#freejame

I think there is just too much inexperience in this lineup and not enough change. I get the ideas you are going for, but I don't think any player we draft this season will get more than a cup of coffee and I would like to see Quinn develop a bit more in Rochester. We have been giving away roster spots for ten years when they need to be earned. It is a bit comforting that there seems to be a bit of a consensus that our D is in somewhat decent shape.

Glad I'm not the only one out here writing novels. Savard was someone that I considered, but I don't have a ton of faith in our ability to read the market and I don't know that his health and play are what they once were. As far as McCabe is concerned, while I would like to have him back, he obviously comes with some risk associated with him, and any plans to include signing him should also involve bringing in a 7th D who is able to log third pairing minutes without concern. I like Samuelsson, or the idea of Samuelsson, but I don't want to see him up here if he isn't going to step in and play. We have seen that enough times where we have guys who should be developing riding pine or viewing from the pressbox and regardless of what Kruger says, I don't think that is best for development. I think Laughton should definitely be targeted this offseason, we need to bring in either him or Coleman. I think Laughton might come a bit cheaper and provide the same value so that may be the better signing. While I used to like Pearson, I am skeptical of signing him. I would be very pleased if we were able to get Hertle to come in, but I fear that we aren't going to have a true 2C until Cozens is ready to take that mantle. I don't believe he will be there next season, but he should probably see 30 or so games there anyway to learn the position. I think you are probably right in that Lazar is much better suited for the 13th forward position, but I hate the idea of signing more 4th liners since our recent record leaves a lot to be desired. Comparing our two posts, it looks like we are more or less on the same page. A few different players here or there, but our overall assessment of the roster seems pretty in-line with one another. Regardless, there is a lot of work to be done. I also like the way you broke down the roster--looks familiar!

Let’s just say he’s got a very big magnet

You’ve got to respect the DD before the purchase. No wonder the Pegulas are so certain they’re smarter than the fans.

How could you speak with such certainty unless you’re Kim??? Considering how long you’ve been involved on the board I now feel much more comfortable with you at the helm.

I believe the man is the Sabres fan base and the lady is the entire world against us.

I posted a few days ago in another thread about where things currently stand going into next season but here’s how I more or less see things. Since he’s almost certainly going to be here I’ve included Skinner but who knows maybe there is a way out. All this means nothing if Ralph is here. Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart x-x-Cozens VO-x-x Girgs-Lazar-x I would like to see a move made for Saad and Danault, but there is almost a 100% chance that both sign regrettable contracts. Coleman is a good option from Tampa as well. If for whatever reason Landeskog doesn’t re-sign with COL we need to throw everything we have at him. I’m interested in Laughton as well and he may come cheaper than Coleman and fill the role similarly. I think our best case scenario in FA with $34m of space would look something like this (who tf knows what kind of contracts we will see this summer so I’m not going to bother with them since we’ve got the space anyway): Skinner (meh)-Eichel-Reinhart x-x-Cozens Saad-Coleman-VO (Victor will be fine on his off wing, he’s all shot anyway) Girgs-Lazar-x One more season spending time at both RW/C for Cozens before taking over 2C full time and Quinn moving into his 2RW slot after spending the year as first man up from Rochester. Maybe R2 can slot in as our 4C and push Lazar to 4RW. That still leaves 2/3 of the second line that we can’t fill. Maybe Tage and Casey find some sort of magic beans this off-season and become top-6 talents overnight. More likely that isn’t the case and we open up with this: Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart Saad-Cozens-VO Mitts-Coleman-Tage Girgs-Arttu-Lazar Its better than what we have up top now, but there are still holes and players improperly spotted. Having Saad and Girgs will give us a bit more physical play On the back end I see things currently like this: x-Risto Dahlin-x x-x I think there is a good possibility of Borgen being able to slot in with Dahlin and maybe Bryson being able to slot with Risto. Dougie Hamilton is one of the only worthwhile free agents, but I’m not even sure he becomes one as everything I’ve read says he and Carolina both want him to stay. He’s also a bit of a weirdo. Maybe he re-signs and it forces Carolina to move one of their d. If that’s the case we need to pounce. Not a hypothetical I’m willing to bet on so I see us looking at: Dahlin-Borgen Bryson-Risto x-Miller We will almost certainly be drafting a D with our first pick, but while I think there are top-4 defensemen in the draft, I don’t think any belong in the NHL next season. Maybe Samuelsson can slot with Miller? That would more or less put a big man with a little man on every pair (Dahlin isn’t little but he isn’t a Risto, Borgen, or Samuelsson). I’m guessing we probably open with him slotted on the bottom pair so we’ll see: Dahlin-Borgen Bryson-Risto Samuelsson-Miller To me, that’s a big boom or bust situation on the backend. Without a trade, there’s no FA help coming and our pick won’t be ready. It will be live or die by our player development. I’m not sure I trust that but what’s there to do. Now in net going into next season we have: x Ullmark If for whatever reason Colorado lets Grubauer walk (injury concerns most likely) he is my ideal signing here. We should have been able to outbid Colorado when he first was traded there but for whatever reason we sat on our hands. With his injuries, he’s not a guy I want playing 65 games, but a 50-32 split with Linus works for me. Linus is also more than capable of of filling in due to injuries. Now this can’t be complete without talking about the expansion draft. We will keep 7 forwards, 3 d, and 1 goalie. Players to be kept: Forwards: Eichel, Skinner (NTC), Reinhart, Olofsson, Mitts, Tage, Girgs Defense: Dahlin, Risto, Borgen Goalie: Ullmark That probably leaves Joki getting taken, but whatever someone has to go and I would rather keep Borgen. Ideally we make a move to get Okposo off of the books, but a year in the A and then a buyout probably makes more sense with the likely cost of them taking a contract. Ladies and Gentlemen, my best case scenario for the Sabres (no trades included): Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart Saad-Cozens-VO Mitts-Coleman-Tage Girgs-Arttu-Lazar Dahlin-Borgen Bryson-Risto Samuelsson-Miller Grubauer Ullmark Is it a playoff team? Maybe with an entirely turned over coaching staff led by someone who knows what they are doing. Is it better than what we have now? Maybe with an entirely turned over coaching staff led by someone who knows what they are doing. A trade for a top-6 player at literally any position would go a long way. Bringing in more D depth is crucial as well. There’s a few other FAs that could be of interest as well but I’m not trying to shell out a bunch of money in the market and don’t trust Adams to make good signings based on his current ones.

I just bought a new one a few weeks ago. We end up in the intercoastal a good bit and needed something that could handle it a little better. Took it like a champ the first time out.

We are missing either of those guys. The MTL AHL player is their leading scoring. Yeah he got his ass kicked, but he gave ‘er a go at least for his goalie.

There is so much “hockey 101” that we don’t abided by. Makes no sense to me.

There was just one a couple years ago in a Flames game, can't remember who it was against. Don't think it was a battle of Alberta but maybe another Canadian team? You never know. It only takes one guy to start a brawl most times.

I am hoping to be able to do the same with a rower, but I wouldn't even know where to start on a bike. I'm telling you, that thing was effortless! I'm just looking for the tiniest bit of exercise from it, mostly want the fresh air and moving around without the work of all of the bikes I had growing up. I never thought of trying to snag some camping gear on the cheap from the folks you mentioned. I can always use a new pack, and tent, and cooking gear, and sleeping bag and....

I'm with you, there's a whole boat of genres within genres these days and it can definitely make it difficult to follow but I personally appreciate all of the varieties of styles today. Then again, I've got a very eclectic taste in music. I certainly couldn't tell you what subgenre any of the music I listen to is though.

I've been thinking about getting a bike in the next year or so. I borrow a friend of mine's for our remote ride of roswell last year. He had a real nice road bike that he used for triathlons and riding on that thing was effortless. Do you have any recommendations for a beginner? I'm looking into buying a house and many of them are close to our local greenway and I'd like to take advantage of that.

What are they called now if not genres?

Look into your heart, you'll find the boogie.

Or at least from schools not as academically sound as Notre Dame. Petersen saw what was coming from a mile away. Too bad SEC hockey is limited to Huntsville.

Darcy called it suffering but my doctor always labels it as indigestion. Either way, I've switched to flushable wipes--nobody likes a hemorrhoid. Also, my prefered use for a nice pair of old jeans is an aggressive pair of jorts, maybe try it out next time. Just save your JNCO, I hear they are worth something these days.

Yoga pants are both slim and trim and create a nice profile (especially of the fruit shaped objects of the male and female form). I'm chalking this one up to a win, I need it after this week.

I clicked on one of the downloads and was fully expecting the picture of the...erm...large black gentleman on the bed. Random internet links have ruined me, I now believe every link will be a well-endowed pornstar or a rick roll.

Oof that hurts to read. But hey, two of those seasons were a lot of fun!

I'm disappointed because only two of those pictures worked. Love me some good imagery.

I don't know if bell bottoms are the right call or wrong call with indigestion. I guess it all depends on your opinion on sharing.

Good for the Whites, they certainly deserve is. Didn't know they were expecting again. I'm sure the entire process was incredibly trying and stressful for them. Wishing them nothing but the best.

I was 110% in on the Bills during the season and still follow them now, but I can't get excited for the season this far out. I wish I could, would make the Sabres much more bearable. Though a group of us are talking about doing the Tampa. JAX, and Tennessee games this season and that has me pretty pumped.