K-9

My guess is no F ing way. He asked to be traded long before he was injured.

Technically, that’s 100% true. The Sabres always had the option of not acceding to his desire to be moved. But I view it as they traded him because they had to. It is simply an untenable situation when the team captain and face of the franchise demands to be traded. Especially after the five years of futility that was the previous rebuild. Time to move on.

Can you imagine the outrage in a couple years when, in a playoff spot and approaching the trade deadline or needing that piece in free agency that we think might put us over the top to contend or having to extend several young players who have panned out and KA can’t pull the trigger on a deal because he is hamstrung by cap retention dollars for a player no longer in the organization? Given the commitment to the rebuild and the willingness to commit to the futures already here, it makes perfect sense why salary retention was a non starter.

Sure, after Jack made it clear he no longer wanted to play in Buffalo. But as @LGR4GMpointed out, KA first tried to accommodate Jack by adding pieces before last season. It was only after the season went south that KA pulled the trigger on the rebuild, imo.

I never thought it was KA vs. Eichel or vice versa as that’s a very narrow view, but I recall some fans suggesting KA stabbed Jack in the back by looking to get rid of him. KA has taken flack for the “players who want to be here” theme he’s been pushing. I think Jack’s admission kind of vindicates KA’s position on that. There’s also the question of, since Jack wanted out before last season started, how did that manifest in the locker room; what impact did that have on his captaincy and position as team leader?

Yeah, I remember Fish’s antics immediately afterwards. Other than flat out refusing to play, a player with five years left on a deal just isn’t in position to pull the strings.

So, it wasn’t KA looking to move him, it was Eichel not wanting to be here.

Their next HOF goalie has already been added. I’m looking at you, Devon Levi!

Not sure how that was ever in question given the amount of time left in Eichel’s deal.

I saw the tweet the Sabres put out thanking Eichel and wishing him luck. Has anyone seen a reciprocal tweet from Eichel thanking Buffalo and likewise wishing the Sabres luck?

MODO!

Timeline seems to work if all goes well with his surgery and rehab.

Make waves

And he’s rumored to be able to drive a line from the wing.

Vogl has been hearing voices in his head for a while now.

First taste of a little adversity for them. Looking forward to seeing how they respond to that Thursday night.

Got some very happy family members down in the ATL tonight. Good for Atlanta. Little. Hockey. Sense.

I thought my enthusiasm for their heart and hustle would get me through for a while longer, but watching this lack of skill night after night is starting to wear on me a bit. It’s just so hard to watch them sometimes.

If the Sabres were the ones who backed out, I imagine it was due to the salary retention issue. We’ve all heard how TPegs is dug in on that issue. Can’t say as I blame him, either.

Momentum wakens

Curious if cervical ADR was an option and, if so, why he opted for fusion instead.

Why can’t he be “not done” like Kris Letang?

Wow, record setting Jeopardy contestant one week and NHL player the next. Nice.

Holy crap, what a snipe!