tom webster

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.

History says about 5 will play more than 100 games in the NHL. I’ll go with 1-4 and 7.

This is it. They obviously have acknowledged the need to better the defense and the goaltending. I also think as good as Jost has done, they feel the need for an upgrade there as well. This is the NHL, however, trying is only good for a very short time. He needs to finish the deal, even if it results in a slight, and I mean slight, overpay.

I believe in the sentiment as it pertains to the team. The future is indeed bright. However, I think Granato and Adams are both over selling just how much their competition gave away. Pittsburgh is dumpster fire, Washington is getting old but I’m not sure Boston, Tampa or Toronto are going anywhere soon. It’s going to be interesting and Buffalo should be right in the mix.

With all due respect, I still don’t see how this is a bad look. Unless that bar has changed dramatically since I was there, it makes no attempt to pretend it’s a sports bar. I can’t imagine anyone visits that establishment based on what’s on their monitors and thus it doesn’t enter into management’s planning at all. There is a sports bar ten floors down, somebody playing hockey in the building, an NHL game next door, a casino with sports betting within walking distance and ESPN plus available on a phone or laptop. That bar’s regular clientele has made a decision on how important televised sporting events are to them and that bar has determined how important what’s on their TV’s are to their clientele.

I hadn’t realized that clown shoes were so successful.

OK, now that I can answer this, I was told it is extremely difficult to edit tv choices at a corporate hotel. The franchise agreements usually call for major paperwork and approval.

I’m sorry, dudachek is one of my favorite posters on here but this thread is so Buffalo.

Southern Tier has ESPN Plus

My vision of top 13 Tuch, Skinner, Tage, Quinn. Dylan, JJP, Krebs, Kulich, Savoie, Krebs, Some version of Greenway, Some version of Z, Traditional checking center. This doesn’t even account for any other prospect that might exceed expectations. No room for Casey and with his play of late, he should bring in something good.

He has surprised me, no doubt, although he could be poster boy for my belief that some of these guys just need to grow up and it has little to do with how they were developed. All that being said, I believe he will be the first “good” player that KA will have to trade assuming that all four of JJP, Quinn, Kulich and Savoie all end up being what most of us think they will be.

I think this happens.

Show me one prospects list thst puts Portillo in the top ten goalie mix. Goalies are funny so he might still turn out to be good but right now he’s s fringe prospect at best.