Broken Ankles

The CBA calls for the home team to clear 65% of HRR for each game. A blurb below about the Rangers. I’ll defer to analytics on frequency of making the playoffs each year and games played but if you use 8/13 and an average of 5 games per year that equates to a ballpark guess of ~ $100M. If you assume more games played (like 7) and a slightly higher take per game ($3.5M) it would be ~$196M. “The NHL is the most gate-driven of the four biggest U.S. sports league by far, as it lacks the large TV deals the others possess. Its playoff revenue model is like the NBA’s, making a Cup run extremely lucrative. Teams crank up ticket prices every round, while the league keeps 35% of the gate—the NHL allowed teams to keep 100% of ticket revenue during the playoffs for the COVID-impacted 2020-21 season. The New York Rangers lost in the Eastern Conference Finals last year but hosted 10 home games and generated $50 million in revenue, including concessions and merchandise. Gross playoff ticket revenues topped $200 million last season in the NHL. For small-market NHL teams, a good playoff run can often be the difference between posting an operating profit versus a loss for the season.” https://www.sportico.com/business/commerce/2023/nba-nhl-playoffs-windfall-unlike-nfl-1234719709/

Lately you be Always better for the reader when there is passion on both sides. Enjoying this thread. *the Gene Wilder bio on Netflix was entertaining.

Quintessential Kevyn in Full Frowning Face. A human emoji. The irony is that has become a look all too familiar after Sabre games. Do something.

Agree the NMC is problematic. Let’s assume the retention is $3m with a small sweetener. The benefit of the receiving team is also a low actual salary in year 2025 & 2026. I believe he is due only $7m in 25 and $5m in ‘26. Which would translate to $4m & $2M respectively with retention. Accepting a $6m cap hit while paying $2m in salary seems plausible.

100% this. If he wasn’t the face of Sabres futility, sure, bring him back for less. I advocated last year for his return to see a Kyle Williams like moment. It did not happen. Good luck.

His online name is ‘Tommy Dangles’. It’s what he does, it’s… who he is. It’s his essence of being. Do you tell Pete Rose not to hustle? Do you tell the Babe to not swat dingers? Do you tell Charles not to rebound?

Attached is a list from Wiki. Red font is Color commentators whom I would consider listening to Ray over. I've tried on multiple occasions sitting through, and whether it's the Sabres or another team, they didn’t provide the insight or enlightenment I seek. Green is significantly better, and there is absolutely no question which broadcast I'm listening to if I have an option. Note that Brick should have an asterisk, as he has an annoying Boston accent, but is well prepared for each game and better at his job than Ray. Just hate everything thing about Boston. Those with black font are slightly better or equal, but may have a better PBP partner that tips the scales. More Green than Red, and certainly more Green and Black than Red. Team.docx

Definitely bottom half. I’d say only a handful of teams I don’t listen too when given the option. As an out of market viewer, given the options of both, I usually select the opponents broadcast. Although I have been known to switch back to listen to Marty in between periods, then forget to go back. Ray is also a contributor to my low rating.

Same could be said for moving JJP or Benson lower. The difference ATOI (Even strength) between 1st and 3 lines is 2 minutes per game. If healthy, Quinn scores at a higher rate. If the objective is to maximize the value of Tage and Tuch, I’m adding a finisher who plays better defense than Skinner. Nice problem to have deciding amongst these three, while not even considering the forward who is a perennial 25-30 goal guy.

This take + 1. There are a few examples of some immature players that with proper coaching, a strong locker room and a self realization that the gravy train can end soon that they finally remove head from ass and perform. The raw talent is there. The information at spotrac has the Bills in for $25k signing bonus (dead cap) and a cap figure of $1,085,000 on this kid. That is as low risk as it gets. With the loss of 5 captains, we all wonder about the locker room. But I gotta believe if you’re willing to part ways with an all pro prima donna, then organizationally (GM down to position coaches) they will have a zero tolerance with Claypool. I just booked airfare to see my parents in early August and looking forward to seeing training camp at SJF college. (Not calling either SJF or Canisius Universities just yet). You know, being stubborn and wrong.

Quinn is a first line winger. Not a second, and certainly not a third.

And yet regularly, people project JJP, Skinner and even more so Benson as the starting FL#1 wing over this guy. News flash. Even if the Sabres pull off a trade of this magnitude, Quinn still plays the opposite wing on the first line.

I’m like the idea of three new faces. Especially grizzled veterans. But you need some term. Can’t be all expiring UFA. I mentioned up thread about Hronek last year getting moved for essentially the 11th. That was a #2-3 D with one year plus he is an RFA with arbitration rights. So likely to sign an extension making it worth a high first rounder. Like the pedigree of Larsson but the UFA thing makes me think they walk in July.

Jeannot is not the key move to free cap for Stamkos. They have ~ $5m is projected cap space. Jeannot is $2.6m. Stamkos will surely sign for more $7.6M. Even with a hometown discount. Unless Tampa offered crazy term to artificially lower the AAV. I think the signing of McDonough signals that they are moving on from Stamkos. Unless some unforeseen move (Hedman) frees up a large amount of cap. As to your trade value for Jeannot, you are way off. While it’s no longer what they paid, it certainly hasn’t plummeted to a third. Somewhere in between. Maybe a late first, prospect and roster player on a low AAV. Or a mid first and a player. Every time I review the comments from Cap friendly on your trade offers they are littered with “decline”. Think about that for a second. @LGR4GM comes in with a proposal and you dismiss it. He’s offering a realistic view of what it will take to enhance the roster. Which I happen to think is spot on. If they can execute without moving JJP, Quinn or Savoie, have at it!

@Taro T And Cole Sillinger for Columbus. We had better hope that Benson sees an O’Reilly like progression, as Sillinger had the same points this year as his first as an 18 year old. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/sillico01.html

Interesting that everyone views Cirelli as a #3C. He played most of the year as 2C with Stamkos and Hagel. Also had some time (5% of even strength) with Kuch and Hagel. I suppose Cozens draft position and total points last year places him higher in the food chain. Maybe a guy like Cirelli gives Ruff flexibility to be a true middle six guy. Play 3C most of time but 25% on second with Cozens moving to the RW. Questions Who costs more in a trade, Cirelli or Necas? Who would you rather have? What is the most you offer to obtain Cirelli in a trade? (Especially bc you see the Sabres having to offer more within the division)

Just like the thought that Necas is odd man out in Carolina (I would think he is not bc still an RFA and easier to retain vs the overwhelming number of UFA’s Brett Peche might get some desperate team to overpay and therefore not even an option in Carolina), I would hope that If Buffalo was forced into a decision of retaining RFA or UFA, the RFA’s like JJP and Quinn would be the easier decisions to keep. Not 100% apples to apples for me to use Quinn (or JJP) b/c we have an opportunity to bridge both like Necas was for two years with a modest increase. But let’s push the scenario two years down the road, where JJP or Quinn are coming off a bridge deal looking for in excess of $8m each. Both are top 6 players (like Necas) and you need to decide on one. Would not expect at least a top 15 first round pick and another top level asset or two for either? Sam got you a low mid 1st and Prospect and he was a year older, or was on a second Bridge deal.

What’s the difference? Liljegren is a young RFA Defenseman who is a former first rounder slotted as 4-5. The net difference between 11 and 28 is about 700 points in the NHL trade value chart, or what the Leafs first round selection represents in and of itself. That’s equivalent to your offer. And the value of Necas to Quinn is similar. The offer is too low. I saw a proposal with the Wild for Rossi, Spurgean, plus to get Necas. The Hurricanes have $27m in cap space so they aren’t hamstrung like other clubs might be. It’s #11, Joki , plus something. Not intending to be rude, just provided a different angle of an offer for perspective.

Would you trade Jack Quinn for Timothy Liljegren and the Leafs late first round ?

This would be a nice start to Free Agency.

Dahlin is an all-star but was like -18 before the New Year and things began to click. His lack of consistency (great one evening and lack luster the next) contributed to the slow start. Lots of broken sticks over crossbars that I recall. We can disagree on that. The larger point - do you think Wilford is developing the D properly? Byrum + Owen Powers new deal + Joki (if they retain his services) = a huge jump in payroll, and expectations. The only blue line more expensive might be in Colorado, and doubtful they will be as good.

+1 on this take. I’ll add, Dahlin and Samuelson regressed. Individually as well as a pair. Clifton played his offside for a good 2+ months before any changes were implemented. And the recommendation to move back didn’t come from Wilford. Lastly, the payroll of the Blueline went up 78%. Not just UFAs that were mid range signings replacing bottom feeders like Stillman and Clague, but new contracts for Dahls and Mule. Expectations were higher. Don’t forget The Firm. Great Flick. @GASabresIUFAN beating Coach Wilford with his briefcase after the Sabres start the 2024 Season 0-8.

How is this not a penalty? https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/40134287

They are playing the Hollywood Bowl in September. I had the chance to buy presale to the public but held out and may buy on secondary market if it makes sense. LMK your thoughts on the show.