kas23

He has trade value right now. He won’t next year. If his reason for staying in school is because he doesn’t want to sign with the Sabres, but would immediately leave if he were on a different team, then he has trade value.

The NHL may award a team with a compensatory draft pick if they fail to sign their 1st round draft pick. This is determined on a case by case basis. While we won’t get one for the goalies, we may get one if Johnson doesn’t sign.

Don’t undersell UPL. He was decent in his stint on the Sabres this year. Likely because the defense in front of him was decent. The defense in front of him now belongs in the ECHL.

I have high hopes for Levi, but neither are sure bets to become NHL regulars, especially Portillo. I would’ve hoped he would have taken this coming year to become better, which professional competition would’ve done. But, apparently he’s not going to. Keep Levi as a lottery ticket, but ship Portillo out for someone either further along or part of a package for a RHD. In reality, we aren’t going to roll with all 3 of our young goalies.

But that’s the essence of the problem. I sure hope nobody thought they were going to be the savior next season, but now, they won’t even have the chance in the year after next year. So, now we are looking out to at least 3 seasons. I could see the Sabres signing a stop-gap for 2 years, maybe. But this team isn’t going to wait around 3 years for long-term competent goaltending. We’re likely going to sign such a player this off-season. Both of them just made their jump much harder. I think Levi may be able to overcome this, but I have my doubts about Portillo.

If I’m Adams, I’m gonna stack this team like this players don’t even exist. And he shouldn’t. There’s no guarantee they sign. Until then, they don’t exist. Neither Levi or Portillo are going to play any meaningful role getting into or having success in the playoffs for the next 2-3 years. Nor would I wait around to see.

That’s a reasonable solution. That said, where else would he play past his last college game if not for a professional league? I do like the idea of signing a prospect and allowing him to finish school. I can’t see why the schools wouldn’t go for this, but it’s probably the NCAA blocking it.

If I remember correctly, if drafted from any other league, you hold the players rights for 2 years after their draft. They then re-enter the draft if under 20 or become an UFA if 20 or over. So, the NCAA rule isn’t so outrageous.

Actually, less Power for ya.

I’m starting to think that wasn’t a message aimed at Portillo or Johnson, it was a message to the fans.

Sign a vet goalie. 5 year term.

I would find out what his honest intentions are. If they are to sign with a different team, I would ask for a list and approach all of these teams to gauge interest. They don’t need to know he’s refusing to sign with us (under this hypothetical situation). Either way, at this point, Adams should be making other plans for our goaltending. In reality, Portillo (and probably Levi) will not even be on our roster in 23-24. They aren’t going to be part of any playoff run and even if they are on it, I wouldn’t rely on them. So, go out and sign a proven vet for 3-5 years and team him with UPL.

Would Levi be sore if we signed McKay?

It’s going to be an incredible amount of peer pressure seeing your friends sign pro contracts.

In a nutshell, tail.

Guy should be immediately release. He’s 34. Not a kid or someone who grew up in a country that would condone such a dumb comment.

It’s like they stopped following the NHL for the last month.

No. He had to be on the Amerks roster by a certain date, which has passed.

It mostly is. It’s fine Levi is going back. Got over that pretty quickly. Johnson likely doesn’t have a future on this team, so it doesn’t matter what he does. He should be flipped for a RHD prospect. Power is definitely coming - great news. The wild card here is Portillo. I think he will, but if he doesn’t sign, it’s going to going to throw a wrench into Adams plans. Levi not signing increases this issue. UPL will be in Buffalo and hopefully we’ll sign a vet to him him out (but even this is no guarantee). If either of these falter, it’s going to be awful nice to have a developing prospect in Rochester. Not for next year, but the year after, when we are a serious playoff contender.

What we are seeing with Ollie is congruent with his pre-injury play at the beginning of the year and last year as well. While we should be mindful of his mid-season slump, generalizing that performance to his full body of work would be a bias.

You welcome. But, this thread has nothing to do Levi??? It’s about Johnson and Portillo. And this is where Adams quote arose.

You must’ve not understood what you were reading then. If not, why would you ask me if I read it? Adams could’ve been quoted saying something more diplomatic or upbeat. He wasn’t. He said “there’s no downside if they stay, in my opinion.” Sounds welcoming.

Did you not read it? If you did, show me the quote from Adams that said otherwise. I’ll help you: [quote] Adams said the Sabres are fine with the youngsters – Portillo is a sophomore and Johnson and is a junior – turning pro or returning to school. “There’s no downside if they stay, in my opinion,” he said. Adams said the Sabres would’ve been OK with Levi and Portillo both turning pro.[/quote] There’s only one quote and it’s a pretty negative one. Now, I fully admit Adams may have been more diplomatic in his answers, but the writer didn’t give him that benefit.

“While we would love for both of them to become contributors on our roster, we think there is some benefit from them staying in school as well.” Geez, did you really think that would be that hard to say?

Way to make them feel wanted.