Porous Five Hole

While true, it doesn’t mean the team should not address issues.

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/keybank-center-updates-202526-audio-system-concessions While you could say this is just keeping up with the Joneses, I’m happy to see the Sabres addressing these items. New for this year is a new audio system in the arena, express entry (don’t have to empty your pockets to walk through metal detectors any longer), and some concession upgrades. I’m glad the audio was finally addressed. I guess new seats will have to wait another year

AI liked my draft. But this write up is corny as hell.

It’s a free and for fun league, so I’m not loudly complaining about this. But changing from standard scoring to half PPR a day before the draft is a choice. Ya done messed up my self-prepared cheat sheets.

Jessie Pegula is on ESPN playing the round of 16 at the US Open. Up a break very early.

I’m not in the elite tier here, and I also haven’t interacted personally with many folks here, but I would join our group for a game if this came together.

Thank you. Plumbing isn’t necessarily complicated. But I’m ready to write a check to a pro and I’m still struggling. I’ll tell you this…my 14 year old isn’t going to college just because that’s the next logical step. Either he works toward a career via college or he’s going into the trades. No reason to go into debt for 100k+ when there’s so much opportunity to do it differently.

I have no idea how to study zone time versus PP time (to understand how much of a problem zone entries were), but I’m focusing on PP zone time. They both matter, but gaining the zone with possession doesn’t help if they still cannot score. The drop back pass for a D to rush the 5 on 4 is an industry accepted practice. It’s frustrating to watch, but it is also how most teams run their PP. I’m not going to defend it. So who is the PP1 unit you want out there? Maybe Norris can be a new shoot first option that frees Tage to bomb from his office? One thing we know is Norris isn’t going to be creative with the puck. He’s a guy who shoots 100% of the time.

What is the poor man’s version of Patrick Kane on this team? The guy who makes quick decisions and moves the puck before he shoots? That’s the guy who needs to join Dahls, his D partner, Zucker & Tage on PP1. Like I said, almost anyone is better than Cozens. But that is also saying very little.

WOW. To the bolded, the same. Those numbers are incredible for a guy who was (tied for) third in the league in goals scored. Appert needs to find a way to make it easier for the unit to work. Fine if Tage’s office is the decoy. But if Tage is not working and the decoy is not working, then it is not working. I guess I’m back to the drawing board and would need to think about it from scratch again.

I’m fine with this list. But I am also a realist and a new owner isn’t going to be a thing. A new GM should have already happened, but the owner isn’t changing…and he chooses the GM. The head coach is a realistic change the following season. I believe that Lindy has lost his fastball and 2025-26 is it for him. At the end of the day, this is a fair list. But I wouldn’t bother mentioning owner or GM because we are stuck with these guys this upcoming season. There isn’t much they can say or do that will get this team to the playoffs. You’re probably better off choosing roster guys who could exceed expectations and drag the Sabres until the playoffs. A guy who I was recently considering is Benson. If he’s a top six guy, can he produce points at a top six level? That’s what I am thinking about when I reflect on the original question. Or maybe it is Kulich? UPL must be on the list no matter what.

Schuyler County. Doesn’t one plumber want business?? I’ve been without water for ten days at the cottage and it’s a struggle to get help. I realize this is a first world problem, but dang will someone please return my call?

Not running Cozens out there because of his salary or because he felt he was paid to score goals will help a ton. He was out of place at the bumper or near the point. If PP1 is Dahlin and whomever, with Tage in his office and Zucker net front is the best option. Who is on the half wall driving the PP is unknown, but it can’t be worse than Cozens. Maybe it’s McLeod? I don’t see a natural playmaker in that spot and it is why I am concerned the unit will struggle this year. Maybe Tuch will keep it simple and Dahlin can work miracles?

Zach Benson had 120 SOG last year. Those SOG were better placed on nhl goaltending versus sniping Juniors goalies for the same amount. You don’t solve NHL goalies by shooting on Juniors scabs. Him being in Buffalo will be a godsend long term.

The Cult will be at the OLG stage in Niagara Falls in October. But you’ll be paying re-sale prices if you don’t already have tix.

Sept 3rd works for me. Also, I propose 90 seconds per pick. We did 60 last year and the draft was less than an hour…I didn’t even finish my first drink by the end of it. Just a thought.

In.

Can we shoot for Sept 3rd for draft night? Also, I propose 90 seconds per pick. We did 60 last year and the draft was less than an hour…I didn’t even finish my first drink by the end of it. Just a thought.

As I mentioned in the complaint thread tonight, I have a bat in my house as we speak. Put up the bat signal for Jim Lorentz to come over. We can make it right tonight!

I lived in Rochester and was too young to know his story or his work, but I do know “Artie Baby Boo-Boo.” I can hear it in my head. Rest in peace.

I have a bat in the house 🤬 I’m up at the family cottage and the place has 24 foot high ceilings. The mud and tape at the seam of the ceiling has come loose and this thing (we’ve named him Swoop) is currently wedged where the seam got loose. This thing was flying around the living room an hour ago. I guess I’m going to leave the screen doors open and hope he finds his way out before I wake up tomorrow 🦇

In.

@SDS, did you plan to renew this league or let it fizzle out?

I admit that I didn’t watch a ton of Kraken hockey, but his fancy stats look good and he brings a handedness & mean streak that we haven’t seen out of a top four D. It’s why I listed him in my top three. We need that guy to be money.

Saw an unremarkable article alluding to this and it got me thinking. Who is it for you and why? To me, Tage & Dahlin are not question marks. So I vote UPL, Kesselring, and Norris. While I don’t believe in UPL, he’s plan A in the crease in 2025-26. It is what it is. Kess is such an upgrade from Clifton/Muel/Henri. Aside from being better than those guys, his impact on Power’s game is being counted upon. No pressure, kid… To me, Norris was the better player in the Cozens trade. Dylan’s time was up here. But if he only plays 50 games, then the center spine is in big, big trouble. There are so many guys who could earn honorable mention that it’ll be interesting to hear your thoughts…