Broken Ankles

Natural stat trick shows Ras and Bo played ~40% of minutes together 5v5. https://www.naturalstattrick.com/linestats.php?fromseason=20242025&thruseason=20242025&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&rate=n&team=BUF&vteam=ALL&view=wowy&loc=B&gpfilt=none&fd=2024-10-04&td=2025-04-17&tgp=2000&strict=incl&p1=8481524&p2=8480839&p3=0&p4=0&p5=0 To point about salary cap - Sabres are 4th in Cap on Defense next year with 4.35 FTE’s signed. Those above the Sabres have 6-8 signed. Washington is tops at $6m more than Buffalo. If you get an arbitration/2 year deal for BB and an RFA for Bernard Docker you are adding $8m (?) and surpass Washington. And unless you can somehow move Clifton or Samuelson without retention you have no room to sign a better, stronger Right handed D to support Power. So how is that improving the overall D? I remember when the Kings won the cup here in LA. Jake Muzzin was Doughty partner and he was a classic stay at home D man. Maybe on a bridge contract - 23 years old, 6’3/220. Dahlin and Bo pairing - maybe they did have the best analytics stats. But maybe a Zack Whitecloud type player with a $3m contract might be just as good when paired with Ras, and allow you to sign or trade for a vet on your second line to support Power/Byrum. I fall on the side of not having 3 D that make $8M +. I’m also moving Power first b/c his contract has cost certainty which is valuable with a cap that is going up. I think he delivers a much better return.

Perhaps a character flaw, but my ex Sabre schadenfreude is running hotter than any standard hatred for the Leafs. Maybe it’s because I know neither will get by Florida in round two, and their impending doom is just a matter of time. Only benefit to extending the series is less rest.

True. However I watch enough NHL to know what I see more often than not by the Sabres is FUBAR. It’s why you never see me advocate for Kulich or Benson in the top six.

Questionable garment selection for sure. No judgement.

But then again, 10 minutes per game doesn’t scream that they are happy with him either. Forwards Boldy, Kaprizov and Joel EE all have twice + TOI as Rossi. He’s down there with Vincenzo Hinostroza. (Whom I will forever be grateful for flipping a puck to my 12 year old son wearing blue and gold at the Honda Center a few years back).

Beane caring about what a local radio host says vs. showing a professional courtesy are two very different things. Beane was way out of line with his tone and argumentative demeanor. I agree with @LGR that the defense does need more attention and Beane had every right to defend exactly WHY those decisions were made. But you see there was no chance for that dialogue because one of parties didn’t like the fact that someone questioned his authority. I might appreciate an answer on why the board didn’t seem to have any offensive weapons that were difference makers when they drafted at 41. Explain the thought process on the selection of TJ Sanders. And the fact he went back to 2018 and the Josh Allen pick - really? Is Beane really so thin skinned that he remembers criticism about that pick from Jeremy? He was widely criticized for reaching with Allen. It was most of the National media too. He also flaunted his (read Josh Allen’s) offensive stats from last year citing 30+ ppg. And where did that get you? Beane has zero AFC Championships, let alone SB wins. Stay humble my man. Take a note from the League MVP who is half your age, with a quarter of the work experience.

Ulmark

Darcy Kuemper also a factor. He was part of the PLD trade and both teams seemed genuinely happy to trade high salary pieces. Kuempers stats were horrible last season, and the Kings are praising him this year for his role in their resurgence. How does a goaltender finish below .890 Save % , 3.31 GAA with 30 starts and 13 wins then comeback with 32 wins, 50 starts, Save% .921 and a GAA of 2? Goalies are weird. It's the only reason I don’t want to jettison UPL into the sun.....yet. I reserve that right in December.

I think that’s a plot line on White Lotus.

How was it NOT a distinct kicking motion? Even if he and the puck were both airborne he kicked, hit the puck with his skate and it went in the net.

Almost an anagram for Sinking Ship.