SabresVet

It's concerning that they'll prominently feature young goalies like Levi and UPL behind a below-average team defense. For a team that talks about development (and rightly so) better team defense would have been something I'd expect KA and DG would have been emphasizing more knowing their offense can score.

It's fast...that's what I got. 😉

I like That Taco Place in Batavia. Just get it and eat in the parking lot. LOL. Ate at Mariachi de Oro today. So many superlatives to describe that restaurant, but outstanding every single time. And service is excellent as well. Highly recommend!

Jack Eichel: Stanley Cup Champion 🙂

I'm waiting for the NHL to begin embracing world religions as a demonstration of their diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. If they want to attract more fans, there are billions who adhere to a religion. They could even feature jerseys with religions symbols that would be auctioned off to support not just the monotheistic faiths, but others as well. Best part is, I doubt any foreign leader would object to just a diverse, equitable, and inclusive pursuit.

This is Grand Canyon quality reach. If you can't appreciate a 19 year old boy drafted in in 1967 to serve in Vietnam who is now 70-something the team honors it doesn't mean you supported the Vietnam War. But people recognize that guy or the others who served in subsequent (or even previous) wars. For the record, I served in a two way live fire and am firmly against wars waged for little purpose. And if you ask most veterans, they are not pro-war because of how bad the experience often is. Still, seeing some of the people the Sabres honor, especially PH recipients, should evoke something without meaning you pound the table for war. And you watch in the arena how universally the applause comes down for that man or woman. A First Responders night at KBC or by other professional team would be a great idea. Only thing is, that won't help the DEI rating because that's what Pride Night largely is: the NHL making public gestures to not be under criticism for a lack of DEI. Again, as evidenced by this board, the Pride night and other social justice (DEI) causes are muted in audience response. Because it's not about the audience...it's the corporation fending off the social justice warriors who will come.

The NHL scored low on DEI and therefore is taking steps to address that based on this report: https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-releases-results-of-diversity-and-inclusion-report/c-336511848 DEI is very much political and organizations/corporations/businesses respond this way as an insurance policy by the entity against being accused of discrimination. The NHL cannot run the risk of that happening or revenue will take a hit. At the same time, fans are not overwhelmingly demanding more diversity, equity, or inclusion...so who is? Answering that question shines some light on the issue as a whole. And there is no similarity to military appreciation night. Recognizing people who served in the armed forces unites people in a way that DEI driven events do not, nor ever will. As evidenced right here, there is a high likelihood of increased division between players and league administration not to mention among fans.

Correct. I mis-read your post originally, so my apologies.

Athletes signed to long term multi-million dollar contracts possess slightly more leverage than do lesser paid associates working within a large corporation. I really wish social and cultural debates would not occur on a professional sports team message board, but this is 2023 and understand it will invariably happen.

I'll put it this way: even if it's 600k in new spending on analytics, that's a pittance for a franchise that has a budget probably approaching or beyond 75M. That includes all coaches, players, front office employees, etc. Pretty confident that's a low-end budget estimate as well. In other words, less than 1% of new spending.

The cost of 3 employees within the analytics department is probably no more than 70% of the NHL minimum salary for a season. It'd be like signing 70% of Cody Eakin for next season. Insignificant in the big picture.

They've committed ~130M in contracts to Thompson, Cozens, and Samuelsson out to, I believe, the 2029-30 season. I expect they'll sign Dahlin to the largest contract in team history within the next year. Attendance this season is up 60% this year and would expect they'll be more than a cap floor team next year.

That's like saying you can measure inflation taking out gas and food from the analysis. "...Mostly within 1.5 goals in every game." Wow. Let's get the participation trophies distributed while we're at it.

Buffalo is 12-19-4 against top-16 NHL teams (as of 19 March), have a -39 goal differential, score 0.6 less goals per game, and allow more than 4 on average in those games. They were 5-11-3 at home against the top end teams. Need to be much more competitive there to demonstrate being playoff worthy.

Absolutely. These last 2 off-season Adams has led the organization the big moves he's made were essentially made for him. He traded players who wanted out and, to date, has decided to retain players acquired before his time who obviously produced (Thompson, Cozens) or they expect to (Samuelsson). And yes, they're rebuilding a moribund farm system with prospects who are not traded away. But they aren't a few tweaks away either from being a playoff team as evidenced by recent play. The gap is much wider that most people wanted to believe, myself included. Sure, they're young and getting experience, but something is amiss there. The offense goes silent against top-end teams. The defense is still a mess and the goaltending, well, that's been covered. This after almost 2 full season with his hand-picked coach in tow. There's some heavy lifting left to do...whether they pursue it or not. Can't be in safe mode to continue this rebuild given their problems.

In the words of Drill Sergeant Hulka:

Quint, your lookin' for da great white and mist the killer whale headed in you're direcshun. Its ackshully gonna be hard too correct all dis gramma and misspelings here.

I had heard they drove the EIchel deal, the captaincy and were none too pleased when Jack wanted out. Cannot confirm that, but suspect as well. The Pegula's, prior to the health issues, tended to trust those they hired/inherited, and when results did not come they axed those people. They just didn't make good decisions on leaders and the revolving door continued. McDermott wisely saw an opportunity in Buffalo after their front office and coaching staff was in complete misalignment. He demanded authority to clean it up and of course they were in a tough position, but acquiesced. Paul Hamilton has reported they later regretted granting that control, but the die is cast. I think the Pegula's took too long to understand pro sports and it showed in their hiring/retained management from 2011-2021 with the Sabres and 2014-2017 with the Bills. Regardless, they were all in with McDermott because everything before was a cluster and it was clear he had a plan. Adams' hire was borne of trust issues they had with the previous 2 GM's.

FWIW, I know someone who has covered the team for some time. Trust me or don't, not my concern. Terry was against taking Russian players for years and demanded the O'Reilly trade after those end-of-season comments. He also pushed for the Skinner contract extension. Before that, he was spending wildly, chose to retain Regier, and then had the fiasco with LaFontaine, while seeing Murray and Botterill get hired and fail. I am appreciating that, under Adams, ownership has authorized spending ~130M on Thompson, Cozens, and Samuelsson. And I fully expect Dahlin to get a significant contract as well shortly. Sure, there's a lot left to be done and leaving the arena after the Dallas game reinforced that. It's good to see them spending to retain and not being a farm system for the large market teams now.

Nah, you're not a bad father. I'm a worse friend...went to the game tonight, saw that dumpster fire, and had outstanding foresight a few months ago to organize a guy's get-together for the Ranger game. I'm just hoping to have a nice buffet before the game. It's all about managing expectations as a Sabres fan. 😉

1st world problems - worrying about next season before this one is even over. Getting outside, walking, and more Vitamin D help with anxiety. 😉

Sure, fine. Still leaves some top-end talent available they missed on.

Arizona did it to themselves because Marner, Rantanen, Barzal, Aho, and Connor were there.

It's worthless to complain about inactivity and point to other teams right now....but in 22 hours, well, OK. I get the cynical perspective with this franchise and it's not just about having 16M in cap space. It's the spendthrift ways that have been present for the last 3 seasons as attendance waned. At the same time, attendance is up 70% this season over last through 30 games. But they've also handed out 130M in contracts to 3 players in the past 6 months. They have their 1C and 2C for 7 years. And I highly doubt they let their top D go either...which will carry a large price tag. Not to say they don't have issues which have been covered ad nauseam already.