That Aud Smell

That is substantially correct, regardless of who’s saying it. Or at least it was last season. Having a legit WR2 is (was) a huge issue for this team. That said, I’d prefer to see them wait on that position until Round 2. It feels like they’re gonna go defense in Round 1 — LB, safety, maybe even corner.

I watched some of that game last night. Until I was no longer interested in watching it. And this thought occurred to me: I'd rather have a non-playoff team that plays an engaging brand of hockey (the Sabres) than have a marginal playoff team (most likely an out in round 1 ) that plays an excruciating brand of hockey (the Islanders). Otoh, it also occurred to me: These matters exist on a continuum. I had no problem going all in on the Hasek-led Sabres. So, I guess a dull and ugly (and lights-out-goalie-dependent) brand of hockey is okay, so long as you're a Cup contender. Thirdly, every time I took note of a goalie for a playoff team, I Googled him to see how tall he is. I reckon I need to relax on that. (I did comfort myself with knowledge that Shesterkin is on the smaller side (6'1"), as are Raanta and Saros.)

Quite so! Dorsey running out of answers also seems like it'd have been more of factor than any off-field issues. Still. The stuff that's out there - if even some of it's true - is the sort of stuff you'd very much like to see resolved in order for your team's leader to be well-positioned to succeed.

There's also the possibility that some of those assets that are on their way would be the assets that get moved for the pieces that are needed.

Rumours about Josh Allen and Brittany Williams are starting to percolate again. Evidently, Williams unfollowed Allen on Instagram. I know, I know. That sounds so middle school, to many of us anyway. But, it's true, and it's a clear indicator of a relationship that's over or in distress. There's some other salacious stuff out there in the rumour mill that I won't repeat here. My main concern - and it is admittedly a selfish one - is that the Bills QB1 gets his head right and has a bounce-back season in 2023. His play fairly fell off a cliff last season. And if that fall had something to do with his personal life (possible?), then I hope he's in a better head space in the coming weeks and months. Go, Bills!

Smelling burnt toast is a bad sign, to be sure.

I'd like to see the guy flourish. Saddling him with 2 right wingers is probably not the best idea.

It's not for nothing, imo, that Krebs gets this sort of shine on the team's sosh.

Wowza. From your keyboard to God's ears. That is an absolute best case scenario. May it come to pass!

I get the sense that the FO really likes Krebs and has plans for him as part of their “home grown” plan (even allowing that he was drafted elsewhere and did some growing there). It’s another case of a guy with some high end pedigree playing in your bottom 6. That tends to portend good things - especially in May and June. He’s embraced the role too. He just needs to take a few steps forward in 2023-2024.

Sabres are using quants people, for sure.

Anyone have aggregate statistics showing the predictive quality of goaltending that the team faced this season? E.g., how much did they move past seeing their opponent’s lesser netminders? Or, maybe more accurately, did opposing goalies have positive, negative, or neutral values for goals against expected?

And take THAT, ChatGPT!

This Tage's wonky back stuff is making my arse pucker.

@Taro T this Tweet contributed to my confusion. I generally like this guy, but I think this content is imprecise. He was doing a lot of back filling in the replies.

This is reductionist.

Huh. I think maybe I thought that Hextall was the bozo who gave up a 1st for Ristolainen (sp?). Not so, it turns out. He gave out that big contract to JvR, right? I'll laugh at him for that.

I'd prefer Hextall stay in the east so as to diminish the playoff competition that the Sabres face.

I did call it a reclamation project.

I don't totally disagree with the UPL Reclamation Project. I can't tell whether it's a lack of essential instincts or a matter of lost confidence, but there were stretches of play this year where, in watching him, I just kept thinking to myself "he looks like he doesn't expect to stop the puck." And then Levi showed up and I was like "yuh, that's what it looks like when the goalie expects to stop the puck."

Man, I will be watching those games for sure if their roster ends up Quinn and/or Peterka. I'll probably watch a game here or there regardless, actually.

why is there such a long wait for the AHL playoffs to start?

It’s funny. And he may go again tonight. But nfw that’s real.

Haha - I read that phrase and recalled Lindy's admitted direction to his bench after Neal gooned Drury.

Sounds like he cribbed the same beat that Mariah Carey's producer did for "Fantasy." I can't recall offhand whose song created the original. I will Google it later, if I think to do it.