JustOneParade

My wife and I started watching the TO-BOS game late in the first period. She, who knows even less about hockey than I, says “the Sabres don’t play anything like these teams do”. I love watching playoff hockey.

I hope he comes back to clarify, but when he wrote ‘the guys’ I assumed he meant ‘the players’.

Sorry to hear that @Brawndo. Hang tough. I’m sure you’ll land on your feet but hoping it doesn’t involve uprooting your family. I have a handful of clients in the medical profession- docs, PA’s, nurses. And we have discussions about the changes in the industry. I am fearful of the direction healthcare is headed in this country (USA).

Shouldn’t have brought handedness into the comment though it may not matter to the org. It’s more a matter of play style for me. I’m certainly not the only one hoping for a more defensively oriented d-man in our top four. But the biggest reason for my post, and not written, was concern over the ability and/or wisdom to re-sign Byram and the resulting total investment in the D corp relative to the cap. He won’t be cheap.

It is somewhat bizarre. I’m thinking Byram might be traded this summer. Either in an offensive LHD for defensively responsible RHD top-4 swap, or for a center with the skill set presently lacking on this team.

This is a bigger issue for the NHL than for the NFL. The former derives more revenue based on attendance, the NFL from television contracts. But to @That Aud Smell’s point, there is an inherent, and not insignificant, risk in concentrating the sources of revenue.

Totally agree with this. His skill level may or may not develop to an NHL level but his size and playing style will certainly translate quite well. The Sabres can use two or three more of him in our system.

Perhaps Rob Ray wasn't the only one who depended on Matt Ellis for the 'inside scoop'?

A thumbs up for the second line. Only because there's not a way to give it three thumbs up.

Not for nothin' but can anyone recall a coach, in any major sports league, ever being fired before a contract extension even starts?

Devil you know and devil you don't perhaps? (Not a reference to any unemployed former Sabre HC).

Joe Brady was a big part of that after he became OC. I fell Brady was no fan of Diggs after being on the sideline with him for a couple seasons.

Fixed.

This is where the Sabres typically allow the flood gates to open.

Remember that we are entering the homestretch where purposeful lies and false character assassinations are being shelled out in buckets. The 'insiders' and 'experts' are tools of the organizations. BTW, have you heard that Malik Nabors has a coke problem and beat the the children of his handicapped neighbor? (Drop baby, drop).

I was going to type something really snarky, like "the NHL regular season continues for 138 more days after Buffalo is done". But I won't.

Last one. The angst will be over for a while. But will we miss them when they're gone? Be honest.

I would too @Sabres Fan in NS. For a few reasons a trade to Buffalo wouldn't happen though. But we desperately need a guy like this. I was watching the Flames/Yotes game last night. Never knew much about him other than he was a piece of that big trade. Then I saw him manhandle a guy out from the crease (and a pretty effective shove after the whistle). Later he was defending an oncoming rush high in his own zone. No retreat and stick swing defense like the Sabres play in that situation. Stepped up, took the body, and knocked the Yote on his ass. Can score too. Looked up his contract status and saw the linked article.

Pay what you must, make the trade, and get this guy. Older? Yes. A tad bit pricey? Yes. Byram +. A guy can dream. https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/flames-mackenzie-weegar-sends-powerful-message-with-commitment-to-stay/

I think he was a key figure in the emergence of the LIV Tour. Not as a player.

Agree with all of this. And it is what I find particularly frustrating. We need to, and have needed to, shore up the bottom 6 with players of the type that are absent in the organization at the present. Especially with CM gone. KA, with the assets / cap space available to him, can’t seem to upgrade the bottom 6? (Or doesn’t see the need to). It’s not like the Sabres are trying to find a 1C.

.979? That’s ridiculous. And clutch.

It should also be noted that the staff now has over 12 years of unsuccessful NHL coaching experience. How much more do we need to see? A Peca would be (would have been) a good add if joined by a couple seasoned and capable assistant coaches. Didn’t realize that about Cooper. Must be an outlier, no?

Didn’t see it upthread so I looked it up. The Sabres three assistant coaches (ex-Bales) had a combined 3 years of coaching experience at the NHL level prior to joining the Sabres staff. All by Wilford as an assistant w/Anaheim. Two never played in the NHL. No one should be surprised by the on-ice results.

Yep. Tuesday though.