7+6=13

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.

Boeser and Allen are the two I'd target too.

I'm not sure that proves Byram isn't on the Sabres. Do you think we were better before the draft and having pick #9 or now with Mrtka?

You're accurate with most of what you mention here. I've admitted that I'm going to opine if I feel compelled, when IMO, a poster is being overtly and unjustly negative. I have a lot less venum attached to my posts than probably most would think. It's more of a mantle for me as I've also tried to articulate, probably poorly. What I disagree with you on is your view of the content itself. Including Byram as not being here and then not including what need his replacement would fill - is the definition of being wrong. It's 100% true he's a Sabres. There's no disputing that. We of course have our opinions and by nature are rooted in biases. However there are truths that should at least be the foundation of a discussion.

You missed my point. You don't think I know the history? I'm saying no one can add Byram being gone today to the reason we're not better, unless you're always trying to paint the worst picture, which is what some Buffalo fans have been doing my entire life. So if you're going to say we need a partner for Dahlin today because of the departure of Byram, then incorrectly say we don't need a top 6 winger or whatever you want to make up.