French Collection

Thanks for the list, lots of research and thought put into it, Levi still gives me hope because he has been way better than UPL at the AHL level. How he handles the next step will be huge and I like his mental game better than UPL so his resilience could be the difference. Foot speed can be improved and Novikov should be focusing on this all off season. His skill set would be welcome to push Mule out the door if he can get a bit faster. Johnson making Bryson go away would be great even if he is only 5% better, I do not like Bryson and the timing of his latest contract was plain stupid. I can see Ziemer as a 4th liner down the road, a hard to play against Swiss Army knife. Richard’s development has been good and he has flown under the radar. He could be a very pleasant surprise in a few more years. Poltapov could take Greenway’s spot and maybe he has more offense. He sounds like another guy who is hard to play against. Strbak was a pick I loved and is another guy that brings some skill and snarl. Let them cook, and see what happens.

I can’t believe that guy just kept chirping away and wanting more after getting fed knuckles and tossed into the pond. Slow play my most hated thing about golf, but I don’t lose my sh*t over it.

You have to find out availability first and then potential cost. KA says he is in on every conversation… Panarin has a NMC so I doubt Buffalo is even considered. UFA at 34 after this year so it seems like a Rangers cap clearance. He would instantly boost the top line and be their top playmaker. He would be a rental, so their is a lot of risk but the Sabres have a lot of prospects.

KA was probably forced to hire Jarmo by TP. He must have said that he has one more chance but hire some help, who TP can promote if things do not improve. KA will be looking over his shoulder a lot, wondering what conversations TP and Jarmo are having.

Same as the Ullmark backup plan. I know the situations are different, but I am just talking checkers vs chess again.

Many teams are not cap strapped like the post Covid years. KA’s failure to weaponize his extra cap space for 5 years is the straw that broke my camel’s back. Whether adding for a playoff run or taking on salary for picks/prospects, those days are gone.

He had a cassette tape with him saying “I want to be here” on a loop along with slides of his childhood in Sabres pyjamas through his day with the Stanley Cup and his ascension through the ranks.

I would have told Kulich to work on his playmaking skills this off season. He can shoot very well but his passing is what could help him take the next step on the PP. These skills would also help him crack the top 6. If PP1 stutters, I would try Byram with Dahlin on D because they could do different things like either of them moving towards the net or half wall and there would be a Dman still back on the line.

Some of them are in the HoF.

I loved watching those rushes but they are rare today even by the likes of McDavid and MacKinnon. The mobility of defenders was terrible so a great skater like Perreault or Orr could weave through them like pylons. Gretzky did mention Perreault as a hero but he was a Howe fan and always regarded Gordie as the 🐐.

Following your scenario, bring him up to beat the snot out of Mule in practice after Lindy treats Mule like Luke Adam.

I agree that their zone entries on PPs have been brutal to watch. The very predictable long drop pass allows teams to know in advance how to defend. The odd time there is a dump in it is not coordinated with speedy forecheckers but rather a last ditch effort to get it deep and hope for a retrieval. Faking a drop pass and carrying it in, short pass forward, give and go, coordinated dump and chase to keep opponents guessing imo is superior to the same long drop pass.

I don’t know the exact number but it’s a very small number of cases that end up in arbitration, like 5%. They usually settle out of court.

He needs to get stronger in order to stand up in traffic. He looks to me like an easy 6’1 185 player to push around. KA is hoping on a big improvement from him and Quinn is capable, but he needs to toughen up. Maybe a guy like Doan on his line makes him grow a bit.

Stats of a tandem goalie. Ride the hot hand is what I hope for and UPL bouncing back to average stats can get the Sabres a few more wins.

Bottom end of backup goalie numbers. His ceiling may be 2nd half of 23/24 season but his floor needs to be above water, to be considered a starter.

You’re right, defense is a mindset of hard work and second effort to do the right things and to be in the proper locations. The creativity of offense is exciting and more fun to practice but the discipline required to defend is not as appealing and doesn’t pay as well.

I know it probably goes without saying but the new coach also brings in a whole new staff. This alone, imo, could make the difference of playoffs or no playoffs with the current 80-90 point roster. Injuries could sink this team in the fall, because it is built for everyone to play near their ceilings to get ahead. A competent NHL coaching staff could add some points in the standings by having better structure, more accountability and great mentoring.

This is what will help the deal go from magic beans to a hockey trade that tilts in Buffalo’s favour. All three players have upside, with Doan being the most unproven at the NHL level. If Doan becomes a power forward who scores near 20 goals and is a physical forechecking beast, then his value will not be far below JJP’s current worth. JJP at 30 goals but a defensive black hole is not worth much more than Doan at 20 plus intangibles. If JJP goes off and becomes a perennial 35-40 goal man then Kesselring will have to hit his ceiling to make this deal a good one.

I hope so. JJP’s game was “sexy” but these guys bring something different that could lead to wins.

All I’ve got is, no RHD needed.

I have liked Byram since his junior days. I would like to find a way to keep him and have Dahlin play RD with him. He still has some growth in his game and could be a better PP2 guy than Power. I now wonder how much goodwill has been burned with all of this trade talk. If he signs a bridge deal maybe he brings his A game for his next contract.

And where is Staal? Retired star player giving these kids a pep talk and maybe mentoring a few. Also, evaluating some of their skills. Hanging with his buddy Kevyn, scmoozing with TP.

As a long time Sabres fan I would not want to be a fly on the wall and listen to that clown show. I can’t imagine a long time, competent GM being forced to listen.

I think he is better than Bryson. His desire to be in the top 6 is probably considered a problem by KA as Bryson is OK on the sidelines hanging with the guys.