Broken Ankles

Agreed. I think the fact he wasn’t traded means he has an intent to stay. Just think his agent now has “more hand” so to speak. In terms of AAV. As noted in multiple posts, JBs signings have been both hit and miss. He can not afford to lose this, giving advantage to Skinner.

He’s lost all his leverage. Skinner holds all the cards. His agent knows JB can not afford to lose him. He has seen what Stone was extended for in Vegas. I think it’s $9.1m/8 years or he tests.

Problem is 5 of them have contracts that extend into 2020 and beyond. I can see trading Scandella in the offseason and Sobotka could be a buyout candidate but it will take creativity to rid yourself of some of these.

What’s your source? Hopefully not the Harvard sports analysis that’s almost 10 years old and reviews only NFL, as does Football outsiders or Aaron Schotz.

Toronto has established a comfortable lead over MTL in third place, and will be a heavy favorite at home. A loss to Buffalo would not have the same effect as Buffalo losing to Toronto. Buffalo is expected to lose. Just saying that this dynamic could (not will) affect the Leafs mindset coming into the game. If anything, based on recent history and the Sabres inability to string back to back regulation wins I would expect them to follow that trend. But if the team has any mettle, this game (divisional opponent, road game, superior talent) could serve as a decisive rallying point. Before you can win 10, or 5 in a row, you need to win two. If they want to change the narrative, this situation sets up nicely....imho.

Leafs had an emotional and physical game tonight against MTL, down 3-0 in the first coming back to win 6-3. But much closer than the score indicates. They are due to have a let down. Continue the momentum in Toronto.

Rob Ray is the Matt Ellis of Color commentators.

Can anyone explain why Sobotka was on the ice with 2+ minutes to go in the game? He didn’t make any horrific mistakes....but wasn’t it more probable than not he would? I can see a path to his buyout in June.

Confucius

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

Chester A Authur

Dahlin yes, Mittlestadt no way. Last night he missed an easy tap in from Jack that absolutely has to be executed. And he whiffed. He also gave up the puck in his own end for their second goal. He's struggle defensively all year. I've argued long and hard that he definitely should have been in Rochester to start the year, but circumstances have required him to stay. The Sabres will be signing a true #2 Center in the off-season, and probably will develop a checking line that plays #3 minutes - giving Casey a #4 C role. Protect him as best you can. But unless there is major growth in size, strength, and skill you can lock him in for 40-45 max.

Julie was born in 1926, making her 46 when the show started in 1972. Early onset of "cougar" development in Hollywood.

Engine 51 paramedics Roy DeSoto and Johnny Gage cannot revive what is a failing post December Sabres team. Fun fact - the lovely Julie London (Dixie McCall) was married to Bobby Troup (Dr. Joe Early) in real life. And here I thought Robert Fuller saw all the a$$ at Rampart.

Get to know your LTIR formula. Might see a Leafs/Nate Horton situation arise next year if KO does not play the remainder of this year.

Bovada has updated the Sabres odds after tonight’s game. Unofficial.

Brilliant save.

looks to be about $500K over. Line Forwards Pos 2018-19 1 Jeff Skinner LW $ 5,725,000.00 Jack Eichel C $ 10,000,000.00 Sam Reinhart RW $ 3,650,000.00 2 Kane LW $ 7,000,000.00 RO C $ 7,500,000.00 Pominville, Jason RW $ 5,600,000.00 3 Girgensons, Zemgus LW $ 1,600,000.00 Casey Middlestadt C $ 925,000.00 Scott Wilson RW $ 1,050,000.00 4 J. Larsson LW $ 1,475,000.00 Evan Rodriguez C $ 650,000.00 Kyle Okposo RW $ 6,000,000.00 5 M. Moulson 3,975,000 Cody Hodson ($458,333) Defense Pos 2018-19 1 Dahlin D $ 925,000.00 Rasmus Ristolainen D $ 5,600,000.00 2 Scandella D $ 4,000,000.00 Pilut D $ 925,000.00 3 McCabe D $ 1,600,000.00 Zack Bogosian D $5,142,857 4 Beaulieu, Nathan D $2,400,000 Goalies Pos 2018-19 Carter Hutton G $ 2,750,000.00 Linus Uhlmark G 775,000 2017-18 cap $ 80,059,524.00 cap # $ 79,500,000.00 $ (559,524.00)

Do you know something we don’t? I see the logic in a back to back, but he has been less than questionable as of late. The Peg have struggled their last few and I’m worried about them getting a fast start. If Hut plays well, could be a great thing for the locker room but.....

Yes, until Victor, son of Olof takes the ice next year.

What if he is a chip for a full time RD partner for Dahlin? The fact he is the most tradable asset and we have enough young talent at LD is true. We need to strengthen other areas of weakness. Ristolainen with Pilut and Bogosian with Guhle would be solid.

The tank line, funny and well played. The trying not to laugh comeback condescending and Douchey. You see why people don’t like you right?

What are you assuming the AAV would have been for a long term agreement?

Let me add to the plethora of positive transactions JB has made in a short time in Buffalo. These are outside the aforementioned Skinner and and good fortune of Dahlin (which also is understated, Murray was a jinx that lost all his Draft lotteries in Buffalo. Luck matters.) * Signing Lawrence Pilut. * Drafting and more importantly convincing UPL to play in the OHL and eventually Rochester. * D. O'Reagan (for Roch) and a 1st for Kane. * 6th Round Pick to Vegas to take Carrier and not select Linus in Expansion Draft. * Zack Redmond (Roch contributor) for Deslauriers * Brandon Hickey for H. Fasching. * Signing Will Borgen (and developing properly) * Signing Asplund and getting him to develop in Roch. * UFA Carter Hutton to team friendly 3 year deal. (And I think this is undervalued thus far. Lehner is having a nice (Lucky?) year, but Hutton is a true Pro and will serve as a proper role model for Linus and a good back up over the next 2 years. * Equitable Bridge deal for Sam that allows flexibility for trade after 2020 or signing a lucrative long term deal if he continues to ascend. But it was the cogent decision to bridge. * Promising growth on later round selections in 2018 - Samuelsson, Pekar and Kukkonen. Too early to quantify anything. I think deals like Wilson, Sheary, Beaulie, Bailey, Baptiste, Fedun are all a wash. They were either non-factors or involved insignificant and /or lower draft picks. so for each swing and miss: a.) Pominville/Scandella deal b.) Mismanagement of Mittlestadt (I agree with your assessment) there are more positive moves, in my opinion. How do I get there? Both the compete level of the team and the the record of both Rochester and Buffalo is better than it was two years ago or last year. And this includes losing its best Center from last season. While you have already decided the O'Reilly trade is a colossal failure (incorrectly I might add), I need at least two years to decide who wins this trade. And in this two years, Tampa Bay and Toronto will continue to dominate the East. O'Reilly on the Sabres this year or next would not affect this result. By his third season, Dahlin will have the experience and talent (think Drew Doughty year 3/4 in LA) to take this team to the next level. And IF (leap of faith) - Tage can develop, increase his strength, and contribute in top 6 capacity, and JB spends the $7.5M AAV that would have been designated to an aging 30+ Center on other Free Agent(s), and the first and second round picks we receive from St. Louis have moderate success, then he can win that one too. I know Terry Pegs has lots of cash, but money was also a factor in when the trade was made, so there is that. So I'll provide JB enough slack to spend that money this off season and next, and use those 3 first round picks (and properly develop) before I condemn him and suggest he's damaged the team. This jury member needs time to deliberate.

Didn’t you comment on lack of success on 2nd round picks last week? And went through all the examples? Maybe Die by the Blade is scrolling though these posts looking for ideas.