Broken Ankles

Well we know they would still have Miller if they didn’t have to sign him last summer. So with him and Stamkos, sure.

What is most impressive with this TB line up is the mix of low draft picks & undrafted players at the Center and Foward positions. I do not think there is one of the 12 starting who were drafted in the first round (Stamkos - not playing). And they have 3 undrafted starters. I don’t think any of the final 8 teams had less than three first rounders and a few had six. It speaks to the lack of draft and development with the Sabres organization. How many third round and lower will contribute this year or next?

that's a blutarsky....zero - point - zero

I was an advocate of the Carter buyout earlier this year, but with Covid and players looking at a 20% escrow in 2021 it makes no sense. If he was bought out, the contract would not be subject to escrow so he receives 2/3's of his $2.75M salary. Savings of roughly $907K for the Sabres ownership. But his real salary will be closer to $2.2M with escrow. So the difference is only $400k. I've been in the camp of trading Hutts for MAF and seeing if we can get something in return.

They dominated elements of the game including TOP and Total yards. The over arching point is that the Bills are not under-rated and NE is not over=rated. They look like 9 win teams, and seem to be on equal ground. And I'm using the performance against a common opponent and what I've seen in the other games they have played. I'm hoping this changes as our Offense continues to improve.

Vegas had both NE and the Bills with win totals of 9. I think the narrative of a Patriot collapse and tanking this year was not broadly accepted. Buffalo has shown improvement in the passing game but barely won both games. NE kept it close against a good Seahawks team while on the road. In my mind Vegas has it right, again. Equally matched. Cannot wait for those two head to head games.

I moved out here in the 90's after college. Haven't skated (outside of taking my kids at Christmas to an outdoor rink in Irvine) in over 30 years. Tried surfing for a while. Most of the unmarried types were playing golf and basketball so I never went back. I would embarrass myself. Now I'm just too damn old.

Good observation. Seems like a match made in heaven for the new Pegula plan to help "maintain their lifestyle". Contract notwithstanding, our second round + a solid prospect seems excessive for a cap dump, no? I mean is he a PPG Phil or .5 PPG Phil?

If the 75m can get to $78m and you buyout Hutts and pick up Raanta or Keumper ($4m cap type) and that is an impressive line up.

Appreciate what you do. Respect. The last one I was upstairs in like 10 seconds to check on my boys. This time the 11 year old wakes me up to ask if everything was ok. Me (feeling nothing) - yeah go back to bed.

Where are you? I live in Mission Viejo and slept through it.

Which rumor should we believe? This one where he’s willing to spend ungodly amounts of money to sign Pietrangelo or the rumor where he’s spending 10 million below the Cap? And these are literally days apart. They are contradictory. Are they not?

1. Not this guy. “Are you thirty for more?” Yes Kevin, errr Casey. Responsible play to start. 2.) Tage - and I have a suspicion we won’t need to care who has a better career b/c one will be shipped out. 3.) Tage

From Hockey Viz. Staal seems to have more minutes with the top 3, and defended less (than league average) by the top three of the opposing team. And then on Defenders, pretty much league average, and less than the bottom pairing, which you might expect if Staal is playing with Zuccs, Parise, and Fiala

Agree. AND, Fargo gave us this for Victor.

Hot take. Anthony Cirelli is not worth the 8OA. Let alone 8 +. I’ve watched most of the Isles & Columbus series and have seen nothing special. Tampa is driven by their first and fourth lines. Point and Kuch have 25 points each in 18 games, Cirelli has 5. Thats one more than, yes, you guessed it, Bogo. Corsi is below average, face offs below 50%, and outside superior play on the PK and good stick work in the defensive zone just not enough O-fence. If the Cap control is real, I just can’t see them moving a probable starter (on an ELC) in 2021/22 to pay Cirelli $5-6m.

Well the players signed up for 20% escrow so there’s that. It takes an internal salary cap of $75m to $60m in real money. I’m not suggesting this year will not be incredibly different than most, however with the National and Regional TV contracts, some teams will be above their actual salary before any other HRR. Plus each owner gets a nice fat check of $20m for Seattle? Let’s not feel too bad for T-Pegs and his Billionaire cronies. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some kind of pivot to online sports betting to boost revenue if fans cannot fill these arena in 2021.

Nice to see Robin Clapton (slowhand) playing his greatest hits. Now I can root against Dallas.

It’s close, but TM was worse, no he won’t, and his incompetence could only lessen if any of his draft picks find success. Interesting that both you and @PerreaultForever called for a Conn Smythe for Lehner. He is losing 3-1 to a team that is one of the lowest scoring teams in the league. He has faced considerably fewer shots against than MAF in game one and given up more goals. If the Golden Knights are fortunate enough to get past Dallas, he would get lit up like a Christmas tree against TB. I only hope that KA can extract something from Vegas when they decide to overpay Robin in the off-season.

If Cozens becomes "Point-esque" is that enough to move JB below TM as worst Sabres GM of all-time? What if Joki's acceleration to solidify the right side on the second pairing happens this year? What about Pekar, UPL, Laaksonen, or Sameulsson breaking through within 12-18 months. Or Ryan Johnson's development getting back on track. What combination of these would elevate TM to worst of all-time?

I love the Pens fan comment - "That’s a negative, Ghost Rider!” regarding the Risto/Letang trade. I was thinking the same thing, only I wouldn't want Letang. I guess we're both that girl that refuses to date within her orbit because she has too much self esteem.

Irrelevant. How many 'kills" did each have Season 1 thru Season X?

This is almost never talked about and should be. Olof is never added to these mock trades. The idea of Skinner back on the first line and moving Kahun up is completely plausible.

I agree with the bold, and love the idea of Copp. However I’m off the Ehlers trade, especially if you are keeping Sam. I think Skinner/Olafsson are your LW 1/2 and you are looking to add size to FL#1 on the right. From what I read on this board and other places We certainly don’t want to downgrade this years draft, even two positions. Just think how different things would be this off-season if you didn’t have Cozens in the mix because you moved down two spots last year. I think Risto is ripe to be moved but I don’t think you need sweetener. If traded, his return will surprise some. Keep the #8 And the second rounder. IF Sam is moved for a center, then Ehlers for Risto and Miller or Montour and something.

13 points in 16 games this playoffs. Lead all Flyers in scoring even though as you note, not his forte. UFA’s are always overpaid. The nature of a free market. He has allowed Giroux to slot back to FL#1 and have two complete lines. Which is what the Sabres are desperately lacking. Scoring on a second line.