GASabresIUFAN

NHL Network just said he had the lowest expected goals against because of Carolina’s D system. Maybe he’s not a fit for our system.

Are there Tim Horton’s in Nash?

I thought you couldn’t sign until noon.

Rumor: OEL to the Panthers. I’m interested to see what kind of deal he gets.

Quick concert reviews The Cure: maybe the most chill concert I’ve ever been to. Robert Smith still sounds great BNL plus Five for Fighting with del Amitri. Only knew one del Amitri song, but the band had a good sound and sounds great live. Five for Fighting was excellent as well. Love Chances and Superman. BNL puts on a great live show. Ed’s voice was stratchy at times, but the band is so much fun and has fun which makes for a great show. One Week is impossible to do live. Still have Depeche Mode and Morrissey later in the year.

I was re-thinking a little on AZ’s draft strategy. I still think they crapped the bed, but I wonder if oart of their strategy was to take players 2-3 years out in order to make an impact when they settle in a new building is AZ or elsewhere. Still not a reason to over draft Simashev and But, but I have to wonder if they played into their thinking. It reminds me a little of the Atlanta Braves “tanking” their last few years at Turner Field before moving to the new stadium near my office. They loaded up on young talent in the farm system and then once they moved that talent blossomed and the Braves have been to great the last 6 years with 5 Division titles, one WS win and the current best record in the NL.

And G-d said let there be even more forward depth.

Hall and Eakin are certainly on the list with Hall at or near the top. Teppo is the best FA signing. He really solidified the D for the Briere/Drury teams and provided the leadership that team needed. What an excellent D group that team had. What I wouldn't do to add a Tallinder or Lydman in their primes to the current group. Teppo is one of the reasons I so badly want KA to get Orlov or someone like him. Someone who had been through the wars, but has some serious game left.

Big day tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Sign Orlov or trade for Pesce Sign Andersen Make it happen KA.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/2023-nhl-draft-final-grades-for-all-32-teams-210834844.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAC7phr_kPM6q8zjh1zUTgOvUZs5k80idfJ3u7y3hNJojKXFx9AdZngj_KwOAic5yjb5C2mTIlDfrTXOiGMcbwIIMChElxlQ3_NbC4VWlDQumJbhNwD57eWrERLCCNW98M4Ej-Z03dyi51CtyVUcFSLTCnaWCAxVknKZyeW48TpT4 Buffalo Sabres: B Getting Zach Benson at 13th, a player who was a consensus top 10 pick for most of the year, was a coup for the Sabres, who already have an overflowing offensive prospect pool. Their next three picks, Anton Wahlberg, Michael Strbak and Gavin McCarthy were all solid, with each player having legitimate NHL upside. Strbak and McCarthy added another wave of defensive help a few years out to join Buffalo’s young stars at the position. Beyond this group, Ethan Miedema and goalie Scott Ratzlaff are sneaky-good selections. https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2023-nhl-draft-grades-how-all-32-teams-did 7. Buffalo Sabres (A-) Key picks: Zach Benson (LW), Anton Wahlberg (C), Maxim Strbak (D) The Sabres hit home runs year after year, and after taking Zach Benson at No. 13, they hit another one. Maxim Strbak and Gavin McCarthy are difficult players to play against, while Anton Wahlberg could have easily slid into the first round. They added some solid depth up front and on the blueline, and that’s all you can ask for.

https://www.flohockey.tv/articles/11097364-nhl-draft-2023-grades-heres-how-all-32-teams-did Buffalo Sabres Letter Grade: B+ First rounders: Zach Benson, LW Day 2 picks: Anton Walberg, C; Maxim Strbak, D; Gavin McCarthy, D; Ethan Miedema, LW; Scott Ratzlaff, G; Sean Keohane, D; Norwin Panocha, D. Analysis: For the last few years, I’ve really liked what Buffalo has done at the draft and this year was no different. They picked up four players off of FloHockey’s Top 100 with Zach Benson being a top-10 projected pick for me. They didn’t care about size, but valued his high compete and skill. The Sabres are well positioned to better support a player like Benson. Meanwhile, I think Anton Wahlberg is going to look like a real value pick in the second round. I’ve seen his progression and the skill he brings with a big frame is super enticing. Maxim Strbak is a two-way guy who played some of his best hockey on the biggest stages last year and they nabbed a local product in Gavin McCarthy who would have gone higher had he not suffered an injury mid year. Lastly, I think the Scott Ratzlaff pick could look good down the line. He’s not a big guy, but he can absolutely play and I think is one of the most athletic goalies in this class. In the end, the Sabres built more depth to one of the best prospect systems in the NHL.

Portillo didn't sign here because KA blocked him with the acquisition of Levi. Who knows what Johnson would have or wouldn't have done. He is here, signed, and will play for the Sabres. Yes, he would be. Did you know that in his draft class Bryson is 28th in games played and 8th among D? Only one D taken after him has played more games and that's only by 2 games and that player spent much of this season back in the AHL. If they did a re-draft of the 2017 draft, Bryson would be a late 1st or early 2nd rd pick. Getting him in the 4th rd was an excellent pick. As to when he drafted players, the math says he did very well. According to a study by TSN's Scott Cullen, Jbot's expected NHL players from his 18 picks was 4.81. With a little luck, Jbot will have drafted 9 NHL players with his 18 picks.

https://thehockeywriters.com/current-nhl-players-by-country/ Canadians are 41.4% according to this article from January of this year. Quant Hockey has it at 42% https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/nationality-totals/active-nhl-players-2022-23-stats.html

No, but Mitts will if moved to that line. In fact, Mitts' passing ability could elevate JJP and Cozens further. It's a set of dominoes. Quinn is out, but Mitts (our ultimate utility player) steps in for him. Krebs now centers a 3rd line of Rousek (who is solid 2 way players) and Greenway. Now Jost or a UFA step in to center the 4th line. In the alternative, Krebs centers Vo and Greenway. Either way, I think the offense will be fine. PS: I do think that GMs and their staff look at players' role and development and project their potential offensive output and utilize that projection to aid roster decision making. In this case, prior to Quinn's injury, I'm sure management felt VO was expendable because they believed that the development of Quinn, JJP, and Greenway would replace the lost offense.

The 24 thing isn't an issue with him making the Sabres it's a limiting factor on his NHL upside. One other thought on Poltapov. When I make my list I look at both a player's upside and when the player will arrive in the NHL. I see him at best as a 3rd line player and that is 2-3 years in the future. I see Neuchev and I see a guy with top 6 scoring potential who is already under contract to the Sabres.

I have a name for you. Pius Suter. What you just wrote is why I have posted up thread that I think Quinn's injury definitely decreased the likelihood VO gets traded.

True. It begs the question, who was the best UFA signing ever by the Sabres? Teppo? Okposo? Gionta? Spacek? Leopold? Not exactly a list of greatness. The worst are easy. Erhoff, Leino, Hutton, and Moulson to name but four. There are plenty more.

The Sabres scored 293 goals last season. That was certainly enough to get us into the playoffs if we had had adequate D and goaltending. Quinn only potted 14 of the 293 goals. I think adding Rousek should replace most if not all of those 14 goals. The bigger loss from a scoring standpoint was the potential trade of VO. My guess is KA had penciled in improvement from JJP, Quinn, and Greenway to replace that loss. Now he has to hope that guys like Krebs (9 goals), Mitts (15 goals), and Power (4 goals) pick up the slack if VO isn't retained or replaced. Either way, this lineup is lethal enough without Quinn and/or VO to be a playoff team. The more important question is limiting he scoring chances against through better backchecking, better defense, and better goaltending to get the GA down from 300 to a more reasonable 265 or so.

I would be very surprised if KA brought in any forward to play in the top 9 even with Quinn's injury. I think he'd much rather see if his internal solutions can fill the void. However, he has repeatedly stated that he wants to upgrade the D and this should be his primary focus. Pesce, Dumba, Gudas, Hanifin, Orlov, Soucy, Sanheim, Dumoulin, Mayfield, Graves, Andrew Peeke, Tanev, etc.. should all be on KA's watch list. It will interesting to see which route he goes to fix this roster issue UFA or trade. After fixing the D, getting a vet goalie should be his next priority.

KA said in one of the recent press conferences that he sees Appert getting an NHL opportunity. I'll post the link and time if I find it again.

Why does this matter? We want our GMs to find NHL players and as many as possible. Who cares anymore where they come from as long as we have a constant stream of young up-and-coming talent. KA is doing an excellent job so far. Jbot did a fine job as well and last I looked he is Canadian. He just didn't like the CHL/NHL agreement. It's also hard to really criticize his drafting. The Sabres already have 6 players from 18 picks. When Johnson and Rousek make the NHL that will be 8 NHLers. If Portillo makes it, that will be nine. Even Cederaqvist has an outside shot. Most GMs don't bat 33% in the draft much less 50%. Back on topic. I really really like the Ratzlaff pick.

TOP 25 Sabres prospects 1) Devon Levi (G)- His play for Buffalo late last season solidified his place IMHO 2) Zach Benson (LW)- What a draft steal at 13. KA probably couldn't believe his luck 3) Matt Savoie (C/W)- Benson's Ice linemate with a similar point total, just a year older. 4) Jiri Kulich (C/W)- Great rookie campaign in the AHL after a slow start with 46 pts in 62 games, but elevated to 11 pts in 12 playoff games. Most NHL-ready of the young forwards? 5) Noah Östlund (C) - KA says added size and strength and he outperformed fellow 1st rd picks teammates. SHL next season and then NA 6) Isak Rosen (RW) - former 1st rd pick made his NA and AHL debut last season and improved as the season went along. 37 pts in 66 games and then 8 pts in 14 playoff games. Needs another year or 2 in the A. 7) Ryan Johnson (D) - Finally signed with the Sabres. Most proven D prospect. 8.) Viktor Neuchev (LW)- Made the jump to the KHL fulltime in his D+1 season 9) Nikita Novikov (D)- This was a hard placement to decide until I realized that the former 6th rd pick has spent most of the last 2 seasons playing regularly in the KHL. After Johnson, he is our next closed NHL ready D. Just don't expect much offense. 10) Lukas Rousek (RW) - 56 pts in 70 A games plus 2 pts in 2 NHL games. Could make the Sabres in the fall. Biggest issue is that he is already 24. 11) Oliver Nadeau (RW) - the next 4 guys could be in any order. Nadeau has had back-to-back excellent Q seasons. AHL in the fall 12) Prokhor Poltapov (LW) - Spent last season in the KHL fulltime. Has another 2 years left on his KHL contract. 13) Anton Wahlberg (C/W) - KA had a 1st rd grade on him. 6'3" forward has one year left on his SHL contract. Played 1/3 of the season in the SHL last year and was solid at the U18's with 10 pts in 14 games. He could rapidly move up this board. 14) Alek Kisakov (LW) - Made the jump to the AHL last year and did OK. Needs to make a step up this season 15) Max Strbak (D)- 2nd rd pick this year is a defensive stalwart. Heading to MSU in the fall 16) Tyson Kozak (C/W) - 7th rd pick made his AHL debut last year and proved a feisty competitor. 10 pts in 55 games, but blossomed further in the playoffs with 5 in 14 games. 17) Gavin McCarthy (D) - This year's 3rd pick recovered from injury to have a very solid USHL season. Headed to BU in the fall. 18) Vsevolod Komarov (D) - Took a huge step forward offensively. Big D was also very solid for Que during their Memorial Cup run. 19) Mats Lindgren (D) - Rough 1st half, but excellent in the 2nd half of the season. 20) Scott Ratzlaff (G) - Excellent season as backup to Milic for Seattle (WHL). Highlight was 4-0 record with a .50 gaa and .976 save % for Canada in the Hlinka tourney. He is Seattle's starter next season. Could also move rapidly up his board. 21) Topias Leinonen (G) - 2nd rd pick last year. Looked like a reach then and still does. However he is a tall goalie and was OK at the U20's going 2-2 with a .874 save %. 22) Filip Cederqvist (LW) - 22-year-old made the jump to the AHL and was respectable in his first NA season with 20 pts in 55 games. 23) Jake Richard (W) - Had 62 pts in 57 USHL games last season. Headed to UConn in the fall. 24) Ethan "Funky Cold" Miedema (LW) - 6'4 forward 200 lbs winger had 21 pts in 32 OHL games. Some scouts think the Sabres got great value with this 4th rd pick. 25) Viljami Marjala (LW) - former 5th rd pick resurrected his prospect status by returning to Finland and having a solid year in Finland. Will the Sabres sign the 20-year-old?

A player needs to be turning 20 before the calendar rolls over. For example last year Nadeau vs Kozak. Both were in the same draft class and were born about 2 weeks apart. However, Kozak was eligible for the AHL because he was born Dec 29th 2002, while Nadeau went back to the Q because he was born Jan 15, 2003. The exception to the rule is 4 years already played in the CHL. Lindgren has 3 seasons in the CHL and doesn't turn 20 until August 2024. He is stuck in the CHL for another year. Benson also has 3 years in the CHL and doesn't turn 20 until May 2005. He is stuck in the CHL for another year unless he makes the Sabres. His case is interesting. If the 24 games in 2020-21 are considered a full season (COVID), Benson will become AHL eligible at 19. Savoie is also CHL or NHL only this season by ONE DAY. He has a Jan 1st B-day. If he was one day older, he'd be AHL eligible this season.

Thus next man up. KA has many internal candidates to keep the team moving forward. He can keep VO. He can expand the roles of Krebs and Mitts. He can give Kulich, Rousek, Savoie or Benson a shot. He can sign a FA to assume the Krebs 4C role if he elevates Krebs. Plenty of options and plenty of cap room to make decisions with. I don't think this injury will derail the offense much and long-term I don't think it will derail Quinn's career. We have seen this before. Tage Thompson went through something similar and look where he is today. Yes, it was shoulder surgery, but the recovery time is similar and the for someone with Tage's shot, a major shoulder injury could have easily derailed his career. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-tage-thompson-injury-update/c-313918708

No it didn’t. Thank G-d.