nfreeman

Jeez, it feels like a lifetime ago. I loved that team. It ended too soon, but at least we had that incredible, thrilling ride.

I saw "Yesterday" over the weekend. I wasn't expecting much but I really enjoyed it. It's pretty funny and the lead actor is a terrific musician and just crushes a bunch of great Beatles songs. Also, if you're so inclined, Ed Sheeran has a surprisingly big role. Solid B-plus.

Risto, Mitts and Joker for Laine and Ehlers? Who says no? (I think Winnipeg says no.)

I suppose I'd be happier if your statement didn't so broadly and with such certitude state that a guy who stunk for the Sabres last year was "across the board" better than a guy who is bigger, plays a tougher game and scored more goals -- especially if the difference is defensive play, and both guys played for terrible defensive teams, and Sheary's performance in your most important stat was kinda lousy, albeit less lousy than Vesey's.

And this is what we call "assuming away the problem."

I know these videos are just collections of snippets that can be put together to make pretty much any point that anyone wants to make -- but dear me I love them. And these really do encapsulate Sheary's "move feet quickly, get possession and then weakly lose the puck" game to a T. And yet some people are sure that Sheary is better than Vesey.

This makes it less likely that Asplund make the NHL roster, right? I'm fine with Zemgus-Larsson-KO as the 4th line, but I was kinda hoping for some new blood. We know what those 3 guys' ceilings are, and they ain't high.

Awesome. As noted upthread, McCabe is the primary physical, responsible, shutdown defender (assuming he's not traded, of course). I agree with JSB -- If McCabe, Bogo and Risto are all gone, I think we will have a nastiness/hitting deficiency. Skill and quickness can be great but a high-end defensive corps still needs an intimidation factor -- the Kronwall to Detroit's Lidstrom, or the Weber to Nashville's Josi.

I wouldn't for a minute expect Ruotsy to seize the 3C position this year -- but it sure would be nice if the Sabres struck gold on one of these mining expeditions across the pond, and this one in particular would be a major boost.

I agree with this and would just add that the risk associated with trading Risto as described here is one of the good reasons not to trade Risto unless there is a really good forward coming back.

Excellent deep dive in the Athletic today about the possibility of Risto to TB: https://theathletic.com/1071188/2019/07/11/roundtable-is-sabres-defenseman-rasmus-ristolainen-worth-a-look-for-the-lightning/ They agree with @Randall Flaggthat Cirelli would be ideal for the Sabres, but the TB writer says he doesn't think TB would trade Cirelli.

This is kinda harsh. He’s 21 years old FFS! I’m fine with JB concluding that Nylander is unlikely to reach his potential, but the human thing to do here is to wish him well.

D'oh! As corrected: Skinner-Eichel-Ehlers Vesey-JoJo-Reino Olofsson-Ruotsy-Mitts ERod-Asplund-KO extra: Sheary, Zemgus Dahlin-Montour McCabe-MIller Pilut-Joker extra: Bogo, Nelson

Assumptions: - Risto is traded for Ehlers - Scandy is unloaded for a draft pick - Sabres get lucky with Ruotsalainen - Larsson is not brought back and Asplund steps up to grab his spot That gives us: Skinner-Eichel-Ehlers Vesey-JoJo-Reino Olofsson-Ruotsy-Erod Zemgus-Asplund-KO extra: Sheary, Wilson Dahlin-Montour McCabe-MIller Pilut-Joker extra: Bogo, Nelson

Florida isn’t going to trade either Hubie or Trochek.

Regarding Nylander’s allegedly good transition game — here’s Pronman: “Overall his speed isn’t amazing. There were so many rushes this season, like this one, where he hits the line with average speed, tries to make a move and loses the puck.“ As for TT, his shot is a freaking weapon of mass destruction and, more importantly and more broadly, he is explosive. He can score in multiple ways — not just the one-timer (and I don’t know why TF Howie didn’t figure out how to get TT a few of those per game). He can gain the zone with speed, make a move to beat a defender and score or pass. He needs experience, coaching and a non-dysfunctional environment. Even with all that it might not work, but he was and is better than Nylander.

@Randall Flagg, @WildCard: Flagg wildly overstates TT’s struggles with his usual mix of a few small-sample fancystats and brazen certainty. TT was in over his head on a crappy team and made mistakes, while still hustling and displaying a number of very nice tools. Nylander was mediocre in the AHL, evinced zero urgency in his game and made a handful of non-terrible plays during garbage time. Charity bet on who has a better season next year as between TT and Nylander?

I beg to differ. I wish Alex the best, and I agree that TT's game performance didn't merit him staying up here all year, but Nylander didn't outplay a house plant, let alone TT.

Demand met by JB! He knows what time it is.

This is fair, but I think his last season here was a debacle. All good on paper, but like any GM, he's responsible for delivering a winning team. So far he's not even close.

So now the Blackhawks have brought in 2 prime GMTM Sabres debacles in Lehner and Nylander. Hopefully Nylander will get it together like Lehner has done so far.

This is obnoxious.

I too think that "stay with Sabres" and "other destination" should be poll options. But it's up to @WildCard of course.

Also: his nickname has to be "Joker," right?

Well, I think Risto represents a real asset with real value, and I think JB is savvy enough not to trade him for a pupu platter of 2nd-tier prospects and picks.