Dr. Who

I suppose, but particular judgments will be proven more or less correct or not by how the future plays out. So far, the bleak side is on a fourteen year winning streak. Let's hope the ridiculous odds for even a badly run team missing the playoffs that length of time finally tilt in favor of the long-suffering fans. (Unless, of course, one secretly blames the fans, and believe they deserve it. There are the odd sadists out there who think like that.)

Sometimes it is semantics. I think Kesselring was the main piece in the trade, but I don't think Doan was a throw in, and positionally, Peterka is a RW subtraction and Doan is an addition, though obviously not of equal value. And this is going outside this specific question, but while I agree that the overall performance of the team is ultimately what matters, that is almost axiomatic, I still think there is value in analyzing the parts. In terms of the latter, I think positional comparison the more straight forward. If others find other ways of analysis more helpful or interesting, naturally, that is an individual prerogative.

Well, Cozens and Norris are both centers. If one looks at positional symmetry, Josh Doan is the replacement for Peterka, though he isn't a top six.

I think the Cozens Norris comparison is a more logical and cleaner one. Regardless, the holdover with subpar coaching is the constant that is hard to explain in terms that do not reflect badly on ownership. Ostensibly, an upgrade on the blue line at the cost of gambling you can replace Peterka's offense with the growth of young players is less favorable if the fella coaching the D is terrible at his job.

I wouldn't offer sheet him, but there is at least the rumor that he is available in trade. I'd spend some futures currency to get him. Agree you need to hold onto the 26 1st, because there's a very real chance that is a reasonable lottery ticket for McKenna.

Unfortunately, you know we lack the creativity, intelligence, or will to make such a move.

Metaphor requires a certain distance from literalism. Ah, well. I think your intent was clear enough.

Well, It was obviously before the 2 year deal for Byram, but anticipated he'd be walked right up to FA. There's not much encouraging there. Great if the league puts some pressure on Pegula, because the unhappiness of the fans doesn't seem to move the needle for him.

If Chinakhov is basically a slightly lesser Quinn, the price that would make acquiring him worth it had better be no greater than a combination that comes out to a slightly lesser Quinn. Personally, if they're going to make a genuine swing for a player, I'd like to make a play for Mason McTavish. Most don't trust KA to make a smart big move (and I can't recall him ever implementing a significant trade that wasn't predicated on a good player demanding out). You can point to small prudential moves along the edges that have yet to result in a substantial difference in team success. That's the frustration, but it doesn't mean a lot of folks here just want the Sabres to take any old swing just to do something.

I pray this optimistic forecast is true. Doan will have to come close to it in order for the trade to be potentially balanced. It is correct that he brings a skill set that is sadly lacking.

Exceedingly modest improvement, but it amounts to an ambitious leap for the dim crowd running the franchise.

Yep, but ours are on the Titanic.

Prescient. Let's see if there is any kind of significant add to the top 6.

This is a rhetorical question, right?

Given the lack of change in the assistant coaches, how confident can one be that the anemic power play will at least achieve mediocrity? Shorter leash for UPL is good. Let's hope Lyon or Levi is a valid alternative. I do think they are marginally better. Resign Byram, bring in Roslovic, or trade for a better top 6. I'd like to spend futures on the latter, but I am skeptical about that happening.

Kev thinking makes me nervous. Your inference is likely correct, though.

Too bad there's no roll back to Hasek in the cards.

So smart. We are such bright fellas. Why is the board so negative?

1) No one is really expecting the Cup. Failure is missing the playoffs for 15 years in a row. 2) Folks want this to be an entertaining part of the year. When your regular season is habitually disappointing, it is common for the off-season to be a time of hope. Problem is when the off-season moves are predictably underwhelming, and the accountability for those making decisions appears close to non-existent. I'd say the general consensus is the team on balance may be slightly better or the same as last year, barring further changes, which would mostly be provided by trade. Everyone is hoping, but the majority has lost patience. I am with the majority here. I'd feel better about things if the goalie situation was stronger. If someone steps up, that would palpably increase the chances of breaking the historic record of playoff absence.

Two minutes in the penalty box. I break the name down into two small bits: By Ram, Byram. If they keep him or trade him for a comparable D with maybe a different skill set, fine. They still need to add a top 6 to the offense. If they trade for offensive help, they need to trade futures for a top 4 D. Either way, I think they need to add somewhere to more plausibly field a team that could break the endless playoff drought.

Yes, I understand. I was just saying in the context of whether or not the Sabres are "paralyzed," i.e., unable to pursue a big ticket free agent, all those fellas are signed with someone, so there is no urgency of that sort.

Probably they were not paralyzed in the sense that the big ticket FAs likely were not interested. But if you are keeping money in reserve dependent on whether you are going to match an offer sheet or sign Byram to a contract, presumably one isn't using that cap space to go after an Ehlers, for instance. Regardless, at this point, they can wait it out if they want.

I don't see a suggestion there. It's an observation. We don't spend to cap, do you disagree? Didn't KA say that they were proactively dumping salary so that offer sheets for Byram could be matched?

Rational, and offers a bit of hope; seems like it would take a near miracle for even this to happen.

KA isn't trading Power, so it's immaterial.