Curt

I understand that he probably could have played real hard ball and held firm for even more, but he did just sign a record breaking largest ever NHL contract, so I wouldn’t characterize this as him leaving tons on the table. He is undoubtedly one of the league’s best players, but he isn’t the hands down best player in the league either. I think it was a fair deal for both sides.

Probably had a certain salary he was shooting for, and if he didn’t get it he wants to start his 2nd career in media. Makes him the highest paid player in the league.

Not saying one way or the other, but just want to point out that the 2019 Quinn-Peterka draft happen before Karmanos or any of the analytics staff came on board.

I’ll say yes too. That’s the first step. Once everyone sees that the Sabres are a well run team with real expectations, it becomes a lot easier to improve further. Players who have a choice will become a lot more willing to choose to join Buffalo.

Interesting. I guess it’s likely to be a later 1st, but still seems like a lot. They must really like him. Maybe see him as a strong PP option moving forward. Replacement for Klingberg. Does seem like a lot. I kind of expected it to say for a 2nd or 3rd. Eyebrows raised when I saw 1st.

And after hiring him, they aren’t going up either!

Asplund seems like a guy who is going to be a reliable 2-way bottom 6 forward for years. He can play on a pure checking/shutdown line, or he can also be a complimentary 2-way guy on a bottom 6 line with a couple better scorers.

This is possible, but Thompson was not getting excessive ice time or anything like that. Less than 18mins per game, which has to be low for a “1st liner”. Sabres ran a pretty flat ice time distribution.

Will any SHL games be shown on ESPN in the US?

Almost. You need more exclamation points, and you need to mention the worst case possible outcome, like concussion or something. That should pretty much cover it. Honestly, I had a short conversation with someone here a couple days ago about how it wasn’t really worth it for Power to play in this. Then I turn the 3rd period on and within 5-10 mins watching some non prospect tries to land a big open ice hit on Slafkovsky. First thing that jumped to my mind was “That’s why Power didn’t need to be in this!”

Haha, yeah, that’s real. My little girl is 13 months. She is a good sleeper unless she isn’t feeling well.

That’s not the point. If Owen Power (or Slaf) got a concussion in an exhibition prospect tournament game, it would not make me feel better that it was a clean hit. Watched the 3rd after baby went to sleep. Kozak, Savoie, and Weissbach looked fun.

That’s exactly why Power didn’t need to play in this game. Don’t need some nobody prospect named Berzzola? trying to land a big open ice hit on your star #1 pick in a meaningless game. Glad that Slafkovsky didn’t get laid out there.

Yeah, this game is meaningless. Guys are playing with unfamiliar teammates and coaches. The point of this is just to get guys in, get familiar with the city/building/coaches/management, give coaches a chance to evaluate the players physically and skill wise and develop plans for what they can work on this season. And fun, it’s also for fun.

It’s not a PPG contract. It’s a 60-65 point player contract.

Interesting that Dahlin ranks 33rd on this list, but 18th on NHL.com Top 20 Defensemen list. Seems like this list probably went through a more rigorous process, but I’m not sure that means that it’s better.

I didn’t realize (or I forgot) that Cenderqvist is that big. 6’3” 208

I’ll wait for the Owen Power Rankings. Sabres will surely be #1.

Sabres are +2500 for a 100 pt season on DraftKings. Tage Thompson is -115 for 31.5 goals. MGM has Sabres +475 to reach 90 pts

This is on brand.

Over seems like the easy bet here.

Anyone watch the US Open Men’s Finals on Sunday? I like Ruud, but Alcaraz is so good for being just 19. I need to find the time to watch more tennis.

What are you talking about? There is nothing pro-ownership about this. It’s simply a little note on someone who was hired by the Sabres. Its of little obvious consequence, and there is little serious discussion happening on it. It’s the offseason and there isn’t much going on.

Preseason games are useful as an evaluation tool and as preparation for the season because they are getting reps with their actual teammates and coaches against NHL level opponents. This prospect tournament offers neither. He is already playing games for his pro team in Sweden.

Your options conspicuously omit the range, but I’d expect something in the 25-30 goal, 50-60 point range. I think there is a slightly better chance that he falls just short of those numbers than there is that he exceeds them, so I went with option #2.