Chris: We’re up to question 12 in our 20 question countdown to the Buffalo Sabres season. Today we tackle whether the Sabres will be buyers or sellers at the deadline and why. Joe, I’ll let you lead us off. Will Tim Murray be on a shopping spree at the deadline or will he be posting items for sale on Craigslist?
Joe: This is a tough one. If the Sabres are selling, its obviously going to be some veterans going. Maybe Ennis/Moulson/Gionta/McGinn/Weber and whoever is a FA. If they wanna buy, we know Murray isnt scared to trade prospects (See: O’Reilly deal) and that is normally what teams do at the deadline. I think they are going to be buyers mainly because they have been sellers over the last 2 years with rebuilding and I think their goal is to make the playoffs this year.
Chris: I can strongly affirm that they won’t be outright buyers. Murray has carefully crafted his roster over the last two deadlines and summers and he’s brought in talent to not just fill the roster, but to fill the top portion of the roster. However, a lot of these players need to grown. Namely Reinhart, Eichel, Ristolainen and other blossoming prospects. So even if the Sabres are flirting with a playoff spot, I don’t see Murray abandoning his plan for a short term gain. So he won’t be buying. But I don’t think they’ll be sellers like the last 2 years either.
Joe: I feel you on the prospects you’ve named, but the others? I dont know. When you consider he dealt two prospects in the Kane deal and then 2 of the bigger ones in Grigo/Zad in the O’Reilly deal. I think he’s got the brass to trade a lot of the younger guys out of here for guys who can play right away. The Sabres don’t need anymore kids. They’ve stockpiled a shitload over the last 3 years. They need guys who can play now. I’m not saying trade everyone, but I think Murray wants playoffs by next year and the fastest way to get there is to buy.
Chris: He can’t simply trade out all of his prospects though. Between the Kane, O’Reilly and Lehner deals Murray has sent away three first round assets and two second round assets – counting Zadorov and Lemieux. At some point he needs to hold onto the organization’s top-end prospects not just for depth purposes but as building blocks. One of the hallmarks of the Blackhawks recent run has been their ability to replace departed veterans with young, skilled players on cheap deals. If Murray just ships off all of his assets for veterans he’ll wind up in cap hell and the Sabres window will shut. A good example of this is the New York Rangers, actually.
Joe: Im not saying he should trade all of them. I’m just saying he’s been trading them since he got here. Aside from prospects, do you see any veterans on this roster who could be moved at the deadline?
Chris: Definitely. David Legwand and Jamie McGinn, Mike Weber and Carlo Colaicaovo are unrestricted heading into this offseason. Marcus Foligno, Johan Larsson are restricted – which makes them unlikely trade pieces – but they could be part of talks along the way as well. Assuming the Sabres are floating around 10th and 11th and they can get an extra pick or two for McGinn and Weber (just as an example), there’s no reason not to send them out.
Joe: I’m surprised you didnt mention Moulson/Ennis. They both have movable contracts and you could probably get a lot of prospects. Maybe the types who are ready to play right away. Didn’t you broach the possibility of trading Ennis at a few points last year?
Chris: I was open to the idea of moving Ennis. But if you’re trading him it’s going to be in a hockey deal. Not unlike using Myers as a key cog in acquiring Kane. He’s so young and talented that you wouldn’t want to just sell him off for futures. I was open to the idea of moving Ennis. But if you’re trading him it’s going to be in a hockey deal. Not unlike using Myers as a key cog in acquiring Kane. He’s so young and talented that you wouldn’t want to just sell him off for futures. Don’t mistake the Sabres being closer to selling for a continued rebuilding effort. Murray would be foolish to not acquire futures for expiring contracts. So he won’t be in the business of stockpiling assets like he was at the 2014 deadline, but I don’t think he’s going to be on a shopping spree either.
Joe: What is your definition of a future player? Is it someone who is going to be a guy making the jump to the NHL full-time (See: Pysck) or someone who is like 2 years away from hopefully getting to the NHL. I ask that because if you trade a guy like Ennis for a prospect or two who are ready to play right now, I don’t view that as a future, but more so as a guy who can play now.
Chris: I define futures as picks or prospects. Typically assets who aren’t under a pro contract yet or who haven’t played a professional game yet. For example, William Carrier, who was signed to his entry level deal by St. Louis but was finishing his junior career when he was acquired by the Sabres.
Joe: So bottom line: You see Murray doing a little of both?
Chris: Yes. He’ll likely work to get full value for guys like Legwand and McGinn if he chooses not to re-sign either and I’d expect him to explore quality hockey trades. Although I doubt he nails down any blockbusters at the deadline, I could see him finding an NHL ready player if he comes at the right price. I’d guess a quality left handed defenseman.
Joe: Well, I’ve have the last word and say I think unless the Sabres are dead last again or near the bottom, they are going to be buyers. I don’t know what it is, but I think Murray loves the big splash deals and I think he wants guys who can play right away. I’m not saying he’ll deal all the kiddies, but no one is off limit. He’ll get picks for guys like Weber, but I think there will be bigger deals than that.
Archives:
#20- How much will the team improve on?
#19- What are the legit expectations for Jack Eichel?
#18- Should goaltending be a concern?
#17-Who will be the most improved player this season?
#16- Who will have a better season, Ryan O’Reilly or Evander Kane?
#15- Who should be on the Sabres 1st line?
#14-Will Sam Reinhart play 40 games?
#13-Will Tyler Ennis score 25+ goals?
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