JohnC

I agree with your general proposition that as this team gets better and its young players' contract timeline needs to be faced, it is going to be a challenge to deal with the cap puzzle. I'm not bothered by this challenge because it is a sign that this team has accumulated enough talent to warrant contending with the cap ceiling. That's a good situation to be in. Already, you can see what our core will be: (Dahlin, Power, Tage, Quinn, Cozens). Our GM will listen to all offers, reasonable or not. That's his job. I just think that right now the strategy of the GM for dealing with his roster is primarily to stay within the system, and only make secondary type deals like the Jost and Lyubush deals where he gave up no assets to acquire these two contributing players. You have to agree that KA has been candid about what his approach is going to be in the rebuild he took on i.e mostly internal development. Regarding the Devils offering two 1st round picks for a player such as Oloff or whomever, I just don't see it happening. Sometimes general trade discussions that happen at an early period can eventually materialize way down the road.

As you noted, the prospects you mentioned are at least a couple of years away from the NHL. Would other teams value a sniper such as Olof? Certainly. But he also has value on this team. One of the deficiencies that the GM/KA recognized when he took over was that the scoring was not adequately distributed. It was too one star based (Jack). The GM made it a priority not to become too dependent on a player, or even a line. Olof is a sniper who also raises the value of Mitts because he is more of a passer. My point is that VO offers a lot of production and value to the current team he plays with.

Okposo has been our most consistent (not best) player on this team. His level of play rarely wavers. If you doubt his value, then ask Krebs and the coaches how important he is to this team.

I'm aware that you were joking about VO in your recent post. And I'm aware that you have been a stalwart defender of Mitts (along with me). But come on now you have often advocated for him to be dealt. There is nothing wrong with having that opinion. I have been more wrong than right with many of my opinions. That's why we post here.

Arguably, Okposo has been the best captain in this franchise's history. He has been a stabilizing presence (even when not the captain) when this was a dysfunctional organization. He has been a factor in this franchise's transition from a bottom feeding team to a competitive team. He's also a recognized leader on and off the ice by his teammates and organization. He's the type of player and person that you can't measure his value by the numbers.

When @GASabresIUFANappears in his court case, his wise counsel is going to recommend that he argues that it was temporary insanity that made him such a zealot in arguing to trade this Swede. We all know that lawyers are challenging clients to work with. 🤡

On this road trip if they come away with a 2-2 record I'll be moderately pleased. Would I like more? Of course.

He's currently residing in the rest-home for "curmudgeons". 🤡

This year, while his stats are not too impressive, you can periodically see plays where he flashes his offensive talents. He can skate, shoot and even bang. What's most impressive about him is that he can quickly get his shot off in tight quarters. He's certainly got the "IT" factor.

I know you are not referring to me because I lack talent. 🤡

You are more attuned to what is going out west. What is it about his personality that would be problematic. Being a pro coach in any sport is a precarious endeavor. The issue to fire or not fire isn't always about fairness. Even allowing for the element of scapegoating a coach there is still a classy way of dealing with a coach. Bruce B shouldn't be treated the way he is being subjected to.

Sometimes the stats are revealing and sometimes they are also deceiving. A lot has to do with the pairings they are working with. What I can say for sure is that this particular line has been playing well since Jost was added to the line. I would like to see the stats for this assemblage.

https://www.nhl.com/standings/2022/division The Sabres are in the thick of a playoff race. We still have a game or two in hand to take advantage of.

The Lyubuskin and Jost pickups were good pickups that cost this team no assets. Good GM work.

It wasn't that long ago that some were categorizing VO as a PP specialist. This season the overwhelming majority of his goals have been at equal strength. Ever since Jost joined the Mitts/Olof line it has been a consequential two-way line for the Sabres. What's encouraging is that the scoring has been spread out amongst all the lines. Krebs is getting better and better. Since he was sat down for some games he came back invigorated and is playing with great confidence. UPL is solidifying his position as our #1 goalie. Stating the obvious that Lyubuskin played well. Anaheim missed a lot of shots, including a number of juicy tip-ins on the door step. The last two games the Sabres won in front of large crowds. The fans are returning and getting into it.

My central point with my prior posts on this topic is that if the Sabres are in a serious playoff race the GM is going to do what's best for the team.

And that's why I stated "not necessarily" the case.

That's not necessarily the case. The GM is going to first and foremost act in the organization's best interest. If the Sabres are in a serious playoff race and the GM determines that he doesn't want to risk playing him here this season, he won't. It would still be in the player's interest to turn pro sooner rather than later, even if he starts off in the AHL.

If Levi signs as soon as his college season is over, can he immediately be assigned to Rochester? Another interesting issue relating to Levi is whether the Sabres would play him in Buffalo, for an introductory stint, if the team is in playoff contention? I'm not bothered by the Portillo situation. At this point he would be a fool if he didn't examine the market and make a decision that was in his best interest. The player I am more interested in Michigan is defenseman Johnson. Even if he scans the hockey market it wouldn't be surprising that Buffalo would be a good situation for him as a player i.e. upcoming team with a positional need.

I consider Casey M more of a third line player than a second line player. But that isn't a knock on him. It's a reflection that this team has more talent to work with when putting together lines. Having a quality third line (and multiple lines) is what top tier teams have. Tampa would be an example of that where all the lines are meaningful contributors to their team's success. The one aspect of Mitts's game that irritates me is that there are times when instead of shooting he will make the low percentage pass instead of shooting. He's not the only one who is resistant to shooting when the opportunities exist. Just shoot the dam puck!

Great points. The goalie they played against was exceptional. Yet, this team continued to push hard and press. The Sabres of the previous few years would be deflated when faced with adversity. This team didn't falter. It kept pushing forward all game long. That's a good indication that there is internal leadership that keeps the unit mentally strong.

No, you are not! I am.

There is another aspect to Mitts's game that should be recognized: His versatility. When needed, he can move to the center position. When Skinner was suspended Mitts played with the first line. For the short term, there wasn't a major drop-off. He also plays on the second PP unit. My point is that even with the recognition that he is more of a third than a second line player, there is value in his versatility that can be utilized.

For some, the narrative on Mitts is written on indelible ink. Over the past dozen games or so Mitts has played at a consistently good level. Yesterday, against the Islanders, he was instrumental in the win. There is nothing wrong with having a view on a player. But when that player ups his game and plays beyond one's expectation of him, then it should be acknowledged. When evaluating players there certainly are elements of subjectivity and objectivity. Too often that balance is skewed and becomes an imbalance.

Jost has solidified that line. And as you aptly described made that line play a simpler game. After the extraordinary Dahlin pass in OT, I thought the Mitt's pass to Olofsson for a score was the second-best pass in the game. Jost was a terrific pickup. The cost was zero. Good GM move.