GASabresIUFAN

The Sabres can always retain some cap to help get a deal done. It’s not like Terry and Kevyn ever use all our cap space anyway.

Matt Ellis, the Matt Ellis of brothers to rookie goalies?

Our goaltending has been crap for years, but so far this season Lyon and now Ellis, in his first NHL game, have played well enough for the Sabres to win most night. Ellis was particularly strong last night making four or five critical saves. In Rochester is “key” acquisition Levi and late signee Georgiev. Levi is off to a bit of a slow start in Rochester in 2 starts, but has been excellent there the last 2 seasons and Georgiev is what he is and was solid in his one start so far. Last but not least is UPL. Adams spent big money on UPL after his one good pro season and he is now on a rehab assignment. He was very good in his first rehab start in Rochester. Adams has a very tough decision to make once UPL’s rehab assignment is over. If he waives either Lyon or Ellis, they will immediately be claimed. Ellis has an excellent minor league record and looked very much like an NHL goalie last night. I know StL was unhappy that the Sabres claimed him. Lyon is a proven NHL vet who was a starter the last 2 seasons in Det and has looked solid so far this season. I do think both have some trade value, but not much if rival GMs think Adams is backed into a corner. However, Adams is bound to UPL. He gave him the big contract. Will he really waive or trade UPL and run with Lyon and Ellis? I honestly believe that UPL might be the worst of the 5 goalies. Given his injury history and big contract, I would do anything I could to get out from under his deal. That’s me, not Adams. I believe an Ellis/Lyon combo is an upgrade over UPL and having two experienced guys in Rochester should be sufficient if either gets hurt. My guess is Adams does nothing immediately. I suspect Adams will carry all 3 goalies and play them all for a few weeks. This might be necessary to showcase that UPL is healthy and help his trade value, but given how bad our goaltending has been, Adams will want to keep his options open. What do you think will be the ultimate resolution?

There are many things to clean up. The defensive breakdowns that lead to both Det goals for example. Lack of scoring from the top players.

you want the lobster and the cracked crab?

Was this effort tonight because they were trying their hardest for the rookie goalie or was it an attempt to establish a more physical net front game? I hope it's the later.

Solid effort all around, but Ellis was the difference. Two breakaway saves and some other critical saves, especially on DeBrincat.

Does it matter?

Get the dang puck

I’ve been saying it for 4 years, but I’m talking about this season.

Just waive him and hope someone takes the cap hit.

If Doan breaks out, Adams will trade him so he doesn't have to sign him.

Too soon to say I never want to see UPL in Buffalo ever again?

Tuch nice screens on the last two goals.

Quinn is having a game.

Kozak needs to ge this team’s 4th line center going forward.

I disagree with your disagreement.

Other than Power’s lax play, good game by the Sabres so far.

Power literally did nothing on that Det goal. He didn’t take the man. Didn’t try to block the shot. He just waved at the player and puck as they went by.

This thread is very funny. Talk about a little premature JJP, age 23, 245 gp 69g, 85a, 145 pts Doan, age 23, 68gp, 14g, 19a, 33 pts.

Generally I agree. We desperately need goaltending and a top 6 playmaking center to turn this team around now, not 3-5 years from now. Adams has done the hockey trade - Byram for Mitts, Norris for Cozens. He has also done the top tier NHLer for a package of assets such as Eichel and JJP. He has done the NHLer for futures deals - such as dumping Montour, Reinhart and Risto, and made the futures for NHLer deals like the McLeod, Malenstyn and Greenway trades. All these moves haven’t brought the Sabres closer to the playoffs, because there is no plan at the managerial level. These trades illustrate a team spinning it’s wheels. Adams can’t be allowed to try to fix the mess he created. Before anymore mores can be done, Adams needs to be fired.

This is a very reasonable thought. The team does lack “winning” leadership on the ice and throughput the organization. As to no one is off limits, I understand the sentiment, but it’s hard to completely dismantle a team. No GM is moving on from Dahlin for example and it would take a huge huge offer to get Thompson given his relative bargain contract. Benson would likely be off limits as well. I can see a scenario for pretty much everyone else, even the guys I’d want to keep, depending on the offer.

Maybe

This is not a burn down the entire house thread. This is asking what you think might be a workable core of this team that could be supplemented through trades or FA signings to create a good roster. I’ll try to illustrate what I mean. When I look at the Sabres I see the following players I like or think can be part of the solution: Tage, Dahlin, Kulich, Benson, Byram, Kozak, Lyon (as a backup only), McLeod (only as a 3C), and possibly Doan, Timmins and Kesselring , but I haven’t seen enough of them to make an informed decision. Tuch and Zucker are players I like but are aging out. I’d also like to see Östlund and Helenius get NHL time in a proper role. Same goes for the two Russian D. Mrtka is making this team next season. This is basically what I see when I look at the team Benson ????? Thompson ???? Kulich Tuch Zucker McLeod Doan ???? Kozak ???? Dahlin ???? Byram ???? (Kesselring?) ???? (Mrtka in 2026) ???? (Timmins?) ????? Lyons

Not at all. We were discussing a possible trade of Power and I went to look at Adams trade history to try to formulate a trade that made sense. As I reviewed the trades it became apparent what Adams moves have done to destroy the roster. Adams traded away Eichel, Reinhart, Cozens and Mitts leaving the Sabres without a proven and heathy top 6 center. Instead the Sabres have oft injured shoot first Norris, a developing middle 6 in Kulich, 3rd liner McLeod and two 4th liners in Krebs and Kozak. None of these guys are playmakers.