JohnC

I agree with what you are saying. To add to it, I see this line growing together. The more they play together the more cohesive and productive this line will become. The blind pass that Quinn made to Cozens for a score had a lot to do with each player anticipating where the other would be. The issue for me isn't so much one player outplaying another and replacing the player. If another prospect shines, the coach will find a way to play him somewhere whether on that line or another. And it is evident in this grinding and punishing sport that it is an imperative to have to have depth along the roster to move players in and out of different lines and pairings. Needless to say, having more talent is better than having less talent.

I see things a little differently about your comment about JJP being pushed down. I see this line remaining in tact and becoming a very effective 2nd line. As it is currently constituted it is going to get better and better.

The problem isn't so much that people weren't alive during that period. It relates to not using other sources such as reading or videos to look back on time.

Excellent point. When your country's leader is a combination of Stalin and Hitler, what you think, say or exhibit, could have deadly consequences for you and your family, including those who are back home. My world is far from their world.

I can't recall. What I can say is that if a quality goaltender is brought in, it will have a major impact on this team. Ask yourself, if we had an Ullmark caliber goalie this year, not necessarily him, where would this team be this year? Sometimes the issue isn't so much market value as it is the value for your team.

The GM has said many times that he would rather allow a prospect to work on his game longer in the lower league so that he will be better prepared when he does get a call-up. It's apparent that the GM's impulse is to error on the side of waiting longer than hoping for an earlier return on a player. There is no rush. Because these prospects are so young there is also a physical and emotional maturity aspect to consider.

I don't see Saros is attainable or maybe even available. Who else and how much? How about Demko for a #1 pick?

According to Paul Hamilton, Levi hasn't even practiced with the team yet. Too many people are jumping the gun on this exciting prospect. Comrie should get the start against Montreal. Just focus on one game at a time and keep the race going as long as possible.

How about a first round pick this year and Rosen for Demko?

Within this link is a 20 min segment with Paul Hamilton on WGR's Jeremy White Show. He talks about the last two games but also about how this team is playing and their mind-set as related to their play. One player he singled out was Quinn and his development. It's a good general discussion of where this team is at and where it is going. It similarly tracks a lot of our discussions about this team and its maddening vicissitudes. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/authors/howard-and-jeremy-show

There were so many classic lines in that movie. https://everydaypower.com/animal-house-quotes/

How has Ryan Johnson been playing in the tournament?

Are you aware that the youngsters in the room don't know who Wally Pipp is? Although the aged and infirm know exactly what you mean.

The superior dominates the subordinate. That's the natural order. She doesn't need anyone to explain anything to her. She knows. Just graciously accept it.

There's nothing wrong with being confused when there isn't clarity. And in life there are plenty of things that aren't clearly defined. So you live with the confusion and try to deal with the it as best you can. Some people require neatness as they see it while others are more comfortable handling the untidy room as it exists.

I earned penalty points on that issue. Some people with the authority do the judging and others get judged. In life, some people hold the whip while others get whipped. You don't have to like it so you just go with the flow.🍷

I, and most everyone else, agree with you on shelving Anderson. He seems to be spent. But I still wouldn't go with Levi in this game. I didn't watch the game but every report on the game indicated that Comrie played very well. I'm excited with Levi now being in the system. And I expect that he will play before the season concludes. I just think that Comrie deserves another opportunity to play based on his previous performance.

They have played so much tighter the last 2 games. However, I know what you mean. 😉

Not necessarily. He's got issues to attend to. That doesn't mean that he can't resolve them. I wish him the best. When organizations make decisions, they do so with the information they have on hand. Sometimes the situation can unexpectantly, dramatically change. You can't control that. The Panthers had a prospect who hadn't signed a pro deal and was years away from playing in the league. So trading him in a package that brought you back a good NHL player was a good deal for them. You just do the best you can with the information you have on hand.

Maybe it would have been more suitable if he used the word "awkward" or "uncomfortable" for some players instead of "precarious"?

Absolutely not! The Sabres are still in the playoff hunt although it is a long shot. His playing so soon would send a bad message to the team. Comrie had a good game against the Islanders. I would prefer that he started this game. In addition, if Comrie demonstrates that he can be a good goalie in this league, it would be a factor in how the GM addresses that position in the offseason. I'm confident that Levi will play before the season concludes. But not so soon. Let's ride this out until the road ends. Then play this exciting prospect.

If you factor in that Reinhart was not going to sign and become an UFA in the following year, that deal was a marvelous deal for us. Of course, there is an assumption that in the near future Levi is going to be a primary goaltender for us. That isn't a stretch to believe. On the other hand, we shouldn't discount the fact that Reinhart was a terrific pickup at a relatively minimal cost for Florida. Good deal for both sides. Just like the Jack deal.

You need not fear the Sabres becoming a stifling, boring and slumber inducing NY Islander type team. The main reason is the way our roster is constructed. As it is right now, we will have four players who will score more than 30 goals this season. Based on what I have seen of Quinn I wouldn't be surprised if he will be in the 30 plus range next season or soon thereafter. I agree with you that our team defense should improve as our younger players gain experience. But make no mistake about it this team still needs player additions to better balance out our roster so there won't be such a great disparity between our offense and defense. (As you also noted in your comments.)

I haven't done the research but the winning results of keeping the opposition's score down applies to all the teams. It shouldn't be a surprise that for all teams when the opposition scores 4 or more goals, your team is more likely to lose. I agree with you that future success for us is predicated on getting the goals against side of the equation down. The next question is the priority acquiring different goalies, better blueliners or a greater focus on team defensive (including forwards)? Or a combination from each of the categories? This offseason is going to be intriguing. My opinion: If the goalie unit plays better due to better team defensive play in front of them for the rest of the season, the GM will follow his status quo impulses and focus his attention on buttressing the blueline unit. I still lean towards going out and bringing in an upper tier goalie. I'm more confident that it will have the greatest impact on this team.

You make an interesting point that I have been wavering about regarding the goaltending situation. For the sake of argument, if in these last ten games, the Sabres do tighten up defensively resulting in our goalies playing solidly, how does it affect our GM this offseason regarding addressing the position or not this offseason? I'm not sure? Would it be better to use assets to bring in another goalie, or would it be better to use assets to bring in maybe two quality defensemen to buttress that unit and give more support to the goalies we already have? Again, I'm not sure. What I am comfortable in saying is that if the organization decided to use assets to bring in an upper-tier goalie such as Saros, that it would have a noticeable impact on improving this team.