Sabres Fan in NS

Thank you for the hat tip to @SDS, without whom none of this would be a thing. @Eleven is on a bit of a leave. He will be back asap and did make a guest appearance in a GDT not too long ago. We have lost many over the years. @X. Benedict did make a cameo when RJ passed. @deluca67 retired when the Sabres last attained his magical number - all those years ago.

McD coached a good game. There, I've said it. The players blew some plays, but overall the Bills played well enough to win and almost did. That's not good enough. The fact remains that they are not quite there to get over the hump, especially when most years they will end up meeting KC in the playoff at some point. KC knows more of what it takes to win in the playoff. Their 2 recent SB wins are your proof. The Bills have not been able to do that since reaching the playoff 5 or 6 seasons in a row. Winning the division 4 in a row. This year they played KC at home (the first road playoff game for KC since Mahomes became their starter). The Bills still could not do it, but very close. These are two very closely matched teams. Josh and Patrick are a push. Patrick has Kelce - Josh doesn't. Again, the most urgent need for the Bills this offseason is to find Josh his Kelce. The Bills are 3 -1 in the regular season in the last 4 years - all on the road, I believe. The Bills are 0 - 3 in the playoff against KC. That is the most telling stat.

He will likely sign the 8 for $50M standard contract.

No it doesn't.

It could be 2 years, but that takes him right to UFA status at the end of it. @Taro T,s plan of 3 years would buy 1 UFA year. A 1 year deal has him UFA at the end of it. ====== 6K has played pretty well most of the season. The team in front of him hasn't always been his friend. Mostly not his friend. I agree with @Hank that he has finally come into his own and has developed into a fairly steady goaler. The gamble is .. if they want him around for a while at a reasonable price tag then offer him a 3 year deal at $1.85M per. It buys 1 year of UFA status and gives Levi a chance to blossom (or possibly not blossom - I think he will). If by the end of the season there is enough evidence that the Sabres think that 6K will be a reliable #2 long-term and Levi being #1 then I would sign him for 5 years and $12.5M. If there is still some questions at the end of the season - sign him for 1 year at $1.75M. Gives another year to see what happens with him and Levi. Still RFA at the end of it and then can sign him for 3(+) years at the end of next season.

Wide right. Are you kidding me. It's always hard no matter how your team loses, but who would not have signed up for this after the OT loss in Philly? I really thought that the Bills were going to do it against the Chiefs at home. The Chiefs have won Superbowls and always seem to turn it up a notch in key playoff games and at specific times during those games. The Bills have not been able to do that. Came very close last night, especially considering the defence was missing so many. With a completely healthy D the Bills would have likely won that game. The coach is fine. Bass is fine. Just about everything else is fine. The one thing that the Bills need to find is Josh's Kelce. Mahomes and Kelce are stars, but together they are special. Speaking of Kelce ... Jason was a hoot. Tailgating with the best of them. The very drunk brother-in-law at the party. Took his shirt off and was topless pretty much the whole time. Climbed out of the box and was shirtless with the fans in the stands at one point. He was better to look at than what's her name.

I hear you, brother. I was suspended for trolling @korab rules and bragging about it in my first few weeks here. The history is still on my account. Lessons learned. I really miss him (hate to assume, but I believe he is a he - not that there is anything wrong with that).

Oh yeah, I forgot about the chicken head guy.

I appreciate every posters contributions no matter how great or small. I agree that @PASabreFan makes us all think. @Taro T and @Thorny are very knowledgeable of the game. @inkman has a way with words and imagery. @Hank for his loyalty. Many others too numerous to mention.

And the Bills should have won SB 25. If that kick went in the game was over. But, it didn't go in. It went wide right. The difference is the Bills underachieved that season and playoff. The Pack overachieved this season and, especially, playoff. Be happy with the strides taken and get ready for next year. And we now can count on you to be 100% Bills Mafia going forward this playoff.

UPL was not the issue yesterday afternoon. A team that gives up two goals should have a reasonable expectation to score 3 to win, or at least come out with a tie. The Sabres really lost 2 - 1. Who cares about the EN goal. Again, UPL was not the problem. Sorry ... 6K was not the problem.

Different coaching - yes. Bad coaching - no. I don't think so. Also, nagging injury.

Your guys destroyed the Cowboys in the playoff. That's their greatest achievment this season. The nation thanks your guys for that. Things are looking up for the Pack.

I tend to agree and made the same basic point in the Tampa GDT. @Taro T, who is very knowledgeable and watches the team play very closely brought up some very good points in his reply to my post. It's pretty obvious that the focus has shifted to the defencive side of the game. Also, I really believe that some of the players are playing through some injuries.

I highly doubt the PED suggestion here. It's much more likely that Tage is playing hurt and will have some sort of minor surgery after the season, or once the playoff have been officially missed. People tend to forget that he had a real tough go of it some seasons ago.

Missed the playoff by 1 point last season. He's a coach in this league and a pretty darned good one. Fans are frustrated. The biggest issue this season has been the shift to focus on the defencive side of the game. The players are transitioning from a free-wheeling offencive game and it's a slow process. They are being taught how to play a tight game that will bring success in the playoff. I think they did this a year too soon. I believe if they played the style of last year the Sabres would be in the playoff at the end of this season, but likely eliminated in the first round. Then they would have a taste of playoff hockey and see what it takes to win in the playoff. They would be more receptive of changing their game.

Welcome to our little corner of the internet. Seeing that you are a youngster I did not send you my traditional welcoming beer thingie. Losing may be accepted in the arena, but I don't think it is expected. And coach is not going anywhere soon. Maybe in the offseason, but I doubt it.

This thread is freaky. In and out at either end and confusion / nonsensicalness in the middle.

No deadline deal is going to make or break this season. I expect minor moves if any. The coming offseason may be another story. Most 'hockey trades' happen in the summer, especially if a team is not likely to play a big role in the UFA transfer window. Adams will stick to his plan. It is just now starting to show some results - growth of young players. Adams will keep his powder dry for another year or two until the Sabres are a perinial playoff team. Then at some point he will make a trade deadline deal that he feels has a reasonably good chance to get the Sabres their long saught after cusp and maybe even a cup.

CUZSIE !!

I feel better about this playoff than even the 4 Superbowl years. I just have a feeling that this is the year. The OT loss against the Eagles really sparked something. That and the new OC and the inspired D play has the Bills firing on all cylinders.

The Sabres only need something like 6 goals here. Then they may have this.

The Sarbres are leading in SOG. What day is it? Oh, yeah ... it's a January 20, 2024 miracle.

FIRE 6K !!

Those are studly numbers right there. The last 2 are pretty fancy and I don't care about them, or at least don't know what I am looking at. The first 3 are clear enough for me.