Eleven

Nice marmot.

Some people develop later than others, even just as a matter of biology. Some,. emotionally. Some just need the right environment to succeed (I, myself, was this way.) I see him as a DEVELOPING Hecht. But if you want to look at every glass you see as half-empty, I won't get in your way.

DEVELOPING.

I think he's a developing Jochen Hecht and I'm fine with that.

Hey, if they can turn him into something useful, I'm all for it!

Ralph Krueger probably made them wear helmets to team meetings.

I don't want to distract too much from the point of this thread, but you are neglecting four other Vezina winners (three as Sabres), two Calder winners (one as a Sabre), Desjardins (who would have excelled if not for the eye injury) and just about the rest of Sabres history before the current misery. This team has ALWAYS been known for goaltending. Even Ullmark was a Sabre.

Your first sentence is my point. I do not think Comrie should be starting ahead of UPL. He should be the main backup, though. The Sabres need to keep Anderson because of stability if Comrie sucks, but that's only because they don't know whether Comrie sucks. And if he's actually good or great? Well then the Sabres have a goalie to deal. I don't want to see the Sabres make the mistake that Chicago made in the mid-90s.

Great article; TY.

The Sabres need that Andreychuk/Vanek type of guy to stand just outside the crease and take abuse while screening the goalie.

The better way to phrase this: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." Emerson. Keep in mind that we have literati posting here, FFS. Still, that's this team, from Crozier/Desjardins through Miller. Goaltending. Anyway, the team needs to see Comrie more than it needs to see Anderson.

To the extent that you're addressing me (which I don't think is all of your post): They don't have to keep him next year. They can trade him. Whether he's a capable backup, or even starter, is what they need to learn. The sample size isn't big enough right now. I'm not on the "deserves" thing so I'll move by that. Anderson isn't young enough to play more than once a week, correct. So the Sabres need to figure out a plan for if/when UPL goes down. Is that Comrie? Is he good enough? Things they need to learn. Something that isn't broken? The Sabres' goaltending situation is better with UPL, but it is far from ideal, and very far from franchise standards. The team identity is goaltending. Some teams' identities are bullying (Boston, Filly); some are finesse (Montreal, Edmonton); and this franchise's identity is goaltending.

***** the Bruins.

This is exactly the problem. They need to start him to see what he's capable of. Not Anderson--and I appreciated his play last night.

Can't believe I didn't think of this last night...

I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but you really do look like your avatar aged 30 or so years.

Well put.

That was beautiful. Tip to other teams: Don't let the Sabs win the draw in OT.

The ice melted

That's IT. As soon as it turns nice in Winnipeg, like in July 2042, I'm coming up there...

Thanks for 'splaining EDIT I WAS BEING SINCERE, DAMMIT @Thorny

I don't mind testing UPL at all. That's not the point. The point is that when he is NOT playing, I'd prefer to see what Comrie can do than to see what I already know about Anderson. And I gave up on the playoffs when Adyms did. In November. Unfortunately, he IS running the Sabres.

No, we don't, and we also don't know whether he can be a starter. As you say, Anderson isn't coming back. There is no reason to start Andy tonight unless you think the Sabres can make a run. And if you do, I think that's awesome, and I hope you're right. But I think you're wrong.

Yes. I have no idea what that meme is, but yes.

It could be Levi/UPL (or reversed); it could be Anderson/Comrie again if the GM doesn't fix hymself, it could be a lot of things. Evaluating Comrie is important, and this team is not making the playoffs. It just isn't. It's nice to think about; it's nicer to watch them develop and think about next season.