7+6=13

I think you know what I mean. It's definitely been much longer than the Pegula ownership. You're even admitting we have to be pretty old to remember that. I'm 50 and it's been a long time.

None of us can know if this team is or isn't 7 wins better. It's not a massive gap to close, although it can feel that way. We lost a scorer but he didn't do much else. I won't dismiss the importance of scoring. I think we added some decent players and I'm hopeful there's a couple more good things to happen. I won't say this doesn't feel like a playoff team because toughness and better defense can have an impact.

Diehard, now that's funny.

The leagues impact players have never considered Buffalo.

I'm happy with that contract.

Oh I'm sorry, Ithought you knew he was an RFA. All the players get paid for playing. The team has control of the player. Did you think we were trying to trade an UFA? That's probably where I lost ya. Teams can't trade UFA's.

We don't have to sign him, he's on our team now.

Weren't the advanced stats showing certain measurables got better when Cozens left? Not to beat a dead horse here but, if that's true, couldn't the question change slightly to; are we better without Peterka and Clifton vs bringing in Kesselring, Doan, Norris, Bernard-Docker, and Timmins. I know it's semantics but IMO, Norris is not a lot different than signing a free agent now, because we already felt not having Cozens in the lineup.

That's a real possibility. If we trade him, I assume we'll get something back that will fill another need, so the hole would just change. Unless it's for another defenseman. So for me it's either Bryson is closer or we're closer to a forward being in the top 6 we're not crazy about.

Seriously? I can't even get you to admit Byram is in the team.

The analogy that you missed is we're better with Byram today because he's on our team.

Boeser and Allen are the two I'd target too.

I'm not sure that proves Byram isn't on the Sabres. Do you think we were better before the draft and having pick #9 or now with Mrtka?

You're accurate with most of what you mention here. I've admitted that I'm going to opine if I feel compelled, when IMO, a poster is being overtly and unjustly negative. I have a lot less venum attached to my posts than probably most would think. It's more of a mantle for me as I've also tried to articulate, probably poorly. What I disagree with you on is your view of the content itself. Including Byram as not being here and then not including what need his replacement would fill - is the definition of being wrong. It's 100% true he's a Sabres. There's no disputing that. We of course have our opinions and by nature are rooted in biases. However there are truths that should at least be the foundation of a discussion.

You missed my point. You don't think I know the history? I'm saying no one can add Byram being gone today to the reason we're not better, unless you're always trying to paint the worst picture, which is what some Buffalo fans have been doing my entire life. So if you're going to say we need a partner for Dahlin today because of the departure of Byram, then incorrectly say we don't need a top 6 winger or whatever you want to make up.

This is why our fans frustrate me sometimes. For some reason there's a love affair with doom and gloom and it's real. Why do we have to find a partner for Dahlin when we have Byram? Do you believe it strengthens your gloom?

I explained

Maybe, but then they don't get Byram or younger on the blue line.

I hope TP lifts it finally and I'd love to land Boeser. If not, I'm hoping a Byram trade brings back a very good winger.

The question is, are we better today. I think the answer is yes. If we trade Byram, projections are it would be for a scoring winger. Unless we do something crazy, either we keep him or his trade will bring something nice back. That's why the trade for him and Mitts was so lopsided in our favor.

I'm pretty sure I saw some data from analytics that just having Cozens not on the roster, we improved. So to me Norris plus Cozens gone is a plus plus. Meaning, Norris, IMO, isn't about Cozens, it's about him absorbing production and is a better 2 way player than JJ. We're better on defense today. Less UPL, even if it's Levi, is slightly better, IMO, than 55 UPL games. Benson a year older is a good thing. Doan is a good addition. We're tougher.

I'm in general very impressed with hockey draft picks. It seems they have to make several adult decisions at a very young age and I think they're more mature than other athletes their age in other sports, IMO. Bedkowski is particularly exceptional with how he conducts himself. This doesn't sound like a young man that thinks it'll be 4-5 years. He's definitely got the right attitude, it appears, to give himself a shot to be an NHL player.

Were you hoping he was available in the next round or that we'd make a move to get back in the first?

My bad, I thought you were crapping on us again and being sarcastic about developing players. Force of habit I suppose.

Then you cry that we develop players and trade them.