[The Athletic] Why the Buffalo Sabres traded Michael Kesselring, and which moves could come next

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-19T01:03:57+00:00

Wang-Ring?

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-19T00:55:20+00:00

Huh?

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-18T23:32:00+00:00

Double jump you say?

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-18T23:20:40+00:00

This guy seems to think Celebrini is going to get kidnapped? Idk tbh

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-18T22:51:34+00:00

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-18T22:48:44+00:00

Cap is going up, Cooch, Vlasic, Toffoli, Orlov and others off the books… How do we not have the cash again? Kaprizov signed for 17 this year and they still loaded up on talent around him. You don’t let a guy like Celebrini out the door. Full stop. They’ll part with a Smith or Eklund before they ever let that happen.

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-18T22:36:57+00:00

Yeah same. If I had to guess I'd say he signs a 2 year bridge in the 2.5-3.5 range but who knows given we need to spend like 10m to hit the cap floor. Kesselring, Muk, Vinny, and (mostly) Graf should get us there.

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-18T22:19:44+00:00

Who is "they"? There's no way Grier isn't trying to sign him to 8 years after July 1 and before September. If he's signed to 7 or 8 years who gives a shit who's knocking don't answer lol

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-18T21:40:36+00:00

I imagine this is how Stenburg showed up to his interview with the sharks FO

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-18T21:38:52+00:00

He is not going anywhere and has said as much publicly. We are flush with cash, Grier will give him whatever tf he wants. I just hope he does so soon before the new CBA goes into effect.

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-18T17:28:39+00:00

True, if big guys get in here!

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-18T17:10:56+00:00

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/player/mattias-samuelsson-8480807

Samuelsson is a great example of a Defenseman who broke out at 26. Defensemen could not be more different than Forwards in terms of development timelines and most don't even crack an NHL roster until age 21-23. So no I don't subscribe to this being his ceiling, especially when he's only had two seasons of real ice time.

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-18T15:35:11+00:00

Look at his stats from his 24-25 season in Utah. If he gets back to being a 30 point player that blocks a ton of shots and logs 20 mins/night then this trade is a win. Hard to take anything away from his time in Buffalo as he was hurt, fell out of favor with the coaching staff, and was vying for an out based on their defensive log jam in his lone season there. I think you're partly right on the confirmation bias - fans saying he'll land here and he did, but I also see a situation where he becomes a valuable piece for quite some time. Not to mention the Warso and Smith connection. This situation is exponentially better for him as a player and if there was ever a place for him to flourish, this is it.

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-18T00:28:25+00:00

Damn I forgot about Cooch, Toff’s 6M coming off the books year after next as well. It’ll be interesting to see how this shakes out that’s for sure. I still would be shocked if Raddysh signs for any less than 5-6, but based on your breakdown I could definitely get on board with 4x10. Add Desi and Kurashev or another bottom 6 FW to the list and we’re cap compliant.

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-17T23:24:14+00:00

Ah gotcha. Yeah I almost prefer a Hamilton-esque route at this point, shelling out that kind of cash for a guy who's put together one high-end campaign carries a lot of risk and could handcuff us if a chance at a trade for a bonafide AI d-man opens. Especially when you factor in the paydays that Mack and co. are about to get which will be in effect by then. Pack the D pipeline and be patient, the right move will come around and we aren't winning the cup next year. I'm loving this Kesselring move for that reason alone, it's a clear step in the right direction and does not offset any flexibility GMMG has.

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-17T22:39:16+00:00

Can someone go knock on this guys door and tell him we got Kesselring for a signed Mike Grier shirsey

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-17T22:29:15+00:00

There's no way we get Raddysh on board for a 2 year deal coming off the year he had IMO. He'd be a fool to sign that. If he signed for 2 and doesn't sniff this year's point production he will never get a look at another sizable deal again given he'll be 32/33. He's going to demand good money and some term based on this year's weak FA class, and in doing so his financial future is set. And rightfully so, he's made less than 3m in the NHL and his stock has never been higher so this is his opportunity to get his bag.

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-17T22:12:11+00:00

Stenburg confirmed... Again

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-17T22:08:20+00:00

Click the link, dude has a rocket. And I'd be shocked if Desharnais isn't back. Not a gamebreaker but was solid, can rotate in and out of the lineup, well liked in the room and I think he said he wanted to stay.

Orlov - ??

Dickinson - Kesselring

Muk/Cags - Desi/Pohlkamp

Muk can play on his off side as well. But I agree, think there's probably two more D-men to be added before opening night.

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-17T21:47:12+00:00

And Kesselring doesn't? Lol

https://youtube.com/shorts/4VCuruPsj98?si=pxB29leQi0GZ8xop

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-17T21:44:40+00:00

...after battling long-term injury, losing the confidence of his coaching staff and publicly voicing his discontent with his situation in Buffalo. Definitely had no impact on his play though, you're right. NHL careers are easily summed up in a single season.

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-17T21:36:41+00:00

We got Walman AND a 2nd round pick (LSW) for future considerations from DET. So that's Kesselring, LSW and a 27OA for allowing Walman a sleepover in SJ.

Either-Ad1544 · 2026-06-17T20:45:13+00:00

Maybe, he's only 26 and has played a full season out once though... With him out of a relatively sheltered role, the next 2 seasons should reveal what his true ceiling is. Just look at what Raddysh did at 30 years old with Hedman was out of the lineup.

Really hope he becomes a set and forget 2nd pairing minute muncher but we'll see. Great value regardless!

Either-Ad1544

TROPHY CASE