dudacek

And just like that the player who scored 19 goals in his previous 101 games moves to the top of the list. We’ll have a pretty good idea who the best players are in 5 years, we might know in 10.

I have not seen an Amerks game this year, but in the Quinn games I have seen, I have never watched him give anything less than 100 % on defence.

I answered this up-thread. He loves to play hockey and would rather be doing this than anything else in his life. He wants to fix his neck in a way that maximizes his recovery time and flexibility in order to play hockey to the best of his ability. He wants to minimize the impact of his body post-career. He wants to protect the value the $50 million contract he signed. He wants to retain the ability to sign another contract or contracts after that one. He believes ADR allows him to do all of these things, does not think it is unreasonable to think the Sabres should feel the same way, and believes that he would be able to have all these things if the Sabres would trade him. You can say that is unrealistic, or makes him entitled, but his position isn’t difficult to understand. And it’s hardly as simplistic as being “all about” any one particular element. And, for the record, the Pegulas position is not too difficult to understand either. They love their hockey team and want nothing more than to see it succeed. They want Eichel’s future handled in such a way that maximizes his asset value for that purpose They want to minimize the risk of any neck surgery on his long-term health and his value as an asset They want to protect the value of the $50 million contract they signed. They believe ADR is counterproductive to all these things and do not think it is unreasonable to exercise the powers given to them by a contract Eichel freely and knowingly signed. Its not petty and it’s not simple. It’s a business negotiation where neither side is likely to get all that it wants, or has been willing or able, as of yet, to find a compromise.

Not butthurt at all from the ROR deal, eh?

Agreed. It’s the flip side to Eichel not taking this to arbitration. I think both sides have always agreed the preferred solution is a trade. Maybe that is closer to reality than our perception? Maybe all it’s going to take is a Vegas adding a Krebs to the deal, or Pegula agreeing to retain $1 million and a “fair” deal could be done. We really have no clue how far apart the offers are from the ask.

This is an interesting one. Over the past 210 games Barzal has 56 goals and 113 assists. Does anyone here think it would be ridiculous to hope either Cozens or Mitts can be a 20-goal, 60-point guy?

Yes, for now. If the Sabres wanted to test how much it is really only about getting paid, I suppose they could suspend him for refusing treatment.

Perhaps our lawyers can weigh in, but I don’t think such a case has any chance of standing up in any court of law given what’s happened up until this point. I am surprised by the amount of people discounting Jack Eichel’s ability to make a decision based on what he believes is best for his long-term health. Whether we agree with his conclusions or not, I think it is pretty clear he has done his research and he believes ADR is what’s best for his long-term. But it is certainly not about just the money. It’s about the money, and about the ability to continue with his career and his passion, and about his long-term health. If all he wanted was to get paid he could just get fusion.

Remember when people used to complain that Ralph never used Skinner in OT? Watch the winning goal from last night. First Skinner makes a terrible decision: making a half-hearted attempt to pressure the puck-carrier who was easily being controlled by Dahlin. Not only does he whiff on the drop pass, he takes a line that pulls him even further out of the play and leaves Severson (?) with an acre of room to make a play and all evening to make it. Cozens is hung out to dry on a 2 on 1, but makes an effort play to force Serverson in the hopes that Skinner can get back in time to support him. Unfortunately Skinner has stopped skating on his backcheck giving Zacha all the time he needs to pick his spot. Terrible read, terrible effort. https://www.nhl.com/video/zacha-snipes-home-overtime-winner/t-326162728/c-9263378

I’m not disagreeing with the idea we need to add more centre skill to the pipeline. I just don’t think it’s as crucial that we get one high in the draft as you seem to. None of Brayden Point, Ryan O’Reilly, Anze Kopitar, Nick Suzuki, Patrice Bergeron William Karlsson, Derek Stepan Joe Pavelski and Adam Henrique were drafted in the top 10. All were 1Cs on Stanley Cup finals teams in the past 10 years. Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Jonathan Huberdeau, Ryan Strome, Mika Zibanejad, Mark Schiefele, Sean Couturier, Alex Galchenyuk, Barkov, Lindholm, Monahan, Horvat, Reinhart, Draisaitl, Bennett, Conor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Dylan Strome, Zacha, Mathews, Hischier, Patrick, Petterson, Glass, Anderson, Mittelstadt, Kotkaniemi, Hayton… That’s a long list of top 10 picks, including some fantastic players, who have yet to come close to leading their teams to the promised land. Yes, Crosby and Malkin types improve the odds. But they seemingly aren’t must-haves,or guarantees.

Exactly. The idea that Rossi, Sanderson, Perfetti, Raymond, Byfield, Holtz and Jarvis are better than Quinn is and was just that, an idea. The idea Lafreniere, Lundell, Drysdale and Stutzle are better is supportable, but it’s also transitory. There was a time when people thought Tyler Myers was worse than Luke Schenn and better than Erik Karlsson. Time changes things. At the moment, all we really know is that Jack Quinn is leading the entire AHL in goals and is 2nd in points. It’s better than the alternative, but that’s all it is.

So, in this clip I see Dahlin hammer Marchand from behind into the boards, then I see him crosscheck Pastrnak into the net, then I see him drop the gloves. So I take it this is an example of what you want to see more of? He initiates all of this.

I think the main argument in favour of ADR from my perspective is that I see it as the only way the Sabres get a significant return. In my opinion, GMs aren’t paying up for a broken Jack, Jack isn’t getting fusion. So in my head, the options are be stubborn on ADR and eventually trade him for at best a Sam Reinhart return, or risk the contract on ADR in the hopes of a return that even the Wookie would be OK with. Since it’s Terry’s money not mine, I’m taking option B

My unsung guys Levi and Quinn looking very good early. Devon 1.40 GAA, .950 SP, 3 SO in 5 games. Jack 4 goals 2 assists, +4 in 3 games.

Bryson to me has been a revelation this year, especially after the horrific preseason game he had against PIttsburgh. The ESPN guys were drooling over Matt Grzelcyk in the Bruins game but Bryson was every bit as good and seems to be following a similar path. I’m starting to feel like it’s safe to say we’ve finally hit on a mid-rounder.

Agreed. Dahlin is a great skater, but he is not a fast skater.

Culture and time for more talented players to develop at minimal cap commitment.

Would I like him to make other players afraid? Sure. Would I like having a Brad May around to make the Marchand’s pay? Sure. But I dont see a significant problem here. So far this season, Dahlin has not bailed out or played scared in the face of thuggery. On the contrary, he’s pushed back, kept skating, kept moving the puck and kept being good on stopping rushes and elite in transition. He’s been the Sabres best player.

I think this is a reasonable take on what the Pegulas might be thinking. But when does the statute of limitations expire on 2? Because 3 might be apples and oranges, but it fails to account for the fact that the alternative to the bolded is, at best, paying Jack Eichel $12.5 million after insurance to rot, and any collateral damage that goes with it. I guess I am of the belief that the risk/reward of allowing ADR is a better bet for the Sabres than the risk/reward of the status quo. But it all comes down your first point, and that’s why people’s mileage may vary.

There’s 1 point we probably didn’t deserve. Why not make it 2?

Yep. You can see some fatigue but they haven’t stopped working. Tokarski is a throwback. As in to the days when goalies had no technique but did everything they could to stop the puck. Scary as hell. But so far it works.

Dahlin again defending the rush well.

Some good PK there boys.

Bjork is going to have trouble staying in the lineup when Eakin and Casey come back.

I’m a fan of Dawson Mercer’s game. Hed make a good Granato Sabre We’re doing a good job finding the 3rd man for a good shot off the rush.