Taro T

Could put them towards a 27. Once UPL is gone, it becomes a collectors item. ;)

What was originally supposed to be happening about now or maybe a year or 2 ago. So much for that plan. ;)

Probably would've too in hindsight. Was merely pointing out that most everybody's favorite forward whipping boy would've been the guy going into the lineup had Tage not dressed. And, yes, shame on Granato, but also shame on Thompson and the trainers that had been working with Tage. They seem to have given Granato bad information about how ready Tage was to play. And this is an issue that should get more consideration; especially as Sabres fans. Truly believe the Sabres would've won in '93 had either LaFontaine stayed healthy or if Muckler had been smart enough to play Hasek instead of an injured Fuhr. And believe the latter would've made it more of a certainty. Also believe that the Sabres wouldn't have beaten Ottawa in '97 had Hasek played through the injury that was bothering him. Everybody hated Hasek for "quitting" on the team, but if he had played, doubt they would've pulled out the only series they've ever won in a game 7.

Hoping you're wrong. Expecting you're not. Still would bring in a vet with a track record on a 2 year deal. Trade one of the others and send the worst of the 3 remaining to Ra-cha-cha at the end of camp.

Good question. Thought he might pull him slightly before that as with the ability to legally ice the puck, should the Cats have cleared their zone in the effective 5v5 he'd've been able to work that stretch pass off the end boards trying to get Tuch behind the D.

IF they don't make a move for a vet to pair wtih Levi, would rather have Comrie as the backup but expect there is less likelihood somebody would claim him off waivers. So, would expect that UPL and Levi (not necessarily in that order) would be the tandem. It just makes too much sense to bring in Gerber to Levi's Ward to believe Adams doesn't at least look for one. Saros would be the dream, but don't see any way that Adams would pay what it would cost to get him. Varlamov could be the guy they pencil in. Doesn't cost anything but cap space and he would definitely be able to shoulder the load should Levi falter. He's already used to being the really good backup to to a top guy so as long as he can get past the kid barely being old enough to buy vodka, it could work. Plus, maybe he misses having goal support. No he can't. He's under contract to the Sabres on an ELC and wasn't on the Amerks roster on the trade deadline.

As have said elsewhere, would like to see a good vet on a 2 year (or 3 year if necessary) deal and have an open competition between the 4. Plan on trading UPL or Comrie and one of the other 3 ends up in Ra-cha-cha. But the best 2 of the 4 get kept and stay in Buffalo. Expect they would've liked to have Levi in Ra-cha-cha to start the next year. But if he keeps doing in the NHL what he's done everywhere else, can't see the point of having him in Ra-cha-cha. And, back to this season, would play him every remaining game as long as they are still alive in the playoff chase. The players on the team deserve tha.t much

Said it in the game day thread, but if they let Okposo go back to Minny and trade Olofsson for what they can get, then they have 2 openings on the roster. Pencil Savoie into one and bring in a true 4C for the other and then Jost becomes the usual 13th F with Greenway occassionally taking his place depending upon opponent if a summer of recovery doesn't get him playing the way Granato expects him to play. Bring in ideally a 4D but at minimum a 4/5D bumping Stillman to the 7. Would make Clague the 8, Johnson (presuming he signs, it seems he will) the 9, and Bryson is the 10. Would like to see them bring in the best vet netminder that's willing to be on a 2 or 3 year deal (or is already on a deal with 2 years remaining) and either let the 4 goalies duke it out or trade one of UPL or Comrie and let the 3 duke it out. If Levi spends the bulk of the season in Buffalo, expect them in the playoffs. Make the modest moves above and they could do some serious damage. All the kids are going to be better next year than they were this year. And guys like Rousek and Kulich will be viable injury call ups. The future really is bright.

He definitely doesn't have faith in his shot at present. Wouldn't be at all surprising if he expects to bounce off guys should he try to get physical with them right now. Am sure with more strength he'll gain faith in his shot. Hoping it gets him to be a less gentle giant as well.

You could be correct. But just realize that other skater would've been Olofsson.

He does lose the puck a bit. He's also playing with literally brand new pads that aren't dimensioned the same as the ones he's used the past 2 years. Give him a full training camp with this gear and the lost pucks go away. And pretty sure that the book on him is going to be to get traffic in front and try to get deflections. With a secondary plan of try to get him moving across the crease and then shoot high. The 1st of which, is what it is, the D will need to keep Levi's sight lines clear and the counter is also that a lot of traffic in front will lead to odd man rushes the other way for the Sabres due to their speed. The 2ndary plan can be thwarted by playing good D. And based on his reaction, anticipation, and reflexes doubt that 2ndary plan is going to be as effective as the doubters expect.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Actually before that it was Thompson turning the puck over along the near boards that set up the chance eventually. He had what should've been an easy clear but it bumped back into the slot where the Cats pounced; 15 or so seconds later is when Skinner got bumped off the puck.

The AHL doesn't have the agreement with the CHL, the NHL does. And because of that, in the CBA it states that an NHL team that wants to loan an 18 or 19 year old from the CHL to another team needs to offer the player to his CHL team first before offering him to any other team.

They can only loan him to Europe if Winnipeg agrees to it. If they'd agree to that, they'd agree to letting him play in Ra-cha-cha IMHO. (And can't see them agreeing to either.)

Don't expect they'll catch the Cats. They need the Aisles and Pens to continue to play underwhelming hockey. The Aisles could easily finish with only 91 points and if they can drop to 91 it only takes 1 bad goal against to fall to 90. IF they catch the Pens, they'll almost certainly have the tie breaker over them. The Pens should lose to Minny. Find a way to lose 1 more game either in OT or regulation and 91 will be enough to be ahead of them too via tie breaks. Not likely, but more likely than the Sabres running the table.

He can't play in the AHL playoffs. Might be the source of confusion for you.

Winning 5 of the last 6 gives them a chance. Winning all 6 gives them a non-negligible chance.

But will they have issues with the Sabres? Carolina will get the Swamp Cats.

Very disappointed in the loss, but am really excited to see this team next year. The kids will be 1 year older and at some point (maybe day 1) Levi will be keeping them in every game he starts. Let Okposo go back home to Minnesota and trade Olofsson for what they can get. Opens up a slot for Savoie and a real 4C. Leave Jost as the 13F. Sign Johnson to be depth (likely in Ra-cha-cha next year), and bring in a real 4D bumping Stillman to the 7th slot and Clague to 8. Bryson can be the 10 behind Johnson. Bring in whoever is the best goalie you can get on a 2 year deal and run with the 2 best goalies of the 4. Trade one of UPL or Comrie and try to slide the other into Ra-cha-cha unless he beats out both Levi and the new guy. This team as constructed will be in the playoffs. Make these tweaks and it could really do some damage. Should be bummed right now. But am so excited for the future. And, if Pittsburgh and the Aisles will continue to stink it up, who knows, maybe they can sneak in this year afterall. Wouldn't have any money on it. But until they're eliminated won't give up hope. You seem to be confusing the AHL rules and the NHL rules. The only thing keeping Levi out of the playoffs this season is the likely inability of the Sabres to get past 2 of the 3 teams ahead of them.

They have to keep Levi between the pipes until they're eliminated. He gives them the best chance to win every game. This could've been so different if Tuch's skate was 1/2" closer to his own end on that entry and if the puck somehow doesn't bounce off Levi's blocker.

You sure about that? Maybe with Thompson back the PP won't be hot garbage. But wouldn't have money on it.

Well, their 3rd stringer has played great recently and backstopped their recent 3 game W streak. Sabres need to approach this like he's Bobrovsky and make him look like the career tweener he is.

Makes sense. If the Cats win tonight, they leap frog the Pens and are tied with the Aisles holding the 1st tiebreaker with a regulation win or going to at least the 3rd tiebreaker with them. When the Cats lose, they're still out of the playoffs and now have no games in hand on the Aisles and have played 1 more game than the Pens. When the Sabres win, they still have to get ahead of at least 2 teams that are in front of them though they have games in hand on all so can be ahead of the 1 out of the playoffs by winning the games in hand and tied with another by winning all games in hand and a point behind the last by winning all games in hand. Though doable, it's still daunting (especially with that home game vs Carolina.

We'll see. Had 1 been available, that would've been his number. He wouldn't be the 1st player to switch numbers when the one he really wanted became available. Could see him going either way when UPL moves on.