JohnC

I like this line better. Although I would try Mitts on the wing instead of Hinostroza for the short term. If Mitts still struggles then I would be receptive to the line you present.

I'm posing a question because I haven't seen Chychrun play that much: Wouldn't it better for the Sabres to pursue a second to third pairing defenseman who is more defensive than offensive oriented? It would cost less in assets in a trade and it would better round out the blue line unit.

Krebs is a center and not a winger.

The bigger issue about question mark players such as Mitts as it is what are the better options? Maybe for the present Krebbs should be back at center with Mitts playing on the wing? I simply don't know???

I'm not much a drinker. But I will have a whiskey that will make me loopy and dedicate it to the good news coming from you. 🍷

I was going to post something about a nagging health issue that I have been plagued with for nearly the past two months. After reading your post I feel ashamed of myself for the lack of perspective. I just want you to know that I'm wishing you the best and offering my prayers.

The coach has spoken on the radio about assessing young players. He leaned into a belief that it is better to be patient before making a concluding judgment on a young player. That is not to say that the leash for players is endless. My sense from listening to him on his last WGR radio stint is that especially for Mitts the leash is near its end. When I watch Mitts you see that there are a number of good attributes, such as skill level, skating and effort. It just doesn't seem to translate into production. And it appears the coach is recognizing it by severely curtailing his and his linemates' minutes. It would be such a bonus if Mitts could make the leap. Most others have a hardened jaundiced view of him. I'm not in that category yet. I just don't know what his issue is? Maybe he simply needs a change of scenery to refreshen his game?

In general, I thought this game was fairly called. There is no doubt that there were missed calls, but not all of them went against us. I distinctly remember a sequence of plays where the refs could have called penalties on the Sabres in the third period. The Detroit crowd definitely hooted and hollered about those calls. In this game I thought the calls (good and bad) balanced out. That's all you can ask for.

You and are in sync about the fun aspect of watching the Sabres. I'm very aware that there are many people who are not satisfied with the team's record. But what can't be denied is that this version of the team is very entertaining to watch. (As you point out.) That's definitely due to more talent but also to the philosophy of play that the HC promotes. Compare the entertainment value of a Krueger coached team to a Granato coached team? It seemed that Krueger's approach suppressed individual talents while the current coach accentuates the talents of his players. With a few more pieces this team will be even more of a compelling team to follow!

If you have a chance listen to DG's last weakly Tuesday appearance on WGR. You perfectly capture the dilemma that he faces if he juggles the Mitts line with other lines. He made the point that the other lines are clicking, and he doesn't want to disrupt the chemistry on those lines. If you listen to him you can also sense that he will have to make a change on that line. It's apparent that he is already doing so by limiting that line to limited playing time.

Whether the Sabres are up or down in a game I remain in a state of anxiety until the horn goes off. One can review the games we have lost and believe that the Sabres could have won at least three of those games. On the other hand, you can review the games we have won and conclude that we could have easily lost three of those games. So, it shouldn't be surprising that in following the Sabres this year I'm in a constant state of agitation! The one positive thing about this team compared to the previous years' teams is that this team can compete with even the top tier teams in the league. That couldn't be said before. So with all the fluctuation the trend is upward, even when we don't see it. It's better than giving 2 points to a divisional rival and not getting any points for yourself.

The back and forth scoring in games is a reflection of this era of hockey. Yzerman was interviewed on the broadcast and was asked why there so many come from behind games where teams were up or down by two goals or more. In his dour style he pointed out that hockey is faster, less defensive structure and overall, a lack of high-end goaltenders. He noted that most teams, with the exception of the few teams with elite netminders, are looking for better goalies. He said that there is simply a lack of them. He also pointed out in this era the emphasis is on coaching the offense more than the defense. For those who are more fixated on the flucuation of scoring they are not understanding that the game of today is not the game of yesterday. There is less clamping down on teams because it is simply too fast and oriented toward offensive play. As you stated enjoy a win instead of sneering at it. A win is a win.

That's exactly what Granato has said on WGR on multiple occasions. And he also said that he was confident that his goal scoring will materialize because he has had a number of pipe missus. The coach knows his players.

He was a solid pickup. He fits in well with Okposo and Girgs.

A win's a win. My first sensation after Quinn's shootout goal is relief. We were fortunate that Detroit had two shootout shots hit metal. The first star for me in this game was Anderson. If anyone says Cozens deserves the first star, I'm not going to say you are wrong. The Cozens's line is emerging. It's only going to get better. And that's an exciting proposition. The Mitts line has become invisible and inconsequential. And I don't consider myself a Mitts basher.

Your banishment order got caught up in the encrusted bureaucracy. Be patient, it is slowly and steadily working its way up the rusted pipeline. When you get the special delivery mail you shouldn't be surprised when you open the envelop and the letter has the catch phrase "your services were appreciated but ------ ☠️

As you point out without even discussing Peterson's play, his salary and remaining term make it unlikely that KA would have any interest in him. However, an interesting discussion can be made about whether acquiring him would improve our goaltending, at least for the short term.

I'm sure that he's been in the league long enough to understand that it is a business. If he gets picked up by team where he will be play, he should be happy with that outcome. I'm not sure that our GM would be interested in him because it is likely that Comrie will return to play in a week or so. I would be receptive to getting him and sending UPL back down to Rochester. How much better would our record be with solid to good goaltending?

I thought I was being ostracized because I was unable to respond to posts. Thanks to @SDSor whoever was able to quickly fix the problem. This is a well-run site. 🍺

That was one of the reports coming out prior to the game when the Bears' qb got hurt in warmups. As it turned out Mike White was able to play and have a good game with 3 TD passes. Their spoiled brat qb, Zak Wilson, didn't suit up for this game.

I'm not sure who it was but didn't someone on this board say that he was having a house built in Minnesota where some family members still reside?

The value that Arizona has in Chychrun is that he is a good young NHL player playing at a valued position and is contractually bound for the next few years. Why wouldn't they want a high end prospect like Savoie, another young player, such as Joki, who is playing in the league, plus prospects. I would love to acquire Chychrun. He would solidify or two top pairings and make our three pairings one of the better blue line groups in the league. It just seems to me that KA doesn't seem to be the type of GM who would make such a bold move. at least not just yet.

I'm not slighting or diminishing him as a coach. He is a good coach and is respected within his ranks. Time moves on and situations change. It appears that he's got thinks clicking in Jersey after that franchise went through some tough times. The unfinished business that Ruff has now is in Jersey, and not in Buffalo.

For the Sabres it would be.

Ruff is a good coach. No one is saying otherwise. It's a fanciful notion that Ruff would be back in Buffalo to coach the Sabres. Granato is the right coach for this assemblage of young players and where this team is in its rebuilding process. Nostalgia is not a solution to what the Sabres are going through. The era of Ruff in Buffalo is over with. He's moved on and the franchise has moved on.