GASabresIUFAN

Yes Power is a black hole defensively. Despite him the stats are improved.

Scoring chances and high danger scoring chances are down year over year. That’s D improvement. The goaltending is the primary issue.

I don’t think Jarmo has had anything to do with the fiasco. The fiasco was in place when he got here. I hate to write this but Doan and Timmins were solid off-season acquisitions and the PK and overall defense are improved year over year. The issue remains a failure to upgrade the goaltending, and get top 6 playmaking help. These issues are nothing new and that ultimately is Adam’s ultimate sin. He tinkered with the bottom of the roster, never addressed the key issues and the his rebuild has failed.

Promoting Adams to director of arena operations is the Xmas gift we have been waiting for since he was hired. Moving on from Adams must happen for this franchise to survive. I’m more than ready for Jarmo to take over and start reshaping the roster. He needs to figure out what pieces are part of the solution. He needs to start in goal. Unfortunately, I think we are stuck with UPL. Therefore we must become a counter punch lock down defensive team. That starts by moving on from Byram or Power and replacing them with a D first player. Who are the keeper pieces? - Doan, Benson, Dahlin, McLeod, Timmins, Samuelsson, Norris (only because we are stuck with him), and Tage. Everyone else is expendable or replaceable.

3 headed monster resolved. Ellis to IR.

Maybe my going to see David Byrne was a positive omen.

Some people here remember when that routine was new.

Levi

Yes. They lack any goaltending, an elite forward, playmaking centers and a top 4 defensive D. I would place their talent at 22-27.

1. New leadership in the ownership - Terry can still own the team, but someone else in the family needs to be calling the shots 2. New front office - new GM and a real director of hockey opps 3. An entirely new coaching staff 4. new players - start in goal. Need a playmaker in the top 6 and a top 4 defensive D. A cattle prod won’t hurt either.

cattle prod.

Done with concerts for the year, but closed out the year with a bang. Saw Jason Bonham and his band perform Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti 50th anniversary show. Awesome. They added some hit songs at the end as well. His guitarist, Jimmy Sakurai, was amazing. Just got home from seeing David Bryne. A unique and terrific experience. He mixed his solo songs with Talking Heads hits with a crazy stage and light show and a completely mobile band. It's almost impossible to explain, but it was part rock concert, part stage show, part marching band. These videos give a feel for the show. If you get a chance, go see both shows.

Went to the David Byrne concert. Not sorry I missed the game.

No it’s not. 60 pts last year made you tied for 74th in forward scoring. That’s first line level scoring. Florida’s 2nd line had from 45-53 pts last season.

The Sabres have a 23 man roster right now with Kesselring, Kulich and Danforth on IR. I doesn't look like Danforth and Kulich are coming off IR any time soon. If they take another D (Johnson?) on the WC swing the choices to create a roster spot are 1) Do nothing if there is another injury against the Flyers or 2) Send Östlund down. This is the simplest move and we know how much Adams likes simple. If they like what Östlund brings then they move on to one of options 3-5. or 3) Waive Dunne - He is 26 year old journeyman. I doubt he gets claimed if waived and if he does such is life. or 4) Waive a skater not named Dunne - guys like Krebs, Kozak, Bryson all fit the bill of "replaceable" depth players. I doubt any are on KA's list. Bryson because he must have some incriminating photos of Adams (no other reason he is still a Sabres or in the NHL for that matter). Kozak because he can play anywhere and is an absolute effort forward that even Adams wouldn't be stupid enough to part with. Krebs because he can play anywhere in the bottom 9 and Adams would never admit he screwed up in acquiring him. or 5) Move on from one of Lyon, Ellis or UPL - If we move on from one of the goalies, odds favor Lyon. He's on a two year contract and might clear. If not, not. Adams again won't move on from his guy UPL and Ellis is cheaper and has more upside than Lyon.