...

Accepting that premise it is true only today.

I think that's a valid take yet illustrative of the problem people seem to be having. The fans might be ready to move away from a development season but the team, clearly, is not. Don't forget making the playoffs this year was not the goal. Why can't fans accept that? Why can't fans weigh their expectations against the gains the team has made? Let's be honest, would we be having this discussion if Chyrchrym weren't available? Chyruynmrn was the focal point of many who think the Sabres need to "DO SOMETHING!" at the deadline. There are a few people who keep repeating the line "he ticked all of the right boxes". Did he? Maybe the more they looked into the guy maybe some of those ticks disappeared. Why are we assuming we know the intimate details? I believe too many people have submitted to the so-called authority of the so-called media insiders. Regardless, as @Taro T has pointed out, the price is high at a potential two firsts. Is there someone who they can draft in the 17-19th that they may feel is worth holding onto the pick? Likewise, is there a way to address the defense pipeline with a second round pick? Trade deadline trade values are typically excessive, so let's be real: if you're committed to getting the most value out of a trade deadline move the logical target would be a goalie since that is by far our weakest position at home (see @pi2000 's discussion). Somewhat ironic that we're at the ten year anniversary of "It may require some suffering". <insert laughing emoji here> We shot ourselves in the foot multiple times this past 12 years trading for players who wound up perpetuating the suffering. Personally, I'm alright with KA playing his cards from a position of caution. So far, so good, and I see no reason to get upset that he's not deviating from a working formula.

I have no opinion on that. I don't know, nor do I care. I will say that far, far more important topics have been subjected to complete and totally fabricated media. Are you sure there were actually "countless" reports, or just one or two sources that were amplified by "countless" people? Are you sure the sources had the facts straight? Are you certain that if the Sabres were looking at him, they weren't doing anything but kicking tires?

Jumping Christmas. Who really believes this guy would fit in with the Sabres' room? His personality and situation reminds me of Eichel. He clearly has baggage in terms of injuries and long-standing trade rumours. His demeanor is nothing like the rest of our roster. The fact that they took so little for him makes me think they were happy to move him which means he made them happy to move him.

I hope Granato is right that he can whisper this kid into being a positive contributor because I like him. He's clearly a sharp, smart and self-aware 24-year-old hockey player. "I'm coming to bring in sandpaper, some grit, to play hard and compete..." We already have our offensive defensemen. If this guy brings a competent level of play and the attributes he listed above a lot of people might forgive KA for not pulling the trigger on Chychryrymn.

You should probably seek out a Speedway. The Valeros are okay but are better known for their dogs.

Wish I would have thought to ask ChatGPT or Bing AI to pretend to be a Sabres fan before they locked them down. AI Bing chatbot: A list of weird things the ChatGPT-style bot has said so far | Mashable

Mitts is relapsing hard tonight.

Good take. Granato confirmed as much in his statements earlier today, at least the one I read. If this guy is itching to "play an aggressive game" and Granato can whisper it out of him, then this trade actually accomplishes something a lot of people have been asking for. A stay-at-home D man with an edge who hits. If that's what we're getting, totally worth it.

I am relieved in that it puts to rest the ridiculous fantasies of some fans to bring this guy here.

This message from the FO has been consistent all season.

This is it right here. He'd be doing something linear and traditional, something a certain segment of the fanbase can understand. All the things that have been done to this roster thus far have put the team ahead of schedule, thereby inviting the aforementioned certain segment of the fanbase to discharge their demons.

If we're using second-round picks to flesh out a deal then the cost in an actual player is too high or the return is too low to make the deal worthwhile IMHO.

I agree with your position on all of this but can't resist pointing out that there is no upgrade for any of the above worth the total cost of the transaction. None. Included in that total cost is the disruption to the room for the rest of the season and teh sacrifice of picks for this coming draft.

I wouldn't be. If the right piece isn't available then the right piece isn't available. I don't see them as being in a "DO SOMETHING!" position - we have meaningful hockey going into March. This will be the most exciting March in over a decade. We have enough depth to hopefully keep things going when two of our top players are out. We have more talent in the pipeline with a weakness on D men. Personally, I am not doubting this roster's talent, potential and ability to grow - we've been watching that develop all season. What we need is a solution in goal and our best solution there seems to be to wait. We need to learn more effective team-defense - a trade ain't solving that. From the outside it seems like our coach needs to learn how to deploy a little more strategery which, again, no trade will fix. The TeAm PsYCho needs some experience and perhaps a little more muscle mass - trade? No. We need a new d-man to develop - why trade picks on rounds 1 and 2 of this draft?

I like that play from UPL.

Yay, the Team Psycho!

Almost. He's getting some quality help.

I keep saying it, except for the other talent-heavy teams, the only way to play us is dirty.

Have to give props to Vinnie for an excellent game. Our roster has legit depth.

Jost with a hit. The NHL Network feed is awful.