tom webster

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

I always suspected that if he grew up a little he would at least be a decent player. He has exceeded my expectations. As LGRM has repeatedly stated, he has actually far out produced his role. All that being said, I think he could be a prime trade candidate to balance out the roster. I won’t be disappointed if he is still here, but I also realize that the Sabres are entering that stage in their development were they will trade good players in order to get better.

As I eluded to earlier, Noah Hanifan is a name that has come up with the Sabres. Calgary is expected to rest their roster barring a playoff run, so we will see.

I agree with this but I’m additionally encouraged by the fact that KA recognizes that it is time to step on the accelerator. It won’t be full throttle, but I expect some help this offseason.

I spent about thirty seconds thinking of a response to your obvious “typo,” but I got nothing.

52 years and 17 days ago, a giant of a goalie(especially by 1971 standards) started his career winning out during the regular season and leading his team to a Cup becoming the only player to win the Conn Smythe before winning the Calder Trophy the following year. Friday, a diminutive goalie(by 2023 standards) begins his NHL journey. Can history repeat itself? One can only dream….

The Sabres have come a long way but they still don’t attract high end college free agents. Considering how rare it is they turn into anything, it’s not a major hurdle at this time.

I was responding to his desire to accelerate the rebuild. We weren’t discussing actually accomplishing that. I’ve made my feelings regarding that clear. Just trying to stay on point.

I haven’t read the whole thread but anyone still concerned that KA is playing the long game just isn’t paying attention. Known facts, they thought they made a legitimate offer for Chykurn, had a deal for Murray and explored Timo Meier. Other rumors abound with no available verification. The team is still in a playoff race. The GM is not going to make public statements about future moves.

I think they are more interested in a guy like Hanifan than a guy like Orlov. I could also see them going for a guy similar to Teppo or James Patrick. Orlov is going to get at least 5 years. They want a guy willing to take a two year deal which is actually the same as Anderson and Kyle.

The last sentence is exactly right. The drop off from the top 3/4 is too immense, just as the drop off from first to second line of forwards is a problem, not as great, but still an issue. The good news is that experience and more prospects will rectify the forward situation and the front office recognizes the defense issue.

See my response but to summarize. Guys learn, they get smarter and next year guys like Cozens and Quinn will carry more of the load. Also, better goaltending will give them a margin of error and a better team won’t lose ten in a row and eliminate that margin of error even further. Look around them. A lot of teams are faltering but they already had that cushion.

I don’t put stock in many of the axioms associated with development but I do believe there is a learning curve. I also believe that greater depth allows your stars to not be as relevant every game. I don’t get excited when a team goes on a crazy run when they are eliminated, I don’t get excited when they collapse after realizing the season is coming to an end.

I agree with almost all of this except I would add that Levi, Savoie and Kulich would be EXTREMELY hard to move. Time for excuses is over. Time to stop with the “I tried.” I also don’t put much stock in their end of season swoon. Tage and Rasmus hit a wall and the every other night schedule has taken its toll on everyone.

Business has been extremely brisk for new season tickets. Attendance has already significantly increase towards the end of the season and that will carry over. Fan support will not influence management. I believe John C. has been proven wrong as there have obviously been attempts to expedite the rebuild, but it has nothing to do with early season attendance.

I have a question, because of being Russian and contract status, how far does Matvei Michkov slide and given their depth in the system, isn’t Buffalo a prime landing spot if they could trade up? What would you give up?

Which is why Jacques Lemaire brought the trap from Montreal.

Speaking of asterisks, the Red Wings one year had 5 plus Jimmy Carson who scored 25 for them and reached 30 after being traded to LA and one year, Edmonton had 5 plus Paul Coffey with 29.

Yes and speaking of the WHA, one of the few times Punch admitted to screwing up, he let one of those 30 goal scorers bolt to the WHA.

Seeing Tuch hit 30 goals and realizing this team could have four 30 goal scorers made me reminisce when the 1974-75 Sabres were the first team ever to have six 30 goal scorers. They also had a 26 and 25 goal guy. The record was later tied by 77/78 Islanders and 84/85 Jets. Most Sabre fans can probably name the 6 Sabre players and maybe the two with 26 and 25. The islander guys are pretty easy too but only a grand master will be able to name the Jet guys. Anyway, is it inconceivable that this version of the Sabres could eventually match that record? What say you?

I’m just playing the percentages. I think it’s likely someone we think is a long shot makes it and, I also think history will show that the Sabres were one of the teams that beat the percentages but I never bet against the numbers.

Haven’t read any of this thread but after a conversation I had a couple days ago, the ticket buying public is pretty optimistic.