nfreeman

What's "a real thing?" That "the refs" in multiple sports treat Buffalo's teams differently than they treat other teams? Really?

It’s been a while since we really had a good blame session regarding those dastardly refs. They always seem to pick on us and make our teams lousy. They even make it look like the crappiness is overwhelmingly due to mismanagement! Effing refs. It’s always them.

Hutton? Why?

I generally agree with @GASabresIUFAN, but would just add that I'm not sure when Nylander's waivers/contract situation will force the Sabres to make a decision on him. Until then, I don't see any reason to unload him -- although if someone wants him in trade as part of a package for a good player, I'm fine with that too.

I enjoyed Season 3 of "True Detective." Solid B-plus. Also: my wife and I have been binging "Schitts Creek" on Netflix. Pretty funny comedy with a number of SCTV alumni. B-plus to A-minus.

Chara does not belong on that list IMHO.

I thought Mitts was completely useless last night and for that matter committed a lazy frustration penalty in the offensive zone. I really hope JB isn't counting on him as the 2C last year. ERod isn't the long-term answer at 2C but has emerged IMHO as a pretty good player that the Sabres should keep. I'd slot him in as the #6-#8 forward once the Sabres are good. ERod was much better than Mitts last night (and, just 'cause I'm feeling ornery, I'll point out that he was better than Reino too, who did zero other than one excellent shift in the first period and who had an awful shift in OT). If the 3rd line next year is ERod-Sheary-KO, who is on the 2nd line? 3 new guys?

Does this mean you don't want the Sabres to give him that contract?

Well, Matthews got a fat extension this year (over $11.5MM per year), so Toronto did figure out how to pay him. I'm sure you're right that they'll have to lose some guys due to cap constraints, but I'd be shocked if Marner were one of them. He's too good to let go, and he's restricted.

How did Tavares force his way out? He simply left in free agency. I don't see any problems arising for Toronto from having both Tavares and Matthews. Having Crosby and Malkin hasn't been a problem for Pittsburgh -- it's been their foundation. While I generally agree that desperately swinging for the quick fix isn't the answer, I don't think bringing in an expensive center is necessarily a quick fix that is doomed to failure. It all depends on the player. Duchene may or may not be the guy, but in the abstract, a center who is good enough to be a #1 on many teams and who would play pretty much the same number of minutes as Jack sounds like a potential major difference-maker to me.

Congrats TB!!

Well, Pittsburgh traded for Kessel 1 year into an $8MM x 8 year contract, when Kessel was about to turn 28 so that’s pretty much the same ballpark as the Sabres 4 years later giving Skinner $8.75MM x 8 before he turns 27.

Just so we’re all clear: if you’re saying you wouldn’t give him 8 years x $8.5MM, then you’re saying the Sabres should let him walk. He’s not going to take less term or less AAV.

Well, expensive UFAs are certainly a risky proposition, but I don't think the KO experience means that all high-end UFAs should be avoided. Toronto seems pretty happy with Tavares, for example. A high-end center to supplement Jack and move Mitts down the rotation seems like it could unlock all kinds of benefits in the forward group.

I too expect JB to take a few big swings this summer, both in trade and the UFA market. Of course, success will largely depend on the willingness of the other side. It sounds like if they walk away from a couple of RFAs and/or trade Risto, they will have cap room for a high-end UFA. Holy mackerel would it be amazing if they landed Duchene (who will turn 29 next January) or Karlsson (who will turn 29 this May).

How about some deets please??

Good question! I suppose the answer is that he can only get what the market will bear, and I'm skeptical that someone will pay him that much at this point -- he turns 31 in September and his numbers are in decline (2.81 GAA, .905 SV% this year vs 2.42 and .921 last year).

It's an interesting question. If, say, Bobrovsky indicated to JB that he'd be willing to sign for, say, $6MM x 5 years -- are ya interested?

The #fancystats on the goalies are worrisome and believable IMHO, especially when one considers that it's highly likely that the same 2 guys are back in net next year. JB's decision to bring in Hutton, and the lousy results, also remind of @dudacek's concerns about JB's talent evaluation chops.

I don't think Ullmark played well enough vs the Leafs to get another start. Is Hutton injured?

Per the Athletic, Nylander has 8 goals in 45 games this year, including 1 in his last 19 games. If he's not officially a washout yet, we can all see it from here.

This is a very good and interesting post, but it has to be pointed out that you are really pumping daugherty’s tires to an unnatural degree. It will be a big Sabrespace win for you if he turns out to be a good player.

The first paragraph is right on, but not sure about the 2nd.

I agree with @Derrico — would just add that neither goalie has seized the job IMHO.

I like those pairs and Pilut very well could beat Scandy out for a spot (if Scandy or someone else isn’t traded).