tom webster

I respect the numbers but you sign these guys hoping for the Hagel’s, VO, et al.

I’m sorry, I take all these articles with a healthy dose of skepticism. Most of them are outright guesses and this publication wants me to pay a few hundred dollars to access the sources they used. Like you said, I largely support the Pegulas and I think they take on undue criticism and I think most of their past decisions were supported by the facts at hand. I also agree with their approach since KA was brought on board. I just don’t think they are being motivated by “paper” losses.

A) I was responding to previous post stating that raising cap will spur spending around the league this off-season. Cap is only going up $1M this year and probably each of the next three years before rising significantly B) While I don’t believe the Sabres should spend crazy this off season and I understand the way they have gone about the last couple of years, I disagree with your continued assertions that it has any to do with cash flow. The league has done a pretty good job of managing the pandemic and continued escalation of the value of these franchises shows that while they may like to claim poverty and explain things away, businesses that double in value in a short term are not likely hemorrhaging cash. Smart, prudent spending is what’s called for to reinvigorate the fans but if they wanted to, they could easily justify spending to the cap. It made no sense to spend more last year. This year and going forward it is more easily justified.

The cap still won’t be going up significantly for a couple years as the players are still repaying “supposed” advances owners paid during COVID years. The cap isn’t expected to reflect true revenue till 25/26 season.

That is true which brings up another factor. Age. Different things are important when you are single and 21 as opposed to married and 30.

This is a good point. There are a million different reasons why people want to live where they want to live. Also, just because someone was born in or around Buffalo doesn’t make it their home. I’m sure we all have friends who couldn’t wait to get out of here and some who want to come back.

Bowman was a great coach. As a GM, not so much, but if you look at that draft, there wasn’t much to choose from after the top few.

Number 3 in goals, number 1 in goals against, second in points. Bowman really thought they were the best team. I understand your opinion but disagree.

I think they envision Cozens a 2/3, potentially great two way guy but I believe they’ll still want a more aggressive, defensive orientated fourth center. The real key is deciding where Casey’s career trajectory is heading. If he achieves the status expected of him when drafted maybe it does work.

Also, the end of Rick Martin. Rightly or not, Scotty never forgave Rico for that islander series and placed a lot of blame on him.

That 1980 team. The real one that got away.

Building a team isn’t just getting the twelve best people. There needs to be a synergy and you need pieces that fit. I think Krebs and Mitts could work short term with Tage and Dylan but eventually they will have to choose, again my opinion. I think Asplund, or someone more of a defense first guy is likely the fourth guy.

I think a lot of what happens both short term and long term revolves around VO and Mitts. I’m not sure Mitts and Krebs can be two of their four centers. In my opinion, they are too similar. With VO, he reminds me a lot of Vinnie Prospal. They excel on top two lines but may leave you wanting more. VO may be better so I’d give him more time if they can sign him to right deal.

I, too, remember someone talking about that but I’d have to ask around to jog my memory. I’m getting old.

I would be surprised if Adams personally did any of this. I would also be surprised if some member of the scouting staff didn’t.

He keeps saying that but I really hope it’s just GM speak. Building a contender is about creating internal competition. You acquire talent and make the players compete for playing time. You have them nothing. I’m really hoping that when Sabre brass talks to Bills brass, that is the point BB stresses.

What you also aren’t factoring into the equation are two facts; 1) the likely explosion of the cap in two or three years. Any players signed to long term deals before then will become bargains and the self imposed cap crunch will be gone. The time to strike is now for teams with space and the desire and wherewithal to pull it off. 2) the notion that smart teams haven’t found a way to manipulate the cap when needed. All this need for cheap players is still a concept I’m waiting to bear some fruit.

If you understand your trajectory and you pick the right player, the player you sign will impact your team in return for four late first round picks that likely won’t. At some point as you build your team you arrive to a point where your need to stock your prospect pool lessens temporarily.

I don’t expect the Sabres to do anything significant with RFA’s but there are definitely players available that will help them faster then any 2023 draftee not including the next great one.

Exactly. Three would be a development. Not if you can identify that one player that can complete your line up.

Vancouver reacquired their 3rd, some believe just for this purpose.

I, along with people I trust, believe this will be the summer of the offer sheets. Another year of a flat cap, some teams believing they are close or under pressure to improve. Other teams tight against the cap. This off season and the next may be the last before the cap starts to explode. Three years max barring any cataclysmic health shutdowns. Now may be the time to pounce. Will the Sabres be at the forefront or once again be behind the curve. The one negative? A crazy talented 2023 draft. Thoughts?

I love people making judgements after two games. I’m glad for the people of Rochester and for the players that seem to be having a ball but while R2 may be having a great start do we know if he’s Jason Pominville or Jody Gage? Is Quinn going to be a playoff bust because he hasn’t scored yet. Most importantly, does it mean anything to the long term Sabre prospects for success? Who really knows? At least it’s a lot more fun this year.

You realize you are opening up a while can of worms that I learned a long time ago not to broach.

They are not trading Asplund unless it’s an unbelievable offer.