Porous Five Hole

I agree that there isn’t a good comparison. @dudacek covered the key Rangers above. Also note that none of them were drafted by NYR. Maybe because the Rangers picked high in back to back years that it may have been thought of as a rebuild? Comparing those drafts: In 2019, the Rangers drafted Kakko second overall. He is 21 years old, has 26 goals/58 pts in 157 games so far, and isn’t a liability out there. He plays wing. Sabres took Cozens at seventh overall. He is 21 years old, and has 17 goals/51 pts in 120 games. He plays center. I would rather have Cozens because he plays center and will be harder to play against. in 2020, the Rangers drafted Lafreniere first overall. He will turn 21 around the start of next season, has 31 goals in 135 games so far, and also isn’t a liability out there. He plays wing. Sabres took Quinn eighth overall. The winger had a huge year in the A, 61 pts in 45 games. I guess I’ll take Alex if I had to choose today, but that isn’t #1 overall production so far. We shall see how they both look in 2022-23. The Sabres high picks in their most recent rebuild are Dahlin/Power and not two wingers. Even if you tried to compare the GM’s since they’re newish, Drury inherited a much more talented/veteran team to add to. He’s been on the job for almost one year. GMKA was tearing down as soon as the acquisitions of Hall/Staal flopped. So really nothing to compare there either.

The plot thickens for tonight

I’m wondering if he would need to clear waivers in order to be sent down after training camp? There’s no harm in bringing him in for camp, and if he gets poached because he is sent down, then so be it.

Those lines are blurred today. At the BN, Harrington is both a columnist and a reporter. Athletic writers seem to be structured the same. I don’t think those roles are so defined anymore.

Rumor is Fairborn told GMKA that he really wanted to be here, and the deal was done.

Apparently Buffalo sports are only allowed two types of media personalities. Grouchy or bland. I think Matthew is a fine writer/reporter, but is personality illegal with Sabres media coverage?

I’m not delaying anything. I’m stating he’s not coming back to play here lol

http://thecomeback.com/puckdrunklove/2016-articles/nikita-zadorov-claims-the-sabres-dont-want-too-many-russians-on-their-team.html it’s also not the only source.

If when you were traded away from an organization, you were left of the opinion that it's not that the Sabres hate Russians, they just think there shouldn't be too many Russians on the team…would you go back? Remember when he was suspended and scratched for disciplinary reasons? He was also of the opinion he was singled out. If he has any other option, he’s going there first.

Also, there’s literally zero chance he would come back here after the way he left/what he said when he did. It’s a weird thing where a lot of the fan base seems to have forgotten? I don’t have a link, but I know the stories and I feel like most others do too.

He would never agree to play here again.

My goodness, it’s like you entered my brain and extracted my thoughts word for word.

I know this one because he was a Buffalonian. Lepjowski or something like that.

I like her personality. Her voice doesn’t lend well to booming speakers in an arena. I think she’s a billion times more likable and more polished than Maddy Glab on the Bills side of things.

I’m open to that. Who does he skate with?

I’ve seen you take particular interest in goaltending for 2022-23. If the Canes go to the conference finals with Raanta and his backup, does that make Frederik Andersen available at the right price? He went 35-14-3 this year, and I have to assume the Canes could use the 4M (for one more season, BTW) in cap space. Or can the Sabres sign Jack Campbell as a UFA? Either move makes turning the corner a whole lot more reasonable/likely.

Sorry to drag up a dated thread, but I’ve had a few Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPAs and I’m a posting fool right now. 🤷 Where’s the news? The draft is six weeks from today. Peters broke a couple things including the Eichel trade, but this seems to be aging like milk.

I agree he deserves a shot in the show, but are third line minutes his best use organizationally? Good problem to have for the big club.

This game is bonkers. Hope the Flames extend the series!

(sorry to quote you twice) Aw crap, I forgot about Krebs. So maybe they roll out a kid line, with Krebs, JJ, and Quinn as a third line…and hope they flourish against another team’s third line? Bottom line for me is I need Cozens in the 2C role. To me, he’s more qualified than anyone else and his offense is coming.

I’m fine with the idea, but 1) I don’t think Toronto trades him in the division, and 2) Asplund isn’t a top six guy. He belongs on this team on a shutdown type of line. Defensive zone starts/hop on the ice against the other team’s top line when it is needed. If you acquire Nylander…and at 7M salary…he needs to be on your top line with Tage & Skinner. That helps Tuch too by pushing him to second line, which is probably his best fit.

I have it on 100% reliable commentary that the day GMKA called Taylor, Chris thought the call was to game plan organizationally for next season. And GMKA told Taylor they were going in another direction. It was out of left field. Not that you need to “manage someone out in consultation with HR” like in a regular job, but the news was literally a total shock. To me, this strongly points to GMKA not going rogue to get “his guy” in the role of minor league head coach. This decision was influenced. I don’t know if Appert is a better coach or not, but those reports you’re referencing are true.

I was impressed with the engagement and overall volume of the ROC fans during this run. They didn’t need the scoreboard to tip them to make noise. Lots of organic “let’s go Amerks” chants during play. Fans even started The Wave last night. I’ve been thinking about this. My opinion is that JJ or Quinn should only be called up if they are in the top six mix. I don’t need them trying to play the role of a third or fourth line. Top six wingers seemingly set in stone are Skinner, Tuch, VO, and probably Casey (assuming Tage & Cozens are 1C & 2C). It may be antiquated to build a roster that way, but assuming Zemgus & anyone but Eakin are 3C & 4C, I just don’t know if it makes sense for Quinn/JJ to get third line minutes on this team next season. And KO is set in stone to take one slot of third line winger. One or both guys deserve a shot, but, unless an injury…not sure they have a perfect fit opening night. I would love to hear your opinion because I find myself nodding my head in agreement whenever you post.