Porous Five Hole

I’m starting to think that something needs to give here. Aside from the paper transaction hassle, two of our three goalies aren’t going to eat as much as they would like. We don’t know what the initial starter’s crease schedule was and how it changed when UPL was sick last Tuesday (Comrie was probably scripted to face his old team that Thursday and was pressed into action on Tue instead), but UPL got the next three starts. After yesterday’s game, Meatballs said this: And to be honest, UPL deserves it to this point. With Anderson going tonight and UPL the likely go on Ryan Miller night, the next possible start for Comrie is Saturday…ten days between starts! What’s more, this could (should) have also been an Anderson game (who sports the best GAA/Sv% of the three of them. GMKA says UPL ‘has to play’ and Meatballs is giving him the lions share based on merit. Andy will get his games and I’ll take his .921 save percentage anytime I can get it. Is it time to move on from Comrie? Chance waivers? Cuz he is about to get crumbs on a go-forward basis and honestly…why steal starts from Anderson??

Lance tweeted it is Anderson.

This needs to be said because Terry signs the checks and has the ego, but the analytics group and KA/Karmanos run the show.

Her title was Owner/President. But sure sounds like it’s the same gig. “Reporting into ownership, he will assume day-to-day leadership of the PSE offices and business side of the Sabres.” MBA from MIT. Smart dude.

I had to explain to my eleven year old that the Bills run of super bowl appearances started when I was his age. And then they didn’t win another playoff game for about 25 years. And that’s why this season can be so special. Time flies. Go Bills.

I’m not 100% sure, but I believe he won six straight prior to tonight.

I’m glad you started the topic because I wouldn’t have seen it otherwise

Your title made me laugh out loud 🤣

They’ve lost 13 of 22 at home. That’s bad.

Is this a young team thing, a coaching thing, or something else?

He’s already been ruled out

Per Brian Koziol on WGR postgame show, the top twelve teams in the eastern conference all have winning records at home…except Buffalo. The Sabres are 9-11-2 at home. Losing 13 out of 22 at home is pretty brutal. The last change, the smell of Cheerios, and decently engaged fans (while in lower numbers than most buildings) all seem like they would help. Any idea what gives? I’m not ready to go back to the concept of a season of development. If that means Goat Heads for all home games (6-1 record), so be it.

A whole lot of complaining after a pretty even period.

I think this is only partially true. College players cannot sign their ELC immediately and then report to college to play (singing a pro contract terminates their amateur status). However, Junior or International players can sign their ELC and go back to wherever they came from to continue to develop. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-sign-first-round-picks-matt-savoie-jiri-kulich-noah-Östlund/c-335006690 If Portillo could have signed after his freshman year of college and gone back to school, maybe he would have. But those aren’t the rules.

If only the AHL had room for Chris Taylor’s instead of auto-responding that anyone is replaceable because of “development opportunities.” And insert a 20 year old fifth round draft pick on an ELC. The Taylor or Pettis role is mostly gone from the league and I hate it.

I’m just confused by this whole relationship. The Sabres are clearly on the rise, they can burn a year of the ELC if they want, and Ryan was born into a hockey family that has no reason to defect from the Sabres. And, Buffalo has the option of a compensatory pick in their back pocket. So maybe a college degree is a motivating factor for his decision to remain in school, but I can see a happy marriage forthcoming. Am I missing something?

This is classy af Good on you, Sabres.

Vegas has noticed your point. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/11/for-upcoming-postseason-game-at-bills-dolphins-are-biggest-wild-card-underdog-ever/

I’m not 100%, but I think the entry level contract and its limitation comes into play. So it isn’t as much of a highest bidder kind of thing. Either way, I don’t begrudge Portillo for exercising his right to free agency. It isn’t great for Buffalo, but it is what it is.

Plus it makes more sense, given the medical event happened during the Cinci game.

That’s a bummer for the Amerks. But I imagine he’s thrilled.

Well they had to send UPL down on paper because he was an “emergency recall.” But Meatballs said on the radio today that UPL is starting tonight.

I’m not passionate about the idea, but that’s 11th and 12th of twelve forwards last night. Since thanksgiving (so the last 17 games), JJ has seven points and Quinn has eight points.

Nine min? Yikes. Do you send down one of these waiver exempt players for space for Comrie? Say JJP for a week on the farm, then Quinn for a week on the farm. That buys a couple of weeks to figure out what to do with UPL & react to any injuries. Krebs or Mitts have each had a good week and slot into their role.

Actually Botts deserves the credit for Tage. Armstrong was asked why Tage was the prospect sent out (instead of Kyrou or Thomas) and he replied that, “Buffalo wanted Thompson.” It was during his press conference.