7+6=13

It would make sense Pegula would rather win. Buffalo has never attracted high end players in free agency and we're on many no trade clause lists. When re-builds are decided on, it's like turning around a cruise ship. He's tried a lot of different things and nothing has worked. I'm glad the Sabres are worth a lot of money, in part it's a compliment to the fans. I hope we make the playoffs and think the roster is good enough to do it.

Just because we didn't blow the core of the team up, doesn't mean they're standard fringe changes. Do heads really need to roll for Tage, Dahlin, Tuck, Benson, Norris, Byram, Benson, etc? We're getting rid of players that lacked effort on both ends and it's been happening over the last two off seasons. That doesn't mean it will work, but it's not ho hum, they didn't do anything.

It's not fake Math. It doesn't matter what lines the new players are on or if the coaches are the same, Pegula still owns the team and the equipment manager is the same. When there's 19 starters and 6 or 7 new players, it's not the same lineup. There can be up to 2-3 changes to the top two Forward lines, one in the 3rd and yes a couple on the 4th. Obviously 3 changes on defense and not even counting goaltender to start the season and backup. This isn't a running it back roster.

Definitely not what you want to see, even if you put it into perspective.

I just don't think these things are determined in pre-season games. I agree that some data is used from the games. I believe pre-season matters, just not a lot. It's more relative IMO. They know what the lines will be to start the season, minus a minor tweak or two or injury. The lines get established and often change for various reasons, for even the excellent teams. The system is also established in practice, film room and throughout the season. Hard work mindset, well that's a tough one and I can't imagine pre-season games are a large factor.

31-37% of our starting roster has changed.

Any sport?

Absolutely ridiculous. I honestly wish Ruff would go bananas. Someone show being upset.

This just isn't true. He wasn't clearing people out and engaging physically in college either. It's exactly how he graded and was identified as his weaknesses. He's bigger than most NHL forwards and he still has to get better defensively with positioning and using his reach, he doesn't have to get physical with a 5'10, 185 player. No, he's not clearing out a strong NHL player with size that's willing to go in front of the net. He may never be even average at that. Who cares? You're incorrectly hoping for that because he's big and you dislike almost everything about the Sabres. It's absurd to be this upset about a 22 year old player that isn't a flop.

Kaprizov just busted it open. Marner 12 - he gets 17. Yikes. Tuch is going to be expensive, IMO.

If you think we're a goalie away from being a playoff team, you do believe we're better than the Eichel years.

I think we're a better overall team now and you do too. I think we had them and weren't a playoff team. We used their talent, in part to aquire different talent, but I wouldn't want to go back to that time.

I agree. That's not what I responded to.

My guess is, we'd be where we were when we had them.

Happy to hear this.

Not caring where you play is a learned thought process, as hockey prospects begin an early non traditional life. He'd train in Vancouver if he played for any other organization. I'd have to research but I'm guessing players don't train in the city they play at least partially until other things manifest. I.E. married with kids living in the city they play / longer term contract.

If Tage is already close to asking out, then Tuch isn't the linchpin. I'm not trying to say I don't understand what you're saying. However if we sign Tuch and still lose Tage as you suggest as being already half way there. To me that would mean that's an entirely different discussion than lumping Tuch into that. A lot would have to happen and be true for what you suggested. I used Benson as a parallel argument. If this, then ... can be speculated.

Dexter continues to be excellent. The series - "From" - hearing the next season is coming, so good time to watch the first ones.

What if Tuch signs for 8 years/88 mil and then Tage asks for a trade mid season, then Benson's agent leaks that he won't sign an extension under any circumstances?

'I don't want to hear, my bad"

Konsta and Quinn

Dang Dunne, beat down

Agreed and Sam is an excellent comparison in the way he got knocked down. I guess I just don't think of Quinn as soft and avoiding contact. Maybe even in the same respect, that I never thought Sam was soft. I could be wrong, maybe he is. Hope not. We have it on.

I never really thought about Quinn as one of the non physical players. Not that I'm disagreeing but I suppose I could have not paid enough attention to that, within the disappointment of his last season. I will disagree on moving out Power. It's not the time to do that yet. Bryson, I mean, it's not expected. He's just not that kind of player and he's a 14 min guy. Samuelsson, absolutely agree. He's the player I dislike the most on the team. I hope you're surprised that we're not as soft as you're expecting.

That's right and precisely why I made the comment. It's not so much about upgrading for me, it's that we need everything we have and one more not decent, excellent forward. Id consider trading for him but I don't think giving anything up at least in the top 6-8 work for me. Prospects in Rochester and picks, yes I would, but that's not going to get him.