GASabresIUFAN

You have zero idea what these guys are worth. None. Mitts is on pace for a 45-50 pt season. Giving his contract $ and cap hit, another year on his deal and RFA status, he could be worth as much as a 1st rd pick. Just because you and others have soured on him doesn’t mean other teams have. Many teams are desperate for skill forwards just as we are for talent on D. Krebs has a ton of talent. So many teams would love to have a forward of his skill set, age (21), and talent in their system. He could easily fetch a D prospect, much like the Nylander/Jokiharju deal. Because we have a system loaded with other talented forwards like Savoie, Rosen, Kulich and Östlund, so many here are ready to move from other talented forwards who haven’t yet reached their potential or are struggling this season. This is a huge luxury, but as we have seen with Tage, development isn’t a straight line. Don’t be surprised if neither guy is moved this season or this off-season as the Sabres have contract control on both players Honestly, I’d move VO, play Krebs at center with Mitts on the wing and find a physical forward to forecheck and create space for them and see how the season plays out. That said, I do think neither player will be here beyond next season, but one never knows. I thought Tage was a bust prior to last season.

Isn't there something wrong with having to feed your kid line to Compher so that your more veteran line gets a lighter assignment? If we are going to get the most out of Mitts and VO while they are still here, DG is going to have to take a page from Lindy Ruff's coaching book and assign them a player like Girgensons who is willing to forecheck and be physical on the back end.

The core is easy to identify - Forwards - Tage, Tuch, Cozens, JJP and Quinn (with Skinner because of his contract) Defense - Dahlin, Power & Samuelsson I know this, you know this, everyone who has watched them play knows this. I think they like Joki in general but wouldn't hesitate to move him in the right real. Girgensons is the most valuable of the others because he plays a physical brand of hockey they need in the bottom 6. As for the rest, including Mitts, Krebs, VO and Asplund they shouldn't hesitate to move. They should move KO to the front office after this season unless he wants to keep playing and if he does thank him for his service and say Buh-Bye. The rest are garbage or roster filler. With the exception of Krebs and Mitts, most of these conclusion we knew coming into this season. Those 2 forwards the jury was still out on and know we pretty much know that we can move on when a prospect is ready. VO's verdict was in when KA only gave him a 2 year deal. He'll be traded by the deadline.

The plan was if Comrie went down or Anderson went down, UPL would split the time to see if he is NHL ready. He isn't and the plan has stunk for 2 years. Ka is to "patient" (read stubborn) to fix the problem. It's abundantly clear that changes on defense and goaltending are necessary but they won't be made.

I received Tage 2 years ago and Asplund last year. As I said, still waiting on this years. Tage has worked out so far. Honestly, I'm hoping for one of the 3 rookies.

I’m pretty sure it’s Asplund. It looks like just like the autograph I received last year. I also donated this year but haven’t received anything yet.

Asplund

The 4th line was also lousy last night. I’d like to see DG shuffle the guys in 3rd and 4th lines to try to reset the chemistry.

The lack of goaltending and the lack of proper D depth goes back to the GM’s lack of commitment to winning. These needs have existed for the last two off-seasons and have yet to be properly filled. The D & G depth acquired by KA over these 2 off-seasons are Pysyk, Hagg, Butcher, Lyubushkin, Anderson, Dell, Comrie, and Subban. Not exactly a roll call of championship quality players. Maybe KA will eventually be committed to winning, but he isn’t right now.

Losing may not be acceptable to the players or even the coaches, but so far KA hasn’t shown yet that losing isn’t acceptable. Until management is committed fo winning the team won’t win.

2005?

Choke

Is Skinner giving figure skating lessons to his teammates. Even Fitz is spinning.

Do we like the shift timer?

Tage needed to pass that puck

That’s not a penalty

Brutal. Tomorrow

JJP makes great quick decisions with the puck.

JJP makes such good quick decisions with the puck.

The players also want to win. You can give them real goaltending and better depth on D without hurting anything. Shoot the dang puck Vinnie.

The best thing about this team is the close bound between the players. They genuinely want each other to succeed. It’s one of the reasons I’m so annoyed with KA not giving the team the support it needs.

Ultimately a good period, but some pretty piss poor goaltending from Det. Some dumb penalties. Really happy for Mule. He deserved a break.

The comparison to Levi is Ryan Miller.

What? Why would anyone compare Baptiste to Quinn? Nick was a 3rd rd pick who had 48 points his draft year. Quinn was a top 10 pick who had 52 goals his draft year (& 89 pts total). In the AHL Quinn had an all time great season at 20 years old, Nick not so much. Talk about apples or oranges. The comparison of Petersen is Portillo. Their college numbers are very similar.