Thorny

95% of Sabres twitter was “trust the process” until the deadline deals starting charging through and now their heads are turning quicker than Simba’s when the wildebeests got going

Agree re: Dahlin, and I this injury stretch is really gonna hurt his case, it’s already tight. It honestly freaking sucks, having a hard time not getting engulfed by hockey depression here

❤️

No, it’s really not. The Sabres are going to become good, I agree on that part. But it’s not because of what the contending teams are doing right now. NM the wild suggestion it will, in itself, open up the door to “multiple cups”. the decision making process, and context, that led to these teams being in the spot they are, in the *first place*, where they ARE in a position where these moves are actually possible, will continue: just like I always say we have to take the Ullmark swing and miss with Adams because the very decision making process that led to that miss is what has resulted in so many of his good moves. The GMs operating this way is part and parcel with the decision making process that got them to this spot. The “other teams are opening up a window for the Sabres”, the “other teams are going to regret this” lines of thought are misplaced, borne out of the situation we’ve been in for so long where we’ve forgotten how the rest of the world lives. No one is opening a window for the Sabres. We will need to push ourselves through

Regret? Heck no agree with the rest If I was in the situation those teams are I would implore my GM to do the same. And wouldn’t revert to revisionist stuff after, should it not work out. Those teams are going for it, they should be.

You’ve done an outstanding job here dialing in on the variable here imo Doesn't tell us why the goalies suck more at home. But we know they do. My guess is still small sample size randomness

Like, on foot? Then I disagree. Placing a bet? Ya, prob

You are making a lot of good arguments here but imo you should focus them on his skills of analysis rather than modus of operation. It’s not plausibly logical to suggest Adams didn’t *THINK* stillman addressed a need for now, AND later (fitting in with the idea we won’t spend assets to MERELY help now) because he’s under contract next year. There’s no other logical inference. He didn’t betray, in his mind, the “not for short term gain” thing. It’s not “exactly what he did” with the Stillman trade as, by KA’s parameters, it’s well within. I’m not smart enough to do it but you or others could probably figure out why exactly Adams’ talent analysis of Stillman doesn’t line up with yours. In an effort to understand why KA made the move its the only avenue to pursue here. What does Stillman bring

Personally I get a tick when playoffs are described that way. YES making it would be awesome, that feeling game 1, at puck drop, will make the decade worth it. The puck drop for game 3, on home ice. Put it in my veins. If Adams could trade a prospect by way of which GUARANTEED a playoff spot, I think he makes the move (which doesn’t actually exist). I think the consideration for GM’s here is more often “does this move substantially change our chances, anyways?” versus any sort of “is it even worth it?” conversation. Yes, it’s worth it. By George is it worth it for the fans ie the Sabres. Haven’t even got into the revenue we’d get for at least 2 extra home games Trading significant assets just to slightly increase the odds is something he probably just won’t do, at this stage Bad value play. This is why any move can still happen though - but it would necessarily be one that helps beyond this season as well (even Stillman is under contract) so as to square the value in the situation we miss

For me it’s more about how it hurts the fun of the chase. I didn’t need to make it. You are correct, the season wasn’t ABOUT playoffs. The run itself being marred by this is why it hurts, plus feel for Dahlin who was putting himself firmly in the Norris convo.

So Avs paid nothing, are getting healthy, and play in the weak conference while the east beats itself up. Colorado imo a great repeat bet right now not cause of this deal but just in general I think

We got him? We got him?

Lol this completely sucks - - - Does this make KA more willing to make a move, equally willing to make a move, or less willing to make a move reverting back to development year lingo? Really gonna hurt Dahlin’s Norris push too, one of the funnest aspects of this season. All around bad. Gah. Ruining the fight for 8th we’ve been waiting for for a decade. Apologies for my negativity on this, feels like kick in the nuts.

I tend to believe he’s more interested in pushing things forward / resetting expectations (playoffs) for next season than this letter would imply: my hope is we see some of that messaging come forth a little later on when talking to the larger, broader fan base. As I mentioned in my first post on the matter, season ticket holders that are still season ticket holders right now, after all this, probably are pretty swayed by / on board with the “process” lingo

If you are interested/ever get a chance, do a quick perusal of a few of the tweets the Sabres put out versus a few from say, the Jets. The engagement is not comparable - they certainly know what they are doing

Was that a thing? No Sabres have been a masterclass in social media content since KA took over. Tons of objectively excellent, engagement driving stuff. Its also all, imo, completely cringeworthy and terrible lol and I can’t stand any of it longer than I need to, to glean what’s going on with the messaging. I’m not the demo, though. Not their problem

Have to add before the deadline, or just before next season, in your view? - - - Greg Wyshynski on Marek saying he still expects plenty of deals and fireworks Friday

Opportunity cost probably. If your guys are in the NOW window, waiting around isn’t going to get it done anyways, you’ll just bleed yourself out I think teams feel compelled to join the arms race. Its like being pot-committed in poker - that’s the best comparison to give. At some point you are committed enough that the only value play is to keep playing. It’s the inverse of where we’ve been for 10 years: fold when you can to recoup assets. Its scary, but one day if we are really lucky and say our prayers, it’ll be us

That would be a horrid reason to not make a deal haha

We *do* already have a “Josh Bloom”. We can snag another Josh from the Bloomed tree any time we want as long as they keep handing out a fresh set of 7 draft picks to every team, free of charge, every season. His contributing NHL talent was *already* several years away , if at all: no sense prioritizing timeline re: that asset as timeline already is not in its favour: we can simply replace the asset for free

This is what happens when Kris Baker’s drooling tweets are posted ad nauseam in the prospects thread. I tried.

So the Wild finally get their 2C. Bravo Please just save some dealz till Friday

Appreciate that delayed reaction @inkman I honestly thought that was pretty funny in context