...

I brought up Draisaitl a while ago and it pleases me to see he has climbed the rankings. I like, especially, that he "plays equally strong on both his forehand and backhand." That is something I have noticed a lot, lately, where players take too much time trying to turn around for the shot rather than just attempt a backhand. This and face-offs should be something every player works on religiously over the summer. There's no reason to be deficient in these skills. Anyway, what number is the projected drop-off for this draft?

...and risk USA/Canada relations? Never!

He may have been advised by his agent that they could force the hand of the NHL if he makes a deal out of it. He may even have been advised by the Sabres that they could force the hand of the NHL if he makes a deal out of it. Considering the circumstances, I suppose, if the above is true, that it was worth the try. He's obviously confident, and is pretty dead set on the NHL, so perhaps he thinks that whatever PR damage is done now, will be forgotten once he starts scoring goals.

I've been meditating on this a little lately. I can't see how they possibly think any of Zemgus Girgensons, Tyler Myers or Rasmus Ristolainen would be on the market. I consider Myers, Girgs, and, realistically, Hodgson, part of the new core. I would like Miller and Ott to stick around to help the young guys transition for another season or two, at least. Moulson, I think, should be traded for someone young with upside. I could see Stafford being traded for a small return just to move him somewhere else, maybe using that pick (assuming it's a pick) and someone like Ennis for a Hodgson/Kassian style trade. I guess, other than the five I mentioned initially, I think anyone is up on the block, and I'd rather see a lot more warm bodies in return than just picks...unless it's a 2015 first rounder.

Okay, get out your tin-foil hats, because I'm going to lay a doozy on y'all: It's commonly known that the Sabres TV ratings, even when they're mediocre, are among the tops in the league. When the Sabres do well, their ratings shoot up, especially outside the market. Pegula is building his hockey kingdom downtown and will certainly be one of the USA's premier hockey facilities when complete. Pegula, finally, has figured out he had to assemble an all-star front office to manage his team, and, I think it's undeniable that he has done so. The NHL being what it is, political and bureaucratic, what if, with all of the above elements coming together, what if the NHL decides to "help" the Sabres along? The Sabres now have a FO filled with individuals with political clout, and that clout combined could be quite persuasive. The TV numbers, the facilities and all the attention/money that will bring in. All of this might very well overwhelm the NHL to the point where they feel they "have" to help the Sabres along and, if the cards line up at the drafts, the first picks "just happen to fall their way"? Anyone else think this is possible, let alone likely? To me, it depends on how truly political the NHL is internally, and if it's as political as I think it may be, then I can see something like this unfolding. You would also have to believe that the draft drawing can be fixed, which I certainly do, AND that the NHL would do something like that, which I'm not certain of, unless, again, the politics are such that they would.

I think Regier said he had the list before he was canned; that Miller is supposed to submit the list at the beginning of each season.

Not to mention that TM told Simon et al that they're looking at the next TWO drafts to help rebuild the team, so, why not have Nolan around for those years? He can work on finding his ideal coach over the time and land his first choice when the time is right.

Going to be an interesting off-season, that's fer shure.

This is where I'm (still) at. I think a lot of us "Team Stormcloud" folks turned a corner when Regier was fired and PLF was brought it. To me, these moves today just about cement the fact that we can trust Pegula as an owner...even if he's a little slow on the uptake.

Perfect!

Looks like you have "multi-quote" down pretty well.

I don't know if anyone else picked this up, but I think it's significant if the news is from someone at the presser: Steve Lloyd ‏@TSNSteveLloyd 2h Don't look for Luke Richardson to join Tim Murray in Buffalo. Hearing that Ted Nolan will likely get an extension. #Sens #Sabres

Beauty, it's official, now let the wild speculation on what's going to happen with the team and UFA's roll on! As other's have noted, this new HOCKEY leadership group, on paper, looks like it can become the best in the league. Pegula is certainly making up for the years he kept Regier on...anyone doubt the guy is a fan? These kind of FO moves are the sort that fans throw out on message boards as fantasy moves. It's real for the Sabres...I hope they live up to the expectations.

I remember when our first dog died a couple of years ago now...I found that more difficult to handle in the immediate short-term than the death of a person. Now she's a tchotchke under the TV, which we refer to now and again as "she was a great dog...". The pain wore off quickly...here's hoping that's true for you, Doohickie.

Canada did their part in the war, especially their part in taking the beach. I have no problems with the Canadians, other than that they demand a bias from the refs when playing against an American team.

I kind of missed not watching our favorite bozos stumble their way through a hockey game.

Wasn't a Boston game cancelled due to weather two seasons ago? EDIT: happened last season. From TSN: "The last time the Sabres had a game postponed was at Buffalo against New Jersey on Dec. 6, 2000. They played the following day."

There could be several ways of looking at this, your way, yes, but he may also see this as a chance to "prove" himself in the "best league in the world." He may look at this situation as a chance to become a star player, and he may also realize that Buffalo has a sh*t-ton of cap room to overpay a player like himself if he works out. I guess we'll have a better handle on where his head is at after a few weeks of being a Sabre. We have seen here in Buffalo how players can be mismanaged and can be stifled, I would think having the freedom to "play your game" would lift his spirits a little and give him an incentive to try. If the guy is frustrated at how his career has been going so far, he must see this as an opportunity to get where he wants to go.

This is going to be one of the most exciting and interesting off-seasons Sabres fans have ever suffered through. Already the GM, the coach, and the draft are on the table. There HAS to be player movement. The coaching staff, coach aside, will probably shake up a little. Harbour Centre will open. Lots and lots going on...

I chuckled. At 1:43am. My wife stirs. Shhhh, quit making the funnies so late.

I'll second this choice.

I don't know if you needed to add the -25 line. I think the effect would have been better to see the line completely disappear along the bottom.

Myers is playing a lot better, isn't he?

Speaking of Philly: holy undisciplined hockey!

All I have is the Philly Detroit game. I made the mistake of thinking NBC would carry more games than they do. I still have to do something about that, I haven't watch too many good games so far this year.