The Summer Series will focus on BRHL team's off season to-date which includes Draft, Free Agency, and a personalized 1 on 1 interview with an unknown person. There is no particular order, but as always, if you are not first you are last.

The first edition will include Jared Mitchell and his Buffalo Sabres.

Draft Recap

The Sabres added three prospects to their system, each filling key organizational needs:

• Colton Roberts – A steady, smart defender with strong positioning. Roberts has the potential to become a reliable top-four blueliner down the road.
• Jared Woolley – A forward with a power game and two-way upside. The Sabres see him as a long-term middle-six option who can grind out tough minutes.
• Riley Mercer – Goaltending depth is never a bad idea. Mercer brings athleticism and quick reflexes, and while he’s a project, the upside is clear.

Buffalo didn’t swing for a pure flash pick, but this was a “meat and potatoes” draft class that lays down a solid foundation for the future.

Free Agency Splash

If the draft was steady, free agency was anything but. Jared wasn’t shy about addressing needs and making headlines:

• Max McCue – 5 yrs @ $1,375,000
  A versatile signing, McCue projects as a glue-guy who can move up and down the lineup. On a team-friendly deal, he’s a low-risk, high-value piece.
• Erik Karlsson – 1 yr @ $6,000,000
  The showstopper. Karlsson may be past his prime Norris form, but his ability to drive play from the blueline is unmatched when he’s on. At one year, this is the perfect short-term swing that adds star power without long-term risk.
• Dryden McKay – 5 yrs @ $925,000
  Goalie depth for the future. Locked in for five years, McKay provides organizational stability in the crease at a bargain rate.
• Matt Murray – 1 yr @ $4,500,000
  A fascinating gamble. Murray has seen highs and lows in his career, but if he can rebound, Buffalo suddenly has a strong veteran tandem. For some reason, he is rated top 15 in BRHL
• Ben Harpur – 2 yrs @ $750,000
  Depth defenseman who brings size and toughness. The type of player you want to have around when injuries hit.
• Kevin Connauton – 1 yr @ $750,000
  Another depth signing, Connauton ensures the Sabres have defensive insurance without overspending.

The Big Picture

Jared’s offseason can be summed up in two words: calculated chaos. He made a splash with Karlsson, shored up goaltending with Murray and McKay, and rounded things out with reliable depth. Combined with a steady draft class, Buffalo looks ready to take a step forward this season.

Whether it works out or not, one thing is certain: Jared has the Sabres on everyone’s radar. And with his long-haired, rockstar GM persona—think Jason Momoa running an NHL team instead of starring in Aquaman—fans are eating it up on social media.

Buffalo is no longer a quiet rebuilding team. They’re loud, ambitious, and unpredictable—just like their GM.

1 on 1

Q1: How do you feel your offseason has went?
A: This off-season I wanted an upgrade on Georgiev in net and wanted to bring in some more offensive defenders. Matt Murray might not sound like much of an upgrade but his ratings are much better than Georgiev. On the back end, bringing in Erik Karlsson via UFA and Shane Gostisbehere via trade should solidify my plan to run my offense through the defense. I feel I was successful in bringing in the assets I viewed as team needs.

Q2: What are your thoughts on your team?
A: I suspect my team will be in the hunt for a wild card spot next year, so pretty similar to my season last year. With Dan, Steve & Brayden looking like tankers next year that should be accomplishable.

Q3: Do you have enough juice in the tank to compete and will you finally win a cup in a league that matters?
A: I won the cup in BRHL in 2016.

Follow-up on Q3: We’re in the attitude era of the league, anything before 2019 is irrelevant. How do you think you face up against some of the current powerhouses?
A: On paper my team doesn’t stack up against the top dogs like Greg’s Bruins or Eric F’s Lightning. The good thing is cups aren’t won in the regular season and all you need to do is get into the playoffs to make a run.