kas23

Seat of my pants

I think TNT can be that 80+ point 1C. This is his first year at center. He’s still going to develop further, especially if you give him 1st line wings.

*****nuggets

TNT looks absolute boss here.

Not cool bro

What do people think about Ben Myers? I haven’t seen him play, but from what I read, sounds like a Mike Peca type. I think we’d be able to give him the roster spot he would require.

I don’t understand. Like the one we did to get Eichel? I swear, the Buffalo fan is so shell shocked that if we’re not loading up on high-priced players for a Cup run, we must be tanking. Do you think we are playing to tank right now or that our current young roster won’t take another step forward next year?

I would think so, if I one and the other signs, then I’m signing and getting my butt in Buffalo so I don’t get behind in the roster depth.

There will never be another Hasek. I haven’t seen one since he retired and I don’t think we ever will.

Very noteworthy. He’s having intimate discussions with his family on his future.

The rumors of a sale were pretty hot and heavy for about a month. But, it was only now that they came out and denied them. Why the long wait? My guess is they were exploring sales, maybe even part of the stadium negotiations, but now have back away from them.

Football analogy is particularly apt. Throwing a helmet in frustration is an automatic penalty. So should breaking a stick in anger.

I didn’t quite understand who was better either. Then I thought about Teddy Nolan. Not his 2nd stint, but maybe based on his 1st time around (which was before Ruff). Of course Nolan had Hasek and won many playoff games with him, but I think he could’ve had this team humming as well.

Why UPL isn’t up with the big club is beyond me. I thought we weren’t going to block the youngsters?

A countdown should be placed on the homepage.

This depends. As it stands, the future starting goalie position is UPL’s to lose. He really doesn’t need to prove himself, just not downright suck. If Portillo signs, he’s the next man up. After being in professional ranks, it’s now Portillo’s position to lose. This is assuming we’re going to go with a goalie 1A and 1B. With a whole year of professional development, Levi would really have to outplay Portillo to leapfrog him. If they display similar skill at the professional level, which is entire possible, the nod will go to Portillo. A level playing field is what Levi is giving up if he doesn’t sign this year.

What is the “only one reason to leave”? I can think of a few besides money: to continue to develop your craft but tailored for the NHL game, to begin to gel with your future teammates, to put a stake in the ground in terms of development timeline (ie get in line for the starting job).

To be fair, everything that everyone said about the Eichel trade, on air, in print, or on Twitter, was wrong. I think Power went back to win a college championship with the guys he’s been around for awhile. Levi wouldn’t be going back for that reason. NE is not a team full of future NHLers.

I don’t think UPL has much of a trade value right now. However, given our situation in regards to the position, he holds a great deal of value to us. There’s a chance, and it’s not insignificant, that he makes the big club next year and performs rather well.

Maybe it would’ve been better if the Dadonov trade did go through.

I think I found it.

True. If anything, player should be forced to re-enter the draft.

If Levi doesn’t sign now and Portillo does, Levi will automatically be behind the 8 ball. Portillo having a full pro year over him will likely decrease him landing a starting spot on the Sabres, unless Portillo really stinks it up or UPL isn’t on our roster in 1-2 years. Why temp fate, just sign and get in line. The first guy in Buffalo is going to have an advantage that’s present regardless of skill.

But Power is already here…

Was going to say the draft may have sucked for forwards, but there’s some very good defensemen in there and a world-class goalie. It was a great draft for some teams.