erickompositör72

He's waiting at the bar for him with Doug Whaley and Tim Murray

Completely agree, which (IMO) makes the sentiments I was responding to hold even less water

I was mostly inclined to respond because of the quote of turning down an interview. The points you make definitely make sense. However (and now this is a different point), I don't think the Sabres situation is as dire as some might be making it. It could be a great opportunity for a coach to really turn things around, with many building blocks in place.

Thanks for the recap- interesting thoughts from PH. Glad I didn't end up putting you on ignore 😛

Wondering why some are strongly opposed to Ruff. I'm not advocating either way, but he was the coach for the best Sabres teams I've ever watched. Seems like he was only fired to facilitate the tank.

Only true when they have other offers.

With all due respect, I think this notion is absurd. Anyone who doesn't already have a job offer will interview here. It's a head coaching position in the NHL. These spots don't grow on trees.

I'm sorry, but the reality is: 32 jobs exist in the world for this profession, and if one is open and you get offered one, you take it. Plus, the ego of a head coach-type is such that they will believe they have what it takes to improve any situation, even if presenting a great challenge.

MSG-B gassing up Comrie every moment is vomit-inducing

I got into hockey in the mid-90s as a young kid in Buffalo, so I didn’t see Gretzky in his prime. I’ve seen Ovechkin’s whole career, and I’m cheering for the dude. He’s a force of nature. This is neither here nor there, as far as this thread goes, but… During my time as a hockey fan, at live games, the person I was the most terrified of whenever they had the puck was always… …Jagr

If you are implying that the Sabres development "plan" for Benson was to play him in the NHL, I completely disagree. I believe they gave him his handful of games, and he showed that he was one of the guys that belonged here. I believe Benson forced their hand, not the other way around.

Click your user name at the top right. The pull-down menu should have an option "ignored users"

The team just wasn't there at that point. Let's hope this is a new beginning, and they are now for the foreseeable future

Can't believe that didn't go it

I don't understand what any of this has to do with UPL. You think they should play him 5 games straight, incl. a back-to-back? Also, ego can be a good thing in professional sports. Ego and pretentiousness (which I don't get from Levi) are different things. A very confident young goalie coming in (with talent to back it up) could also charge up the locker room, especially as there's a new leadership group. We're all just speculating, but you seem to have gone in the extreme negative direction.

Islanders broadcast is insufferable. Saying that it was interference because of his right skate

Yes, I'm also currently tracking it as how many more regulation losses we can sustain (3 being that number). If we lose a couple in OT, that reduces the total wins we need by 1 (13), but also reduces the total # of regulation losses we can sustain by 1.

I definitely can see that. My worry is whether we have enough assets for other needs we may have (whatever they may be...) Do you see a potential where other needs may be compromised by paying a high price for a backup? Or do you think other needs are not at the same priority level? Apologies for referencing so much in the abstract.

In theory, I think it makes sense. However, the idea of him getting as much playing time and as many starts as possible seems extremely valuable. I fear having him as the backup would not allow for that.

Sorry, I was referring to a situation that you referenced: UPL's "nights off" being planned starts for Levi. I will edit the original post

I'm excited about the prospect of UPL continuing (and even improving further?!) his great play into next season. I've also come around to see the value in letting Levi start in Rochester. His incredible play at the end of last season was an exciting glimpse into what he can become, but he does, indeed, need to find his groove. Is there a way to have Levi be both the starter in Rochester, and start in Buffalo for all of UPL's "nights off"? I feel like the Sabres hinted at a little of this during the current season. I am concerned about the assets that bringing in a solid, proven #2 'tender might require.

Interesting idea. Does Kessel has a personal relationship with/connection to KA, DG, or another person high on the totem pole of Sabres' staff? Seems a move like this would only be made in that circumstance.

Power is a different player since coming back from his injury. Excited to see him continue to grow

I'm still using 93pts as the benchmark: As things stand (before playing Winnipeg tonight), they need to go: 15 - 5 - 1 14 - 4 - 3 13 - 3 - 5 12 - 2 - 7 11 - 1 - 9 10 - 0 - 11 They could go 10 - 11 (if they lose all 11 games in overtime) and possibly get in! Something tells me UPL could have a say...

I am particularly cursed, because I became obsessed with the Sabres during Hasek's era in the 90s. I remember my father and my brother telling me "don't get your hopes up, they're going to lose in the first round" ... "don't get your hopes up, there's no way they beat the [Flyers, etc.] this series" ...and they kept winning! Now I expect the unrealistic. And here I am.