Taro T

Expect we will but only situationally. Pretty sure that Granato learned last year that it's better to have nearly 60 minutes of a high end D-man being on the ice rather than having 25 or so minutes of them together with a significant step down in talent from the other pairs. Using them like Anaheim used Pronger and Neidermayer just makes so much sense on so many levels. When they're at their primes, can see the 2 of them taking 60+% of the ice time in the last 5 minutes of close games with neither leaving the ice in the final 2 minutes. After each having controlled the ice separately for 20+ minutes separately.

Interesting that neither team saw a point to running 7 D-men.

The flip side of it is if he doesn't come close to his ceiling, his floor is still probably Tyler Myers who's a $6MM D-man. If the worst you're sitting at is $2.35MM of an overpay with no other retained money or buyouts cutting into the cap, it doesn't really hurt. The potential upside of this is way higher than the potential downside IMHO.

"ever" being relative. (Meant to add a caveat to the post your excerpt came from but got distracted.) By "ever," meant within the next 5-6 seasons. No idea how much the landscape will have changed by then, but it is quite possible the Sabres won't be getting the same quality of prospects entering the system provided they aren't able to flip some of the existing players / prospects that don't fit the LT plan for 1st rounders. If they can pull some of those Bruin style trades off, then they might still stay out of the UFA 1st day frenzy because they'll still have 1st liner/1st pairing quality guys moving up and ready to step in when the existing ones are getting long of tooth and ready for 2nd line / 2nd pairing usage. If they can't replenish the high end stuff w/ up and comers; well, UFA frenzy / deadline deals of picks for high end guys that do decide to re-sign will become part of the picture.

And they'll have the goaltending covered for $3MM on top of that. The top 2 C's are just over $14MM combined. Yeah, Skinner is at $9. Leaving close to $36MM for 2 D + a spare or 2 & 10 F's. Pretty sure Adams can make that work. 😉

See your point. But, doubt that Adams is ever going to go seriously into the deep end of the UFA pool. So, other teams being able to go nuts won't really effect the Sabres personnel moves directly. But he wants to be able to find, develop, and keep great players via the draft and under the radar signings. People have been pointing out that it won't be very long until Adams will have to start making some hard decisions on who to keep due to the cap. These signings allow him to not have to factor the cap into the equation as much as he'll have to factor the 23 man roster into the equation. That gives him an extra degree of freedom in trying to keep the RIGHT guys, not just the ones that keep everything below the cap. (That's obviously the hard constraint. But with the top 2 C's under contract for just over $14/yr and 3 key D under contract for ~$25MM (don't recall ottomh what Samuelsson's deal is, so that's likely off a bit but it's ball park), they'll be able to keep either one extra really good player or a couple of good players. Hopefully Levi follows this same path of performing very well at an early stage and wants to stay here LT and settles for a LT deal that seems extremely fair to both sides.

FTFY. 😉

Watching Habs Loafs. Forward passed to Brodie at the point who lost an edge and ended up just sitting down at the point with the puck just out of reach. 1 breakaway later, Habs 1 - Loafs 0 3 minutes into the game.

Next 8 years. Both are on their old contracts this season.

Really? Why?

Now do Mitts. Now do Mitts.

Sweet.

So that same "system" that Bylsma, Housley, Krueger, and Granato all run is the problem? Seems you're reaching a bit on this one.

Did TP own the restaurant that KP was working in when they met?

Thought you went there 1st for a little sugar. 😉

@tom webster had the correct answer. (As per usual.) Sabres sent an e-mail out about an hour ago (the Home Opener Guide) and it said: "(w)hile we finish testing Sabrebucks, you may notice a Voucher under your upcoming game tickets. Please disregard this as it is part of the testing process."

Southern Tier Brewery seems to have about the same quality and service levels as the old (716) had.

Your seats are right where the fried baloney stand used to be. It was over across from your gate in that huge concession row right by the escalator. One of the guys that sat next to us always ordered that when he was there. It smelled good.

Would doubt it but maybe. Pretty sure the seats up in the nose bleeds are about 28" wide. Will be interesting to see just how much the food has been upgraded from seasons past. They made a big deal out of having STHers in last year to test the new / improved offerings. Personally, couldn't justify driving that far just to eat rink food, so no idea if the options are actually good now. It's still under Delaware North, so doubt it; but here's to hoping. (We don't eat at the rink often, but for those few times we have no other options would be nice to have something good to choose.)

Why? Because in a legitimate negotiation away from the status quo, in order to get the other party to give up something it is typical for them to get offered something. The CHL sees what's in it for the AHL squads (the majority of which are owned by their NHL parent squad); but might not see what's in it for them to have the Savoie's no longer playing a 4th year in their leagues. They are definitely going to ask WIIFM to lose the services of those players; what is the reply to that question?

Mystery solved. 🍻

What do you propose the NHL offer the CHL in the next transfer agreement negotiations to make that, or something similar, a reality?

Another mark in the plus column for making Tuch the next captain. 😉

Yeah, watching the game with the sound off in the bar after our beer league game, right after Chicago scored goals 3 & 4 ESPN immediately cut to Bedard who happened to be sitting on the bench for both goals. Can only imagine (and don't really want to) the full extent of the slobberfest.

Any word on what move the Sabres are going to make now that Savoie appears to be healthy? 14 F's 7 D 3 G's. Pretty sure that's 24 and one over the limit.