nfreeman

Well, the most precious asset a team can have is a franchise top C, but… The 2nd most precious is a franchise defenseman, so Power or Dahlin would be the logical choice. But if you don’t think either of them will quite reach “superstar NHL player” status, but you think Quinn or one of the goalies will, then you’ve gotta take that guy. I think the jury is still out on Dahlin, and that’s clearly the case on Power, so again it only makes sense to take one of the other guys if you feel in your bones that he’s gonna be an all-time Sabre great. Then you also have to consider whether we’re talking about a fantasy draft, where the guy you really want might be available in the second round, or whether you’re only getting one bite at the apple. If there’s only one bite at the apple, I’ll take Levi.

Well, I agree that part of the argument is that they have short careers, but by far the biggest reason they make that much cash is simple supply and demand. It's not his fault that fans pay what they pay for tickets, TV packages, merch, etc., or that teams pay what they pay for players. Do you think he wasn't trying, or that he treated fans or others around him poorly? I have no reason to think he wasn't a decent guy. He just isn't a particularly good player (although he might certainly be good enough to stick in the NHL in the right situation). I guess you can feel sorry or not feel sorry for whomever you like. Your post seemed quite a bit nastier than not feeling sorry for him though. "...poor injured Will. Good riddance" -- sounds like scorn and resentment.

Geez. He's a young man who's looking at a career-threatening injury that is pretty likely to jeopardize his ability to keep his dream job. Yes, he was lousy here, but this seems pretty over the top.

What a freaking bozo.

Yet another game in which the Sabres fall behind 3-0. It sure seems like that's happened a bunch of times this season.

A craw is gotten into, sir, not under. #narrative

I'd just like those who were so sure that Allen was going to stink to pause for a minute before mocking others' posts on other topics. We've all made plenty of mistakes here.

So do we know what kind of operation Mitts had? Was it for a sports hernia? If so, I hate to say it, but it kinda seems like it might be time to shut him down for the season.

As I mentioned upthread, this would be better for the Sabres, but each of the goalies is going to pursue his best interests. It's quite possible that both Levi and Portillo will decide that turning pro ASAP is in his best interests.

OK, but the results were the results -- and I don't see any objective facts supporting the position that the Bills would've destroyed Cinci. He was really something in those games. I wonder if he just became the highest paid OC in the NFL.

But Seattle also passed on guys like Tarasenko and Carey Price. I think their poor results relative to Vegas' is more a result of a disparity in the job done by the GMs of those 2 teams than from the rest of the league learning their lessons (although that factor did play a role).

I don't see how you can say this after Cinci beat 2 teams that beat the Bills.

I thought Samuelsson was really good tonight. Time to give up the apartment in Rochester. He’s not going back.

The Sabres are outmanned and outgunned tonight but plenty game. Good for them. Cozens flying down the wing and taking it hard to the hole is a great thing.

Do we know whether TT is playing?

We've got 'em right where we want 'em. I had to look this up. Interesting stuff -- a predecessor Brangelina story!

Fixed. The first part is almost certainly true.

Joe Burrow is a freaking rock star.

Also has to be said: another huge coin flip.

It has to be said: like TB in the SB last year, Cinci's D is handling KC's offense much better than the Bills' D did.

They might sign Levi and Portillo and let them slug it out in Rochester, no? In fact, now that we're talking about it, it kinda seems like the most likely outcome IMHO.

Well, Stevenson was injured for part of the season. More broadly, I'm inclined to give the coaches the benefit of the doubt that a 6th-round rookie wasn't ready for prime time. But since they drafted him, he'll probably get a fair shot next year.

My guess is that in the first 3 rounds they’ll draft BPA among CB, OT and WR. I don’t think Sanders or McKenzie will be back, as Sanders was pretty up and down this year and someone will give McKenzie more $$ than the Bills can afford. While I agree with @Eleven that Diggs, Davis and Beasley are all very good, I think they need and want more speed at WR.

Dude.

It would probably be better for the Sabres if Portillo played one more year in college and then signed, but Portillo is going to look out for his own interests first, which he should. If he has a strong finish to the season, it’s quite possible that he’ll push the Sabres to sign him right away. Portillo will be 22 in September. UPL turns 23 in March. Levi doesn’t turn 21 until December. From Portillo’s perspective, there is no reason for him to wait another season if he thinks he’s ready. I still want a real NHL goalie brought in this summer, but having those 3 prospects fight it out is a pretty promising situation.