Sabres News & Notes 2

[DetoxTent]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

LUUKKONEN OPEN TO LONG-TERM DEAL

Contract talks have started between the Buffalo Sabres and goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and the two sides will continue to have conversations as the days approach summer.

Luukkonen, 25, is in the final year of a two-year, $1.675 million contract and is eligible to become a restricted free agent July 1.

Speaking with the media on Thursday, Luukkonen acknowledged that contract negotiations are underway but noted things aren’t “too crazy yet.”

He also admitted a desire to signing a long-term contract with the Sabres and being another member of the core inked to lengthy deals.

“I like Buffalo,” he told reporters. “I think we have a really, really good group of guys here who, as you said, are signed for a longer contract. In the end, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I for sure would not be against it.”

In 54 games with the Sabres this season, 51 of which game in starts, Luukkonen posted a 27-22-4 record with a 2.57 goals-against-average, a .910 save percentage and five shutouts.

[JATMtheJATM]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

LUUKKONEN OPEN TO LONG-TERM DEAL

This is such a flip of the coin. He has one good year. I'm afraid that's it for him. On the other hand, the sabres essentially lost players because they nickel and dime them with non committal contracts

[DetoxTent]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

Is Mattias Samuelsson on the chopping block? A big defensive defenseman that gets hurt a lot. Born and raised in Philadelphia. Was earlier rumored to Flyers. Now Devils. A healthy Samuelsson is an asset:

https://newjerseyhockeynow.com/2024/05/10/devils-trade-board-3-defenseman-worth-trading-the-10th-overall-pick-for-mattias-samuelsson-shea-theodore-jakob-chychrun-tom-fitzgerald/

Devils Trade Board: 3 Defenseman Worth Trading the 10th Overall Pick For

When the New Jersey Devils became locked in at 10th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft at Tuesday’s lottery, it raised more questions than answers. The Devils are one of the youngest teams in the NHL and are on the brink of turning into a perennial playoff team. Therefore, it raises the question as to whether or not they need to draft a player at 10th overall or trade it away to address a need.In terms of Devils draft targets, there’s a bevy of talent that General Manager Tom Fitzgerald can choose from if he decides to keep his first-round pick in 2024.


However, it’s not unreasonable to think that Fitzgerald could scour the trade market by dangling the 10th overall selection, perhaps in a package depending on the magnitude of the deal.

Frankly, the Devils have a lot to address this summer if they plan on returning to their 2022-23 status. They’ll need a top-six forward after losing Tyler Toffoli, they certainly need a defenseman to help shore up the blue line, and the goaltending situation is well-documented.

Focusing on the blue line, here are three Devils trade targets Fitzgerald should aim for ahead of or on the NHL Draft floor.

Mattias Samuelsson

It’s probably going to take more than the 10th overall pick to acquire Buffalo Sabres defenseman, Mattias Samuelsson.

However, the juice is certainly worth the squeeze.

The Sabres extended Samuelsson — a defenseman they drafted with the first pick in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft — to a seven-year contract with a $4.285 average annual value that started last summer.

The 6-foot-4, 230 lb defenseman hit the shelf at the beginning of February due to injury. The Sabres then went out and acquired defenseman Bowen Byram from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for center Casey Mittelstadt.

As a result, the Sabres are loaded with left-handed defensemen and can afford to cut one loose. Despite Samuelsson’s long-term extension, Buffalo isn’t cutting ties with the newly acquired Byram, Rasmus Dahlin, or Owen Power. Additionally, the Sabres have some hefty expiring contracts to consider soon for Byram, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Peyton Krebs, Jack Quinn, & J.J. Peterka just to name a few.

That makes Samuelsson a perfect Devils trade target. The Swedish defenseman was born in Voorhees, New Jersey, and is the kind of blue liner the Devils lack. Standing tall and firm, Samuelsson is a physical, stay-at-home defenseman who will certainly help make the job of the Devils’ goaltending a lot easier.

Samuelsson isn’t going to collect a ton of points. However, the Devils are covered in that area with Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, and Simon Nemec. Instead, he’s a large presence on the defensive end of the ice, something New Jersey could certainly use, and they’d get him at a great cost at the ripe age of 24 years old.

[JATMtheJATM]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

Is Mattias Samuelsson on the chopping block? A big defensive defenseman that gets hurt a lot. Born and raised in Philadelphia. Was earlier rumored to Flyers. Now Devils. A healthy Samuelsson is an asset:

https://newjerseyhockeynow.com/2024/...om-fitzgerald/

If it costs MORE than the 10th pick, that's great value for a former second round picks who is often injured.

That said, it's hard to find d-men who can play like he can when he's healthy. Is it worth it?

My gut says yes

[DetoxTent]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

Samuelsson update:

The Buffalo Sabres telling teams they aren’t interested in trading Mattias Samuelsson

The Fourth Period: It looks like Buffalo Sabres pending UFA forwards Victor Olofsson, Zemgus Girgensons, Eric Robinson and Tyson Jost will hit the open market.

The Sabres have $23.2 million in projected cap space and GM Kevyn Adams will be exploring the free agent and trade market.

Multiple sources have said that several teams have asked the Sabres about defenseman Mattias Samuelsson. The 24-year-old Samuelsson has six years left on his contract at $4.285 million. The Sabres have told teams they are not interested in trading him.

[DetoxTent]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

John Tavares? No doubt Buffalo is on his no-trade list.

What will the Toronto Maple Leafs decide to do with John Tavares?


Luke Fox of Sportsnet: There is lots of uncertainty surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brendan Shanahan last week when asked if they’ll approach John Tavares and Mitch Marner about waiving their no-movement clauses.


“Everything is on the table. We will discuss everything. I don’t think it serves the Toronto Maple Leafs in any fashion to discuss those things prematurely, to discuss those individuals prematurely.”


Tavares would be eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1st. He has said he hasn’t given much thought to it.


The Leafs have to consider trading one or two of their core.


Tavares is owed a $7.04 million signing bonus on July 1st and has only a $910,000 salary for next season. That would entice some teams. He’ll have an $11 million cap hit. A Tavares trade wouldn’t be a salary dump and the Leafs wouldn’t need to throw in an asset just to move him.


Spitballing the teams that could make that work – Chicago, Anaheim, Columbus, San Jose, and Buffalo.


Would Tavares agree to waive his no-movement clause? Would the Leafs remove the Captaincy from Tavares and give it to Auston Matthews?

At his age, he won't have a ton of options. Won't look good for him if they take his C away. Personally, I would rather have Marner.

[mightysimi]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

Cozens is killing it for Canada at the Worlds. He has goals in 6 straight games at this point.

Including a SHG OT winner against Czechia

[DetoxTent]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

Cozens is killing it for Canada at the Worlds. He has goals in 6 straight games at this point.
Including a SHG OT winner against Czechia

Watching this. WHERE was this during his disappointing season with the Sabres?

[DetoxTent]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

Hopefully this all carries over into next season. Cozens has just made a strong case to remain the Sabres #2 Center moving forward.

[mightysimi]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

Hopefully this all carries over into next season. Cozens has just made a strong case to remain the Sabres #2 Center moving forward.

Did they change systems? Wasn't it the same coach as the year before? Both Thompson and Cozens fell off quite hard so I was wondering if they had a change of d philosophy as opposed to the run and gun of the year before.

[Downinfloflo]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

Watching this. WHERE was this during his disappointing season with the Sabres?

Lower quality goalies and defense in the tourney.

[JATMtheJATM]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

Watching this. WHERE was this during his disappointing season with the Sabres?

Just a down year. Cozens clearly has it in him. I really think cozens will bounce back just fine.

It happens. It's happened to the Sabres before.

[DetoxTent]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

Did they change systems? Wasn't it the same coach as the year before? Both Thompson and Cozens fell off quite hard so I was wondering if they had a change of d philosophy as opposed to the run and gun of the year before.

EVERYONE fell hard. Tuch and Skinner fell also.

[mightysimi]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

EVERYONE fell hard. Tuch and Skinner fell also.

That is what led me to believe the systems were different as it was pretty much across the board that it was a down year.

[JATMtheJATM]

Re: Sabres News & Notes 2

Did they change systems? Wasn't it the same coach as the year before? Both Thompson and Cozens fell off quite hard so I was wondering if they had a change of d philosophy as opposed to the run and gun of the year before.

Both players got hurt. Thompson mentioned that he rushed back from injury and wasn't ready for weeks to even months after returning. It's worth noting that down the stretch, he began to turn around significantly and he said that coincided with him feeling healthy again.

The team also went heavy on a defensive structure. Many around the team felt that this impacted cozens significantly as he over focused on it.

Take it for what it's worth. In order for this team to succeed, they need to be responsible in both ends. And Adams needs to address roster holes aggressively.