nfreeman

Now this sounds like Tim Murray with coins burning a hole in his pocket. I agree, and I think that means they either keep 8 D, or keep 7 D and waive the other one of Stillman/Bryson. It's reasonably likely that both would clear waivers (and Bryson is close to a lock to clear IMHO), at which point they become good depth in Rochester. Dahlin-Mule Power-Clifton/Joki Johnson/Loobie - Clifton/Joki Johnson/Loobie Stillman-Bryson I agree with much of both of these, but I put the odds of a Joki trade at less than 50% and I think there will be an ongoing competition between CC and Joki for the spot opposite Power.

I don't think this will happen today, but I think it will happen in the next week or so.

Here's a 31-year-old top-4 LHD who has played over 20.5 min per game for Pittsburgh for the last 7 years:

Huh?

I would gladly take Tarasenko on a 1-year deal, but he's not coming here.

If the Sabres want to bring in a forward on a short-term deal to fill Quinn's spot this season, how about Blake Wheeler or Matt Duchene, both of whom are being bought out? Both have scoring skill and a ton of experience, and neither would be expensive.

I agree with all of this, although I think JJP is close to Quinn in terms of upside. Still it would be much better to have both of them. As I said upthread, best case is a full recovery and Quinn becoming a contributor before the end of the season.

ESPN says it's a ruptured achilles: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37933899/reports-sabres-forward-jack-quinn-suffers-ruptured-achilles That stinks.

Well, that would be amazing. Datsyuk was a freaking fantastic player.

Good to see ya sir! Don't be a stranger.

So, having gone through denial, grief, anger, etc., I guess that leaves us with: Skinner-TT-Tuch Mitts-Cozens-JJP Greenway-Krebs-Rousek/VO/other Zemgus-Jost/other-KO ...with the Rousek, Jost and #13 spots representing opportunities for Kulich, Rosen, Savoie, Benson or trade/FA acquisitions. I'd be surprised if they spent significant dollars or assets on a Compher or other name acquisition. EDIT: if VO isn't traded, I'd expect him to end up with Greenway and Krebs. I think JJP will stay with Cozens and Mitts will move up to take Quinn's spot.

I don't think Kane is a certainty to be full go by the start of the season either though.

I'm going with "Stray-back" until proven otherwise.

100 SabreSpace bonus points to whomever knows the correct pronunciation of his last name.

Best case is that he heals fully, gets his wind and timing back by February or so and can contribute down the stretch and in the playoffs. I would expect the Sabres to be smart about this and not rush him back.

You need to take a breath and stop babbling. Make your posts worth reading. Do not waste everyone's time like this.

That stinks.

Gotta say -- I'm pretty glad they didn't trade #13 for Helle, Hart or Pesce. I'm curious whether those who were advocating to do so still feel that way.

From the Athletic:

They may start blocking each other, but not for a couple of years. Of the potential top-6 guys, Kulich, Rosen and Kisakov were the only ones in Rochester last year, and only Neuchev is joining next year. Benson -- at least 1 and maybe 2 more years in juniors, then most likely 1 year in the AHL Savoie -- almost certainly 1 more year in juniors, then most likely 1 year in the AHL Östlund -- committed to another year in Sweden, then most likely 1 year in the AHL Rosen -- at least 1 more season in Rochester Kulich -- probably will play at least 75% of this season in Rochester Neuchev -- kind of a flyer & will probably need at least 2 years in Rochester Kisakov -- also a flyer Rousek -- more of a bottom-6 guy The Sabres have plenty of time, and plenty of roster spots in Rochester, to let this play out. Say it brother! Testify!

FWIW, ESPN has him at 5'9", 163 lbs.

...or at least a worthy competitor of JJP's for that spot. Whoa. That highlight reel is awesome. Wait -- traveling carnival hucksters? Really?

98 pts in 60 games -- 3rd in the WHL. 17 pts in 15 playoff games. 5'9", 170 lbs. Left winger from BC. I bet he's good.

We don't know for sure, and I freely admit that I want to believe it, but I do think KA didn't have any choice in the contract he gave Hall, including the NMC, which directly resulted in getting screwed on the trade with Boston. I think Krueger had TP's ear as much as KA did at that point, and pushed hard for Hall (in part because it meant keeping Eichel on board), and KA decided not to die on that hill.

No question that the Devils are ahead of the Sabres right now. While it's fair to look at the 2019 and 2020 results, I also think they were less of a train wreck organization than the Sabres were, with more respect for their GM and coach around the league. Also, although you're right that they've brought in more talent from outside the organization than the Sabres have, I don't think that was really an option for the Sabres in the last few years (although hopefully that is changing). I'd also point out that Vanacek and Meier didn't do much in the playoffs for them last year. OTOH, they've gotten very strong contributions from the 2 defensemen they brought in, Hamilton and Marino, which I hope KA has noted -- but they didn't have much homegrown talent on the back end there either. We'll see. I'm fairly optimistic that the gap will be quite a bit narrower this year.