Digger

There are certain games that we just need to win. Great job boys, well done. It will also help us remember Anderson's 300th win. Congratulations.

Setting aside Ristolainen's performance with the Sabres. I try to put myself in a player's shoes. At this point in his career is it entirely about money and term? Why wouldn't he take a chance on becoming a UFA and signing a 1 year deal with one of the contenders in the hopes of winning a cup? Philly had a tough year and I don't think they'll take a big enough step next season to be a playoff team.

I agree with your assessment. I'm hoping that there's some new faces and improvements. I will be interested to see what they do for RHD this off season. I remember an interview with Granato earlier this season where he made a statement that he liked having two young D playing together rather than having a veteran paired that would do the heavy lifting. I believe he was talking about Dahlin and Jokiharju at the time. He said he thought having two young D together would help them learn the game faster than having a veteran bail them out. It just seemed to be a bizarre statement to me that he was saying he didn't need a more seasoned veteran RHD to help. Let's see who they pair with Power but I am hoping they are able to bring someone in.

I figured that's where you were going, ready for the comeback and win in the 3rd. 😏

Tomorrow will be a fun day to listen to some of the Leafs coverage on the radio. Well done tonight Sabres.

Lots of passion and character on that team from top to bottom. Lindy as the coach was just as willing as Peters to defend his players. Thanks for the memories.

The chicken on your head is very slimming though. ☺️

So we want our young players to go down to Rochester and have a long successful playoffs so that they know what it's like to win .........................and now we want our JAG's to get traded to playoff teams and then sign again next season to tell the Sabres veterans what it was like. Sounds like a plan. Sorry for the sarcasm but I couldn't resist.

Sure add Florida to the mix for Anderson but look at the list of contenders and you'll see that they look weak outside of their number 1. I would like to see us get more than a bag of pucks and I would like to see Anderson do well where ever he goes. It would not surprise me if he goes to a contender and has a good run that he retires after this season.

Future considerations or future regrets?

I think that Anderson gets the most interest at the deadline. Look at the contending teams in goal. Having a insurance in goal should be a priority and he's on a great affordable contract. Colorado, Carolina, Toronto, Pittsburgh, etc. could use him as their 3rd goalie. It's up to Anderson.

Agreed that the WJC is a great tournament. I look forward to it every year. This year's did not happen because of Covid concerns. Why play it in August and then again in December at the traditional time?

I listened to this and thought it was a pretty weak statement by Granato. They were beaten soundly in the previous game against Ottawa 5-0 not that long ago (Jan 25th). That should have had the team highly motivated to come to play against a team that is around the same spot in the standings. Anderson's first game back playing in Ottawa is another reason that they should have been motivated to play hard (out of respect for Anderson).

I don't like this plan at all. What do they have to gain from it (as I write this question I realize this is about money most likely rather than showcasing each countries talent). So they'll play a WJC tournament in August and then again at the traditional time in December? I'm a big believer in the WJC when it goes forward in December / January. I would have liked it if they could have found a way to play it before the NHL draft for the eligible top prospects. Doesn't seem right to me.

In my opinion trading him now would be selling low. I don't see much of a downside in keeping him. Worst case he signs a one year deal and we make the trade next season (but hopefully he returns to form with the one timers). He should have a talented center to play with regardless of the line he plays on (Thompson, Mittelstad, Cozens, Krebs). He'll be fine and fits into the short term plans for the Sabres.

What about Craig Anderson? I know that we've been critical of Adams for choosing him as our #1 this season but he has played really well when healthy. It would seem to me that he will be a cheap pickup for a cup contending team that needs extra goaltending support (Colorado, Toronto, Carolina, ++). Can we get a 2nd for Anderson at the deadline?

I find the comparisons with ROR strange and seems to be some kind of a justification for the trade today. Yes Tage has finally developed into a player nearing his potential (great). But with the O'Reilly trade we went years without a decent 2nd line center in 2018 until really this season. The Blues won the cup the season of the trade and I would guess have zero regrets with making this trade with the Sabres. It was a bad trade for the Sabres. The ROR trade did nothing except kick the rebuild out a few more years. I'm on board with Adam's current rebuild plan but my point about trading top players for futures and potential is that it continually keeps us with a draft lottery pick waiting year after year for prospects and draft picks to develop. Hopefully this time we can keep a GM that will stay employed long enough for us to make the playoffs again.

Yes I hope that UPL is going to play some games and convince us that he's capable of holding down one of the goalie spots for next season. If he struggles (either with the Sabres or Rochester) then we're in the same spot as last off-season (although he at least seems to have progressed this season with the Sabres anyway). One capable veteran needs to be added for sure for 35 to 40+ games. Do we sign both Levi and Portillo to split time in Rochester? I'm guessing that goaltending is going to be the question mark once again going into the 2022-23 season.

Most Improved Player? Tage Thompson (I remember the discussion in the off-season, no one thought he was ready to progress beyond a 3rd line winger (maybe injury prone) and no one was saying he should be moved to center). Most Valuable player? Rasmus Dahlin (nice to see the progression this year-let’s give him some supporting cast). Rookie of the Year? Is there one? Jack Quinn (not enough games but he’s served notice that he is coming to the Sabres soon and will be a player). Unsung Hero? Kyle Okposo (he’s earned respect. He will be remembered well as a Sabre in my opinion). Comeback player of the year? Jeff Skinner (still a bad contract but at least some goals are going in this season). Biggest Positive Surprise - Player? Tage Thompson (I’m going with him again as my first choice but I think Dylan Cozens has taken some steps this season and would not be surprised to see him put it all together next season (assuming he gets some decent wingers to play with - note that Rochester has options on the way). Biggest Disappointment (Player and Team)? Victor Olofsson (injuries most likely have played a role but no doubt he has been a disappointment with not scoring for so long – might have caught Skinner-itis). Team dropping out of playoff contention early again (didn’t expect playoffs but it sucks talking about our expected top draft picks in November every season). Biggest Team Accomplishment? Players staying positive, supporting each other, many of them going out together (when away from the ice). Best KA Acquisition? Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs. (Tuch has been great. Both players looking good so far). Worst KA Acquisition? Aaron Dell. (No doubt Adams planned for Dell to be the backup to start the season behind Anderson and then eventually give way for UPL to play some games. Thank goodness that we had Tokarski to help out at the start of the season).

I believe the Leafs traded a 1st and 2nd to get Freddy Anderson in June 2016. Sabres trade was the year earlier. The Leafs sent the Ducks a 2016 first-round pick and a second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. I do understand your point though especially for the last few years with goalie trades.

Sucks getting the loss. One observation though in this game thread that's not getting enough attention is that @PASabreFan had the goal call ahead of @Brawndo for all the goals. That's got to be some sort of an accomplishment. Well done.

I would think Byfield should be dropping pretty soon. Still a strong prospect but he's not exceeding any expectations..............and yes Quinn has climbed this season.

No I didn't say that. I asked what ideas you have to improve the NHL all star weekend. I have just decided to ignore it for the most part and wait for regular games to come back. I liked the full games of east vs west (but I remember that was heavily criticized as well).

Yes I agree, but NHL hockey fans have been saying that for as long as I can remember. I have watched the skills competitions and games pretty steady in past years but this year I've been ignoring it pretty much other than catching a couple of highlights. It looks to me like it's getting worse over the years with the changes not better. What would you suggest for a decent format?