Georgia Blizzard

The original 6 Passionate fan bases would be my first priority

Isn't it a good thing that a team with defensive issues has more defensive players under contract ? I understand there is the question of quality within these numbers, but, the economic structure of the defense in Buffalo will be 2 guys making $10Mish per year (Power and Dahlin), so, the rest of the D corps, given averages for compensation, need to come in around $2-3Mish each. That requires GMKA to be more selective on the vets he pays, but, also requires him to have a strong prospect pool.

Good question. For the right trade, you would absolutely trade either or both of them. My concern is that a lot of fans feel they have little or no value, which would imply selling low in a trade, just to move on from them. My main point was that, while both struggled at times, they remain promising young players.

I think it's too early to "give up" on UPL or Jokiharju. They are both only 24 and play positions where that is very young. Joker played 21+ minutes per game on 2nd pair with Power. At times Power struggled defensively as a rookie as well. I think Joker on the 3rd pair and with another offseason getting stronger will be significantly better. UPL had a typical rookie season, ups and downs. He also was injured toward end of season. I'd like to see both on the roster.

GMKA and Sabres fans both want: 1- Sustained long term success AND 2-Make the playoffs in 2023-24 season Unfortunately, some moves that help #1, hurt #2 and some moves that help #2, hurt #1. GMKA has basically made most of the moves he can make that help both or at least help one without hurting the other. Note: Trading VO and/or a low end D or F prospect might be the last ones remaining that help both. Central to the debate now, are those moves that seem to help one, but hurt the other. I think the goaltending situation is the trickiest of these to solve since both Levi and UPL are good long term prospects, but both have question marks in the short term. No matter what decision GMKA makes, it will carry significant risk. As a fan, I am more focused on #1 and form my opinions around that objective vs. #2. I do acknowledge that making the playoffs and gaining that experience enhances #1.

Which goalie were you thinking of that would make a 10 pt difference ?

I agree that Helle would give you 10pts, but he comes at a significant cost The others, like Gibson, I don't see it making much of a difference. So, in the case of Helle, under what situation are you comfortable: 1- on a rental for our 2024 1st or a forward prospect (let's say Östlund) ? 2- Sign him long term, for what is rumored as 8x$9m/yr ?

I think they have a playoff roster with the moves they've made. I don't think a move for a slightly better goaltender will make a material difference. I want this team built for sustained long term success,

I don't see a Goalie move on the near term horizon. Helle is too expensive for a short term rental and too expensive for a long term extension. The other options are NOT significant enough upgrades to warrant a move. I'm comfortable with Levi and UPL sharing net and Comrie most likely clearing waivers and staying fresh in Rochester. I think Bryson will be waived and clear and be in Rochester.

x100 !! There isn't one professional sports league that's figured out what is obvious to every fan, "We can't hear the questions reporters are asking !!"

When did I say that ? All I said is, if they are smart they'd use analytics to make their decisions I've worked for Fortune 50 companies that were worth way more than the NY Times and that were way more profitable and while they possessed the information to better manage a downsizing, they didn't use it.

If they are smart, they'd be careful on who they let go and base it on the analytics of their subscription base. I'd hypothesize that cities with significant numbers of fans that have relocated to other parts of the country would be most willing to subscribe and view articles from their home town. i.e. are there more readers for Buffalo content on The Athletic than there are for Los Angeles ? I'm now in the south due to my job, I subscribe to Athletic to get local content on Sabres and Bills. I have other sources for a national perspective. If they get rid of the local Buffalo journalists, I'd drop my subscription immediately.

Changed my vote to YES, once I realized it was Helle with an extension. I don't think they would need to include Levi in a trade, however, so, I would be a little irked if GMKA did that, if that makes sense ? The Jets basically have an asset that has a 1 year contract. That diminishes the trade value significantly. If Helle had 3 years left at $5M/year, than it's a much more valuable asset and they should demand Levi in return

Is there a place we can watch live ?

Sorry. I don't have much time today (working). My main disagreement is around coaching / GM grades. A 16 point improvement and a clear identification of a core group of forwards / defenseman and maybe a goalie warrants at least a B. I would personally give them both B+

If you are not optimistic about the future based on what the Sabres have done the past 2 seasons, then there is nothing I can say to change your mind. I've thoroughly enjoyed the last season. I went to a dozen games and watched most of the others on TV and couldn't feel better about this team and the direction they are headed. That is certainly no guarantee that they will be better next year or that they will win a Cup down the road, but, that's sports. You gotta learn to love the journey, life is a lot better with a positive attitude.

You and so many fans are so f*&*King miserable. I get that it's been more than a decade since this team made the playoffs and closer to 20 years since they had a legit shot at a Cup, but, man, can't you all recognize the potential and have a little optimism ?? Legit #1 (TNT) and #2 (Cozens) centers that are young ! Potential #3 (Mitts) and #4 (Krebs) centers Forward depth that can score that is also young 2 #1 overall picks on defense that are playing outstanding A high end goalie prospect that played 6 games as a 21 year old and looks legit A prospect pool (beyond above) that is consistently ranked in the top 5 of the NHL Tons of cap space An analytics department that is solid Instead of looking at the positives, you choose to dwell on the negatives. What a shame

I'm glad you are holding him accountable for his mistakes. Maybe we should fire him because he made a couple. 🤣 This team is in a great position because of the moves GMKA has made, mistakes and all. He needs to continue to build and develop and it's a fair expectation to hold them to a higher standard next year.

Like 99.9% of GM's, KA makes mistakes, cry me a river. As long as his hits continue to significantly outnumber his misses, this team will continue to improve.

So, if a major junior college player doesn't sign, they go back into draft, they are not an FA, right ? Thanks for info

Do you know how often major junior draftees don't sign contract with their drafted team and if they don't sign, do they immediately become a FA ? I didn't realize it was 4 years for college kids, seems like enough time and maybe the issue is more with goalies since their development timeline is so much longer than F's and D's.

Thanks for info. I also don't wish any ill will toward Portillo, but, I gotta believe he and his agent assessed Levi and decided he was an obstacle. If you look at goaltender situations around NHL, the Sabres net is wide open except for Levi.

Levi > Portillo and Portillo knew that. He saw the writing on the wall with the goalie depth chart in Buffalo, so, he made the smart decision. Based on his decision, he probably was never going to be more than an AHLer or part time backup in the NHL. I do not understand why the NHL doesn't close the NCAA loop hole ? It's crazy that they can reach FA that quickly vs. the WHL players. Does anyone know how it works for the European/Russian players ?

Have the Sabres tried to sell a "rest of the season" season ticket that is priced similar to the original season tickets that were sold that also provided the same preference for playoff tickets ?? Everyone seems to say that the issue is the STH base being so low and that it will only be fixed next year. If a particular game is already sold for the specific seat, they could always skip that game (and reprice) or allow alternative seat selection.

Reading through the posts, my conclusions: 1- Eichel is a very good player (maybe he'll be great someday), but NOT a leader and shouldn't have been captain. He might thrive in a non-primary leadership role. 2- If Eichel wanted to be a Sabre, he'd be a Sabre. He drove the process from the beginning and the Sabres tried to dissuade him to no avail. The surgery discussion was simply a sideshow to the main event. He wanted out. 3- While GMTM was dreadful as GM and cast a dismal future for the franchise, Eichel bears significant responsibility for the lack of on-ice success for this team, yet, acts like he is purely a victim. 4- The Pegulas are BAD owners, and, frankly not very bright people, fans deserve better. The evidence is over whelming with the Bills and Sabres. We can take the Bills discussion to TBD, but, they basically got lucky with McD and BB, let's hope they got lucky with GMKA and HCDG.