JohnC

Whether this alleged story has substance or not it is not too difficult to imagine that this "I want out of here" storyline coming from Jack to be a farfetched consideration. If the Sabres continue to be mired in this decade long muck of irrelevancy and if the team prospects don't change soon then this probably meritless report can develop into a actual story. Does anyone doubt that being stuck in this systematic losing was a factor in ROR becoming disillusioned wearing the Sabre sweater? I not saying that ROR was not without some fault in that departure scenario but long-term losing understandably does have a corrosive effect on an individual. Jack is a highly competitive individual who openly exhibits his frustrations. What is called for in order to forestall such a thin rumor from becoming a reality is for the front office to take aggressive actions this offseason to upgrade this roster. If trading our first round pick can accelerate the roster upgrade then I would be receptive to making that move.

Hard work is definitely a talent. I'm not going to get entangled into a verbal gymnastic argument about calling it a "skill", "talent" or an "attribute". Being able to consistently maintain that maximum level of effort is not an ability that a lot of players, even gifted players, can do. The essential ingredient that makes for a great hockey player is not the elite talent so much as attaching that exceptional talent to maximum consistent effort. And on the flip side there are a lot of average talented hockey players who have carved out successful long careers because of their ability to always play at full throttle level. Again, hard work is a skill/talent.

The public life doesn't always reflect the private life. People are usually more complicated than their public persona would indicate. I'm confident that if Staal was so shaken by the trade he would have after some thought made the decision to retire. And I agree with the view that he wasn't necessarily happy with the trade and if he had the choice to stay he would have. But he's not in a business that allows for it or had a contract that would have given him a say. Again, I'm not worried about his state of mind when he plays for Buffalo. He's a terrific addition.

The Patrick Berglund situation is much more complex and different than the Staal situation. There were some mental health issues that were exacerbated when he was traded from a location that he was comfortable with and away from a support system that he had in St. Louis. That's far different from the Staal case. I say this with no intention of being disrespectful but Staal is a much more resilient person who could handle a late career move than the more fragile Berglund who had trouble dealing with the move. I will re-emphasize that I have no concerns about Staal's mental state with the Sabres. If there were issues in that area he would have retired. https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2019/01/18/patrik-berglund-on-the-mental-health-issues-that-forced-him-out-of-the-nhl-you-shouldnt-feel-the-way-i-felt-when-youre-living-your-dream/

What you are describing in your post is the reality of life and the work arena. In pro sports you usually get drafted by teams and locations that are not your first preference. That's the unalterable nature of that business. Staal has played in the NHL for around a dozen years. You don't think that he is aware that he is subjected to the same uncontrollable decisions made by organizations requiring player movement through trades and cuts like everyone else? That's the business. I have no doubt that Staal isn't fully happy with being traded to Buffalo. Will that negatively affect his state of mind and influence how he plays? Although you believe it can I don't believe so. If Staal was bothered by the trade to the extent that he didn't want to alter where he and his family currently resided he could have simply retired. Without a doubt he has the financial wherewithal to be in a position to say no to the deal and go on with his post career. That's not what he chose to do. As I stated in a prior post Staal is a person of integrity who through his honest effort on the ice doesn't cheat the game. He accepted coming to Buffalo (happy or not) and will do what he has always done in his long career i.e. give his best effort and be an exemplary teammate. You may have concerns about his state of mind but I don't.

What the heck is GZF? I am totally perplexed. Assuming there are more additions made to the roster I think there is going to be some line juggling. But that's based on conjecture. Only time will tell how he puts together the top two lines. For what it is worth I still believe that Skinner should be on the Jack line.

Congratulations! Right in public view you are morphing into a mellow commentator. Let's celebrate. 🍺 The third line with Kahun/Cozens/Fast that you composed is intriguing. Krueger will have a challenge fitting together the right pieces to the line puzzle. I suspect that there will be a lot of line juggling in the early part of the season.

That's the point. If he didn't want to be here he could have declined the trade and retired.

I know you get irritated when it is suggested but I still believe that there is a possibility that Cozens will be our 3C. As you indicate regardless of the position there still needs to be a few more upgrades added to this roster to make this a credible team. We have the wherewithal to get it done. It's up to this new staff to have the wisdom to execute the plan.

Do you know what the difference between the Perreault era and the Staal era? It is the humongous salary scale of the current era versus the relative paltry salary scale of the past Perrault era. When your bank account is overflowing with today's money that certainly is a factor to influence your decision to extend your hockey lifespan. Trust me, there is no need to be concerned with our new 2C's attitude. He is a man of integrity who plays with integrity. Garnering an extra year or so of bonanza money will allow him to be free of regrets when he does decide to leave the game. When Staal is ready to walk away he will do it with his head held up high. And let's not forget that he's the one who has made the decision to stay in the game. Although I disagree with your central point you do bring up another point that is very legitimate and also potent: A team that is competitive is more likely to have players who are happy. A team that has been middling for a decade needs a jolt and needs to experience success in order to break the negative psychology of losing. That is an argument for the organization to exhibit urgency to upgrade the talent level and become successful sooner rather than later. I'm sure on that point you and I are in accord.

The laws of nature dictate that Giraffes take longer to become coordinated than cougars. 🤡

I understand your point but Staal has agreed to the trade. If he said after he was informed of the trade that he needed more time to think this over then I would be more receptive to your point. But that's not what happened here. There is no doubt that he would prefer staying in Minnesota. That's understandable for this family man. But as I stated before this grounded man has been in the business for a long time, and he is well aware that he, like everyone else, is subjected to the vagaries of this lucrative but also unsentimental business. He's one player that when he puts on the uniform of his new team that I have little worry about his state of mind. I'm more worried about someone his age having his physical abilities drop of the clift. Based on his performance last year I'm hopeful that he still has enough juice in him.

Staal is a mature person who has been in the hockey business for a long time. He's well aware that being traded and having his family moved is very often an inescapable part of the unsentimental profession he is. That doesn't mean that he is fully happy with what has transpired but he has no choice other than to retire. And I have no doubt that his financial status would allow him to do so if he wanted to take that course. Staal is a very down to earth and low maintenance person. The issue with him is not whether he is going to enthusiastically adapt to his new location but rather is his tank still full? I believe that although he isn't what he was a few years ago he is still a very good player. When you are in a very lucrative profession it is very rational even at the end of one's professional lifespan to eek out another year, and another year. My point is that he's not a person that I am worried about how he is affected about this move.

As you seem to suggest Lazar is a utility player. There certainly is a role for that type of player. His signing to a reasonable contract is a good move but it is not an influential move. That's what I will be looking for as the offseason advances with the conclusion of the playoffs and the approaching of the draft.

Reinhart playing on a Tampa team with its loaded talented roster would be even a better player, and he's a good player right now. And with Skinner moved backed to the Jack line he could be a 35-40 goal scorer. A good player playing on a lackluster roster is a lesser player than the same player playing on a star studded roster. Jack playing on a robust team like Tampa is a better player than he playing on a thin team like Buffalo, even if his stats would not be as good. When comparing players and stats there is a context. And that context is the overall talent level of the team. It makes a difference that goes beyond individual stats.

Not if you have a bulky back, a fat assss and a lumpy tummy. 🤡

There is no need to contort yourself into the "what if" pretzel. My response is still an unequivocal no on Lazar playing on the second-line. If we can't do better than that then its time to put your hands up and yell that you give up. ☠️

I respectfully disagree with the assessment that he could be an effective 2nd line winger on a good Sabre team. As I said in my prior posts if he regularly plays as a second line winger then this roster has a dearth of talent and this team will be an inconsequential NHL team. There certainly is a role for this very earnest player. It shouldn't be on any of the top two lines. For too long this franchise has been playing players in roles higher than their talent level. The record reflects this mismatch. If you want to be a competitive team that has to stop.

If Lazar becomes a full time second line player then this team is in trouble. That is not to argue against situationally playing him on the second line on limited occasions. I'm aware that Krueger likes to balance his lines but your top two lines should have scoring capabilities even when the situation calls for the top two lines to accentuate the defensive side of play. I don't see him enhancing that line's offensive role so much as inhibiting it. I'm not criticizing Lazar as a player. There is a role for him. He's a grinder whose utility is best served on the lower lines. Putting aside Okposo's high salary there is a role for him on this team. It's certainly not on the top two lines. Again, that is not a criticism of him as a player so much as to where his talents are best utilized. You give the example of Eichel scoring 82 points with Lazar on his wing. I got a better example that would be more beneficial to the team: Skinner on his wing with him scoring 95-100 pts.

As Taro stated if Lazar plays any time on the second line this team would not only have a dearth of talent but will be so irrelevant that it will be an invisible NHL franchise.

I think that because he is such a high effort player that he can get between 10-12 or maybe a few more goals. That's fine with me. He has a grinder role and he will fulfill that role and provide energy for the rest of his line mates.

Do you believe that Lazar has an upside as a third liner who can give you 12-15 goals? Or is that scoring expectation too high of an expectation? If this team can get some reasonable secondary scoring it will be beneficial.

I think that Ottawa had higher expectations on him. But whether that is the case or not they made a mistake by rushing him. The Sabres made the same developmental mistake with Mitts, Nylander and to a lesser extent with Tage. Some teams have a knack of having a higher hit rate on their picks. Tampa is a good example of that.

Lazar is a player who was drafted in the first round and never met the expectations associated with his first round status. After some set backs and bouncing around he found his niche/role and embraced it. When he was sent to the AHL he was a full effort player there who earned his way back up to the NHL. If players with more skill such as Nylander and Mittelstadt had the same passion and drive that Lazar has they would be established NHLers. Passion and effort are talents. You can't win with only grinders on your team but you need them in the mix to have a well rounded roster.

If Tampa couldn't work out the finances to keep Cirelli would you trade our first pick for him if a trade proposal was offered? I also want to deal the pick for an established second line player who is in his mid 20s. However, I believe that if we keep the pick we will come away with a good player who will be ready in two years or so.