[GDT - Montréal @ Buffalo - Monday, October 23, 2023 - 7:00 PM (EDT) - MSG (?) & WGR - RMNH (SportsNet TV - CANADA) & SportsNet+ (pirate satellite)]

29 minutes ago, SwampD said:

Motherf…….! Another game I can’t watch! So far this season, in my area, I have only been able to watch one game via ESPN+.

Oh, well. Go Sabres!!

What ?

I'm out of area (GA), and I've seen 4 of 5 games on ESPN+

[You’re a free agent with 31 identical offers, which 5 teams do you negotiate with?]

The original 6

Passionate fan bases would be my first priority

 

 

 

[Sabres sign Kale Clague to a 2 way deal]

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.

 

[What’s left for KA to do this Summer?]

1 hour ago, Crusader1969 said:

even if they were part of a trade package that netted Hanifan or Pesce? 

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.

 

[What’s left for KA to do this Summer?]

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.  

[What’s left for KA to do this Summer?]

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.

 

 

[What’s left for KA to do this Summer?]

20 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I think you need to read my earlier post about Gibson.  

Gibson doesn't move the needle and is what KA was talking about when he said acquiring a goalie just because he has played a lot of games but isn't really better than what you already have.  

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

[What’s left for KA to do this Summer?]

Just now, GASabresIUFAN said:

It will be the difference between just making the playoffs as a WC vs being in the top 3 in the Atlantic division.  I'd argue it could easily make a 10 pt difference in the standings.

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 ?

 

[What’s left for KA to do this Summer?]

4 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:

@Georgia Blizzard so you're OK with buffalo not making the playoffs?

 

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,

 

 

[What’s left for KA to do this Summer?]

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.

 

 

 

[Kevyn Adams and Jerry Forton Pre-Draft Presser, 6/21/2023]

18 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Why can’t they find a way to get better audio capture of the reporters questions?

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 !!"

[Athletic "reorganizing" with huge layoffs]

2 minutes ago, SDS said:

The New York Times is worth $6 billion. Is it your belief that they may not know which products are being viewed by which subscribers and what the rate of return is on each writer?

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.

[Athletic "reorganizing" with huge layoffs]

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.

 

[Would you trade Devon Levi for Connor Hellebuyck with a contract extension?]

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

[Adams And Granato Media Availability Wednesday: What Do You Want To hear?]

Is there a place we can watch live ?

 

[Season in Review - Grades and Awards]

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

@Georgia Blizzard

 You are welcome to disagree with my grades, but then share your wisdom with the board.

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+

 

 

 

[Hey adams this is on you.]

4 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:

And you still want me to remain optimism after you said this ?

Onice we actually get some proof that this team is going to the next level then maybe .

We've been through so many cores at this point (  Put up or shut up ) 

At this point 

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.

 

 

 

 

[Hey adams this is on you.]

15 hours ago, Buffalonill said:

@Georgia Blizzard so you think he should keep his job ? 

Yikes

Please  tell me why he  shouldn't be fired if we dont make the playoffs. 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hey adams this is on you.]

5 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:

Its been 2 years of the same mistake. 

He isn't getting a pass

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.

 

 

[Hey adams this is on you.]

23 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:

Im drunk !!! but pissed.

We could easily be in playoffs if you would have gotten a goalie its been two ***** years of this *****. 

Instead you put all the hopes into a kid ( whos the future) but still .

Like we always say always ***** 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.

 

[Erik Portillo traded to the Kings for a 2023 3rd Round Pick]

8 minutes ago, shrader said:

Sorry, I don't have the numbers.  But if a major junior player doesn't sign after 2 years, he goes back into the draft and then gets a new 2 year window.  After that it is free agency.  So if a major junior is drafted by a team he does not want to play for, he's stuck for only 2 years if there's no trade.  The college kid would be stuck for 4.

Sometimes those time windows can be a year shorter depending on their age.

 

And yeah, the goalies do tend to have a much more crazy developmental curve, but there's no fix for that.  The idea constantly thrown around is to add an extra year window on rights.  That's great and all, but where is the player playing during that time?  They want them within the AHL/NHL system as soon as possible.  They do not want them heading to europe and they're too old for juniors at that point.  Also, there's no chance the union would ever agree to adding that year for a small subset of players.  Quite honestly, the only thing that may ever going to change this is the NIL stuff going on in the NCAA right now.  If they ever loosen their rules and allow players to remain in college after signing,  problem solved.  But that's not an NHL thing.  There's nothing the league can do.

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

Thanks for info

 

[Erik Portillo traded to the Kings for a 2023 3rd Round Pick]

17 hours ago, shrader said:

When you draft a player out of major junior, you have 2 years to sign him.  When you draft a player out of college, you have 4 years to sign him.  Those lousy no good cheating college kids... make it 5 years.

 

edit: It's already been addressed.  But this topic comes up over and over again.  Someone spurned my team, so we need to change the rules so I can't ever be hurt again.  What, the rules already favor my team in that situation?  I don't care, rejection sucks.

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.

 

[Erik Portillo traded to the Kings for a 2023 3rd Round Pick]

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I agree, except you actually have in theory a longer runway with college players vs CHL players who need to be signed within 2 years of being drafted. College kids have up to 4 years generally speaking.  Think Johnson for example when he signs.

Portillo is really Petersen 2.0.  He’s a good kid and I wish him well.  

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.

[Erik Portillo traded to the Kings for a 2023 3rd Round Pick]

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 ?

[GDT: Blue Jackets @ Sabres - Feb. 28, 2023, 7:30pm, ESPN+/Hulu 📺, WGR 📻]

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.