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Why wouldn't we be allowed to? We've not drafted 1st since 2021 and the rule is 2 years in a 5 year span. Also the rule started in 2022 and we've never moved to since then.

Yup You know what I find the worst about this? You're acting like it's some type of revelation. It's not, Benson needs to get stronger because he can reach his full potential then, however this bs about him "holding up physically" is just that, bs. He's not injured because he went into the corner and was too weak to take it, he blocked a shot. Zach Benson is the best forward Buffalo has drafted since Jack Eichel. Your scouting report on him here sounds like Corey Pronman wrote it. The list of players in the last 10yrs Benson's size who were good, is long. One more thing, who do you think will hold up better? 5'10" 185lb Benson or 6'4" 225lb Samuelsson?

Pretty sure we are

I agree with that about McBeane. Terry messed with all of our heads crying to Gilbert at his opening presser. He bought the Bills and bought himself enough cache to the city. "The goal of the Buffalo Sabres is to not win Stanley Cups but be a staple of my portfolio."

So, are we allowed to get the first OA pick in next year's draft?

It’s a letter from the team telling a player to find a place in Buffalo as he is not being waived to the AHL.

Yeah and Bob Lilly dominated as a 275 lb DT in the 60s. Both Peca and Gare played in different eras. Gare in the 70s and 80s. Peca’s last good season was the early 2000s, a quarter century ago. And Peca was 5’11, 190 range. And Peca had 7 solid seasons then fell off the cliff. Benson is 5’10, 177. His game is often at its best in the corners taking away the puck and making the right play. I do think he gives off Peca vibes. But to really become that, to be able to score better, to be able to hold up, he’s going to have to get bigger and stronger. Ideally, adding 10-12 lbs of muscle, will allow him to play a more physical game, develop a stronger shot, skate faster, and hold up physically. Beyond that you just bragged about Rosen gaining 25 lbs and getting much stronger. Which is, on a lesser level, exactly my point with Benson. But Rosen is still not a physical specimen. Though his style of game is different. Some players who skate exceptional well and fast and have a great shot and passing ability can play smaller for sure, but Benson is not exceptionally fast. He has great instincts and stick play but still needs to get stronger and faster.

Did Levi play well enough in the preseason to be kept up? Im not sure thats the case. And Ellis was kind of wonky in his start here. It is not a slam dunk by any stretch to say either would be more successful than UPL right now. Either one requires a leap of faith.

I don't trust him. Up and down. Soft goals.

Hoping for the best for Dahlin and his family…I can’t imagine trying to play hockey with his fiancé’s health always on his mind. Given the indefinite timeline, it suggests to me that this could be longer term….meaning I would not be surprised if he is away for the rest of 2025 and maybe we see him again in early 2026? I sure hope the team is doing everything they can to support him through this. I hope any fan who can afford to will donate to Rasmus’ foundation charity. The unfortunate impact to us fans is that it makes it more likely that any post season hopes will be gone within the next month. The frustrating kicker is that it gives our incompetent management and coaching an excuse for another failed season. I cannot stomach the thought of Adams, Appert, etc. being brought back, but I almost expect it now.

Not trying to be an ass, but this is an unreasonable question. We obviously do. Lyons is playing great. Levi is playing excellent in Rochester and there is a logjam of talent behind him. A reasonable question would be, would Ellis be any worse than UPL? People want to think he’s a flash in the pan and no better than Houser lighting it up a few games, but he had better numbers than Levi last year in the AHL. We have many better options than UPL, who is a sub 0.900 goalie. We’ve seen enough.

That single win just got that much tougher to get without your #1D.

Not like this team is doing anything special this year. He won't be missing much here.

Nope

See, trading for Norris and re-signing Greenway…3D chess.

Does Minny want a barely used (this year) goalie who's had a really good 2 month stretch a few years back for him? We take their problem child, they take one of ours.

Although it’s hard to avoid the thought that the fact that the Sabres suck may contribute to this, this probably has impacted his play on the ice this year. As such, this a good move until his fiancé gets better. Hopefully and prayerfully. If he’s distracted from a full commitment to hockey (as appears to be the case), then he needs to be at home with her. Wish him all the best.

Marcus Foligno...having a rough start to the year. He is still getting between 13-14 minutes ice time per game, so 3rd line minutes. But not only does he have no goals, no assists, no points in 14 games...but he has been on the ice for 11 goals against, while he has not even been on the ice for a single goal for.

I do wonder if the fact we were flying to Carolina may have broke him mentally seeing as his fiancé is named Carolina. Just that small thing that could mean more to him hearing the name and everything else. Frankly I don’t think he’s leaving for anything to do with the season’s start. Had he started the season on fire and looked great I might be more worried but he’s looked distracted and distant this year and thus the idea that his emotions have clouded him to this point makes a lot of sense.

Soooo. It looks like time to drill another well.

Hats off to Rasmus gutting it out and sticking around to start the season. I think he realized it was going to be same old story this season with or without him. I'm wondering if the Sabres came out of the gate with chemistry in the line up, solid goal tending and on fire points wise, what would he have done? Decision might of been different or a lot harder.

It wasn't just the youtube video about floridas facility (if anyone hasn't watched it, I recommend it) but there was an article I read about sports teams overall and their facilities (mentioned NHL and NBA teams, some NFL, but also focused on some soccer teams abroad). There is also a youtube video on the Seattle Kraken training facility. I'm sure this is big in college recruiting also. Anyway, the point was the new way to attract players is by the facility. Its not new, but to the extent teams are going it is new. Its about having your practice/training facility (and even your arena) not downtown, but in a nice suburb where players live. Closer to the airports (players fly out a lot and they want to be close to both the practice facility and the airport. Ammenities rivaling high end spas (and some of them that are open to family members of players and staff) Private high-end dining. Barbershops with professional barbers/stylists for the players on site. Frequent functions for families/wives/kids at the rink with ammenities catering to familes. I forgot the franchise but one mentioned (I THINK it may have been overseas) that has an option that when the players come in for practice, they park in a private area, take their private golf cart from the parking area to the training center, and while they are practicing they can have their car professionally washed/detailed and ready when they return. This is what you are now competing with. This is what players want. Apparently that is what young players want.

Can the Sabres just designate UPL for assignment, waive him,cut their losses? I say this because we are at the point soon we need to know what Devon Levi is or isn't. He is 23. It is time soon. I want that roadblock of UPL gone now.