Taro T

He knows the trade on its face looks like a ton to give up for a bottom six forward. He's trying to manage the messaging. Will it work? Expect that comes down to whether they get past TO again or if TO finally sees the 2nd round. And he is right in that except for Foote, the 1st, and the 2nd, most likely none of that ever sees the NHL and Tampa's studs will be well past their sell by date before any of the picks could've helped them on the ice.

And it seems pretty clear that the Bills and Frazier are parting ways but that he is going out "on his own terms." (Not a slam dunk they won't be back together, but would be surprised if he comes back next year.)

Did not see that coming, but am glad to see they migt finally modify the philosophy. So, maybe Beane and McDermott can actually see what seemed so obvious to everybody not in the room. Hope Frazier doesn't have any hidden health issues he needs to deal with and that this is as other have suggested and it is simply the Bills giving him the gentlest jetison possible.

Provided players are finally willing to play and stay there. They've built good teams before but all the best players couldn't wait to get out the door.

Will be interesting to see if Saros does become available. Friedman is convinced he won't, but for the right price pretty much anything can happen. Would be all in on that as he'd make the Sabres legit contenders for however long it took for Levi to arrive or flame out.

To make it better, they're paying this guy less than 3/4 what Bryson is making and it drops Pilut to 9 on the depth chart. And should they bring in a guy that is more widely believed to be a top 6 player, then Pilut will be 10th on the depth chart. Bring in Johnson too and Pilut is 11th. This keeps looking better and better. ;) (Well, at least it remains looking 'meh.')

PuckPedia is showing his cap hit as $1.35 MM for this year and next. He is barely over an entry level cost to the Sabres.

He's been at a spot for probably close to a month that he'd benefit from a game or 2 in the press box. Problem is, Asplund wouldn't have brought anything in his stead. Now that Vinnie's back, after Tuch is healthy he may get that chance to watch.

Courtesy of the Christmas storm, they have the opportunity to do it again Tuesday night as the 2 will play the rare 2 day double header. The Otters flat out dominated them last night.

Ewwww.

Some of your most eloquent work.

No. It is a continual limit. You can't add a bunch of guys in the evening and still be at 23 without removiing the same amount.

Tuch's contract doesn't count against the 23. They were at 23 this AM, now that they've added Stillman it appears they are at 24. Most likely UPL is officially in Ra-cha-cha or the Sabres are getting a temporary waiver today while Stillman travels to Buffalo. Houser doesn't count against the 23 because he's been waived. (He's officially on the roster, but guys designated for waivers don't count against the 23.)

???

18 & 19 year olds in junior that haven't played 10 NHL games don't count towards the 50.

Well considering he was actually right ... D'oh! (Dang, you're quick. Thought that was deleted quicker than that.)

Thought he was 20 for some reason. Yes, that contract doesn't count against the 50. Danke.

Talbot has looked ok tonight. (Not facing much work. Early in the 3rd he's given up 2 goals on 18 shots.) He's comig off a groin injury (2nd game back) but his movement isn't anything to write home about. Not positive coming off injury that he's the right guy to bring in to make a 4 headed goalie monster.

They aren't making a waiver claim at this point. They have 47 contracts now. That leaves 1 spare unless an extra body goes out should a real D-man come in because contracts 49 and 50 are already slotted.

But someday they may be.

@Brawndo suggested it, but it is likely that UPL is at least technically an Amerk right now.

PuckPedia (used to be NHL Numbers a few years back).

Well, they could, but unless he seriously picks up his play this next month and a half, it would be like entering a fight with 1 hand tied behind their back.

And considering the Sabres are currently at 47 contracts with 2 presumably reserved for Levi and Johnson, they almost had to give up a prospect rather than a pick to make this trade work. Which makes signing Houser all that more curious for the timing of it.

He was on an AHL contract, just like he started the year the previous 2 years. If they were going to use him in any way except an emergency basis, they'd need to have him on an NHL deal. But it doesn't seem to be about that as he's 5th on the depth chart today and as soon as Levi's season is over he drops to 6th. Maybe you're right and it is preemptive to send him to Ra-cha-cha after a callup after 3-4 other goalies are injured and start coming back healthy; but it just doesn't seem to be due to that. MHO. YMMV. As to your 1st question, well, yes somebody could have signed him to an NHL deal but considering how the Sabres have been good to him, why would he do that without telling the Sabres or giving them the opportunity to give him an NHL contract first? (And again, am not positive that NHL deals supplant AHL deals, but believe that to be the case.) There obviously is a reason this deal was done at this time. Just not particularly sure what that might be at this time.