Taro T

Why'd you think he keeps getting referred to as Mr. Blue Jeans?

Would also say it would take a really good offer to move one of the 3 Russians.

That's my understanding. Someone that follows the AHL closer could say for certain.

Pretty sure that can't happen. If he plays in Buffalo, he'd've needed to be on the Amerks roster on trade deadline day.

This team is on the exact same timeline as the '03-'06 Canes were on. Have been pointing that out for a while. He said playoffs are the goal next year but he wants to be 10 points into the playoffs at this point next year so they aren't scrambling. He's never waivered that his long term goal is perennial Stanley Cup contender. (Too much luck involved in any given year with only 1 team actually winning it all to make winning the Cup in a particular year the goal. But, if you're always a contender you should actually be able to win it once or twice.) This team is MUCH younger than that team was which might push being a true contender back a year or 2 as the kids season, but it also should keep the window open much longer once it does open. Have said many times the moves that IMHO need to be made. We are close to agreement upon those. And am pretty sure that if Rosen needs to go to bring in one of those pieces, he's out of here. Rosen wasn't mentioned as one of the prospects. Östlund was. Take whatever inferences you wish out of that.

C'mon Mr. Blue Jeans. 9 W's gets this done. Starts tonight.

Thought since covid that more than 1/2 of them make it.

It isn't ALL about the goalie. But there's pretty much no chance of them making the dance continuing to throw out who they've been putting out between the pipes. Really want to see these last 9 games being Levi's predominantly and when he can't go / needs a break / has shown he can't get it done at this point then play Comrie to find out what he is.

While UPL probably doesn't come around, he's 23 and can be far from a finished product. He's cleaned up a lot of his game this past year or so, but still leaves quite a bit to be hoped for. Still say a big part of (of not the biggest part of) his issues is the mental side of the game. He doesn't expect to make the save. He's gotten better at things like he is no longer afraid he's going to leave the 5 hole open so he leaves over his shoulders open. Those goals have in large part gone away. And those were IMHO a vestige of the strangeness of how his legs felt post double hip surgeries oh so many years ago. He reacts well, but doesn't read the play as well as he should. Meaning, he seems to have to always expect the shot is coming from the player with the puck on his stick even though it's obvious the puck will get passed before the shot. Which would be an indication that he doesn't have full confidence yet that he'll be where he needs to be to make the save. If that is his issue, it also would explain why his rebound control is bad. Guys that aren't confident they'll make the save can't be worrying about where they're putting the rebound. And if it is largely in his head, he could have the light switch go off and be significantly better pretty much overnight. As said above, he probably doesn't come around and become more than just a backup or an AHLer. But he has the physical tools to be able to do it. He isn't Ray Emery who was never going to be able to stop a shot when he has to go across the crease because his side to side movement was horrible.

Are they allowed to wear thirds more than 12 times? If not, it isn't happening as they're scheduled for the B&R Goatheads against the Otters. If they can wear them more often, then sure, why not. What is there to lose. (But please stop this B&R madness on more than a gimmick basis next year. This team's colors are B&G.)

That 2.8% chance has already incorporated that the other 3 teams the Sabres are chasing will likely play at their season averages (or close to it, depending upon the individual opponents). If those 3 all play at their pace through 73+ games, the Aisles end with 94, the Pens 91, and the Swamp Cats 89. The Sabres would likely have the tiebreak with the Pens, so they need to get to 91 at a minimum. But figure they realistically have to get to 92 or 93. That means 7-1-1 or 8-1-0. They play the Canes in Buffalo, so we almost definitely know where the 1 L comes. To make the playoffs they can at most lose 1 other game in OT/SO. Can't see any way the Sabres get to 93 (or even 91) using the goalies they've used to date. So, the effective chance to get in without playing Levi is 0.0%. Playing Levi isn't high risk, it's the only way to even get to that 2.8% chance of getting in.

eAnd again, the 3-5 year timeline is for becoming and remaining a Stanley Cup contender. That is the overarching goal. Would also point out that Adams did not state what year 1 was in that 3-5 year timeline. You can assume it was next year, but don't believe that is necessarily so. He actually said publicly that yes, they are shooting for the playoffs next season. (He also actually said, he wants to be in by 10 points so they aren't scrambling like they are this season.) This is new and different.

He was one of the prospects that Adams mentioned on Tuesday. Of course, he ended the comment with a statement of "it's his decision" whether to sign with the Sabres or not. Expecting that yes he will sign.

####. We're doomed.

In Monday's Habs game, the Sabres held the puck in the Habs zone for well over a minute on at least 3 occassions in the 2nd period. And yet they were outshot 18-9 for the period. THAT is a problem.

Looking forward to it. Too bad Rags fans have most likely already bought most of the seats.

Personally, believe the prioritization does go to winning this coming year. Meaning, if one of the kids isn't cutting it in his role (or one of the vets either, for that matter) he'll get bumped down to a lesser role or bumped to the pressbox. Which is a significant change from how this season played out. Adams said playoffs are the goal, but that they aren't going to sacrifice the future for them. So, they will operationally change how they focus the players they have (including whoever comes in this summer) from development to winning but they won't make a panic move to give up Savoie and Kulich to get into the playoffs this coming year if things aren't going to plan.

Yup. Age + term and price tag are going to keep him out of the market for "big names" that can't live up to the price tag. He's not going to pay big bucks for a guy in his 30's that's only going to be worth a big deal for a year or 2.

No, he did not say what the identity was - neither for the team as a whole nor the individuals. But you can see what they're developing into. Each player (with the possible exception of Frick and Frack who are so young they could find themselves fitting in with a couple of different roles as they develop) seems to have fit themselves into a niche. Was mildly surprised nobody asked about when they get better at playing in their own end and what the plan was to make that happen. But again, only 1 hour long and very few people actually got to ask a question. So, a lot of good questions remained unasked.

Regarding a lack of Q's about goaltending (or anything else), remember, there were a few hundred people in there & the event was only 1 hour long so people kept to 1 single question for the most part. Well, everyone but the old lady who asked about the goal songs and the small D, and the schmuck that went into a 5 minute long monolog about how he'd met Adams a few years ago who never asked a question unless you count his asking whether Adams would sign a photo he had of the 2 of them together somewhere in the middle of his monolog. Levi had been mentioned in the answer to the prospects question along with the direct question about him. Personally didn't ask about the goalies because only wanted to ask 1 Q (though had 5 written down and could easily have asked him at least 20) and didn't expect him to give any sort of real insight into which of this year's big 3 would be back next year and in what capacity they'd be back as he is similar to Granato in regards to throwing players under the bus. His not mentioning either Comrie nor UPL when answering any of the questions that night seemed telling in its own right. Levi is the heir apparent. The only question is when the net becomes his.

Am trying to fix the formatting. Everytime it ends up getting worse. Sorry.

Went to the STH Blue and Gold Insights with Kevyn Adams last night. These have grown tremendously over the past 2 years. From a Zoom call with Skinner and Mittelstadt that likely had 100 or so people take part in. To last year's one with Adams in the Lexus Club with maybe 75-100 people at. To this year with Comrie and Power which had over 100 people at it; Paterka and Quinn's talk which had a couple hundred at it; to this one that had nearly all of section 105 filled with overflow into 104 and 106 This one was hosted by Dan Dunleavy rather than Brian Duff who had done all the others. (My comments are in parenthesis. Dan asked the 1st few questions then turned it over to the STHers On the season to date, Adams said he felt that the team's identity was forming both as individuals and as a team and that there wasn't an identity set back in October. Not sure what the expectations should be because the team is so young. "We are in a good spot" in the big picture but still have a long way to go Asked about Kulich driving in to watch his countryman get his 1st game. It's incredible to see that. He was really happy for his friend. And that sentiment runs through the entire team. (Not specifically for Rousek, but in general this is a tight team that wants to play for each other. Made a point of saying how players currently are playing through injuries for their teammates and they really want to be in there He loves the intensity Dan's final Q was about Levi. He's very special: curious, self aware, and driven. He keeps a noteboke with him and makes notes while watching the games figuring out what drills he needs to work on to handle specific situations. He told an anecdote about watching him in an 8-3 loss and how impressed he was with his body language throughout that really awful night. Questions were then thrown out by the audience The 1st Q was about playoffs. Answer began with the typical 3-5 year goals for the team. But yes, the playoffs next year are the goal just like winning the Cup is a goal (only 1 team wins any year). Though they are the goal, the future won't be mortgaged to get there. That 3-5 year goal is overriding the short term one. (So, not expecting a Saros type move that would cost Savoie or Kulich; but maybe a Demko type move might be in the He did not want to overpay this year to keep from hurting that 3-5 year goal. He was looking for players that would help the team today and could grow with the team. He wanted defensive depth. They lacked a hard edge on D. Thus grabbing Stillman. Same thought process on bringing in Greenway. Asked about the prospects. Quinn, Peterka, Levi, Power, Krebs, and Cozens are guys that should be prospects. He also called out Savoie (getting coached by James Patrick), Kulich, and Östlund (who he wants on this side of the pond next year, but he's ok with him staying). Ryan Johnson - he'll be an NHLer and he wants him to sign but it is his decision. Mentioned how they have some great Russian prospects. Poltapov (who is under contract for 2 more years) plays hard, fast, and (missed the last word). Neuchev. Novikov - talked about his size. Asked about how being a former player affects how he approaches his job. Tries to maintain good relations with his players and staff. Brought Levi to his house for dinner. Likes to take players out to dinner on the road to speak with them, oftentimes guys who are having a rough go of it. Always tries to be truthful with the players. Asked about changes in the game from when he was a kid to today. Likes that though the game is still physical that guys that are 5'6" can play in the league along wiht the 6'6" guys. Thinks the game is better now than ever before. Look for the guys that think their way around the ice. The game is still physical but it's a different kind of physical. He was asked about how he prepared for this job and transitioned to it. Talked to a lot of people he knew from the game. "Be where your feet are." Asked about the tiny defense and individual goal songs. Pointed out that of the top 6 D, 5 are 6'2" or bigger; Jokiharju is 6'0". Said he'd told Bryson he needs to be his competitive self. (Play to his strengths.) As for the goal songs, he thought they were fun. When asked about the team playing horrible in the 3rd and losing a lot of games there and also about the team getting pushed around. He pushed back stating that he'd need to be convinced that actually happens. He doesn't want our guys getting pushed around, but doesn't believe they are. Cited Joker's hit on the Hab Monday and pointed out he'd learned that hit from Dahlin. Also talked about the scrum vs the Aisles. How to improve at home? Goal songs. (Got a big laugh) The young players are proud and don't want to let the fans down at home. He thinks they try too hard at home but just play on the road. Also mentioned the players are bothered by the rink sometimes getting taken over by visiting fans. Asked if he'd offer sheet someone. Definitely. But it's hard to land the guy because teams find a way to match He doesn't believe in overpaying for guys on the downside of their career, but will pay for guys on the way up. (Read, Dahlin and Power will get paid. So will the other guys that were mentioned in the current prospects.) The goal is to always have a full funnel coming up from underneath. Felt they were in a terible place when he took over: only 5 picks, few prospects, a bad team, and at the salary cap. He believes strongly in where they are going. If anybody who went heard things differently or heard stuff not included here, please add it. Thanks.

With Johnson being 1-1/2 weeks away from making a decision, would've been very surprised to see the Sabres make a hard push for him and even more surprised to see them land him. Now had Minnesota been eliminated this past weekend and Livinstone moving on to the Frozen Four, maybe.

Am not splitting up the post. Believe might have it to a point where it'll post right, if it does will start a separate thread. The only thing that was surprising was the degree to which he pushed back against questions that said the Sabres were too small or get pushed around. He was ready for them.

If they practiced today, he certainly did.