Eleven

If he keeps doing this, I'm going to have to like him. I don't think he will. However, I hope he does, and I am willing to like him in return.

Are we doing the forward movement thing again? Anyway, nice win!

Oh, you're right, of course. But better to just get another D in the fold.

I don't think it belongs in this thread, mind you, but it is one of the best things I ever have seen. Like Swamp, I watch (and share) it annually.

Me too and yes.

OK, here's the thing. The Sabres do have a GREAT top three. Maybe even four. But behind them it's very shaky already, and when one goes down--and they always do--someone needs to come up. Overrating prospects? I don't think that's happening here, at least not in my discussion with you. Let's say you're right, and he's another Bryson. Thing is, the Sabres' org NEEDS another Bryson. Like five more. It's that bad. The Sabres need two legit D and five Brysons. Overrating draft picks, on the other hand--an end of the second round 2024 pick has about a 35% chance of playing an NHL game by 2028 ( @Taro T and @LGR4GM can correct me if I'm wrong)--is a bigger threat.

The Sabres' top D prospect who hasn't played with the team yet is Komarov, as far as I can tell. Is that status quo really what you want going into next season? Or would it make more sense to bring in a 21-year old now, rather than draft an 18-year-old in 2024 who will be 21 in 2027? Try not to dig in; think it through.

I also think that from Johnson's perspective, there are few teams that can give him a better chance to play in the NHL next year. This team is weak on D, as we all know; what team is going to give him a better opportunity to either start in the NHL or move up and down? Arizona? Please. And for the reasons in the article that @Doohickie posted above, Johnson might be wise to not burn a year of his ELC this week, too.

You may be right, but the team needs D depth NOW, not in 2028 when the 2d round pick in 2024 might materialize. Not signing Johnson means the Sabres need to recruit yet one more free agent D who can move freely between the AHL and the NHL, and I'm not sure there are too many of those--and they may need a couple even IF they sign Johnson.

@Xzy89cI think he knows I'm kidding...

If you don't want to watch Johnsons you don't have to open the thread.

In reverse order: yes, and that's why.

Is that a photo of Krueger with a knife in it?!

Yeah that leaked out.

I think if you accord the Sabres a proper place in life, the games provide some release even if it's a 7-0 blowout that goes the wrong way. I'd much rather be mad at Granato for refusing to change goalies than be mad at some of the real problems in life, and frankly it is a welcome distraction--which is all that entertainment really is supposed to be. It's a healthy escape. As for yesterday, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I wrote this team off from playoff contention in December--when @inkman published his poll--and I've still enjoyed watching the games and arguing with you all about the best course for the team. It might be a pathetic hobby, but it's a hobby. If you can only enjoy the Sabres when they are contending for hardware, I've got to question whether your priorities are straight. Thus ends my personal Urbi et orbi.

One might say it's low-hanging ... fruit.

What an end to the NCAA final. Just wow.

That's where an eight game losing streak in November counts.

No. He's on the top line because Thompson is hurt. Tuch, Skinner, Thompson are the best pure playmakers up front. Even if I'm admitting that Mittelstadt has improved, I don't know how this even is an issue. He's not a top three guy as long as those others are on the team.

This is the first convincing post I've seen since he was drafted, and I am not kidding. Thank you for it.

I'm not gonna start a new thread but WHAT A GAME this NCAA final is!

We've got them right where we want them. 100%.

There's a lot of "alternative facts" going around today. "My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with a girl who saw Thompson pass-out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious..."

No, I'm not. Just because no other referee took care of the problem doesn't mean there wasn't a problem. It's the NHL, after all. His explanation was straightforward and he understands why the ref did what he did TODAY. He'll ask for clarification for Levi for the future. This isn't hard and it isn't a case of ambiguous speech, and it isn't even a real issue--are you sure it's "JohnC" and not "KellyanneC"?

No, it does not. He gave a straightforward explanation that you linked to, and it had to do with where Levi put the bottle, not whether it was upside down. Why are you making a puzzle out of something so simple? This isn't the issue and I have no idea why JohnC is suggesting that it is.