PerreaultForever

I think they are fringe players. Especially Malentstyn. They will only succeed if Ruff manages to install a proper team system that the whole unit plays. If the system breaks down into the usual chaos we've gotten used to they will flounder.

Not good enough unless Ruff is a miracle worker. The Skinner issue has to be taken on faith. You either believe he was a problem or you don't and there won't be any concrete proof but the team record next season will add fuel to the argument one way or another. The bottom of the roster is constructed better, but I don't think it competes with the playoff teams from last year. It's tougher and should be more defensively responsible, but not tough enough and not very skilled either. In order for this team to have any success the goaltending will have to be solid, Power and Quinn will have to take leaps forward and Cozens and Thompson will have to earn their money (unlike last season). Samuelsson staying healthy won't hurt either. A lot of things have to go right at the same time for this team to have a chance.

I still do not see the logic in the Mitts trade. You spend all that time developing your 2C and when he matures you trade him away. Doesn't make any sense to me unless it's just about $$$. and if it is that sucks. Trading Savoie was fine because we do have a bunch of hotshot offensive prospects but it can also be looked at as a perfect illustration of the futility of this organization. All that rah rah rah over getting a high draft pick who fell to us and then you flip him for the type of player top teams draft late in the first or even the 2nd or 3rd. Ya, we need that guy, but that's not a very sound strategy.

You're going to be waiting a long time to see that happen. Why do you think the Steelers ditched him? Defines prima donna.

When I was a kid I had actual dreams of playing on the Sabres. I think my last Sabres dream was around 1977.

That could be right. Sounds vaguely familiar. Nerves in the neck maybe not that different from Eichel come to think of it.

I agree. See how they manage that offer sheet situation too. If anything at all goes wrong for them I can see that locker room falling apart fast too.

and yet still somehow a -5 in +/-

If I remember correctly he had had a concussion or two before coming to Buffalo but had not missed as much time as he did later. Back then concussions weren't monitored as closely as they are now and there was a cumulative effect. You'd just "get yer bell rung" or something and you'd "shake it off" and play the next night. The serious symptoms started to kick in several hits down the road. There's no question that in Buffalo he was concussion prone. He was targeted by opponents because he was skilled and fast but not overly physical or responsive to physicality. He wasn't alone in that. Happened all over the league all the time. Ask Bruins fans how they still feel about Matt Cooke for example.

Jack Eichel? Just saying........

The sample size isn't large enough to say that's the "norm" but hopefully he will have a good year and will fit into whatever Lindy designs. I'd say there are no "norms" on the Sabres right now. Every guy is going to be asked to play real hockey now and how they adapt to that is unknown. I suspect some will shine but some may be unwilling to adapt or unable to. Or in the least struggle getting there in time.

I personally don't disagree with you and if I was the guy making the decisions I'd lean younger, but I think the league and whoever is in charge will go with the big names and the veterans. Crosby is going to captain that team.

I think you will be surprised by how heavily the over 30 crowd is represented across all the teams. Quinn was mentioned earlier and that's just wildly absurd to me. More likely you'll see somebody like Stamkos.

Which makes sense to me. I'd definitely try Power there and see how it looks and if Power isn't ready then go with Samuelsson. I have no idea how to fit Byram in properly. I didn't think it was a good trade and don't think he was or is what we need but he's there so we shall see where Ruff puts him. He is most definitely NOT "core". Did he have a choice in this? My guess would be no. This is why he went with Ruff rather than a risky unknown commodity. It was the best sure thing coaching option available. I think he knows he's on the hotseat, as he should be.

I'm not saying Lindy will "play power games" with him, just that Lindy won't do what he wants or play a player just because Adams wanted that player last year. Lindy will do Lindy. As far as collaboration goes, I'm sure they'll be on the same page initially and will stay on that page if all goes well, but I don't see Lindy asking Adams for his opinion on any of the players. Lindy will decide that for himself. Adams is the one more likely to ask Lindy about a player before a trade if anything. Lindy is the senior statesman. Lindy has much more experience and hockey knowledge. No way is Adams going to be advising Lindy. He might fire him one day, but he won't be giving him advice.

They were "fine" with Evander Kane and Corey Perry too. They're "fine" with everybody. Let's see how it works out.

Ruff is most definitely not going to put players where Adams thinks they should go. I'd say all preconceptions are off and who plays where, with who, and how much, will depend on who adapts to Lindy's style and system the quickest and works the hardest to earn and keep his spot. My guess will be anybody who does not fit in to that or adapt well will be top of the trade list. At least that's what I hope, but I do not see Lindy as a yes man to Adams.

Does Finland really not have enough better NHL D men than Jokiharju? That's a strange thing I've never thought about. Maybe that's why they have so many good goalies 🙂 Canada's also oddly quite weak in goal aren't they. Guess that goalie equipment is too expensive. Pretty sure the Canadian roster will give a lot of big names last shots (Crosby, Marchand maybe, people like that). Depends on how they do in 2025 but the lean will be to veteran stars. Doubt it.

The Enchanters - James Ellroy.

Squeeze on Edmonton is very satisfying, for obvious reasons. With Draisaitl pending soon their window will slam shut fast. If I was KA I'd be on the phone to see if anybody's available.

I wouldn't say underhanded. Most likely they have asked him to waive his no trade (either last year or in the off season) and he has refused and thus he and management have fallen out. He was Dubas' signing remember and the current management sees him as an albatross. I guess you always have to ask how much "loyalty" do you have to have to any signing as time goes by. Personally I wish NTCs didn't exist. It would be more fun for us with more deals.

Better than the porn stach.

No, it most definitely is.

It would be good if we had a well structured roster with defined roles (which appears to be the plan and direction now) and then along with that a mirrored Rochester roster so that you have the same type of player to slot into an injury spot and not alter your structure. So the guy you call up might not be the "best" guy or the most "talented" guy, but he'd be a guy who could do the exact same job as the injured player. So in other words, I could see what you are saying happen for him. Or at least he'd get a shot at it.

Oh go look it up. Hasek was very vocal and wanted Russian players suspended and/or have their pay suspended. I forget the details but he was very vocal and campaigned hard to sanction them.