kas23

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.

Unfortunately, in the NHL, there never really is a true competition. The player senior to you automatically has the position, but it’s his position to lose if he truly falters. If Portillo signs, that’s what Levi will be up against.

Sorry, by “him”, I mean Levi. Here’s the issue. First, I don’t believe getting emotionally involved in team assets (yes, assets) is a good thing. Beane over at One Bills Drive certainly doesn’t. Just as Levi decides what is best for him, Adams has to do what is best for the team. Let’s look at the Buffalo goalie situation. I certainly may be wrong (and probably am), but I don’t see Adams failing to sign a decent veteran for a medium term contract this offseason. We’re likely to go with a 1A/1B structure. That leaves UPL being the 1B or if he fails, Portillo being the 1B. Who knows, they may be the 1A part of the equation. Still, one of them has to fail. And even then, I don’t see how Levi fits in. We can talk about the fairy tale of a goalie jumping from the NCAA to the NHL, but it’s a super long shot. Then you mix in the 5’11’’ bit. The history books are full of “sure thing” amateur goalies never making it. Due to the reasons above, the odds of Levi becoming the Sabres starter are low, but definitely not zero. If I were Adams, I wouldn’t be shopping Levi. However, his value isn’t likely going to get higher. If a GM offered me a young lockdown RHD (a real NHLer) we could ride for the next decade, I’d certainly entertain to the offer.

Why?

We’ll get a very clear picture of UPL up on the Sabres the whole year and Portillo glued to the net in Rochester the whole year.

We want players that bleed blue and gold. Levi does not. I’m not sure if going back another college season will have negative long term effects, but it certainly won’t have any positive ones. He won’t repeat his performance again and he’s likely going to be put out to dry by his teammates again. Good luck there. There’s a snowball chance in hell NE will go on to win a championship next season. Let’s see if Portillo signs. If he does and another GM dangles us a young right-handed Muel for him, I wouldn’t hang up if I were Adams.

Don’t know what this is, but can someone as him about Levi?

I’m fine with this. Let’s not get impatient. If Portillo doesn’t sign, then it’s time to panic. On the other hand, one has to wonder if Levi is afraid of the competition. If he sits back and sees UPL and Portillo blowing it up, doubt he signs then. If he signs now, it’s let the best man win.

Ummm, yes please? I would as happy as a pig in ***** if that happened.

UPL has done much better up on the Sabres as he has in Rochester. This is likely due to the defense in front of him because I remember his game improving considerably once Muel came back from injury/Covid. Right now he really has a below average defense in front of him. That’s not to say all problems disappear once he’s on the Sabres, but I believe he can become a serviceable 1B.

Nope. I’ll roll my dice with UPL, Levi, or Portillo working out. This trade wouldn’t be a good example of asset allocation.

Can every home game be RJ night?