JustOneParade

Maybe just proud and showin' off?

Nailed it. To expand a bit on these thoughts: 1) Regarding the concept of value, if KA slightly overpays on a 1 or 1A goalie I don't see this as problematic. If he overpays for another of what we already have, then that's a problem. 2) This concept of blocking Levi is perplexing. IF in a two or three years Levi is behind a successful 2022 addition in goal, isn't that a good thing? IF KA wants Levi unfettered access to the starting job in the near future that just doesn't seem wise at all. And IF its Levi who needs that path clear of competition then do we really want that guy anyway? 3) IF KA banks on Levi becoming 'the Guy' in a few years, continues to muddle along in goal until then, and is ultimately wrong about him, I hate to think where this organization might be (figuratively and maybe literally soon thereafter). Attendance? Young core players approaching free agency? Way too much uncertainty and risk for my taste should KA opt to do nothing of consequence with the goaltending.

Couldn't imagine why they sent the Cup to a publisher. Now I see. 😏

Am I the only one who wishes/recommends that closed captions are edited in to the video to display the questions being asked? (Just an abridged version if its PH asking the question).

@Wyldnwoody44 I feel for you. Tough times for sure but yes, it will pass. And as you know the past four years are a 'sunk cost' to use an accounting term. I agree with the suggestion to allow her the opportunity to explain herself. More for your benefit than hers. You'll learn a lot about her true self very quickly. I don't know you personally but have read on this board about your travels - both professional (with admiration) and personal - for a few years. Man, if she doesn't trust you to get from work to home what's going on in her head when you're away for long periods of time? Sorry, but it just doesn't appear that she's 'the one'. Trust is vital for a healthy relationship and she doesn't have it. It's really a sign of insecurity on her part. Good luck to you. Better days ahead ....

Agree about Portillo. Seems whenever Adams discusses prospects or goaltending lately, EP is an afterthought if not even mentioned at all. I may well be wrong and hope that I am. But there's something 'not going well' here.

Thanks TW. I understand the backloading of NFL contracts. Seems some team with $5m of cap space is always trying add a $10m aav contract. Just thinking the Sabres could take advantage of the space the team will have for a couple years. I have little familiarity of how NHL contracts work. I think I understand what you are saying. So if the team signs signs TT to 5 years $35m total and the team pays him 10, 10, 5, 5 and 5, the first year for cap purposes is still $7m regardless? Do I have that right? And that's ignoring what must me many nuances.

Jiricek not in the top 10 surprises me even more.

My point was that if the Sabres aren't sure about Tage then it might be prudent to wait. What we all think really doesn't matter. AFTR, I agree with those who believe we're seeing the developed Tage and this past season wasn't an anomaly. Since my last post I'm recalling hearing Granato saying TT 'has more to give' and 'will get even better'. Clear evidence of how the organization views Tage, I would think. DG doesn't appear to be the kind of guy to blow smoke. If that's their view, signing him to an extension/new contract this summer is the right thing to do for all the reasons you guys have written. It's just to bad that given the Sabres cap outlook the contract can't be front loaded (?) like an NFL contract can.

Perfect post @dudacek. It's a preemptive 'Plan B' (that doesn't inhibit the Sabres at all from properly bolstering the roster, BTW) in case KA's Plan A gets 'Ullmarked'. If so, he then has to tell the owners they need to spend $3 or $4M on a worthless asset (Boychucked) to get to the floor. He has basically protected the organization from that scenario for a 'mere' $750k. (yes, I created a couple new verbs 😄).

Great conversation here ladies and gents. If the Sabres aren't 90% sure (can never be 100%) of what Tage is going to be as a player I believe they should wait a year. Its all about risk assessment with their cap dollars. Pay me now or pay me later. (The following numbers are for illustrative purposes only). Option 1: pay him now with a 6x$6M contract. He turns out to be an established $7.5M player for the life of the contract and it is a great value for the club. Or, this year was an anomaly and Tage is really a long term $3.5M player. Bad value for the club. Option 2: wait and pay him a year from now when you have a bit more certainty about the player Tage is. You've lessened the probability of a long above market contract. But you may now have to pay $7.5M when you could have had him for $6M a year prior. Given the makeup of the team and the contacts forthcoming in a couple years (and Skinner still on the books) I would wait and avoid an overvalued contract. If Tage turns out to be a $7.5M and you have to pay him as such I have no problem at all with that. There is more risk in an overvalue contract than a market value contract. The real life numbers here change the risk calculus, for sure.

I would have thought this would be viewed as a net wash by Sabres fans. (yes, a gratuitous shot at Sabotka two years in the making).

Taking my wife there to see James Taylor on 7/3. Concert. Fireworks.Then more fireworks when we get home (if she's not too tired). 😄 Tanglewood is a great outdoor venue but the traffic in and out is a pain in the ass. Glad you enjoyed the show @North Buffalo.

Like Trouba putting a key opponent out with a head shot for the third consecutive series? (Which, by definition then, wouldn't be 'something crazy' I suppose). I'm with you though. Believe it will be TB and COL in the final.

And JJP did that without Quinn on his line for what, 20 - 25 games? One has to think points were lost there while Quinn was out injured.

Looking at the Sabres forward roster as it exists today, I love this second option. The COG (?) line would be a killer matchup line with some scoring potential. And the Krebs line (ROC Kids) would be fun. They'd certainly need to be sheltered and would be some high-event hockey for sure. I'd at least give it a go. It's all more sensible if you get away from traditional line numbering.

i was waiting for someone to pick up on that. Well done @Weave. 👏

What are we up to now? Exhibit F? G? that Krueger sucked balls? And thanks for the clarification on the DG hire @Taro T. I wasn't sure but thought I had read previously it was KA.

Listening to and seeing implemented DG's philosophies about how the game is to be played, how did DG ever manage to get through that year and a half under Krueger? Almost polar opposites in approach to the game. Did DG have to suppress/subordinate his own coaching methods? Had to be quite awkward at times. And one has to wonder during that period of time if the players were looking at DG thinking 'I wish that guy was our coach'. And wasn't it KA who assigned Granato to Krueger's staff? Kudos to him if so.

Have they come up with fancy stats for the value of leadership yet? Especially for a guy who is helping a bunch of talented young kids bring an organization out the abyss? Yes, I want him back. As long as he is still productive and his salary is commensurate with everything he brings to the team.

I'm certain that is true. Give him the C. He has earned it. Bestow that honor on him. And I agree with you that he doesn't need the C. Kyle will be Kyle regardless.

Kirby Smart to the 5-Star recruit: 'Oh, did I mention we just sent 15 players to the NFL?'.

I watched KO's press conference last night. Wow, was that impressive. Talk about value added to a team that can't be measured by goals and assists? A must view for those that haven't seen it. I watched Tuch's also. He was good too but you can see the experience difference. Those two have been mentioned most to wear the 'C' next. If the decision (rightfully) is based on leadership qualities then it's not even debatable in my mind. Tuch will have to wait. P.S. - the cadence in Kyle's speech is almost exactly the same as Granato's. Found that striking.

The reason for asking the question 'When does Kyle's contract end?' has changed significantly since last year, eh?

I used to call it the RJ Drinking Game. Every time RJ uttered that phrase you had to do a shot. Blind by the first intermission most nights.