JohnC

How can you make up your mind when the issue as to who was going to win/earn the #1 position had yet to be determined? Based on his play, UPL won the position as the primary goalie. Ultimately, UPL rose to the occasion, while Comrie and Levi didn't. The GM's strategy of allowing this competition to play out actually worked. Maybe not on the timetable you would have preferred, but in the end the internal competition played out and was a success. It needs to be remembered that UPL got sick and was out for some time. And then when he came back it took more time for him to get back into the groove. Now, after an extended period of time his stats for goalies are near the top of the league. What's amusing is that for the hindsight analysts success is characterized as failure. I for one am stunned by how well UPL is playing. It was the three-way competition that got him to this elevated platform, so far. I'm ecstatic while the nay crowd still bellows about the imaginary "what ifs". It never ends.

Are those empty seats actually bought seats that are vacant?

Not satisfactory if it is 70%. Disappointing.

I'm listening to the game. What's the estimate for the attendance? Is it close to a full house?

I'm confident that you will be able to take enough drugs to allow you to continue with your hazy thinking. Please don't drive while you are in your mellow state. 😶‍🌫️

Your third paragraph gives us a good picture of the potential openings on the roster that will exist next year. It will be in the 3-5 range, in my estimation. I do believe that most of the improvement will come internally from young players such as Ryan Johnson, Peterka, Quinn, Power, Cozens etc. Hopefully, UPL and possibly Levi will continue on their upward trajectory. As has frequently been stated on this forum, much of the problem associated with underachieving can be attributed to the mix of players. We need to add at a minimum a couple of tougher and grittier players who are comfortable playing in the dirty areas, i.e. in front of the net. There are a number of people here who forcefully argue that this roster needs to be blown up. I strenuously disagree.

You may not be aware of it but the caveman hockey era has been over with for a long time. Maybe MMA events could be a more enjoyable sport for you to follow? 😀

I saw a bumper decal when I was down south that is fitting: If your heart ain't in Dixie, get your asssss out. That's how I feel about people who don't want to be in a particular workplace. Bringing in players you know in advance who don't want to be there has a predictable outcome.

I'm not saying that Draisaitl isn't good or even great. What I'm saying is that Dahlin is more important to the Sabres than Draisaitl would be. If you think otherwise, then that's fine. It's not an insupportable position to take.

I absolutely do. We are riding in different elevators; one is going up and the other is going down.

Do you want to trade for a player who doesn't want to be here? I'm not suggesting that he's a bad guy for not wanting to play for some teams. But I don't want to trade for a player who I know in advance will be unhappy at his new location.

The highlight is the point. The more important issue isn't so much about individual talent as it is in assembling the best roster you can. Subtracting Dahlin for Draisaitl or almost any player in the league would make no sense for this franchise.

I don't know where you are coming from. No player is a savior. Winning is predicated on the talent and mix of the whole roster. It's inarguable that Dahlin is one of the best players on a team that needs more players. Subtracting your best player from a unit that isn't fully staffed makes no sense. You get better by adding talent, not subtracting your best talent. We subtracted players like Eichel, Reinhart, Montour for a variety of reasons. We didn't get better.

My response is still the same: Absolutely not!

You have keen and discerning eyes. I should have said disappointing season that hasn't met my/our expectations. You are right, I haven't given up on this season. But our slow start and home record has frustrated me. The hole that this team has dug for itself is exasperating.

You are right I don't watch much western division hockey. However, there is no circumstance in which I trade Dahlin for him. Dahlin is more valuable to the Sabres, regardless the stats Draisaitl would bring to this team. Creating a major void on a blueline that is already a work in progress, makes no sense to me. Again, an adamant no in that proposed trade.

I know what the numbers say: We should be encouraged. And we should be. On the other hand, I know how I feel. This is another needlessly lost season. With a few judicious tweaks to the roster in the previous offseason, this should have been a season where the results could have been more positive. It's even more exasperating when you see Detroit and Philly ahead of us in the standings. I'm encouraged more than most here about the direction of this franchise. But with wiser direction the arduous road to respectability should have been shorter.

There are no questions that this has been a disappointing season. But as you seem to acknowledge in your post the upgraded defensive numbers that @dudacek posted do reflect our upgrade in net with UPL. The Sabres at .500 are not a crappy team. However, it's fair to say that they are not a complete/well-rounded enough team, but that is far from being a crappy team (your description). I don't believe there will be a new coach next year. And without a doubt, there will be some new players on the roster next year.

Are you a morning drinker?

Putin would love to invite you to the promised land. A man of your caliber has great value. You would make a wonderful bargaining chip for him. Go for the vino in Italy and France and ogle their slinky babes . You'll also sleep better and be guaranteed to catch your flight back home.

When did we have the chance to make a deal for Pettersson, whatever it was composed of?

Whatever you do, don't go to Russia to have a cold weather igloo experience. It's rumored that the gulag has many vacancies. With your medical background, the authorities can use your medical experience to service the residents residing there. It's also been widely reported that their inhouse soup is very watered down.

Your logic is peculiar and upside down. Dahlin is arguably the best player on the team. He's not the reason why this team has not met expectations. Getting rid of talent for a lesser talent is like being on a down escalator and not understanding why you are not moving up. If you want to get better, you need to add talent and not shed it for a lesser talent. Common sense 101.

Absolutely not! If insanity was a disease it would be a contagion that has infected too many here. Just stop with this lunacy!

I agree with your comments about the Sabre playing with desperation and heart throughout the game. On the other hand, I have a different analysis as to why this team is playing better at this juncture of the season. The primary reason is that with UPL in between the pipes, the level of goaltending has risen to a high level. His play for a sustained period of time is one of the best in the league. There is no question that our blueline unit and team defense in general is better. But the main reason for this turnaround can be attributed to how UPL has played in net. Candidly, I am stunned by how much he has risen as a goalie. Go back I watch how UPL played in the shootout in the Carolina game and compare it to how he played in shootouts last year, when he would flop like a frantic fish facing a shooter. The metamorphosis is stunning!