GASabresIUFAN

KA is definitely going to have to find the "right guy." I'm not sure who that is which is why I started the thread. The guy needs to be a good defensive player, experienced enough to have respect in the locker-room, hopefully come from a winning organization, young enough to be here for a period of 2-4 years and be willing to mentor younger players. He also has to be available in trade, someone KA wants and is willing to pay for and if he has a NMC/NTC he has to be willing to come here. That's a tough checklist. I listed 15 possible players, but maybe 5 or less might actually fit the bill. KA needs to be looking for a defensive version of Teppo Numminnen.

No just no!

Most revenue bonds are not burdens of the issuing county or state but obligations only of the issuing authority. In this case it would be the Erie County Stadium authority. Some do carry a guarantee from the state or county, but this only comes into play if the project fails. In addition these bonds are typically issued with sinking funds. A portion of the revenue automatically goes to the sinking fund to retire the bonds over time. The revenue from the project should be more than enough to cover the interest and eventual principal payments or no rating agency would rate the bonds for public sale. As to the balance of the project over the $850 mill, the NFL is putting in 200 mill and PGE must match at least that amount. The article I read wasn't clear beyond that. As to other governmental projects, Erie County Schools has their own issuing authority. Others include the convention center, the water authority etc.. My guess is Kaleida Healthcare has one as well in partnership with Erie County. Each of these agencies carry their own debt limits and credit rating. PS For those wishing a greater understanding of muni bonds and how they work, I can be messaged privately.

It's how I feel watching Miller and Butcher, although I loved Butcher in college.

Wow! Now there is a pop culture reference. Talk about a diverse character actor in Daniel Davis. Butler on the Nanny, Moriarty on STNG, and as a carrier Captain in the Hunt for Red October. Now back on topic, I don't think Niles works on our D group.

I did put he has been better defensively this year, but I agree he isn't the answer to our needs. I do think he will be available this off-season.

and they need to be age 20 or having had completed 3 years of CHL hockey. The exceptions are guys lent to the CHL from Europe such as us placing UPL in the CHL or Nylander being loaned to the CHL from his Swedish team.

I was playing with Capfriendly looking for RHD (or guys who can play both) from cap strapped teams that could be a good fit in Buffalo. I don't know if all or any are actually available, but most should be for the right price. Also keeping in mind that we have 18 mill in cap space just to get to the cap floor. This list is from most cap strapped to least under the current season's cap. 1) Montreal Savard: Age 31, 3 years left at 3.5 Petry: Age 34, 3 yrs @ 6.25 M-NTC & NMC 2) TB Cernak: Age 24, 1 yr @ 2.95 then an RFA (no I don't actually think he's available, but one can dream) 3) Edm Ceci: Age 28, 3yrs @ 3.25 - In Zone D has been very good this year. 4) Wpg DeMelo: Age 28, 2 yrs @ 3.0 5) Van Myers: Age 32, 2 yrs @ 6.0, NTC 6) Washington Orlov: Age 30, 1 year @ 5.1, M-NTC Jensen: Age 31, 1 yr @ 2.5 7) Philly Ellis: Age 31, 5 years @ 6.25 8.) Florida Gudas: Age 31, 1 year @ 2.5 9) Colorado Johnson: Age 34, 1 yr @ 6.0, NMC & M-NTC 10) Calg Tanev: Age 32, 2 yrs @ 4.5, M-NTC 11) Minn Dumba: Age 27: 1 yr @ 6.0, M-NTC 12) NYI Mayfield: Age 29, 1 year @ 1.45 13) Seattle Larsson: Age 29, 3 years @ 4.0, NTC The two that stand out for me as best bang for the buck cap wise are Wash's Jensen and Mon's Savard. Dumba from a long-term standpoint would be a great addition, but KA would likely have to give him an extension to get him to waive his M-NTC.

Agree. Our mostly likely source of the veteran RHD is the trade market. I can see a guy being acquired in trade for a season or two and then re-signing once this team turns around. I don’t see top level FA’s coming here until we prove that rebuild 4.0 is working. Will Mon trade us Savard?

‘? Not sure what your asking. If the stadium was privately funded, the income would go to the Bills and the other private investors. The county/state would receive RE and sales tax revenue.

Whether to have the Bills or not or to build them a stadium or not is a question for the people of Erie County. It doesn’t change the fact that this is a non-issue to the taxpayers as they will not bear this burden. Counties also generally don’t issue debt to fund programming. They are mostly funded with sales tax revenue and RE taxes. Most county debt is revenue type bonds issued to build schools, hospitals, water systems etc…. and these stadium bonds will not limit Erie’s ability to do these projects as well. Saying that this $850 mill could be diverted to other things is simply untrue. This money is only being raised for the stadium and if they weren’t building the stadium the bonds wouldn’t be issued at all.

Not a single $ is going to be taken away from your coveted social programs. The county will float $850 in muni bonds. These bonds will be sold primarily to insurance companies, mutual funds and pension funds. The interest on the bonds will come from the Bills and stadium revenue. Using the county’s ability to access the muni bond market just makes the project more efficient and cost effective. It is much harder for PGE to raise the money on it’s own.

Actually Levi staying an extra year makes KA’s off-season easier. Portillo is a year older and probably ready to start his pro career. KA’s plan would become acquire a proven NHL starter to stabilize the net. Then re-sign UPL and let him try to win the NHL backup job. Sign a second veteran to be either the NHL backup or mentor in the AHL (like Tokarski). If UPL isn’t NHL ready, then he starts in the AHL with Portillo in the ECHL. If UPL is ready, Portillo begins in the AHL.

He was trying to take advantage of the momentum. They had won like 5 draws in a row and were buzzing the Michigan net for the last 10 minutes. He thought they would win the draw (they did) and continue the same pressure. One bad pass and game over. I have no problem with the decision. I wish DG had done it earlier when we had team hemmed in their zone.

Portillo is ready for Rochester. Michigan allows shots like the Amerks.

That may or may not be true, but he is perfect comparable in situation. Late Round pick who dominates college hockey as a sophomore on a young talented team, who wins the Hobey Baker (or is nominated for it). Miller went back for one more season to try to win it all. Levi may make the same decision. Also Levi's development has been pretty fantastic with pro hockey.

FYI on Northeastern's team. They have 8 drafted players, and 15 Freshman and Sophomores. Jack Hughes is most likely to be drafted in the 1st rd. They also have a few 2nd rd picks. This is a young and talented team despite comments to the contrary. I can easily see Levi going back to see if he and the other kids can push this team even higher. Ryan Miller made the same decision after winning the Hobey Baker to try to win a National Championship.

No, but there are many reasons to stay and only one to leave. I see you ignored that Miller made the decision to stay in a nearly identical situation.

Miller went back after his Hobey Baker winning season. Power went back after being the 1st overall pick to play with all the other top picks. It’s not a question of personal accomplishment, the kid may have other goals besides pro hockey

The hold up could also be money. Levi is a 7th rd pick but correctly wants 1st rd money. He also may want to go back to college for another year because his team is so young. Who knows. He may also want to take a few days to think things over.

Now if we can just get him out of Russia.

I can almost guarantee that scouts were at the Michigan and Minnesota games to both watch Power/Portillo and Johnson/Huglen and just in case one or both teams lost.

He went to see Levi because Michigan wasn’t losing their first rd game. NE was a considerable underdog. As I’ve noted before, trade the under-performing UPL and assign Levi to the AHL and Portillo to the ECHL or vice versa.

Because you are a Buffalo sports fan.

So we should evaluate him only on 9 good games in the NHL vs 50 mediocre ones in the minors?