JohnC

You are right that Marty on WGR is deliberately cautious when discussing the team and organization. Bread and butter considerations come into play. That’s disappointing because I consider him to be an excellent analyst.

I really like Kulich a lot and would hate to give him up. If you proposed JJP, our first pick and a B level prospect, I would say yes.

It's a mistake to get fixated on an outside player as if that one acquisition is going to be the answer to our roster problems. When you thin out your roster to harpoon the big what you end up putting yourself in a vulnerable situation in a business that injuries are an expected part of the landscape. What happens if the so-called star player is injured? Then what do you have to show for it? You end up thinning out your roster and have less of an ability to absorb the injuries that will likely happen. I'm not automatically against making a bonanza deal but you have to be smart about it. The proposed deal that included 9OA, Kulich and Östlund for Robertson is not necessarily a steadfast no for me but I am very hesitant to make that deal. Kulich is ready to play for us now. And our first pick and Östlund could be used to deal for another quality player. We need to thicken our roster, not thin it out.

Hell no! What you're offering is nothing but foolishness that sets this plagued franchise further back. My fear is that our Howdy Doody GM gets desperate just to show that he is doing something and makes a similar deal that thins out this already insufficient roster. If you want to make a big splash that will meaningfully upgrade this team, find a capable #1 goalie. That will do more than any of these imaginary fantasy hockey deals that one can concoct. An example to follow is Washington. They added Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren with medium deals that resulted in a top tier backstop for them. And it should be noted that they also made a series of medium deals that helped to infuse the roster with vigor for a fading SC team that was starting to age and fade. That's what happens when you have a smart front office that is creative and resourceful. Compare that to our rickety operation led by a dullard GM and an obtuse owner?

No.

Of course not. I said that if it was the deal, one for one, I would pounce on it. And what I also said is that if Byrum was thrown in the deal I would with no hesitation walk away.

I have no problem being laughed off. I would hang up and move on.

In a previous post you were willing to throw in Byrum into the deal. That would bring me to an absolute no because I would prefer using him in another deal.

A more proper evaluation is that the Sabres would have a better record if a more consistent goalie was in net.

My hairstylist asked me how would I like my hair cut. I told her to cut the gray off. I ended up leaving the establishment very bald. On the positive side I now where my Bills cap a lot.

You have a keen eye in recognizing that my position is grounded in my having more faith/expectations in our players than many here have. We shall see.

If the deal was straight up Peterka for Robertson, I would take the deal. In my opinion, some of your previous proposals were too generous for what we would give up .

Your response is well reasoned. However, don’t underestimate the challenge it will be to upgrade the goalie position and reconfiguring the blueline unit. And don’t underestimate how much it will improve this team. These are the priorities that need to be addressed. Where I diverge with a lot of the responders is that I strongly believe that young players such as Power, JJP and Kulich are ready to produce at a higher level a lot sooner than they think.

Why not have Tage and Tuch on the top line together? Tage can play either on the wing or center with Tuch on the other side. Norris can play center on the top line or second line. Where I separate myself with people taking the same position as you are regarding Quinn is that I see more upside from him than many others do. And I see that potential coming to fruition sooner than others see it. Again, with respect to this particular player I steadfastly say no. The priorities this offseason is in net and on the blueline. The blueline needs to be reconfigured with a better mix.

The Byrum issue relates to style of play within the current mix. And another consideration is the next contract cost. If he gets the gilded long term deal that I expect, there will be a poor cap distribution within the roster. I want to make it clear that I like him a lot.

Having depth and players competing for positions are not bad things. And having players such as Quinn, JJP and even Kulich who can move up to higher lines is what you want in an injury plagued crash sport. The priority is the goalie position. And the next priority is to bulk up the blueline with a couple more muscular defenders. We have the assets in Byrum, draft picks and prospects to accomplish those doable additions. Acting on frustration gives other more enlightened GMs opportunities to fleece us. Being smart is better than being dumb.

Our fundamental disagreement that can't be breached is in our views on Quinn as a player. I believe that his upside is higher than you do, thus his value. There is no circumstance that I see him as a lower line player or merely as a shootout specialist. If the issue is reduced between Marchment and Quinn, I'm still siding with keeping Quinn and eschewing Marchment. I'm not dispatching a player with more upside to tap. We disagree, that's okay.

We both agree that Byram should be moved because he has the greatest market value. I strenuously disagree with you that both Quinn and JJP need to be moved. For me, they are at a point of development where they should be 30 goal scorers. Too many people are dismissive of their offensive potential. I'm aware that they are not defensive juggernauts but they have the ability to improve defensively to the point where they are not glaring liabilities. As I stated in multiple posts, our greatest need is addressing the goalie position. If that is not done, everything else done will be wasted. My proposal compared to most other proposals here is a moderate/modest view that enhances what we now have as opposed to shredding the assets that we do have. We need to address the goalie position (priority #1), bring in a couple of veteran and bulky defenseman (reasonably attainable) and add two or three players that fall in category of players of hardnosed players who are Zucker like players. These are not show stopping transactions; they are smart deals that enhance what you already have on the roster. This cartoonish organization under the silent ownership of Pegula has had too many start and stop rebuilding efforts. It's time to stabilize and act judiciously and not reactively.

What blockbuster deal are you proposing that is realistic in coming to fruition? What value does Samuelsson have with his bloated contract? I'm not arguing to keep Byram, UPL or Samuelsson. The only value I see is with Byram. I would love to work out a deal such as trading him to the Rangers for K'Andre Miller. You don't need blockbuster deals to bring in a couple of experienced and rugged blueliners. They can be had on the market for reasonable second tier prices. Quinn and JJP are in my view 30+ goal scorers on a better team. You don't think that this team needs that output? Last year, Zucker and McCleod were brought in, and the year before Greenway was added. Those were quality support pieces. How about duplicating those roster improving moves that helped to reshape the roster and how it plays? Making a point that I have belabored into exhaustion is that the bringing in a reliable goalie will do more to enhance this team than any move. That's a priority that if it is not accomplished will undercut other transactions that would be made. There is too much attention is pursued for dramatic moves. How about making a series of smart moves better shapes and improves this roster?

I prefer Quinn over Marchant. And I’m not moving Kulich or Power. There are other assets such as Byrum, draft picks and prospects in the system to parlay. There are also mid-level free agents (such as Zucker was) that can be considered on prove it deals. Our biggest need is in net. Solidify that position and this team should be so much better. I’m not advocating for the blockbuster deal/s that strip this team for a short term gain. A few smart deals like was done in the acquisitions of Greenway, Zucker and McCleod are doable.

Still no for me.

I agree with your conclusion and respect your flexibility.

I say no to trading Quinn for Marchment. I believe that Quinn will come into camp healthy and stronger. And I strongly believe that he has enough experience now to get a return on his offensive talents. I also have the same approach to Kulich and Power. I'm tired of seeing our traded young players producing at a high level for other teams. The Sabres still have plenty of other assets to parlay, such as Byram, prospects and picks. Let's stop making the same mistake over and over, watching other teams benefit while we continue to churn in place. The idea of trading for Marchment, a player we will only have one year of control of, while giving up a good young player with a lot more upside makes no sense to me. Put me in the steadfast no category on your proposed deal.

What was the source of the LaFontaine embittered departure? If I recall correctly the buyout included a non-disclosure clause.

Let's just put hockey aside and examine this franchise from a business standpoint. Pro sports is part of the entertainment business. Like any business, if your product is less than mediocre and lacks entertainment value, it won't be supported. That translates into loss of revenue. How many games were there where empty seats made up a large portion of the seating capacity. There are times when your company has to be run more austerely to adjust to the economic conditions. And there are times when you have to spend money to make more money. The hockey business is a direct competition business. You are competing against other organizations that are determined in trying to win. They are fully staffed with the best people that they can attract. When your franchise is run by a buffoon owner who knows little and interferes a lot, who will want to work for him? What owner would have hired such an ill-equipped KA to be their GM? No one but the silly Buffalo owner. And what owner would have kept on the same GM who after five years has little to show for his efforts? No one but the silent Buffalo owner. Why would he not have fired him or move him on to some other less consequential position? For one, he doesn't want to pay people for not working and because he wants some howdy doody person in the position who allows him to play with his toy whenever he wants to interject his stupid thoughts. It's not unusual for a new owner to make mistakes in the beginning of his tenure and then get better as he gains experience. Not this hardheaded fool. It seems that he is doubling down and continue with the same bet on the same losing horse. There is a glimmer of hope with the bringing on board of the new staffer. But what neutralizes that positive step to an unknown degree is that the current GM remains in his position. What's obvious for all to see is that the Sabres are not a normal franchise because our owner is quirky. Being idiosyncratic can be a charming trait in a person but it is destructive trait when you are the owner of a sports franchise where stability is essential. A generation of this foolishness is so stupid and ridiculous.