findlay
3rd Line Grinder
Posts: 184
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Post by findlay on Aug 10, 2019 3:36:51 GMT
Changeover
The makeover in Buffalo has begun with the Sabres putting an “open for business” sign on the front door. The slew of moves began with trading a 2nd round pick for Jack Finley to serve as a fourth line option on the team. The Sabres then made another trade with the Avalanche swapping the fourteenth pick, and prospects for Lawson Crouse. And finally before the draft the Sabres acquired Patrick Jovanoski for a prospect acquired in the Avs trade, and a 2nd round pick in 2029.
Days later, the Canadiens and Sabres hooked up for another trade, shipping 3 prospects and a conditional draft pick to Montreal in exchange for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Jonathan Drouin. Showing the team is ready to compete next season.
Today, the Sabres traded Riley Sheahan to the Avs, in exchange for Jesper Boqvist, clearly showing he was a product of the numbers game. Boqvist’s contract expires this season. The Sabres later dealt Michael Ferland, and a 5th round pick in change for the rights to Malcolm Subban from Montreal. The team is likely to negotiate and try to retain Subban.
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findlay
3rd Line Grinder
Posts: 184
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Post by findlay on Aug 10, 2019 16:53:54 GMT
Looking Ahead
The Buffalo Sabres made another move Saturday morning ahead of free agency, freeing up more ever important cap space. The team sent Jake Neighbours to the Florida Panthers in exchange for the rights to Grant Silianoff. The move added to the buzz around the city that the team will be taking a run at the top two UFA Defensemen available on the open market opening at midnight; Zach Werenski and Cam Fowler.
The two players would serve as an upgrade over the young options Justin Barron, Hannu Ruutu, as well asJeremi Stewart who may not be ready to lead the back end next season, a year removed from being taken with the fourth overall pick in the 2028 nhl entry draft.
Stewart had an impressive 24 games with the Sabres in his small cup of coffee he had with the team, totalling 9 assists in 24 games, with a +13 rating, playing mostly with franchise cornerstone, Daniil Chayka. Stewart will be asked to take a step forward regardless of who the team acquires this summer, whether it be powerplay time or time spent on the penalty kill. The future is bright in Buffalo.
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findlay
3rd Line Grinder
Posts: 184
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Post by findlay on Aug 11, 2019 13:57:30 GMT
The Buffalo Sabres releases a slew of players ahead of the nhl free agent frenzy period began Sunday. Departing are known commodities such as Jesper Boqvist, Malcolm Subban, Grant Sillianof, as well as Philip Tomasino.
The team was likely to pursue the recently resigned Cam Fowler, who reupped with the Anaheim Ducks late Saturday evening. The team is still apparently in the market to upgrade their back end, with the names Bode Wilde, Zach Werenski, and Matt Dumba still popping up in the rumour mill. The team is also likely to take a run at Center iceman Roope Hintz, who is now a free agent. An offer sheet is also possible with Jets RFA forward Martin Nyqvist yet to be signed, and the team having little to no cap space to match an offer sheet.
The team is also in the market for a back up goalie, as Jason Wiemer, who was sent a qualifying offer is unlikely to be signed before the December cut off, given what his market value is perceived as by himself, and how the club values him.
Lastly, the depth of Rochester will need to be rehauled as most guys were on expiring deals and weren’t extended offers by the team, possibly showing the GM was not happy with the results last season by the team.
The changeover from the last 12 months continues in this organization, hoping to get back to the glory days of the mid 2000’s, as it’s been a long time since the Sabres were seen as legitimate contenders.
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findlay
3rd Line Grinder
Posts: 184
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Post by findlay on Aug 12, 2019 13:01:58 GMT
Werenski Decision Looms
The Zach Werenski watch continues, as it hits the second day of free agency. There were reports late yesterday evening that the former Columbus Dman had narrowed his list down from 10ish teams down to a final five. The finalists for his services were reportedly the Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins, your Buffalo Sabres, as well as a return to Columbus was still a possibility.
“End of the day, the guy wants to win. He’s driven to win, and wants to do everything in his power to win.” One league executive began. The most realistic chance at a cup next season is the Washington Capitals, who offers two time league most valuable player Zatko. Columbus offers him comfort at home and already being there since being drafted in 2015. The other three are long term shots with him betting on the team “getting there” versus already being there. The Sabres offer a weird dynamic where they already have two top dmen in the league, and two other guys drafted third and fourth overall the past two years, and have a surrounding core who should at least make the playoffs, and with Werenski, who knows what could happen.
If the Sabres were to make this move, they would still have one hole up front to be filled on the trade front or free agency. That is if Kusik is not ready for show time just yet, but if his late season call up is any indication, he should be ready for the bigs to start the year.
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findlay
3rd Line Grinder
Posts: 184
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Post by findlay on Aug 13, 2019 13:45:02 GMT
Werenski Signs
Zach Werenski has chosen where he would like to spend the next 7 seasons of his PTPHL career: The Buffalo Sabres. The 6’2 209 lb defender has signed a monster 7 year, 91 million dollar contract, the richest in PTPHL history in terms of AAV. Last season Werenski compiled 6 goals, 30 assists for 36 points for the Blue Jackets. The move comes after 12 seasons spent in Columbus.
When asked about the move Werenski had the following to say, “Yeah it was hard to leave Columbus, it was the team that drafted me, and the only team I had known. But it all comes down to winning, and I think Buffalo is on the rise and gives me a good chance to do what I have always wanted, to win a Stanley Cup.”
The former Norris trophy winner joins a blue line that already has cornerstones, Daniil Chayka, as well as Miro Heiskanen. As well as young up and comers Patrik Vondra, as well as Jeremi Stewart.
The Sabres addressed a number of needs this off season, acquiring Lawson Crouse, Jonathan Drouin, as well as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to help bolster their offence. With the addition of Werenski, and the guys that are coming, a championship is not too far out of the question for the squad.
What remains to be seen, is how this big cap hit will have an effect on the team structure that Gm Findlay has laid down. He made it clear the young guys coming, as well as Heiskanen, and Chayka were the faces of the franchise, the core if you will. It remains to be seen how much money this will leave on the table in two years time when key RFAs have contract negotiations. Chayka is an RFA this offseason, and may be looking for a raise on his 9 million AAV. There will only be so much money to go around, but when aided the opportunity to add a player of Werenski’s caliber, sometimes cap issues come later.
Werenski’s contract carries a limited no trade clause. Limiting who all the Sabres could deal him to.
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findlay
3rd Line Grinder
Posts: 184
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Post by findlay on Aug 14, 2019 14:21:04 GMT
Preseason Grades:
Team: Buffalo Sabres
Record: 2-2
Power Play: 13.64
Penalty Kill: 57.14
Goals Against: 12
Goals For: 13
Once again, special teams are not a strong point for the Sabres, although just in preseason and not using the lines they will use during the season, this sort of thing can spell trouble heading into the regular season. The team is lucky to have a .500 record after 4 games.
Grade: C-
Forwards:
Top line:
Wazonek-Wiklund-Pomichter
Wiklund: 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points
Wazonek: 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point
Pomichter: 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point
Grade: D
Although Wiklund had a good start to the preseason, the other two struggling brings this grade down.
Second Line:
Crouse-Drouin-Castle
Crouse: 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points
Drouin: 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points
Castle: 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points
Grade: B
The line combined for 11 points in 4 games, great production for a second line, but one seeing top power play time, they could stand to improve.
Third Line:
Veleno-Lomond-Clement
Veleno: 0 points
Lomond: 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point
Clement: 0 points
Grade: F
The line has two players tasked with PK time, the PK has struggled, and so has the line. This is a straight F.
Fourth Line:
Jovo-Nuge-Engleman
Jovo: 0 points
Nuge: 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points
Engleman: 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points
Grade: B
The line is all +1, and got a couple contributions to the offence, while providing good defensive play. What more could you ask from a fourth line?
Defence:
First Pair:
Chayka-Stewart
Chayka: giveaways 4, takeaways 10, 2 assists
Stewart: giveaways 2, takeaways 10, 2 assists
Grade: B+
The pair is taking the puck off opponents sticks, and adding a bit of offence.
Second Pair:
Werenski-Vondra
Werenski: 1 giveaway, 1 takeaway, 2 goals, 1 assist
Vondra: 3 giveaways, 1 takeaway, 2 assists
Grade: C+
The inexperience of Vondra showed on this line with him struggling, but the pair added offence, which is needed from the back end. Vondra will be back in Rochester it appears following the preseason.
Third Pair:
Ruutu-Heiskanen
Heiskanen: giveaways 3, takeaways 3, 1 goal, 2 assists
Ruutu: giveaways 2, takeaways 5, 1 assist
Grade: C+
As a bottom pair (for just the preseason) the pair was effective. 4 points, and at least getting the puck back as much as they’re giving it away deserves a passing grade.
Goalies:
Gustavsson
Scott
Gustavsson:
2 wins, 2 losses, 86.4 save%, 3.04 GAA
Grade: C
The club expected big things from the netminder after the second half he had to the season. It didn’t materialize, although it’s still early.
Scott:
Will play 4 games to end preseason during second sim.
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findlay
3rd Line Grinder
Posts: 184
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Post by findlay on Aug 16, 2019 0:00:35 GMT
Season expectations
The Buffalo Sabres open the season as one of the contenders in the eastern conference. The club just missed the playoffs last season, and is looking to rebound following a three year absence from the dance.
Key additions to the squad include free agent signings Rickard Rakell, as well as Zach Werenski. On the trade front, the team added Lawson Crouse, Jonathan Drouin, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, as well as Patrick Jovanoski. The team is also hoping a year advancement from Hudson Castle, and Jeremi Stewart pay dividends going towards a cup run. The team also has 2nd overall pick from the 2028 draft, Tristan Wazonek, and 2029 3rd overall pick Patrik Vondra looking to make an impact around the second half of the season. As well as a full year of Filip Gustavvson will hopefully be able to fill a hole in the net the Sabres have been trying so hard to address.
The main competition with the Sabres in the division are the Toronto Maple Leafs, who added to their already deep forward group this past season. Also, the Ottawa Senators are looking to regroup after an off year this past season. The Montreal Canadiens are leaning towards a rebuild, and Boston seems to be a team that has more to give than they have been. It will be an interesting race in the Northeast division this season.
My prediction
1. Toronto
2. Buffalo
3. Boston
4. Ottawa
5. Montreal
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Post by juddy on Aug 16, 2019 14:24:05 GMT
No love for Boston? Montreal is rebuilding, Ottawa has no active GM same with Detroit and you rate them higher than Boston. Also not Flyers love?!?!?!? Back to back cup champs and they aren’t your competition. Maybe you don’t know anything haha
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Post by juddy on Aug 16, 2019 14:33:42 GMT
Oh noticed after you said division....still dumb though because since when are you in a division with Detroit.....
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findlay
3rd Line Grinder
Posts: 184
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Post by findlay on Aug 18, 2019 14:23:59 GMT
1. What are your teams expectations for the upcoming season?
Last season started horribly, going 18-20-2. Almost lost all hope for the year as nothing seemed to be going right. We made a ton of line changes, changed up our coaching strategies, and traded for Matthew Murray as a last ditch effort. It magically worked better than I could've imagined and we finished the year on a hot streak of 30-6-6. We then fell to the eventual cup champs in game 7, but we were the only team capable of taking them 7 games which made us feel a little better after a disappointing elimination in round 1. Because of that We come into this season with high expectations, we've learned what we are capable of after the late season run. We've made a few acquisitions and we have some young guys who are finally ready to make a difference at the NHL level. We feel like we have a chance at keeping up with Washington for the division and have a deep playoff run.
2. What are some key acquisitions you feel your team has made this offseason, as well as under the radar moves?
- The biggest acquisition was Connor McDavid. The Lightning have been a consistent team for a long time but haven't been able to get over the hump and bring home a 2nd cup since season two. Sidney Crosby helped bring home that one, we are hoping McDavid can be the player Crosby was and lead us there.
- An under the radar move that we really like was the Signing of Brady Skjei, he's a Veteran and a solid two way defender who can play anywhere in the lineup as needed. With him added we are liking our depth on the backend and it allows us to avoid overplaying our top defenders.
3. Lafreniere is always near the top of the league in goals, what do you think adding McDavid to his line will do to his production?
Since acquiring Lafreniere from Pittsburgh a few years back he's been a steady contributor going to the all star game every season, but he's been bounced around lineup without ever having a legit playmaking center. Last season he found chemistry with new teammate Jack Hughes and Rookie Mario Bianchi centering them in which led to Lafreniere getting the Maurice Richard. But Bianchi is more suited for a winger role. After adding a superstar of McDavids caliber, Lafreniere should be able to put up 40+ goals on a regular bases.
4. What are your expectations for Cam Van Evans in his rookie season?
He came to the Lightning in a deal from the Buffalo Sabres in which saw Frank Castle and Daniel Wiklund go the other way for Jack Hughes and the 7th overall pick(Cam Van Evans). We scouted ahead and We really liked what Van evans brought to the table, he's a big bodied playmaker and we just lost Jaden Schwartz to retirement who was a consistent playmaker for the lightning for 11 seasons. We gave Cam 6 games at the end of last season but he wasn't quite ready for the big leagues. He came into this season bigger and stronger and will start the year In the top 6 centering Newhook an Boeser. We expect him to adjust to the NHL level better and better as the year goes by and hopefully be in the race for the Calder.
Interview with TB
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findlay
3rd Line Grinder
Posts: 184
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Post by findlay on Sept 4, 2019 11:25:28 GMT
Marner Acquired
The Sabres acquired center Mitch Marner from the New York Rangers late Tuesday evening in exchange for Jeremi Stewart, Dalimil Engleman, as well as a 3rd round pick this season, and a 2nd round pick next season. In the deal the Sabres also acquire Jacob Olofsson, and New York’s 1st round pick next season. Note: if New York lands in top 5 this season, the picks owed to Buffalo will be the 2 years post this season.
“It’s not secret the cap is a thing in our league”, Findlay began. “We have a lot of young players looking for raises next season, as well as Chayka is a RFA this season. We had to figure this out sooner rather than later. Marner at 3.75 the next 3 years is a steal, he’s a terrific player. He’s a player who can add scoring to our lineup, and also adds a punch to our powerplay, which isn’t where we want it to be. Chugging along at 14%, and we are still first in the league. The powerplay could be the difference between us having a cup, and not having a cup this season. We knew when we signed Werenski we were going to have cap casualties, but in order to acquire a top defensive player, you need to make sacrifices. Vondra rose to the top and passed Stewart in our mind, making him expendable for other roster pieces. We also get Olofsson who will be a great add to our 4th line, very under the radar pick up who will help us a lot this season, and will probably be resigned this offseason.”
The Sabres have rose from a calendar year ago selling off all assets to try and rebuild, and the opposite effect happening, with them just missing the playoffs last season, and a rise to the top of the standings this season.
“We have a lot of young guys on our roster, and more picks and players coming, that’s why I felt we could deal a young high pick like Stewart to fill a need for now. It’s always a risk trading a defenceman you took high in the draft, but we will see how it works out.”
The Sabres currently hold the Rangers first round pick this year as well, however if it falls into the top 5 the Rangers will retain the pick from the Samuel Malenfaut trade. The Rangers currently have the 11th best odds at winning the draft lottery this season. Again, if the pick falls into the top 5, this pick will defer to next season, and the pick acquired in the Stewart trade will fall to the season after.
This has been the insider, commenting out of Buffalo, New York.
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findlay
3rd Line Grinder
Posts: 184
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Post by findlay on Sept 25, 2019 11:50:45 GMT
Sabres Marching On
In Zach Weresnki’s first playoff series against the team he called home for the first 12 seasons of his career, the Buffalo Sabres swept the Columbus Blue Jackets, outscoring their opponent 21-8 in round 1. The team is one of the favourites heading into the playoffs to win the east, and moved on to face the 8th seed New Jersey Devils, who upset the Washington Capitals in 6 games in round 1, giving the Sabres home ice through at least the first three rounds of the playoffs.
“That’s what we played for all year, the chance to play in these games, and do it in front of our home town fans. The city is great, the fans are great, and I hope we can do something special, that’s why I signed here”, Werenski told the press. “New Jersey is a tough team, and we can’t take them lightly.”
The Sabres followed the first round sweep up by defeating the Devils in 5 games. The games however were close, two one goal wins, and a two goal win, but regardless, the Sabres will move on to face the 2 time defending cup champion Philadelphia Flyers. This match up also recognizes the Kelander trade from 2 seasons ago, where the Sabres sent their draft pick (Fisk), Slava Erat, and Vajda to the Flyers in exchange for Kelander, and Sebranek. Kelander was later swapped for Tristan Wazonek, and Sebranek was a key piece in the Hudson Castle trade.
“Both teams were happy with what we got, and with us both being here two seasons later, you can consider it a success for both teams”, gm Findlay told the press. “We must start early on these guys if we want to march on to the finals and face Vancouver or San Jose.
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