AROUND THE LEAGUE - 25-26

[BoS]

Hronek for #4.

Call me greedy, but I think Hronek has more value to Vancouver’s blueline than this drafts #4.

[Aaronp18]

Hronek for #4.

Call me greedy, but I think Hronek has more value to Vancouver’s blueline than this drafts #4.

I don’t disagree at all. Especially for the next couple years, but do we sell high or wait and hope he can be a good influence on the rebuild?

What if he gets fed up and demands a trade once his game slips?

Not saying it’s something that should be done but should be considered for sure.

[BoS]

All valid points.

Assuming he wants to stay, I can’t think of a more consistent player over the past 3 years (not named Hughes) than Fil.

He’ll be leaned on heavily to mentor Zeev. He’d leave a massive void that could dramatically impact the development of the all the young D, and his value should only go up given his work ethic, age, and consistency. His cap hit will only improve. (What will Byram command?)

If a team wants him bad enough, they’ll have to buck up big time to get him.

Fil’s the teams most valuable asset, IMO.

[UWSaint]

Hronek is a far more attractive asset than Byram, I would have thought. More consistent, for a longer period, can provide offense, is signed to a good deal.

The Hawks are getting Byram for a season before he is a UFA , he’s going to demand bank (no discount boys, Hawks will use the 8 year offer dangle), and he’s unlikely to be a true quality #1, and there’s worrisome past injury history. If Byram stays healthy, though, he fits the Hawks timeline better. They are still a couple years behind the Ducks and Sharks in their rebuild, imo, and more things have to go right to get there.

But this is less about Hronek v Byram and more about wtf were the Blackhawks smoking? Personally, I wouldn’t depart with a 4th if a sure thing wasn’t coming back, but I see what they like in Byram and it *could* work to justify that price. And it’s not like #4 OAs are sure things. But what I am baffled by is that they kept giving up stuff! The 45 OA it’s some value. Crevier was one of those “go long” in the 7th round picks (he’s huge) that should have amounted to nothing but played in the NHL—albeit as a 3d pairing guy on the leagues worst defense, but still, he’s sort of an intriguing 6-8D (being 6’8” and not totally incompetent with the puck) to keep on an organization and dirt cheap.

And they *kept* giving by taking Greenway. That’s salary shedding by the Sabres. He’s an NHL player, sure, and teams need Jordan Greenways. But compare him by type—he’s sort of a poor man’s Dakota Joshua getting paid more!

There’s a non zero chance this works for the Blackhawks, but it’s not a lot more than zero. Panic move. Sabres did very well. Byram was at best a rental for them this season, and there’s cleared cap space will allows them to sign tuch and lock up benson long term. Oh, and draft Brandon Reid, Carson Carels, Caleb Malhotra, Keaton Verhoff, or Viggo Bjorck.

[BoS]

Byram will demand 8 digits.

Hughes, Makar, Werenski will be making DOUBLE Hronek salary when they re-sign.

Not suggesting Fil is in Hughes/Makar league, but he’s a legit #2.

[Topper]

There are D men in the draft who will be available at 4 who could be better than Byram making bank on an 8 year deal. With where the Blackhawks are, they should have been patient. Is Bedard getting antsy?

[UWSaint]

There are D men in the draft who will be available at 4 who could be better than Byram making bank on an 8 year deal. With where the Blackhawks are, they should have been patient. Is Bedard getting antsy?

He’s about to force a trade to Vancouver.

[BoS]

There are D men in the draft who will be available at 4 who could be better than Byram making bank on an 8 year deal. With where the Blackhawks are, they should have been patient. Is Bedard getting antsy?

Agreed. But where Chicago is at, they need to make a run for the playoffs this year, and can’t wait another 3-5 years for a top pairing d-man to arrive.

If he can stay healthy, Byram is primed to take a big step in his development after playing his entire career behind Makar and Dahlin.

[Aaronp18]

Bedard's future will be evident based on his next contract. He can become a UFA in 2030/31, so does he sign only until the end of 2029/30?

If he only signs a 4 year deal that would be very telling.

[Tciso]

Bedard's future will be evident based on his next contract. He can become a UFA in 2030/31, so does he sign only until the end of 2029/30?

If he only signs a 4 year deal that would be very telling.

He could be the largest contract signed this summer.

[BoS]

Celebrini might have something to say about that

[BoS]

Looks like Tuch will not be returning to Buffalo.

Sabres dodged a regretful contracted there.

[Carl Yagro]

Agreed. But where Chicago is at, they need to make a run for the playoffs this year, and can’t wait another 3-5 years for a top pairing d-man to arrive.

This.

Teams like BUF and OTT need to continue the push for their core guys. ANA just cracked open the window a tiny bit and aren't looking to step back. CHI and SJ are teams looking to join very soon.

There's a real lesson from the 14 year BUF model of drafting and hoarding but going nowhere until guys give up and bolt. Same with the Oilers poor 1st round picks and development... until they kept getting lottery tickets and finally got can't miss McD and Drysaddle.

...and I agree with Topper re: star player getting antsy and that the 4th might serve them better in the long-run.

Recently, with all of the players holding their teams hostage and forcing their way out to their only destination of choice, GMs have to get a gauge on their star assets years before contract expires and make decisions if they get wishy-washy answers. Bring in help for them or ship them out early or risk lower returns later.

[Megaterio Llamas]

In another sign and trade, the Sabres have re signed Alex Tuch and will gtrade him to Washington. 10 x $10.5

https://puckpedia.com/signing/10423?utm ... nt=primary

[UWSaint]

The Sabres have re signed Alex Tuch. 10 x $10.5

https://puckpedia.com/signing/10423?utm ... nt=primary

To be traded to the Caps.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/ca ... th-sabres/

10.5 M AAV over 8 years.

He’s 30.

There’s huge risk…. Not talking about overpayment in future years (it seems like overpayment now, but it what I expected him to get), I’m talking about whether he’s even going to be worthy of a roster spot by the end of this thing. This has the makings of the summer of Lucic and Ladd and Erickson.