JohnC

KA has made it abundantly clear that he isn't going to give up significant future assets for the present situation. I would love to have a goalie like Soros but it is unlikely to happen here.

Members of @GASabresIUFANfamily are taking CPR lessons as the trade deadline approaches. They know how he will react when the organization doesn't react at the deadline. So they are preparing themselves to help a loved one. 🤡

There's a loud campaign to upgrade our goaltending. When the advocates are asked what goalies on the market are available that our GM would be interested in, the response is the same as you gave in your post: (No one in particular.) The GM and the coach are staying with the trio that they currently have. It wouldn't be surprising that the trio will soon be shortened to a duo to finish out the season. That's where this organization is at; and that is where it is going to stay until the next season.

The Lyubushkin move was a smart and productive move, especially considering his contract and the cost (nothing) in assets. And so was the Jost pickup. I'm not categorizing either pickup as a major deal but they helped to round out the roster.

Our goalies are what we currently have on this roster. I simply don't see a change in staffing being made other than 2 of the 3 become the rotational goalies this season.

I'm stating what I believe this organization's stance is toward our goalie situation. I have listened to KA on numerous occasions. He's not at all fuzzy about his approach/philosophy in how he is going to handle his job. It's going to be mostly a build from the inside approach. If you could tell me who you believe that KA will target as a goalie, I would be open to suggestions.

This is just my opinion: I think that next year our netminders will be Comrie and UPL with Levi waiting in the wings. My sense is that the organization is invested in Levi and that the hope is that Comrie and UPL can hold the fort until Levi is ready to make the jump. I really don't see KA going outside to find a solution, if there is one. As we discussed before, if the organization can add another defenseman or two that would be a way to support our average goalies.

Jensen is the name that keeps coming up.

Washington had already dealt some players. So my guess is that internally they know that there are too many deficiencies to get them in the playoffs. Hard look to get a realistic assessment.

I think because of Ovie's pursuit of Gretsky's goal record that it is unlikely that Washington would want to strip the team down to the bones and leave him bereft of supporting players.

I agree with you. If you have an abundance of draft capital, why not use it when it could be a factor in making the playoffs or not. If it doesn't work out, then so be it, at least you tried.

It would be interesting to know what Washington was asking and what Buffalo was offering. This is a situation where I would rather error on the side of giving a little more rather than coming away empty handed. This deal makes so much sense.

In the DeDominicis interview on WGR talking about trades he made the point that one of the majority benefits of trading for Jensen is that he would take much of the playing time away from Bryson and Clague. Exactly the same point that you made in your post. 🍷

Schopp had Chad DeDominicis on his WGR show talking about trades and Buffalo's interest in them. The most interesting comment that he made in this 19 min segment is that the Sabres are interested in trading with Washington for Jensen. They are hoping that the price comes down. He noted that they have had numerous communications with the Capitals for this player. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/authors/schopp-and-bulldog

The poster you responded to is referring to the fact that our GM knew the player's dad when they were with Carolina in their cup year. I don't consider this transaction in any way an act of nepotism. It was simply a low-grade hockey trade.

Within this WGR link is a segment with David Pagnotta talking about trades around the league, and Buffalo's tepid interest. This is around 18 minute segment. Also, within this link is a 20 minute Paul Hamilton. The Hamilton segment is better than most of his segments. These two segments combined offer good hockey talk. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/authors/howard-and-jeremy-show

If @GASabresIUFANtalks your ears off about potential trades, just nod approvingly through the conversation. He will consider you a kindred spirit. 🤡

McCabe is the type of player that the Sabres could have used. On the other hand, I doubt KA would have given up a first round pick for him.

I'm sure you are aware that I have been arguing for a long time, as you have, that the blueline needs additions. On that issue you and I are in accord. I'm not against adding another forward. But based on the numerous times KA has commented about the team and his philosophy about putting together a roster, he has made it abundantly clear that he prefers to work within the organization than rely on outside help. The elevation of Hinostroza from the AHL is an illustration of that. I'm expressing my view on what I believe he will do because of his often expressed feelings on building a team. It's evident that based on everything he has done so far that he is determined to adhere to the script he set when he took over. As the trade deadline approaches a number of teams have made moves. As of yet, the Sabres are not one of them. We shall see. @dudacek has made a persuasive point about the Sabre roster construction and coaching philosophy as to why there is an imbalance between the defensive metrics relative to the offensive metrics. It's by design.

The argument that KA would respond back to you with is that this team is in a playoff position as it is currently constituted. Why disrupt the chemistry and make changes to the cohesive room? The GM would also point out that despite your lamentations this team is currently on a good run where it is in the process of passing teams on the road to the playoffs. In the GM's mind the younger players are getting better and the team is steadily rising. Or another way of looking at the issue is that both our short and longer term goals are being met. He would continue to argue that when the "status quo" is working then keep it.

As it stands UPL is part of the juggling trio. And the organization appears to be satisfied with that. If that is the case, then the backdoor way to improve the netminding (for all the goalies) is to add another defenseman (Lyubushkin caliber) to shore up the blue line unit. It will be interesting to see if the coach continues on with the rotation or goes with a two-man rotation as the season winds down. I'm more intrigued about whether a defender is going to be added than the organization's unlikely willingness to bring in another goalie. As much as @GASabresIUFAN wishes it--I just don't see it happening. Most of us agree that Anderson is our best goalie. But the question about him is whether he is capable of handling a heavy workload. I'm not sure. However, it seems to me that the coach prefers erroring on the side that the best approach is less is better than more is. My position is I simply don't know what the better approach is??? As usual, I am befuddled on this issue.

No, I'm talking about Cozens as a second-line center with wingers such as Quinn and Mitts.

Don't you think that as he emerges as a first line talent, even if it is at wing on the first line, that there is better use for him as a second line center who is driving that line? Maybe a second line composed of Mitts/Cozens/Quinn?

You make a keen observation. Quinn can make moves in tight spaces and create space for himself. Although Peterka is a fast north/south skater, he doesn't seem to have enough quickness which could help him create space for himself in the offensive zone. I'm certainly not down on JJ. He just needs more time to become acclimated to the NHL game where everything has to be done more quickly than in the lower leagues. I still consider him a high-end prospect but it's going to take time for him to figure it out. An offseason should do wonders for him to prepare himself for the next season.

You watched a number of Rochester games last year. What do you see in the difference of play between JJ's play in Rochester vs Buffalo. Clearly, there is a qualitative difference in the higher league compared to the lower league but he is struggling more than I thought he would this year.