DarthEbriate

Pegula really likes the USNTDP. See Ron Rolston and Don Granato before Appert.

I like his name. And it's fine, his game. I only made it to two T-Birds games this year and I didn't pay much attention to Mrtka except in the McKenna game. Mrtka was fine; moves well for his height (and had one giraffe on skates shift). But he's neither dynamic with the puck nor punishing without it; good stick-checker and great reach thoguh. He'll be a steady sidekick in 5-6 years. But I concur with @LGR4GM, I want some sort of dynamism in the top 10. Not necessarily a RHD version of pre-injury Samuelsson. For a team picking 12th-24th... now we're talking. Like Montreal (2 picks in the middle of the 1st provided they don't go on a Cup run), Reinbacher and Mrtka on the right side in 5 years would be enticing to go with Lane Hutson.

Hey Mr. Ferris. We're just talking. Just spitballin'. Let's talk broadstrokes and hypotheticals. Let's say there's a player... I dunno... let's call him... Arnie Mitchener. Now, watch the Sabres have to forfeit a 1st-round pick in the 2026 draft, only to win the lottery for McKenna. And the Penguins draw #2.

Stonewalled by the AHL goalie. Columbus fought hard to keep their season alive (Montreal's magic number is 1 point, so... it's over), gave the Sabres their toughest test of this recent hot streak.

That was a shot for the far side pad and a rebound, but Greaves reached down to glove it.

That's the only way the Sabres are getting a PP opportunity in this one.

Jackets winning every race and battle this period. Intensify the forward batteries, Sabres!

Werenski with an injured thumb thanks to Clifton. Olivier may address it.

Or, you know, don't.

Win this period and mathematically eliminate Columbus from playoff contention (before the Habs do it).

I don't like this Jeteral Greavesous character.

Two goal leads are too daunting anyway. They don’t help Ruff teach them how to play defense.

Power and Docker fell asleep.

Like I said a few GDTs back, if they just keep shooting at 30% as a team they’re nigh unstoppable.

Nicely walked in from Dahlin.

JJ! Meesa snipin’ !

Buffalo needs an Olivier. And it’s not Benson. Benson needs to be scoring more. The Sabres need a bottom 6 punk (who most players are unwilling to fight).

Josh Norris is... Missing in Action. And... I can't find an unaltered gif of Chuck Norris rising out of the water in MIA, M60 panning and firing. So instead, I offer you another, more appropriate Norris. But seriously, he's gonna recover from the abdominal strain or groin tear or hernia or whatever and wreak havoc on his enemies. That's you... Game 82 Flyers. Havoc.

I think the only person you're missing who is poor defensively is Quinn. But, if he's scoring points, especially on the PP, then it can work. Every team can afford to have that one guy who might be a bit of an unplugged controller from time-to-time in their d-zone if they're constantly menacing the opposition team in the o-zone.

Yes, I know this. But based on their operations of the Sabres and the dual-ownership with the Bills which could cause confusion, it's not clear that the ownership does.

And I can intervene in a game after the 2nd period, score three times for the win, and ensure I make the playoffs. Then, I'll sim all the road games and intervene at home as necessary. Jump in in the final 5 minutes to see who gets to carry the Cup this season. Win the Cup each season with all the coolest last names while making incredible bottom-6 GM contract decisions (Justin Bailey and Marcus Foligno to 8x$1.2M) and watch Ristolainen become a 1000 career point defenseman. It's easy!

The only reason would be $$$$$$$$$. Which is too bad, because as a hockey market it's good and as the beginnings of a team (Dahlin, TNT, Tuch, Benson, and even Power with the right partner)... it's also good. The potential is still here.

Does that factor in the first season was only 56 games? Not that it matters, because they finished dead last and had a .330 Pts % that season. He's been such a bad GM. Especially, especially since he claims it's his decision to spend as he sees fit and they're under no financial restrictions. If that's true -- he's not trying to win. Fire him. They've left approximately $58M in cap space available across his 5 seasons as GM. Do or do not and he chooses not.

The entire idea is, "when Power is 25, look out!" Which could work. But by the time you have that, then that version of the team needs to learn how to win in the playoffs, and that's where it falls apart because this roster is in no way, shape, or form, set up to win in the playoffs. So then, you need to wait 2 more years while Adams figures that aspect of it out, by which time Dahlin is a UFA. It's not missing the forest for the trees, it's missing the forest for the continent.

Columbus is (if wikipedia is correct) the #35 sized media market in the US. That's surrounded by cities with NFL/MLB/NBA teams (KC, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Las Vegas, Jacksonville). It's also headquarters for several companies (Nationwide Insurance being the most prominent). There is plenty of corporate sponsorship money available.