Erik Karlsson, which appears to have been an outlier. Since then it seems there’s been an unwritten rule that no defenseman shall be paid more than around $9.5M AAV. I’m not saying he won’t turn out to be worth it, but this is unprecedented. I feel like it should have been more like $10M.

Makar:
Kicked in two years ago (2021-2022)
3 years NHL experience at the time
6 year contract
Bought 2 UFA years
11.04% of the cap

Fox:
Kicked in last year (2022-2023)
2 years NHL experience at the time
7 year contract
Bought 4 UFA years
11.66% of the cap

Dahlin:
Kicks in next year at age 24
5 years NHL experience
8 year contract
Bought 6 UFA years
~12% of the cap

It buys more UFA years, is longer overall, and he's younger than both of them right now. The flat cap's gone and he's still got room to grow and develop. And for whatever value GMs of the league put on it, he's got 1st overall pick "pedigree". It's really not that much more, just different.

I dont hate the deal at all, just thought those guys would be better comps AAV wise. Still extremely fair for the Sabres, especially with the cap raising and the rest of their core being locked up on fantastic deals

Sure but his ceiling as a D-man is lower so it makes sense... Let's see Sergachev win some Norris trophies, don't think he has it in him

You're higher than a satellite. Dahlin has how many? That's right zero

How's he worth 11 if Makar got 9? Picking someone who got overpaid for a comparison doesn't help you're argument. Basically you're saying since Dorian is an idiot and overpaid so should Adams.

Makar 1 Norris trophy ,9.0 Fox 1 Norris trophy 9.5 Dahlin ZERO

I voted yes.

A good player willing to stay in BUF.

Is it an overpay? A little bit, sure, but he's worth the overpay

If it's an overpay by definition he's not worth it hence the term "overpay"

Yeah you would rather these Billionaires keep their money wouldn't you.

Maybe a smidge on the high side but Dahlin gets the whole team mandatory Saunas, Volvos, IKEA furniture, meatballs and Abba greatest hits CD!!!! LOL 😂

As does Sergachev. Moot point. You're clearly just mega salty that the Sabres have two franchise D and Tampa is left with a washed Hedman and a non-Norris contending #1 D man

Dude share some of what your smoking it's got to better than Willie Nelsons or snoop dogs stuff. I didn't bring them up bozo you did but he's honestly just as likely to win one as Dahlin is and makes 2.5 less I'll take Sergachev and his 2rings EVERYDAY!!;

Sergachev signed his deal after coming of a 38 point season and a career high of 40 points, a plateau he had only broken 1 time while playing for a stacked team. Dahlin is coming off a 73 point season and has only scored below 40 points 1 time in his 5 seasons while playing for absolutely dreadful teams that had trouble scoring in his first 3 1/2 seasons. Context when their deals were signed matters. I don't dislike Sergachev, but you're the one smoking something if you think they are equal value players.

Sergachev is a FAR BETTER defender and FAR FAR MORE PHYSICAL. TB was also holding Sergachev back a bit with Hedman and McDonagh ahead of him. Dahlin got top pp because he didn't have a Victor Hedman getting it. I'll definitely take Sergy. Typical everything is points garbage

I think this is a fair deal. Top end defencemen have been getting underpaid for a while now. Might turn into a very good contract in a few years if the cap keeps going up and Dahlin continues to improve.

Unquestionable reasoning. Personally I usually just smoke salmon and pork, but Im dabbling in beef and turkey wish me luck

Fox did have a Norris, but Makar hadn't won his at the time the contract was signed. You need to consider context.

This user in particular thinks very highly of his players and low of others BTW...

Just like when he said "VERY VERY PHYSICAL"

I like this contract for the Sabres...

Dahlin's special