“The door could be open for prospects like Jiri Kulich or Matt Savoie to see NHL action sooner than later with Quinn set to miss an unspecified amount of time at the start of the season. The injury news could also impact how the Sabres approach the opening of unrestricted free agency on Saturday.”
[Link to article](https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-jack-quinn-undergoes-achilles-tendon-surgery/c-345109000)
by UncleOrton
5 Comments
“Could”
Savoie not being AHL eligible complicates things. Would not be surprised if he gets the first tryout while Kulich marinates in Roch at the beginning of the season even though he’s more NHL ready imo. Now that we have Benson though, I don’t hate the idea of them playing together for another season then possibly transitioning to the NHL together as well.
It’s not gonna be Savoie I guarantee that , they’re not gonna rush him and burn a year off his entry level
Savoie will get his 9 games for sure. Can Kulich get 9 games as well without burning his contract? If so, that would bring us to Nov 19th if we gave Savoie the first 9 games and then Kulich the next 9 games (or something like that). That would be 5 months and like 2 weeks starting July 1st. So if Quinns expected 4-6 month window is accurate, he would be back around Dec the latest.
So we could get pretty close to his return by playing Kulich/Savoie 9 games each. You could get Rousek and Weissbach in and move Krebs/Mitts up the lineup for a few games as well. If Jost re-signs that helps as well.
Personally I don’t think there is any need to add a forward. We have the depth in the organization right now. Between Savoie, Kulich, Weissbach and Rousek they should be able to get us to his return. Mitts can always move into the top 6. Krebs can move into the top 9. If GMKA is going to add a forward then I would hope its just on a 1 year deal for someone that can play on the 3rd line. Overpay a million or something since we have the cap space. I’d be more worried about term because come the new year when Quinn is healthy we are back to having no room.
First off my gut tells me the best answer for Quinn is to take it slowly. We may be seeing him out for much longer than the first month.
I think it’s Kulich time.
I want Benson and Savoie to turn into the next coming of Mogilny – LaFontaine. That takes time and more time. We are likely 3+ years from that happening.
We need to see what we have in Kulich. Neither 71 nor 37’s roster spot are a lock. Kulich could slot in there well plus drive PP2.
I think we are definitely going shopping and the name I am targeting is Joonas Donskoi. Good fit, fun playstyle and playoff proven.