Taro T

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.

One of the items that came out of the Fan Council last year. The Sabres wanted to get people renewing early but weren't planning on offering anything much more than interest free payment plans. People suggested that if they could get current prices for signing up early that that might fly. There were a few other things that came of it; looking forward to them resurrecting the Fan Council. Should happen by next season at the latest.

And Houser could've been sent to Cincinnati before making this move just as easily as he could now that he's a Sabre. Same goes for Subban. Not convinced Levi getting signed sends somebody else down to Ra-cha-cha. It may, but not expecting it, not right away at any rate.

The Sabres need somebody to make Bryson and Clague only injury replacements. An upgrade at F is more of a luxury.

Good point.

And Vegas fans probably thought they were clearly winning the deal that saw Tuch become a Sabre.