erickompositör72

You can't say that. Lehner will not get a starting job in the NHL. Ullmark still has yet to prove himself, but his fundamentals are far more sound than Lehner's.

I agree that after Tavares et all are spoken for, O'Reilly's value will increase. I believe there will be a team out there willing to overpay for him. The question becomes- will the return jibe with Botterill's vision for the team? Can he make it work with his vision? Even if you can get an "over-payment," isn't it still necessary that those pieces work with your system? If they don't, might we still be better off sticking with ROR?

They're not mutually exclusive And we don't have an opportunity to do any "winning" between now and June, and I'm sure we'd like a better image for free agents this off-season

Well, there is nothing in/around/near Buffalo like NYC There are neighborhoods on Long Island with a very similar feel to parts of Western NY. WNY has the nicest people, but there are plenty of nice people on the Island. There's really not much draw to WNY unless you know it intimately and decide it's for you.

It all made sense. In Allen's interview, he used all the McDermott key words (humble, etc) Should you really draft a QB because you think he's a good, like-minded person?

I wanted him

Airbnb or similar is the best option. You will get ###### hotels for prices you can find a nice, private efficiency for. Brooklyn is not a good option for getting to either Citi Field or Yankee Stadium if you get something close to the 7 train between Manhattan and Citi Field (Woodside or Jackson Heights), you'll be in great shape and have cool neighborhoods to explore

you must be a blast at parties :P

He seemed to be getting knocked over every time he touched the puck. Maybe that contributed?

OK, well I stole this concept from someone I know who's in the business, who was telling me his opinion on the Sabres. I think it's the most apt way to put our situation. It has a little more nuance than "not enough talent" or "no heart." What I read into this concept is: we don't have clear strengths and weaknesses as a team. On the contrary, when a team with an identity prepares for a game, they can look at it from two ends of a spectrum: 1. Our opponent is a great match-up for us. Let's do what we do best (Housley wants that to be fast transition, puck-moving defense, high pace, etc. Suffice it to say, we're not there yet) 2. Our opponent is a tough match-up for us. We need to focus on the little things and be aware of our weaknesses. We need to pay extra attention to details This is an over-simplification, but it is a mindset with which a team with an identity can approach different opponents, and use to improve throughout a season- building on strengths and shoring up weaknesses. I think Housley's and Botterill's main task is building an identity for the Sabres. This assessment actually gives me some hope, because there really hasn't been enough time yet for a team with a real identity to be assembled.

Have you guys ever had that goalie on your team, who you always yell "leave it, leave it!!" ...but he insists on playing it, even though he's awful at handling the puck? That's Lehner. A goalie who can't even assess his own puck handling skills shouldn't be in the NHL

Maybe Casey can bless him to expedite the process

I hear you, and I agree that Nylander needs a bigger click. Perhaps 2 clicks- one to get to NHL level, and another to get to the level we hope is his ceiling. Although with Reinhart, I disagree. I don't think he ever showed such strength on the puck and willingness to control the flow/pace of play as he did starting in '18.

Remember how Reinhart suddenly clicked? I think that's what we're hoping for for Nylander. It's not unprecedented, and we're due, aren't we? ;)

I talked to someone in the business about this. It seems that he frustrates the hell out of coaches/scouts/GM's because he just floats (and perhaps isn't exactly a 2-way force; just a guess, I haven't watch him lately) The fact is, though, whether he's a "golden boy" or not, whether he plays the game "the right way" or not, he puts the puck in the net. Period.

My question is: if we don't make a run for the cup in '19-'20, how do we afford the $20mil/yr, going forward, that Casey will no doubt command (not to mention, be the sole reason the NHL approves that scale of increase to maximum yearly salary)?

Love the vid. "where would Dahlin be a good fit?" "...he'd be a great fit with Connor McDavid!"

full disclosure- I have not watched Vanek at all this year, but... I feel he could be a true Anderchuk 2.0 through the end of his career. He doesn't need to have any more speed that Okposo and he'll still be effective at parking in front of the net and finishing And he's strong on the puck and can pass put him back on the 3rd line and let him put the puck in the net when he gets a chance

I'd bet on Vanek putting the puck in the net over Okposo Pominville Girgensons Larsson Pouliot Wilson

I think Vanek Face + Eichel Pout could be an unstoppable duo

I know hindsight 20/20, etc, but... Can someone explain to me why we didn't sign Vanek last year? Did we not want his 20g 30a?

I cringe actually saying this as a goaltender, but... maybe they should shoot at Lehner's mask in warm-ups on nights when he's starting...

I believe good teammates will do the trick. And I don't blame him, TBH

Jack, none of us will hold it against you if you shoot 100% of the time on a 2-on-1 with Jordan Nolan

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: