msw2112

My memories of Larry Playfair: As a fresh-faced rookie in one of his first games, he got absolutely destroyed by Boston's John Wensink. Here's the video: Playfair came back to pretty much destroy all opponents for the rest of his career! While I give credit to "goons" like Rayzor, Barnaby, and Peters, who did what they had to do to stay in the league, defended teammates and backed down from nobody, those guys lost more fights than they won. Playfair, on the other hand, was a beast who pummelled most of his opponents. I love the revenge against Boston so much that I am linking to the same video mentioned above:

I voted yes, but I agree that it depends on goaltending. Lots of of question marks there: Do they bring back Anderson? If so, can he stay healthy for a full season at age 41? Can he play at the same level at 41? Does UPL make the team and stay for the entire season? If so, can he play at the level he displayed in the little bit of time that he played this year? Do they bring in a veteran goalie from outside the organization? If so, who? While there are also questions about Levi and Portillo, I am leaving those out, as I believe those guys, if signed, are likely destined for a development year (or longer) in Rochester. Based on the current coaching, the current talent at Forward and Defense, plus an influx of additional talent (Power, Quinn, maybe JJ) and any offseason veteran acquisitions (there have to be some, both for cap floor reasons and for practial purposes), this is a playoff team if, If, IF they figure out the goaltending.

I completely disagree with the first sentence. The guy is a legend and I believe the Pegulas would keep him around longer if he wanted to keep at it. Relative to player salaries and other costs, his salary is a drop in the bucket. I also completely AGREE with the 2nd sentence. It's a lot more fun to do your job when things are positive. It doesn't feel like a grind when you're having fun doing your job.

I find it so interesting that the Bills have one of the best track records regarding injuries in the last couple of years, while the Sabres have one of the worst. I just saw an article this morning in which OJ Howard said that one of the reasons why he signed with the Bills was the advanced sports training center and how it might help him stay healthy during the season. With all of the investments the Pegulas made in Harbor Center a few years ago, it's baffling that they can't get the same type of results with the hockey team. With the Sabres on the upswing and the future bright, I hope they can figure this out.

Eichel said "7 years." The game last night had roughly 12,000 fans. Thousands short of a sellout. In the last 7 years, there have been a number of sellouts and loud crowds. I attended a sold out game during the 10 game winning steak in the Housley era. It was loud and highly engaged. So, if he was referring to the last couple of years, which included COVID, yes, he'd be correct. But to say "7 years" is just him being a prick. And to say "me leaving" is just a further indicator of what a self-centered guy he is.

I think that if Michigan wins the natty, Portillo leaves and signs with the Sabres (along with Power, who will do so regardless). If they don't win it all, Portillo may go back to school for another year. For Portillo, it is likely Michigan or the AHL, whereas for Power, it's the NHL. And I'm not exactly sure how it works (I'm sure many on this board do), but I would love to see Power on the Amerks' blueline for the AHL playoff run. Get in the max munber of games in Buffalo without eating the first year of his contract, then send him down to work with his future teammates and make a playoff run and get some professional hockey playoff experience.

I agree. Tuch is so obviously team captain material, particuarly for THIS team, but he's only been with the team a couple of months. The proper thing to do is award it to him at the beginning of next season after he's proven himself and earned it. Naming Eichel captain was a tough situation. McDavid was named captain and many other "best players on the team" have been named captain, even at a young age. I think that Sid Crosby was named captain at a young age. The Sabres saw Eichel as that type of player. Skill-wise, he is knocking on the door of being that type of player, but he lacks the intangibles that those other guys have. There's also the thought that he could have grown into the role, but it didn't happen and likely never will. An apt comparison is Patrick Kane. Great talent. #1 overall pick. Top scorer, multi-year all star, MVP candidate, etc. Not captain material. The "C" went, appropriately, to his teammate Jonathan Toews, who displayed captain-like intangibles (while also being a very good player) at a young age. Tuch is the right guy for next year's Sabres, although Couzens has those qualities too and may be a future "A" or "C" depending on what happens down the line.

I'm not going to lose sleep over what a 25 year old kid (or so) said in an interview. I don't live in Buffalo anymore, but was visiting a few years ago and got tickets to a game against Montreal during the 10 game winning streak. If my memory serves me correctly, the Sabres mounted a furious comeback and won it late in the game (either end of regulation or early in OT). The house was packed and the place was electric. It reminded me of years past. Eichel was a part of it and had a ton of fan support. His comments last night were inaccurate and petty. I agree with those that said that Eichel was the biggest problem in his tenure with the Sabres. In my opinion, he is one of the top 10, possibly top 5 most skilled and talented players in the NHL. That said, he lacks the intangibles that make a talented player great. He doesn't have the grit, determination, motivation and leadership skills to truly be one of the best. He's an immature person, and even though he's much older than when he came into the league, he's still immature. He's been pampered and told how great he was since he was a little kid, and nothing has changed. The contrast with Josh Allen above is a good one. For those who follow the NFL, Eichel is more like Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals. When things are going well, Murray is a great teammate. When things go badly, he sits by himself on the bench and pouts. Murray is now creating a stir in the media, because he wants a new contract and had his agent post a long rant on social media. Sound familiar? Eichel and Murray are "me" guys and guys like Josh Allen (and Alex Tuch) are about the team. Having high individual goals and belief in onesself and being a team player are not mutually exclusive, but guys like Eichel and Murray just don't get it and probably never will.

It's been so bad for so long, I would prefer they do it the right way. If the kids need a bit more seasoning in Rochester, then give it to them. The franchise is close to turning the corner, let's not accelerate the process and screw it up. The good news is that Krebs looks ready for sure, as does Sameulsson. Not sure about Quinn, as he's been injured a lot of the season. Peterka seems to be a little bit behind. UPL seems ready, but may be better casts as a backup to a to-be-acquired quality veteran. Power has looked the part in international competition against older players, so he may be ready to make the jump too. Mittlestadt and Thompson's development was stunted by a failure to get them appropriate time in the AHL early on, but it appears that Donny G has been able to overcome that. I'd hate to see a similar path for the currnet crop of young talent.

When given the proper context, her quote makes sense. If what she is saying in the quote is true, then one of the following is the case: (a) only 10% of Bills season ticket holders are also Sabres season ticket holders, (b) only 10% of Sabres season ticket holders are Bills season ticket holders, or (c) if you combined the two groups into a single group, only 10% of that entity has season tickets for both franchises. It's least likely (a) and most likely (c). Regardless of how you do the calculation, the actual number of people who have season tickest to both teams is the same. I was never very good with math. In terms of interest or "fandom," the percentage is certainly MUCH higher. I think it would be in the 75% range. I'm both a huge Bills fan and Sabres fan (although I live out of market and have season tickets to neither team), and just about all of the Buffalo people I know, either living in the area or ex-pats, are fans of both teams.

The OP's original list of "Sabres" is 11 players: Skinner, Thompson, Tuch, Mittelstadt, Cozens, Okposo, Krebs, Dahlin, Bryson, Samuelsson, Fitzgerald. The full roster is 23 players. I'm fine with the original list. I'd also keep Asplund and Olofsson from the middle list, and add Girgensons and Jokiharju. That gets the list to 15. Add Power, Ryan Johnson, JJ Peterka and Quinn. Now you're at 19. Add 2 goalies - UPL and Levi? More likely UPL and a to-be-acquired veteran, with Levi going to Rochester. That gets us to 21. They would need 2 more players to fill out the roster. 1 could the first round draft pick, depending on draft order and who is drafted. That leaves one spot for an experienced veteran free agent. If our 1st round pick stays in junior, plays in the minors, or in Europe, then we add 2 veteran free agent skaters. Ryan Johnson could also play in Rochester to get some seasoning, leaving one more spot for a veteran FA (Hinostroza could be that guy - he adds speed and some limiited scoring ability). Does that get it done?

This franchise has made more than its fair share of missteps in recent years. That doesn't mean that everyone should throw their hands up and give up. While the Sabres try to follow their rebuild plan to improve on the ice, there's nothing wrong with an initiatve like this to improve things off the ice.

I agree. Nothing beats the "old days" when all you had was hockey, beer, a scoreboard that only the period, the time remaining, and the penalties. (I'm not sure I was even old enough to legally drink beer in those days, but occasionally found one of those light blue SportsService cups in my hand.) The organ was the entertainment, along with fan chants. That said, those days are not coming back, so this thread is interesting, because as long as there is unnecessary nonsense at NHL games, we may as well point out the BEST unnecessary nonsense.

It's too bad - Hutton seems like a great dude and a good team player, but he has not played anywhere close to NHL caliber hockey since his last year in St. Louis and maybe the very beginning of his stint in Buffalo. I wish him well with the Leafs' AHL team - edit: he's being loans to Tucson, Arizona's AHL team, so I wish him well there.

The huge outdoor patio/bar area in Tampa is fantastic, particularly at night, when you can see the city lit up as you are enjoying an adult beverage between periods. Lots of great sights there....The Coyote howl in Arizona is pretty unique. Chicago fans are brutal, but the energy in the building for a Friday or Saturday night game is excellent.

I don't watch a ton of NHL hockey these days, but it seems that whenever I see the Florida Panthers playing, or see hightlights of a Panthers game, I hear Reinhart's name called. He's a very good player there and was a good player in Buffalo. The team really botched that situation, but by the time this offseason rolled around, the damage had been done and a trade was necessary. A first round pick and Devon Levi isn't a terrible return. At the time, Levi appeared to be more of a throw in because Florida is deep at the goaltender position, but he may turn out to be the jewel of the trade. Given the Panthers' success, the pick is going to be in the late part of the first round, so not likely to yield a great prospect.

Hey, now. Let's not overdramatize things. It was FOUR first round picks....And most of those were at the top of the draft. One was our old friend Taylor Hall, who ended up a Sabre anyway and was a huge success with the team. https://oilersnation.com/2020/07/09/throwback-thursday-this-week-in-2007-the-edmonton-oilers-signed-thomas-vanek-to-a-seven-year-offer-sheet/ "Here’s the four players that Edmonton drafted with the picks they would’ve given up: Sam Gagner in 2007, Magnus Paajarvi in 2009 and Taylor Hall in 2010. The 2008 pick was used in a later offer sheet for Dustin Penner."

Casey came on very well at the end of last season under Donny's tutelage. Let's hope he can stay healthy and show continued development.

While the Sabres have a lot of talent in the pipeline, it often takes several years for young players to develop. VO is already developed. He's a proven goal scorer. Keep him, pay him a reasonable but not outrageous salary (he's restricted, so the team has some control) and let him help the team now (this year and into next). I think that he's had a down year due to injuries and the lack of current talent on the roster. When fully healthy and playing with other good players on a regular basis, he's a good NHL player that knows how to put the puck in the net. He's arguably a 2nd-line talent, but if the team improves and becomes stacked with talented forwards (we can only hope), there's nothing wrong with having a player like that on the 3rd line. Back when the Sabres were a good team ('06-'07), they had talented guys on the 3rd line that could score. The 3rd line wasn't just JAGs. If, down the road, the young guys mature, and VO is pushed down or out of the lineup, trade him then. Teams always need goal scorers.

Maybe they are "preserving" him for the trade deadline. Just speculation on my part.

I assume, as mentioned above, that this would be to appease the playes who were denied the opportunity to play for their countries at the Olympics this year.

I don't know anything about these guys either, but the future Sabres roster has a lot of "higher-end" talent projected - Power, Dahlin, Krebs, Quinn, Couzens, etc. You also are going to need solid guys to fill out the 3rd and 4th lines and the 3rd and 4th defensive pairings. It certainly makes sense to take a shot at some of these guys. I assume that if they don't work out in the NHL, they might also be good prospects for filling out the AHL roster in Rochester.

I don't know much about hockey prospects, but Rosen was drafted around where all of the so-called experts had him on their draft boards. So there's that. Based on what little I knew about the kid (basically reading an article or 2 about draft prospects and watching some of the TV coverage), he seemed rather small and his numbers weren't great, so I would not have selected him where the Sabres did. This is truly an "only time will tell" situation. Let the kid develop and see where he ends up. If he's a bust, we can criticize the Sabres then.

If they want to use cap space to overpay a veteran player for the short term (1-2 years), I am OK with that. We need quality veterans on the roster while the kids develop. A goalie would be particularly helpful. What they should not do is take on long-term contracts for overpaid players. I'm glad that Skinner and Okposo are playing well this year and are assets to the team, but their contracts are brutal and we don't need more of those. I'm also OK with some of the cap/money laundering ideas mentioned above to gain some future assets. I don't have the brain power right now to read and understand how it all works, but I get the general idea and think it would be beneficial to the team.

I have had similar trouble picking up the games on the WGR web site or app. You hit the "Listen" button and get some kind of sports talk show, not the Sabres game. In past seasons, I've never had a problem. I did a thread about this a few weeks ago and a fellow Sabrespace member suggested going to NHL.com and the game's Gamecenter, then clicking listen (icon of headphones), and selecting Buffalo-WGR. That has worked for me. The one nuance is that on NHL.com, after selecting WGR, it takes you to a page that says "Videos." You stiil click on the white arrow to start the broadcast, even though you are listenting to audio only, not a video. It works, but it's obviously a poorly designed web page. Why would you launch an audio broadcast from a page entitled "Videos?" But it does work. You just have to overlook the stupidity.