Dr. Who

Rosen, Cozens, Kulich, and next years first.

I'm hoping for a bit more than marginal, but the tepid response is a KA specialty. He sure as hell better add a top 4D as well in the off-season.

Ah, yes, there's even a dark cloud in the silver lining.

I've granted that Granato may be objectively coaching somewhat better this year. One can focus on any number of granular issues and perform analytics in the hope of discovering a secret formula. The holistic, intuitive evaluation is almost always likely to be more accurate, even when one cannot pin it down in the manner favored by analytics. (And surely, there are analytics that could be chosen to accommodate a different narrative.) Of course, it isn't all on Granato. I personally think he's a very nice fella who is probably more suited to be nurturing young players in the AHL. "Retread" is a loaded word with obvious connotations. One could replace that with "experienced coach with a track record of winning" and say the same thing with an entirely different coloration. I'd take Berube right now over Granato, and it isn't a terribly hard decision. Regardless, I don't expect that. I am hoping KA will feel enough heat to spend some prospect cash for needed, ready-to-play upgrades. Alas, it will come too late to alter the trajectory of another failed season.

I don't want to dismiss everything you said. It's easy enough to acknowledge that for whatever reasons, Tage and Cozens are having regression seasons, and that has significantly affected offensive numbers. Losing Quinn for most of the year is also a factor, as a leap forward was anticipated, and quite possible. All that said, those who point to a weak schedule in much of the new year are correct. The lackluster numbers for a few key players on offense does not address the poor home record, the slow starts, the habitual hole of giving up the first goal, not to mention the obvious deficit of grit and toughness, a lack of snarl that permits the other team to consistently bully the Sabres. Granato may indeed be marginally coaching better this year, but he appears to be enabling a culture of entitlement and hostility towards a long-suffering fan base that has plenty of reason to voice their displeasure. If your job allows you to play a game for millions of dollars, accepting that element of the implied contract ought not to be too onerous a burden. All that said, the addition of a genuine top 4 D and some grit vets with more in the tank than the Latvian locomotive and KO could have been the missing ingredients in a year where UPL has emerged as a surprising stalwart goalie. That is on KA, who is always hedging on expectations, and pushing into the distant future the winning that is long overdue.

That's almost always good advice.

I am cautiously optimistic. The cap going up somewhat more than expected gives some relief on eventually getting under the cap. I don't think fans' obsession with WR is misplaced. The WR room needs a significant upgrade at the X, and it is a very good draft at the position. They should take one early and another fairly early on day 3. There are quite a few quality free agents at safety, and traditionally, it is not a position that commands high dollars. They will find someone or two and take one in the draft, as well. The best safeties will go before the Bills' pick in the third, so they would have to use #60 or wait on some decent fellas likely to be there in the mid-rounds. I hope they wait till day 2 for DL. I think there are a fair number of DTs available, not so great at edge. There aren't too many obvious 1T, which is what we really could use. If Sweat drops to the second, that would be a fit. Keith Randolph, Jr. could develop into one, and you can get him on day 3.

He probably thinks Josh Allen should catch his own passes, too.

Honestly, all the malcontents have had success somewhere else. It was amusing (not for you) to bash Eichel as an entitled Boston chowder head, but in reality, the discontent has been vindicated, and now, ironically, the entitled continue to reside in blue collar Buffalo.

I think you missed the basic gist of the thread. We are moderating our disappointment and discovering glimmers of hope. Your lyrics goes with one of the dirge threads.

This is true, but unfortunately, KA is like this about the prospects.

No doubt, you have to work with people shaped by the times, or retreat to the farm like Cincinnatus. (I live on a farm, and work remotely.) Unfortunately, it's evident Terry Pegula does not have the acumen to solve the problems his own agency has largely produced. What is utterly lacking is prudential wisdom, which is the capacity to judge what is best for a unique, particular circumstance.

I am the greybeard on a project with a bunch of the Woke types. The juvenile behavior and sense of entitlement is remarkable, and that is not a simple reflection of youth. The culture is damaged in significant ways, and one sees the "snowflake" vibe in a lot of habitual attitudes in an entire generation.

Chocolate cake, beer, and salt are good for you. They've been lying to us for years.

Cloning Mitts is an interesting idea. Maybe they will then trade him, and play him on the 2nd and 3rd lines. I suppose you mean Cozens will play better if he wears Mitts' jersey. I dunno, maybe it will work.

Either that, or one or both of them will suddenly be rejuvenated, they make the playoffs, through the usual Sabre factor in the known universe, the traded Sabre is supernaturally elevated in the post-season, wins the Cup, and is awarded the Conn Smythe.

The problem with the truly stupid is that they don't know that they don't know. What is exasperating is the combination of stubbornness and apparent apathy.

Who is going to want to take that cap hit off our hands, and I don't want to pay someone else to take him? I think the best hope with Diggs is that injuries affected the second half of the season, and that he returns to something approximating prior form. He's not the player he was a few years ago, obviously. They need to add a WR early that can grow into a #1, and then at least one more with plus talent. I think Brian Thomas, Legette, maybe Franklin and Worthy are the best options early. I like Mitchell, too, but he lacks explosive burst, and I recently read there are some character and injury concerns with him. There are a lot of day 2 receivers that are appealing. It's a deep draft at the position, so no excuse not to give Josh more and better weapons. My secret luxury pick, I'd love to get Braelon Allen, a huge power back, at #99.

I'd be surprised, but I suppose it is possible. But I don't think it will come to that. Folks in Buffalo will come with pitchforks for the whole bunch at OBD if that happens.

He might be there at #28. I don't know about his character flaws, but I'll take your word for it. Lot of WR talent in this draft. I think we need to grab several, and one in the first. McD will be tempted to go DL, but they have to prioritize giving Josh premier weapons. He doesn't have the top-flight speed, but Adonai Mitchell is another big receiver I like. He catches everything, so he's an immediate upgrade over Gabe Davis.

I really like him, but I can't see Beane spending the draft capital to make it happen.

I think he's too qualified for Terry P. to consider, but the nostalgia streak might countervail the resistance to professional competence. Anyway, I vote yes.

1964, a popular year in these parts

We broke them. They used up all their zebra karma and good fortune against us.