Taro T

And as frustrating it is for us fans to watch our team go a full dozen years in the desert, and with as much value as we put on makig the playoffs, not just for finally ending the longest drought in league history but also for the experience the team will gain from playing actual playoff hockey, we have to remember that Adams doesn't put the same priority/value on the playoffs themselves as we do. That Carolina team that won the Cup in '06 hadn't made the playoffs recently prior to their run. They'd been the worst team overall, the 5th worst team overall, and missed a year of play before their frustratingly improbable run. Yes, they had some grizzled vets that had been there before like Rechhi and Williams and others like Brind'Amour who though they hadn't hoisted Lord Stanley's Chalice knew how to play in the playoffs. But that team itself hadn't done anything before winning it all and they did it behind a 2nd year (pretty sure it was his 2nd, maybe 3rd) Staal and a rookie goalie that never really did anything else after that and an over the hill backup. Adams wanted the playoffs this year, but he wasn't going to sacrifice any of the future to do so. That's why the only moves at the deadline were for guys that he expects can help in the future and not just this season. (And the guys he went after but couldn't land were in that same category.) It's extremely frustrating and he may be proved wrong in his view that the playoffs this year weren't important; but will give him the benefit of the doubt on it for now; because this team looks like a low 100's point team as presently constituted at worst and with any health whatsoever next year should be better than that plus there's a full summer to bring in a couple of tweaks to the roster. Yes, have drunk the Kool-Aid.

Probably because the AHL can't run through their whole season in the same time frame as the NHL with only having teams play 1 weeknight game per week in the vast majority of the season. They are a gate dependent league (even moreso than the NHL) so they minimize the nights that nobody will show up in the barn. Their season only ends 1 week later than the NHL.

Yep. The team has 2 good value trade chips that wouldn't hurt them at all to move on from - the 2023 #1 and Olofsson. They have 2 other decent value trade chips that wouldn't hurt them at all to move on from - the 2024 #1 and 1 of Comrie/UPL. Fully expect the 2 good chips to be used for that #4 D-man. Expecting the other pieces the Sabres need to come via FA, but those other 2 chips might be used if the return is right.

Thought that was the case as of last season. Florida and somebody else had 10 year droughts. Thought the Sabres were "special" with turning it up to an 11.

Realize that other goalies have been had cheaper. Few, if any of those, have been 1 of the best 3 goalies in the game and still under contract for multiple years. He wouldn't be on the market because he absolutely wants out; he'd be on the market because they're retooling and are very high on Askarov. Thing is, they can retool and bring Askarov in while Saros is still there. The Sabres didn't get rid of Miller while he still had term left even though they were in the midst of a scorched earth tank. They only traded him when he was on the verge of becoming an UFA. IMHO the only way Saros gets traded now is if it's a "wow, we can't believe what we're getting offered for him" type of deal. They don't NEED to trade him. Not yet, at any rate.

Really don't see Adams trading for a goalie. Not with Levi so close to being ready to be the man. Do expect a FA brought in, and the hope here is they can convince Varlamov to sign. Not a fan of Andersen and don't know Hill's body of work well enough to have an opinion on him. As for Ra-cha-cha, IF he can clear waivers (a big if) they have the guy that's better than Subban - Comrie (unless he's traded and UPL is the one that gets kept, then they have UPL (but he probably wouldn't clear)).

This. So much this. Really want Varlamov brought in. He'd be ideal in that he can be the #1 if Levi falters and he's used to being the backup. And unlike Saros who would cost a lot in assets, still expect he'd cost Savoie or Kulich and a 1st round pick, he wouldn't be "blocking" Levi if Devon is what we've seen him to be.

Just saw Chicago's 3rd goal. Pittsburgh should be sick. They puked all over themselves.

Thing is, all of the teams that were in the mix with the Sabres had streaks like those 2 that doomed the Sabres. That's why they were where they are. Personally was more frustrated with their efforts and results in the Anderson games against bad teams from January through March. 0-4-1 in those. Make those 3-1-1 or even 2-2-1 and they make the playoffs. Hoping they have a team goal next year of never losing 3 in a row overall nor 2 in a row in regulation at home. If they can keep from building up those long losing skids, they'll be in the playoffs next year. Really expect Adams goal is doing damage in the playoffs next year. After 12 years, will be happy with being there.

They have 1/2 of the goaltending set for next year. They still need to pair Levi with somebody that gives the team a chance to win any given night. Sign Varlamov and then fix the D.

And prior to the lottery, for the draft the Sabres will be seeded between 12 and 16. They currently would have the 13th pick. The Otters could tie the Sabres and the Sabres could pass Pittsburgh and Nashville and tie Calgary. The Otters would have more RW's than the Sabres if they're tied and the Sabres would have more than Calgary if they were tied. So, the Sabres pick will be one of 2-6 and 12-16.

No. The Aisles have the tie break on the Sabres. It is done.

And with Pittsburgh and Buffalo both losing today, the Swamp Cats are in. (They hold the tiebreaker over Pittsburgh should Pittsburgh beat the BJs and Floriday lose to the Canes.) An Aisles win tomorrow and the 8 Eastern Conference teams are set, though seeding can still get changed Thursday. The Pens might not get an opportunity for their game vs the BJ's to matter.

Kyle Okposo - "... we became an actual hockey team this year." Can't argue with that.

And there's actually a very good chance that had they gotten to play C-Bus back when they were supposed to have done so, they'd've actually made it to game 81 before getting eliminated. Baby step. Now, win the next 2 games and get back into the 90's that is the minimum necessary to get into the conversation for the playoffs. It's been too long since they've even been there.

Bummer. Still want to see them win these last 2 games and end on a high note. Not wishing my life away, but very ready to see hockey return in October.

Well, Power definitely got his paradaigm shifted with the SO goal last night. He's shot from everywhere tonight including from outside the blue line.

How did Quinn not score?

Sammy! The Muel!

Shannons.

Actually, saw a guy walking around in 1 of those jerseys and he was wearing the matching "Hat" hat.

Let's go Red Wings! Make Carolina have something to play for when they face Florida!

Could see Comrie having trade value, but UPL almost definitely has more and Comrie also probably has a greater chance of clearing waivers should the Sabres decide to send one of the 2 to Ra-cha-cha. But doubt either will clear waivers; there are always teams looking for goalies.

True. And realize it's a strange time to bring it up as he's actually got a bunch of assists the last 3-4 games but they pretty much are entirely 2ndary assists (with at least a couple (if not several) on zone exits) and the reason it was even brought up was another poster had commented on his shooting or lack thereof.

He passes up those opportunities too. Unless he has an absolute grade A+ opportunity he doesn't shoot. He'll shoot more as he gets confidence in his shot, but right now, he passes up a lot of good opportunities.