...

Yeah, but I like his play-calling overall. Much better than Dan. That third period was really good. Moving on to the Vegas game...caught the second half of the second and the only thing I was thinking was that I thought if the Sabres were playing either team they'd be winning.

So disappointed in the Toronto game. The PBP guys are horrific, too.

I don't think the issue is what we're seeing or experiencing as fans, it's the attempt by the organization to frame reality in a certain way that has us discussing this. In the end, the fans would be happy with a playoff berth. However, since the teams has been unable to provide that, the situation is indeed exactly as you put it above, they have a closet full of excuses why that hasn't happened and they're not willing to commit to a goal for next season, then they have split reality into two concurrent streams: what the fans experience as reality and what the Sabres define as reality.

A 20 point increase over two years still ain't worth it when we could have spent some money last summer to shore up the D and/or goal-tending - if the goal is to just make the playoffs and end the drought. You're right to point out the butterfly effect that would create and I completely agree. It's just that I don't see 95 points next season (or a 20 point increase over two) as a team serious about being a perennial Cup contender and if that low mark is what we get we may as well have just spent the money and ended the drought for a season or two. Otherwise telling us about "building a Cup contender" becomes nothing more than a bunch of words swept into the winds of history like everything the Sabres organization has said after Darcy's "pain" comments. Those were the last serious comments from the Sabres organization until we exceed 100 points and make the playoffs decisively after which the organization will have restored some of its gravitas in my view. Fortunately, I don't see this team as being content with 95 points next season so this is ultimately a moot point as far as I'm concerned.

Depends on how we define "disappointment" here. Would I be happy we're in the playoffs. Sure. But doing so at only 95 points means we could have been in the playoffs this year and realizing that I would be retroactively disappointed. They need to be a 100+ point team to make this year not seem like a bunch of bumbling wrapped up in platitudes.

I know the end of that Boston game dragged out, but, man, it was so satisfying to watch. The fans and the team aren't used to being challenged and it shows. Boston pulling out vintage Boston stuff - how does that get passed along even though coaches change? Also, when did they start putting the ads on the shoulder? Did this just start for the playoffs or does it happen to be those two teams? Gaudy but no surprise for the money-hungry NHL.

Boston seems to get a penalty called for them exactly when they need it.

Good game, though. Boston is relentless.

Boo. That was a 21-22 Mitts turnover there.

Lyon is pretty good.

Wait, do you actually believe the premise of "$20mil in cap you'll never get back"?

I listened to Granato talk but I heard him say nothing. Non-committal on everything even when asked if the goal is to be in the playoffs next season.

I haven't sat down to take in any of these series, yet. Are there any that stand out? First choice was going to be the Boston series, but I really don't like them although I can respect the talent. Kind of interested in the NJ series to see how a Lindy team does. Was thinking of watching the McJesus's for McJesus.

Here's what you do: start a fake social media campaign a week before the draft that accuses Reinbacher of posting something offensive to some group. This could spook some of the teams looking at him and - bingo - he's ours. That night, after the first round is over, post a mea culpa saying the accusations were unfounded.

Sorry, missed this. I almost would rather not say, but whatevers...I know there are successful shorter-statured players in the league however I think every one to come through the Sabres over the last 15 years or so have been well over-sold. From what I see of him, and this is only stats and YooTube videos, I get the same impression that this guy is being over-sold as well. I think my record on being open to changing my mind - the most recent case being Mitts - speaks for itself and I hope that's the case with this guy but for now I'm not boarding the hype train.

We can not carry more than two goalies, that's just silly and both Comrie and UPL are under contract for another year. Retaining Jost, Z, KO, and Bryson with two goalies = 21 players. I don't want to keep Bryson but he has another year on his contract. At some point we have to move on from Girgensons although he is cheap and a good shut down fourth-liner. I would feel bad for him for about 10 minutes if he were not brought back. If that's the case we then have a 20-player roster to work with. As much as I like the thought of KO retiring mid-season after 1k games I don't think that's his only interest. If I were him I would be driven to experience a play-off run one more time. So, IMHO if he stays he's here for the entire season. Just playing around, one of the 20 goes to Savoie or Rousek. Another goes to a good 3/4 defenseman. That leaves one more slot. Between that slot and possible trades I think we're in position to upgrade the team even with KO on the roster.

Oh wait, I have another one. Does Adams realize that any picture or shot of him that doesn't go below the chest makes him look like he weighs double what he really does?

Dang. That's all I gots!

Does Granato know his nickname is "Meatballs"?

I think "violent" is the word for it. We're not used to seeing that kind of violence in hockey anymore nor are the players accustomed to anticipating it. IMHO, in a different time Pavelski would have anticipated the possibility of that hit. It's also the NHL's fault because they allow what are effectively late hits down low all of the time - but if they were all violent like that I'm sure there would be a rule.

I've been on pins and needles waiting to read how you characterize/classify this group!

Two things and I'll get the blasphemy out of the way first: I'm not enthusiastic over Savoie. The second thing, and really the important point for this thread, is that as much as I want to free up KO's roster slot, if you listened to those locker clean-out interviews each one of the players to a man talked about the culture, how comfortable they feel, how much they like coming to the rink. And between their remarks about KO, KO's remarks, and Meatball's remarks on KO, I am convinced that KO was like daddy/culture-czar in that room. There is absolutely no dismissing how important it is to have that atmosphere in there and my impression is that it took not only Meatballs doing his thing, KA cleaning house of the locker room cancers, but also KO putting his foot down and showing the way. Is that worth giving the guy a shot at a final season of a glorious playoff run for ~$2.5mil for the year? I think so. I think KO has more to teach these guys and he can help make sure there are no embers of locker rooms past. If we carry two goalies there's room for him on the roster and still add a solid player to the third line.

Agree on Clague and Bryson but disagree on Stillman. I thought he did well with us and I think he's a perfectly serviceable 5/6/7 D man.

I think Greenway and Player X will need to prove they're ready to contribute some offense. Therefore, any mixing up of the lines will not likely occur until DG gets a good look at how the these guys are doing. Remember, the coaches and front office have been forced into positioning the next season as playoffs or bust. Fans aren't going to tolerate DG messing around with the top lines unless his messing around works out the first time.

Meatballs himself said he put Tage in a protected role because Tage was nursing lingering injuries. Tage told us what those injuries were a day or two ago. Meatballs was hoping Tage would produce more points and be less a deficit injured than a healthy VO. He was desperate to try and juice as many points from the last two weeks as possible. That top line, while they all can play, is Skinner, Tage, and Tuch. Mitts provides other opportunities, primarily a guy you can move into the top 2 lines if need be who will not choke but, in fact, can contribute while there. The top two Sabres lines we saw the majority of this past season are our top two lines going into next season - there is no doubting that.