JohnC

When one takes an overview of all the players that were listed it becomes evident that most of our roster is set for next year. The potential rookies you listed at the bottom of your post won't have to be rushed. The only player in the rookie list who might be moved up quicker than preferred is Savoie. And that is due to not being able to play in the AHL next year. Most of us agree that the blueline needs to be bulked up. That should be doable. The big challenge for this GM is to go outside his comfort zone of sticking with the process and be more aggressive in acquiring a high-end goalie. Adding a goalie such as Saros would do more to solidify the Sabre roster than any other move that he can make. The Sabres are on the doorstep of being a serious team. How will the cautious GM respond. We shall see.

For the most part, Joki has been paired with Power. Power has thrived as a player. Is Joki a factor for his emerging play? I would say yes. There are times when Joki is paired with Dahlin. Has that diminished the Swede's play? I don't think so. However, I have said many times if more talent is added to the unit that results in Joki or even Sameulsson moving to a lower pairing, I would not only be receptive to that change but also be ecstatic about it. It would clearly indicate more talent added to the unit. Having more talent is not an issue that I'm going to complain about. On the contrary, I will celebrate it. Sometimes a player can be rated as a third pairing player yet still be very effective being paired with another player on a higher pairing. The factors influencing that move up has a lot to do with the ability to mesh with another player. I believe that dynamic applies both to Joki and Sammy.

Over the past 10 games or so Boosh has really surprised me by his play. He has been one of our most consistent and dependable defenders. He has gotten healthy and seems more comfortable with the team's defensive scheme. I consider him more of a third pairing caliber of player. However, based on his improved play he is capable on a temporary basis of moving up the pairing list when needed. I have a different view on Joki than most of the members here. I'm higher on him than the rank and file are. Whether he is playing on the first or second pairing, his best role is being the complementary defender. Whether he is paired with Power or Dahlin, his style of play allows the other primary players to accentuate their impressive talents. The overwhelming consensus here is that the blue line unit still needs additions to create more depth to absorb injuries and still be able to maintain a level of play that doesn't become a vulnerability. I would like to see 2 Lyubushkin caliber of players added to the blueline unit.

I have said for quite a while that I would like another Lyubushkin caliber to the mix. I don't think that it is inconceivable that two players in that talent range could be added to the unit this offseason. What has recently surprised me is how well Illya is playing. I previously considered him a good third pairing player but now I would elevate my rating and categorize him as a 4-5 defenseman. I have a higher assessment of Joki than most of the members here have. I still see him having more upside to his game. Stillman is another solid addition who can be a quality 4th pair player. The high number of minutes that Power and Dahlin are currently subjected to is unsustainable on a long-term basis. I'm not sure what our GM is going to do this offseason in addressing the goalie position. If he stays with the status quo (which I think he will), one way to improve the play in net is to better support that position with better blue line play.

None of us knows for sure how he will develop or the timeframe it will take for him to be ready for NHL play. There is no guarantee on prospects except for a rare elite prospect. What your scout friend is probably warning you is to not expect him to be an immediate savior. If the GM believes that that Comrie, UPL and Levi are the goalies next year who will battle to earn playing time, he is taking a major gamble. I'm excited about having Levi in our system and eventually being our #1 goalie. An experienced and quality goalie needs to be brought in to buy time for Levi to be ready and help us win next year.

Granato stated on WGR that the team very often ends practices with shootouts. For the most part the players who are chosen for the shootouts are players that they have demonstrated to be the best at that aspect of the game. He also noted that there are some variations due to how a player is playing in a game and sometimes there is a gut consideration in selecting the shooter. His comments reflect what you just stated.

I'm as big a Samuelsson fan as there is on this site. But the record disparity between when he plays and doesn't play is deceiving. The main reason why the record plummets when he is not playing is the unit lacks depth. So when he is out there is a cascading effect when replacements have to be fill-ins, not only replacing his spot but through the rest of the pairings. Lyubushkin has recently demonstrated over the last half dozen games or so that he is capable of playing well but also playing on a higher pair. This offseason the GM needs to add one or two players Lyubushkin caliber players to the unit. That's an imperative and challenge for the GM to do this offseason. note: I wasn't able bring up your link so I don't know what players you would like to target.

If the organization is not allowed to send Savoie to the AHL (hate that rule--there should be exceptions) then it's more likely that Savoie will be added to the NHL club. And because of injuries and ineffective play it wouldn't be surprising if Kulich was called up.

A subdued Granato gives his postgame comments. This is a 6 min segment. He mentioned Rousek's and Mitt's play in the interview Our coach is a mature and composed coach/person. There are some volatile coaches who wouldn't be able to control their emotions at the podium after a tough loss. He's not one of them. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/don-granato-postgame-32723/t-277822760/c-16235120

Let's all try another approach. When you think this---say that. When you want this---instead choose that. 🤡

I agree with what you are saying. To add to it, I see this line growing together. The more they play together the more cohesive and productive this line will become. The blind pass that Quinn made to Cozens for a score had a lot to do with each player anticipating where the other would be. The issue for me isn't so much one player outplaying another and replacing the player. If another prospect shines, the coach will find a way to play him somewhere whether on that line or another. And it is evident in this grinding and punishing sport that it is an imperative to have to have depth along the roster to move players in and out of different lines and pairings. Needless to say, having more talent is better than having less talent.

I see things a little differently about your comment about JJP being pushed down. I see this line remaining in tact and becoming a very effective 2nd line. As it is currently constituted it is going to get better and better.

The problem isn't so much that people weren't alive during that period. It relates to not using other sources such as reading or videos to look back on time.

Excellent point. When your country's leader is a combination of Stalin and Hitler, what you think, say or exhibit, could have deadly consequences for you and your family, including those who are back home. My world is far from their world.

I can't recall. What I can say is that if a quality goaltender is brought in, it will have a major impact on this team. Ask yourself, if we had an Ullmark caliber goalie this year, not necessarily him, where would this team be this year? Sometimes the issue isn't so much market value as it is the value for your team.

The GM has said many times that he would rather allow a prospect to work on his game longer in the lower league so that he will be better prepared when he does get a call-up. It's apparent that the GM's impulse is to error on the side of waiting longer than hoping for an earlier return on a player. There is no rush. Because these prospects are so young there is also a physical and emotional maturity aspect to consider.

I don't see Saros is attainable or maybe even available. Who else and how much? How about Demko for a #1 pick?

According to Paul Hamilton, Levi hasn't even practiced with the team yet. Too many people are jumping the gun on this exciting prospect. Comrie should get the start against Montreal. Just focus on one game at a time and keep the race going as long as possible.

How about a first round pick this year and Rosen for Demko?

Within this link is a 20 min segment with Paul Hamilton on WGR's Jeremy White Show. He talks about the last two games but also about how this team is playing and their mind-set as related to their play. One player he singled out was Quinn and his development. It's a good general discussion of where this team is at and where it is going. It similarly tracks a lot of our discussions about this team and its maddening vicissitudes. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/authors/howard-and-jeremy-show

There were so many classic lines in that movie. https://everydaypower.com/animal-house-quotes/

How has Ryan Johnson been playing in the tournament?

Are you aware that the youngsters in the room don't know who Wally Pipp is? Although the aged and infirm know exactly what you mean.

The superior dominates the subordinate. That's the natural order. She doesn't need anyone to explain anything to her. She knows. Just graciously accept it.

There's nothing wrong with being confused when there isn't clarity. And in life there are plenty of things that aren't clearly defined. So you live with the confusion and try to deal with the it as best you can. Some people require neatness as they see it while others are more comfortable handling the untidy room as it exists.