Drag0nDan
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Posts posted by Drag0nDan
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21 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:
Johnson, sure
Portillo, no way we can say this with how bad are gt has been recently
I'm not even sure we should rely on UPL at this point. Spend some money, draft capital, picks, whatever on this position.
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On 4/5/2022 at 3:49 PM, Brawndo said:
Besides the fact both would be UFAs in August 2023.
If they do not sign, both should become trade pieces for a Younger RHD and/or an established goalie
They possibly both already are trade pieces.
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I hate my baseball team and I'm fairly certain I'm just done with them. They changed their name to the Guardians - which is terrible. They have gone the route of a rock bottom payroll. The team name even shares 5 letters... i think they saved money on their logo change even. It's just so pathetically cheap and I can't stand it.
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11 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:
Given the totality of the circumstances, the 2 issues of VO’s next contract vs acquiring a goaltender are separate issues
1) The Sabres are 23rd in goals for. Can we really afford to let one of our premiere goal scorers go?
2) The Sabres are approx $18 under the cap floor with surprisingly few job openings. VO’s next contract will go along way toward helping us get to the floor.
3) The Sabres have other assets to use to get the goaltending including 3 1sts this year, 3 2nds next year, and a boatload of cap space to help other teams get under the cap. KA said at the deadline that he was willing to weaponize the cap space. I don’t see the attitude changing in the off-season.
4) KA’s pronouncement that he only wants guys that wants to be here, isn’t lip service. The recent article about Asplund and VO’s bonding in Rochester and being key pieces of the of fun and family atmosphere in the locker room reinforced the idea that KA would bring back VO to keep his scoring and maintain the building culture.
Nothing precludes KA from trading VO in the right deal, but it would have to be a huge offer. Also he has been pretty clear that he wants to acquire a top flight RHD to partner with Power and mentor the young D group. 19 teams are either at this years cap ceiling or over the cap using LTIR to stay complaint. Most of the these teams have limited flexibility for next season and will be dumping veteran contracts this off-season. This is how I believe KA will weaponize our cap space. I can see guys like Varlomov and Dumba at the top of KA’s list.
These don't need to be lines - i'm all for mixing it up including thompson line - which can be a bit too offense heavy and gives up too many chances
Skinner thompson tuch - No one touches skinner, thompsons been our best center, and tuch looks like future captain
girgs-asplund-okposo - Girgs might fetch something in a trade but not much, asplund if he can play center would be a good fit here with a better shot than eakin and a willingness to use it
krebs - cozens - olof - Krebs needs the offseason as he's sort of in a rut and making a lot of the same mistakes. Cozens needs to continue to work on his 200 foot game and just generally needs to play faster more consistently. Olof can shoot, and even pass sometimes, and is probably a wing on the PP1
JJP - Mitts - Quinn - Hypothetically these are the last 3 in, which would mean no FAs or trades out of the forward group. I'm not sure i love mitts at center, or both rookies starting up with the team right out of the gate. I don't think theres much for either to learn at the same time, and I wouldn't trade either.
Trocheck would be a nice get - good on the dot, good defensively. Giroux as well would be an interesting add. But adding either one of those pushes someone like JJP to the minors, or someone like olof or mitts (or both) off the roster entirely. There are a ton of young dudes on this team right now.
I like the idea of a Varlamov, and there will be others. Kuemper, Campbell, Husso, Vanacek will all sign places - and those teams will likely have to move goalies as well.
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The thing is too - while a ton of this has come with skinner and tuch. Asplund and Olofsson were scoring on his wing this season early on as well, and they went into their slumps when they were taken off of his line.
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On 3/30/2022 at 7:39 AM, inkman said:
He’s playing with confidence. He’s playing instinctively rather than indecisive. Probably makes his play immeasurably faster.
More aggressive too - and its not all about chasing hits. He's meeting people closer to the blue line instead of continuing to fade back.
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16 hours ago, MBD said:
He could be the Sabres' Josh Allen.
I feel like Allen would be a center though. Sort of an angrier lemieux.
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Love the turn on this player. When initially acquired a lot of people hated it and viewed it as a throw-in and that we got less for Reinhart than Risto.
Now a season later and he's looking like a possible solution in goal at some point. I think this would be an even faster jump than Spencer Knight.
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1 hour ago, JoeSchmoe said:
This is the number 1 reason. Also, I think we're letting a few of these guys off easy by calling them JAGs.
Playing regular minutes and getting 6pts or less in more than 50 games is tragically bad (I'm looking at you Bjork and Hayden). If those two ever make it back into the lineup, we'll see a return to being a bottom 5 caliber team.
You can call a Murray, a Ruotsailanen, or a Cagiulia a JAG. Bjork, Hayden, and Eakin just sewer water.
Agreed. Those 3 on the ice was brutal - its like they were trying to play up a hill or something.
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5 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:
Other: health. All the others are contributing factors and not to be diminished, but health is the key.
We saw a competitive team early in the season -- and that was with losing Mitts and Joker on opening night. But then Anderson got hurt, and Olofsson, and then Toker went out with COVID. And then a seemingly endless string of others went out for awhile, too. Hinostroka and Girgs. Tuch was acquired pre-injured to fit right in.
Tuch was a jolt in the arm. Once Anderson and Toker were both back in the fold, we started to see some poise return, but not the wins. VO's shot started to return, then Mitts and Hino and now Girgs and we're very nearly a full roster again. And lo and behold, competitive like early on in the season.
John Hayden has played in 52 games for Buffalo this year. Eakin has played in 62. Bjork has played in 51. Murray 19. Jankowski 19. Ethan prow even popped in for 4 games.
There's plenty of space in the lineup for your quinns, jjp's, and free agents/trades. In addition to literally like 50 starts at goalie.
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I put cohesion. Goaltending has been much better though still pretty inconsistent. Tokarski was having a really good month before chicago (where he was awful), and anderson has cooled off.
The team is 23-23-8 in games not started by Dell and Subban. While not a playoff record it's clear even marginal goaltending is a big step up for this group. UPL clearly had some poor luck with 2 wins in 5 good starts - I think this was that stretch where everyone was hurt or sick with miller, bryson, hagg etc. all in and out of the lineup too.
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19 hours ago, The Ghost of Yuri said:
He got here the offseason prior to that. He's the one that signed Hall.
Ah good point! We only had 5 picks in 2020? Apparently traded a 4th to move up for JJP - who looks like he could be good so... i'm pretty good with that. 3rd was traded for skinner. Other 4th they traded for Frolik - yikes JB. In any case - they could have just drafted Levi - but we still got someone in 2020.
In any case - we need a goalie today not tomorrow or the day after. We probably should keep giving goalies looks though.
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18 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:
I think most people here believe this team is on the cusp of being a playoff contender, especially with better goaltending.
I also think most people here like the depth we are building at forward and look forward to truly running 4 quality limes night in and night out. During these regular season, a team that can roll 4 lines has a distinct advantage.
However, can this team become a true Cup contender without at least one Superstar forward?
When I look at this forward group I see Skinner, Tuch, Thompson, Mitts, Krebs and Quinn as potential 60-70 pts players. Cozens 50-60 and possibly better. That’s great depth, but is it good enough? I watch our OT play and PP and worry that we lack a dynamic forward to help those specialty areas thrive.
I think with teams being occasionally forced to trade guys - you can acquire your superstar forward in other ways. Who that guy is and how we acquire him? I don't think buffalo's in a position to get one yet unfortunately. Too much bad press around Eichel.
If both Dahlin, and Power can become superstar defensemen it makes everyone look better too - and just generally make finding a superstar easier.
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18 hours ago, Buffalonill said:
Honestly how is this a dumb decision ? He gets to pick his own team and gets paid
You are waiting to start an ELC. For Goalies? It's probably a bit different as the traditional pathway requires about 100 games at a minor league level anyway.
Cal Petersen is 27 and signed through 2023.
ELC - 2yr 1.85M
2019 - 3yr 2.575M - He'd made 11 NHL starts to this point.
2021 - 3yr 15M
So through 2020-2021 season in the same draft - Jarry earned 6.625M with 2 remaining years at 8M total), and he'll be a free agent in 2023. Petersen earned 4.425M and has 3 years remaining at 15M total and will be a free agent in 2024.
Development path isn't everything obviously - Petersen started 110 games in college, Jarry 55 games in WHL followed by 78 games in AHL. Jarry played in 62 NHL games through 2020, while peterson played in 19. I don't know which is right - Jarry is the better player, but i don't know that either development path is preferable.
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On 1/31/2020 at 10:48 AM, Drag0nDan said:
Then he threw that plan out when he moved o'reilly and promoted mittelstadt who needed seasoning.
I think the biggest issue i have with the team is the complete lack of emphasis on goalies. Buffalo's successful seasons... over basically their entire existence. All had good goalies. Can we at least TRY to build out from the net? I like having a top goalie in the NHL. It's a nice safety blanket. There are a considerable number of teams who have 2 goalies that are better than either of ours.
I can't blame Adams for mistakes of previous regimes. His first offseason he acquired Levi. The free agent market was not great - the expansion draft and covid created a really weird market for goalies. There were some good ones available, and we pushed hard to keep Ullmark and it didn't work out. The degree to which we are not a free agent destination can't be overstated. This year i think a trade target is important as well as going heavy into free agency in 2022.
JB was here from 2017-2019 drafts and took Portillo and UPL. Remains to be seen on either. Murray drafted Johannsson and traded for Lehner.
Before that Regier had taken one in 3 straight years - Petersen, Ullmark, Lieuwen. All after the 4th round though.
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7 minutes ago, jsb said:
I voted no but not because of what we'll do in the offseason but until I see one of the current 8 Eastern Conference teams start showing signs of age catching up with them. We are in a power house conference and Boston, Pittsburgh and Washington are showing no signs yet of slowing down. So we'll see but I don't think we'll be ready until the 23'-24' season.
Bruins gotta figure out Bergeron this year and pastrnak next year. Penguins got a ton of free agents - Malkin, Letang, Rust are the big 3. Caps are pretty set on who they are and gotta pay their goalies this year. Torontos going to overpay a goalie for sure.
Florida and Tampa are just wagons. Deep teams across the board with good goalies.
Carolina and the Rangers are both good - but Anderson has a .928% save percentage in 43 games which is signifcantly above his career average. Shesterkins at a .936 in 42 games. Thats quite a few stolen games.
At the end of the day, it seems like the way to the playoffs requires a good goalie. 0 Current Eastern conference teams have given up 200 goals this year, and buffalo is at 223. The 171 goals for is also lower than all the playoff teams. Playoff teams don't usually get shut out 6 times by teams like ottawa, detroit and montreal. Or have so many losing streaks where they seem incapable of beating anyone.
5 game losing streak in october/november
4 game losing streak in november (where they gave up 22 goals in 4 games)
7 game losing streak in november/december (30 goals allowed in 7 games)
6 game losing streak in december/January (24 goals in 6 games)
6 game losing streak in February (28 goals in 6 games)
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4 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:
@Drag0nDan i just dont trust 1 year wonders
I'd agree if it was after a year of playing with Crosby or something. But asplund and olofsson are 2 big reasons why (outside of injury obviously) i don't see a 1 year wonder. They have not scored anywhere near the same volume since they played with Tage.
Plus I selfishly love watching him blast slap shots into the boards on the PP.
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3 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:
I might be the only but i dont trust him i personal would trade him to highest bidder
But thats just me
At what point do we stop shipping players out for picks? He's probably our 2nd best player behind dahlin right now - and it passes every analytic and eye test i can see.
He's also currently dirt cheap, playing a premium position in center, playing in all situations including PP1 and PK. I'm not sure what else this guy needs to do. Scoring goals, one of the best on the team at gaining the offensive zone, gets to good areas.
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16 hours ago, Flashsabre said:
LOL if I told this board one year ago we would have a thread dedicated to how much will it take to lock up Tage Thompson long term people’s heads might have exploded.😁
When he signed his current deal there were so many people saying it was an overpay.
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4 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:
Is it because the top 8 teams are that good or the bottom 6 are just that bad? At least those 8 teams are still jockeying for postions.
I'd say for the most part... the bottom of the barrel teams in the east can't keep the puck out of the net. Buffalo is 4-6 when they score 4 goals... and have given up 5 or more 20 times in 63 games.
The islanders just had a very weird year. 13 games on the road to start because of stadium issues, then out of that continued losing up to an 11 game losing streak to be at 5-10-5 through 20. 21-15-4 since then and -4 goal differential on the season.
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5 hours ago, North Buffalo said:
Is Giordano a FA after this season? Would he be worth a looksy? If Adams could grab him it might put him up in Bean stratosphere... just not sure of $s
He is - but i think he'd want a contender. Plus they would want picks. Since we're rebuilding i doubt we trade picks for an exprining.
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1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:
Look at the Seattle expansion draft. It has botterill and his fear of risks all over it.
The best player they got was giordano and they are dumping him at the deadline most likely.
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On 3/12/2022 at 3:36 PM, Marvin, Sabres Fan said:
NOTE: through one of my former students, I met Tim Murray when his father was coach of the Baltimore Skipjacks and his late uncle was coach of the Washington Capitals. I used to go to weekend practises when either team was at home. The Murrays would explain the drills they ran and why. I learnt a LOT from that family.
Is anything positive said about the Sabres or negative against anti-Sabres takes propaganda? I personally take all the stories from around the league with a pinch of salt unless I have independent corroborating evidence. Here are some pieces I have.
I know two people who had witnessed the influence of Kane and Bogosian from the start. During that time, I had heard about Brian Gionta's and Ryan O'Reilly's frustration at cliques in the team. That was why I hated the ROR trade and the lack of movement from XGMJB during the slide after the 10 game winning streak. So I already knew about what has come out recently. It is not propaganda. It might have some hyperbole if what I was told was representative of people's behaviour at the time.
My evaluation is that Gionta and ROR wanted the youth to focus on the boring things that work on the ice while Kane and Bogosian were focused on the fun off-ice. Which do you think two teenage jocks would choose?
I know Kane was probably a terrible influence (partying, gambling, poor teammate etc.), I'm not sure what it was with Bogo. Was he not a hard worker? Or just a jerk? He was definitely overpaid, maybe that was part of it. I know he was miserable when he was here, and it definitely showed.
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18 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:
Never is a long time. You don't know how things will turn out.
Yeah - 2nd round picks are not usually around for a few years anyway if they ever make it to the NHL. But if they wanted one of them here, I'm sure they could find their way over.
6 Game Stretch
in The Aud Club
Posted
The drop passes and random passes through center ice out of the d zone are absolutely infuriating.