Archie Lee

I would say playoffs should be the goal. I don’t think they will make this their explicit goal though, at least not in the way fans would be looking for. While I think they will play every game to win with the lineup that they have, as they did this year, I don’t think they will move out any potential long term pieces for the sort of players who would clearly signal they have now changed their approach. I also don’t see us being significant players in free agency. if anything, I think we will continue to be the NHL’s youngest team and with the departure of Anderson and Okposo we will be younger than this year’s team. I could see us starting the year with 5-6 rookies on the roster (Levi, Johnson, Kulich, Savoie, and a couple of older Rochester guys like Biro and Rousek). There will still be opportunity there for us to get incrementally better due internal development. Based on recent history though, I will be surprised if the team makes moves that clearly change the direction towards improvement via the acquisition of experienced players.

I don’t mean this as a criticism of Adams. I think he is good though at changing the narrative to spin things positively. None of us are eager to give up Savoie or Kulich. The post-deadline narrative became that Arizona wanted more from us than they got from Ottawa. The implication was that Arizona asked for a high end prospect like Savoie or Kulich and these players were non-starters for the Sabres. What was not clear or addressed, from what I saw, is if Arizona was willing to take our 2023 1st instead of Savoie or Kulich. If so, then that is a bit of a different story. If Arizona’s ask was a 2023 1st or Savoie or Kulich and two 2nds, then they wanted basically the same thing from us and we were not willing to pay the price.

I think our goaltending has been average. According to Money Puck, in all situations the Sabres are 26th in goals against and 28th in expected goals against. Our goalies have allowed about as many goals as expected given the scoring opportunities we give up. In my opinion: - Anderson has exceeded expectations and has been good - UPL has met expectations and shown he has the physical tools to be an NHL goalie; he needs to be more consistent and that will hopefully come with experience - Comrie has been bad and disappointing, even in the context of low expectations and an injury. My guess is that Levi will dress as a back-up once or twice before he starts a game. Up to the Dallas game I was convinced that Levi would start next season in Rochester and that UPL/Comrie would start next season as the NHL tandem. Now I think it is more likely that Comrie is done as a Sabre and we will see UPL/Levi in Buffalo.

Fair enough. You’re not a fan. Cheers.

There is no player on the team who is better with the puck in tight quarters than Mitts. When he is working the boards/cycle on the forecheck he is simply one of the best I have seen on the Sabres at being able to process where the scoring opportunity is and somehow get the puck to his teammate in a high danger position. I actually get excited when he is in that position and generally expect he will generate a scoring opportunity. He has been expected to be a dynamic offensive player, yet for most of his career he has not had a chance to play with the teams other dynamic offensive players. Now he is getting that chance with Cozens. Mitts/Cozens/Quinn will give us a strong offensively skilled and defensively responsible second line next year, I think.

At $1.5 per year or so? Absolutely.

My dream was Mangiapane and one of the D.

I’m not making a prediction, but I saw yesterday from one of the “insiders” that Calgary was considering moving out a player or two from their top 9, top 4, to recoup some draft capital and make cap space for the summer. The Flames lost last night. If we make a deal today, maybe it’s the Flames who have a player or two who fit our timeline.

The logic of the trade is pretty clear, even if there is general disagreement amongst fans. The team needed to improve its depth on defence. The organization is not as down on Bryson and Clague as the fanbase is. The analytics department has their own data not available to the public and that data likes Stillman as a depth player. He has another year on his contract at an AAV that is not at all problematic. We gave up a prospect who was far down the depth chart in an area of surplus talent.

I've often thought, in hindsight, that we would have been better to trade Puppa for Lemieux. 🙂

The missing player for me is Aho.

I’m in for the “plan” and the long-haul. That said, it will be a bit disappointing if we don’t make any move of consequence at the deadline. There are 3 timeframes in a calendar year where NHL teams make acquisitions. Yes, trades are made at other times of the year, but in and around the draft, free agency day, and the deadline are the periods where trades typically occur. Anytime you go through one of those periods and haven’t made a move to improve the team (short or long term, depending on your time line) is a potential lost opportunity. I don’t want anything rash, but I would like to see a move that signals the plan is not to solely rely on the development of our young NHL players and prospects.

When the team went on the road and took 7 of 8 against Central Division teams, ascension to the playoffs seemed nearly inevitable. Then you lose 3 in a row in regulation by a combined 17-5 and the season seems over. How could the team I watched these past 3 games possibly compete for the playoffs? Of course, that’s not how it works. As I heard someone say on NHL Network radio yesterday, when talking about the inconsistent play of all the Wildcard contenders: “That’s why they are potential wildcard teams and aren’t cemented in the top 3 in their division”. Pittsburgh lost 6-0 to the Kings three nights ago. Washington lost 4-1 in San Jose. We might be watching the beginning of the end of the Sabres season. And we might be watching a dip in their performance that they will overcome as they have 2-3 times already this year. So long as we remain in a position where a 5 game win streak puts us back in legitimate contention, we aren’t really out of it.

Just looking at the 3rd lines of playoff contenders using the depth chart tool on capfriendly and I would say there are plenty of teams that our 3rd lines stacks up fine against. I’m not saying it couldn’t be improved, but it isn’t the case that they would be grossly overmatched in any playoff matchup.

It is still too early to scoreboard watch (though, I will nightly). The Sabres have 42 points in 32 games since the 8 game losing streak. Interestingly, in the 32 games that preceded the losing streak (including the final 22 games of last season), they had 41 points. The Sabres have 32 games remaining. If they can repeat what they did in the 32 games pre and post 8 game losing streak, they should get in. It won’t be easy though.

My prediction is 8x9.75. There are lots of comparables that come in between 8.5 and 9.5. I don’t sense Dahlin is going to ask for the moon.

I’m not sure they could fit Meier in, but we won’t likely be paying multiple 4th line and 3rd pairing D $2.5 mil per year.

Hughes went 1st overall in 2019 and he is in year one of an 8x8. Boldy went 12th that year and starts a 7x7 next year. Splitting the difference at 7.5 x 7 or 8 years seems reasonable.

I think it is possible to be mildly disappointed by this while also acknowledging that it is not likely a significant long-term setback. Short term I do think it hurts a little. Looking at things in a vacuum, I would have waived Hinostroza as I think we have multiple forward options in Rochester (Biro, Murray, Rousek…) who could be tried in a bottom 6 role and maybe even deserve an opportunity. Our D depth was not good and is now worse. Others are correct though in stating that similar players hit waivers a few times a year. Still, better in my view to have a guy you know. Also, it might surprise some to know that Matt Irwin has played 31 games for the Capitals this season. He has played 10 years in the NHL, 47 playoff games (maybe more in 2023), 10 years in the NHL without ever having a contract that paid him more than a million $ a year. Players of his talent level, and Fitzgerald’s, Clague’s, Fedun’s, Ruhwedel’s, etc., have been filling out the bottom depth of NHL playoff teams forever. As our top D and forwards are going to get paid soon, we should get used to seeing such players filling out some of our 5-9 D positions.

No great options here, but perhaps we are finally having to make a decision that fits in the “good problem to have” category. Fitz probably clears I think, so that might be the simplest way to address one spot. I like having 8 D though. While an upgrade is always a nice thought, I think Bryson, Boosh, Clague, Fitz and Pilut give us better depth than is generally thought. Dahlin and Power are studs and the big minutes they play speaks as much to their prowess as to any lack of depth, in my view. I would send UPL down and waive Vinnie. If Vinnie doesn’t want to go to Rochester maybe a Moulson-like deal can be made where he goes home and plays for the Chicago Wolves. As others have said, we have multiple forwards in Rochester who can come up and fill that role if needed. Comrie would then get 2 of the next 3 home games. If the team keeps rolling then there is nothing to worry about. If Comrie falters you recall UPL and need to make a decision. It was always more than likely that due to an injury UPL would get an extended stretch in the NHL this season. It’s good that he has played well. I think, at this point, it is fine to just stick with the plan.

The Sabres having multiple games postponed has messed with the standings. A couple of thoughts though: - On Nov 20, 2022 the Sabres were 14th in the conference and had a points % of .388. From a points % standpoint they were .190 behind the 2nd wildcard team - Today the Sabres are 10th in the conference but from a points % standpoint are only .023 behind the 2nd wildcard team The Sabres could fade, of course. There are still red flags to be sure (Can the goaltending hold-up? Will inexperience be a factor? Is their current shooting % close to sustainable?). But it also might be that the 8 game losing streak was the anomaly and everything else that we have seen since March 1, 2022 is the new mean. I had the NHL network on yesterday afternoon with Boomer and Jake. Not saying that he is an expert or anything, but on the topic of Eastern Conference playoffs and whether it will be 5 metro teams that make it, Boomer's view is that it will be 4 metro teams because "the Sabres are a freight train".

In a few weeks the Sabres will add a young 2nd pairing right shot D with about 230 games of NHL experience.

I think UPL goes down when Comrie comes up and as long as Comrie/Anderson give us good goaltending and the team keeps winning it is kind of a non issue. If Comrie doesn’t play well or Anderson falters then a decision needs to be made. This stint for UPL has rekindled confidence that he is a legit NHL goalie. It affirms that the plan of Comrie/Anderson this year and then Comrie/UPL next year was logical. We just need Comrie to hold up his end now and play at a higher level with the team doing the same in front of him.

Comrie was good to start the year and then struggled. Luukkonen started poorly but has been better lately. Their respective #'s on the year are not good, but theyr are better than Vanecek's December #'s (.869 in 6 starts). The sample sizes from this year are too small to draw conclusions on any of the goalies you have referenced. The plan is absolutely to go with Comrie/Anderson this year and Comrie/UPL next year. I don't think that means that a change in the plan can't occur, should Comrie or UPL not live up to expectations. Looking at their #'s to this point in the season you can argue they have not met expectations. There are 50 games left though. Also, the team is starting to play better and that may play a factor in the #'s the goalies post from here.

I’m also in the neither camp. While I admit that I would be excited if we acquired either player (price dependent of course) I don’t think Adams will be in the running for either. I’m comfortable with that. At some point this year Comrie will be back and Luukkonen will be back in Rochester. Both still have time to turn what has been a disappointing start into a positive ending. We won’t acquire another goalie until after Levi is signed, if we do at all. Joker is our #4, I think. The bottom pairing guys will continue to get the year to prove they can be NHL d men and can play up the lineup when needed. There is lots of season left for this situation to play out further. The same goes, more or less, for the bottom 6 forwards, with some Rochester guys in the mix for next year also. Right or wrong, our big contracts will be the players we develop and who Adams believes have earned and can handle the responsibility.