GASabresIUFAN

Because we demoted Jost

Sad

Everything we are seeing comes down to goaltending. When are goalies make some big stops early the team feeds off the energy and usually plays well. When the goalies get beat early, their fault or not, the team collapses. Inconsistent goaltending, inconsistent team. KA is going to leave Levi and UPL in place for the season as part of his “growing pains” development season strategy. Here is the worse news. Both guys will be back next year as well. Expect a younger status quo roster for next season with more kids replacing the vets at forward. Yeah.

Sabres again fail to show up except of course the line centered by Mitts.

What time does the Sabres game start?

Matt Roy from LA?

When was Greenway waived? Robinson was waived and then traded for, but we traded the LV 2nd rd pick (and a 5th in 2024) for Greenway with two years remaining on his deal. He'll have one year left on his contract after this season. I'm in no hurry to trade Greenway, but if trading him helps get us a legit top 4 D than so be it. However, I think our prime assets to acquire a top 4 D are 2 of Kulich, Rosen, Östlund, and Savoie plus our 1st (top 5 protected) in 2024.

I think they do. We do have prospects like Kulich, Rosen and Savoie who are listed as C/W, but I think both project as wingers in the NHL. The only good prospects that project as NHL centers are Östlund and Wahlberg and both at probably a few years away. Krebs is a bust and DG has been pretty clear that he also prefers Mitts on the wing. That leaves us with just 2 centers in TNT and DC. If I we KA, one goal with the forward group is to find two centers; one for the 3rd line and one for the 4th. I'd shift Mitts to wing and Krebs (if re-signed) to the 13th forward slot. This would give us incredible depth down the middle and force the prospect to earn an NHL wing slot. If we had injuries down the middle, like this season, Mitts and/or Krebs could slot in as needed.

If I were the Sabres GM, my off-season would look something like this. I’d move on from KO, Z, VO and Jost upfront. I’d move on from UPL, Joki, EJ and Clifton in goal and on defense. Trading Clifton will be hard. Those moves create 3 starting roster spots at forward, 3 on defense and one in goal. Ryan Johnson earns one of the 3 D openings. I’d give Krebs a cheap one year prove it deal and pencil him in as the 13th forward. I’m also ok if he is traded. I’m putting 2 of Kulich, Rosen, Savoie and Östlund in the trade market with our top pick in 2024. shoring up the D is the top priority with at least one proven top 4 D. I’m also looking to add a good center or two. My dream scenario is to get a possible 3rd line center to allow Mitts to move back to wing.

Which of those 9 are you trading? Skinner, a top goal scorer, has a complete NMC and a huge contract. Tuch is an excellent all around player when healthy on a bargain contract with a M-NTC. He is also the poster child for “wants to be here.” TNT is the team’s top center, top goal scorer and on a reasonable to cheap contract. Benson, Quinn and JJP are on their ELCs and are already among our better forwards at driving offense. So that leaves Cozens and Mitts. The Sabres lack centers. They don’t have any near ready in the A. Would they ditch young DC one year into a lengthy extension? Would they trade away Mitts, who is their best 2 way forward, most versatile forward and possibly their best playmaker? While I agree that something has to change, I think it’s much more likely change come from moving on from picks and prospects being moved for help.

Where do you see Greenway playing for Buffalo next season? TNT, Skinner, Tuch, Cozens, JJP, Quinn, and Benson are all top 9 forwards under contract. When Mitts is re-signed that’s 8 top 9 forwards. Now if one of Rosen, Kulich or Savoie make the Sabres, the 9 top 9 forwards. That relegates Greenway to the 4th line. Is it worth paying Greenway $3 mill to be a 4th liner? What if trading Greenway helps get us a 2 way center or a top 4 D, I think KA would have to consider it especially if he believes Greenway to destined to be a 4th line player next season.

Wayne Gretzky got traded. Everyone is available depending on price and situation, even players with NMC/NTCs. Also given the performance of the Sabres, KA should be listening to any offer other teams want to make. I loved the Greenway acquisition. He was acquired to improve the PK and make us tougher, but he is adding less on the scoresheet than hoped. So he is worth keeping for two more years at $3 mill per year if he gives 4th line O production or could he be traded to improve the defense? I certainly wouldn’t trade him for futures unless the futures are packaged to improve the D. For example, Greenway is traded for a depth forward and 1st rd pick and the 1st is package with Joki to add a top 4 D.

He isn't being traded. Why would you trade your best 2 way forward, your most versatile forward and probably your best playmaking at forward? You wouldn’t. Now add that VO, Z, VO, Jost, Bryson, Stillman, Comrie, Robinson, and E Johnson are all coming off the books (approx $22 million in cap hits), there should be plenty of money to retain Mitts.

That was one of two calls there were real head-scratchers. Thee other was the helmet-to-helmet hit right before the half. How was that not a penalty? All it did was knock out our player for the game and maybe the season.

Watching the GB game. They have a boat load of good young receivers in Watson (ir), Reed (who helped me win a fantasy league), Doubs, Wicks and Melton. That's crazy depth.

How many restaurants do you frequent with mediocre food?

Last night: Lucky For the season: inconsistent, mediocre, incompetent, cooked, etc….

This is true, but the Sabres still gave up 45 shots on goals including 10 HDC. Sabres lose this game but for the video replays and UPL’s excellent play.

3 stars 1. UPL 2. Sabres video staff 3. Crosby

I wouldn't read too much into it. He has been great in the WHL with 2 pts per game and was very effective in his limited time in Rochester. Now that he has been traded to Moose Jaw, let's see how he does with his new team and in the WHL playoffs.

With the World Jrs now complete, how did our prospects do and did it change the rankings? 1. Kulich was as expected. 6 goals, 12 pts, captain for the Czechia team and tourney all-star. Helped Czechia metal for the 2nd straight year, earning a Bronze metal. 2. Östlund was better than I expected. Excellent speed and maybe Sweden’s best driver of offense. 3 goals, 10 points and a Silver metal. Still needs more muscle mass if he is going to make an impact in the NHL. Ryan Leonard (USA) out muscled him for a goal late in the gold metal game. 3. Strbak was also better than expected. He was Slovakia’s best D, skating over 23:30 per game and added 1g 7 pts in only 5 games. 4. Wahlberg was solid for the Swedes. 2nd youngest player on the roster. 3 pts in 7 games including a GWG. 5. Savoie was a huge disappointment as was Team Canada. 1 pt in 4 games before getting hurt. 6. Panocha - Skated a regular shift for Germany playing in all 5 games. 7. Ratzlaff - The goalie did not appear in a game for Canada. I’m not sure the rankings I posted earlier change, except I’d upgrade Strbak to our 9th best prospect and might slot Wahlberg 10th.

He is currently the NHL leader in goals by a D with 11.

Question Amerks fans; Have the additions of Bryson and Stillman made the Amerks better?

What timeline issues? Komarov and Lindgren will be 20 before next season and Komarov is already signed to his ELC. I don't see any reason that either guy would return to Jrs for an overage season. Once in Rochester, we'll get a better feeling for their future. Strbak played nearly 24 minutes a game for the Slovak team and was, by all accounts, a rock for them. I can see him returning to MSU for a 2nd season, but after that, KA will get him to Rochester. Also, don't forget that Rochester has a much older D group. Novikov is the youngest D currently in Rochester by 5 years. Bryson, Clague, Stillman, Cecconi, and Davies are all on expiring contracts. As to Novikov, he is 3rd among Amerks D in pts with 11 and the D leader in +/- with +4. This is also his 3rd pro season (2 in the KHL ) and will be 21 in July. He is also huge at 6'4 209. Honestly, I would be surprised if he doesn't make a run at a job with the Sabres in the fall.

I was watching Seinfeld.