JohnC

I appreciate your response. One aspect of your response where I don't agree with your view is that our young players have not improved. That's a perplexing comment. Are you suggesting that Tage hasn't improved since he first came to the Sabres in the ROR trade? How about Mitts? Maybe it wasn't on the accelerated timetable that many people wanted, but clearly over time he did improve. How about JJ? Compare last year to this year? Even Joki, a target of criticism, has steadily improved. UPL has made a quantum leap this year. A gigantic leap beyond what I expected. And let's not forget how many people wanted to deal him off for a retread veteran goalie. It's a shame that Quinn got hurt before the season began and then during it. But it was evident in his rookie year that he was going to be a good player for us i.e. a top two line forward. Do you doubt that the 18 yr. old Benson with an offseason will be better equipped to play against men? I'm aware that because of the recent history of this bedraggled franchise that there is a degree of frustration and impatience with this franchise and its players. But young players usually aren't instantly good. There's a developmental process that is an uneven process. A case can certainly be made that too many of our young players get rushed to their detriment. Tage and Mitts fall in that category. But they are also both good examples that when given time they will get better with the right support system around them. I am an unabashed Power supporter. It's not unusual that extremely tall and lanky prospects take more time to physically mature and get adjusted to the NHL. There was a reason why he was the first pick in the draft. Go back and review the draft analysts' opinion of him as a prospect. He wasn't a unanimous first pick by analysts but he certainly was a consensus first pick by the scouts who were involved in that draft year. I'm simply more impressed by his play at this early stage in his career than many are here. In this case I recommend more patience. With respect to your last paragraph, I wholeheartedly agree and have repeatedly said so. This team has open roster spots to fill. And it has assets to deal to bring in at least a few more good players to improve and better balance the roster. When I argue for generally staying the course I'm not arguing to foolhardily not take actions to improve the roster from outside the system.

I only watched the first period so I'm not going to comment on the full game. What I saw was that the Sabres played a hard and simple game. For the most part, the players shot the puck when the opportunity presented itself instead of making the extra pass for the cute play. What was also noticeably was that our defense was positionally sound and allowed UPL to mostly to obstructively see the oncoming shot. (Was noted on the broadcast.) There is no question that this has been a disappointing season, especially with the reasonable expectations entering into it. But if you put things in perspective, the difference between having a playoff qualifying season and not having it is small. If only we would have won a few more games against the lesser teams and have a little better record at home or salvaged a few more loser points in this season. I'm not making excuses because your record is your record. There are many who out of frustration from how this season has transpired and the accumulated failed seasons strenuously argue to blow things up or to a large extent significantly change the rosters. That would be a mistake made out of frustration instead of a fair-minded assessment. It wasn't that long ago that some frustrated members were zealously arguing to trade UPL for a retread veteran goalie. That would have been a stupendous mistake. And there were many members who argued that Mitts was another failed draft. That was glaringly wrong. He improved with more experience and became one of our better players. Ultimately, because his value increased, he was traded in a good hockey for a young top pair blueliner. There has also been calls to move on from Power. That makes no sense to me. He's solid now and going to be a stud defenseman for a long time. Even when acknowledging the failed results there are still some major takeaways from this season. The obvious one is that UPL appears to be a good #1 goalie. And Levi is ready or close to being ready to make a quality tandem at that position. That's a dramatic change considering the caliber of netminding that we have been subjected to. In addition, our blueline has not only been upgraded but it has talent in reserve. Maybe next year, Ryan Johnson will be moved up. Our blueline used to be an area of weakness, now it has the potential to be one of the best units in the league. Next year, Samuelsson and Quinn will hopefully be restored to full health and make this team better. Young players such as Power, Benson, JJ etc. should be better. Make no mistake, I'm not arguing to keep the status quo. I'm not advocating or desiring a blockbuster deal that will strip our team of some of our promising young players. This team will have cap space, an abundance of prospects in the system and players on the roster that can be parlayed for good players who better balance out this roster. What I'm saying is that for the most part I'm advocating that we should stay the course.

My father was an immigrant from Italy. He once told me and my two brothers: the both of you three come here. He also once told me to chop the ice before it freezes. I'm saying this with fondness and not mockingly for a kind and wonderful father.

The HC has juggled the lines and the combos seem to work. I agree with you that he adds more physicality to that line and much needed net presence. He made a nifty back pass to Thompson ?? for a score. But that's more of a temporary assignment that is currently working. And it should be noted that Skinner got a hat trick with Krebs at center and JJ on his wing. To his credit, Granato has tried different things that seem to work.

After watching BB play for us in this short stint, I like this deal for us. The advantage that having a player like Mitts is that although it is fair to categorize him as a 2-3 C, he still had the talent to move up to the first line and keep that line playing as a productive line. Mitts can also play as a wing on a variety of lines. As you and others have stated, this is simply a good hockey trade that makes sense for all parties involved. It will be interesting to see how Krebs handles his elevated roll as a 3C. So far, I would say reasonably well. However, not sure if that will be his long-term slot.

I only watched the first period so I'm not going to comment on the game. My biggest takeaway from that first period was unless a team gets a basic level of netminding, your team doesn't stand a chance. Their starting goalie was atrocious, and deservedly got yanked in the first period. Under UPL's recent play this franchise has gone from being subjected to erratic goaltending to consistent quality goaltending. (Fingers crossed.) What a dramatic change of fortune! From what I witnessed in that first period and from the goal clips, I thought Greenway played well. He's not going to make eye popping plays on offense or defense, but he on offense he is going to do the grunt work to put his mates in a good position to score. Getting him from Minnesota for a second-round pick that was in the Jack trade was a solid deal for us, as was the Clifton signing. Not big-time deals but solid deals that made this roster better and more well rounded. We need a couple more of these type deals this offseason.

I resolved this dude name caller's problem. I put him on my ignore list. I aim to please.

I don't know what you are so aggravated over. The Dude word in your response is juvenile. You don't have to respond. I will do you a favor and not respond to you any longer.

I agree with your last paragraph. The Sabres have enough assets within the system to add at least three good players this offseason who add some snarl and grit to this roster. It's unlikely that the Sabres will make the playoffs this year. If that doesn't provide KA with the urgency to make the required upgrades, then he should be dispatched as a GM. There will be no excuse for not taking action.

An unequivocal yes.

I'm confident that he will in the not-too-distant future be an instrumental player for us. Don't let his more finesse style of play cloud your judgment on him. He's going to be really good. So good where a lot of organizations would make a bountiful trade to acquire him. Be patient---you will come around.

We can disagree on what would make the best combinations on the blueline. But that discussion is made possible because in comparison to a few years ago, there is now enough accumulated talent where you can trade a player in order to add another player to better round out this roster. Mitts was a good player who had value. He was dealt for a top pairing defender. We gave up value to acquire value. We're allowed to have this discussion because we have a supply of assets to parlay with. Not long ago, that wasn't the case because of a dearth of talent. Injuries would result in a cascading effect where players would then be playing higher roles that they were capable of handling. Injuries can now be handled without having such damaging effects. Not to belabor the point, but I'm confident that Power is going to be a stud player for us. In the near future, he's going to viewed as a top-tier defenseman in the league. He's not a banger, and never will be. Don't let it cloud the fact that is going to be really good.

In the last game, the Sabres had an advantage over Detroit because they were coming from Vegas and concluding an extended road trip. Our legs were demonstrably fresher than theirs as evidenced by how much faster and quicker we were. There's a lot at stake for both teams. I'm hoping this turns out to be a game where when it's over the posters here will be smiling. If not, expect an onslaught of lamenting. 😃

We are riding in different buses to the same destination. This organization has made a lot of trades over the past half dozen year. I consider the Nylander for Joki deal to be one of our better deals.

Let me make some comments on the two defensemen that have been mentioned. I put Bryson in the category of being a utility player. He's a tweener NHL/AHL. At best, he's a third pairing and lower player. I'm not going to overrate his game paired with Clifton, he is not a liability. What's happening in general is that there is enough talent on the team and in the system where players are being slotted to their talent level. That wasn't the case in prior years. Bryson is a depth player who when brought up functioned adequately. With respect to Joki, and as well to Power, their play is downgraded by many because they don't play a banging style of game. Joki can skate and move the puck up the ice. He's also more willing to be involved on offense. He's not going to knock people down when they are hovering around our net. That's not his game, and never will be. Too many people focus on his limitations rather than on his assets (not saying you). In general, the era of guerrilla defenders who are inclined to fight is over with. Some people have difficulty altering their preferred profile on players and positions (again, not saying you) to the newer/different style of play. With respect to my assessment of Power, he is going to be a gem and a core player for us for a long time. In the not-too-distant future he is going to be a top tier blue liner who will be coveted by many teams. Based on his play this year, I can already see him expanding his game and becoming much more confident and adventurous in his play.

Don't be surprised If you find some young adults wearing FBI wind breakers knocking on your door.

In my original post, I said that there was a faction of posters who not too long age wanted to dispatch UPL. That is true. There was also a faction that quickly determined Power to be not worth his draft status and keeping. That is true. Are you going to disagree that there wasn't a clarion call from a number of posters who declared Mitts to be a bust? That is true. It wasn't too long ago that Cozens was also targeted of being a minor bust. That is also true. The same premature judgments applied to Bryson and Joki. My underlying point is that too often there is a premature judgment on young players. That was my basic point. With respect to not adequately acquiring a veteran goalie to become our starter, which goalies are you identifying who were available? There is no question that UPL is playing at a high level. But there are some underlying reasons beyond his individual performances that have allowed him to recently shine. The first reason is that our defensive unit has been bolstered with additions (Clifton) and now Byram. And credit should also be given to young players such as Power, Joki, Ryan Johnson. Bryson etc. who got better. In addition, our forwards are in general playing better defensively. If you want to talk about the preceding years, then go ahead. But this year, we started off with three goalies vying for playing time and roles. It took some time to shake out, but in the end UPL earned his #1 role. Prior to the season based on last year's end of season performance there was an expectation (by me) that Levi was going to win the starting job. He simply wasn't ready. I'm sure you disagree but in the end the approach that KA took worked out.

There were zealots here who were arguing that he should be dealt for some retread on the market. When it comes to judging goalies, experienced or not, the best approach is to be humble. One year's Vezina winner could turn out to be next year's bum. I'm not in the column of those predicting that UPL would be playing at his current level for such a sustained time. The truth is no one was. It just seems that because so much frustration has been built over the seasons that it has resulted in people looking for instant cures instead of allowing young players to develop. That same impatience has also been directed towards players such as Cozens, Mitts, Power etc. Very often, trusting in the process takes a lot of fortitude and courage to simply stick it out and allow things to naturally unfold. And it should be understood that I'm not suggesting that little else should be done to augment the process. As it turns out, the GM who has very much been vilified, was right on how he has handled this particular goalie.

Does your employer offer any help in finding new work? Or do they simply in cold blood issue the notice? As someone else suggested, don't be afraid to rely on your friends and work cohorts to give you leads to other opportunities. Wish you the best.

People in general often get consumed by little things that in reality are simply life irritations. You are dealing with something serious that relates to health and life. Wish you the best.

As you smartly point out, the Sabres didn't get frustrated not scoring in the first period. They stayed patient and kept at it. This team is playing with a lot more maturity over the past dozen games or so.

In this NHL link is a recap of the game and highlights of some scores. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/

As you point out, even when Benson was not getting points you can never say that he was a liability on the ice. Quite the contrary, as you noted he was driving the play and playing a very responsible defensive game. For a long time, he was one of our best players in giving us net presence on offense. Usually, young players fade as the season grinds on. He is getting better and better.

Some quick thoughts on this game. I thought that Greenway played really well in the first period, also played solidly throughout the game. He's a big horse who plays big. He can't be moved. He's also a very smart player who although isn't the fastest player on the ice, he does have good anticipation and is positionally sound. Great value pickup. The Sabres were by far the faster and quicker team. We utilized those advantages. \ This was a game where it is difficult to single out any one player because collectively everyone played well. Both the defensive pairs and the forwards played a responsible defensive game without few lapses. No Sabre player in this game could be considered a liability. All our pairings played well and all our line were good. Benson is getting better and better. Cozens is playing well. It seems that he is out of his funk. So far the lines that DG has put together has worked. Skinner seems to play with a little more determination with his new line. UPL is playing to a high standard, his now usual standard. He is playing with calmness and is seeing the puck. Credit has to also go to the defensive pairs who are playing well in front of him and quickly getting the puck out of their zone. I liked Clifton in this game. He adds an element of toughness and grit to this unit. Both he and Greenways additions by the GM and an element of strength and grit to this team. I enjoyed this game. Over the past dozen games the Sabres have gone 8-3-1. Let's keep it up.

All joking aside, I respect the members in the medical community. It's a tough and exhausting profession to be in. Gracias senor.