tom webster

When did Arbour play for Buffalo?

Here is a new question. Three Buffalo Sabres have won the Bill Masterson Trophy. Three other players who have played for the Sabres have won it. Can you name all 6?

Dennis Wideman? He had to be close too Never would have guessed O’Donnell.

I know Carney had a pretty good career. He had to be close. No one else comes to mind.

I would do this if he wanted to but I’ve pretty much given up on the offer sheet route.

Calle Johansson is always my favorite answer for this question. Pierre Turgeon and Alex Migilny have also been in the news lately. Do you know how many there are?

Correct

I also think we will see a lot of Dahlin/Powers, Mule/Clifton depending on game situation, schedule, ice time.

Not him.

I figured we needed some lighter fare after the draft and free agency. Jochen Hecht was acquired from Edmonton for two second round picks. One became a pretty good player eventually winning a couple Cups with a team other than Edmonton. However, he may be more known for whom he married. Who is the still married couple?

To put this to bed; Zack Kassian Phillipe Bouchet

And this is a huge point. Historically, goaltenders don’t move at the deadline. Besides Miller I remember Huet and no one else. I’m sure someone will remember others. There is more to the concept of a goalie adapting to the team in front of him then most realize besides the fact that teams that aren’t interested now won’t be interested at the deadline unless, as Dudacek points out, there’s an injury.

A) he’s not going to give up $6M by sitting out B) he can’t become a free agent till he plays out the year

A) he really doesn’t have a say B) Buffalo would be a no lose situation for him. He leads them to the playoffs, he will cash in. He doesn’t and the Sabres weren’t ready. C) Even though Winnipeg did well with PLD trade, they are still in a rebuild mode

I think they want Hellebuyck, I think they are willing to take him for a year, I think they prefer for him to agree to a one year extension, I think they are not really close to a deal, I think both GM’s are notoriously patient, I think it’s possible they settle for Gibson. To be clear, this is all me putting dots together and nothing else.

I think if they don’t acquire anyone, this is correct.

A) the Sabres believe that Gibson is fixable B) they say their numbers indicate he hadn’t been as bad as first impression C) UPL has been statistically one of the worst goalies in any league he has played in since crazy hood junior year D) I believe, he’s still plan B

I’ve alluded to this several times. Different things are important to people. As for the Russians, and I hope this isn’t too political, they may want to wait as long as possible to see how things play out back home.

Exactly.

I “liked” this response but I am embarrassed to have to admit the thought that he has to be right one of these times entered my mind.

Do I doubt? quite contrary, it’s my whole freakin point. You continuously imply that he is happy with roster and what he has all the while he’s trying his hardest to improve it and unable to complete the deal. Maybe, if he thinks every other GM is under valuing his offer, it’s he who is overvaluing his offer.

He was brilliant with trades he consummated but he left a lot in the table due in large part to over analysis with a little bit of trouble selling his point of view. I account for that possibility

I don’t disagree with this but it’s completely different then saying he’s built this huge prospect pool and is content to see it through without making a “splash” move. Also , there is a vast expanse between making a significant move to improve and spending like a drunken sailor. It is also alright to admit he’s made mistakes. He messed up the Ullmark negotiation. He would kill to get Linus or someone like him on a two year deal right now.

We are probably not that far apart on the optimism scale but the thing that continues to undermine your logic is the general manager himself constantly telling us how close he was to a deal but apparently unable to close the deal. Logic says that if he’s in till the end that he’s not satisfied with the status quo, he’s just unable to do anything about it.

There is a lot of value in what Erik can bring. A lot like when Punch brought in Tim Horton. I always remember back when Chuck Knox traded Bobby Chandler for Phil Vilipiano. It was really a terrible trade from a talent and game impact point of view but Phil brought a lot of leadership that couldn’t be quantified. Paying your 6/7 defenseman over $3M sounds crazy but I hope he has the same impact that some credit Phil V with.