tom webster

I am assuming Girgs, Savoie and Kulich, maybe Rousek. Savoie because there really is no realistic option, Kulich because they showed with Quinn and JJP they believe they can learn as much up here as down there and Rousek because he deserves. Krebs’ other issue is to that he hasn’t been very effective at wing.

I keep going back to the same thing. They can’t keep everyone and I keep hearing they believe they need a Compher type center, a more defensive guy but with some solid skill. Something has to give. Either they believe Cozens is better suited on the wing or they aren’t as high on someone as the rest of us, or they plan on going with 15 forwards and 3 defenseman( just kidding). Somebody good is going to be traded. I’ve thought it would be Mitts but his play the last couple of months plus his maturation off the ice has me believing Krebs is the odd man out.

Compher and Hanifan have been mentioned by multiple people who cover the team. I know both were part of Chad’s off-season plan. Chad takes some heat but he has a couple of pretty good sources. Wilson was rumored on two less than reliable sources but when I asked, it wasn’t dismissed as strenuously as I would have expected. The Sabres are in an interesting position, they believe they need a couple of certain things upfront, but they also know they could run it back with players and prospects they already have. It will be an interesting off-season.

I don’t know that I’ve met two people whose personalities were more dissimilar to the personalities of Tuch and Miller.

It’s interesting to me that Wilson, Compher and Hanifan are names that I keep hearing being mentioned in connection with Buffalo. It might not end up being the actual player, but everyone seems to be targeting three skill sets; 1) defensive first center with some skill, 2) rugged winger with skill, 3) top 4 defenseman.

Where did I say that? I did say that both of them gained virtually nothing from playing in the AHL.

I believe players can develop their game without any exposure to the AHL. That being said, the AHL definitely serves a purpose for “non-elite” prospects.

Buffalo and Boston both knew Ullmark would be a hood goalie before last year. The only difference between the two organizations was a little inexperience on one of the GM’s part.

I like Lance a lot but there is no way, after watching this guy play and bring so closely involved in his development that they still haven’t decided. I still believe he signs, but this feels like “spin control.”

Yes. Goaltenders are just do unpredictable. It’ll be great if Levi is the next great one but counting on that would be unforgivable given this team’s prospects for next year.

I also believe both Mollers played for them.

Just a hunch, but I believe he will sign before noon today.

It is possible but I think unlikely. I believe they really like Johnson.

First, you don’t know why he might pass. Just as likely, maybe more likely, that it has nothing to do with Buffalo. Second, Toronto and Minnesota both signed their guys by agreeing to burn a year. It’s how it’s done.

I agree with all of that but for an elite prospect, wouldn’t all that be just as likely with an expanded roster where the bottom twelve practiced at home with all the same resources and played an NHL game once a week. Teams have more data available to them than ever before. The smart teams evolve ahead of the curve.

This, plus no one else can burn a year so from a long term financial impact, it’s a no brainer. On the other hand, like you said, no one knows what truly motivates someone else.

I understand the argument but believe it’s just a function of the current system. Until someone discovers a parallel universe there really is no way of knowing if development is a function of playing in the AHL or just growing up.

I disagree, they could have left Quinn and JJP in the AHL another year, or could have sent them down when they were struggling. Instead, they went on record as saying they were better off up with the Sabres, even if they had to sit out some games.

You don’t really know they benefited. You just assume they did. Players get better as their minds and bodies mature.

The fact that UPL has been MIA since Levi joined the team tells you all you need to know about their “true” feelings about him. They keep saying the right things publicly, but their actions speak volumes.

Depending on how the top nine shake out, I envision a scenario where JJP and Krebs make up the the fourth line and Kulich, Savoie and Rousek alternate throughout the season as long as everything else goes according to plan.

Because I don’t believe there is any benefit to playing in the AHL and teams are starting to realize the same thing for their elite talent. I’ve been pretty consistent in that regard just like I think playing in the AHL playoffs has little to no value for most prospects.

The Sabres actually done their season ticket holders a solid by waiting till the last possible moment to ask for money. I was expecting the email about a month ago.

The Sabres have already demonstrated that they believe that once a prospect outplays their level they are better served practicing with the team than dominating at a lower level. Barring injuries, I am 100% convinced that both Savoie and Kulich are two of the 13/14 forwards next year.

I was going to wait till the season is officially over, but it seems it’s all the rage on twitter. So here it is, do the best job of predicting the off-season, as judged by me, win a pair of awesome tickets to a game next year. You can predict specific transactions, or just post a predicted line up. I will start, just to get it out of the way. Skinner - Tage - Tuch Quinn - Cozens - Tom Wilson Gus - JT Compher - Greenway JJP - Krebs - Savoie Kulich Rousek Mule - Rasmus Power - Hanifan Stillman - lybushkin Ryan Johnson Varlomov Levi