Pimlach

I think of it as he was 67% wrong. It just amazes me that he made that bet on Levi, while saying that they are "all in" and going for the playoffs. Levi will spend next year in the AHL if we get a real NHL goalie. No surprise. It also amazes me because everyone in the league knew that Comrie was, at best a backup that gets a limited number of games (he played only 19 games the year before we signed him). We needed a 1A/1B to have a shot at the playoffs, Comrie is not a 1B, and has not proven to be a reliable 2. UPL is trending up as an NHL goalie. That is the remaining 33% thankfully. We have one piece finally.

I am ok with trading Skinner now, and even eating some salary. I would get rid of the legacy of losing - KO, Girgs, Skinner - move on from them. Muel is a guy I have been unhappy with for most of the season. Still, given his age and inexperience, I think he might someday be a very good player and worthy of his contract - I say this because I have ZERO confidence in DG and his staff to coach team defense. Because of this, all of our defenders have to deal with a liability. My internal source tells me there is no "DG system" and that the next coach is going to have his work cut out for him.

Sure it makes sense. Timing - I wanted this BEFORE the season when we were trying to make the playoffs.

We do. Those are the only substantial trades he has made.

First, what are you angry about? Second, why do you like it before you even see the trade? Sure, Mitts is tradeable if you can make a deal to improve the team. I want to see the trade before I decide I like it. Third, What exactly is Adams banking on? He rushed to pay Muel (after 54 NHL games), then rushed to sign Cozens when he had time (literally causing Cozens to become a head case), then he rushed to sign Power who not surprisingly is struggling in his sophomore season. Is Kevyn all of a sudden learning on the job? What about his neglect of the goaltending in the off season, our PLAYOFF off season? UPL is emerging, we are almost eliminated from the playoffs and now all of a sudden he needs a better goalie? Adams is confusing me with his logic, but I can't wait to see him make a trade of substance (not counting trading the very good players that wanted to leave).

Rivet and Peters are clowns. But you never know. Hey, even experts on SabresSpace said Mitts could be traded. So trade a center when we need a center. Trade a guy just entering his prime to bring up a prospect and live through 2-3 years of growing pains. Sounds right. As for what goalie, don’t make me play their podcast to find out.

Nah. Co captains is not a problem. Think Drury and Briere. Pegula destroyed this franchise one season at a time.

Thanks for clarifying. I think the only way this team will be different next year is with changes in the coaching staff - they can be 90% the same players but bring in a Gallant/Berube type, upgrade the assistants, and they will be different, and probably much better. The question of “Rasmus is dumb” has been a talking point for you, and yes, there is a thread dedicated to it, and beyond that you still point out his errors and comments. So it’s no secret you don’t see him as the guy to build on. I have been complaining about the lack of “in their prime” veteran defenseman on this team, especially the big tough stay at home type. Failure to bring in players like this, still in their prime, to support Dahlin and Power, is tragic and slowing the development of both players - these guys carry a huge load. They brought in Eric Johnson, way past his prime, and he is helping in a limited 3rd pairing way. They brought in Clifton who is playing well in a 3rd pairing role. They kept Joker who should absolutely be replaced by the guy I’m clamoring for They paid Mule to be the guy I’m clamoring for, and so far he is not. Add to this that Granato does not have a legitimate system and the forwards don’t play 2way hockey. Dahlin is not the problem. Captain - there will likely be a new one next year. Who are the candidates? Tuch? Dahlin? Who? I think you and I both know the root cause of the chronic losing and failures - it’s the ownership, which I like to point out is the common denominator of it all. Adam’s should be on thin ice, but he isn’t.

Yet, you single out Tage and Rasmus. When I don’t like a team it’s typically because I don’t like some of the players. You don’t like Dahlin. You refer to him as dumb quite often. I’m thinking you cannot like this team if Dahlin is on it. Is this a correct assumption? What will you think when he gets the C?

No

Lots of double negatives.

Mitts is becoming more like JEE these last two years. At least in total points. Throwing in a high level prospect tips the scale against us … but we do need a Selke like guy. I guess it depends on what other moves happen. Bring in a stay at home, tough defenseman that is in their prime now.

The whole Pegula era is in my bottom tier. The teams with E Kane/Bogo/Eichel/Lehner were hard to like. They are 4 of my least favorite Sabres ever. The Stahl/Hall/Kruger era was also notably bad.

I guess there is a generational difference between me and you. I never played hockey with girls or women. They didn’t play back then, at least not in my world. Even when my two sons played, only one girl played in their youth league with them - on all boys teams. When they got to checking age, she joined a girls league. So I have little experience with the problem. Because of my upbringing, I would have backed her and would have tried to influence better behavior. If that makes me a misogynist it’s not meant to be. Defending the weaker, especially when outnumbered and dealing with a known tough guy, takes courage. Someone should have known better. This lady is a hockey coach, not a random person wanting to prove something. The lost progress you speak of is not in defending her, it’s that no one was willing to do it. If we teach our boys better, then maybe the majority of the players would have put an end to it.

Wait ... I am supposed to not hate losing, hate not losing? Not lose hating?

Looking at this, remember that the Canucks were terrible last year. The Oilers fired their coach after 13 games. Even St Louis is clinging to a WC spot after replacing their coach with an interim. Detroit and Philly have past us in our conference. Numerous teams in both the east and west have improved too.

Good first post and yes, the frustration level is high. Several long standing members here have just recently stopped posting. 13 years in unfathomable. They played good, but not good enough. They have more to give.

We never got him moving enough. The bang bang plays require puck movement, the Stars team defense takes away cross ice passes. Still, their goalie was blessed last night. The four consecutive late minors on Buffalo hurt, two 5v3 opportunities for Dallas. Very uneven officiating.

The late penalties hurt. More traffic in front of the net would have helped too.

Me

Tough loss. They played the way they should. Much more effort Still started slow again and fell behind. They can do more.

Ok. Now the refs are telling Granato he took a timeout.

We aren’t allowed to clear the front of the net I guess. WTF Ref.

Heintz should have got called for slashing before his dive.

Cozens looking good tonight. Time to bury one kid.