tom webster

Plans and strategy are fine but you have to be willing to adapt when an opportunity arises. Like I said, I don’t expect this to happen for a myriad of reasons but how, if they can acquire him without sacrificing any of their top prospects, run counter to building a playoff caliber team? You would be bringing in a star, a veteran who isn’t just talking the talk but walked the walk, a guy who would make them better and likely encourage others to join him, how does that hurt the development of anyone? Because now they would have to earn ice time rather than be given it?

In fact, Kane coming would open the door to other moves.

I’m kinda surprised you never heard this.

I understand all the pros and cons. People that know me know that as a result of past business dealings, I have no live for the Kane family. However, the people that think that we want him because he was born in WNY have it backwards. He wants us because he was born here. We want him because he is an elite winger still at the top of his game.

Obviously. Conversely, the fact he is from here and has expressed interest in coming here, is exactly why it exists. It’s more likely Ryan Johnson and a future #1.

It has been talked about for awhile and accelerated after the Eichel trade. Someone I trust 100% that works in league office told me three years that Kane wished to end his career here and was worried after he was falsely accused in the last case that that would hurt his chances to return here. The trade scenario heated up after the Blackhawk house cleaning and decision to do a full rebuild. Again, it is still unlikely, but people would be surprised at what little the return would be. I still think it’s like he ends up in NY or LA with Colorado always being a dark horse and having no problems acquiring him for just one year.

It was even brought up on a Elliot Friedman bit, and on this one, I can 100% guarantee you that it has been discussed by all the important components. Like I said initially, still lot of reasons why it won’t happen this year, but I wouldn’t bet against it.

I know. I know. However, there continues to be rumblings of a Kane to Buffalo move. It is still unlikely to happen for a myriad of reasons. Three big reasons why it may? 1) Chicago is looking for a graceful exit strategy for both Kane and Toews. 2) Kane has always told those close to him that he has thought about finishing his career here. 3) Buffalo is one of the few teams that could absorb the contract. Like I said, there are more reasons why it won’t happen including the fact that Buffalo is a year away from being ready for it but as I’ve always told my kids, be ready to change your plans because the timing may not be right, but you can’t always control the timing.

I just read this and it’s spot on. The only thing I would add is they the thought the price on Kuemper would go down until Seattle signed Grubauer. As always, Brawndo nails it.

And Patrick, although James made his way here eventually.

Quick is interesting because he has a $5.8M cap hit but only $2.5M in actual salary and he kind of resurrected his career this year.

I think the timing has more to do with Dallas. They are trying to hire Deboer and are trying to convince him they have the flexibility to go all in on a Cup run.

It makes no sense for any GM to publicly state his true intentions. He is not a public relations guy. The players and agents know what his intentions are. Sorry f you need to know before this season is even over. Brandon Beane insisted the Bills couldn’t afford any “big splash” free agent hours before they announced signing Von Miller. That’s how things are supposed to be done.

A couple of other points. 1) No matter how much they may, or may not want to spend, there is no guarantee that they will find anyone to take it. Believe it, or not, it’s not all about the money. 2) The one point that I disagree with is that any decision has anything to do with future contracts. Barring another pandemic, the salary cap will explode and correct itself after the players’ debt to the owner is repaid. Any long term, market driven contracts, given to the right players, secured in the interim will look like bargains in a few years.

I’m asking why he should say anything about his intentions?

Exactly why would he do that?

Exactly. They never were going all the way to the ceiling. They essentially got an extra pick for a little cash. Simple math days the more picks you have the better the chances you strike gold. This trade doesn’t prohibit them from doing anything they want to do this off-season.

I still believe the plan was either Ullmark or Kuemper and they had no idea that Seattle would blow up the goaltending market. Everyone close to the team has since gone to great pains to insist that they were comfortable with Anderson/Dell/UPL. They seem to prefer the perception of preparedness to the perception of overplaying their hand. To be clear, this is me reading between the lines and nothing else.

As I said, it may not be PLD, although I wouldn’t dismiss him based on the fact that he and Torts didn’t see eye to eye, Torts embarrassed him and he reacted like a lot of 21 year olds with a guaranteed contract would. By all accounts, Winnipeg wants him back but he sees a declining core and doesn’t want to sign up for 7 years. As you yourself said, and with which I agree, Quinn and JJP. aren’t expected to be major contributors next year. By that logic, the 9th in this years draft won’t contribute for 3 to 4 years. A 24/25 year old forward will be ready to start gelling with the group this Fall and be primed to be a major factor next year.

All of this makes sense except for thing. PLD is exactly the type of player that fits. A 24 year old upgrade that half the league can’t afford to offer a multi year deal to. I don’t know if he’s the guy but someone like him should be on the radar.

Well, be forewarned, the same people that told me Ullmark was signed have mentioned PK a couple of times. Some day I’ll try to explain what I think happened with Linus. I’ve tried to explain before, there are a lot of people involved when a team decides to consider bringing someone in. Lawyers look at contracts, doctors look at medical reports, investigators do background checks. Sometimes people assume things are farther along and jump the gun. In the end, only a select few know if all that research will lead to anything.

I think PK is possible if not likely.

I agree with everything you said except it doesn’t answer my question. There seems to be this universal opinion that Rochester making the playoffs benefits the Sabres. I am skeptical. It’s great for Rochester fans, it gives more stuff to talk about but in the end, I don’t believe it means anything to the future of the Sabres.

I’m still waiting for one of our analytics gurus to show me a chart that success in AHL playoffs has any correlation to success in NHL playoffs. I’ve heard a lot of anecdotal stories but nothing backed by numbers. As always, I’m willing to learn and be proven wrong.

That is what good organizations do and a hallmark of the BB era with the Bills. If you are paying close attention, you can see similarities between the Bills rebuild and how KA is approaching things, especially when it comes to surrounding yourself with smart people.