DarthEbriate

Oh? You mean this gate key?

Barring a 20-game losing streak (which won't happen, they're talented enough to win 1 game per week), the earliest that Pegula would take any action in the front office is at the Olympic Break. But even then, what would the change be? Jarmo to GM? Then he has to get Pegula's approval to trade the equivalent of Joker for a 4th? Could Jarmo hire DeBoer and a completely new coaching staff while the current guys were still under term? Unlikely to be approved. The front office won't change until the summer. And then, assuming Emperor Sheevyn is still involved, it's a "no-stones-unturned" coaching search that selects... Appert.

Or, you know, just draft Nick at #24 in 2006 (four spots ahead of where he went to Ottawa) instead of <ruffles pages for effect> ... Dennis Persson.

Wallstedt (or Cossa) were both available at 15. Remember, the first round was on 7/23 that year; they didn't trade for Levi until the next day. And although they were negotiating with Ullmark, he was already the established #1 veteran -- he needs a long-term replacement (right about last year in 2024). He left in FA 5 days after this pick was made. When this pick was made on 7/23, their effective goalie pipeline was: Luukkonen coming off his hip surgeries, Tokarski, and Portillo still in college (and he was scared off by the GM's love for the undersized 7th rounder they acquired the next day). They selected Rosén.

It's still more impressive for the Sabres. The NFL now has 14 playoff teams, but at the beginning of the streak only 12 made it. And the NHL had the covid tournament season where 24 teams were allowed to say they made the playoffs because of an additional play-in round.

4 games remain on the road trip -- one team (EDM) holds a Western WC spot based on tiebreakers, the other 3 are bottom-feeders out West. If they pick up 2 or fewer points on the remainder of this road trip, then this thread can begin in earnest. Because at that point, anything less than Levi getting called up and going Super-SaiyanBinnington mode for 40 games, wiil have the season over at the Olympic Break. (From which they'll close the season on a hot streak with no pressure and draft 11th overall instead of 4th -- and the 4th slot will bump up to 2nd in the lottery.)

But they're going to be hard to play against because they're so tall. 😇

I guess... at least Greenway isn't playing center this time as he did in his season debut?

The coach's answer to the thread's question: Greenway on the top line. Jolt on.

It depends on for whom they're traded.

And they've needed that second top-line guy for several seasons. If the current Sabres regime remains in power, and provided they throw enough money at him and doesn't go JJP, just take Tuch off the top line and replace him with Doan. (Which opens the spot for Rosén in the top 6.) Rinse and repeat.

I'm of similar mind. Get Doan back with TNT and Tuch where they can all work together. Benson gets the shooter with speed in Norris. I'd probably keep Zucker with Quinn, but Quinn is often so completely hit and miss that it may not matter as much. I still think if everyone is healthy that he's the guy without a role (except shootouts), but then he should be getting 4th line minutes, not playing with McLeod who is a defensive/speed matchup and PK specialist.

Yup, the avatar still has the palm trees. (And no, Adams, that's not a good thing) It's 90% that is happening until after the season for the front office. Pegula just won't renew contracts is all. They're all pathetically lame ducks. The only question is if Adams remains the voice of the owner. And if he does, we know Appert is next in line. Jarmo still reports to Adams if stays, or he can get an advisor job elsewhere by saying "I made sure they got Doan in the trade, Adams only wanted Kesselring" - that sort of thing, while he tries to get back into a GM chair for a real franchise.

And the power went out a few minutes back and isn’t coming back immediately on account of the windstorm. I guess I’m Sabres-free for the night. Good luck, ‘Spacers!

Yeah... that's a penalty shot. Thanks for the save.

That's why they hired Ruff, right? That was the buzzword of 2024. What did Greenway do, exactly? Eat a punch while the linesman was holding his arm down?

If there is "accountability" Tuch would sit the next 2-3 shifts.

Quinn -- hit the net at least. Make Comrie make the save.

I'd like UPL to make that save, but that was horrible decision and forced pass by Tuch when he had no defensive coverage whatsoever.

Good thing Malenstyn was out on the following shift, otherwise that was 3-1.

Sometimes every single D-man is caught deep in the zone, even those on the bench.

uffda

That wasn't a very inspired fight!

On the MSG feed tonight -- nice Kozak Amerks jersey.

This is Sam Lafferty erasure!