Goals Above Replacement value model favours the Sabres

There have been plenty of polarizing opinions in the last few days as NHL teams have started making their moves, and the Buffalo Sabres fans have had their own thoughts around the additions and subtractions made so far.

Let’s recap quickly, the Sabres traded away Ryan O’Reilly to St Louis Blues, getting Vladimir Sobotka, Patrick Berglund, prospect Tage Thompson and two picks. Separately, Buffalo added Carter Hutton, Scott Wedgewood and Scott Wilson.

There are various ways of looking at the net effect of the changes the Sabres have made this offseason, but for discussion sake let’s use ‘Goals Above Replacement’ (GAR) value today.

Click here for an in-depth explainer on what GAR is, it’s…