tom webster

You know, we agree more than we don’t but if the team is counting on Mitts it would greatly lower my opinion of the front office. He could be a wildcard. If he stays healthy and produces like some thought he would, it greatly speeds up the process. However, he should be thought of as the icing on the cake and should not, based on his history, be counted on as a key ingredient of that cake. As successful teams across all sports have repeatedly stated, the best athletic attribute is availability.

If Casey leads the team in scoring, the Sabres will be either very good and exceed everyone’s expectations or be very bad and challenge for the worst record in the league.

Tampa is just a step ahead of everyone.

Kuemper is not Ullmark level.

I think Campbell is only number 1 because he would cost no assets. Plus they are putting a premium on character and he gets high marks on that front.

Marchment is the kinda guy they will target. An “analytics find” who had a great year on a team with limited cap space. Question you always have to ask with guys like him and Bunting et al, where their numbers inflated by whom they got to play with and where they played in the lineup.

There are options. There are also 8 or 9 teams looking to upgrade their goaltending.

I agree with the Washington goalies but I think that is option C or D. I believe the pecking order is Campbell Quinn Varlamov Washington. It is important to note that they could have had Vanacek last year for a 2nd and passed. Also, I know some hate it, but the “really interesting “ is Patrick Kane. I believe, that there are people in the organization that believe acquiring him would not alter the patient approach and would put people in the arena. Others are pushing back but I’m inching closer to 50/50 than I was when I first started that thread.

I agree 100%

I don’t really remember it that way. He had a great year that year but I don’t remember him ever being talked about that way.

To be clear, I like Adams and think he has done a nice job but I think he overplayed his hand with the goalie situation and I really hate this thought about saving spots for prospects.

Another question. When did not “blocking a young player” overtake “they have to earn it?” I understand with guaranteed contracts it’s a little different but I never heard that as an accepted narrative until about a year ago. That might be the best public relations move in a GM’s arsenal. “We have to be “not good” yet because we have all these prospects that are going to need a spot soon.”

I’m sure someone is going to dig up some old lists but other than UPL’s one great junior season, I don’t think Portillo or UPL were ever thought of as well as some on this board seem to think. Now goalies are funny and they all develop differently so who knows, but I never felt confident either of those two would be the Sabres long term goalie. Levi, now him I think of as special.

I don’t think so. I think they acquire a 1. He plays 50/55, UPL 15/20, CA 10/15

Thanks, I didn’t see that reported anywhere and I guess I just assumed it was a straight deal. Thanks, I spend a lot of time on there but just never looked at Malone’s deal.

Were did you see that Malone’s contract was two way?

Settle down, he is the perfect 2/3.

***** Taro, always one upping me😜

For the record, that actually happened to me in Darcy’s first year.

You do realize they are not allowed to comment on anyone under contract with another team, correct? I have found in the past that if you send a fax( are people still doing that) the general manager may come to your seats in the arena and explain himself, but even than they are usually vague.

I don’t know, that might be closer to 16 and Ryan Johnson.

I don’t know why I try. Just posted in other thread. Lost by about 30 seconds🤷‍♂️

Looks like Fiala traded to LA.

Yep. If he had stayed heathy he would have been a very good 3C/4C. As it stands, he should be a great AHL vet, fill in NHL forward

At any term, if the number is less then $6M, he will be a valuable, movable asset at his current level of production.