If the Sabres aren’t done in the offseason with upgrades, what might they do? Will “The Streak” be 15 or 1?
In Part 1, I stated I did not think the offseason improvements the Sabres have made on defense, and kind of replacing Peterka’s spot with Norris and friends would be enough to end “The Streak” at 14, and start the “Streak of 1”. What follows are some ideas of what they could do in the remaining offseason to “Win Now”. Most are ideas or threads of ideas I am stealing from others. Some are tongue in cheek, and are just to mess with people.
Areas in need of further improvement –
- Special teams upgrades,
- Leadership, grit, toughness and winning history;
- Scoring/ top 6 forwards;
- True #1 center.
Player: Victor Oloffsson
Area of need: Special teams upgrade; power play
Why: Olofsson has a proven history of being a scorer for a lower round pick, and can score on the power play. He is a current UFA looking for a deal. 29 points last year for Vegas, 8 on the power play with 6 goals.
Prospective cost: $2 million and we have the cap space, let’s go for it! (This is a joke – his lack of defense and taking a spot from a developing young forward are too big a hit for his slight but useful offensive upside.)
Player: Jack Roslovic
Area of need: Scoring
Why this player would help: 39 points last year, and a consistent 30+ point guy. While his defense is only okay, he is a big body who has played on winning teams and could be physical.
What it would cost: An UFA, so a 2 year deal at $3.5 million and no players in trade – but that’s a lot of the Sabre’s available cap space, limiting options at the trade deadline if there is an opportunity to add a big name then. It’s also an overpay, but Buffalo. The short deal would let the team move on easily and move up a younger player who becomes ready, and let Roslo move on and cash in. He’s a scorer, but not the scoring forward I feel is needed. If the team wants to spend close to the cap and does not think there will be bigger deals to make, go for it!
Player: Elias Pettersson
Area of need: True #1 center
Why this player would help: He is a #1 center which I think we lack. It moves Norris to line 2, Tage to wing, McLeod to line 3, and Krebs stays with the 4th. Our 3rd and 4th line and possibly 2nd line centers are then slightly too good for their spot, and Kulich can stay at the wing mostly and work his way into becoming a center with less pressure to perform in the short term.
What it would cost: A lot. $11.6 million a year, plus what in return? Quinn, Samuelson, Kulich, and next year’s first? Throw in Rosen or Ostlund? Byram instead of Sammy? Two firsts? His playoff history is poor, but since the Sabres do not make the playoffs this does not concern me (okay, trying to be funny, but it is true). Want to show people you are serious about winning? Do something serious. The issue is I do not think the Sabres have a high enough prospect or established player to do this trade from Vancouver’s standpoint, except Byram. Tage could be part of it, given his deal, but I do not want to trade him or Tuck, and Dahlin is off the table. Who else could we offer that adds scoring to the level the Canucks would need to be successful? All in, but I just do not see the trade capital to pull it off.
Player: Michael Bunting
Area of need: Grit, character, effort, potentially scoring
Why this player would help: Would you pay $4.5 million for a 30 year old guy who is not afraid to play hard in front of the net, and could add 35 to 40 points? He is a quality middle six forward that adds to the roster, and moves the needle on scoring.
What it would cost: At the deadline, it might be a 3rd or 4th round pick. Now, it might be a prospect like Rosen, or Dunne and a pick. Maybe Samuelsson for Bunting and 2nd or d main prospect? I would do this for the right cost, which to me is no roster player unless it’s Sammy.
Player: Yegor Chinakhov
Area of need: Scoring, could become a long term solution
Why this player would help: He has scored almost 30 points a season with an injury history. His draft position may have been an over reach (21st overall) or he may come in with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove on a new team.
What it would cost: $2.1 million a year, and sending a third rounder to Columbus? No roster player from me, but maybe one of our younger AHL prospects could be considered. It’s more of a desperation swing to me, but one I do not hate as it has mostly upside if it can be done for a pick. We need players, not picks, and he is far enough in his development so we know he is good enough for the NHL when healthy. But he might develop into only a 3rd or 4th line guy, and we have plenty of those.
Player: Evgeny Kuznetsov
Area of need: Top 6 forward, scoring
Why this player would help: Adding a veteran who used to score between 50 and 70 points regularly would not hurt the Sabres. At age 33, and having a left shot might be a bonus, where he could play left wing. OR he might become our 3rd center who is a good 2nd or 3rd line center, giving us another of those (that’s like 4, right?)
What it would cost: In the KHL, his contract was a little over $1 a year, with huge bonuses. Signing him to a 1-2 year deal, maybe with significant bonus structure for our remaining cap space might be a bargain for the Sabres. With a history on winning teams, but off ice issues also, he might not provide the leadership in the room you would prefer. OR he might be a guy who could add a great deal and provide an example to young players about what not to do and be vocal about how being good is not enough, and show it on the ice. If he wants back in bad enough to sign a moderately team friendly deal, I would strongly consider him.
Player: Jason Robertson
Area of need: Scoring top 6 winger
Why this player would help: 80 points last year, with playoff experience on winning teams to add to our culture, with a ridiculous over 15% shooting percentage (expect it to drop back to reality with Buffalo.)
What it would cost: $7.75 million, and then he is an RFA. Dallas is looking for cap space (why else would they move him), so I would trade either Rosen or Rousek, Samuelsson (retaining $1.285 million, so $3 million in relief for Dallas) and next year’s first (top 3 protected). I would throw in another draft pick if needed, either our 2nd next year or even our first from the following. Buffalo’s biggest issue with this is he will require a large contract in the future if he continues in form – a good problem to have! Dallas gets some cap space now, a solid 4/5/6 defender, and solid prospects. Do it now!
Player: Brian Rust/ Rickard Rakell (they are almost the same player!)
Area of need: Scoring – both about 70 points last year, and special teams upgrade; power play
Why: Both are proven scorers, albeit in a more skilled lineup. Rust may be more of a scorer, a first line player who excelled with high level talent (Thompson, Norris, Rust?). Rakell may be more physical and a 2nd line power forward (more Tuch-like? That can’t be bad). Both have 3 years left on their deals at right around $5 million. The biggest difference is Rakell has an 8 team no trade list (and Claude Lemieux is his agent). Likely not coming to Buffalo.
Prospective cost: Samuelsson (Pitt can shore up their defense long term, they have some aging veterans), and Rosen/Rousek, and next year’s 2nd. (I am totally making this up, but Pitt is rebuilding and wants youth, and needs help on D.) At the cost I am in on either. You might even convince me to throw in Ostlund instead. What is realistic here?
Some things I have seen mentioned, but am not considering:
Casey Mittelstadt – just no. I like him, but he is not the #1 center we need. I saw this movie too, and there should not be a sequel.
Martin Necas – reportedly refused to come here before if traded for. He can live with his choice, and a lifetime of regrets when the Sabres hoist the cup in 2 years. (If he really wants to be here the team should make this happen in a second, but it is only just a dream, just a dream…)
Mason McTavish – young centerman, getting better every year. A 22 year old who had 52 points last year? Two reasons I am not considering it – is he the #1 centerman we need, or another #2? The Ducks will want quality scoring back – unless it’s Quinn, who I feel is likely to blossom this year, we do not have a player for them. Sammy and a quality prospect? Quinn and Ryan Johnson? The Sabres should be willing to listen, I just don’t think the Ducks will be quacking.
To consider:
The Sabres have $5.19 million in cap space per puckpedia.
The Sabres have 13 forwards signed, 8 defense, and 2 goalies. That’s 23. The max is 23. Signing another player means someone has to go somewhere.
Who would you sign or trade for given where the team is, how would they help, and what would they cost?