JohnC

The composition of the third line is going to be as intriguing, if not more, than how the second lined is assembled. Maybe Cozens/Eakins/Tage? Is it inconceivable that Mitts comes into camp bulked up and juiced up with desire? Or has my imagination run amuck?

The problem is that the WH is not following his basic/standard recommendations in dealing with such a highly infectious disease. I disagree with you that our knowledge of the disease hasn't improved much. For a new disease the knowledge base is increasing at a fairly rapid rate. I do agree with you that the devastating effects are going to be long-term because it is world wide and continues to spread. There are countries that have not severely been affected by this pernicious virus such as Viet Nam and Taiwan. They have been steadfast in sticking to the basics in public health such as mask wearing etc., and it has work. In fact, Taiwan has a lot of business and personal interaction with China but has still been able to control the disease. They have scrupulously stuck to the basics, and it has worked.

As you point out by loading up the top 2 lines instead of spreading some of the talent down line you are playing your most prolific players the most minutes. It's been a long time since our second line was deemed to be a credible second line. It seems that it is now. What is most interesting is seeing how Krueger is going to construct the third line? He has some young pieces to work with. Are players like Cozens and Tage ready? I'm hoping that Kahun can be brought back into the fold and added to the mix after he scans the market.

If people would just listen to the national treasure in Dr. Fauci and simply do the basics in wearing a mask, social distancing and washing hands the virus would be greatly contained (not subdued). The head of our government not only gives credence but also authority to a crackpot like Dr. Atlas instead of embracing the advice of Dr. Fauci is an act of insanity.

What are you talking about? I answered your hypothetical question. And then I followed up with an additional response related to the reality of the situation.

With your scenario of the fantasy world of knowing what will happen in the future I say yes. In the real world of making a judgment based on the current facts I say no.

We are in accord. 🍺

I would be receptive to acquiring Kuemper but not for the price you are willing to pay. Kevin Adams has been wise in being patient and waiting for the market to settle before jumping the gun on his transactions. He needs to continue on with that approach. There is still time to seize opportunities if they become available. Be patient and you will be rewarded. Act with impatience and you will be taken advantage of.

It's fair to criticize Botts for deals he made on his watch. It's not fair to include him for criticism for transactions made on someone else's watch. What's fair is fair.

I've asked this question before but I will ask it again: What goalie/s do you consider worth paying a hefty price of a first round pick plus additional assets and who is available? If the current Lehner of the Vegas version was available I would consider a deal for him. However, that's not the case.

If I'm not mistaken wasn't Murray the GM who traded a first round pick for Lehner?

I'm not giving up on Mitts but I'm not counting on him. It is going to be interesting to see if he comes into training camp in peak condition and plays beyond expectations. He is a player that the organization glaringly mishandled. He should have been playing full time in the the AHL right from the start and allowed to develop at his own pace and earn his move up the ranks. Based on his comments the GM still believes that he can become a player that was worthy of his draft status. My primary concern about Mitts is not his talent level but his compete level. He reminds me too much of Nylander where intermittently he will show you some tantalizing ability and then mostly fade away as an invisible player. If he surprises and earn his spot on the roster it would be an unexpected bonus.

So what you are essentially saying is that he is not worth our first round pick. That's what I have been saying all along. As I stated in a prior post if I had an opportunity to acquire a goalie such as Tampa's Vasilevskiy or Dallas's Ben Bishop I would make the deal.

I can go along with that view as a winger. That is why I want him to be retained.

Name a goalie that you believe is available that will elevate this team and is worth a first round pick? I would certainly give up a first round pick for Tampa's starter and Dallas's Ben Bishop but those upper tier goalies are not on the market. I agree with the highlighted segment in your last sentence. So there is something we agree on.

Black and white positions are easy to differentiate. On this issue you go this way while I go that way. 🍺

There is an assumption on your part that one of the goalies available will be the difference/reason that gets you into the playoffs. If you scan the market now name the goalie who you believe is of the caliber that will make such a difference? Again, make no mistake what I am saying here. I'm not against upgrading the position, and that position is more likely to be for the backup. I'm just not willing to pay the extravagant price of giving up a Risto and/or a first round for that type of addition.

Your position about Sam is sound but I disagree with it. What's telling is that the Sabre brain trust was determined to make it a priority to trade for Staal to center the second line. It was this new staff's first order of business. If there was a belief that Sam could be the 2C it wouldn't have been such a priority to seek an alternative from a deal. There is no doubt that with more talent that Sam could be a more effective 2C. But that skirts the issue that the organization believed that it could find a better center for the second line with another player. I'm a Sam fan. He has unparalleled vision and a nuance to his game that can't be taught. As a winger he has attributes that will enhance the line he is playing. There is no question that with more talent on his line the more benefit will be derived from his exceptional cerebral play. That can happen with him on the wing.

Excellent point! As you made clear whether he is playing on the first line with Jack or the second line with another composition he is enhancing the line he is on. I don't consider him as a player capable of driving one of the top two lines but what he does do is brings cohesion to the line he is playing on. And that attribute in itself is a valuable asset.

I wouldn't give up a first round pick for any goalie in a trade. We used a first round pick for Cozens. The hope is that in his second year he will make the roster and in the not too distant future will be our 2C. With our first pick in this year's draft we selected Quinn who was arguably one of the best goal scorers/shooters in the draft. In two or three years the hope is that he will be a forward on one of our top two lines. The point is these first round picks are valuable assets that shouldn't be dealt for at best a second tier/pedestrian goalie. Hutton was a decent backup when he was first acquired. He noticeably slipped last season. Were his eye issues the main factor in that slippage? I'm not sure. If it was then if a replacement couldn't be found for a less costly price than you are advocating for, I would prefer to keep him. Marty Biron has repeatedly made the point that if Hutton is not overloaded with games he is effective. It's when he gets overused that he predictably fades. Make no mistake what I'm saying here. I'm not saying don't trade for an upgrade in goal if the price is right. But I would rather keep a player such as Risto or Montour and our first round pick then overpay for a second tier goaltender.

When it comes to spelling I'm incorrigible. 🤡

No question the Skinner contract is not a value laden contract. However, if he returns to his 30 plus goal production on a line with an enhancing center then the money issue is not as troublesome. If he is not on the Jack line yet is still able to get back to his sniper form then his contract although not a best practice contract is at least more acceptable.

You are right that if the Krueger is trying to change the profile of players he wants to a faster and more aggressive in forechecking style of play he doesn't fit it. But w he is probably our best set up player with the exceptional vision on the team. He may not be the fastest skater but he makes quick reads and anticipates the play so that the speed issue is not much of a problem. He also provides net presence on offense for a team that mostly shies away from the tough area. I'm very much am a Rienhart fan. He's not a scintillating player but he is a player who has been very consistent in production. For me he is a keeper.

Could you be a little more revealing what was problematic with his off-ice interactions? Was it just that he was more aloof or more fractious with his teammates during his own time?

You are right that moving at least one of our well paid RHD is a good response in saving cap space and rebalancing the unit. But the stringent financial environment for the Sabres is the same for most teams. Even the Leafs are shedding more talented and costly players in order to contend with their cap challenges and priority of maintaining the elite core. Montour is on a one year deal that leads him to UFA next year. Because of his contract status his value on the market doesn't come close to matching his talent level. What's the value of Miller? Because he didn't get much playing time under Krueger and with the size of his contract his value has been severely diminished. (If Miller plays on a regular basis his contract is reasonable but if he regularly sits as he did last year then his contract is a drag.) The issue comes down to are you willing to keep a player like Montour and play him or another defenseman on his offhand side or move the player for much less than value? I'm starting to lean toward keeping your imbalanced players and work out it as best you can. With a compressed schedule where injuries lead to more missed games what you believe to be an overloaded unit can quickly become a depleted unit.