irregularly irregular

Don't over analyze the tea leaves. Here is a guy looking at what could very well be his last year in the NHL, on a team that is swirling the drain for the past month, while he watches from the press box. Cries of desperation to get sent anywhere that he might have half a chance to breathe life into his career and get a one year, two way contract for next season. Just another bump in the road. By the end of October 2019, most will have forgotten his 20 games played this season for the Sabres.

If everyone would join me in displaying their handle in Svenska, I'm almost certain that he can win his first Norris this season. Hey, why not. This trick got us the #1 pick, so what do we have to do to get that Norris for young Mr. Dahlin?

He would not have been suspended if there was anything even remotely indicating a medical issue. Either mental or physical.

Bump in the road. Give it a week to shake out and when/if Berglund returns to the lineup, he better be playing his A+ game for the rest of the season. I agree that this would not have happened if there was a reasonable underlying cause. This might be the "wake up call" and a message to not only Berglund, but the team. Do your job to the best of your abilities, don't be a whiney brat and help us win games, or we will find someone else to fill that position.

Agreed. Although the good feelings brought about by the improved play this season are nice, it is a very perishable product. One injury, one DWI, one E. Kane type of event early some morning in a bar on Chippewa can change the course of the team. JBot is driving the franchise bus and likely has a plan. I'm more concerned about his ability to correct course when the road gets bumpy or a wheel falls off. The adjustments since the 2017-18 season are looking good (not great, but certainly good). I hope that all of you are with me when I want the Sabres to win Lord Stanley's Cup..... multiple times over the next decade.

Several solid takes from an assortment of knowledgeable participants. A special thanks to GA for the thoughtful and well written OP. It's wonderful to open up threads like this and see all of the great hockey know-how. I truly enjoy these types of conversations.

Classic reaction to the loss that ends a long winning streak. Almost all teams, regardless of the sport, seem to lack the ability to turn it back on again. Sabres are showing that tonight, although they have the 1 goal lead at the 2nd intermission. Lets hope there is someone in that locker room turning up the motivation to get back in the win column.

My understanding is that exposure is determined by seasons of service, as GA alluded to. Middy's 6 games do not trigger a year of service. The contract burning a year of ELC is strictly about the contract and not a determinate of service. I'm not a players agent or team executive, and I'm too ugly to play either on television. Feel free to correct me if you have a better understanding of the situation than I do.

Lots of variables at play with this thought process. First is that there have been no significant injuries (knocking on wood) to this point. If and when that occurs, is the depth there to overcome the loss of an important player? Is that depth sitting in the press box or is it with the Amerks? Secondly, seasonal fatigue will rear it's head. As the season progresses and the bumps and bruises multiply, it gets tougher every game to give everything you've got and be productive. I like the idea of rotating players up and down the lines as needed. Yes it messes with the chemistry, but it also recharges the batteries of guys like Pommers by allowing him a few games with reduced minutes against opponents less taxing. Like it or not, Pommers is a very big piece of this seasons success. Woody said it best. To date, this team is playing much better than any of us expected. I think that includes JBot and the Pegula's. They say they are building for the long term and the current winning record is just a bonus at this point in time. Build the team for the long run and multiple years of contending for and winning Lord Stanley's Cup! Let's not worry about the icing on the half baked cake. IF (a really big if) this cake is baking much quicker than anyone could have expected, and a particularly compelling flavor of icing is out there at the trade deadline, then maybe it would make sense. But that decision is a long time from now and there are lots of games to play before that can be considered. Now I'm suddenly hungry for cake. Bring me cake!

He has a very long leash. JBots is going to give him as much leash as he can, without damaging the team. It will be at least Thanksgiving before any move is made. And if it were to happen, it will have to be extremely obvious to everyone at the time that the move HAD to be made. I believe JBots has a long leash as well. Like 5 years long, but he can't be burning through coaches in the process. The Pegula's are trying hard to not be churning through GMs and coaches for both the Bills and the Sabres. They need to show they can endure the hardships and support their hires, not cut and run when things don't go as well as they think they should be going. Both leagues are watching and they have little room for error given the past few years with both teams.

This may be a contributing factor for the "toxic room" that was talked about so often, and last year in particular. His teammates had to (or at least should have) seen the signs and symptoms. Being alienated and outcast as a result would fit with the toxicity. That said, it is good to know he is getting help and it is good to hear that Jbot is offering support. I hope you get it figured out Robin Lehner. I was quite critical of you last season and now that seems like an idiotic stance. Get healthy and then get back to hockey once you have your life under control. Peace and health be with you.

The conference final 4. Semi-final and finals. Not one of the glamorous conferences, but good teams at tournament time is always worthy of your entertainment dollar. Wish I could be there.

tournament is moving to the Harborcenter starting with the 2018-19 season. A nice opportunity to watch some quality D1 hockey games.

I voted playoffs, when he gets hurt playing for another team. That's right, Bogo has a career year and as a result gets moved at the trading deadline. First game with his new team is good for a goal, 2 assists and 5 for fighting. Then he gets hurt in the first game of the playoffs. I hope Bogo has his best year as a pro. My confidence in that happening is not strong.

Okay, you don't HAVE to admit..... To my eyes, on those rare opportunities we get to see Bogo skating for the Sabres, there is a better team on the ice. His presence seems to act as a catalyst. Just what I've noticed. Although it has been so long ago, it is but a fleeting memory.

Let us all hope that Bogo is healthy and productive all season and throughout the playoffs. No matter if he plays well, or poorly, you have to admit that the intensity that the team plays with when he is on the ice is much better than when he is out of the lineup. My hope is that he is really hungry for the playoffs and has learned some lessons about taking care of his body. Bogo providing solid (not spectacular, just solid) play for the entire season would be a huge, and totally unexpected, bonus.

I'm liking these one year deals. Sending a message. Prove to this organization that you are more than a marginal player. If you stay all year in Rochester, show that you are a professional that works hard to improve your game and plays well with the other kids in the sandbox. No crime to be an AHLer, just be ready if your chance comes to wear blue and gold. And work like hell to make sure you get that chance.

It's really nice to have a place to enjoy the company of like minded individuals, and not have to worry about all that crap infiltrating every single discussion. About all I watch on television is sports and documentaries, because I can't stand to listen to all the other garbage out there with people trying to directly or indirectly tell me how I should think. My vote is "NO" to any politics. Even if it's in a separate forum. Keep Sabrespace pristine.

Nice work by his agents PR intern.

Exactly spot on. Older, experienced guy with a solid history of not being psychotic. Hope the contract doesn't cause problems.

Not terribly interested in any trade with StL that does not include Parayko as their major piece to the puzzle. I won't say no to other ideas just yet, but Parayko is the piece that makes ROR going away tolerable. Or, as mentioned above, StL gives up enough choice pieces to flip for the equivalent of Parayko. Sabres need that young, top pairing RHD to solidify this defense for the next 5+ years.

Get out there about a mile from the Bell Tower, on a line with the south end of Dewittville Bay. That's the deepest part in the lake and a good place to have that sucker slip out of your hand and go overboard.

I will warn against reading too much into this. It's development camp and lots of new faces since last year. The Sabres have had an entire year of watching Nylander since last years development camp, training camp and a full season (less injuries) in Roch. I suspect they know what they are looking at. Now that I've said that, he'll be baggage in a multi-player trade this weekend. Nylander is a total enigma at this point. The could be on his last inch of rope, or he could be the unexpected breakout sensation rookie this coming season. I suspect if he doesn't provide compelling improvement in his game this year, it's back to the SHL for the 2019-20 season.

I'll take that. There is still plenty of time to fill holes and push guys like Okposo and Zemgus down to the 3rd and 4th lines. Franchise is reloaded with Dmen top to bottom. And they need to find a #1, or #1B, or really solid and reliable #2 goalie soon, before that market dries up.

Lots of time until training camp starts. Free agency has not even opened yet. Patience grasshopper.