On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by Chad DeDominicis of Expected Buffalo to discuss the start of what’s absolutely going to be a critical offseason for the Buffalo Sabres and in particular, general manager Kevyn Adams.
As you’re listening or watching this the official start of NHL free agency will be underway. Meanwhile the NHL Draft has come and gone and the Sabres, to the chagrin of many of their fans didn’t do much over the weekend—highlighted by trading down from the 11th pick three spots and acquiring an extra second-rounder, a pick they parlayed into someone very likely to be a fourth line forward.
Chad has plenty of thoughts on how the opening weekend of player movement and the draft played out, including Buffalo moving down three spots from 11 and in the process costing themselves an opportunity to select one of two highly touted defensemen both on the board for the Sabres original pick, Sam Dickinson and Zeve Buium, a player Minnesota moved up to get at pick No. 12. Did Adams drop the ball by prematurely moving back? The extra pick led Adams to trading with Washington and acquiring pending restricted free agent Brent Malenstyn, a physical player who is excellent in some areas of the game but isn’t going to offer a lot offensively (just six goals in his first full NHL campaign last season).
Of course, Buffalo did make a pick at No. 14 and Chad shares his thoughts on Konsta Helenius.
At least through this point the Sabres biggest move was making the buyout of Jeff Skinner official. The Sabres now save $7.5 million in cap space for this season but will be paying Skinner for the next six years instead of three. Chad has plenty to say about Skinner, his legacy in Buffalo and if he agrees with the organizational decision.
They also discuss some of the names Buffalo should be targeting as free agency kicks in addition to the possibility of a trade(s) coming down the pipe as well as Adams very likely having his job on the line based by how this summer and upcoming season goes plus That and plenty more with Chad, who you can follow on Twitter @CMDeDominicis and be sure to check out Expected Buffalo.
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