JohnC

The poster you responded to is referring to the fact that our GM knew the player's dad when they were with Carolina in their cup year. I don't consider this transaction in any way an act of nepotism. It was simply a low-grade hockey trade.

Within this WGR link is a segment with David Pagnotta talking about trades around the league, and Buffalo's tepid interest. This is around 18 minute segment. Also, within this link is a 20 minute Paul Hamilton. The Hamilton segment is better than most of his segments. These two segments combined offer good hockey talk. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/authors/howard-and-jeremy-show

If @GASabresIUFANtalks your ears off about potential trades, just nod approvingly through the conversation. He will consider you a kindred spirit. 🤡

McCabe is the type of player that the Sabres could have used. On the other hand, I doubt KA would have given up a first round pick for him.

I'm sure you are aware that I have been arguing for a long time, as you have, that the blueline needs additions. On that issue you and I are in accord. I'm not against adding another forward. But based on the numerous times KA has commented about the team and his philosophy about putting together a roster, he has made it abundantly clear that he prefers to work within the organization than rely on outside help. The elevation of Hinostroza from the AHL is an illustration of that. I'm expressing my view on what I believe he will do because of his often expressed feelings on building a team. It's evident that based on everything he has done so far that he is determined to adhere to the script he set when he took over. As the trade deadline approaches a number of teams have made moves. As of yet, the Sabres are not one of them. We shall see. @dudacek has made a persuasive point about the Sabre roster construction and coaching philosophy as to why there is an imbalance between the defensive metrics relative to the offensive metrics. It's by design.

The argument that KA would respond back to you with is that this team is in a playoff position as it is currently constituted. Why disrupt the chemistry and make changes to the cohesive room? The GM would also point out that despite your lamentations this team is currently on a good run where it is in the process of passing teams on the road to the playoffs. In the GM's mind the younger players are getting better and the team is steadily rising. Or another way of looking at the issue is that both our short and longer term goals are being met. He would continue to argue that when the "status quo" is working then keep it.

As it stands UPL is part of the juggling trio. And the organization appears to be satisfied with that. If that is the case, then the backdoor way to improve the netminding (for all the goalies) is to add another defenseman (Lyubushkin caliber) to shore up the blue line unit. It will be interesting to see if the coach continues on with the rotation or goes with a two-man rotation as the season winds down. I'm more intrigued about whether a defender is going to be added than the organization's unlikely willingness to bring in another goalie. As much as @GASabresIUFAN wishes it--I just don't see it happening. Most of us agree that Anderson is our best goalie. But the question about him is whether he is capable of handling a heavy workload. I'm not sure. However, it seems to me that the coach prefers erroring on the side that the best approach is less is better than more is. My position is I simply don't know what the better approach is??? As usual, I am befuddled on this issue.

No, I'm talking about Cozens as a second-line center with wingers such as Quinn and Mitts.

Don't you think that as he emerges as a first line talent, even if it is at wing on the first line, that there is better use for him as a second line center who is driving that line? Maybe a second line composed of Mitts/Cozens/Quinn?

You make a keen observation. Quinn can make moves in tight spaces and create space for himself. Although Peterka is a fast north/south skater, he doesn't seem to have enough quickness which could help him create space for himself in the offensive zone. I'm certainly not down on JJ. He just needs more time to become acclimated to the NHL game where everything has to be done more quickly than in the lower leagues. I still consider him a high-end prospect but it's going to take time for him to figure it out. An offseason should do wonders for him to prepare himself for the next season.

You watched a number of Rochester games last year. What do you see in the difference of play between JJ's play in Rochester vs Buffalo. Clearly, there is a qualitative difference in the higher league compared to the lower league but he is struggling more than I thought he would this year.

If you consider the line of Girgs/Jost/Okposo as a checking line, don't dismiss its importance to contributing to the team's success.

Cozens is emerging as a player. Another young player who is taking that major step up is Power. He's already become an indispensable player for us. You can see that Quinn is soon going to make that quantum leap forward. The young core is rising together.

That's great news! The fans are coming back. It's been a long struggle to win back the fans who for so long been trampled on. The organization has been stabilized with the prospects for the present and future brighter than it has been in a long time. Winning and entertaining hockey is the attraction. This season has been marvelous!

Does anyone know what the attendance was? On TV it looked like a full house.

Everything pre-last week is literally years ago for me. 🤡

Attached is a link from NHL.com https://www.nhl.com/standings/2022/wildcard

Hallelujah! We agree in this thread. Let's celebrate:

I'm not attacking you. You are being too sensitive. Again, and again, I stated my view on UPL in this specific game. You took my response as a defense of the caliber of goalie he is. That is an inaccurate interpretation of my response/s. It's as simple as that. You act as if I'm assaulting your character and your integrity. I'm not. You are taking things too personally. Sometimes the commentary results in some unintentional stings. That's not what I intended. Let it go and move on.

Who doesn't want a good goalie? Name a goalie that you believe that our GM is pursuing to improve that unit?

That's KA's mantra! Chychrun sure would be a major addition to the unit. It's simply my "impression" that the GM is not as interested in this particular player as the crowd is. Maybe I'm wrong on that. Whether he is or not targeting him I would love to see an addition made to the unit. On that issue I'm sure we are in accord.

You and I are not disagreeing. He's far from being a finished product. I acknowledge that he may never be a finished NHL product. That's an unknown right now. I'm not defending him as a goalie. The point that I made with my multiple comments about this game is that most of the goals scored in this game were not his fault. There were defensive breakdowns in the defensive zone. And because of it he was made vulnerable. That's my basic point.

Your full of yourself. Read your response. I specifically talked about this game. You directed your comment toward me. And I answered it. If you can't handle my response, then so be it. That's your issue--not mine.

The highlighted line summarizing the situation. It seems that the front office is taking the view that the permanent solution is going to be addressed at a later time. As you succinctly put it: Where we are at is where we are at.

I just don't see a trade with Buffalo materializing. I'm not even sure if KA is interested in Chychrun.