Peter

I was fortunate to be at the game. I have not had a chance to read most of the comments in this thread. A few observations: - It was great to see and meet a lot of Sabres fans at the game; - The way the Sabres break out of our zone is one of the most impressive aspects of the game (especially compared to how we could not seem to do that effectively and consistently for so many years prior to DG); - I was worried that the Sabres would have trouble on the back end of this road back-to-back against two tough teams especially after the emotional overtime win against Tampa Bay AND the Panthers having four days rest. The Sabres did not seem to have any issue in this regard. They played with a lot of energy and as Ed Jovanovski said in the Panthers post game show, the Sabres played an excellent road game. Great wins against the Panthers and Lightning. Well done.

I also have no Italian grandparents. Nevertheless, the Chef's spaghetti parm is amazing.

Another way of looking at is: How would the players react if they did NOT give it to Kyle and gave it to someone else? Anybody who has been paying attention knows how the players think of Kyle. They look at him as the captain and that he has earned it. If they were to give the C to someone else, I suspect players would have viewed it as giving it to someone who is less deserving.* *As I wrote up thread, I really like Tuch. I also really like Rasmus and Z. I am sure they would all be good in their own way, but KO has earned it more than they at this point. As I also wrote above, Kyle literally risked his long term health for this team. His leadership ability and his devotion to the team earn him the right to be have the C.

As for the supposed issue regarding when the Sabres announced this, my guess is that they made the decision, did not want to announce it on Sunday when the Bills are playing, and determined it probably would get out in any event if they waited (and certainly if they waited until Monday).

I love Tuch, but for the reasons you set forth and the fact that KO literally risked his long term health for this team, the decision is a no brainer. As you say, all one has to do is listen to how the players talk about KO. Great choice and well deserved!

Rosters were available for all to see in the year 2022

Thanks for sharing. That was cool.

My proprietary analytics support your conclusion.

I guess he was busy. Thanks for letting me know. I figured that he lives for a day like today. What were his takes on the guys that we drafted?

I just checked Kris Baker's twitter feed to find out his thoughts. No tweets since yesterday. I hope he is ok and maybe he is just busy.

Wasn't that Meghan?

A Buffalo reference without specifically mentioning Buffalo. "Natural" fit.

I was hoping we would get Miroshnichenko given his tremendous upside. I wonder if we should have chosen him at 16 and whether we could have gotten Ostlund at 28 (or someone else).

I got: Nemec McGroarty Gaucher

I am old enough to remember when some were bitching and moaning that we picked Quinn over Rossi.

I will always respect Kyle - not only for what he went through - but also for his leadership. Great guy. Great teammate.

Wow. The fact that he had no clue that the puck went by him and in the net is especially hilarious. I wonder if Lehner will try to blame that on the Sabres . . . .

As someone posted above, it is great that this is even a conversation. Tage has had a great year, and I do not think it is a fluke at all. I will say this, I have the impression that the players probably like Tage better than JE as a teammate.

Hilarious. It is a shame they are unable to give the Sabres credit for playing a very good game. I wonder how they tried to explain their epic collapse against the Panthers.

Great name. Powerful. I also am partial to: 1) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 2) Gilbert Perreault (just because it is Gilbert Perreault)

I am an Ullmark fan and wanted him back this year. As I recall, he actually had a winning record last year for a Sabres team that was last in the league. Having said that, it is my understanding that GMKA had an agreement with Ullmark and his agent, which Ullmark's agent shopped and was able to get more term from the Bruins. Given Ullmark's injury history, the Sabres were apprehensive about extending him that far (four years). At the beginning of the season, I heard rumblings that the Bruins were having a bit of buyer's remorse. I am not sure they still do, but it is interesting to note that their other goalie (Swayman) has a better save percentage and goals against average, is 23 years old (v. 28), and is making an annual average of $1,050,000 before he becomes an RFA in 23/24. Ullmark, on the other hand, has a four year $20 million contract.

I thought you were looking for what his views are re the importance of his education. Here is a link to your question to which I was responding: Both of the articles that I provided demonstrate his views on that subject.

https://www.hercampus.com/school/u-mich/from-sweden-to-ann-arbor-michigan-an-interview-with-michigan-hockey-goalie-erik-portillo/?utm_source=ourcommunitynow&utm_medium=web https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/sabres-prospect-erik-portillo-built-a-business-while-leading-michigan-to-frozen-four/article_337315b4-b424-11ec-9108-e7df1b22199f.html

FWIW - I recall Owen Power saying after the Sabres drafted him that he and Portillo were roommates. I also recall reading that Portillo and Rasmus Dahlin practiced together in Sweden (I have no idea how often). In any event, Portillo presumably has a good relationship with both. I don't think there is any reason to panic - at least not now.

That is why I am optimistic.