GASabresIUFAN

Just without players

It’s weird. Both CBS and the Athletic had the story on their NHL pages. I never even bothered to look at the date. Oops.

Where is Casey’s little brother Luke going to get drafted?

Can McKenzie replace Beasley long term?

So glad TM gave Jack and Sam such a wonderful role model to emulate. https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/sharks-evander-kane-files-for-bankruptcy-totally-26-8-million-worth-of-debt-per-reports/amp/

That’s not true. He can recalled from Juniors to the NHL during the season on an emergency recall. The Sabres once called up Marty Biron from the Q.

Kane files for bankruptcy with around 25 mill in debt.

That’s an amazing Xmas gift. I’m sure that dog with always appreciate your gift of a loving home. Also getting out of Kentucky is an amazing gift as well.

That’s a serious display of raw Power.

Invisible

Is Rosen even playing?

Should we merge the Covid protocol threads into one Sabres Players in Covid Protocol thread? This way we can keep track of who is in and who is coming out in on thread.

We still need to learn to stop the run.

Does this make Subban Taxi Squad eligible?

I reacted terribly to the first two shots. So far so good, but we’ll see.

@Norcal did you mean Rosen vs the guy maybe we should have drafted in Svechkov? Bad penalty on Novikov that costs Russia a goal.

to paraphrase Stephen Bishop On and on (THEY) just keeps on trying And (FANS) smile when T(he)Y feel like crying On and on, On and on, On and on

Got my booster today. So many stories about Omicron ruining Xmas everywhere. Omicron is going to get everyone eventually. Time to get the taxi squads.

The solution to this mess is a taxi squad. I’m not sure why this hasn’t been done already.

Do tickets for Elton John and Tears for Fears count?

There are a couple of additional issues with the Sabres that the Pegulas may want to avoid by selling now, but which a new owner committed to WNY might need resolved before they purchase the team. They are the $250 mill needed to renovate and upgrade Key Bank Center and the lease which expires in 2025. I can also see the argument that a new owner would want a say in both how the renovations are done and the term & $ of the new lease.

First of all he won't take a loss selling the team right now. The value has certainly increased in general since he acquired the team. Second there is such a thing as asset rich and cash poor. If he needs cash now, I can see him bringing in a partner or selling, but I think that is unlikely. People like the Pegulas didn't get where they are being selling good assets at bargain prices. If KA's plan works, the revenue it generates and therefore the franchise value will increase substantially in the next few years. If he wants out, he'll sell then.

The goaltending is still not a bright spot. In fact its the greatest source of uncertainty on the team. Anderson is still 40 and likely to get hurt again. Subban has never been able to stick in the NHL. Tokarski is a AAAA goalie and UPL has 9 games of NHL experience with 26 of AHL experience, making him the definition of unproven. His excellent play of late is encouraging. Of the goalies only UPL is waivers exempt. Anyone we send down might actually get claimed given the issues with Covid around the NHL. Tokarski is the likely player to get sent down and if lost it won’t exactly be the end of the world. How KA handles the goalie situation will be very telling. Right now keeping UPL in Buffalo is the best option for making the Sabres competitive this season. The team still has 52 games left and plays a much more complete game when Anderson and UPL are in the net. The question is how serious is KA about the Sabres being competitive this season? Assuming UPL continues to play well, if he still sends UPL down once Tokarski and/or Anderson return, then I think we’ll have the answer to that question. He can delay the decision by putting Anderson and Tokar in the AHL on conditioning assignments, but at some point he will have to make a decision.

Yes, because the league would mandate a local owner or someone willing to keep the team in Buffalo. I still have misgivings about KA, but I’m more bullish on the future then I’ve been for years.

While Chychrun doesn't have to play the left side, what is his highest and best use? Next season we are starting with LHD Dahlin, Bryson, Power, Samuelsson at the NHL level. Where does Chychrun fit? Doesn't he bring the same general skill set of Dahlin, Power and to a lesser extent Bryson? I just don't see the need. If we need another puck mover, we have a guy developing very nicely according to the Amerks HC in Laaksonen and he is a cheap RHD. Give me a veteran stay at home D to help mentor Power and Dahlin and who can still play. That should be our agenda, not another puck mover and offensive oriented D from another loser organization.