JohnC

This is another link from WGR's Schopp and Bulldog talking about the draft. The Tony Ferrari segment indicates that there are a number of quality of options when the Sabres pick at 13. The point was made that there will be some very good players available when we make our second pick. If you can't bring up this link with your browser try the Google Chrome browser. This is a 20 minute segment. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/authors/schopp-and-bulldog

https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/hosts/sabres-live The above WGR link of today's Sabre Live show is mostly dedicated to the draft. The Kris Baker segment about the draft and who he believes Buffalo should take is interesting. If you can't brink up this link with your browser trying using Google Chrome.

One of the bonuses of having players such as Krebs and Mitts is that they do have the ability to play on a higher line when the inevitable injuries occur. Mitts underscored that point when he was moved up to the top line when Tage was contending with injuries and played well. What you, @dudacekothers are highlighting is the fact that the Sabres are building depth and versatility within their roster. That's where we are right now. That's why fans should be optimistic.

What's impressive about the list of players @dudacek presented is the length of it. Just through internal improvement this franchise will rise. There has ben a lot of attention to this team's evident deficiencies but what is exciding is that so many players already on this roster and those who are close to moving up the ranks will get better. That's the exciting part of the story.

You may not be aware of it but the prison door has been unlocked. All you have to do is walk out of that suffocating room. 🤡

There are two sides to the issue of making moves: What you get and what you give up. Making fantasy deals is a fun endeavor for us fans. But in the real world that GMs function in they have to consider players that are available, contracts, terms, asset costs etc. In a relative short time span our GM has elevated this hollow, stuck in the mud franchise into a smartly run operation that has now reached the level of being considered by those in the hockey business to be a serious team. You complain that there should have more moves made. The Sabres incrementally got better with the additions of Stillman and Greenway. And what you forgot is that the Sabres did finish the season with a flourish against good teams that fell a little short. I don't understand why your eyes are so jaundiced!

With respect to JJ, my answer is yes that it is better to keep him. There are other trades that can be made to getting a good second pairing defenseman. I would rather trade our first pick to get a high quality defenseman in a trade. If a top shelf defenseman is not attainable, then the next best option is to add a couple of 4/5 defenseman to bolster the unit. We both agree that our blueline needs to be upgraded. But our defensive deficiencies are also caused by the inadequate defensive play of our lines. Better two-way play by the lines would also improve our defense and play of our goalies. A strong no on dealing JJ.

A good second line player on a productive second line. Trading him now while there is so much more upside to tap into will only result in regrets in the near future. The Quinn/Cozens/JJ line is emerging. It would be a mistake to let him go. Based on how KA has operated it is very unlikely that this young German would be dealt.

Take a few shots from a medium-priced whiskey bottle. Sipping is not allowed. Very unmanly. With no hesitation shoot it down. It will give you glow and make you feel better. Trust me, this is very medicinal. 🍷

So are you suggesting that the GM should make expedient moves that in the end sets the team back. That line of short-term thinking has crippled this organization for almost a generation. This team made a quantum leap forward last season from the prior season, a jump of 16 pts. You find it to be unsatisfactory. That makes no sense.

Interesting maneuvers. However, hard no on trading JJ and acquiring Toews. The Chicago veteran and stalwart player has accumulated a lot of battering and is fading as a player. At this stage in his career he just isn't worth the contract you proposed. On the Gibson acquisition I'm not overly enthused.

What UPL surely is thinking is that with Levi in the fold he has to come into camp in shape and be prepared to compete with Levi and Comrie to earn a spot and playing time. Competition and pressure are what he will be facing. He will be judged on his performance in camp. He's not entitled to anything. And that is how it should be. I'm sure he understands that.

You are right that Greenway wasn't in the best condition. However, there was a reason for that. He was injured and because of it his conditioning wasn't at the top level. I'm confident that the second-round pick that was used to acquire him will turn out to be a good deal when he reports to camp in top shape.

You get a new hat and end up shaving off that bandito mustache. Life is full of compromises and adjustments.

Overall team defense that includes the blueliners and the play of the lines is the biggest priority for me. As far as upgrading the goalie position the issue becomes what is available on the market and what are you willing to give up to make that change. What I'm adamantly opposed to is giving up prime assets in high draft picks and high-end prospects for a goalie such as Hellybuyck who will be a UFA in a year. That makes no sense to me. Again, if you can get an upgrade on a player at any position and you can do it for an acceptable price, you do it. That's what GM's get paid to do. My stance on that point has never changed.

You haven't accurately read my posts. I am very comfortable with Joki as our number 4D. I have stated that point on many occasions. I have also frequently pointed out that Power excelled while being paired with Joki. However, if you can find a better second pairing player to pair with Power and move Joki to the third pairing it would improve the unit. If you get a better player that moves a player to a lower pairing or line you are upgrading the roster. Why would I be against that and how is that a contradiction to what I have previously stated? With respect to the goalie position I'm not as worried about it as most are here. My priority is addressing the blueline this offseason.

You don't think that Quinn, JJ, Power, Joki and Mitts will continue to get better? I expect Quinn, Power and maybe JJ to get make noticeable leaps forward next year. If the GM decides to mostly stand pat the team will be better through internal improvement of players already on the roster.

To the draftniks who contribute to this board I say thank you. You guys are great! Although there are variances in opinions, there is a great deal of agreement among this adroit evaluating group about this class. KA values draft picks and is adept at picking players. That is the right approach to take.

What is evident is that the Sabres should come away from this draft with a high-quality prospect. Would I give up this pick for a top two pairing defenseman or goalie? Not unless they had some term left on their contract or were assured that an extension would be made before departing with the pick. Our GM has made some astute picks during his tenure. My inclination is to hang on to the pick and continue on with the roster building process that he has established since he took over. I'm receptive to dealing the pick but it has to be a very appealing offer to let that first round pick go.

Great work. If you had a choice of one of the players in the 8-11 group, who would you take? If you had to take a player in the 12-18 group. who would it be.

Assuming the GM decides to work with the goalies he has on the roster, which of the three players do you believe would be the primary goalie?

Yes. The Sabres are in a good position to roll the dice on a player who may not be available for a number of years. If it doesn't work out, you still are well stocked with prospects in your system. Taking a gamble on a high-end talent is worth the risk.

I agree with your comment. And I believe that the proliferation of "Special Nights" dilutes the special nature of some causes. The organization can support a number of causes by community outreach efforts (which it does) instead of increasing the number of "Cause Nights".

I was talking about individual players. And I agree with the notion that there are too many causes and nights at sporting events. I'm not saying that they shouldn't exist, but I am saying that there are too many of them at these entertainment venues.

What would you do to a player who didn't want to participate in Pride Night? Would you punish him? I wouldn't.