PerreaultForever

In all my 50 plus years of watching hockey I cannot think of a final series closer than this one. It is dead even and a total coin toss. Either team can win this and it'll probably be luck in game 7 OT. It's a very good final, the league must be happy.

He would punch you back, harder. Admit it, you wish he was a Sabre.

Nothing against Lindy but what's the point of retaining him as an "advisor" when you didn't even let him hire his own assistants? Just cause he was a Sabre before? It would be pointless.

I see nothing in Sabres style of play or character that would indicate playoff success if they got there. What is it you are seeing?

Sturm hired in Boston. The mantra seems to be they plan on being very defense first in terms of team identity. (They may have to be with their lack of offense outside of Pasternak).

No. Big no. At this time we do not have any of the leadership or experience required for the playoffs. They would be so far over their heads so fast they'd exit faster than the Leafs did when they first got back in. Look at Ottawa. They even had some playoff experience on the roster and they showed they were way out of their depths. You are dreaming if you think they will do well. Unless they add veteran leaders of course. But they have not shown any desire to do that so far.

You would have seen glimpses. Moments. Individual games. We have not.

This Oilers team is handling the physicality better than last year's version did. If Florida is going to win this Tkachuk and Reinhart are going to have to be better. I suspect Tkachuk is playing injured all playoffs but those guys are big guns they need to step up.

The pace and physicality of this game so far just tells you how far away the Sabres really are.

I personally agree with that assessment. Although I was fine to trade Cozens, I would not have moved him for Norris. I like Peterka and think he still has even more potential with good coaching and a good system. I'm not sure the whole league would agree with that though. I think there are many who would be interested in Norris. Utah would be my first phone call.

Don't trust him to stay healthy. Not worth the risk imo. I've already said I expect next year's excuse to be "if not for injuries" and I'd rather avoid that probability.

idk I'm just throwing names around. Disgruntled player for an American born player. Colorado wants to win now so I doubt they'd want prospects. While I do not think anyone on Sabres should be untouchable, for me the primary trade capital is Peterka, Quinn, Norris, Byram, Samuelsson. Arguably some of them might not be considered overly valuable after last season but they are young enough that some teams might see upside as well. Add to that picks and the entire Rochester cupboard except Levi. If you can use any of that in any way to improve this roster do it.

Wasn't he the oldest guy to score a goal like in his 50s? 52 I think.

Corey Perry says he wants to play again next year. I think he might think he can beat Gordie Howe's record.

Trade Norris for Utah's 4th. Then trade our 9th for Necas and the 4th for Robertson. Byram to San Jose for enough capital to get Dobson. Sprinkle whatever fairy dust you need around to make this all happen, Peterka for Cuylle if he still wants out after those moves. Add a tough guy. Ready to go.

You're not getting that for JJP and #9. Norris might interest them though.

Consistent no, but as a back up I think adequate. overpaid in that role but so be it until Levi can take it from him. Depth is important too if we want to be serious about winning

Quite possible but he's a later and I want now. No more waiting and as such no prospect is untouchable for me.

I'm making that deal . imo you want to build a winning team you start with 3 pillars. A franchise goalie, a franchise D man and a top scoring forward. We have the D man 100% in Dahlin, Thompson isn't the best in the league but he can be viewed as a top level scoring forward, and the missing pillar is a star goalie. Oettinger can be that.

Utah is apparently interested in moving their #4 pick for a current top 6 forward. Sabres have options to explore here. Too many to list and although I do not want a subtraction if there was something that would work here that would also open up trading our pick in a Rossi deal or Dobson deal or etc etc . It does seem like there are teams ready to move players and picks around this year. Adams should have some options and opportunities.

If they would want those players. They might not. Definitely don't see that Byram trade happening.

Right, so you can trade Byram for picks to San Jose or somebody else and then trade those picks and/or your own to Dallas for Robertson. Along with whatever else makes it work but that's the crux of how you get deals done. Everybody happy. If Adams tries to get a roster player one for one with Byram it'll be a lot harder to do. Same with Peterka. Would you do Helenius and Wahlberg for Rossi? I would.

Well in fairness Skinner is really just a depth black ace with Edmonton and he wouldn't even see the ice if not for the Hyman injury. Montour's a funny one. Very specific skill set and he needs to be on a highly structured team for real success. We were a loose wide open mess and so he looked seriously flawed here and constantly out of position. He was not great in Seattle that also lacks that Florida structure. I think Dahlin could win a cup in Toronto. He's the piece they are truly missing. Reilly is not the PP QB they need. I'm not suggesting anything just looking at where he'd fit or be needed most among contenders if he insisted on getting out.

That's fair. I'd say those guys are wait 3 years not 5 but I get your point. As I said, I'd make the deal anyway. I'd consider it a winning trade for Dallas but it wouldn't matter as our roster would be better now.

I doubt they'd want to send a D prospect back given their D situation. I'd take picks back from them and then use that draft capital in further deals like Robertson or Dobson or whoever. Adams has to stop the foolishness of looking for "hockey trades". You trade your player for picks to one team and then you swap picks for a player to another team. Ta-da "hockey trade" net result.