nfreeman

Awesome.

I need to know whether the psycho fiancé is still in the picture.

I was kinda hoping for some actual medical reassurance from that video of Cozens, not just his own brave optimism.

Well, if there was a slim possibility of him playing in Buffalo this year, that probably killed it. Speedy recovery young man.

This is a fair question, although I might take issue with the implication that this is a recurring thing. I do think that those are the top 4 Dmen and are likely to play the 4 biggest roles, especially at the start of the season with McCabe coming back from another injury. Also, I think McCabe-Risto is the most likely 2nd pair if they stick with L-R pairings, and that pairing hasn't been that great to date. However, you could certainly be right and then maybe it would look like, to start: Dahlin-Montour McCabe-Risto Scandella-Miller Extra: Hunwick, Nelson Rochester: Borgen Then, once Bogo and Pilut return: Dahlin-Montour McCabe-Risto Bogo-Miller Extra: Scandella, Nelson Rochester: Borgen, Pilut, Hunwick I actually would be fine with no trades and getting a look at that lineup, as I'd like to see what RK can do with them, especially if the goalie whisperer can raise the level of play in net. But if they can get a really good forward for Risto, I think they will do so.

OK, so assuming Bogo and Pilut are not ready for the start of the season, we have, to start the season: Dahlin-Montour Risto-Miller McCabe-Scandella Extra: Hunwick, Nelson Rochester: Borgen Once Bogo and Pilut return, then, IF the Sabres don't like any of the trade offers out there, we could see: Dahlin-Montour Risto-Miller McCabe-Bogo Extra: Scandella, Nelson Rochester: Borgen, Pilut, Hunwick (no one is going to claim Hunwick so he will clear waivers) If Pilut and/or Borgen forces his way into the top 6 and no one else gets hurt in the meantime, they will need to trade someone. But if one of those 2 events doesn't occur, they can wait as long as they like. I don't think anyone will take Bogo's or Hunwick's contract, or give them enough for McCabe to make trading him worthwhile, and I don't think JB will trade Risto unless someone like Ehlers or better is coming back -- which may or may not happen. OTOH, I can see someone giving them a 4th-rounder or thereabouts for Scandy or Nelson. So, if there is no compelling offer for Risto, and if a trade needs to be made to open a roster slot, I think it'll be one of those 2 who is moved.

From the Athletic -- some positives but also some negatives https://theathletic.com/1053632/2019/06/28/roundtable-reaction-what-do-the-sabres-get-in-acquiring-defenseman-colin-miller/:

That would be great but there is NFW that Florida trades Hubie.

Ehlers is the kind of player I would be OK trading Risto for -- a talented, fast, young top-6 forward. I too would rather trade Nelson (or Scandella or Bogo) than Risto, unless trading Risto gets a high quality forward in return. Separately: this seems like a pretty good and strategic move by JB -- savvy use of cap space to pick up a solid asset. I thought the Sabres' D was frequently a train wreck last year and I didn't see anything out of Bogo, Scandy, Nelson or Hunwick to make me think any of them needed to be here another season. I'm pretty confident that Miller will be an immediate upgrade over those 4. As for Risto, it does seem like this trade makes it more likely that he's moved, but I think JB won't dump him for a bunch of loose change. If JB doesn't get an offer he likes by the time Bogo and Pilut return, I wouldn't be surprised if he trades one or both of Bogo and Scandy for a mid-round draft pick just to clear the roster and cap space. Hunwick will probably be sent down and clear waivers.

Let the record reflect that Dr. Fancystats is putting his credibility behind #vickeo (and also, I believe, behind a failure prediction for TT -- but please correct me if I'm wrong on that). I sure hope you're right about Olofsson. The Sabres need one (really more like 2 or 3) of these prospects to step up and contribute.

Zucc has an all-time NHL nickname -- "Norwegian hobbit wizard" -- and would be a great addition to their lineup, but he turns 32 in September. A 5-year deal is a terrible idea.

I agree with all of this, but improved coaching and goaltending are both necessary as well.

Good. How about some meaningful hockey late in the season for him to get excited about?

I don't think @GASabresIUFANwas claiming that JB shouldn't be held accountable for the ROR trade -- only that JB thought he was getting players consistent with the "moneypuck" approach. The first bolded is ridiculous on its face. "At least the Chicago fire helped clear some real estate plots." "At least Black Sunday helped the Sabres stay under the cap." "At least my hand doesn't itch any longer since that car accident in which I lost my arm." As to the 2nd bolded -- here is how @GASabresIUFANconcluded his post: So it seems pretty clear that GA was describing what he sees as JB's overall philosophy/plan, but also stating that the plan needs to start delivering results -- not just apologizing for him and ignoring bad moves.

The decision to tank was, by orders of magnitude, much more consequential than the ROR trade. And your description of @GASabresIUFAN's post omits his critical point regarding what JB thought he was getting before Bergy and Vlad fell off the table.

I agree with all of this, except that I kinda think TP is inclined to be pretty patient as long as he sees improvement. We might be ready to break out the torches and pitchforks if they finish, say, 9-10 points out of the playoffs, but I think if they get to 88-89 points (a 12-13 point improvement), don't look like they are running for the bus in March, the players aren't in open revolt/demanding to be traded and the organization overall looks well constructed, then TP will lean towards stability and away from putting JB on the hot seat. This is the tack he seems to be taking with the Bills and I think it's the image he wants to project.

Is anyone disagreeing with you on this? Or on the assertion that the return for ROR was lousy?

And this element is? Analytics ice-tilting, perhaps?

Apples and oranges, innit? I would prefer option 2, in part because a really good #2C can usually flex to #1 winger. As for odds -- I won't pretend to know.

Vogl had IMHO an excellent piece in the Athletic today regarding FA RWs: https://theathletic.com/1048146/2019/06/26/the-sabres-desperately-lack-right-wing-depth-these-seven-free-agents-could-fill-that-need/ His bottom line: Pavelski is by far the best option, but unrealistic. After him, Zuccarello and Nyqvist. Donskoi and Connolly have good analytics cases but each would be taking a major step into a top-6 role, and it's unclear whether either is suited for it (making those 2, btw, interesting test cases for analytics).

Maybe he's broken up with the psycho girlfriend?

I'm kinda skeptical that Florida will bring in Bobrovsky having just drafted a top goalie. As for Hoffman -- that sounds good. I think JB has guys like Hoffman in mind -- i.e. Skinner-type moves where he can swoop in and pick up a quality veteran whose current team needs to make a move for contract reasons.

No qualifying offer for Nathan Beaulieu either.

There are a number of possibilities for my next car -- depending on how long my current one lasts, what the budget and needs are, etc. -- but there is one must-have: apple carplay. I just had it in a rental car a couple of weeks ago and it is a fantastic feature.

There's one major factor that could sway Pavelski, and it rhymes with "Shmenjamins." Pavelski turns 35 in a couple of weeks. How long a deal is going to get from Dallas or TB? And by how much should the Sabres beat that offer? Would Pavelski come here for $5MM x 3 years? Would that be a terrible move by the Sabres or merely a bad one?