7+6=13

I don't think you're a fool. The data proves Buffalo isn't a sought after place to live by outsiders and many insiders have left. There's no arguing that. The Bills did not hire a decorated front office. That's what I was responding to.

We could go back and forth forever on this. You say start with a capable and decorated FO and then use the Bills as an example and it's 100% not what happened to the Bills. Even if that was true, we're not getting that for the Sabres. I'm shocked we landed Jarmo TBH and it's some weird work from home role. IDK man, we had Eichel for 33.33% more than he's been gone, we sucked. Ok you want Eichel, Sam and who Montour? Then you don't have Tage, Tuch and pick someone. If you think Buffalo, as a place to live, is attractive, then you're just not paying attention. Kelly and Thurman like it because they wouldn't be adored if they lived anywhere else. Ray wouldn't sniff the job opportunities he's gotten here, elsewhere. C'mon. The population has massively declined over the last 30 years and even since the 50's. You can laugh at palm trees and taxes all you'd like, but it's absolutely a factor. It doesn't make me feel good to say that because I love Buffalo. The people are fantastic, among the best even. I feel one of the factors is because, the grind of being a Buffalonian brings out a character in them/us that can't be manufactured. It produces an amazing community of people. Plenty of athletes have bought into that vibe and have absolutely realized something different than they thought. But they thought it, because they all do.

I think we're simpatico in that they've handled nearly every - I'll call them attempts, so poorly. I really think the theory behind most of the attempts, I agreed with. The execution, no no no. We're in a bind and IMO, spending has to become the first step towards turning this around. There's no chance, IMO, if that doesn't happen. Then huge amounts of luck are needed, IMO. We're not that bad of a team, again IMO. However this being easy breezy, build it and they will come, is not reality.

This is a dream that will never happen and you have to know that. You can't create a perennial winner without the leagues top players. So how exactly do you do that first so they'll come here? Build from within? We tried that. Tank for superstars in the draft, then players will want to play with them (Eichel)? Nope I mean it sounds awesome and I wish what you said above was possible, it's not, IMO. I think you're totally and completely wrong about geography, that matters to this generation and some of the one before. I love Buffalo, it will always hold a special place to me, but it's a hard sell. I guess if you're right and just ho hum, become a perennial cup contender is all you have to do, then we'll know.

I think you know what I mean. It's definitely been much longer than the Pegula ownership. You're even admitting we have to be pretty old to remember that. I'm 50 and it's been a long time.

None of us can know if this team is or isn't 7 wins better. It's not a massive gap to close, although it can feel that way. We lost a scorer but he didn't do much else. I won't dismiss the importance of scoring. I think we added some decent players and I'm hopeful there's a couple more good things to happen. I won't say this doesn't feel like a playoff team because toughness and better defense can have an impact.

Diehard, now that's funny.

The leagues impact players have never considered Buffalo.

I'm happy with that contract.

Oh I'm sorry, Ithought you knew he was an RFA. All the players get paid for playing. The team has control of the player. Did you think we were trying to trade an UFA? That's probably where I lost ya. Teams can't trade UFA's.

We don't have to sign him, he's on our team now.

Weren't the advanced stats showing certain measurables got better when Cozens left? Not to beat a dead horse here but, if that's true, couldn't the question change slightly to; are we better without Peterka and Clifton vs bringing in Kesselring, Doan, Norris, Bernard-Docker, and Timmins. I know it's semantics but IMO, Norris is not a lot different than signing a free agent now, because we already felt not having Cozens in the lineup.

That's a real possibility. If we trade him, I assume we'll get something back that will fill another need, so the hole would just change. Unless it's for another defenseman. So for me it's either Bryson is closer or we're closer to a forward being in the top 6 we're not crazy about.

Seriously? I can't even get you to admit Byram is in the team.

The analogy that you missed is we're better with Byram today because he's on our team.