DarthEbriate

That's one fewer ex-Pen JBot can acquire in a deal with Pitt to regain Sheary....

Just having the offensive awareness and years of practice of deflections on net, plus the drive to the net mindset --- it'll be good. As we saw last game and many times this season, if the goalie can't see for even a moment, Jack (or Olofsson) is going to pull the trigger and likely bury it.

Positive spins on the rookie and other bonuses: 1) Yay! Our rookies are contributing and doing well on their rookie contracts. 2) $2M fewer to spend this offseason means JBot has to spend judiciously on his UFA acquisitions. So instead of picking up a Frolik at $4M, we'd have to find an up-and-comer at $775k. (Granted $2M less makes it harder to overpay that 2C or lock up the people we want, but again, positive spin.)

Did Luke and the Rebels of Yavin give up against the Death Star and say we'll get 'em next season? Did Lando, Wedge, and Nien Numb and the Rebels give up against the Death Star II? Did Poe and the Resistance give up against the Death Starkiller Base III? One of these times we're gonna nail that death ball. (And also hope springs eternal, so we'll get 'em next year.)

^ If we could get anything out of PP2 (or have Simmonds on PP1 and either rest Risto, or have him on 2), that'd be a significant boost to this team. Right now, the plan is Eichel or Olofsson or bust.

Marchand/Jabba-style.

And not just the defensemen, but the defencewomen and the defencechilrdren, too. The other important thing is that the forwards a supporting better in our zone. There are still breakdowns and missed assignments (every team has them each game), but they're much fewer in comparison to last year. Eichel is becoming (not great, but) responsible in our end. And Risto/other D aren't wandering out to the blue line on a cycle as much this year. It would be nice to get our team save% up to .915 for next season. Then we'd be looking very solid.

Never wish for injuries... but if Reilly and Ceci could remain out another couple weeks orrr look like Bogo for a handful of games when they come back, it would certainly aid the Sabres. The Sabres only have 1 game in hand on the Leafs. 6 points back, and the Leafs can outscore anybody except when they're panicked at facing their practice goalie.

Making the playoffs ain't like dusting crops, folks. Without precise calculations we could... wait, what am I say? Never tell me the odds. Punch it!

I think the Colorado game could very easily be a newbie as an extra. Kahun rests his knee, or Simmonds gets the day as maintenance vs. a very quick Avalanche roster. Olofsson-Eichel-Reino Kahun - MoJo - Vesey Skinner - Lazar - Frolik Girgs - Larsson - Okposo Then Frolik sits in Vegas and Simmonds comes in.

Welcome, Marty, you truly belong with us here among the clouds. Apparently, Pitt wanted a safe move and to rekindle some past glory with Sheary --- except of course Sheary was down to the 4th line by the time they ditched him to us. I think @GASabresIUFAN has it in that they knew they couldn't re-sign him over the summer, so they got Sheary for the playoffs.

Someone posted our list of 5ths in the last 10 years or so (probably in the Simmonds thread). It's horrible. Basically, we just hope that they can be an AHL-caliber player.

Of course, if Kahun becomes MoJo 2.0 (solid, but yet another winger), then the draft and July 1st are all about the center spine once more, as opposed to just about the 2C.

1,594th time.... that business on the Cato Nemoidia thread doesn't count.

The no-move addendum on Hunwick's trade nets Kahun? That'd be nice.

But the Chi Chi Rodriguez gifs got a little sadder...

I wonder how much of that is the return of Sheary and his salary --- whom they wanted gone for settling as a 4W after his solid debut.

Or become the next MoJo.

What I mean is, being a Sabres fan is like slowly being digested over a thousand years. So... I'm just trying to keep my mind on where I am... what I am doing.

Well... when you say it like that it sounds pretty nice.

Good, I hate long waits.

Right now (pending another deal) Vesey - Kahun - MoJo as the 2nd line, with Skinner - Lazar - Frolik as the 3rd. So, he's our 2C at this instant?

Cap savings of 4M (granted on UFA and someone we're not keeping) for a potential 3C next year? I guess Larry and Girgs are safe, Lazar stays with Skinner and Frolik, and we go for it? Although --- Kahun is just coming off an injury.

Crosby is going to make ERod a playoff star. We'll re-sign him in the offseason for 5.5Mx6 as our 2C. That's how this works, right? Edit: Actually, we trade a 3rd for his rights. Then sign the extension. Vesey-style.

At best? ERod + Pilut + a pick for Henrique. But yes, probably closer to a 4th. Someone will like his versatility.