Broken Ankles

Gretchen is to Inkman as Fetch is to "ball-slapping".

Not sure his missed break away deserves it’s own thread. But, his poor metrics, invisible man like contributions, overall suckatude and the fact he is signed through 2022 and should be a leading candidate for a June buyout, dat deserves its own thread. #ihatecodyeakin.

I see your 16, and raise you 27 (PP).

Can you parlay with the "spread"? If you give the Sabres 1.5 goals, you can get Pitt -$130. This way you avoid the over/under. I saw you won last night, but relying on the Sabres to score 2 or more is tough. And if Linus starts, he could keep it close. Linus could be an all-star and they still lose by two.

Pittsburgh is -350 tonight. Glad to see Buffalo getting the respect they deserve with the Vegas oddsmakers. Mums Wilt If Linus cant start, it's...

Sounds like a lot of our current roster.

Angelo also interfered with Risto, but of course no call.

Much Why

And the same could be said for Joki. Who is more valued by the rest of the league come April? A higher priced vet with one year to UFA or a cost controlled RFA? If you are hell-bent on keeping Mitts and committed to 7/3 then trade the one with greater returns. Bias aside, I think the larger return is Risto. But know that if it’s Risto who is traded, you had better get size and experience elsewhere. A top 4 of Dahlin/Borgen/Bryson/Joki is just a recipe for disaster. If JB is still enthralled with Joki, as a concept or a roster player, then see if you can work out a deal to have Seattle take him as a package. The Sabres get something in return, and this allows you pry either Foote or Cernak from Tampa. That’s a real ‘Sophie’s Choice’ of defensemen. Not the off-off Broadway version we are watching at Studio Arena.

I can see KA open to trading Risto, but there is no chance Risto is exposed before Joki or Borgen. I’d actually prefer Borgen be protected before Joki. I think some like the “concept of Joki” , instead of the guy who can’t win puck battles, or clear the front of the net, or exit the d-zone. Replacement level in almost every game this season.

This. Sunken Cost principle.

Carter Hart had similar numbers in the AHL with fewer games. About .500 win %, 3.05 GAA, .902 save %. Drafted in same round. Started 18 months earlier. He’s ready......and @pi2000 said he will allow it, so there’s that.

After tonight’s win against Philly, the NJ Devils are closer to a playoff position (8 points) than falling below the Sabres for last place (12 points).

Kaako hadn’t scored in 19 games, but does tonight. The Sabres organization is officially a “slumpbuster”. I mean that in its gnarliest way. We are unsightly, heinous and ugly.

Wait, no Eakin and No Okposo?

This is exactly what Beane is planning. And when he does, the Bills will receive a 3rd round compensation pick. Brilliant opportunity to provide insurance and gain a potential top 100 pick to boot for a low commitment in terms of cap.

Who was the last captain of a team that departed in UFA to a bottom 5 team? Shane Doan rejected $30m in 2012 and the Sabres finished 9th. Can’t see Nick leaving his Captaincy for the 32nd ranked team in the NHL. Especially after this season.

I can get behind Nick. He is a Buffalo boy. But only as a Captain and assuming a void in leadership. He’s not coming to Buffalo to win a cup in his twilight. He’s coming because they overpaid and need true professionals to show young men how to play the game properly. This means Jack and others are gone. Interesting bridge deal for young Rasmus. The lowest bridge AAV of recent history for a #1 overall was Nail at $2.5m. I was thinking $3.5m. If Adam’s is still here next year so will Tage. He signed the extension and will most likely see it through. Joki on the other hand is part of a JB trade and we all know new GMs love to trade previous GMs parts. Not a big loss. if I had to predict, I think Jack, Risto, Mitts, Miller and Joki are gone. Sam signs a one year and is traded in 2022 unless a new coach can right the ship quickly. I’d prefer to see Eakin waived and Okposo finds a way to LTIR. I predict the Sabres add a veteran D man. Maybe from Tampa as they hasten to shed cap space after the season. Solid 4th line.

Around the 2:45 mark Adams mentions “other people that will be part of the process” (hiring a new head coach). So no AGM, still looking to hire this person. People is plural, right? Just Terry and Kim? Who else would be involved? Still hoping for a Consigliere role above and beyond AGM.

Funny, the rumor I heard was the heart attack and strokes were caused by poison, specifically trace amounts of ricin found in an envelope, possibly from a Christmas card.

Iota, the Matt Ellis of cryptocurrency.

RK literally said this morning on Wgr Bryson’s play was the reason for Joki’s healthy scratch. Was Bryson that bad in the last game? Wasn't everyone? And if Adam’s has a hand in this, then they just cannot get on the same page.

In the same game.....

Swamp, you can make excuses for his continued bad play. He has the absolute worst plus/minus in the league and is the lowest ranked Dman. Perhaps confidence is a factor but Kruegers “system” has nothing to do with his inability to stop players from scoring. It’s his primary function on the ice. Defend the goal. It’s depressing the shite out of me.

#progress? Although a real coach would have changed this up long ago. Love to ask Ralph what helped get you to this point. I can’t believe he’s on the books next year. Washington is -245 tonight. The winless streak continues.