Cheektorado

I said pretty much of this in the thread on TBD TSW. It's financial and time management by keeping 2 of the many PSE ventures. I would wonder how much he makes by selling off some of the other entities and then getting some investors to help with the hockey rink upgrades. It seems to me he would get rid of everything else BEFORE the Sabres and Bills. I think you're being a bit dramatic citing a crisis. His life has been very tough since the Kim incident, and it's pretty well known she has made some progress but it's probably safe to say she can't help him with the businesses anymore. Thus, the separation of entities which can make thing more focused for him.

Now that UPL knows he is no longer even remotely considered to be the Buffalo Sabres starting goaltender, my hope lies that he can become a serviceable NHL relief netminder. The pressure is off of you Ukko. Relax and show us that we were wrong, and you can do this. It could happen. LOL.

Only time will tell us how truly lucky we were to have him as our "voice". Tip one with Van for all of us!

Joki is the number one RFA D next year that the decision needs to be made on IMO. My hope is he proves he can anchor the 3rd pairing this season.

I was being sarcastic. Anyone going against Putin is shot, poisoned or thrown from windows.

I've been saying for years that the Russian hockey players should overthrow Putin! What's he going to do? Throw them out a window.

JT has made well over $100M playing hockey. If he played another season, it sure wouldn't need to be about the money. LOL, a signing like that would sure turn some players heads.

Of course, most of these young guys won't be in the NHL but filling out spots in the AHL/ECHL with home grown players isn't a bad deal.

KO coming back as the captain is good news to me but as you said his gas tank will need to be monitored. There had to be some long talks between KO and GMKA/HCDG about his role this season. I'm speculating here, but it wouldn't surprise me if KO gets a few "mysterious" nagging injuries throughout the season. It will give him rest and maybe just be the opportunity to bring up some young guys for some looks. Beside the 4D and goalie, a 4C PK (with some decent playoff experience) has been my hope all offseason. I have no idea who is still out there in FA (or in a trade) to fill that role, but I'm still hoping that happens.

Us fans can debate HCDG and GMKA's approach all we want BUT it's their team and they think they know this is the correct way to do things going forward. I can't argue too much against it. I guess this type of "attitude" from the management is why we see Girgs and KO back for one more year. Maybe even they have hope that VO (who thought he was gone) may put in the D work he desperately needs (and even admits). Everything is a risk, and it looks they see it differently than some of us. I can get behind this with the forwards and the D (with the moves made this year) but I admit that it puts a lot of pressure on UPL to not only get his own game under control, but he has to help his partner throughout the season. I'd feel better if MAF was the man to do that. Ooh Aah! Sabres on the Warpath!

I'm starting to think that none of these 9 Ds are getting moved until the start of the season. It's a hedge against injuries and gives time to see exactly who is playing better. If everyone is healthy Bryson is the first to get moved. Joki as part of a trade might happen but if it doesn't, I got no problem with him on the 3rd pairing or #7D. It will all come down to if they want 7 or 8 D to start the season. I'm thinking 8 may be the smart move.

Ratlaff looked pretty good.

That was fun to watch. Constantini played much better than when I watched him against the CC Tigers last year. Hope to see him again when North Dakota comes to town.

I want to see Greenway play when 100% healthy. He missed all of last offseason (camp/preseason and the start of the season) with a bad shoulder. He reaggravated it again early last season and again when on the Sabres. I'm very hopeful in seeing a much better player this year.

I'm all for TPeg filling the plane with French wine and appetizers and getting his derriere to Buffalo. I'd sleep better.

I use tinfoil to keep the bad voices out.

Be great if the vet C had some decent playoff experience too (and maybe a ring). D got theirs' now's the time for the forward.

If all goes well through preseason, I think you are right. Eric Johnson gets the games and minutes when the matchups are right.

Well said. So, I will just add "Welcome to the Sabres organization!", to all the young men and good luck in your future.

I will agree and add I am not suggesting they reach for D-men. All things being equal, it's what I would like to see.

Losing Anderson, KO, Girgs, Hinostroza and as crazy as it sounds VO, leaves Skinner (30) and Lyubushkin (29) as the old, grizzled vets on the team. I can't see HCDG going for that. At least 1 of KO/Girgs is going to stay next season IMO. KO does seem to be trending down but 1 more year won't kill the team. On the other hand, I can live with Girgs on a moderately overpaid one- or two-year contract. I'm willing to bet Girgs would go for that. I agree that talent wise letting both go and replacing them with some of the options mentioned seems like a good idea, but I have to think the locker room leadership has to be taken into consideration. KO was the captain and Girgs was an alternate. So, the way I see it is, IF KO wants to stay, Girgs is gone. If KO knows Girgs will stay and continue as a leader if he retires, I think KO may hang them up. There is a lot of young players on this team who look up to these 2 guys.

The D needs some help NOW. If a pick(s) is somehow needed to get that done, I have no problem with that. Between the current number of picks in the next 2 drafts, the available cap money (also in the next 2 years) and VO as a trade piece (which also could restock some picks), GMKA has enough options to get some immediate help AND keep the growth strong. This seems to be the year to do just that!

Drafting one of the top prospects this year with all the picks they have seem to be a wise move. Taking one next year lower in the draft will probably need to be done to fill out the pipeline for the moment. Evaluate the following draft if another one is needed. I don't have a clue about the quality of the kids at draft time, but just looking at the current prospects I'm guessing they need a forward, 2-Ds and a G with the first 4 picks. That is if no trades are done. Is that "reasonable" sounding? I know a lot depends on who's on the board when they pick, but that would seem to me to be the best result.

LOL. I was saying that sarcastically. I don't like the idea of Levi having to shoulder the burden when UPL/Comrie fail to hold up their end of the bargain. GMKA can easily upgrade the D in FA. The forwards don't worry me much at all. Goaltending is the only concern I have for next year.

I'm willing to look at that.