JohnC

Your comments about the reluctance to get the puck down low is the center piece of DG's post-game comments. This tendency to instead throw the puck back to the defensemen is taking the opposite approach that what the coach wants them to do. (as you point out )You can't always shoot the puck behind the net because there are many times when carrying/passing the puck is the right thing to do to attack the offensive zone. But if the play is not there, then shoot the puck in low and chase it. The problem is that battling for the puck behind the net requires tenacity and grit. This group is more comfortable with perimeter play that requires less physical play. What bothered me about the post-game comments by the coach is that it was apparent that the down-low strategy was supposed to be a focus of attention. Yet, the coach's instructions weren't adequately followed. Hockey has a rapid back and forth flow to it where it is impossible strictly follow a game plan. However, when a pre-game strategy is emphasized and the players don't follow it, then there is both a coaching and player problem. The word that comes to me that fits this situation is accountability. Where is it? Look back, in all three games we lost, I can't objectively say that we were outplayed. The margin of error between us and some of the better teams in the league is small. The difference is the attention to detail throughout the game. You have to be able to play smart and tough. We just seem incapable of keeping these two basic attributes up throughout the game. In this game, I thought that the Benson penalty at a critical juncture was atrocious. I'm not saying that it was a reason why we lost. It just seemed like a poor judgment and weird call. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/don-granato-postgame-vs-tb-6345267850112

I don't like people who don't return their carts to the return area. What this car narc fool doesn't understand is that there are too many angry and volatile people who carry guns and react in a manner that can be deadly. People get shot for accidently bumping into others in a variety of settings. This car narc fool is too clueless to understand that he could be putting himself in danger by dealing with people he doesn't know.

If the Sabres win this game, their homestand record will be 4-2. I would consider it a success even though I would have hoped for a loser point from one of the losses. If they lose, this team will be spinning its wheels and fall back. Not moving forward in the congested eastern conference means falling back. Although it is a cliche----this is a big game for us. Play hard/play simple/and shoot the freaking puck!

I have no problem using a 2nd round pick to pair with him or using the pick for another solid NHL player. On the other hand, I disagree with you regarding his value to cap ratio. This was a solid deal that benefited this team. He adds a style of strong play and big presence that was lacking on this team. It should be noted that it was the HC who worked with him prior to the pros who pushed for this deal. And breaking away from the topic on hand, I would say that the Clifton and Johnson deal have proved out to be solid deals that helped shore up this problematic blue line unit. I realize that it took some time for Clifton to find his comfort level.

I agree with you that this particular "rumor" thread was based on nothing factual. On the other hand, the issue of Greenway's value to the team is worth discussing. Is the value issue more appropriate in another thread? Maybe so? How many Mitts trade scenarios have been discussed here when there were no factual indications that the organization had any interest in dealing him? Some people are sticklers to adhering to the topic as written. I'm not one of them. I see nothing wrong with taking a topic and expanding it a little.

I disagree that he doesn't play to his size. He's certainly not a thumper but he is a big player who plays strong. He doesn't get bumped off the puck or his position. I don't want to overrate his talents but as you have acknowledged he gives us a physical/big presence that this roster lacks. And, as you have also noted his PK is more than solid. KA gets a lot of justifiable criticisms. However, the acquisition of Greenway for a second-round pick that was acquired in the Eichel deal was a good value deal that better rounded out our roster.

It is an issue with me. As the season advances, injuries happen. Especially for teams in the playoff hunt, he would be a backup to consider that would cost you nothing because he would be a waiver acquisition. I don't want to over-rate his value but having three NHL goalies who have played in the league is worth keeping in our system.

My understanding is that Comrie is out of options. In the attempt to bring him up there is a chance that he can be claimed. UPL is on a good run. However, he is vulnerable to getting injured (as all goalies are). Stay the course.

Your deep doghouse has rehabilitated a number of players on this team. Mitts was chained to the house, and due to your constant whipping, he successfully rehabbed. Clinton was chained to your punishing shack house for a spell, and then he seemed to recover his game. UPL is a big fellow who required a bigger dog- house to get in. Your rehab tools (whip?) seemed to have worked on him. Who is your next candidate to occupy your rehabilitation facility? It's working. Keep up the good work. The old school stern schoolmaster is a catholic school tradition. It works. I got the scars to prove it. 😃

Obviously, UPL gets the first star. The Sabres played a simplified game, mostly north/south. Nothing fancy, mostly workmanlike. Girgs plays a hard and fast game. He's one of the hardest workers on the team. I like Benson's game. He gives us more offensive net presence than anyone else on the team. When Dahlin got a deflection off of a Hawk stick for a goal, Benson was in front of the net. There isn't too much to analyze in this game. The superior team controlled the play. When the Hawks shot there wasn't much follow-up. One and done with our defense retrieving the puck. A win is a win. The biggest takeaway is that UPL seems to have solidified his position as our #1 goalie. He's a big goalie who plays big with an economy of motion. He's well position and is playing under control with no scrambling. Right now, he is a very confident goalie. We need to finish this extended homestand with a win against a team that is much superior to the team we played tonight. I will consider this homestand a success if we beat Tampa.

No. Injuries are a factor for all teams. We're just more aware of them for the home team.

We are all well aware that everything you say is true. So, it is not necessary to toot your horn. When a person is as omniscient as you obvious are, you've earned the right to boast. I humbly genuflect to your overwhelming wisdom that is bestowed upon us peasants. You are a shining light in the darkness.

Do you know who is in net today? I didn't see it announced in the game thread?

We just disagree. I don't know how anyone can conclude that Comrie would be a better option than Levi as a backup goalie for the Sabres. It comes down to: different eyes have different visions. That's okay.

The point I have been attempting to make is that although Levi might be a backup, that doesn't mean that playing intermittently and practicing with the big club will impede his development. On the contrary, playing with NHL players will enhance it. But the more important issue for me (as you noted) is Levi on the roster makes this a better team as opposed to having Comrie on the roster.

Even if UPL is the #1 goalie that doesn't mean that Levi won't get opportunities to play as a backup. I simply don't believe that KA is going to exchange Comrie for Levi on this roster. That would make no sense especially considering that he has already made a decision to send Comrie down and keep Levi with the big club. I see no merit in repeatedly subjecting Levi to going back and forth from Rocester to Buffalo. That makes no sense to me. We both are going back and forth on this issue. We'll just have to wait and see how this issue is handled by the GM. The underlying issue for me is the importance of keeping your best players on the roster. It shouldn't be much of a debate that Levi is better than Comrie.

The Sabres did indeed finish last season with a flourish. It wasn't dominance but it was a demonstration that they can play good hockey for an extended period of time. As I have already said to @GASabresIUFAN and you, if you want to throw in the towel now, then go ahead and do so. You and he both miss my central point that I have been making i.e. do everything within reason to win now. By sending a player like Levi down to be replaced by Comrie or whoever, a lesser player, the organization is sending a message to the other players and the battered fans that they are not committed to winning. You are mistaken if you believe that I am blinded by fanciful optimism. I'm not. The issue for me is the obligation of competing to the best of your ability. If it is not good enough, then so be it. But at least do your best and show that winning is important to you. The era of tanking and folding should be over for this woebegone franchise. We have already gone through that ugly process. We are at a different stage now. If you are going to lose, at least do it with integrity.

I bring it up because you repeatedly say that there is little chance to salvage the season. You believe so, I don't. The point about the Bills is obvious as it applies to the Sabres. We are a little past the halfway mark. I believe there is time for the Sabres to get into the race. You seem not do believe so. What message would you be sending to Dahlin, Tuch and the rest of the players if you ship out one of your better goalies for a lesser goalie. That makes no sense to me. You either are committed to winning or you are not. If the organization isn't fully invested in the season, then it should get out of the hockey business. If they do what you are recommending regarding sending Levi down to the AHL, it will bring more shame to an organization whose reputation is already pitiful.

What you fail to acknowledge is that Levi became our primary goalie in last season's push for the playoffs. He was our best goalie by far who was called on by the HC when every game at that point was critical. UPL has played exceptionally well over the past number of games. That's something to celebrate. Right now, he has moved ahead of Levi based on his performance. That's a classic example that internal competition makes players better. You act as if Levi has lost his way. That isn't the case. You can cite whatever statistics you want why Levi should be sent down to Rochester. But the reality when over-relying on goalie stats is that it often doesn't account for the play of his own players in their defensive roles. The Sabres have had too many of their best players who wanted out because they were tired of losing. Now you are making the argument that Levi should be sent down and being replaced by an inferior netminder. That makes no sense to me. Are the Sabres out of the playoff race? Maybe/maybe not. What this organization needs to do is show respect to the rest of the players on the team, and especially the abused fans that it is committed to winning. How do you do that? One obvious way is keeping your best players, not by moving them off the roster. You may believe that the Sabres have no chance for the playoffs, thus making this another hideous throwaway season. I'm not there yet. If the Sabres do what you are advocating for, I will have not a scintilla of respect for this franchise. You like throwing around statistics. Let me give you one to think about: The Bills has a 5% chance of making the playoffs after the excruciating Philly loss. The team stayed together and fought on. Look where they are now! Maybe you think it is smart jumping ship before it is sinking; I rather remain on the ship even when it is in turbulent waters. Stay the course!

Clifton has stabilized his game. There was an adjustment period where he seemed to be lost. Now, he is a solid to good blue liner. Eric Johnson certainly isn't what he was but as a player he is a stabilizer. Ryan Johnson has been better than I could have ever imagined for a rookie. Overall, I would say that the blue line unit is solid. I don't understand why you are so frantic and alarmed by this unit. You have allowed your inexplicable fixation on marginal players (Stillman and Bryson), who are now in Rochester, to cloud your vision on the unit. This unit will even be better once Samuelsson returns to health. And it should be noted that with better goalie play our defense has also improved.

I respectfully and strenuously disagree that his development should be treated independently from the success and failure of this year. They are not mutually exclusive. Right now, he is our second-best goalie on the team and in the system. And if player development is your primary concern, then practicing and given playing time as a backup on the NHL team will also contribute to his development. This shouldn't be a throw-away season. At least not yet. The priority for this team on behalf of its abused fanbase should be winning. Stay the course!

Clifton and Johnson were brought in to the blue line mix. And the rookie Johnson seems to have solidified a spot. So why are you exhibiting so much angst for defensemen who have been relegated to the AHL? You should at least be modestly happy by the additions that dropped these players down.

I prefer Levi as our #2. I'm not sure within the 25 group anyone is much better than Comrie. I said it many times over: I don't see KA making a goalie move this year.

Ryan Johnson being able to play at a quality NHL level so quickly has been more than a pleasant surprise. And it sure has helped the unit that Clifton has found his game. Why are you criticizing the GM when he has found replacements for the defensemen that you scorn so much?

After the Bills lost to Philly they had a 5% chance of getting into the playoffs. Look how they finished and where they are now! Your projection on the number of points required to make the playoffs is not ironclad. It could be lower. All I'm saying to you and others is to hang on a little longer and see how things play out in the next dozen or so games. In my opinion you are too quick to make an assumption before we get to the point where it is safe to make an assumption. Keep an open mind and keep hope a live. What 2G would you pursue?