JohnC

Tampa had two long cup runs. It has to have taken its toll. You can see that fatigue come into play where the other team seems to have that extra gear to make a push. It also doesn't help that their goaltender who is considered to be the best goalie in the game is not playing as if he is the best goalie in the sport.

It's likely that if there is a technical issue with his proclivity to missing long shots that it will be corrected. My biggest concern about him is durability. That is starting to bother me a lot. The thought of Anderson and UPL being our two top goaltenders to start the season next year would be a big gamble, and in my eyes be a mistake. There is a lot of good things happening with this roster. I would hate to see it sabotaged because of our goaltending situation.

The analysis of UPL's game that you just gave is the same analysis that Marty Biron gave on him. He stated that he was worried about his less than stellar ability to stop those long shots. To state the obvious: Those are deflating goals to let in!

For a team like the Sabres I don't see one targeted player be sufficient to complete our lineup. As @JoeSchmoe stated when factoring in the cost it makes more sense to retain your draft picks for entry level players and then apply your savings to sign mid-level free agents and trades . Kevin Adams has repeatedly stated the importance of keeping his draft picks to build up the organization's talent base. I just don't see him going the offer sheet route to address roster needs. It goes against what he has said in how he will rebuild the roster

If you look at our center group it includes Tage, Mitts, Cozens, Krebs and either Girgs or Asplund as our fourth line center. I just don't see the need for another more defensive oriented center. It might make more sense to add another bigger and scrappier winger like Asplund to the mix in order to have a more physical lineup. Or another approach that might me be more effective is to add another more rugged stay at home defenseman to the unit in order to assemble a bigger and tougher lineup. In general, I agree with what you are basically promoting. I'm just making the point that there are a variety of ways to get where you want to go to.

Within this link is a 25 minute WGR interview with GM KA. There is nothing startling new in this interview. He talks about some players such as Quinn, the goaltending situation, Tage, his analytics department, the player development approach in building a roster etc. Just a general observation when listening to the GM and Granato: There is a clarity and direction within the franchise that the organization is following. Without many new revelations it is still a good review of the season and direction this franchise is moving in. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/authors/howard-and-jeremy-show

Is there a Tuch like big wing player who might be available due to cap pressures? If there is, I wouldn't be averse to give up an asset such as taking on the salary of another player and a draft pick in order to get a deal done. Vegas certainly isn't going to be the only team facing a cap squeeze.

Is the depth for prospects better or worse than next year's draft? I'm aware that is a difficult judgment to make right now but if the depth is equal to or better than next year's projection of prospects it would be a good situation for a team like the Sabres that has multiple first round picks. I prefer getting prospects into the system sooner than later. I'm happy with our draft situation

Why do you blame Jack for ROR?

I don't see much added to the roster this offseason. You and everyone else have called for a need for an upgrade in net. What happens if Anderson decides to play one more year? Does the GM accept him as a #1 goalie and UPL as the backup? That would be a horrible mistake not because Anderson can't play but because he lacks the durability that one can rely on. How about the durability issue with UPL? The GM needs to spend a large amount of money just to get to the cap floor. My recommendation would be to spend it on a goalie or two. My fear isn't that the GM seems invested in UPL as one of his goalies as it is his willingness to risk playing him as the primary goalie. That's a gamble that chills me. I separate myself from the crowd here regarding Joki. I'm very comfortable with him paired with Power as a second pair member. It's probable that another defenseman is added to the mix but I'm not sure it is going to be a second pairing caliber of player. Most likely it will be a defensive defenseman who will be a third pairing and a depth player. The Sabres need to spend a lot of money to just get to the cap floor. How are they going to do it? Don't be surprised if they again take on a contract or two for the sake of a credit as it did last year.

I want it now!

According to this column "the Key Bank Center is owned by Erie County which says any internal improvements to the arena complex must come from Sabres' owner Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE). " This statement doesn't make it clear if there is a distinction between capital improvements or less structural type of internal improvements. https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/local/glowing-reviews-for-buffalos-big-weekend-but-what-about-keybank-center/71-6bd39a73-1723-46f9-b5e3-fce99ca30a06

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't the Pegulas have control of the facility? What you describe is disgraceful. This level of deterioration happens when there isn't the day to day and year to year maintenance done on a facility, any facility. That's what is required for any building or facility, big or small. This building may require a major renovation project to get it up to a high standard. But that's not what I'm discussing here. It seems as if there is an inattentiveness and penny-pinching that has allowed this building to deteriorate to a second-rate level. This is appalling and shouldn't be tolerated.

On WGR Granato laughingly said that Cozens shook his hand with a vice grip and told the coach that Canada was going to beat the US.

Paul Hamilton was on WGR yesterday or the day before discussing UPL not being available for the start of the AHL playoffs. He made the comment that outside scouts have told him that they don't consider UPL as a NHL talent. I'm not suggesting he is or isn't. I just don't know. But what I can say for sure is that I am very concerned about his durability.

He's frequently talked about the influence of the Carolina model on him. He stated that he placed a great deal of importance on the locker room dynamic and having the right mix of players/people. And he emphasized that he learned the importance of building a well rounded roster rather than building around any particular player. KA's style of management is a collaborative style. His best trait is that he listens more than the talks when working with his staff.

My answer remains an unequivocal no as it pertains to Mitts. If he wants to play in the tournament, then that's his call. Otherwise, I would recommend that he concentrate on recovering from his bruises and start with the preparation for next season. We simply disagree on this issue. That's okay.

I would include players such as Gergs and Asplund to the unappreciated group where the stats don't come close to measuring the value.

I respectfully disagree with you respectfully disagreeing with me. The coach said that he was playing hurt. Is that an accurate description of his status? I can't say for sure. By the last third of the season most players are banged up. But what was evident is that when Olofsson and Mitts came back from their respective injuries, it took an extended period time before they got back to their normal brand of play. We shall see. 🍷

Don't get too comfortable. Sometimes the situation can quickly change. ☠️

I have a little different understanding/interpretation of the Eichel situation. Stripping Eichel of the captainship wasn't so much a defining moment as much as it was a public statement that clarified to the public that the divorce between the player and organization was not simply inevitable but was already in effect. (The players already knew what the situation was.) I recall that Jack privately made it known to the organization before he publicly made it known that he wanted out and wasn't coming back to the team. Supposedly, he proposed to the GM the option of getting his preferred surgery in which theoretically the return time would be quicker and thus possibly help the GM get a better return for him. The GM wasn't accepting that option because he, on the advice of the medical staff, was steadfast that the organization was not going to approve of Jack's surgery preference. There was no secret that the GM wasn't intimidated by the prospect of trading Jack because he preferred moving Jack and the old core (Risto & Reinhart) in order to reconfigure the roster with a new younger core. KA kept repeating the mantra in almost every interview that he wanted people here who wanted to be here. At this point there was no need for subtlety or diplomacy because the course of action had already been set. Looking back, I believe that the GM dealt with the situation in a masterful manner. With Risto and Reinhart he got what he could get because each of them were going to become UFA players. There is a chance that in the long run the trade with Florida for Reinhart may be the most consequential if Levi becomes the player that many of us hope he becomes. And in handling the Jack situation the GM acted with fortitude in not making a Jack deal out of desperation but instead biding his time and waiting for a fair return for him. I'm not as harsh as many are in my view of Jack. Sometimes the change in circumstances dictate a change in direction. Overall, I'm more than pleased with how the novice GM handled the situation.

If your wife asks you if you kept up with your life insurance payments, I would be more cautious than usual. ☠️

He is going to have to decide for himself what is best for him. The tournament may be only two weeks but you also have to include the training to prepare and the practice time with your teammates. It should not be forgotten that he had surgery during the season and after returning to action he was still playing hurt. Even his coach pointed out that Mitts was playing hurt. Getting back to full health, refreshed and prepared for training camp should be his priority. Working on his golf game will also help him to come into camp invigorated and ready to go. So my recommendation would be not to go to the world hockey tournament. Relax, recover and have a beer or two with the boys and girls in your circle.

He should be recovering, resting and working out during the offseason. After his surgery and rehab he got back on the ice although he was not completely healed i.e. without pain. The medical staff made the judgment that returning to play wouldn't aggravate the injury but he would have to endure some pain. His first priority is to get fully healthy and prepare for the upcoming season.