JohnC

The Sabres didn't look awful in the Seattle and Winnipeg games. Although they lost those games, the outcome could have easily gone the other way in each game. It certainly is for a number of our youngsters who are too good for the AHL and getting better in the NHL. These players not only are where they should but also are contributing to the team's success.

Yes. I thought that the penalty should not have been called on the Predator. It was UPL who got in the way of the player. The goalie sold it and the referee bought it.

The physical maturity will come as it did with Dahlin and Tage. Although with Tage because of his lanky build it took some time. Peterka already has a fuller build but in time he also will become more maturely strong. It's exciting to consider the upside for Quinn and JJ playing between the emerging Cozens.

One impressive attribute that Quinn has is that he can shoot/snipe in tight quarters. Although he's not the biggest guy on the roster, he plays tough. How much better is he going to be in another year or two as he physically matures!

I thought this was Power's best game. He lost the puck behind his goal that resulted in a score but other than that he was a stud. As mentioned on the broadcast the Sabres were by far the faster team. UPL was good in net. I thought the only bad goal was the long shot that he missed. In the last couple of minutes he was exceptional. The sit down for Quinn and JJ served them well. They were moving well and were active in creating scoring chances. The Mitts/Jost/Olofsson line played solidly. Mitts has played consistently well for the past number of games. As mentioned in a prior post, the Okposo between the legs goal was nifty. His teammates on the bench reacted crazily after that. The players on this team love that oldster. Sabre hockey is entertaining hockey!

No question that there are differences in their situations. But where they are similar is that both players, who are in high paying professions with short lifespans, squandered much of their high earnings. They will never get back the money that they recklessly handled. If each of these players handled their finances in a more responsible manner, it could have provided them and their families a comfortable financial situation for the rest of their lives.

The Philly game was a dud game. It happens in a long pro hockey and basketball season. If you believe that I am seeking "moral victories" then you are misinterpreting my comments. My general point in my previous post is that from an overview standpoint this team is in a much better position than it was a couple of years ago. I simply have no doubt that even being subjected to a turbulent season the trajectory is upward.

Let's take a look at the last two games of the homestand against Seattle and Winnipeg. As reflected by their respective records, both are good teams. The Sabres obviously fell short in those loses. But in those games against quality teams the games could have easily gone the other way. In the Winnipeg game, the difference was the exceptional play of their world class goalie. This was an evenly played game. The point I'm making here is that it would be wrong to over interpret these losses. The homestand losses were certainly disappointing. But the situation can't be described as dire as many are making it out to be. Most fair-minded people acknowledge that the Sabres are not a complete team. That's obvious. But that doesn't mean that this team has such a dearth of talent that it can't competitively compete against the best teams in the league. Prior to the season, I felt that this was a 90 point team that should be contending for a playoff spot right up to the end of the season. I still hold to that belief.

I don't think his demons were involved with his slithery hobby and investment. He did what a lot of immature people do who come upon wealth: They foolishly blow their money. Evander Kane is another example of not knowing how to maturely manage his money. Lehner made some incredibly bad financial decisions regarding his fascination with snakes. It ended up biting him in the pocketbook.

It crawled away. It was a poisonous hobby and investment that bit him in the pocketbook. In America and Canada it is not a crime to be stupid. ☠️

You captured the essence of this game. Their elite goalie needed to play at that level for his team to get the win. From an overall view of this game the Sabres weren't outplayed. There certainly were ebbs and flows for each team but this was an evenly played game.

Did you watch this game while blindfolded? The pass he made to Olofsson for a goal was divine. Middlestadt played a good game and so did his line.

As I said in the prior post, Bushkin was a third pairing caliber of defenseman. He's certainly not fast but without question his injury, that kept him out for an extensive period of time, has not helped him with his skating. Would I want to add a Bushkin caliber blue liner to the lower pairing mix? Yes. I'm aware that I'm in the minority here but I do believe that Joki is a second pairing caliber of player. I still believe that he has upside. However, I'm not a stubborn absolutist. If a better player is brought in that would drop him to a lower pairing, then I would be all for it. You could talk about advanced stats all you want. When you listen to Granato talk about Joki he seems to be enamored with him and his upside. And that isn't hollow public relations talk because he does extensively play him.

Bushkin is a third pairing defenseman who adds an element of physicality to the unit. He has been plagued by injuries that has further crimped his already recognized limitations associated with his speed. The organization got the type of player that they were seeking, a bottom half defenseman who was physical. It's unfair to criticize this player for his liabilities when the Sabres got exactly what they expected to get. The reality is that the Sabres would have been better off if they added another Bushkin type player to the unit.

Can't get the game on TV. I have the Center Ice but for whatever reason it was not covered. Pissed off!!!!

Would he be able to walk around in short stints?

Wasn't there a proposal a year or so ago where a team could have a one player exemption who fit into the "exceptional" player category that you alluded to? As you and @dudacekpointed out even if he is required to go back to the lower league in which he would dominate, in the end it shouldn't stunt his development. It might even advance his development.

I don't care how, just win. I would love to see the Cozens line with JJ and Quinn regain some of its old form. The two young wingers have been struggling. It would be exasperating to see the Sabres not capitalize on their games in hand against an inferior opponent.

@LGR4GM can have whatever opinion he wants. He's entitled to it. However, the butt kissing comment was simply a juvenile response. That's what got me to respond to his childish behavior. Responding any more on this topic to him is unproductive.

The only butt being kissed is you contorting yourself to get to your behind. Just stop with this foolishness. You are being ridiculous.

What's a leaving curve? Is it a course on the inability to acknowledge success when it happens?

You are being utterly ridiculous! Who is kissing their buttocks? However they got it done, luck or not, hiring a search firm or not, the end result is they got it right. If you can't acknowledge that they made the right call on this GM hire, then so be it. And the owners also made the right call on allowing Granato to take over for Krueger during the season, and hiring him on a full-time basis soon thereafter.

If Savoie is not going to get much playing time in Buffalo, why would you want him on the roster? Even if he is more advanced than players in his current league, at least he will be getting significant playing time, and more time to physically mature. Wouldn't it be better for his development to dominate in the lower league than lose a year of much playing time in a higher league? Players such as Quinn and JJ got playing time in Rochester before moving up to the big league. I wish that he could play in the AHL next year, but the rules don't allow for it. If you are going to make a decision about where he should play it would be better to error on the side of playing over mostly practicing.

The Pegulas certainly did make mistakes. That is obvious. Who hired Adams? The Pegulas did! So when they make bad hires, you skewer them. Rightly so. And when they do get it right, lucky or not, you continue to skewer them. So what you are doing is blaming them when things go wrong, and giving them no credit when things go right. That is an inconsistent and illogical line of reasoning. It makes no sense.

The Pegulas made some mistakes in staffing when they took over the football team. They eventually got it right. The Pegulas made some mistakes in staffing when they took over the hockey team. They eventually got it right. There was an ownership learning curve in both sports that is now bearing fruit. Both franchises are not only winning but also are entertaining and compelling teams to watch. The fans in Buffalo deserve this hard-earned success.