Dr. Who

He might turn out well, and I hope he does. He struggled to get separation in college, and that will only become more difficult in the pros. He's also probably several years of development away from proving the quality of the pick one way or the other. He's a red zone target now, but other aspects of his game aren't likely to be instant impact the way Worthy's speed is in the KC offense. His ceiling could be DHopkins, but right now you have to play him in the slot to get him in space, and that is where Kincaid plays, who needs to be on the field.

It's hard to vote for the first option in question 3 if you're putting great shooter and Power in the same sentence. Other aspects of his game, I am less skeptical. I think he'll get there. I'm not as worried, because, foolish or not, I think Ruff will make a difference there.

I went with option two. Whether due to KA or Ruff, the team seems more rationally constituted. I'd still like a top 6 add and top 4 RD that isn't made of glass. I don't expect either at this point.

I'm so confused, I'm not even going to vote.

I like Lindy. Now get off my lawn.

I fear it's paying for the new scoreboard.

I wandered over here and saw all these new threads and thought maybe a bot was spamming the boards. But then I saw it was only dudacek. Anyway, I am going for option one. This is the way.

There was a similar thread over on the Bills' side. This side is much smaller, but it seems to be more literary in its tastes. Folks who still aspire to read Melville are a rare breed. I have a PhD in literature, so my tastes move in that direction. I'm currently reading a good biography of the English/Welsh poet, David Jones. Not too long ago, I read a massive two volume work by Iain McGilchrist called The Matter with Things. On the surface, it is an exploration of the difference between left and right brain cognition, but it ends up a kind of cultural critique and metaphysics. I recommend it if one is ambitious for that sort of challenge.

If Benson is part of the equation, it's a non-starter.

I think I read either Yeti or Outlaws are the likely eventual name.

Some folks are speculating he is only putatively available and that the price is set absurdly high in case someone is desperate enough to pay it. It would be great if there is wiggle room and that a more just trade is possible.

Well, I could be wrong. Ehlers is obviously a fit, but he won't sign an extension, and the reported asking price is something like Kulich, 2025 1st, and two more premium pieces. It's more than we got for Eichel, so I am skeptical KA would be willing to pay the price, and that seems ridiculously steep to me. I don't think either Farabee or Vatrano are ideally what you'd want, but those are names I saw thrown out there who could be available.

I don't really think Ehlers or Necas are in the cards. The other names I have heard talked about are Farabee and a few mentions of Vatrano. I'm not sure how available they are either, but I am guessing they are possible targets if KA intends to add yet.

Pretty sure one can legitimately blame KA for this as well.

I understand. I wasn't criticizing your point, just augmenting with my own expression of dissatisfaction with KA's measure of what excellence should look like. No doubt, Pegula and the disastrous history of what the team has become is an anchor even a competent GM would have a hard time overcoming. Nonetheless, I can't help thinking that even under these circumstances, we should do better.

They should do both, but we are left hoping against hope that maybe they end up with one of those. The goal should be to field a team that is clearly above the line of talent needed to make the playoffs, so you can absorb the inevitable injuries and players with down years. If your plan is hoping for an inside straight to maybe sneak in as the eighth seed, you're probably KA.

Not that I know of. I checked a few times at work and didn't see anything. I think he was looking at a trade, rather than free agency, so it could still happen. I wouldn't put any money on it.

So, this fella I mention now and again from the hockeybuzz site posted this late last night: "You all are depressed but what's about to come will make fans excited trust me I wish I could tell you but I can't I'll see you in October" Another poster on that board who is relatively new there asked about the reliability of the fella, and stated the reasonable objection that no one, after all, knew the fella personally. One of the few intelligent posters there wrote back this in reply: "I do, or at least did. Used to talk to him frequently when we both joined the site prior to him moving to Cali. Lines of communication have been spotty at best the last 4-5 years but I know enough that I can assure you he has connections. Fwiw" Maybe fan fiction, but I doubt it. The "insider" has been on that site for fifteen years, and seems to have some credibility. Anyway, I'm going to maintain hope and at least see if anything significant drops in the next week. It just beggars the imagination that even the most complacent of owners would not feel some urgency at this point, and I don't believe Ruff wants to be miserable, rather than having a last shot at glory.

If you are one of those who think Skinner was a bad influence on the team, not because of character, but the way he played the game, it seems that Ruff agreed with you. The young fella that claims insider knowledge over on that execrable Hockeybuzz board is still saying there is a plan and that Ruff would not have signed on apart from one. Says the team is going to look different and it will be a playoff roster. Guess we'll see. Skepticism and entrenched anger after years of disappointment and poor decision making is entirely understandable. Still think Ruff has enough hockey sense and pull that this year's team will be more than an expensive pay for a fourth liner and calling up youth from Rochester.

Maybe it's this all over again but I think KA makes a significant move.

I see you're doubling down on your imaginary scenario.

Look, the NFL hates Buffalo. That's why we don't get calls and have a home game in London where the opponent habitually plays and is waiting a week ahead of us and acclimated. So, for sure, the NHL hates Buffalo. The refs like to give us the business, "No Goal" is the wound that never heals, and besides, if they didn't hate us, that would mean we're just ridiculous, miserable dopes, and we can't have that, can we?

There's an old Night Gallery episode, "Lone Survivor," about a shipwreck survivor of the Titanic mysteriously picked up by the Lusitania. Normally, we trade a player he ends up winning the Cup. I'm afraid poor Okposo may be the lone survivor.

Hopefully all those analytic fellas can think outside their metrics, because character and elevating teammates requires qualitative judgment beyond the numbers to be fully appreciated.