Digger

It certainly got a lot worse after that season (Kane and O'Reilly traded for futures, drafted 1OA (Dahlin), Berglund didn't want to be here, etc. etc.) Maybe it's just perspective but we hadn't really seen how bad it was going to get. I don't care about Peterson. I was using him as an example. We need to do our best to get our prospects (like Portillo and Levi) signed and playing in the organization because a lot can change in a few years.

Okay (insert whatever reason you want) for Peterson not signing but if he had stayed he would be the best goaltender left standing and most likely would be the starter last year. Feel free to debate his talent but he would be better than who we have right now. My point is that the Sabres don't have a clear #1 or really even a clear #2 goalie right now. Yes we have players under contract but in my opinion it's wide open for competition. It's a great opportunity for Portillo, Levi, UPL, and Comrie. Do your best to sign and keep them all until we know who's the best options. Are the Sabres still a franchise to avoid? I hope that they have demonstrated in their development camp and team culture that they are ready to step forward. Portillo hasn't said that he would not sign so I choose to think he will because the opportunity with the Sabres is very strong. By the way, in 2017 when Peterson chose to sign elsewhere we had Eichel, O'Reilly, Reinhart, Kane, Okposo as well as Lehner, Johnson, Ullmark in goal (Ullmark only played 5 games). Were we really considered a team in disarray that season?

There's quite a few opinions saying that Portillo won't sign with the Sabres. One of the reasons that Cal Peterson did not sign with the Sabres was that he did not think he had a clear shot at #1 because we had Lehner and Ulmark in front of him in 2017. Things change quickly and I still say that both Portillo and Levi need to put in the work to win a job with the Sabres. UPL will determine his future with the Sabres this season in my opinion. There's great opportunities for any goalie prospect to come in and I would much rather have a competition for the spots.

I really don't know what to expect for Comrie. He's in a better spot than UPL to play in the NHL this season. He does have some talent. He's put in his time in the AHL and had some time as an NHL backup. The interviews that I listened to shows that he has a great attitude and that's generally pretty important for goalies with the mental aspects of the game. He knows this season is his year to get a shot at being a #1 which is great for him coming into the season. The thing I worry about is health. Can he stay healthy? Can he manage the heavier workload if Anderson can't play as much or gets injured? If UPL starts playing better then that will relieve some pressure (in that event). Goal is still a weak position for the Sabres this season. I'm on board with hoping it goes well but the plan B is still pretty weak if Comrie does not rise to the challenge.

UPL was pretty good in the OHL and WJC so I believe he has the talent. He did have hip surgery in 2019 and I wondered if that may have slowed his development for a bit. That being said I don't see that as his current issue. I think he will develop this year. I am hoping that Comrie and Anderson can stay healthy so that he stays in Rochester for the majority of the season. It's a important season for him and I'm sure he realizes this. So cautiously optimistic that he develops and is ready for a bigger role with the Sabres in 2023-24.

Both Matthew and Brady have been major pains to their teams (Calgary and Ottawa) during contract negotiations. I really don't know how they are as teammates. I liked both during their draft years and would have been happy to have the Sabres draft either of them, but I do agree that they come with some baggage that may affect the team.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/flames-jonathan-huberdeau-agree-to-eight-year-84m-extension/ Good for Calgary (at least off the start). Let's hope he stays healthy.

I love your bold predictions (very positive) but this one on Comrie cannot be ruled on in just the 2022-23 season regardless of how he plays because it would take multiple seasons to make the statement that he's better than Ryan Miller. Remember you titled this "Bold Sabres Prediction for the 2022-23 Season".

I'm just waiting to see who identifies as a vulture.

I thought he would have got a better deal for more years. I'm not overly impressed with Anaheim's roster still. I guess you have to sign quick before the money is all tied up with other players with the Cap.

What Sabres prospects are expected to play in August in these games? I looked for rosters and didn't see anything updated. I assume Power and Savoie are not playing? Rosen, Nadeau, Kulich, Östlund, Bloom, Lindgren???

Great interview. He's always so authentic and refreshing to listen to. Great guy to have on the Sabres with the young players.

Are we free adults? During our working years (if working for a company) we have to be careful with what we say comments, politics, opinions, even driving habits if we're driving a company vehicle. Same goes when traveling and off site. We are employees of the company and represent the company and are judged accordingly if we don't line up with expectations. I know this is somewhat off the original topic and not meaning to criticize your comment at all but the players need to meet the expectations of the IIHF and specifically Hockey Canada in these cases being brought to light. I would think the same would extend to any team the players are playing on (minor, CHL, College NCAA, NHL). What's tolerated and what is put in place to ensure that things don't go wrong (education, discussions, code of conduct, etc.)

Thanks to that video I didn't do drugs or drink......................where's my Sabres Stanley Cup boys?

Great post. I started writing some of these points last night and erased it as I didn't feel I could get my points across. In my opinion we can't really comment much more on the past events unless more facts come out. But the WJC (postponed from Dec / Jan 22) is scheduled for August. What can the IIHF and Hockey Canada do to help prevent this from happening again? They don't need to have all of the answers but it would seem wise to start with something like curfews, code of ethics, consequences, etc. I know it's not that simple, but start to make positive changes.

I had to laugh at one comment made by Bill Zito in the Florida press conference introducing Matthew Tkachuk today. He called him a unicorn. Wait that's what Mike Peca said about JJ Peterka (no one like him - a unicorn).

Treliving says the deal with Florida was by far the best available. Seems a little bit surly in the interview but he's defending the Flames franchise and the city of Calgary.

MacKenzie Weegar is also Craig Rivet's cousin. Not saying that was the source but Rivet might have some insider info on this one.

Tkachuk - at least he wasn't traded to the Blues. I think Calgary did the best they could given the situation. I'm surprised that Huberdeau has already said he won't sign an extension but I'm sure it was quite a shock to him that he was traded and feeling that Florida was on the brink of breaking through. Will be interesting to see how this plays out now. I agree that Florida's defense looks like it could use some help.

no, trade posted on Sportsnet.

Agreed. I always liked Huberdeau so I think Calgary has done okay. Weegar too.

Tkachuk traded to Florida for for Huberdeau, Weegar, Cole Schwindt and a first signed for 8 years x $9.5 https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/flames-trade-star-matthew-tkachuk-to-the-panthers/

Sorry I couldn't resist.

Yes I agree. It doesn't bother me that R2 decided to leave (given his spot on the depth chart) but I agree that he should be able to win a spot on some NHL team or at least on a team with a clearer path to some playing time for him.

Yeah but Qui Gon gets killed after that scene and Obi Wan has to rush in and finish the job when he gets the chance ..................so I'm assuming that means we do need to sign both Levi and Portillo to complete the Star Wars analogy with Portillo taking over in the Cup final for the Sabres win. 😏