JohnC

I'm getting tired of my Dish losing a signal because of rain and cloud cover. ☠️

Kyle Okposo is one of the most thoughtful players in the game. It doesn't matter what the setting is whenever he is asked questions his responses are well reasoned and presented. He is the example of how to always conduct oneself. He can be candidly critical about his and his team's performance but it is always done with dignity. It wasn't too long ago that KO was asked about the Jack situation. His response showed an empathy for a player who was injured and has been a target of harsh criticism. Okposa was well aware of the situation that Jack probably would never again be part of the team. There were no cheap oblique remarks about the player or situation. He basically wished him the best. Kyle doesn't have to talk a lot to demonstrate his leadership. This is a gentleman whose mere presence and example indicate it for him. And as demonstrated in the first game he can throw a devastating body checks when required!

Paul Hamilton was on WGR and commented on Cozens. Your observations are the same positive observations that he had of Cozens. He said he played strong and carried the puck into the offensive zone. And although he was credited with any points he was a factor in the goals scored by his line. Or to more simply state: your observations were spot on.

If you only watched the highlights you won't get an accurate sense of the tenor of the game. What was most impressive was from the first drop of the puck to the concluding horn is that the Sabres kept up with the same unrelenting style of play throughout the game. There were no significant lapses and lulls in play. That was the most revealing takeaway I got out of this game. And that makes me upbeat and hopeful about the future. Coaching matters!

I made an effort to focus on Skinner in this game. Your description of how he played is spot on. The determined effort to play a two way game was in stunning contrast to his usual loose and floating style of play. As you noted although the stat sheet doesn't indicate it he played well. What this game showed me is that the player cares and coaching matters.

Jack played for an inept organization that constantly turned over its staff. The situation was unstable since he got here. It seems to me that this new staff is establishing a coherent plan and direction for this franchise. That didn't exist pre-injured Jack. If you look at how differently the team played for Granato compared to the previous coach/coaches you can see how important order and coherency are. Despite what the majority of people believe for me it would be wonderful to see a healthy Jack playing for Granato. Within a year or so Quinn, Peterka, Samuelsson and Power will be added to the roster mix. If you add a healthy Jack to the lineup you can see the makings of a robust roster.

Jack's biggest fault is that he desperately wanted to win. And he became visibly frustrated with the incompetence of this organization that kept this franchise mired in the muck of mediocrity. In hindsight it is clear that he shouldn't have been the captain at such an early age. But anyone who denies acknowledging his exceptional talent (when healthy) and what he can contribute to a well coached Granato team is allowing their personal feelings toward him to cloud their judgment about what he can add to this team. Jack probably won't play this year. There is still plenty of time to address the Jack issue. So I'm not leaving any option out about him right now. A healthy Jack and a bought in Jack would certainly elevate this team.

It's remarkable how quickly people forget how talented Jack is. He is one of the fastest and most powerful skaters in the league. And when healthy he is a top 15 talent in this league. Anyone who doesn't believe that a healthy Jack doesn't fit in with a Granato coached team is allowing their personal feelings to cloud their objectivity for Jack.

The notion that Jack doesn't fit in with this team is off the mark.

A healthy Jack makes this team much better. Anyone who thinks otherwise doesn't understand how talented he is.

My first star would be given to our goalie. My second star would be given to Okposo. I have never seen him as quick as he was in this game. The trade with Philly giving up Risto for Hagg and a first round pick looks good. I really liked the play of Miller in this game. The style of play was north/south and simple. This game was a reflection of the brand of hockey that the coach espouses. I'm not going to get carried away but this first game was encouraging. If this team continues with this gritty style of play I'm hoping the fans come back sooner rather than later.

So far we are getting quality goaltending. What a difference that makes! You have to be happy with the gritty style of play.

I wasn't able to see the PP clock. Anyone else have this issue?

Having less than 10,000 fans on opening night is pathetic and sad. The Pegulas have damaged this franchise. I hope the owners have learned their belated lesson on how to run a franchise like they did with the Bills. The obvious lesson is to hire the right people and stand back.

It will be interesting to see how many people will be in the stands. If the house is not filled on opening night that will foreshadow a lot of quiet games. That will be so sad that it has devolved to this. As someone else brought up it will be interesting to see if Eichel is in attendance, and if so, how will the crowd will respond to his introduction. I hope the fans don't boo him. I'm really eager to see how the young core players play. That's where the hope is. I'm a believer in Granato. His team may not win as much as we would like but they should play a hard and entertaining brand of hockey. I am grateful that Krueger no longer is part of the operation because he crushed this already woebegone team and needlessly set it back.

You make a potent point in noting that the surgeon who is not recommending the ADR surgery has performed this particular surgery more than any other surgeon. So it is obvious that he is not per se adverse to this type of surgery. What the doctor is clearly saying is that this surgery is not the most appropriate surgery for the injury that Jack has. What is more compelling of an argument than that for the organization to listen to? And as much as the doctor is recognized in his field it should also be highlighted that what Dr. C is recommending is also the prevailing view of doctors in his exclusive field. Jack has a right to hold to his position on his health situation. And so does the organization. As far as I am concerned KA is handling this situation properly. The issue for KA is not to get this saga over with as it is to resolve it to the best benefit of the organization. It's not about the time as it is about the outcome.

It had to be hard for the reporters covering the Sabres for an extended period of time. How do you give the same critical observations for the such a long period of time and not get jaded? I listened to Hamilton on WGR today and I read the Harrington piece. Although they both believe that this team is going to struggle (what's obvious is obvious) you can see a glimmer of positivity in their outlook. I'm not going to get carried away but at least that is a good sign.

When you have four different GMs and coaches you are not going to have any stability. The constant lurching back and forth in direction makes it difficult to move forward. The problem then becomes not the plan but the follow-through. There needs to be organization stability in order to have roster stability. I'm hoping that is what we have now.

He definitely sent the franchise back. The most damaging aspect of his coaching and philosophy to the game was how he straitjacketed the young players and stifled their development. When you have young players you have to have an allowance for mistakes and not create a negative environment of playing not to make a mistake. Once the coaching change was made the players played as though they were liberated. There were still plenty of mistakes but the over-thinking and hesitancy was gone.

After reading his article and other articles by people who cover the Sabres you get the sense that the organization does have a plan in place and is determined to implement it. There is no mystery to what it is. It is the standard method of building a successful team by acquiring and developing young players. It certainly is not a quick fix but it is the most reliable pathway to sustained success. The only team that I know that has short-circuited that approach is Vegas's success since its inception. That organization masterfully handled the expansion draft and was ready to compete right off the start. There is no question that the Vegas model is an exception to the rule.

Attached is a 9 min link from Sabres.com of a summary of the highlights. I didn't watch the game so I can't comment about it. It is going to be interesting to see if JJ Peterka makes the roster or is sent to Rochester to get more playing time? Based on his play he has earned a roster spot but from a developmental standpoint he might start the season in the AHL. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/det--buf/t-277443696/c-9120174 Also attached is a 5 min clip of Granato's post game comments. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/don-granato-postgame-10921/t-277437090/c-9119919

I don't believe that there are any worthy trade deals right now because of the questions about Jack's health status. And that issue (my opinion) is not going to be known this season. Any GM who right now would trade any of their high end prospects for Jack should be fired for gross malfeasance. Jack is a damaged asset. The hope is that he can in time get healthy and play at the level he once did. That's when he should be dealt.

You bring up an important issue that our front office has to wrestle with. I agree with you that JJ has earned a spot on this roster. But the more important issue is whether it would be better for his development if he got a lot of playing time, and in different roles, in Rochester rather than getting lesser minutes in Buffalo. I lean toward starting him off in Rochester and then moving him up sometime during the season. And the same reasoning applies to Quinn. If I'm going to error I think it would be better to error on the side of getting him more playing time at the lower level.

You are unintentionally making a strong argument to keep Jack until he is restored to health. Assuming he gets whatever surgery it is probable that he is not going to play this year. So why not put him aside and allow him to rehab and work himself back to health? Once he can demonstrate that he is back to his old form then his trade value is demonstrably greater. The notion that the fanbase and franchise has to move on makes little sense to me. For all intents and purposes he is not going to be around the team. Our players are not waiting for him to come back and salvage anything for them. KA is handling this situation smartly. He is not going to allow himself nor the franchise to get enmeshed and distracted by this saga. He already has a lot on his plate to deal with. Just let this issue go and eventually it will work itself out. It won't be on your rushed timeline but it will some day come to a conclusion. In my view patience rather than impatience will work out better for the organization.

I don't believe that any deal he makes for Eichel is about salvaging this season. For him the return needs to include a first or second line center prospect who should be ready for NHL play in a year or so. I don't want to aggravate the impatient masses here but the best strategy may be for the GM to wait until Jack gets whatever surgery and then is able demonstrate that he is back to form. That might take another year.