My expectation is that if the Sabres get him, the price will hurt.  It always does.

I chose Option #2 plus Kulich or Östlund, No and Vegas.

Go Sabres.

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/roster

Who makes the team?

Who are your first callups?

What are your lines?

Jan 1: FACT

Brian Campbell scored the loan Sabres goal as they fell 2-1, in a shootout to the Penguins on this day, January 1, 2008, in the first ever NHL Winter Classic. 

Which means there is at least one, and as many as three, top 9 spots available.

Battling for those spots will be Helenius, Kulich and Östlund.

Which of the three makes the most impact, and what do you expect from the other two?

What's the weather like where you're all at? 

Anywho, like most, I love it. Summer has its niceties, but nothing beats fall.

But why? What is it exactly?

Let us count the ways.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNT7uZf7lew&hl=en&fs=1

Combine coming up soon.  Draft "experts" will be throwing out names ad nauseam. 

UFA time. 

Tight cap. 

Redo some deals.

New coach. Many new staff members.

New stadium.

Go Bills. 

Will look at everything come camp time. So much will change from now until then. 

Apparently I've been ridiculously lucky with this process too.  I just opened a pack this morning and was greeted by one that could sell for about $300 right now.  My new habit has now been funded.

Club possibly could renew its deal with WGR 55 radio to broadcast Sabres games 

Buffalo Sabres President of Business Operations Pete Guelli appeared on the Always Gameday in Buffalo podcastwith WKBW’s Matthew Bove and WGR radio’s Sal Capaccio this week and hinted of the possibility that the club will stay with WGR 550 radio next season, unlike the NFL Bills, who switched to producing their own radio broadcasts and locally to 97 Rock FM for terrestrial radio broadcasts.

"We're having those conversations now, and I have no problem saying this. GR is the incumbent. We've been with them for a long time. I think they really like and value the Sabres brand, and just because we did something with the Bills doesn't mean that's necessarily right for the Sabres. So we're in dialog with them right now, and I don't know where that's going to net out, but it can very easily still stay with GR depending on where these discussions end up" Guelli said. 

 "(The) footprint for an NFL property is a little bit different than it is for an NHL property. So we're having dialog with leadership at GR, and I think there's a good chance it could end up back there again, and I can't commit to anything, but the door's open, and we're having really good dialog."

He’s behind only McDavid, Kucherov, McKinnon, Draisaitl, Makar and Quinn Hughes.

This is rarified air among the best of the best in one of the most credible lists of its type.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7555547/2026/09/02/nhl-player-tiers-rankings-2026/

I thought Novokov could be a player. Knew nothing about him except he was big and seemed to have good scouting reports. Did anyone see him play in Rochester? Jarmo and co soured on him right away. wonder what happened.

Let me know if you ‘re in or out.  I’m assuming the Curt’s Team is out unless I hear otherwise since he was not an active participant last season.  That would put us at 11 teams.

So this year the kid is already begging me to go to a concert with him, and frankly, I was looking forward to the Summer's concert schedule for my own enjoyment. Looks like a pretty fair concert season coming. This is my concert plan for the coming year;

June 29 Buffalo Place- Grace Potter and the Nocturnals This band puts on a great show. They have a fantastic old school rock vibe to them. And Grace Potter is darned nice to look at too. If you are not familiar, look them up on youtube. Fantastic rock performers.

Darien Lake- Allman Brothers and Carlos Santana Taking the wife to see this one. Two of my favorites from the bluesy end of rock.

Darien Lake- Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper Re-living my junior year in high school. LOL Actually, I won't be buying tix to this show. I'll be a volunteer. I am involved with one of the not-for-profits that man the beer kiosks at the venue. I'm already signed up to dish out $12 Bud Lights to the head banging masses. I won't get a look at the stage most likely but I'll be able to listen to the show. \nn/

Darien Lake- Slipknot/Slayer/Motorhead/Anthrax This is the show my kid is bugging me about. Yeah, we're gonna go. I've never seen Motorhead or Slayer in concert so I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure my ears will be bleeding by the time the show ends. And 3 out of 4 of those bands are up my alley.

First Niagara Center- Rush Now this one *will* have me re-living my junior year in high school. Going with a longtime friend. I can't wait until October.

Anyone else ready for Summer concert season?

They are at Columbus October 1st

Wednesday, Oct. 21 vs. PHI: 7:30 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max
Tuesday, Oct. 27 at SJS: 10:30 p.m. on ESPN
Thursday, Oct. 29 at ANA: 10 p.m. on ESPN+ and Hulu (streaming exclusive)
Wednesday, Nov. 11 vs. TBL: 7 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max
Friday, Nov. 27 vs. PIT: 8 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max
Friday, Dec. 18 vs. MTL: 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+ and Hulu (streaming exclusive)
Tuesday, Jan. 5 at BOS: 7:30 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max
Sunday, Feb. 21 at DET: 3:30 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max
Wednesday, Feb. 24 at PHI: 7 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max
Saturday, March 6 vs. NYR: 3 p.m. on ABC
Sunday, March 14 at MIN: 7 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max
Thursday, March 18 vs. WSH: 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+ and Hulu (streaming exclusive)
Sunday, March 28 at STL: 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
Wednesday, April 7 vs. BOS: 7:30 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max

The NHL also announced the following time changes on the Sabres’ schedule:
Tuesday, Oct. 6 vs. MIN: 7 p.m. (was 8)
Wednesday, Nov. 11 vs. TBL: 7 p.m. (was 7:30)
Friday, Dec. 18 vs. MTL: 7:30 p.m. (was 7)
Thursday, Jan. 14 vs. COL: 7:30 p.m. (was 7, changed for Sabres HOF induction)
Monday, Jan. 18 vs. MTL: 2 p.m. (was 1)
Monday, Feb. 15 at NYR: 6 p.m. (was 3)
Saturday, Feb. 20 at NJD: 1:30 p.m. (was 3)
Sunday, March 7 at OTT: 3 p.m. (was 5)
Thursday, March 18 vs. WSH: 7:30 p.m. (was 7)
Sunday, March 28 at STL: 8:30 p.m. (was 9)
Thursday, April 1 vs. BOS: 7 p.m. (was 7:30)
Wednesday, April 7 vs. BOS: 7:30 p.m. (was 7)

Over the past four years, only McKinnon, Pastrnak, Matthews and Kucherov have scored more ES goals.

Among a very talented group of forwards, he’s the only one who legitimately scares opposing coaches with his ability to make checkers and goalies look silly. He has never been given a chance to play with one elite linemate, let alone two.

His defence is inconsistent — generally lacklustre overall — but good enough that Ruff doesn’t hide him, and trusts him to defend late leads. He tried to play a more physical game last year and quietly set career highs in hits and blocked shots.

He needs to find a way to be more effective on the power play. After scoring 20 in one season, he’s added just 22 the next three years combined.

I find it curious that everyone seems to take for granted he’ll be a winger this year, despite his history and the uncertainty of the team’s other options in the middle. Not sure it really matters though.

He’s always taken full responsibility for his own play and showed a ton of resiliency. Still, I wonder how the Alex Tuch departure affects him mentally.

It seems to me the big guy’s impact as an elite gamebreaking goal scorer is taken for granted a bit in the Sabrehood. An injury or step back would be devastating to this team. 

The Sabres aren't going to win a Cup without guys around Thompson; he's not that good.

But can they do it with him as their lead dog up-front?

For now, let's take a look at a way to early mock draft where the Sabres draft 21st. 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7320608/2026/07/06/nhl-draft-2027-prospects-mock-landon-dupont/

We draft a guy named Jamie Glance who is super old for his class with a Sept 23rd bday but who put up 56pts in the USHL last year. He's only listed at 5'11" and from what I see from Buffalo, I don't think they go this route. Instead I would look at Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll, the 6' rw out of the WHL. His 12 playoff pts tied with Liam Ruck and were 5th on a loaded team.

Landon Dupont is the bell of this ball. The slick skating 6' RHD dropped 73pts last year in the WHL and will play at the University of Michigan this season. Dupont dropped 73pts in the NHL in his D-1 compared to 78pts by our very own Daxon Rudolph... my point is he is really good. 

Here's a list of names from the only ranking I have, daily faceoff

Landon DuPont (D)

Nazar Privalov (C/LW)

Alexis Joseph (C)

Sergei Skvortsov (LW)

Carter Meyer (C)

Sammy Nelson (F)

Brock England (C)

Petr Tomek (C)

Dima Zhilkin (RW)

Jaxon Jacobson (C)

Timothy Kazda (F)

Luca Santala (C/W)

Max Calce (C)

Jonah Neuenschwander (F)

Milan Sundström (C)

Brock Cripps (D)

Yevgeni Yakunin (C)

Andrei Pustovoy (RW/C)

Levi Harper (D)

Boston Tait (D)

Bosse Meijer (C)

Diego Gutierrez (D)

Vladimir Shtyrkhunov (D)

Nolan Fitzhenry (C)

Rocco Pelosi (C)

Ryerson Edgar (C)

Jamie Glance (RW/C)

Noah Davidson (F)

James Scantlebury (C)

Kohyn Eshkawkogan (D)

Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll (F)

Douglas Johnsson (D)

Sources say that Tom Wilson is scared of ducks and wants a trade, and also that Dylan Strome wanted to fricasee a number of the ducks but was prevented by DCPD.

Negotiations between the Caps and the Ducks are ongoing.

Much of the discussion this offseason has dealt with trading for Hellebuyck. Would trading for Hellebuyck improve our goaltending? Of course, few would argue otherwise. However, the issue then becomes at what cost? I have firmly stated that I would not deal for him if it required giving up young players such as Kulich, Helenius, Quinn or Power. I would reluctantly be willing to considering trading Östlund in such a deal. 

Last year, I saw games where UPL seemed to take the next step and appear to solidify himself as a solid netminder. And then there were games where he relapsed from being a motion-controlled and composed player to frantically moving around the net and exposing his vulnerabilities

The big issue for me is whether UPL has reached the point where he can be a steady goaltender and our anchor goalie. Although I think he can I recognize that many are skeptical about depending on him. I'm comfortable being in the category where I don't see a great need to alter the goalie staffing on this team, especially if it requires subtracting one of our promising young players who are ready to contribute now. I'm comfortable in staying the course. 

FYI:  The list does not include every player in the system just the guys tracking toward a possible NHL future.  

Forwards

1. Helenius -C/W - Likely to make the Sabres next season - his speed is off the charts 

2. Östlund - C/W - Likely to make the Sabres next season - Elite hockey IQ

3. Kulich - C/W - Recovering from blood clots. Health status unclear, but if healthy should also compete for a Sabres roster spot next season. Remember he beat Östlund to the NHL despite being in the same draft class and playing a similar position.  

4. Zeimer - RW - high energy forward that had a strong 2nd college season.  In the mold of Doan and Benny. Key piece of US World Jr Team.  

5. Richard - F - 2022 6th rd pick.  Breakout season at UConn in 2024-25, but struggled to repeat last year. Recently signed his ELC.

6. Wahlberg - C - 2023 2nd rd pick showing some progress in AHL, but not sure what his future is with the Sabres

Honorable Mention - Ryan Rucinski - 2025 7th rd pick had a strong USHL season with 27g 35a in 59 games.

Defense

1. Mrtka - 6’6” RHD - 2025 1st rd pick. Likely a few years from the NHL

not sure of order but an interesting group of size and skill

2. Osburn - 4th rd pick 2024 - US World Jr - 21 pts in 33 NCAA games

3. Bedkowski - 3rd in 2025 - 6’6” 220; 39 pts in 68 games

4. McCarthy - 3rd in 2023 - signed ElC after strong 3rd season at BU

5. Kleber - 2nd in 2024 - US World Jr - 6’5” 209 - showed improvement in 2nd college season

6. Strbak - 2nd in 2023 - signed ELC - Physical stay at home D.

7. Laberge - 5th rd in 2025 - 56 pts in 62 games in the Q. 

Honorable Mention - Komarov - 2022 5th with 2 seasons in the AHL under his belt. Not sure his skating is good enough

Goalies 

1. Levi - RFA - Key piece of Reinhart trade struggled behind a porous Amerks D.  Likely to be moved this offseason

2. Ratzlaff - 2023 5th - spent time in ECHL and AHL

3. Leinonen - 2nd in 2022 - spent time in ECHL and AHL

4. Prokhorov - 7th in 2025 - had a stellar season in the MHL (Russian Jrs)

5. Meloche - 4th in 2025 - Decent season in the Q.

A good friend and I watched *Tooth Fairy* last evening.

He got it for his kids to watch in 2010.  It was really good, surprisingly enough.  A hockey themed tooth fairy tale.  Two grown men with tears in their eyes at the happy ending.