Dr. Who

You're going to be disappointed anyway when you find out the draft starts on Thursday.

Ignore it and be happy. At minimum, the Sabres have a competent, experienced coach who will hold the players accountable. Folks were crying for that all year, but now it wasn't a real coaching search, so the rest doesn't matter.

I don't think it's the only way, and I just don't agree with the pessimism many are feeling, but I would like those fellas as assistants.

Peca, please.

So, last off-season, I was optimistic and believed KA would make more significant changes. You were pessimistic, and obviously proven correct. It's not very happy making, however, to simply have no plausible hope. I do believe there are sufficient talent and assets to make a leap forward. I still think competent, veteran coaching that will hold a young team accountable can make substantial differences. Surely, they can find a coach that will at least raise the PP to close to ordinary. But no doubt, the mix is wrong. The question is does KA properly appreciate that, and how hard would it be to transform the roster so that getting to the playoffs isn't followed by rapid dismissal and embarrassment. I don't want to have endured 13 years of nothing only to see that happen.

You will likely be accused of nostalgia and Boomerism, I dunno, but you could do a lot worse. I love the guy. Maybe bring back Peca as an assistant.

Berube makes a lot of sense. Any thoughts on Dean Evason?

Right now, I think they need that, plus a 2C probably, at least 3C that can win faceoffs and has a strong 2 way game, along with maybe a veteran D that isn't made of glass like Mule to absorb minutes and play a defensively responsible role, someone who isn't running on fumes and ready for the glue factory, and a veteran backup for UPL would be nice, so that Levi can properly mature into an NHL goalie. Aside from that, how about a gritty coach who holds the team accountable, instead of enabling softness and habitual slow starts?

Bot doesn't do paragraphs, but when you're right, you're right.

I am one of those advocating for taking two WR early. I would take McConkey at #28, and then use a 2025 2nd to move up from #60 to grab Legette. I don't suppose you post over on the football side of this forum? I'd like to copy paste your comment over there if you don't mind.

The WR position is not a devalued position like RB. They get paid, because they are not a dime a dozen. There will be a run early second, and it will drop off in the mid-forties. And with the trade of Diggs, they really need 2 WRs. There are some excellent OTs in this draft. It's a terrible draft for edge. The DTs worth it at #28, should they be there, will backup Ed Oliver.

I think the top 3 are out of reach. It would cost too much. I wouldn't trade that far up for Odunze. Nabers and MHJ, yes, but we can't afford it. I have Thomas and Mitchell next, and they will probably both be gone by #28. Mitchell is the only one you might get with a modest trade up. If they stay at #28, I would take Legette. Folks were talking as if he were a late second, because of one year of production and he's older. I think he goes early second at the latest. After that, I like McConkey. I don't think he's just a slot. He played 70% of his snaps on the outside with UGA. But I'd rather get the big X receiver. I think they should go get a WR with their first pick, either in the first or early second if they trade back and try to recoup the day 2 pick they traded for Douglas.

I'd be surprised if Miller comes back to much. I think he's probably done, but at least they got a restructure that is heavily incentive based. Edge is a problem. It's a very good draft at WR. OL, and CB are pretty strong, too. I think there's decent depth at DT, but not at the 1T, which is what you need to split time with Jones. Edge, though, I think is just plain bad. I'd rather take some late round flyers, than spend an early pick there. Just inserting this on Diggs: I think Diggs is untradeable this year with the cap hit. I don't think Beane would do that. The compensation would have to be considerable, and then you definitely need to bring in two top talents at WR early. I'm skeptical that Diggs is still a true WR1, but he's at least a borderline WR1, high end WR2. The cryptic tweets thing gets old, though.

Samuel is not a replacement for Davis. They still need a big X and I think it would be crazy to wait until the later rounds in a draft with a wealth of talent that is going to go by the mid 40s. I'd love to get Thomas, but it will be too expensive to move up and grab him. Mitchell is the fella I think you could get, either at #28 or a small trade up. Legette and Coleman are the fall back guys for me. Maybe you could trade back to the early second and be pretty confident of getting one of them. And there isn't a pick at #28 I like on D. Both the Robinsons are second round grades, or should be. You're reaching. It's a terrible draft for edge players. Latu you should take, but he'll be long gone. The strategy should be to push your chips in on making the offense as good as possible with your once-in-a-lifetime generational QB. And this is probably Diggs last year here, so get the fella who will be ascending and ready to become WR1 eventually.

It could, but do you trust KA to get the forward bit right? If he really thinks internal growth is going to be enough, it won't.

Let's see if they make some obvious moves to change assistant coaches. The PP should not be putrid, and it is. They're still very often sluggish in the first, and going down a goal to start games. I am skeptical on DG, and this is another second half where the Sabres win some games because they don't really matter. Folks talk about a country club atmosphere. I do think the players care, and want to win, but they are not mentally tough. I think coaching is part of that, and youth, of course. I'm not sure they can make all LD for the most part on D work, but there's talent there. They still need a number of veterans, more grit and toughness in the forward group. A top 6 RW, a 3C, someone who can reliably win faceoffs. I think a veteran backup for UPL, and not rushing Levi would be smart. Buying Skinner out might be even smarter. He's like the shipwreck survivor from the old Night Gallery series. Doesn't matter that he can score when he's on, he sinks the team. KA has the assets to make it work. I don't think just running it back is the answer. If he thinks it is, with the same level of add as last off-season, no bueno. I'm also not convinced Terry P. isn't perpetually cheaping out on the Sabres.

Well, this is not really reassuring.

I think he means "Terry really likes him."

Cumulatively, we're approaching Biblical proportions of time in the desert. Moses needs to buy a GPS.

You'd think the decade plus of futility and bonehead dithering would be pretty embarrassing, no? But alright, let's hope Jed Clampett feels it enough to make changes. Until he steps away and let's tough hockey minds hold sway, so what? The fish rots from the head.

Well, that 5% short of correct, isn't it? Good for you on sticking by UPL, btw.

I have stealth hope on that, but I'm officially "it's too late," because I don't trust the universe not to crush every tiny bit of hope. Schopenhauer is a philosopher I often identify with.

The obvious solution is to hypnotize the whole damn team and tell them it's Jan 1, 2025 on opening night.

Pretty sure there are fine programs that help folks get over trauma, but I generally just drink another Guinness for that.

It was just a joke, but I apologize Mrs. G.