That Aud Smell

I don't follow the league closely enough to know who Cirelli is. Blame it on the Sabres' drought. Would "Cirelli Lite" play here? It sounds like they're too close on the analytics to damn McLeod with such faint praise. If we can somehow snag a true top-6 forward, I will be fully on board with the upcoming season. I mean, given what's been done so far, I'm on board already. It's just that I'm also furtively looking around the vessel, checking marine forecasts, seeing if there are enough life jackets, etc.

it does sound like gurtler. i'm not sure the timing lines up? also, imagine the commotion if sabrespace had existed at the time: perreault moved to wing with mccourt at centre. (was this a feature of the latter part of perreault's career?)

Spreadsheet fandom had Sabre fans crying the blues on Twitter.

I was reflexively defending Greenway until today. Because it occurred to me: Greenway was brought in as a Granato guy. Ruff may not have much use for him? Otoh, Greenway’s PK numbers were quite good, were they not?

Thanks for that work. I appreciate the comfort from Drance. But puzzling for the Oilers? I dunno. It’s a trade that seems to make sense for both teams — with both teams parting with “things” that they’d rather retain, but, on balance, felt they must in order to move forward as best they can.

I found Jfresh’s overview of the player so amusing (and dispiriting). There’s a lot of talk about who’s JAG on this team. I’m not even sure Joki clears that threshold.

This really struck me as significant at the time.

The Hecht comparison is intriguing. And isn’t there something to be said for not every player on your bottom 6 being an absolute burner? Someone needs to be trailing the play — to pick up that drop pass or diffuse a dangerous turnover.

Now they just gotta work on @PASabreFan. Truly, the final boss.

Edit: McLeod still being under the team’s control is relevant here, I suppose. A one year rental of a top-6 forward may still be obtainable.

I think this is correct. It took a 9OA - presumably a top prospect - to bring back a 3C (and an AHLer). What would it take to get a top-6 forward? An unprotected 1st in 2025 would presumably be part of the package. The price is likely too dear for Adams.

I appreciate that Oiler fan’s sentiments. But as the replies note: The guy is 24 and soon to be 25 (not 23). And the Oilers are in a cap crunch — something had to give.

For those who are fans of the Scottish name: This new centre calls to mind the chorus from a Scottish version of a famous Rolling Stones song: “Hey, McLeod, get offa mah ewe!” (lol - bestiality joke.)

Sabres Twitter obsessed with “winning the trade” or at least getting what they deem fair value. There should be a program where Twitter accounts like that just get spammed with replies from @PASabreFan

Sabres trade a highly regarded prospect from their over filled pipeline for a solid 3C. F**k and Yes.

Trigger warning for @PASabreFan: There be stats. Jfresh’s model predicted the Sabres’ point total within 1 this past season. Average margin of error league wide was ~10 points. For the upcoming season, Jfresh has the Sabres modeled at 82 points.

Yeah - that’s all I really meant. He scored a lot of dirty goals. Good summary of additional deficiencies in, limitations of his game.

Skinner’s failings are known. Dude went to the net like a fu**ing maniac.

With you, I always have Selma Hayek in mind.

Was Boughner ever a 6/7 dman? I guess I get it now. Gilbert will be available for when the team needs a more pugilistic vibe. This roster reconstruction is starting to feel a bit ham fisted.

He’s from Buffalo. Definitely GILL-burt.

What an odd thing to say. I hope she gets plenty of coverage. She’s too thin to be @inkman‘s type, but she could put me through a bag skate any day of the week. (lol - just kidding. I’d die if I had to do even the lamest, easiest bag skate.) (also, please don’t cancel me for finding her attractive.)

Wait - I reflexively thought this was a riff from May Day. But no. Is this an actual call?

Does/did Kelly in fact possess a tremendous football IQ? I think the Bills would have a Super Bowl if he did. Jeremy Jacobs somewhat infamously confessed to a group of colleagues that he marveled at how … well … how dumb Ray Borque was. I presume that Borque had excellent hockey IQ?

It appears that 4-6 weeks ago, there were reports saying she was likely to be hired by Bylsma as an assistant coach. Now it's happened.