GASabresIUFAN

Not hard to have doubts after watching them play together last season. In fact, after KA tossed Bush away like a used diaper to save a few shekels, Joki’s performance this coming season is the biggest question mark facing the Sabres D corps, because the depth behind Joki is Stillman, Clague and Bryson.

There is no completed contract for Dahlin or Power, but KA is working on both as we post. This is from the Athletic today quoting KA. “We started conversations early in the offseason with (both Dahlin and Power) and continued all through the summer. We continue to talk now and they’ve been really positive. So it’s something that we’re still going to work on here over the next couple of weeks.” https://theathletic.com/4845900/2023/09/08/nhl-gm-meetings-hellebuyck-scheifele/ PS. Power and Sanderson have the same agent, Pat Brisson

Every year there are a few guys that change teams in trade or as FAs that blossom with their new club. The easiest example is Alex Tuch. Tuch was a middle six forward on LV and then given a bigger role in Buffalo, he has blossomed into a legit top-line winger. Players like Marchessault, Theodore, and Karlsson come to mind for LV. There are many others. The obvious candidate in Buffalo is Connor Clifton. I wonder if Duclair finds another level in SJ or will Iafallo do a Tuch and Blossom on Wpg. I also think Colorado gave up on Alex Newhook too soon and he is going to be excellent for the Canadians. I also like Detroit's pick-ups of Kostin and Yamamoto. I think both guys have more than they have shown in the NHL so far. Any other guys to watch this coming season?

Shazam!

LOL. and he us. Both parties know what they are getting. Clifton wanted a bigger opportunity than he was getting in Boston and to play for Granato again on an up and coming team. We wanted a hard-nose, effort D, who played a two-way game and was willing to add more physicality to our defense. Both Boston's Montgomery and Granato feel Connor has more offense to his game than he had shown prior to last season. Even if he doesn't prove to be a solution in the 4th slot, the worst we are going to get is a tough, smart, fast, physical D who can play 18+ a night and contribute 20-25 pts. That's easily worth 3+ in today's NHL.

For what it's worth, Dahlin was recently voted the 7th best D in the NHL by NHL Network and Tage was the 11th best center.

Also the Atheltic pegs Levi as the 3rd on their pre-season Calder candidates behind Bedard and Cooley.

https://theathletic.com/4832238/2023/09/06/buffalo-sabres-connor-clifton-defenseman-signing/ This guy is going to be a fan favorite after his first shift.

Not sure he has a choice. The Sanderson deal set the market. I also think it probably will increase Dahlin's contract.

Ottawa just re-signed Jake Sanderson (age 21) for 8 years for $64.4. 10 team NTC in the final 3 years. He had 32 points last season as a rookie. Wow! They also locked up Stutzle last off-season for 8 years $66.8 and he popped last season for 90 points. https://theathletic.com/4840521/2023/09/06/senators-jake-sanderson-contract-extension/ If this guy is worth 8+ a season after a 32 pt (4 goals) rookie year, what are Dahlin and Power worth? If you are KA, do you give Power a similar deal soon and hope for the best? Power, age 20, had a 4g 35 pt rookie season. The below quote is from the article:

We look like a 12-5 team. We'll win the division and then it all comes down to finding a way to win on the road in the playoffs.

https://theathletic.com/4828154/2023/09/07/nhl-bust-breakout-u23-players/ Article from the Athletic about high-end prospects that still need to blossom. There are no Sabres on the list, but one player on the list is our friend Marco Rossi. Does anyone still want Rossi over Quinn? Would you take Rossi over JJP at this point? I wouldn't.

Bandits

Everyone agrees he is 1/2 the goalie solution and that he is already better than AHL players Comrie and UPL. What we question is KA's judgment that putting the playoff chances in the hands of a rookie goaltender is a wise move. We also question his judgment that UPL and Comrie are better than what's available. Considering a 40 year goalie (Anderson) was better than both, I think there is ample evidence that adding another goalie to play with and mentor Levi would be a much smarter plan. This doesn't mean that this foolhardy plan won't work, but it's taking a large and unnecessary risk for a team primed to make the playoffs. Given our ample cap space, this strategy seems even more foolhardy.

The Mitts Cozens combo will have both players set new career highs. KA better get Mitts locked up.

Wasn't there a rumor that Ullmark had re-signed?

I have no idea if he is selling the team soon, in 3 years or never. Certainly splitting the Sabres and Bills makes the bookkeeping more straight forward if he wants to bring in a minority shareholder or sell the team outright. It's doubtful he is selling the team anytime soon. Why sell the team after you have absorbed losses and the team is about to turn the corner and become competitive again? Why sell the team after you have agreed to funnel significant improvements into the stadium? I can see selling part of the team to bring in capital to pay for the improvements and/or recoup past losses, but why do that now when the valuation of the franchise should jump after a few playoff seasons and the ticket base returns?

Bueller, Bueller, Bueller, anyone?

Just need another 35 wins

I have a copy of that photo from when I was a kid, but I think it’s Larry Carriere from 1973.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/predicting-the-nhls-atlantic-division-rankings-in-2023-24 Atlantic Division predictions. Tor, Fla, TB, BUF, Ott, Bos, Det, Mon

10 g 8a like every year.

Not enough options. I think he spends the season in Buffalo, but he doesn't play 40 games.

Like VO

For me