How about the concept of him benefiting from playing regularly on a team that's hot? I'm more concerned about overall player development within the organization, to eventually benefit the Sabres, than the risk of a potentially very good player not developing because he's cemented to the Sabres bench. The guy needs to be playing and not waiting for Rochester to start slipping. What if they don't?
Owners don't design helmets and other safety equipment. Those that do can make millions from perfecting it; yet it hasn't happened. Of course owners care about their players health. Players are an investment and expense. If they can be better protected, of course that's to the owner's benefit.
Regarding Slingbox, if anyone knows, if you're not at all a techie do they provide expert, detailed assistance to help set it up and link it with your devices, or are you pretty much on your own using their written instructions?
A major question I continue to have is: with all the changes, have we come up with anyone who can expertly and consistently forecheck? It's been a major deficiency on this team for years and is such an important element in winning hockey. One can only hope.
As has been mentioned, the goaltending will be critical, unless they can get enough scoring to somewhat lessen the impact of mediocre goaltending. In the latter case, you're still not going to go very far.