Brawndo

They better score here the Sabres are getting the next four penalties

In a situation as outlined by Taro Comrie would absolutely have leverage if he was being severely limited in practice reps. His Agent and the PA could and would put pressure on Adams to do something whether it be waivers or a trade. As mentioned before Comrie is well liked and respected in the Sabres Room, it would not go over well with them either. Levi was the opening day starter and played the first four games because at the time He was the best option as there was not an improvement from the outside. Levi even told the Spitting Chiclets Podcast after the first four games Levi told his girlfriend was a little banged up and she mentioned don’t worry there are only 78 games left. He jokingly replied 78 that’s a lot after playing a 35 game season in college. The best place for a goalie to make the transition from College to the AHL The point isn’t whether he is better than Comrie, which everyone knows that he is, it’s that Rochester is the best for His Development right now once UPL is good to go. Even if he split the remaining games with UPL, that is not going to allow neither goaltender to get into the rhythm and receive the number or starts to be successful. Levi is brilliant as you mentioned and will be ready for full time NHL duty sooner rather than later, but right now the AHL is his best pathway.

Gotta play those vets right Donny? Rotating for now, I imagine he will be back after the Christmas Break

Levi in the starters net this AM

If the Sabres followed the pathway laid out by Taro and barely gave Comrie any practice time, there would be pressure on the Sabres from His Agent and the NHLPA to waive or trade Him. Comrie does not figure into the teams future plans, but he will be an UFA in July and is going to want to play for another opportunity elsewhere next season. The Sabres as an organization cannot afford to appear to screwing over a player (no matter how bad they suck) with the teams less than stellar reputation around the league with players.

UPL and Dahlin on the ice ahead of the AM Skate

As @LGR4GM mentioned Levi has already been sent down as they felt He needs the AHL. This is the same person who stayed an extra year in CCHL, then stayed an extra year in the NCAAs as He felt that was best for his development. Levi needs reps. He is not going to get the proper amount as the 1b or 2 in Buffalo. He needs to the starter in Rochester to maximize those. The Instigator Podcast with Chris Ostrander, who played 4 years as a college goalie spoke about the reasons he should go down. He mentioned there are a significant differences in Levi’s Play for the seven game stint last season. He mentioned that Levi’s footwork is off and he is not moving side to side as well. He is not reading plays as well and his rebound control is off to the put that neither he nor the defenseman know where the puck is going. He mentioned These are all things better worked on in the AHL. Even Friedman and Marek agreed sending Levi down was the best decision and they get their input from coaches and GMs around the league Had UPL not gotten sick, Levi would have not been called back up to begin with. Look at the recent Vezina Winners, with the exception of Bob who played three full seasons in the KHL, they had time in the AHL. The next group of goalies of potential NHL Star Goalies Wolf, Woll, Wallstedt and Askarov have all spent time in the AHL. Adams, Granato and Appert do not have the best track record with goalies, but this time they are following the development pathway that has been successful with other goalies. Levi is a special talent, but he needs time to develop properly To Thorny’s Point Levi is absolutely a better option then Comrie in net right now. But that’s not the best option for Levi’s Development. As far as the Sabres Playoff Chances go, not improving the goaltending situation and expecting the same forward group to be able to take another step forward in the standings is on Adams and Levi’s Development Pathway should not be affected. You know who would have a problem with Comrie getting almost zero reps in practice? His teammates. Comrie is well respected in the room and if he is placed in limbo by the team , His Agent and the NHLPA would likely get involved as well.

COVID. He will be back on the air tomorrow He has been doing Sabres Live from quarantine

He probably knows Allen has a seven team M NTC which is a bigger barrier

Christine Simpson interviewed Linus Ullmark about a range of topics including His Father’s Death and how it affected Him. He wasn’t close with His Dad it’s appears alcoholism played a major role and had a negative effect on his whole family. His Dad died during the COVID Season and Linus did not have any family around. He mentioned he felt alone and was going through the grieving process without anyone to share it with. He and His Wife felt it was time for a change of scenery was necessary He mentioned that signing with the Bruins felt like it was next step in His Life, His Family’s Life, His Career it was not just his professional career at stake but how he felt as a person. This starts at the 6:30 https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/no-one-to-hug-the-linus-ullmark-story/ After watching this it appears the Sabres really never stood a chance at re-signing Him.

Not at the expense of Levi’s proper development. Seth Appert said it best when he was sent down. Levi needs practice reps, which He will get a lot more of in Rochester and he needs to play at least two games per week which he can do as the Amerks number one for a minimum 35-40 games plus a Calder Cup Run. Let’s see if He can dominate the AHL for awhile and give the Sabres a few spot starts as needed. His numbers both counting stats as well as fancy stats are not good enough for the NHL. While UPL and Comrie’s aren’t either, neither is as critical to the Sabres Future as Levi. They have a lot of ground to make up for the playoffs, it’s a hole they dug for themselves that was largely contributed to be inaction this offseason Adams made his bed with the goalie situation and the team has to deal with the consequences. Not putting Levi into the best developmental pathway should not be one of them

Great Win

Having a winger that doesn’t appear to be skating in mud helps

GOALOFFSON

Robinson has some wheels

Dammit

TAGE

PETERKA

Pretty much

They escaped the first without surrendering a goal

And the Bruins would have scored again on the ensuing PP

OKPOSO