LabattBlue

So the current vaccine does not provide protection against this new variant?

IMO...the rumored speculation about Beane and McD telling the Pegula's to "stay away/hands off", including some who have thought they might even have such verbiage in their contracts is hogwash. I don't believe it for a single second.

After the % positive numbers dropped through the 2nd half of February, and most of March, the numbers in Erie County have been between 4-8% daily positive rates for the last week or so. Much more of an increase over that time then other areas of the state...at least the little bit I've poked around. Very disappointing...especially with the number of people who have had 1 or 2 shots so far. 😞

With a healthy Jack, and with RK being gone, yes they aren't the worst team in the league, but as they are currently assembled, this is not a playoff team, or one that can even sniff the playoffs.

I've said it before, I think some of the core has to go. I just don't believe that a new HC, swapping of players in the bottom 6, blueliners 5-6-7, or a new backup goalie, is going to make this a team that can challenge for the playoffs. The question is...who from the core needs to go? Players here the longest... Eichel - 6 years Reinhart - 6 years Risto - 8 years Ullmark - 6 years McCabe - 7 years Girgensons - 8 years Dahlin - 3 years Mitts - 3 years Okposo - 5 years(2 more on contract) Skinner - 3 years(6 more on contract) This team is not close with or without Jack. Don't let the last few games fool you.

Good for them. That being said, I don’t care how hard the team plays down the stretch, I don’t want Granato as the HC in 21-22.

How has he looked in Rochester? I know he isn't a 20 year old that needs to be slow cooked for 12-18 months, but does he need more than 15 AHL games to make the transition to the NHL?

I wonder how Borgen's recovery is going? He was hurt on 2/20, and at the time his estimated return was 6-8 weeks. It would be nice to see him get at least 10 games in before the season ends.

I don’t have AHLtv, but I have a lot of interest in how the Amerks are doing, and appreciate the insights of those who see them on a regular basis.

So the core should stay together? Because tweaking IMO implies bottom 6 forwards, 5-6-7 dmen , and a new backup goalie.

His freewheeling style of play. I just always viewed it as kind of reckless. I especially didn’t like it when he was paired with Dahlin over the last couple of years, and the more talented of the two is left back as the last line of defense.

...and he will still suck in his own end of the rink. I will be glad to see him and his ice capades style of play succeed somewhere else.

That being said, who knows what Ullmark and his agent are thinking. If they want to test the UFA waters, there is nothing the Sabres can do about it. Now if the Sabres are jerking him around and lowballing him and he ends up leaving, that’s a completely different story.

I know. Now my mid 20’s daughter has it fairly bad. Been down and out at home for the last week or so. This should be a warning to all youngin’s who think they are immune from Covid. I feel really bad for her...otherwise I’d give her an “ I told you so” in terms of gathering with friends over the last few months. 😞

That is embarrassing. I don’t want Hall re-signed no matter what the $$$ or term are. Get anything for him at the TDL, and chalk it up to another Pegula era failure.

My dad who had just turned 90 last summer, went from feeling like he had a cold, to being in the hospital, testing positive, and then gone...all in the span of a week.

They won’t get the vaccine?

Good for him. I'd check with every former employee in the hockey front office since the Pegula's have taken ownership of the team. ...and then I'd double check with my agent to see if there are any equal positions with any other team in the league. Don't blame him one bit.

Dahlin to C? Too soon?

I'm wondering whether next year is going to be another year of the same core(Eichel, Reinhart, Risto, Skinner, Dahlin, Okposo, McCabe, Ullmark...I'm not sure who else should be considered part of the core). Obviously they are stuck with Skinner, but do any of the other core pieces get shipped out? Not sure how much good it does to keep swapping out bottom 6 forwards or bottom pair dmen.

Wasn’t it the “mandatory” compensation that was eliminated? Doesn’t mean they can’t voluntary send a pick to a team for an off ice staffer....or maybe I’m out to lunch on this issue

I wonder if local boy and pending UFA Alex Iafallo is on the Sabres radar? Possibly generate some excitement among the fanbase.

Since Rutherford is under contract to the Pens until summer, please tell me the Pegula’s aren’t going to give them a draft pick to hire Rutherford earlier? Didn’t we go down that road with them a few years ago?

I saw very little of the game...but I’m glad they won, the streak is over, and the win came against the Flyers. Screw them and their fan base. PS Hey Florida did you get a good luck at Montour? He’d look good in a Panthers jersey, and I hear he loves South Florida.

Quiet. Very quiet. I don't think money would be the issue. I have a feeling that if Rutherford is coming aboard, his demands in terms of his level of power, and/or the level of involvement by ownership may be the sticking points.