dudacek

I don't think JJ is a star in the making — I more picture middle-six — but I do think his skill set is such that he could develop into a player that could end up in one of several different roles. His attitude is such that his defence is nothing that won't improve with experience.

I don't think there is any question Jokiharju is a better defenceman right now than Pysyk. And I don't mean more talented, I mean he defends better, he transitions better and he attacks better. Over the season Pysyk has proven to be what he has been the past few years: a low-risk 6-7 who gets exposed against better players and with overuse.

I've been waiting on Dahlin/Mule since draft day 2018. Bryson is fine on the 3rd pair. Fitzy I'm getting worried about; courage and effort can only take you so far.

No. We're really not connecting on this. The 13th forward plays virtually every game because of injuries. I expect a healthy JJP to play 75ish games and hope that he'll be able to move his way up the roster as the season progresses.

The idea of Quinn/Krebs/Cozens as Afinogenvo/Vanek/Roy next year intrigues me. The MItts and Cozens lines stay the same, upgrade Eakin for the checking line, Peterka plays up and down the lineup as the 13th forward, probably ends up pushing past people as the year progresses.

Beniers headlines a run of college ELC signings this morning after players "take the weekend to think about it." Fingers crossed Johnson may join them.

College degrees while holding down a regular job are not that difficult? Professional hockey players are basically on vacation from April to September? Erik Portillo should plan his life around your priorities?

Let's say he can do one year of schooling part-time every two years while playing pro. This way he gets his degree 3 years from now instead of 5. And yes, he may return for his senior season in order to get it done in 2 years instead of 3. What about this doesn't make sense?

I have no idea what his goals are. That was kinda my point. I know he is in the Michigan business program and I know it would be easier to progress in his education as a full-time student rather than as a professional hockey player.

Nothing new though, post-frozen 4, or post decision?

First off, you don’t know you are handicapping a player. Some are comfortable on their off-hand. Generalities are useful in big picture discussions, but what matters is this specific instance. Secondly, what’s important is what’s best for the team. Johnson might be a 78% player on LD and a 71% player on RD, but if that means he is our 4LD and our 2RD, you play him on RD.

Tight games that went down to the wire.

LGR already pointed out the downside. Beyond that, what if his life goals are to get his Michigan MBA, win the frozen 4 and to be a starting goalie in the NHL? What if he’s got a great relationship with the Sabres and sees no established #1 or #2 in their system? What if he’s decided he can pursue the first 2 now with the door still wide-open for the third a year from now with an organization he feels comfortable with? Im not saying you’re wrong; I’m certain people around him will give him your advice, just as people around him almost certainly advised him to sign with Buffalo right now. I am saying people are going to do what’s best for them and their values and preferences are not ours. I would hope that if he intends to explore UFA, he will have told the Sabres about his intentions. We will just have to wait and see.

I see this a lot about Johnson. Disagree. He will have a spot on the team if he is one of our 5 best defenceman, regardless of what hand he plays. And he should become one of our 5 best defencemen. Different player, but his ceiling is similar to Mule.

Last time I checked Krebs, Tuch, Quinn and JJ already have contracts. No you aren’t going to carry 15 forwards on the NHL roster. Yes, assuming good health someone might have to get waived. You’re nearly there. He wouldn’t be signing him “for Rochester” he’d be signing him for the 15-60 games he’s going to be needed in Buffalo. The Sabres dressed 22 forwards this year. 18 of them played at least 18 games.

The difficulty was these threads is that in the absence of real information, people are free to fill in the blanks with whatever they want. It will play itself out. Until it does…🤷

I think his point is that JJ is being overlooked in part because of how good Quinn is. I crunched the numbers elsewhere on here a week or two ago, JJ is having one of the best D2 seasons in Sabres/Amerks history. He’s ahead of Ennis and Vanek, players who went on to put up nearly 50 points in the NHL the following year. Statistically speaking, it would be shocking if he’s not in the NHL next year. Guys don’t produce the way he is at his age and not make the step. Like, it literally has never happened in the past 25 years.

Or you could look at it like this: Hinostroza Eakin Caggiula Hayden Ruotsalainen jankowski All represent expiring contracts that got significant time in the NHL this year. Adams is going to fill those contract slots. Again, you are much too focused on the NHL starters. NHL GMs also want depth, preferably depth capable have playing in the NHL. Adams has the cap and he has the contract slot space. He doesn’t have a big group of prospects moving into the system. Hopefully some of those slots are used on upgrades, but they all won’t be. Some will be used on depth. Granato loves Caggiula; he’s mentioned it multiple times. Caggiula is an Adams type player - no excuses, fast, competitive, good teammate. Caggiula wants to be here. Caggiula is a pesky, fast worker who has played 270 NHL games and scored 1 point for every 3rd game. You could do a heckuva lot worse as a 15th forward. I disagree with your math.

Has he commented? I missed it. Jack McBain was in the same situation and just got traded for a 2nd.

Like Portillo and Levi, I wonder how much of Johnson’s decision-making is tie to unfinished business. Final 4 loss has gotta sting.

Personally I think there needs to be more focus on Johnson. Kid is a bigger, better Bryson and is going to play 10 years in the NHL. Quotes from January: “Whether it's Tim [Kennedy], Nate [Paetsch], or even GM Kevyn Adams, they've all put a lot of effort into me," he said. "It's really cool to see and makes me very confident in the future." Johnson feels confident that he will be able to take the next step in his career sooner rather than later. He's paid attention to the Sabres throughout the season and is thrilled to be a part of what is being built for the future. "I really do see lots of positives within the organization right now," he said. "They have continued to draft skilled players and develop them. It's just a matter of time before things really start to click in Buffalo

He looked spent last night. Worst game in months. You might be right.

You guys are going to lose your ***** when it happens, but I can almost guarantee Drake Caggiula will be signed as one of our spare forwards next year.

Agree with this except the bold. I think you are underestimating Portillo’s potential. He season this year has generally pushed him onto a number of top 10 goalie prospect lists.

It’s interesting that Kris Baker is reporting that 3 seasons in Michigan was always the plan for Portillo. He’s just decided to stick with it. This is a good test of the good will Adams and Seamus Kotyk have built and can continue to build with Portillo. If his reason for returning to college is truly college, there are two possible incentives for him to jump from the organization that has nurtured him: discomfort and opportunity. That’s generally why people change jobs. We have no way of knowing what he thinks about either.