Curt

Yeah, he probably won’t smash the NHL sv% record. 🤪

Why do you think that is insane? If you think he is an average 2nd line player who is also valuable on the PP, that’s basically what they cost.

The difference in goals against between having 0.958 goaltending and 0.919 goaltending over an 82 game season, assuming roughly league average shots faced, would be roughly 100 goals, yes.

It’s a difference of roughly 0.31 goals per game. Over an 82 game season, it would be a difference of about 26 goals. Thats a huge gap between Levi and the next best guy in the NCAA.

First 8 games of the season he had 5 goals and 9 points. He looked legitimately improved to me. Then he got injured. He hasn’t scored a goal in the 18 games since he came back. Something isn’t right with him physically. Over his career, he has produced like a 2nd line winger. This doesn’t really support that he will get a BIG money deal, but if he can be signed to medium term deal for less than $6M, the Sabres may be wise to do that. I don’t think has yet had a season that really reflects his abilities.

You have a source for the bolded? Im pretty sure when he was playing as a pro in the SHL at 16-17, he played almost exclusively on the left side.

They are/were the same size.

1-2 year deal, however much it takes. He isn’t a JAG. He is an unimpressive but solid bottom 4 D. Ideally he is your 6/7, but if you have injuries and need to throw him out there for 22 mins a game for a couple weeks, he isn’t going to look like a problem out there. And he plays a side that the Sabres are thin on while also being a nice guy veteran who the kids can learn from.

Eduard Pasquale , Tyler Wotherspoon and Adam Cracknell Are those real guys or is Dreger trolling us.

So, I believe that the theory is that the Pegulas are interested in a minority owner who would take on much (most? all?) of the day to day financial runnings of the organization. If this is the case, then the minority owner would in fact have a say, a primary say, in the runnings of the team. This would need to be formalized in writing as part of the sale agreement. Perhaps this whole agreement could include an option to purchase more shares in the future and even enough to become the majority owner. It really would depend upon the sellers and hypothetical buyers.

Russia habitually takes a very old team to this tournament. 20 year olds and players who are playing regularly in the KHL are generally given priority over 18-19 year olds.

Also shows that you are willing to hit people, which can be a productive thing, but often isn’t.

@Buffalonill What is your current opinion of Lambert? Do you still see him as a tier 1 player, equal of Wright and Savoie, and an absolute lock to be drafted top 3?

Here is one to watch for people who want a physical power forward type with an awesome hockey name. Cutter Gauthier is a 6’1” 185lb forward who has spent a majority of his time at wing, but has played and done well at center. Physical and, a good, fast skater with skill. Steve Kournianos has him ranked 6th, which got my attention because I’ve mostly seen him mocked in the 15-30 range and didn’t know too much about him. Could be a Sabres target with one of their other 1sts. https://www.thedraftanalyst.com/2022-nhl-draft/2022-draft-profile-lw-cutter-gauthier/

I was a good interview. Ventura comes across as likable and a good communicator, things that have probably served him well in trying to interpret statistical analysis for NHL personnel. Also, it really is a good listen for anyone wondering what this guy’s job actually is.

2016-17 Toronto Maple Leafs perhaps? https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/TOR/2017.html Rookies: Matthews, Marner, Zaitsev 2nd year: Connor Brown, Hyman, Nylander

We just disagree. I think Adams is 100% safe this offseason. So what are your parameters? Bottom 5 finish and last in the league attendance will get Adams canned? Care for a friendly bet?

Why do you think that? Adams plans, which it’s been reported that Pegula signed off on, obviously did not include winning this season. The results are not exactly unexpected. To me, this looks like year 1 of Adams carrying out his plan. It’s just way to soon to pull the plug, even for the Pegulas.

You think it’s a greater than 50% chance that Adams is fired before next season? I think there is a 0% chance that happens.

I don’t think there is any realistic scenario where Adams gets fired before the 2023 offseason.

Wait. That’s the guy who Buffalo hired? He had the hockey graphs blog?

I am not at all sure that he is actually better than what we have. Last year he performed at a Tokarski level. This year he has performed at a Dell level. He is 35 and due $3.75M this year and next. Im all for improving the goalie situation, but I doubt this is going to get us there.

Just because 1) lots of players drafted as C’s end up on the wing, 2) in general NHL teams love to put smaller guys on the wing 3) Savoie has played at quite a bit of wing. Probability guess of being a C, high to low: Wright, Geekie, Cooley, Savoie, McGroarty, Lambert, Yurov

I agree. If we don’t want to destroy the spirit of our young players we can’t continue being bottom dwellers perpetually Savoie could be a C. I’d give it something like 50/50 odds. I kind of love this draft for the Sabres considering their prospect pool weaknesses. Should be something like 7 RHD and 10 or more C’s in the 1st round. With 4 of the first 40 picks, Buffalo should be able to load up.

It doesn’t make a significant difference to the overall point, but Murray was a Murray draft selection. I would add to this that the organizational overhaul and the people brought in by Adams should be another point in his favor, though at this point it is also an “on paper” type of situation. The changes haven’t really bore fruit yet. Seems like an easy excuse for Adams’ first season, but I do agree.