DarthEbriate

Ah... the EA NHL draft-the-coolest-names-because-you-can-always-play-the-game-and-win-instead-of-simming approach... I haven't done that yet except for some goalies... If the Sabres have any intention of checking on Braden Holtby in UFA, then they should totally draft G Braden Holt. G Chase Coward is hilarious to me. He's in the WHL. And there's a Croix Kochendorfer as a good French-German hybrid.

Precisely. It's having the NHL ELCs who could have a Sabres future vs. any player young or older who could be a perfectly serviceable AHLer, but not be in the plans for the Sabres. It's having Rosen in Rochester and learning the speed/ice size and not worrying so much about Scarfo or even Jankowski (who would likely be a much better player than Rosen this season and can also be a good mentor as a former 1st round pick).

That is my thought as well -- at least on the goalie and defensemen contracts. @sweetlou -- are the options listed intended as overpays on short term for Buffalo's non-blocking timeline? As an example, Holtby's last contract and 2 seasons were for lesser starter salary and he played a backup's load. There's no reason to offer him #1 goalie money anymore. $3-3.5M would be more reasonable as a tandem starter, and even that could be argued as the overpay.

It was great and he played well. HC Meatballs was going to put Power in all situations. But the 3rd pair was Bryson/Fitz at the end of the season. Depending on health and UFA (we all agree we need a RHD) and as they start playing matchups more (and other coaches have to start matching up against the Sabres to exploit weaknesses otherwise we’ll crush them!), he could find himself on the third pair and still be excellent and gaining momentum while protecting him over the 82-game grind.

Are you suggesting that Landeskog would pick up the Cup from Bettman, try to give it the hoist, have his knees buckle, and proceed to fall flat on his face?

We'd need someone with the right website access/subscriptions and know-how to grab all of PK's fancy stats for possession and controlled transitions. He would be an upgrade over Fitzgerald in the 5/6 pairing across the board (and possibly displace Joker to the 3rd pair, which would be a good thing). He'd be a very good mentor for offensive-minded, highly-touted guys like Dahlin and Power and how manage the expectations and also to hone their shots. And my understanding is he's been a very good face of the franchise and community guy on his various teams. He can continue building the interest in the new core as an ambassador-of-the-game type. For the defensive D, I would just like someone other than Muel who is going to be on PK1 and block oodles of shots and take that continuous abuse. I don't want Dahlin missing 2 months because he's got a bum ankle from a dozen shot blocks while killing penalties in November.

To be fair... it's not like the Bills were a 2nd-place juggernaut that simply couldn't get past Brady during the Patriots dynasty. They were a middling squad with no consistent QB for the bulk of this century.

Full team photo with the Prince of Wales trophy. Some hands/touches on it. And only a gentle lift and Stamkos with a carry. No need to superstitious when you're this good.

In super slo-mo, yes. But in real time, there's no chance for Stamkos to do anything but have it bounce off him, even if he then contacts the goalie. He didn't even react with a knee wobble impacting the puck until after he was past the net.

Palat is a UFA this offseason... PK Subban would be a Numminen/Patrick in terms of type of player. And that'd be fine if the rest of the D-corps was different. But James Patrick joined a D of: Smehlik - Zhitnik; Shannon - McKee; Patrick - Woolley; (Wilson, Grand-Pierre). They had the veteran defense-first guys already: Smehlik, Shannon, and another two D-first kids in McKee and Wilson. (And would swap Wilson for an even savvier D-first Warrener.) Numminen essentially directly replaced James Patrick. The season before Numminen joined, the D-corps was: Zhitnik - Kalinin; Tallinder - Campbell; McKee - Patrick (Fitzpatrick, Delmore, B Brown (acquired late), Jillson). Zhitnik, ancient Patrick, and baby Campbell being the only true offensive guys there. This Sabres team has Dahlin, Power, and Bryson will be offense first. Muel and Joker are the D-first guys. They need a 3rd (and better than Fitz/Pysyk). Subban is better than those two... but he's not a shutdown D.

Hedman gets pulled for concussion protocol. On the next shift after a TV timeout, Stamkos scores on a shot Shesterkin will want back (otherwise he's been excellent and the Rangers are being dominated). 20 minutes for the Rangers to salvage their playoffs. If TB holds on, we're all getting the series we've wanted for the past few seasons (Sabres excepted).

I agree he will be a major contributor. But I just don't need him to get over 18 min/game this season. If he does, and is worthy of it, all the better. I'm fine with even Bryson getting more 5 on 5 time (as long as it isn't Bryson/Fitz as the 2nd pair). Power can have room to grow while we lean on a Muel-Rasmus pairing. And if we get a vet for Joker, or a vet for Power is the key.

Wowsers. It didn't result in a goal, but Nash and Maroon remind you that even the 4th liners in the NHL are super elite with their skills.

Subban is fine. He seems a good fit for an energetic young locker room and he no longer needs to be the guy. Definitely a good media guy to show them the ropes. He’s now a $3-4M D which is the price range to be shopping. The problem is he isn’t the player type we need. We need a PKer who is a defensive stalwart and shot blocker to pair with Power. Subban would effectively be a Joker replacement. And Joker can become Lydman when he grows up a bit. I wouldn’t move him just to bring in Subban. Also, I don’t need Power to be a top 4 as a rookie. He can be the 5/6 and get 2nd PP time. There is no need to rush him.

Patience. The UFA period is coming soon (after everyone signs their in-house players) and that’s when we can discuss this to no end. But Bishop has little bearing on that. They’re playing the primary kids and supplementing with some vets. The core is exciting and excited. And it will be strong. The key is not upsetting it with some mercenary but the right UFA.

No need to even name the names. It's the goal of the team to play the kids and improve as the kids improve. (And last year they did so. Given goaltending, they'll improve again this year.) And the hope is this season and (realistically next 2023-4): here come the Buffalo Sabres! It'll take time, but it took time in Carolina, too. You don't want to sign a washed-up Meszaros for $4M to get to the floor just because you need to. Because he will play. Injuries will occur and any vet you sign is going to see ice time. And the best UFA players either might not fit the game style/approach or want to join the rebuild when a contender has a spot open. Bishop is ideal for the cap floor because he won't be with the team, there won't be any whining about playing time or blocking anyone, or poor practice habits, or that he needs to play if UPL is in a slump, etc.

And to be at the floor so you have flexibility in trades. As an example, if VO ends up getting traded at the deadline and the return is some top draft futures and a UFA with a bit less salary, you don't need to go find additional (unwanted) players/salary to get back to the floor.

Number nine! (meaning they're likely gone by 16) Jiricek RHD - Smuggler. https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Jiri_Sools Savoie C - Force-sensitive human who is seduced by the dark side of the Concept. Lekkerimaki RW - A Mon Calamari crewmember on a Rebel starcruiser bridge. Mmmm, delicious calamari roll. Gauthier LW - An alien race-horse variant that trashes local gambling facilities at the slightest opportunity. Marty Biron is going to enjoy telling you about his odds in the next race during intermission reports. And then the Imperials... three of them! They're fun to target. Previous Imperials include: Dylan Cozens (2019), Seth Jarvis (2020), Brandt Clarke (2021) Nemec RHD - Imperial officer. Commander Nemet of the ISD Avenger said: "Captain Needa, the ship no longer appears on our scopes." Needa apologized. Kemell RW - Imperial admiral. He worked to cover up the destruction of Alderaan through misinformation. https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Kemel_Trowe Nazar C - Imperial... ship! A Lambda class T-4a shuttle stolen during the Sepan Civil War. Total video game wildcard. https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Nazaar

In the #16 range... Yurov RW - The Yurov is a system, not a man. Located in the Outer Rim. Miroshnichenko LW - Unlike Yurov, Miro isn't a system, he is a man (well, a Piton). Like Yurov, Miro is also a system and also located in the Outer Rim. You've got to be pretty special to be both a system and a man (Piton). https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Miro_Daroon ; https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Miro_system Geekie C - A protocol droid Lambert C - A lightsaber-capable energy fruit. I'm not making this up. "Lambents were the fruits of a certain Yuuzhan Vong plant..." that can be used as "communication crystals or light sources" and in one case "[Anakin] Solo used a personally-harvested lambent as a lightsaber crystal." https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Lambent Kasper C - A Ghost, if you will. A modified VCX-100 light freighter. Infinite possibilities and storylines and a drunken, ornery astromech. Ohgren C - An antagonist for the Ewoks on Endor. Did you know ogres are a thing in Star Wars (Legends)? I didn't, either. https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Ogre Korchinski LHD - Probably a senator. Probably from a core system. Mintyukov LHD - Itchy, Chewie, Lumpy... Minty. A wookiee nickname if ever one there was. Let the wookiee win! Mateychuk LHD - Matey like Minty? No, not a wookiee. A weapon associated with Bothans. He's probably a spy. Lian Bichsel LHD -- Smuggler Kulich C -- An asteroid belt in the Inner Rim McGroarty RW - "Yes, I'll bet you have." "Mc Groarty!" A blaster bolt ensues. (Or more than one. Who's keeping track anymore?)

We're less than a month until the draft. Final rankings lists are being locked. It's time for the 2022 edition of the all-important-useless-Star-Wars-reference/character-based-on-player-name draft rankings: 2022 edition. I didn't want to hijack a real thread with my nonsense, so head to this Sabrespace for the real-world discussion. Last year, the Sabres drafted #1 and took the best Star Wars name/reference on the board and probably ever: Uncle Owen Unlimited Power. (At least, until they draft this guy in a couple years.) Three firsts this draft so I'm splitting it into tiers of who could still be available at each selection. In some cases (Nemec/Jiricek) they're likely to already be off the board, but I'm including their names anyway. Note: The sequence of players is in order for groupings and humor (Miro after Yurov), it has no bearing on order of preference within the tiers. Let me know if you need another player researched. Maybe available at #28... Luca Del Bel Belluz C -- "I'm Luca Del Bel Belluz I'm here to rescue you." = You're who? = "I'm Luca Del Bel Belluz." Del is a common name on wookiepedia. Both Del and Bel are clone troopers. Altogether, the most unlikely clone trooper name in the galaxy. Snuggerud RW -- A Snaggletooth! So old-school Star Warsy it just feels right. Chesley RHD -- Moisture farmer. Howard LW -- Luke: What's a duck? Google it. Mesar RW -- Gungan. Agile, quick, jumps really high and flips. Meesa goin' score goals! Jagger Firkus RW -- Perfect Star Wars name. Not a JAG. Total smuggler/gambler/scum pilot of a trash-heap ship that has tons of speed and secret compartments. And you know I play a mean guitar mindharp. Rinzel RHD -- I'll be the first to say it: "Rinzel will be fine." A cantina proprietor. Deeper dive shows that rinzefruit is a type of produce. Hutson LHD -- Part of the crimelord syndicate... Soon you will learn to appreciate him. Whoa-ho-ho! Pickering LHD -- System in the Mid Rim. And another Uncle Owen as a bonus. Ostlund C -- Imperial officer. 2 Osteds are Imperial navy officers! Amazing. Alater and Wermis! https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Osted_Alater ; https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Osted_Wermis Hävelid RHD -- Imperial ship or Imperial (m)officer (moff) https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Havelon ; https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Haveland Beck C -- Rebel pilot's first name. There's totally a Beck Iceslider out there. Cruz Lucius -- C'mon! The parents named their kids Chaz and Cruz? Anyway, Rebel pilot. He yells something like "I've got the shot!" as the path opens to a direct lane to launch proton torpedoes at the ISD shield generator, followed quickly by "Oh no!" as a wave of TIE Interceptors appear and blast him. Cruz disappears in a fireball. Pretty much the most awesome role to have in a movie. Cool helmet. 1 or 2 lines of dialog. He's the Grizz Frix of this draft! A lifetime on the autograph circuit as the "Oh no! Guy".

For the goalies this contract has no bearing... Bishop isn't blocking either Portillo or Levi. Either of them still has an open path to AHL playing time and perhaps the quickest road to an NHL gig in the entire league for a goalie prospect. They'd all have to sign ELCs here or anywhere regardless. As for enticing UFAs, this deal is fine. There's still plenty of money to overpay anyone.

Maybe just a simple bit of cleanup before they start inking their extensions. Robertson and Oettinger have earned long-term deals if Dallas is willing to lock them up. Honestly, that could kill most of their cap surplus right there. If they want to re-sign Klingberg... he'll get a solid vet contract.

Ah yes. I had a line through the table's row and everything and simply didn't read it. <tip of the cap> Thanks

We must never, ever let JBott live this down. Ever. This is the 2018 BUF 6th (156OA) to Toronto for 2019 TOR 6th (177OV). Traded 1:1 back and down... because clearly the Sabres were going to finish ahead of Toronto in the 2018-19 season standings. Because we'd just hired Coach Krueger. Ultimately, the TOR 6th was packaged with BUF 7th to trade up into the 5th for Cederqvist so the jury is still out.

We're now up to 2 5ths, 2 6ths, and 2 7ths. That's an easy two overagers to restock the Amerks, two collegiate-bound players to see if maybe they can become something (Malone, Weissbach, Willman), and two overseas single-skill (elite shot) lottery picks (Possler, Olofsson) who might someday become something. And maybe 2 of these players are goalies (Miller, Petersen).