2021 Preview: Buffalo "It Can't Be THAT Bad, Right?" Sabres
Apr 7, 2021 15:01:08 GMT -5
Hawks, AvsGM, and 7 more like this
Post by SabresGM on Apr 7, 2021 15:01:08 GMT -5
Mid-way though last season, and out of a playoff spot, the Sabres brought in a new GM. Eager to impress, he set out to upgrade his squad with a flurry of trades. The Sabres eventually made the playoffs and, although they put up a good fight, were disposed in a game 7 OT at the hands of MTL. Not the way the GM wanted the season to end, but it was good enough to keep him around for another season.
This off-season, the Sabres examined the landscape and decided that it was time to rebuild. Fans in Buffalo were not happy with the news, outrage in the streets, yadda yadda yadda. A tough decision to make but hopefully, in the long run, will prove to be the right decision. After losing out in FA and plans to maybe pick up an asset or 2 during unassigned season, the Sabres are setting up to go into the season with this lineup (Trade acquisition noted in bold):
Noel Accari - Matt Duchene - Max Domi
Gustav Nyquist - Adam Lowry - Nino Niederreiter
Marcus Johnasson - Sam Steele - Kyle Okposo
Evan Rodrigues - Tomas Nosek - Daniel Sprong
Zdeno Chara - Jake Muzzin
David Savard - Mike Reilly
Brady Skjei - Zach Whitecloud
Jack Campbell
Vitek Vanecek
The roster has already seen changes. Key figures such as deadline acquisition Morrissey, as well as players such as JVR, Taylor Hall, and Khudobin have been shipped off for long term prospects, young guns, and picks (including 3 first round picks). The Sabres have also picked up some depth pieces such as Okposo (who, btw, leads the IRL Sabres in points, assists and +/- since the trade) and Daniel Sprong that will help shore up the lineup.
It is known that many of the better players on the roster want to, as they say, “get the hell out of this tire fire of a franchise”. SabresGM is currently listening to offers on all of his players.
Looking to the future, the Sabres are excited about the upcoming draft with 3 picks in the first round alone. The Sabres are missing a top, blue chip prospect and are hoping to be able to stock up within this draft. Top prospects currently include David Farrance, Samuel Fagemo, Timothy Liljegren and Akil Thomas (all of which have come the way of trades).
Let's do that hockey!
This off-season, the Sabres examined the landscape and decided that it was time to rebuild. Fans in Buffalo were not happy with the news, outrage in the streets, yadda yadda yadda. A tough decision to make but hopefully, in the long run, will prove to be the right decision. After losing out in FA and plans to maybe pick up an asset or 2 during unassigned season, the Sabres are setting up to go into the season with this lineup (Trade acquisition noted in bold):
Noel Accari - Matt Duchene - Max Domi
Gustav Nyquist - Adam Lowry - Nino Niederreiter
Marcus Johnasson - Sam Steele - Kyle Okposo
Evan Rodrigues - Tomas Nosek - Daniel Sprong
Zdeno Chara - Jake Muzzin
David Savard - Mike Reilly
Brady Skjei - Zach Whitecloud
Jack Campbell
Vitek Vanecek
The roster has already seen changes. Key figures such as deadline acquisition Morrissey, as well as players such as JVR, Taylor Hall, and Khudobin have been shipped off for long term prospects, young guns, and picks (including 3 first round picks). The Sabres have also picked up some depth pieces such as Okposo (who, btw, leads the IRL Sabres in points, assists and +/- since the trade) and Daniel Sprong that will help shore up the lineup.
It is known that many of the better players on the roster want to, as they say, “get the hell out of this tire fire of a franchise”. SabresGM is currently listening to offers on all of his players.
Looking to the future, the Sabres are excited about the upcoming draft with 3 picks in the first round alone. The Sabres are missing a top, blue chip prospect and are hoping to be able to stock up within this draft. Top prospects currently include David Farrance, Samuel Fagemo, Timothy Liljegren and Akil Thomas (all of which have come the way of trades).
Let's do that hockey!