tom webster

100% agree with second paragraph

I actually think the trade for Norris was a good move. When I said not to count on him, I meant that his presence shouldn’t prevent you from acquiring another top center.

They can’t trade Norris when his value is low. The best they can do is not count on him and consider it a bonus if he remains healthy. I know we disagree on how much room they have to play with but they have options to acquire what they need without trading Norris.

I think it’s mostly this, but also is probably a little disappointment showing through when the players realize how far away they really are from being good enough. Some come back to the minors eager to work on their game. Others contemplate and probably reimagine their future.

I agree with all of this except I have no issues with the hiring of Ruff. Coaching interviews in the NHL are largely overrated, at least in my opinion. I think it is clear that, if, and it’s still not guaranteed, but if he gets another year, it would be his last chance.

I know I’m opening up myself for a beat down, but if you accept the premise that Kevyn Adams is a smart guy who was doing a pretty good job on the business side before being put in a position he wasn’t ready for, then you accept that he is someone who learns from his mistakes and has grown into his job. No other organization would have allowed him this much rope but I think there are signs, starting with the McLeod trade, that he might be ready to make the necessary changes. Time, of course, will be the only thing that can save me from the vitriol I am about to receive.

I don’t think some people understand just how good Marner is. Besides being a great playmaker and play driver, he is elite defensively as well.

Well I know the Patriots are 6-5. Id have to look up the Celtics and Red Sox. The Celtics I think started with an 8-0 run so that helps.

I know it seems like they’ve won more but the Bruins have only won one Cup since Jacobs bought them in 1975. Sorry, just realize that blue beat me to it.

I understand the sentiment but I’d take a first timer like Carle before some of the retreads out there.

Some of the leagues most successful coaches were hired as first timers, Jon Cooper leading the mix. I understand the sentiment but I know you know the answer. Anyone that driven yearns for a new challenge.

Carle has already turned down other opportunities to come to the NHL. TPEGS would have to put on an enormous selling job to get him to come to Buffalo. He’s only leaving college for what he deems as the perfect job.

I really think the same way about Rasmus and Tage. Eichel is special but so are these two. I know it’s hard when we’ve been beaten down like this but this team has some special offensive talent.

I think you are letting your pessimism (well founded) cloud your judgment. Dahlin and Power both regularly make list on the Athletic. Tage is considered and talked about often. JJP is discussed as an emerging talent and will probably mentioned heavily in off season trade talks. Alex Tuch was much sought after at the deadline.

Mike Grier and Pat Verbeek seem to be killing it out west.

I have this conversation over and over with friends. When I was younger, “insiders” were regarded with reverence, their word gospel. I long ago realized most of them are less informed than members of this board. Brawndo knows more about what’s going on than any of them. LGRM and others follow prospects more then anyone else I’ve come in contact with that wasn’t employed by a franchise.

Yeah, I shouldn’t have worded it the way I did. I find it especially prevalent when an “insider” hyped a player previously. Rather than admit they are wrong, they blame it on organizational development. Just watch, if Cozens ends up being what we thought he was, they will blame it on Buffalo for rushing him.

This take is from the same Canadian “insiders” who couldn’t understand how Buffalo gave up Savoie for McLoud. They have inflated opinion of guys that they were formerly high on. Buffalo gave up a second in 2026 because they got the two better players. Time will bear that out. One thing for sure though, no one will now how good that second round pick will be for five years.

According to everything I’ve been told, there isn’t anyone in this class of free agents that will be memorable. On the other hand, like someone said, it’s like a lottery ticket so why not. Plus, a twenty one year old chose to come here in spite of the lack of palm trees and all.

I think this is exactly right.

Like I said, Bryam won’t be back plus a forward or two will be gone. They are not running this team back,

Unless politics destroys the Canadian dollar thus blowing up the cap, the Power and Tage contracts are going to be huge bargains relative to cap percentage. The Sabres have plenty of cap flexibilty if they want to add whatever they want. Also, I will be shocked if Bryam is with the team next year. Power isn’t going anywhere unless they get the first pick in the draft and then trade Power for a number one center.

He’s never going to be what some want him to be but he is going to be a very good NHL defenseman.

Only in Buffalo does anyone think Power won’t outperform his deal. Cozens was a good bet that lost but was replaced by a guy I think is worth his deal and neither deal is so egregious that it prevents anything. Muel I would agree was pre-mature and the potential savings didn’t justify the timing. Every team has bad contracts. The Sabres won’t lose anyone or be unable to sign anyone because of any of these contracts. It will all come down to whether ownership will change their commitment.

This is an exaggeration. They have one contract that looks like it won’t work out and plenty of cap space to keep whomever they want to keep. Question is whether owner will allow them to spend. The whole contract narrative is completely off base. The number crunchers throughout the league have pretty much come to the conclusion that bridge contracts aren’t an efficient use of resources. You decide who you think is part of your future and you get them signed. The others you let walk unless they are willing to sign way below market, Some work, some don’t and the bad ones are almost always easy to rid yourself of, again, as long as the owner is willing to commit. Bad contracts aren’t the problem, ownership commitment may be.