GASabresIUFAN

Hall? We gave him $8 mill, which was well over mkt value. The least Adams could have done was get a 5-8 team list who he could trade him to instead of full NTC. The full NTC gave the player all the leverage. It was a stupid mistake by an incompetent GM. PS: If Hall doesn’t sign, maybe Adams has the money to extend Ullmark properly and we’d have had good goaltending for the last 5 years, which would have likely helped us into the playoffs the last 2 years.

Because he doesn’t want to be an AHL backup. He wants to be a starter somewhere. That’s why he has a KHL out in his contract. Likely better to start in the KHL, play well, and try to earn an NHL job that way. Backing up Levi in Roch won’t help accomplish that goal, unless Levi gets hurt.

I agree, but the crazy thing is he is actually the most accomplished goalie in the system. He has 303 NHL games under his belt including 151 wins. That's almost double the games and over double the wins of UPL. Lyon only has 119 NHL games of experience.

By the way, interesting note of LV. The Sabres are almost certainly going with 3 goalies for a while so that they can see where UPL is at. I also agree they don't want to lose Ellis. If UPL plays well, then the ultimate solution is probably to trade the 32 year old Lyon. Still I don't trust UPL.

They don't have to release him. My understanding from an article I read was that he has a KHL out in his contract.

Yeah, it's fun, but admittedly simple. Think of the worst thing you can do and that would piss off the fan base and bamm you have how Howdy Doody would make the deal.

The other part of this is Rochester. If I were Georgiev, I think I’d bolt to Russia. He is now the 5th goalie. Odds of him getting back to the NHL with the Sabres are about zero.

Adams offered Doan and a 1st for him.

....and the Sabres have never have misjudged the talent on the roster.

The Sabres can always retain some cap to help get a deal done. It’s not like Terry and Kevyn ever use all our cap space anyway.

Matt Ellis, the Matt Ellis of brothers to rookie goalies?

Our goaltending has been crap for years, but so far this season Lyon and now Ellis, in his first NHL game, have played well enough for the Sabres to win most night. Ellis was particularly strong last night making four or five critical saves. In Rochester is “key” acquisition Levi and late signee Georgiev. Levi is off to a bit of a slow start in Rochester in 2 starts, but has been excellent there the last 2 seasons and Georgiev is what he is and was solid in his one start so far. Last but not least is UPL. Adams spent big money on UPL after his one good pro season and he is now on a rehab assignment. He was very good in his first rehab start in Rochester. Adams has a very tough decision to make once UPL’s rehab assignment is over. If he waives either Lyon or Ellis, they will immediately be claimed. Ellis has an excellent minor league record and looked very much like an NHL goalie last night. I know StL was unhappy that the Sabres claimed him. Lyon is a proven NHL vet who was a starter the last 2 seasons in Det and has looked solid so far this season. I do think both have some trade value, but not much if rival GMs think Adams is backed into a corner. However, Adams is bound to UPL. He gave him the big contract. Will he really waive or trade UPL and run with Lyon and Ellis? I honestly believe that UPL might be the worst of the 5 goalies. Given his injury history and big contract, I would do anything I could to get out from under his deal. That’s me, not Adams. I believe an Ellis/Lyon combo is an upgrade over UPL and having two experienced guys in Rochester should be sufficient if either gets hurt. My guess is Adams does nothing immediately. I suspect Adams will carry all 3 goalies and play them all for a few weeks. This might be necessary to showcase that UPL is healthy and help his trade value, but given how bad our goaltending has been, Adams will want to keep his options open. What do you think will be the ultimate resolution?

There are many things to clean up. The defensive breakdowns that lead to both Det goals for example. Lack of scoring from the top players.

you want the lobster and the cracked crab?

Was this effort tonight because they were trying their hardest for the rookie goalie or was it an attempt to establish a more physical net front game? I hope it's the later.