GASabresIUFAN

I definitely factor in time to the NHL for similar-level players, like our friend Poltapov. However, Benson and Savoie are IMHO at the exact same time to the NHL. Both need to make the Sabres in camp or be returned to Jrs and both will be NHL/AHL eligible in 2024/25; Savoie as he'll be 20, and Benson because he'll have completed 4 CHL seasons. I believe, and I think most impartial observers agree, that Benson is the more talented of the two. That said, we are probably splitting hairs. Savoie's impressive playoffs is certainly a fair differentiator. Maybe Kulich should be ahead of both. I also don't see how Rosen made the top 5. Östlund is a far more talented player. I'll even go out on a limb and say Wahlberg and Neuchev will outplay Rosen this coming season.

NHL.com has a broad look at the Sabres in their 32 in 32 videos and posts. https://www.nhl.com/video/buffalo-sabres-season-preview/t-277350912/c-18230556 https://www.nhl.com/news/top-prospects-for-buffalo-sabres/c-345496388 Their top 5 Sabres prospects 1. Levi 2. Savoie 3. Kulich 4. Benson 5. Rosen How is Savoie a better prospect than Benson? They have similar production in the CHL and Benson is a year younger. They are similar size and style of player. It's a very easy apple-to-apple comparison.

Tokarski played 29 games for us in 2021-22 and put up a 3.27 & .899 behind a worse D and worse team overall than UPL and Comrie played behind last season. UPL gave us 33 games with a 3.58 & .892 while Comrie gave us in 19 games a 3.67 with an .886. Frankly they all stink, but at least Tokar has 80+ games of NHL experience.

Ultimately KA’s evaluation comes down to has KA done enough to get the Sabres into the playoffs? Here is the Athletic’s answer. https://theathletic.com/4755331/2023/08/07/sabres-playoff-roadmap-drought/

It's an interesting question. How much will cord-cutting affect revenue? Only time will tell, but I'm very interested to see how LV does with their deal to broadcast all LV games for free to their home market(s) and to profit by sharing ad revenue. https://www.ktnv.com/news/golden-knights/vegas-golden-knights-scripps-sports-announce-historic-broadcast-partnership

How about waiving them both and making Tokarski the backup? I think he is the best of the 3 barely.

Lol

KA pros and cons Pros: 1. Better Culture 2. Team is overall improved 3. Better prospect pipeline 4. Better drafting 5. Better player development 6. Forward depth 7. He did a great job getting value for the old core of Eichel, Reinhart, and Ristolainen. 8. Has really grown into the role. Neutral: 1. The majority of his moves following the dismantling of the old core have been very moneypuck oriented with varying degrees of success. They have been short-term on contracts (1-3 years) and low-cost in terms of cap $ and assets. Decent to Good: Greenway for a 2nd, Jost on waivers, Lyubushkin for 2 years, and Anderson. Bad: Bloom for Stillman, Comrie for 2 years, Dell, and Butcher. Clifton and Johnson fit this philosophy as well. Hopefully, both will be good. Cons: 1. We still aren't a playoff team 2. Goaltending is still a complete unknown. 3. Finally addressed defensive depth, one year late IMHO, and we still don't know if the upgrades are sufficient. 4. Failed to make the necessary moves last deadline to get the team over the top and into the playoffs. 5. Team still can't win a faceoff and we need a veteran center. 6. Honestly seems afraid to use significant pipeline assets to upgrade the team even when there is a glaring roster hole. 7. Not sure his off-season moves will dramatically improve one of the worst PK's in the NHL. 8. KA's First year as GM was G-D awful. Ultimately he is going to be judged this season by the D acquisitions and the failure to bring in a veteran goalie. If Levi excels and the 2 new D work and the team makes the playoffs, people will be posting here what a great job he did backfilling the D and being patient with the goaltending. If Levi struggles, Clifton can't play up, Johnson is not an upgrade over Bush and/or Joki, and the team again fails to make the playoffs, people will post that KA failed. History says the 21-year-old goalies struggle in the NHL, but not always and we all know what a crap shoot UFAs can be. Personally, I love the risk KA has taken on Johnson and Clifton and hate the risk he is taking by not bringing in a real veteran to replace UPL and Comrie. The goaltending failure looks like a completely unnecessary risk.

You are beginning to sound like me. Are you ok? I had lunch the other day with @freester, and we debated adding Hellebuyck. I said I was willing to go as high as Rosen and next year's first for Hellebuyck and a 2nd. He said that was way too much for a one-year rental. While generally, I agree with Freester that ii is an overpay, I think our window is now open and KA should finally step up and make the big deal to ensure we get to the playoff this year without putting everything on Levi's shoulders. I'm also confident that losing Rosen won't make a bit of a difference in our pipeline.

I don't see Power having the O potential that Dahlin has already displayed. Nothing wrong with having a tandem like Pronger (Power) and Niedermayer (Dahlin).

Why does this trade look like musical chairs on 3 sinking ships? Montreal actually has 3 goalies. Do you think they added Smith so that they can trade Jake Allen?

I'm not there, yet. Despite my original misgivings about hiring a GM with no experience, KA has done a credible job in most areas. That said, his goaltending strategy, since Ullmark walked, is mindboggling in its ineptitude. I also don't like the fact that it also took two full seasons to finally invest in the defense. I do agree that his seat might get very warm if the team misses the playoffs again this season especially if the goaltending is again not up to snuff.

One word. Goaltending.

He also played 10 games for Dallas/Min and 1 game for the Sabres.

Who did people pick for the Sabres on the grid. I went the more obscure. I did Joe Juneau (Bos), Stu Barnes (Dal) and Brent Peterson (Det). I probably should have gone Reed Larson for the Buf/Dal one.

Sabres on Immaculate grid hockey

Let’s assume for arguments sake that KA doesn’t believe any of Kulich, Biro, Rousek, Benson or Savoie are ready for NHL duty to start the season. Given Quinn’s injury, should KA add another forward to help with our depth? The Athletic seems to think so. https://theathletic.com/4738651/2023/08/01/sabres-free-agent-jack-quinn-injury/ Here are their suggestions. Tatar, Stastny, Suter, Parise, and Comtois. Stastny and Parise obviously add veteran experience. Parise can still score and Stastny is dtil; great in the FO circle, but I doubt KA would be interested in either. Tatar is also a vet and can still score. He also plays a physical game that would fit well here. He’s make the most sense as a Quinn replacement in the top 9. That said I’m more interested in Suter and Comtois. Suter could center the 4th line and really help the PK while chipping in the occasional goal. Comtois is a young talented player who needs a fresh start and os someone I can see blossoming under DG. He is young enough to be part of the solution here and he’s be cheap to sign. At this point we’d probably get him on a veteran 2 way deal. If Donnie can get him back to the player he was 2 years ago, he’d be a perfect Quinn replacement this season.

Housley and Lehner

I've always liked the B with the sword through it. I'd love to see a 3rd jersey that featured the B logo.

O.A.R is the opener for the Dolls

Heading to Chastain amphitheater for the Goo Goo Dolls tonight. This will be my 3rd time seeing them in the last 3 years

Looks like there are now two hockey suduko-type games. Puckdoku and ImmaculateGrid hockey.

Sabres on Puckdoku

He had to wait for his 13th birthday before he could sign.

He'll score 15 goals, be terrible getting back and he won't improve the team much if at all. They'll be trading him at the deadline for a 2nd rd pick and the ghost of Bjork.