dudacek

This feeds into my previous post. Im sure this would have been a big part of the narrative on here if we existed. Today, the media machine would also have been fed the info to prepare the fans something was coming. Back then I had no awareness of this at all.

Maybe it was different for the fans living in Buffalo, but the Mogilny trade hit me out of the blue like a ton of bricks. There was no extended period of social media debate questioning Alex’s commitment, or sense of a trade being merely a matter of “when”, or pages of internet debate on the fair price. It was simply one of the stars of my team suddenly getting traded for what felt like very little in return. If Sabrespace and Eliotte Friedman existed back then, I’m sure it would have been a much different experience.

It’s kinda interesting comparing that deal to the Eichel deal in terms of stud for pieces. The fact that Peca and McKee became very likeable players on good Sabres teams probably made it easier for us to accept that Tuch and Krebs might do the same.

To be clear, I have no issue with losing Luukkonen on waivers if that’s part of the price we pay for a better Levi partner. Id be surprised and disappointed if Adams is unable to get anything for him, but that would probably be less a function of Adams and more of a function of the market and my misreading of it.

At the time Mogilny was a huge wtf? Absolutely hated trading a 26-year-old star for 3 chips who didn’t help the current team a bit, and probably never would reach close to his heights. In retrospect, it kinda opened the door to the contract-motivated star-for-futures trades that have come to be the norm in the modern NHL. Back then it really wasn’t a thing. Stars got traded for other stars, or at least multiple good NHL players.

I don’t. I think there are a number of backups who aren’t any better than him right now who don’t have the perceived upside. And his salary is a non-issue.

And while I’m not interested in re-litigating the hockey merits of, or reasons behind the Eichel trade here, it has become another trade I love. We got 3 fast, competitive guys who play the type of hockey I like, and the type of hockey I identify with the best moments of this franchise. Tuch also happens to be a stud. More importantly, 2 guys who have already thoroughly embraced becoming Sabres for a guy who very publicly didn’t want to be one. Give me guys who are easy to cheer for.

OK, I’m reading this as purely emotional, as opposed to the “best” trades. I think I’ve always had a bias for “Sabres” so in the moment when a homegrown guy gets traded I usually feel more disappointed that they failed, than excited about the new guys coming in. A huge exception was the Hawerchuk trade. Housley was never a favourite and Dale may have been my favourite non-Sabre. Absolutely loved that guy as a Jet, and loved him here too. Probably my favourite all-time Sabre who isn’t thought of primarily as a Sabre. The fact we also got Brad May in that deal cements it. Big fan of him as a prospect and a player.

I guess it’s nice to see the team has progressed to the point where actual NHL players have moved to the top of our punt list instead of guys like Bjork and Meszaros.

Kozak (and Rosen and Kisakov) were tiny 19-year-olds who most organizations would not have had playing in the AHL to start last season. I find it really hard to quantify their games in that context. His chances (and the wisdom of having him in Rochester) will become clearer next year. He’s a long way from Buffalo.

I like the fact they tend to get their young Euros under contract quickly. It just cements the fact they’re part of the family despite the fact they are overseas, and also gives them some measure of control over their situation. I’m sure Rosen’s D1 year is something they aren’t anxious to repeat. Not necessarily, but it means that he can if it’s what they decide that is best. Sounds like the Sabres aren’t big on forcing guys to come before they want to (Östlund). I think I remember Wahlberg saying he was planning on SHL next year then whatever.

A part of the continent well-known for its rain is now at level 5 drought, the worst notch on the scale. The northern end of British Columbia is on fire and officials say my Vancouver Island home is tinder dry and could go up at any time. On the bright side, the weather has been absolutely glorious around here for more than 2 months.

I think goaltending is in a period of transition. NHL coaches have learned how to beat the monster shot-blocker and are attacking in a way best snuffed by an athletic save-maker. These things are never one-size-fits-all, but I think Levi represents where the game is going.

I’ll say it again. In this millennium, no goalie has ever been traded for more than the 9th overall pick. That goalie had a reasonable contract, was coming off back-to-back outstanding years as a backup and was entering his prime. If there has been a veteran goalie traded for more value than Darcy Kuemper or Ryan Miller’s (roughly) late 1st and a B prospect, I don’t remember it.

The previous 5 Buffalo head coaches haven’t returned to those heights after being fired. Neither have the previous 3 GMs.

Do you think Vladar for Olofsson works? And is Vladar who we want for our 1B? His resume is not appreciably different than UPL’s on the surface.

Vladar and Hanifin for Olofsson, Jokiharju and next year’s 1st. Who says no, and why?

This is why we cant find a goalie. Over the past 3 years, Markstrom is objectively a good NHL starting goalie. He’s 6th in the league in wins, 20th in s % and 11th in GAA. And we won’t pay more for him than Riley Stillman and a goalie we’re terrified to let play 30 games. There’s like 5 goalies Sabrefans want and none we’re willing to give up anything for.

But it hurts the Hawks, their fans and his teammates. The only ones it helps is Team Canada. Id be shocked. What team deliberately sits a 1st-line player?

I was talking about the tongue-twister sections from One Week, did I misread something? EDIT: oh wait, the video was still in my quote. Sorry about that.

My daughters had a thing where they could do it to perfection when they were young teens/tweens. They’re in their mid-20s now. Was in the car on a holiday with them this spring when out of nowhere they suddenly ripped through it from the back seat. They have no idea how happy it made their dad.

It will be nice if his patience pays off and frustrating until then.

There is no way in hell Bedard will be available for the WJC.

There is, however, a misplaced sense around here that they all have to play in the top 6. The post-lockout Sabres had a "3rd" line of Vanek, Roy and Afinogenov. Pominville and Pyatt were depth guys and Kotalik and Connolly were in and out of the top 6. That team won a lot of games because its depth outskilled the opponent's.

Might make sense as the backfill to Calgary after Hanifin is moved. Or a similar situation with Pesce or Karlsson, or another expensive D on the market. Or as a PLan B for a team that misses out on the above. It's quiet, but there are still moves coming before training camp. Too many unaddressed issues out there, particularly in Calgary and Winnipeg.