GASabresIUFAN

Small sample size. Also he was a guy based on last year's shooting % that was likely to regress this year. I do agree with Curt that he has been better of late, but no one was good yesterday.

No worries, no one is claiming Pilut either when he has to clear waivers.

If you acquire someone better than Fitz, why does it matter if you waive him? Odds are he won’t get claimed. If he does, so what.

That’s correct. There are no legit prospects in Rochester on defense. Acquiring someone, even someone with term, wouldn’t block anyone. From KA’s point of view, I think he and DG like the top 6 when everyone is healthy. Getting someone like Myers would complicate their goal of max PT for guys like Bryson and Joki. While I would agree seeing what we have in those two is important, I saw enough in the first 5 games to believe that with a good D group we could be a legit playoff contender this season. It’s time to move on from a strictly developmental goal for the team and try to field a winner. Making a bold move to shore up the defense now would help that winning narrative. I’m just not sure KA is willing to be that bold. What happens if no more development is possible for those players?

The truth is almost no team in the NHL can lose 50% of their top four D without seeing a significant drop in the quality of play. However, the GM’s job is to limit that drop off as much as possible. For a team with a rookie in Power and the average age of the top 4 of 21.5 getting veteran depth was a greater necessity than for many other teams and adding only Bush wasn’t enough. With 19 mill in cap space he certainly has the money to correct the mistske, but does he have the will? Sadly, I don’t think he’ll act to fill that hole, even if the team languishes for the next few games.

Nor is Fitz.

This was bound to happen. Upbeat press, over achieving goalies, some bad metrics, and down to one top 4 D (in Dahlin). Power is a raw rookie, Lyubushkin is a good 5, Bryon a 6 and Fitz and Pilut AAAA players at best. As I noted in the D injury thread, KA needs to work the phones and get help. Signing Davidson is great for Rochester, but that doesn't help the Sabres. The Atlantic is a gauntlet. KA owes it to the guys who are here to give them a few games to settle in and play better, but if by game 10-11 they continue to struggle, KA should make a move to help the situation.

I’m out

Worst period of the year

Shoot idiots

Was that a power play?

I guess playing the 7 & 8 D isn’t a good thing.

I assume he means Okposo

KA is very deliberate. He most likely going to give Pilut and Fitz a legit chance to succeed before making a trade. The caveat is if someone makes an offer he can’t refuse

Why would it be a negative to the locker room? If anything they’d likely view it as a positive that their GM has faith in them and is supporting the team in their hour of need. When is the last time you heard players pissed that the GM made deadline additions to fill holes in the roster? The added bonus is that he is signed for another year and depending on his play and our needs he could be traded at the deadline or in the offseason or if he plays well he could earn a role next season as well. His cap hit would also free up KA to trade Bishop’s contract for other assets.

he should have re-signed Ullmark long before things went the way they did. That said, I agree with you there was no reason to protect an UFA goalie just to keep a very short exclusive negotiating period. It was unlikely Sea would have picked and signed him because his agents would have told them he wanted to go to a playoff team.

This is great to hear. He was the prospect I was most down on given his performance last year. Maybe he just needed a stable environment and not being shuttled league to league. If he can emerge as a top prospect, he and Savoie could force KA to make some really hard decisions next off-season. Long way to go, but what a nice problem to have. It wasn’t that long ago we couldn’t even field a legit NHL team.

It could have been worse. You could have said “Your best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with a girl who saw Hickey at 31 Flavors last night wearing an Amerks hat.”

Nothing KA has done in the last two season implies that is even a possibility. If he makes a deal, I think you’ll see something like Schenn for a 2nd or less. One interesting note is that Thomas Hickey is still un-signed. The 33 year old LHD has been a very good player in this league and plays the type of game which would compliment our other guys. Probably couldn’t hurt to bring him in for a look see. (Please note he was released from a PTO this camp by the Devils I think).

Sabres win 4-3 in a tight game. Goal scores Dahlin, Asplund, Skinner and Vinnie (who is owed a goal by the hockey gods). We also survive the game with 6 healthy D.

I made a similar comment to my wife on Sunday as we had no choice but to watch the Falcons (and Red Zone). So many lousy teams in the NFL right now. Even “good” teams like the NYG (NJG actually) and Dallas are un-watchable. KC, Buffalo and even Philly are playing a better brand of football right now. I hate to give props to Philly, as I loath all Philly teams, but I saw Hurts a ton in college and I’m not surprised he is succeeding in the NFL.

I'm sure Power has one he can borrow! Even the colors are close.

As to Mule, him being out a month is bad, but considering the way the injury looked he, the team and the fans, should be very relieved that he is only out a month. He's had pretty rotten luck on the injury front the last two seasons. As to Joki, hope he take his time and allows those bones to heal and set properly.

and so the wait continues.

I left the word “seriously” off my post. Sue me! I don’t feel finishing 7th or worse in the Norris voting being seriously considered for the award.