dudacek

I too am angry and disgusted we weren’t in on Taylor Hall and Kevin Hayes.

😄I spend way too much time around here and I don’t know that I’ve seen a single poster advocating that we acquire OEL. Ive seen one asking if we should look into it, and a couple others fatalistically posting that we’ll probably end up with him. Guess I need to pay more attention to what’s going on.

For what it’s worth Friedman was asked what teams he expects to aggressively pursue upgrades over the draft/free agency period. He said: Detroit, St. Louis, Ottawa, Winnipeg (they want to reset not rebuild) and Buffalo. Also, Max Comtois probably not being qualified. A youngish player I used to like who has sucked.

My post was entirely tongue-in-cheek; I'm not among the Sabrespacers weeping over his loss. But yes, he was good this year in Seattle in a protect-the-house 3rd pairing kind of way.

I read some where that the Sabres analytics staff has been paying particular attention to zone entries. OEL was literally the 3rd worst player in the NHL at preventing zone entries. The next week will be a good litmus for a lot of Sabres watchers still skeptical of the trend under the current regime.

It's pretty clearly their impression of the type of path they expect this management to take, sprinkled with their expectations for the level of player interest in Buffalo.

Bring him home Kevy. You don't know what this means to people.

It was a comment made by the director of NHL's Central Scouting, who called him his favourite defenceman in the draft. It got a lot of play because of who he is and the fact Morin is rated as a 2nd round pick by most. Central Scouting had him ranked as #19 overal and #2 among defencemen in North America. The consensus top 4 D overall are all Europeans. Morin is an average-sized puckmover who put up good numbers in the Q. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/599308/etienne-morin

These things often look like this and people seldom revisit the breakdown. Just remember that at least 20 voters thought Noah Cates was a better rookie than Jack Quinn and not one thought JJ Peterka was among the top 5.

Baker flipped it, had them going D early (Reinbacher) because less of a drop-off to 12 for forwards. (He had Benson there at 12). Either way, they should get a nice piece at each position.

I am surprised by Kulich’s showing. I was thinking he was Sabrespace’s current “it girl”.

Baker called him Dylan Cozens 2.0. Instantly elevated him in my head in a way multiple scouting reports did not. There seems to be a lot of players worth being excited about in this draft. For one day I will be jealous of Arizona at 6 and 12.

Baker said he absolutely loves Simashev, but he also thinks that on talent he probably better slots later in the middle of the first.

Adams uses “he’s a Sabre” all the time when he talks about Savoie: competitive guys who skate fast, play fast and live and breath hockey.

Baker seems to be saying Simashev is best fit and Moore is the best “Sabre,” but Sandin-Pelikka is the best player, as in has the best chance to be a star. So he seems to be suggesting BPA. ASP is kinda weird to factor for me because RHD is a big position of need, but offensive defenceman is not. That said Adams seems to have consistently gone for upside (as defined by talent+competitiveness) in his picks so why should we expect him to change?

Kris Baker’s mock on Sabres Live makes a ton of sense to me as he explains his reasoning: Chi Bedard Ana - Fantilli Cbs - Carlsson SJ - Michkov Mon - Smith Ari - Reinbacher Phi - Leonard Was - Dvorsky Det - Wood Stl. - Danielson Van - Willander Ari - Benson Buf - Sandin-Pelikka He says there are 5 or 6 guys you can make a case for the Sabres: Perreault, Barlow, Yager and Moore. But there are also 2 defencemen worthy of the pick: he loves Simashev, but he thinks Pelikka’s upside and skill on the right side will be too much for the Sabres to ignore. He says if they don’t go for a D, Moore will be the pick: his compete, speed and role versatility fits the Sabres philosophy to a T. Says choosing between the 3 was making him feel sick. I think I’d be happy with any of the three, or even most of the 6. This was from Sabres Live today. Great listen. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/hosts/sabres-live

Oh thank god. (Seriously, Davies did well in his role.)

Chicago is like Buffalo last year: needing to add some big short-term deals in order to get to the cap floor. Even after nabbing Hall, they still have $31 million cap space with only 6 spots to fill. Hall’s deal expires next year. Plus he helps them; probably their 2nd best forward after Bedard. Their roster is putrid. And maybe this too.

If the Bruins use Hall’s money to sign Bertuzzi, who are they trading to re-sign or replace Bergeron, Krecji, Orlov, Hathaway, Nosek, Orlov and Clifton? They now have $10 million under the cap to fill nine roster holes, including resigning RFAs Swayman and Frederic. Bertuzzi would probably eat up 6 or 7 on his own.

And, unfortunately, not really.

This makes sense. Hopefully it’s a price that hurts the Bruins.

And no one who watches should think Skinner or JJP are weak. They’re both 190-pounders with thick lower bodies. I really think it’s coming from people lusting for a face-puncher while forgetting Mitts and Tage aren’t skinny 20-year-olds any more. With Vic and Vinnie likely moving on, the only Sabre forwards I see getting overpowered are Quinn and Krebs. Each has a frame to get stronger and the competitive spirit to battle through. Each is better in traffic than they were a year ago.

People tend to ignore the fact the Sabres core players - Thompson Power Tuch Dahlin Mule Cozens - are a full degree bigger than the vast majority of other team’s best players. They also tend to complain about size while saying the Sabres should move on from 6’2” 215 Girgensons and 6’0” 220 Okposo. Its kinda weird.

I agree he’s getting traded but until he is, he belongs on that list, particularly when his presence - directly or indirectly - as an asset that can be used to improve the defence. I think his presence actually strengthens your argument.

I get the contract aspect when it comes to Krebs, but he’s two years into a 12-year career. He’s moving up the roster, not out. The only way his contract next summer becomes an issue is if he has the type of season those OK with trading him think he won’t have.