mjd1001
-
Posts
3,610 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by mjd1001
-
-
1 hour ago, ... said:
The Sabres should have put it in the air that any NHL coach with demonstrable success in the league who is up for a contract renewal should talk to the Sabres before signing anything because it could mean double the money of what they'd get anywhere else.
That is how they get the attention of someone like Rod Brind'Amour.
Many know, I'm not in favor of firing Granato, is he perfect, no, but I think this season's failure is more on the players than the coach. However, if you are going to change coaches.....
I think you need the GM AND the owner present for interviews, and if you want a top coach like Brind'Amour, you are going to have to tell him...here is your 4-5 year deal....YOU are going to have input into the roster AND the direction of the roster. Basically, something I don't think Pegula would want...but if the GM and Coach (or in this case the coach) says...I don't want this guy...or I want to draft this guy...he gets basically the final say. Sure, the owner should be informed of moves but not involved in decision making. It has to be more of.....letting the owner know what the moves being made are, and explain to him WHY they are being made, thats it. We can't have Pegula wanting Leino...or sitting on on personal meetings, asking questions about day-to-day things. Its not a good work environment for have the owner 'sitting in' on coaching meetings, personal meetings, giving his input and expecting things to be run by him.
Sure, Pegula has the RIGHT to do that, but you want to attract a new coach, not an unknown, a minor league guy, or an older guy on his 4th chance.....then that new guy needs to know him and the GM run the franchise...the owner will be informed, but not involved. If Terry doesn't want that then fine, but then he, and all of us, have to accept the consequences of that.
-
44 minutes ago, PASabreFan said:
There isn't anything wrong with that article, but its almost like someone took AI and had them scan this entire site of every post, and then write an article that consolidated common opinions and stats brought up into an aritlce.
Great article for the casual fans and a great summary of the season, but most of what was in there was discussed over and over on this forum.
-
4
-
2
-
1
-
1
-
-
39 minutes ago, Weave said:
Hmmm…… really young guys wilting under pressure. Whoda thunk?
I'd just expect a little more from Cozens, seeing how he had 30 last year, and he's been a full time player for 3+ years now. Plus you do have numerous young players doing well in a variety of circumstances....Wyatt Johnson is playing a big role on Dallas fighting for the presidents trophy. Locan Cooley and Dylan Guenther aren't playing for anything at all in Arizona. Lucas Raymond is in the middle of a playoff push just like the Sabres. Those are just 4 guys I found in looking at stats for 30 seconds.....all of them younger than Cozens, all of them putting in goals at (or close to) a goal every other game over the same year end stretch drive.
I am very hard on Cozens, but after last year, and him getting paid $7m+, I really REALLY want more production from him.
-
12 hours ago, LGR4GM said:
No, there should be no chance in hell that adams allows that possibility. Get veterans.
I want Krebs replaced then by a better veteran. Trade if needed.
Agree. I guess you can see if Krebs 'magically changes' over the offseason and becomes a guy who can produce 10-15 goals and 40 points next year. I'm not thinking that can happen though, but it might? But even if it does, I don't think you want to assume that will happen. Bring in a veteran guy that has a history of at least decent production. If Krebs transforms into something special, you can make room for him,but you need an additional legit center in here that isn't currently on the roster or in Rochester.
-
13 hours ago, Crusader1969 said:
Tell me about Skinners numbers over that time ?
4 goals and 2 assists over the same period of time for Skinner. Not good at all, for sure someone in the category of not 'stepping up' when the team needed him. But Skinner's 4 goals in 18 games over that time (18 goal pace, 1.16 goals per 60) is actually a LOT more productive than Cozens ((5 goal pace, 0.26 goals per 60) or Krebs (5 goal pace, 0.30 goals per 60).
Either way, take that moment (March 3) where they were in the best position all year as far as making the playoffs (other than the start of the season), playing their very best all year....where the next month was going to be the most critical month of upcoming games for this team wanting to make the playoffs (again, since the beginning of the year), and Thompson, Tuch, Peterka, Dahlin....they really stepped up and produced in that critical stretch. Skinner did not, but Krebs and Cousins REALLY did not. 1 goal in 18 games, hardly any assists, being overall minus player....they basically disappeared when the team need players to step up.
-
1
-
-
7 hours ago, Drag0nDan said:
Thats basically how i see it too.
Skinner is under contract - doesn't mean we have to have him on the team. Probably a year ahead of a buyout, and while he scores goals he
Greenway seems like a fine bottom 6 winger, but i'm not married to him (personally i think he plays too small. If he played a bit faster and brought it a bit more in the forecheck I think he could be a pretty good player.
Krebs can't shoot. I don't see how that works in a bottom 6 role if he isn't a physical or more effective defensive forward.
We have a bunch of prospects near graduation, doesn't mean they need to all be brought up (or kept). Preferably you bring up one (who does not play 7 minutes on the 4th line), and find effective veterans through other means to fill out the rest of the roster.
I posted this in another thread, but it applies to your post. I agree most of what you said. And yes, Krebs and Cozens can get better/get back on track, but something is very worrying:
-As in my other post, optimism hit is peak around here on March 2, Sabres had just won 5 of 6, beat Vegas 7-2, and were above the .500 points per game mark. I'd honestly say that was the point of peak optimism and things went bad since then. In 17 games since then, Thompson scored 11 goals in those 17 games and 20 points, and has been a plus 11. BUT...Krebs and Cozens. Starting that stretch, the stretch that was going to determine whether you made the playoffs or not...They both played 18 games, both had 1 single goal each in those 18 games, and were both minus players.
-
I think it was the March 7nd game against Vegas (a 7-2 win) that optimism for this team possibly making a run at the playoffs hit a peak. They had just won their 5th in 6 games (wins over Carolina, Tampa, and Vegas of course), the only loss being a 1 goal loss to Florida in Florida, and they passed the .500 point percentage for the first time in a long time.
Since then, things haven't gone well. Who exactly showed up and who didn't since then during the stretch to the playoffs, that obviously failed:
-Tage showed up. 11 goals, 20 points, +11 in 17 games (53 goal, 96 point, +53 pace projected over 82 games)
-Peterka, 9 goals in 18 games.
-Tuch, 18 points in 18 games.
Who didn't?
Cozens. 1 goal. 5 points. -3. In 18 games.
I get it, he's 23. But is risky to rely on Cozens as your #2 center next year.
-
2
-
1
-
-
7 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:
Nah you'll just eyeroll a post showing why what you said on page 3 of this thread was wrong. Cheers.
What was I wrong about. Of course, if replying to what I said makes you feel better without telling me what is wrong...I guess good for you. I don't know if it fascinates or me more, or if its something else that when I make a comment about people swearing...all that stuff I said in my previous posts...that SO many come back at me and defend that behavior. Mind you, I'm not talking about criticizing the team and wanting them to be better...I get that...but so many people want to criticize me for pointing out the level of hatred and ill-wishing onto others that some have embraced.
-
21 hours ago, SwampD said:
What’s next, are you going to tell us it’s our fault that they wet themselves and went down by 3 in the first of a must win game?
Not even close, that isn't anywhere near what I was saying. But I guess you (and others) want to swear, say people are useless, wish for them to lose jobs...etc....THAT is ok, but its not me OK for me to say I agree with the concept of some of it, but don't like the level of hatred and swearing that is being used here? Yeah, take what I said to the level you did...lol, if that makes you feel better, because you are just wrong.
21 hours ago, eman said:Oh my God YES!!! Is this even a question after 13 of the worst seasons in professional sports??????
Wanting more is expected. Saying you want changes, explaining why...yeah, that is totally expected. But as per my other posts right above, my comment was not about those things, my post is about the fact there is so much hatred and foul language and ill wishing here. If you people can't tell the difference, or you think its acceptable to feel that way because your hockey team is losing...wow.
-
1
-
1
-
-
20 hours ago, eman said:
My question to you is this: Most of us on here have been fans of this once proud hockey club since its inception or since the 70's (such as myself) We have seen wonderfully talented players and some truly magical moments here. A vibrant, thriving arena experience and electricity on game nights. Perhaps you haven't had that? We have had Sabres clubs that weren't all that talented but came to the arena and worked their ***** off every night (The first Nolan era) They were a pleasure to watch and spend money on. It would be nice after 13 excruciatingly long seasons to get that back don't you think? Do you as a Sabres fan , NOT DESERVE BETTER???!!!! Of course you do!!! Demand better!!!! Stop accepting mediocrity or all you'll get is mediocrity. YOU DESERVE BETTER!
Yes, but there is a difference between wanting better....and the level of hatred that some are filling up these threads with.
21 hours ago, GoPuckYourself said:You're on a message board with several different personalities, you can either ignore the hate, join the hate or don't come on a message board (I'm not trying to tell you not to come on btw) there are no other options brother.
See, that is my problem. If there is a binary choice of "joining the hate" or "don't come on a message board"...yeah, that is bad and that says, at the very least, something about the people who want to hate and spill vitriol and don't like it when people like me say its a bit over the top. Join the angry mob or go away! um...no thanks.
-
1
-
1
-
-
Wow, the name calling, complaining, vulgarity, becuase a HOCKEY team we follow is losing? Fire people! Swearing in comments (or wanting to) so ***** must be used, Players and the team 'sucks ass', guys are 'useless' or 'wastes of space'. Really? I think all of us want this team to win, but does being so negative, so full of hate and vitriol at a hockey team and needing to express it that way make all of you feel better?
-
1
-
2
-
-
Just now, LGR4GM said:
When you are the worst team in all the NHL at 1st periods, it's time to fire the coaches.
Which means they are a lot better once you hit the first intermission, meaning the coaches are great at making adjustments. It can be argued either way. To me wins and losses, goals scored vs allowed across the entire game matter, when goals are scored vs allowed mean virtually nothing compared to the totals across the entire game.
-
3
-
1
-
3
-
-
3 points is what they will miss by
-
1 hour ago, Night Train said:
I find it funny that the above thoughts are 2-3 year bridge $. Yet they give underachieving/turnover prone Power a huge deal way too early.
UPL is our MVP. Yes, use caution on overpaying anyone but he's the only one trying many nights.
Agreed. Goalies recently seem to be paid less than other players, maybe its because they CAN be inconsistent year to year. But when you do have a quality starting level goalie, they are more important to your team than all but the very top stars on the rest of your roster. You think you have a guy, give him the market rate pay, especially when the market rate pay is right now more affordable for goalies than it is for other positions.
-
9 minutes ago, ska-T Chitown said:
I think almost everyone does it with someone or something at one point or another. Normally it is because one person wants another person to be something they just aren't. This is just as true in real life as it is with sports fans. Owen Power is a solid defenseman who is figuring out how his game applies in the toughest, most skilled league in the world ... gosh!
We are all like that at times. With me its Krebs and Cousins (although I think they, especially cousins, is finally playing better.)
The team isn't in the playoffs. Its been a while. Yeah, no one likes that, but making changes, changing players, changing coaches, that isn't always the answer. It may be the answer at times, it may make us feel better because "something is being done" but often times, that terrible word (patience) is what you need just a little more of.
-
6 hours ago, SABRES 0311 said:
Uh, the issue is the Flyers are inferior on paper but have had a better season. One win/loss doesn’t create or destroy a narrative.
I'm not sure why we say the Flyers are inferior enough on paper than the Sabre that its an issue. Philly has 8 of their top 10 scoring forwards as former first round picks, 2 of them in the top 10. They have really no rookies or first year players, but they have a good mix of guys in their early 20's, late 20's and guys in their 30s. Their top 2 D-men are also former first round picks, and they have a really good mix of veterans back there that actuall are still productive.
The Sabres have a few more top 10 picks than the Flyers, but that Philly team is under-rated in terms of talent, and they are older/have a better mix of veterans than the Sabres do. In terms of 'talent and pedigree' they really aren't lacking guys with skill, and 'on paper' they are a more experienced team than Buffalo.
Last year I looked at Philly's roster and thought they were in trouble, but when I look at who they have...sure no 'elite' talent, first or 2nd overall picks, but on paper they do have a lot of talent, it may even be one of the 'better constructed' rosters out there.
-
3
-
-
3 hours ago, GoPuckYourself said:
I just need more than a half of a seasons production, he was Comrie-bad before this resurgence.
He wasn't that bad. It really was when the calendar changed to 2024 he really heated up.
The 'half season' of production starting January 1st to now: 32 starts, .921 save percentage, 2.25 gaa
The 'bad' half season before that: 15 starts, .892 save percentage, 3.13 gaa
Comrie? .864 save percentage, 3.91 gaa, and 1 win in 9 starts. Even the 'bad' UPL was no where near, not even close to as bad as Comrie has been this year.
-
1
-
-
37 minutes ago, erickompositör72 said:
I got into hockey in the mid-90s as a young kid in Buffalo, so I didn’t see Gretzky in his prime. I’ve seen Ovechkin’s whole career, and I’m cheering for the dude. He’s a force of nature.
This is neither here nor there, as far as this thread goes, but…
During my time as a hockey fan, at live games, the person I was the most terrified of whenever they had the puck was always…
…Jagr
I saw Gretzky as a kid..and Jagr, and Ovi, Lindros (for his short prime) and McDavid and Matthews. For me, no one was more terrifying, more unstoppable than Mario Lemieux in his prime.
In my hockey lifetime, 2 guys were head and shoulders above that entire list. Lemieux and Hasek. When they were on, the closest things to a literal hockey interpretation of an irresistible force and an immovable object.
Back to the original point though..when you take into consideration pure observable talent, longevity, production at the peak of their career....I believe Ovi is the best pure goal scorer I have ever seen.
-
1
-
-
I'm going to repeat what stands out to me, this defense group, top to bottom is a lot better than many give credit to WHEN the forwards support them in their own end just at an average level.
Everyone on the D-group looks bad when the forwards would float near the blue line, lost 70% of loose puck battles in the D-zone or just vacate entire areas of the ice. Since the first of the year, something happened where the forwards got a lot better in their own zone, and guess what? The defense looks a LOT better. Not perfect, not the best group in the league, but from Dahlin at the top of the lineup to the bottom, including guys like Bryson and Clifton, they all look like real NHL quality guys back there.
Does that mean that Bryson and Clifton will never make mistakes again costing the team goals? No, but to me it means they are true, quality 3rd pair guys that can function on a winning team, not borderline AHL guys that are only playing because there is no better option.
For the last 2 years in the Eastern conference, every single team that had a positive goal differential for the year made the playoffs (16 teams were positive, all 16 made the playoffs) and every single team that had a negative goal differential missed the playoffs (16 for 16 there too). Sabres now have a positive goal differential for the year.
-
1
-
1
-
-
I really do think you are looking at $4.5m for 3 or 4 years. If I had to guess I think that is the asking price.
For those who say you don't go over $4m....if he refuses to sign a multi-year deal unless you bumped it up to the $4.5-5m range...what do you do? Look to move him? Let him go to arbitration where every once in a while you get some crazy numbers?
I think Samsanov went to arbitraion in Toronto last year if I'm not mistaken. His numbers were slightly better overall, but not as good as the run UPL is on. The 3.6m he got in arbitration, I guess that would be equivilant to $3.8-$4 with a higher projected cap, so many an arbitration award wouldn't be that bad for one year. But then if he has another good year, the price goes WAY up the following year.
-
Ok, last time they played was back in November, these are different teams now.
Back then, Sabres lost 5-1. Eric Johnson had 17 minutes of ice time. Samuelsson played but got hurt during the game. Rousek, Biro, Okposo, and Mitts played (all of them had 14 minutes or more of ice time), and Quinn did not play. UPL started, allowed 5 goals on just 17 shots, a 0.737 save percentage for the game.
Of course, the Sabres did beat the Flyers just a few days before that game 5-2, a game UPL stopped 30 of 32 shots and Brandon Biro had 2 goals.
It seems to me this is the type of team the Sabres don't match up well against (not as talented, but harder working). I feel pretty good about this one tonight though, I think this is another win for the Sabres.
-
2
-
-
6 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:
Nice work. If I was UPL’s agent, my comparable is Demko. They were both drafted in rd 2, three years apart. At age 25 Demko signed a 5x5 extension. Demko’s pro #’s were better and more consistent at that point then UPL’s, but:
- Demko had played substantially fewer NHL games;
- Goal scoring is up and save %’s are down since Demko signed; and
- The cap is going up.
We will find out this off-season how much Adams believes in UPL. If he does not get 4-5 years at $4 million plus, then Adams either is not sold on UPL or is still more of a believer in Levi, or both.
I agree.
But this is the reason why a 3 year deal with him make just so much sense. Even if you beleilve in Levi, there is nothing wrong with Levi being a backup, or them coming close to splitting starts.
Lets say you pay UPL for 3-4 years, and he is who he is (average to above average at least) AND Levi comes on strong and becomes very good to great....what do you do with UPL? you now have a VERY good backup...OR a very, VERY good trade piece.
-
1
-
-
48 minutes ago, Mango said:
I disagree. Adams and Donnie cannot afford to let another Ullmark walk. And frankly neither can the team.
This team is in no place to walk away over a $0.5M -$1.5 AAV difference for a goalie who was close to the very best in the league since January 1.
Maybe I got wordy and didn't choose my words well, but I think we do agree. I'm saying that you do sign him, you do not quibble over a little money, that he is that important to the team that you just get it done.
-
1
-
-
Just now, R_Dudley said:
Looking at those numbers I would say 3.5 to 4 million a year. Closer to 4 on a 3 year and closer to 3.5 annual on a 4-year contract for longer term.
I agree that is likely and probably make sense. If he is demanding $4.5-$5, and him and his agent don't move off of that, I'm not sure at some point I don't try to make a deal. I think fair value for him is probably $4m or a bit more based on his age, pedigree, and recent peformance, as well as comparables. With this team needing a little stability in goal, I'm just not sure I play hardball over an extra $0.5-1M per year at a position that is so important to this team now and you likely will not mave many other options.
13 minutes ago, Believer said:He’s a RFA… Offer him $6-7M for 3 years… If UPL decides to negotiate an offer sheet with another team, match it so we don’t lose our investment in him… The market will decide.
I think that number would be a bit high and he'd take it for sure.
I'm all for slightly overpaying him, and even I think that is high..
-
1
-
2
-
Complaint Thursdays
in The Aud Club
Posted
The cost of housing. Our daughter finally has a full time, decent (not great) but decent job, and is saving money looking for a house. There is zero chance of her buying on on her own. We are willing to help her a bit with it, but again, wow. A 30 year old (or slightly newer) 2 or 3 bedroom in the suburbs within a few miles of us...prices have gone up more than 50% in the last couple of years.
We own a house in Florida we rent out (probably selling it soon, we have zero desire to return to Florida) but I have noticed something in the area where we own it and read about this other places too. People in CONCEPT want more affordable housing for young people...but in order for that to happen, new supply has to be brought onto the market, or smaller/cheaper unites need to be built. So what is the problem with that? I have noticed that anytime a proposal is brought up to do that in a county or town, Home-owning senior citizens show up and make sure that doesn't get passed. ANYTHING that lowers (or even prevents the continued increase in home prices) also means when they look at the value of THEIR home on Zillow, the number doesn't go up as much, and they don't like that. In Florida there was a proposal to build a new subdivision about 10 miles from our house down there that would have smaller, more 'basic" houses built. Apparently at the meeting for it, 50+ people showed up to speak against it (mostly senior citizens) saying they don't want it because it would impact their home values. Up here by us, there is an apartment complex recently built and they want to make apartments in it that are almost 'house sized' (over 1200 sq feet, 3 bedroom apartments) and again, a bunch of people showed up saying no to it...only studios or one bedrooms...because if you make 3 bedroom apartments available for rent, that is less demand for housing and their home values will go down.
You can't have 'affordable' housing if every time a proposal comes up for that you have people show up not wanting it, because they want to see the 'paper' value of their current homes keep going up.
I have another complaint today, this one a bit closer to hockey and being a fan of the Sabres.
Lance Lysowski from the Buffalo news.
He put a tweet out there that someone disagreed with. A response was made to him, nothing confrontational at all. He was supporting Cozens, and one person replied that last year was an outlier year for cozens. A 2nd person responded, again, nothing confrontational at all, listed some stats showing his shooting percentages showing that last year was much higher than any of the other 3 years of his career, including this year. Nothing was said criticizing Lysowski, no shade was thrown at him in any way.
His reply? You all an enjoy living under your dark cloud (or something like that) and then said he was done and was muting the conversaton or the responders. Then he deleted his original post.
You are a member of the media. You are posting things on twitter. The people responding to you were not mean in any way, and just gave a different opinion and backed it up with stats. To be that closed minded and thin skinned of someoen disagreeing with you...over a twitter post...and them not confroting you but just throwing some stats out there...wow. You shouldn't hold positions and post if you can't take a someone who has a different opinion especially when they use stats to explain it.