PerreaultForever

There's nothing they are supposed to do. They should never have signed him if they were not going to give him any real chance of making the roster. If Krebs was outplaying him there'd be no argument, but he's not. Hence he feels he isn't get a real fair shot so he wants out. He's not wrong and there is nothing the Sabres can do. So how are you going to improve the depth of the roster if you only play rookies? Makes it harder to sign players, even scrubs.

I haven't argued anything differently than your second sentence. My point is only about the organization and the optics around it. As for McDavid, that was an odd sentence to place here but since you did, out of curiosity, if Edmonton decided to start over and trade him, what would you give them off this roster? Everyone?

Rangers and Panthers currently sitting out of the playoffs. Who'd have thunk it?

They were actually commenting on that during the Kraken Vegas game. Apparently Cassidy is not happy with it either so we will see how long their love affair lasts. Cassidy is notorious for calling out players in front of their team mates and I doubt that'd sit well with Jack and his ego.

I've gone over this many times in earlier threads. My problem is too many rookies at once and a failure to fill the gaping holes with veterans to create a solid team that can win now and build a winning culture around that so that the youngsters coming in can add to that and compete to be part of that and are not necessarily expected to be the saviors. Like getting a goalie and building out from there. The current plan is too extreme and thus too slow. Years from now it might pan out, but I'm tired of waiting. In other words more like what New Jersey has done.

cause the Sabres signed him.

Surprising? Guys like Jack Eichel and Phil Kessel taking a night off, I think I've seen that before.

I don't think that's true. I think any player who comes to any organization believes he will be given a fair shot. When they signed him they likely told him the 4th line center role was his for the taking (replacing Eakin). If he thinks his level of play was better than players on the roster (like Krebs) he would think he'd get the job. I mean I know as well as you do about playing the kids but wasn't there also a mantra of all jobs are up for the taking and those who play best will earn the spot? Wasn't that supposed to be part of the new culture, earning your spot? I'm not defending Sheehan, I questioned why we ever signed him, but since we did, if he outplayed Krebs he should be on the roster as we do not have cap problems and his salary was low anyway. Most teams send the unready rookie down before the veteran (unless they have cap issues). How are you going to fill holes on the roster or attract free agents to a team that everyone puts on their 10 team no trade list if veteran players know they'll likely be ditched for rookies who don't earn it? idk, it really doesn't matter.

So a perfect fit for the Sabres then?

and he'd be right.

You're being sarcastic, but it's kind of true.

I'm not saying there's anything they could have done. I'm just saying it's another knock on the organization, even if it is a small one.

Where did I say I don't want a plan? What I'm saying is I do not blindly believe in the plan or "trust the plan" as the rhetoric goes. I've done that before. Fool me once and all that won't get fooled again.

Is that the rule? I did not realize that was the case. All these cap rules get hard to follow. I will take your word for it. In that case, no, it isn't a likely scenario.

This wasn't directed at me personally but I really hate it when people say things like "no true Sabre's fan" like they can quantify the value of their fandom over someone elses. People posting here are fans (or maybe trolls, there's always a few but they come and go) or maybe they're working for the Sabres as "influencers" lol but the idea that someone is "true" and someone else isn't fan enough to have a valid opinion is BS. Myself, I want to win now. I want them to win. I want compete and effort EVERY night. I do not want to talk about "the plan" as we've had "plans" for over a decade and most of them have ended up in the dumpster.

I'm not arguing that his value might be higher now than later, but lots of things factor in. Maybe a playoff bound team has a key defensive injury late in the season? That can push them to turn an offer of a 2nd to a 1st or whatever. Lots of things factor in. A player like him will have value right up until the deadline before his UFA status kicks in.

It's a pretty big pay cheque to just want to walk away from. I couldn't care less about Sheehan, but it doesn't look good for Buffalo imo regardless.

No it would just be for one season. This season, and not even a full year. What I'm suggesting is a team up against the cap would need relief for this season. Next year they'll have their own UFAs they can let go etc. and fit him in. But maybe we trade for him idk. It would signal a shift to a faster build so I'm doubtful.

I do actually. A lot of these players are friends with each other (even lowly ones like Sheehan) and the agents talk to each other and every disgruntled player matters to a team's image. There's a long list of disgruntled veterans playing in the league right now, many for better teams, a few logging big minutes, and not a one of them was happy here or did well. They are all happier elsewhere. It matters.

I don't think that's true. If you look at the Lindholm deal and even the Risto deal they still moved for substantial assets. I believe the Lindholm deal involved an agreed re-signing with Boston but Chychrun could get that too. I would not give up a 2023 1st. Draft is too good. That Philly 2nd would be as high as I'd go for 2023. They want Krebs or Mitts or Rosen or a 2024 in the package sure. I am wondering however, if the rumors are possibly because a pending deal is a 3 way and Buffalo will take on salary or a player so that some top team can fit him under the cap for this season. he doesn't make tons for a D man but most top teams don't even have that much room for this year. Boston for example was kicking the tires on him earlier but they have no space at all. Something would have to give, and maybe that's the only reason Buffalo has entered the rumor mill. Just a thought.

Looks great on the organization when the scrubs want out. Excellent work by KA on this one.

I guarantee you that maybe aside from Tuch and Skinner (the latter who would probably go to Toronto or Detroit for cheap if he was bought out) there isn't a single player who wouldn't rather play in another city if given the opportunity. Not saying they're necessarily wanting out, just that Buffalo isn't their dream destination .

You don't "get rid" of anything at the deadline, you move out UFAs for whatever you can get if you haven't re-signed them. Nothign stops you from bringing them back if you want them (or replacing them next year with other heart and soul examples as they are plentiful in that age bracket). If we'd moved Ullmark, and Skinner, and every other UFA we've ever had at the deadline we'd probably be a better team than we are now. It's just good business.

That's not winning hockey though, that's training school. What I'm saying is I see his teaching abilities, I have yet to see his winning as a head coach abilities.

I'm not convinced at this stage Granato's game planning, line match ups, clock management and so forth are all that brilliant. Lindy knows how to do those things well. Or at least as well as his roster allows. Granato seems more preoccupied with trying to find ways for individual players to improve but not necessarily to win hockey games. As I've said though, their plan is a long term plan and that is frustrating to watch as a fan. Granato may still show those skills when it's time (in their minds) to shift priorities.