JohnC

Few people would say that KA won those trades. The overwhelming view was that from a talent and competitive standpoint those deals set this franchise back. KA would respond that he was starting a new rebuild and it would be cheaper. Especially because of the smaller financial commitment to the roster from the restart, the owner possessed a long lasting radiant smile. There will always be a minority view with any transaction. But in the trading of Eichel and Reinhardt the sober members recognized what end of the stick we ended with.

When’s the last time you’ve witnessed an incompetent person acknowledging his/ her own incompetence? Usually, the accusing finger is pointing outwards and not inwards.

He wasn’t going to say no if the front office wanted him dealt and it wasn’t going to cost appreciable more or less. The owner wants to play hockey boss with his toy. He’s the primary reason why he presides over a ridiculed and scorned franchise. Aren’t you aware that clowns act sillily? No one in the business takes him seriously.

The situation that this franchise is currently in has to be put in context. A generation has passed by where this franchise has been an irrelevant NHL franchise. The time frame in which this franchise has not been in the playoffs is at a historical level. The fanbase has steadily eroded to the point there are games in which the opposition fans outnumber the hometown fans. If that isn't a call for a demonstration of some urgency by this front office, then what would it take? No one is suggesting that the organization should make a number of deals that deplete the system in order to squeak into a playoff spot that turns out to be a meaningless one-shot accomplishment. But that is not to say that a number of smart deals can't be constructed that improve this team in the short term (now) without mortgaging the future. There are tradeoffs between addressing the now at the expense of the future. All teams wrestle with that issue. This is an offseason where our usual leisurely pace of action needs to turn out to be accelerated to boost a fading franchise. And let's be clear, this isn't an issue of old timers vs youngsters differing perspectives on the direction of the franchise. It's about an abnormally run failed franchise becoming a normally run successful franchise. If not now, then when?

I have a different interpretation on the Pegula involvement from the clip. Maybe he did meddle before, but I don't think that is the case now. The owner wants to be informed in what's going on and what the staff is doing. KA may not be the most astute hockey person in the business but he is wise enough to keep the owner informed so that he will not be surprised when something is proposed to him. Is more attention given to this particular owner than other owners? Yes. But that doesn't mean that he is dictating any particular action.

The Sabres had to do something to change the mix with their roster. And it was evident to all that Cozens desperately needed a change of scenery. He was pressing to the point where he was frozen. It was apparent in his play and more apparent in his stiff body language. Moving him was the right thing for the player and the team. As everyone else is saying, the overhanging issue with Norris is his injury history. For the sake of this discussion, let's assume that after an offseason of rest, rehabbing and training, he comes into camp fully healthy. This deal has the potential to be a good hockey trade for the Sabres. And if one factors in the Dockery addition, it could be more beneficial than expected from a KA transaction. What really sticks out to me in this clip is that the staff is very determined to change the mix on this team. It's just not getting better players as it is getting different players on this roster. This should be an indication that deals will be made this offseason.

Sinking ships is this franchise’s speciality. Anyone can float a boat that is in tack. However, it takes creativity to puncture holes in your boat and watch the bubbles going upward while the ship goes downward. Pegula will get in the salvage business and profit from his at bottom carcass. This organizations motto is: strive to fail and improve your draft status. This embarrassing storyline never ends.

This is a terrific analysis. Based on your post, there is a stronger case to keep him. As @PromoTheRobot has frequently stated, it is so aggravating to see some of our young talent on other teams hoisting the cup.

The most impactful move that can be made is upgrading the goalie position. There will need to be more moves but addressing that position, and then adding a different mix to the blueline are the priorities. Ullmark in my view can be categorized as a solid #1 goalie. It is essential that entering next season we find someone who can provide that level of play. Penciling UPL in as the #1 goalie without a backup plan is gambling against the odds.

It was an oblique injury that sidelined him. https://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/sabres-josh-norris-says-oblique-injury-sidelined-him-final-18-games/

He's not even good at solitaire. He constantly loses to himself. Pegula didn't use a rope to strangle this franchise because he choked it to death with his franchise crushing hirings. It's bad enough that he hired him but what's worse is that he retained him. Just freaking stupid!

I concur.

Trading Byram for a lower first round pick would be adding a chip for some other deals. That's a reasonable approach to take especially if they are homing in on some trade deals that can add players that would help now.

Not all representations are the same for individual clients and circumstances. It varies on a case by case situation. We simply disagree on this issue. That’s okay.

Without question, Mr. Bell was more professional at his job than than the Howdy Doody GM who works for the Sabres.

Agents acting aggressively on behalf of their clients is standard practice in all pro sports. Why you are surprised at that is surprising

Adams is a goofball. That’s certainly not a revelation to me. The notion that Jarmo should be working for this Clara Bell GM is an oddity in itself concocted by a buffoonish owner. KA should be Jamo’s morning coffee boy. If you expect rationality emanating from the ownership suite, keep waiting. It’s a generation and still counting.

It's not too difficult to figure out what we'll get. We'll get outhustled, as usual. The organization's motto should be: Moving forward by going backward.

It shouldn't be forgotten that our GM dealt for Norris knowing his injury history. Why would he deal his new acquisition before seeing him play in a Buffalo uniform? The questions that you are bringing up about his injury history are the same concerns that KA considered when he traded for him. He still decided to acquire him. The notion that our GM will trade him so soon is improbable.

Why do you call what the agent is doing "nonsense"? He's doing what agents are paid to do i.e. stir interest in a player to raise the bid price for him as his contract comes up. What the agent is doing is standard practice where the agent is willing to garner the negative attention in the hope that his client is in a better negotiating position. The next question that you pose gets at the heart of the matter regarding JJP, and also applicable to the other young players. This team needs to add experience and be able to play a tougher brand of hockey. If a return can be secured that helps to do that, then few people would argue against it. But if the return can't be arranged to get back a roster improving deal, then find another avenue to upgrade. There are other assets that can be used to bulk up the roster. Greenway was procured with a second-round pick. And Zucker wasn't a costly acquisition. Some front office creativity would sure help. In my view, the big swing that needs to be made should focus on net and the blueline. If dealing JJP would help in doing that, I would be all for it.

Your logic is confusing. As you point out, Adams apparently didn’t feel his injury history was an impediment in dealing for him. So why would he trade him?

If you deeply believe that Norris can’t and won’t stay healthy, then why do you believe other organizations won’t have made the same assessment?

If Miller is brought in and Byram is dealt, then another solid 3/4 defenseman needs to be added. If that doesn’t happen, there will be a regression to a unit that can’t afford to slide back. I know this will be a contrarian view but I have no problem keeping Samuelson. I do expect him to improve his play. How much? Can’t say.

Being a pirate has its perils. It means that you haven chosen a life adrift from the normal. 🥲

The problem is that these appealing players don't have a desire to join a Micky Mouse operation after they have been associated with a championship run organization. When you have resided in the premium suite you are not going to choose to live in the ghetto. The Sabres are to the NHL what the Pirates are to MLB. It's a place not to go to and a place to get out of when there. This is what the Pegula ownership has done to this victimized franchise and fanbase: He degraded it to the point of ridicule. There's a business course taught in schools. It's called: What not to do. It's considered an introductory course.