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Sometimes explanations are simpler than one might expect. The problem isn't so much about the amount of money he spent as it is in the decisions being made. The owner came in gangbusters thinking that throwing money around would give his team instant credibility. What he learned is spending money foolishly, no matter what the amount is, is simply wasting money. The owner has made a number of bad decisions, especially in staffing. And to compound the problem, this self-made billionaire is a stubborn man who was inclined to double down rather than alter course. The reality is that this franchise is structured the way he wanted it and is staffed the way he wanted it. Ineptitude is ineptitude. He has sabotaged himself. Has he learned from his mistakes? Maybe so. I'm not really sure because this fellow with the off big boat doesn't talk much.

Didn’t see the game, but do want to point out that Georgiev is not a big goalie. He’s 6-1 178 compared to Levi at 6-0 192. Luukkonen and Leinonen are the bigs in the system.

Definitely not what you want to see, even if you put it into perspective.

For the first 45 minutes the Sabres were in total control, as in Pittsburgh could create absolutely nothing. And then that happened. Again the goalie and the PK didn’t get it done, but that went deeper. Id shrug and say it’s just preseason fuel for the real season, but the inability to close was their primary characteristic last year and what they needed most to address. Troubling.

He is a June Birthday and just turned 18 and has played total of 43 games in North America. The primary reason he come over to Seattle was his lack of playing time in the Czech League. I agree with @dudacek about Leone.

Okay - so I see that the essential concern is: We (many?) want him at 26+ minutes per game playing in all situations. Will he get that in Roch? Maybe, maybe not. I’d guess: Most certainly not. Good convo here:

I just don't think these things are determined in pre-season games. I agree that some data is used from the games. I believe pre-season matters, just not a lot. It's more relative IMO. They know what the lines will be to start the season, minus a minor tweak or two or injury. The lines get established and often change for various reasons, for even the excellent teams. The system is also established in practice, film room and throughout the season. Hard work mindset, well that's a tough one and I can't imagine pre-season games are a large factor.

Looks like he’s good enough, and physically ready. He needs to be playing significant minutes and situations, not watching Metsa and Komarov. I’m trepidatious, but I trust Leone more than anyone else on staff.

Lyon is a key, no doubt. Norris was very good with Ottawa, he just needs to stay healthy. You need 2 scoring lines. Tuch helps us get that. With Peterka gone they needs others to step up and produce more goals (Quinn, Benson, Kulich) while still maintaining the contributions from McLoed and Zucker.

Your position makes a lot of sense. However, I think that playing with older and better players, even as a lower pairing player, would be better preparation for him. I also think that the better training facilities and traveling accommodations will better serve him.

31-37% of our starting roster has changed.

Ok. Thanks.

Even if UPL was healthy I see Lyon as the better (safer) option in net. I hope Norris can stay healthy. He can put the puck in the net. A first line with Tage and Norris should be productive. My preference would be to include Tuch on that first line but it appears that Ruff sees it differently.

Chad D says it’d be bad to go from AHL to WHL. Myself, I have no clue.

No he was a European Transfer to the Seattle so the NHL CHL Rules do not apply to him

He is 18 and drafted from the WHL juniors. Is his time in Rochester limited? It must be.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they just have him practice with the team for the week and then send him back to Seattle.

The best part is he can still go to Seattle in the WHL if needed. He needs top pairing minutes, be on the power play and/or the penalty kill where ever he plays this season Give him a few weeks in Rochester but if he is going to be a 3rd pairing D for the Amerks, Seattle is a better place for him

The hometown announcers were able to.

What's impressive about Mrtka is that in his brief exposure to NHL play is that when watching him you never got the sense that he was overwhelmed and didn't belong. Clearly, he needs more experience but he's a legitimate prospect who will be playing in the NHL in the near future.

Hardly anyone pronounced Dom's last name right.

But yet he is the opposite with the Bills. His problems with the Sabres stem from these things: 1. He thinks he knows the game 2. He gets infatuated with people he knows and likes 3. He does not fit into or trust the NHL establishment and feels they led him astray. Just curious, are you retired yet?

Best place for him.

Having a good finance guy on the staff is a nice.

Per Sabres PR