Hey everyone, this is my last GM For A Day for the 2023-2024 season. So I’m making a few moves. Coaching is settled but I would have let go both Ellis and Wilford. Still can’t believe both were retained. I would’ve looked at Peca as the associate coach here but hey we’re the Sabres. God help us if Appert is the man next in line.
Note: I’m just doing signings and trades for the main roster. Not paying attention to the Amerks.
Re-Signings
Sign UPL to 4 years @ $4.5 mill per season.
Reasoning – Obviously had to ink 6k. This is a great deal for Buffalo. I believe he will be great next season. Hopefully we can get some goal support for the guy under Ruff.
Sign Bryson to 3 years @ $1 mill per season.
Reasoning – I believe he’s really turned it around and would be beneficial to sign him long term rather than a 1 season. Give him that raise and I’m hoping he agrees.
Sign Krebs to 2 years @ $2.5 mill per season.
Reasoning – He failed on the 3rd line IMHO but he still brings a lot to the 4th line.
Let rest of the UFAs/RFAs go.
Unrestricted Free Agency
Sign Chandler Stephenson to 5 years @ $4.5 mill per season.
Reasoning – There you have it folks our new 3C. We can deploy this guy in every situation. Great playmaking skills. Good on draws and exhibits good two way play.
Sign William Carrier to 3 years @ $1.5 mill per season.
Reasoning – We bring back a 4th line power forward who we lost in the expansion draft to the Golden Knights. He brings with him good hockey IQ and can bring a lot of energy to the 4th line.
Sign Yakov Trenin to 3 years @ $1.1 mill per season.
Reason – Fights anyone, tonnes of hits, very good without the puck and energy galore. He and Carrier on the 4th line would just be nuts.
Trades
To Buffalo: Marner (Re-Signed 8 years @ $12.8 mill per season)
To Toronto: Power and Ostlund
Reasoning – I think this is a trade that is mutually beneficial and obviously we need a guy like Marner. The man is great on both sides of the puck. 90+ point player and a star that this team needs. Also correct a wrong here. The whole Eichel crisis could’ve been avoided by selecting Marner. I don’t think we’d be in this drought had we gone with Marner instead of Eichel.
To Buffalo: Brodin
To Minnesota: Jokiharju and the 11th overall.
Reasoning – I’m giving our franchise defenseman a great defensive defenseman to play with. Brodin is very underrated and is one of the best defensive D in the league. Not to mention a fellow countryman of Dahlin and Samuelsson. Would make an unstoppable pair.
To Buffalo: Future considerations
To Chicago: Jeff Skinner ($3 mill held by Buffalo), Rosen and 2nd.
Reasoning – I believe the Hawks accept this trade and I believe Skinner would waive his NMC to go to Chicago and play on Bedard’s wing.
Lineup
Forwards
Peterka – Thompson – Marner
Benson – Cozens – Quinn
Greenway – Stephenson – Tuch
Carrier – Krebs – Trenin
Rousek
Defensemen
Brodin – Dahlin
Johnson – Byram
Samuelsson – Clifton
Bryson
Goalies
UPL
Levi
Captains
C – Dahlin
A – Tuch
A – Cozens
A – Brodin
For drafting I’m going with BPA. I’m also definitely drafting Miro Satan Jr. He is a project but can be something down the road and is huge. I wouldnt draft goalies this draft though. We are set for years at that position.
So that’s how the team looks for the new season. I’ve added grit, physicality, speed, hockey IQ, Stanley Cup experience and playoff experience. Let me know if you Sabres fans liked these ideas.
Thank you for the read!
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