dudacek

Hope so. If I was in charge I’d be working harder to lock him up here. Can’t think of many players better poised to break out with the right change of scenery. Can’t think of many scenarios where we will win the trade.

Maybe not when Terry and Penn State are factored in. Personally, I prefer Smith: better toolbox and upside. Love Aitcheson's aggression, just think he might be an upper case Conor Clifton.

I'm kinda expecting it. I had a similar feeling with Jack Quinn in 2020. I was right, but Jack still needs to prove I was right. 😁

Yep. I was commenting more on what I perceived to be the spirit of the post than anything else.

Pretty sure you can't. At least not for a year.

I have no idea if Mrtka is good pick at that slot other than it roughly aligns with where most of the usual outlets expect him to be taken. I think it is funny and predictable that after reading for months about the Sabres not paying enough attention to size, handedness and defensive acumen that the idea of them taking a 6'6" RHD with probably the best "shutdown D" resume in the draft class gets a "woof".

I suspect your take aligns a lot more closely to Kevyn Adams than you’d be comfortable with, given your recent posting history.

Byram to the Flames for Blake Coleman and a 2nd. That second flipped to the Hawks for Conner Murphy. UPL and Östlund to the Canucks for Demko and Forbert, Demko quickly extended. Done, easy-peasy?

Started this thread because there are signs. Agree it's a very tough call.

Not saying Sabres fans shouldn’t express how they feel; not saying that at all. But in a broader more meta sense, I don’t buy the idea that torches and pitchforks are necessary as a catalyst for change, or even the best tool as a catalyst for change. Often they result in the person on the other end hunkering down behind walls, leaning into the people and conclusions that “feel right” to them and dismissing potentially useful input because of the source.

The Kypreos Sabre “insight” offers nothing but his personal speculation about what he’s seen reported elsewhere.

I don’t think they are laughing at us or trolling us, but I do think they despise “us” (meaning the hardcore Sabre fan who “refuses to be patient” and “doesn’t understand how hard this is”.) Its pretty standard human behaviour for those who feel under siege.

Yep.

If his job is primarily to watch hockey players and talk to hockey people from around the world, I can't see how it matters at all where his base is. But I believe the correct answer is 'because the Sabres suck and all moves need to be judged through that lens.'

Given the Skinner dancing last summer, I'm tempted to take him at his word. Given the likelihood Adams is actively trying to trade Mule right now, not going to take him at his word.

'Very tough team to deal with' is so open to interpretation. 'I can't believe anyone would think Peterka is worth that much' or 'It's frustrating because they won't give me Peterka for spare parts'

I know, I was listing the ones I knew about and wondering what the other 20 odd teams had done.

Nah, Zito’s smart enough to maximize the asset.

Trading Peterka for 3 and 3 for Dobson makes some sense to me. The Isles would get Hagens and Schaefer, which would be a home run for the fan base. Not sure what you mean by “only 2 teams”. Philly, Dallas, Anaheim, Rangers, Winnipeg, Seattle…what have I missed?

I think other GMs might have hung on to Zegras a little more tightly. I can’t think of another GM more likely to be annoyed by him than Verbeek.

Yep, always best to see how the whole think plays out. Two players the Sabres could use have moved for prices the Sabres could afford: If when the dust settles we’ve improved more than Marchment and Zegras for Krebs, good.

Russians love the Rangers. Makes Schnieder and Miller more likely to be traded.

Athletic anonymously polled 50 top prospects. Among their questions: Which NHL team would you least like to draft you? One said Buffalo. Seven said Winnipeg (hi @Thorny) 2 each Montreal and Toronto. 31 said they'd be happy with whoever picked them. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6390727/2025/06/23/2025-nhl-draft-prospects-player-poll-ncaa/

Not sure what you mean by “bust”. Dude has played nearly 700 NHL games, averaging a minimum of 22 minutes a game every year. Or did you mean he will be a bust as a signing? He’s only 28, not too risky in terms of depreciation.

Not debating your point, just adding context: There are 192 top 6 forward slots in the NHL. 45 points was good for 137th in forward scoring last year.