Taro T

One other thing that hasn't been discussed here is should the Sabres trade for a starter, if UPL or Levi take off and really come into their own, there is most likely nothing preventing the Sabres from recouping most of the assets they gave up for that goalie as they are far from the only team looking for a legit starting goalie. Either at this deadline or at the next draft. Its not like bringing somebody in is simply throwing away futures for the present. Rather it's insurance for the future and improves the present.

Ottomh, Saros, Sorokin, Shesterkin, Ullmark, Hellebucyk are guys that you could put money on. There's probably more out west that should be in that category as well, but don't watch them as much. Wouldn't have Vasilevskiy nor Bobrovski there just because eventually they have to start sliding. Considered adding Knight to the list, but just didn't want to put him there.

Personally, expect there is a realistic, but small, chance that Levi takes the crease some time this coming season. He just has that "it" factor. And UPL could legitmately be starter quality next year or he could be exactly what he is today. He has the raw tools. He has the size & reflexes to be able to be very successful. Not thrilled with his movement on normal plays, but once he's in desperation mode his movement is excellent (at times). His glove at times is very good, though it often leaves more to be desired. Honestly believe most of his issues are between his ears. When he plays with confidence, he can be very good. When he doesn't, he's barely an AHLer. Won't dare project what he could be / will be because the gap between the floor and the ceiling are so great.

Inteesting thought.

And the Sabres finally have all of their top 3 picks in '24 and also '25 which means they can make any size offer sheet they want these next 2 years. They're finally past the Botterill era of '3rd round picks, we don' need no stinkin' 3rd round picks' not when we can get studs like Jimmy Vesey for them.

Friedman mused on 32 thoughts that the Sabres would give Levi a chance to win the job heading into October. Somebody that listened to it decided it meant that the Sabres were standing pat with the goaltending this summer. Most expect (hope) that was merely a very poor interpretation.

And some goalies, like the current version of Murray, merely underperform. ;) Dubas must think his job is finally on the line because he traded for at least 6 new guys into his top 18. Am hoping that that much change mucks up the chemistry they'd built up throughout the season. On paper, all the trades are bringing them something they need (strong defensive play and a physicality to their games) but swapping out 1/3 of the lineup is a lot of reshuffling and with only 1/3 of a season to make it all work, can see where it could blow up in his face. (Don't believe that's merely wishful thinking, though it may be.)

Filly is a black hole when it comes to goaltending. Since Lindbergh literally hit a wall, the only "good" goalie that played "good" for them was Hextall. That was 30 years ago. They've had guys like Bobrovsky look like Comrie in Halloween outfits but then play very well elsewhere. As said in a different post, if they're comfortable that the issues he had when he was in ~ his 3rd season are behind him, would be ok with a bit of an overpay for him. Banking on the Filly factor negatively affecting him. But Saros absolutely has to be the prize.

Flat out rarely watch Phlyers games. It seems from just looking at stats that he's gotten over whatever mental / game related issues he was having. If he has, wouldn't hate getting Hart, but would much rather have Saros. Not just because he's better (IMHO and many others opinions) but because he is basically what we're hoping Levi would become. What a great goalie to have in system so the team could be ready for Levi to step right in and not have any adjustments to how they play in front of him because they both play the same way. And UPL would be the backup to both if things work out the way we hope. Gave a thumbs up to your proposed deal because if it's next year's 1st (wasn't specified in your post) don't see that as a horrible overpay given how important that piece is to taking the Sabres to the next level. And if @dudacek is right and the Sabres could land a goalie for only 2 of the pieces you mention, then awesome. But this piece is too important to not be willing to make a small overpay to make sure Adams FINALLY gets the guy he identifies as THE guy.

The Pegulas definitely did not want to pay the bonus. There's no 2 ways around that. BUT what is unclear is whether that was their preference before Botterill started shopping O'Reilly or if that was what they made a condition of allowing Botterill to get rid of him. Recall, Botterill was on record as saying if he won the draft lottery it would mean he could do a reset on the roster. Expect he knew the Pegulas would be ok with shopping ROR if they knew they had another high end piece to build around via the draft. But to say 2 months before the draft while not knowing whether he'd win the lottery that a lottery win would be key to remaking the team seems foolish if he knew he had to punt ROR and only had a 20% chance of meeting the criteria he'd spoken of being a necessary condition to make that happen.

Would expect the NCAA team to win because of the age difference. But it sure would be interesting to see play out.

Not even close. The worst NHL team is night and day better at hockey than the best collegiate team. They're better than the best CHL squad too and it isn't close there either.

A waaaaaaay more interesting hypothetical would be at what age did today's current stars become better hockey players than those reading this question? Obviously, any NHLer is better than those that aren't playing professionally. But at what age did Krebs surpass Pi? How old was Dahlin when he'd be better than Thorny or Quinn better than Liger. When did Tuch pass yours truly? Probably not at 6 years of age, but most likely by 12. Maybe 11? 8? McDavid is arguably the best player in the world today. But for those of us born more than a year or 2 before 1997 there was a point in time that we were better players than him. How old was he when he could put us to shame? 7? 10?

Really hope for his sake it isn't the TMJ that's messed up. That can lead to so many secondary issues it isn't even funny.

The poster you took issue with said he tends to. That has happened several times this year. He's also gotten knocked down fairly easily many times this year. It's part and parcel of playing against men when you're only 20 yeasrs old. And, if you actually DID read my original post on this subject, you would have noticed that it said that "(a)nd it doesn't happen nearly enough to keep him from being an effective player in large part because he doesn't let it faze him." He's effective (he's actually going to be extremely good in the not too distant future too), but he's going to be better when he's stronger and even you agree with that. Pretty sure this is my last post on this subject. (Though it might not be.)

You are arguing against something that wasn't said.

Read what the guy wrote that you took issue with. He DIDN'T say "Jack Quinn gives up easily." He said "when someone hits him when he has the puck he tends to give it up easily." There is a night and day difference between what was written and what you thought was written. So, no, you are not correct, because Quinn does in fact lose the puck and get knocked down. It literally happend FOUR times on a single shift earlier this season.

That US team had played together literally for about 6 months prior to the Olympics that year. The selection of the 26 guys that would be pared down to 20 happened in the summer of '79.

After getting crushed about 10 days prior.

FTFY. ;) Quinn does get knocked off the puck and knocked down a fair amount. It's no where near an everytime thing, but to claim it is a myth is to have rose colored glasses on. And it doesn't happen nearly enough to keep him from being an effective player in large part because he doesn't let it faze him. Wish could recall who the opponent was, but remember 1 shift probably in January where he literally was knocked down 4 times on a single shift and then he either set up a goal or scored it after all that. He didn't back down, but he did in fact get knocked around pretty good. But really expect it will happen even less frequently as he does get a bit more man-strength and if he can keep making passes to Cozens and Peterka moving into space created by the guy about to level him, teams will stop making that their primary plan for dealing with him.

To the bolded, absolutely. And whether it be from internal candidates currently here (please don't let that be the way it plays out), guys in the system that aren't here yet (please don't let him be banking on it), or somebody brought in externally (ding, ding, ding); the goaltending has to be fixed next year. As others have said, this team is a year ahead of schedule. Adams needs to have an actual 'he can play 50+ games #1' heading into the season come October and if that guy gets supplanted because UPL, Comrie, or Levi took the crease away from him, well that's a great problem to have and they now have legit NHL depth at the most important position. One thing that hasn't been mentioned (at least haven't seen it mentioned) is that with the way the Sabres have played this year, they could actually be getting out of the 'no sane pro without ties to WNY will nor should want to come to Buffalo' mode we've seen for pretty much the last decade. Yes, the Sabres as currently constructed and instructed give up a ton of high danger chances, but they create even more than they give up and as we've seen these last 2 games (and sporatically earlier this year) they can actually play reasonable D. With a plan of locking down the top 4 D and playing more responsibly than they usually do, a good goalie might actually want to be in Buffalo. (Note, the word was "might" not "will.") This team is 2 players away from being a lock for the playoffs next year. Bring in 2 more depth pieces and with the growth the kids should have from now to next season, this team really could do damage. For next year. Almost definitely. Beyond that, he has the opportunity to play his way into that slot but he'll have to earn it.

Fine, take away the training for the old timers but let the kids have it. But put them all in the equipment from back then, and the 80's guys win hands down.

Disagree. Sabres are VERY good on the road. At home wearing B&R they have been very good. For whatever reason, when wearing B&G at home they have not been good. But not sure how you can say there was less pressure on the team against the Rags and Loafs than there was previously. The team is NOT out of the playoff race, though had they missed out on those 3 points they took, for all intents and purposes, the race would've been over. There is more pressure to win every single day. What you are seeing as an ability to only be comfortable while in some sort of chase mode seems to be more of a case of the timing of where they are playing their games. Combine that with having played 8 games without the guy that seems to bring the heart of the team and you saw a team squandering a great chance to finally end an 11 year drought. Let's see how they do now that the forward lines are finally set before passing final judgement.

That physicality that he brings is a big part of why he was viewed as generational. He doesn't just have the slick moves and sublime passing, but he has a mean streak too and really seems to enjoy hitting people. Though on a Granato coached team, he doesn't bring that many hits. His physical play was very noticeable at the WJC's back before he was drafted. Good to see that he's finally got the strength to bring that component back to his game. Would really like to know if he's a chatter box out on the ice like Skinner is as well. (Can't hear what they say to each other out there from the nose bleeds.) Because, though he dishes out a fair amount, he gets it back too. And it seems he takes more hits, and in particular cheap hits, than just his play alone warrants.

Those 3 feed off each other so well.