JohnC

Most apologies are manufactured and pro forma. Nothing unusual about that. The best approach is to get out a prefabricated response and then slink away and be silent.

There has been such a deep reservoir of bad juju for this plagued franchise that my bad juice wouldn't be noticed. ☠️

I just hope that Portillo doesn't follow the Cal Petersen model where he stayed in school longer to sign a FA deal with the LA Kings. It worked out well for him. Isn't it refreshing to be talking about players and positions that have an abundance of prospects who will be competing with one another? That certainly beats having a dearth of prospects in the system. What has become apparent is that the goalie position has a high rate of injuries. Can't have too many! UPL has shown glimpses that he can be a NHL goalie. What he has also shown is that he is prone to injuries since he was drafted by the team. If I had to make a bet on our eventual long term goalie my money is on Levi.

In the long run it is not inconceivable that the Rheinhart trade could end up being the most consequential trade from the trading away of our previous core. Kudos to our scouting department. It took a number of years to fairly assess the ROR deal because it took time to determine what caliber of player Tage was going to develop into. If Ryan Johnson turns out to be a good NHL player then the ROR deal looks better than it originally looked like when the deal was made.

Attached is a WGR link with Granato on the Howard and Jeremy Show. This is a 15 min segment. He talks about a number of players and some prospects such as Power and Levi. He indicated that he believes that Tuch has more to offer because he is in a situation where his role is expanded compared to when he was with the veteran Vegas team. He stated that UPL should be back soon. He's always a good listen. https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/howard-and-jeremy-20258

The combination of arrogance and stupidity are a toxic mixture. He demonstrated how not to act/respond to a sensitive issue. What this fool doesn't realize is by the ignorant way he responded to a legitimate question he made the issue even more prominent. My takeaway seeing that clip is: What a flaccid priiick!

The biggest problem does not revolve around the captaincy as it does the dearth of talent. Whether Tuch or Okposo becomes the captain has little bearing on how each of them can influence the rest of the squad. They can have the same influence as captains or not just by the way they conduct themselves. You don't have to be a designated leader in order to lead. This organization is in the process of incorporating young players onto the roster. They need more of them. It's going to take time.

This was a different and separate appearance on the Instigator Show. I want to make clear that I'm not suggesting that Jack was a bad dude because that was not the case. He did a lot of charity work with children with cancer where he wasn't seeking attention. However, there was a sense of entitlement that the organization to an extent fostered. It was a big mistake in designating him captain when he wasn't ready for it. And the organization responded to his demands/requests for bringing in players when it should have been a strictly organizational matter. However the Jack issue is framed I side with him more than the organization. Overall, the organization failed to construct a competitive team in a reasonable period of time because of its repeated miscues. Jack's major fault (which in mind is not a fault) is that he was an intense competitor who wanted to wim. He felt stuck in a bad situation. So he made it clear that he wanted out. His position was understandable just as much as the organization's position of moving on was understandable. Each side acted in their own respective interest. I wish Jack good health and nothing but the best. He's in a good situation being on a veteran and cup contending team. And the Sabres made the right decision in deciding to reset and rebuild. This type of departing scenario happens everywhere in all sports. It's part of all sports and relationships.

Gionta on the Instigator Show a while back did make comments about an entitled young player not treating everyone in the building with respect. He also talked about how a leader should conduct himself and behave professionally. He didn't specifically mention a name but everyone knew who he was talking about. The GM also made less than oblique references on WGR on how he expected players to represent the shield and the city. He stated that the standard was not being met by all. Everyone knew who he was talking about. I'm not a Jack basher. He got stuck in a dysfunctional system and understandably wanted out. But there were issues associated with the environment/culture that needed to be changed. It was obvious by numerous comments emanating from the inside what was going on. For outsiders who were less than clueless it was not too difficult to discern what the situation was.

I didn't watch the game but saw the clips. As you noted it was evident that Vegas has more talent and physically is stronger. When Vegas scored it seemed that the Sabres were scrambling while the opposition had structure. And as you point out the goalie deficiency can't be hidden. It has to be better addressed in the offseason. The Sabres have some young players (Mitts, Quin) who are injured and some young players in the pipeline (Peterka, Power) who will soon be added to the roster. It's just going to take time to solidify an incomplete roster. It's apparent that when there is no margin for error for a thin team it is a vulnerable position to be in. That's where we are at.

One attribute that is noticeable when watching him play is his speed. I was surprised how fast and how well this big power forward could skate.

That twirling device is also used to stretch the necks of people whose necks are too short.

When I read the column the first thing that came to mind was that the hiring of Don Granato to steward the influx of young players is the key to success. If a standard coaching hire was made from the carousel of NHL coaching retreads, the rebuild primarily based on the development of young players would fail. It just seems to me that from the top of the organization, to the coaching staff, to the young players and mentoring veterans everyone is in sync. There is a coherency to the plan that is being followed.

If a player has a debilitating case of hemorrhoids is it described as a mbi (middle body injury)? ☠️

What is LBI? Is it lower back injury?

You make a good observation. Samuelsson is obviously the more talented and impactful player. Fitzgerald on the other hand is a player who knows his limitations and plays within his talents. He's more of a support player who isn't very noticeable on the ice yet he is effective. We could use another Fitzgerald type of player on the backend.

One player who has really impressed me is Samuelsson. He plays like a composed veteran defenseman. Although this big fellow is not a thumper he does play big. His efficiency and positioning are those of an experienced defenseman. ( @nfreemanalso cited his play.) What's evident is the plan to play him extensively in Rochester before bringing him up has worked out marvelously. Next year, when Power is added to the blue line you can see the formation of a talented unit. Dahlin/Joki/Samuelsson/Power make for a promising core. Adding another player or two to the group as support players will make this unit even better. After Skinner signed his big contract he was the target of much derision. Much of it deserved. And playing for Krueger he was a lost soul on the ice. To the player's credit he is a revitalized player and arguably the biggest offensive threat for this team. Granato deserves credit for putting him in a position to succeed.

As like you, I wasn't particularly keen on the way KA handled the goaltending issue this past offseason. On that we can agree on. But there is a benefit to having a veteran like Anderson on the roster that in a variety of ways positively effects a novice player such as UPL. As a mentor for the young goalie the veteran can serve as an example in how best to prepare for games, not only in practice but also in video sessions. He is also a respected player/person who can serve as a sounding board when the inevitable struggles happen for the inexperienced goalie. On most teams there are a few veteran players whose value goes beyond their statistics. The benefit to their team due to their "presence" in practice and in games can't accurately be quantified. Okposo is a player who falls in that "positive presence" category. In my opinion, Anderson also falls in that category.

I agree with your comment. Giving up assets for the wrong players was a mistake.

We just disagree. Anderson gives the Sabres a better chance to be respectable. Not only does he allow us to be competitive but in no way does his presence hinder the younger players. In fact, I would argue by allowing us to be respectable he is helping the younger players to develop. When UPL gets healthy he will get enough playing time to enhance his development and demonstrate what he is capable of. So at least for this season I don't see his presence as hurting any player or the rebuild plan. In my view you gain nothing by shipping out a player who helps the team for a meaningless return. Next year the situation is different. But this year trading the old goalie makes no sense to me.

No it doesn't? What do you expect to get for Anderson in a trade? His value to the Sabres is that he gives them a chance to win more games.

I don't understand your reasoning in expecting/hoping that Anderson gets traded? When he plays the record is respectable; when he doesn't play the team plunges. What would be the point in trading a veteran goalie who would return you little? What the young players on this team desperately need is some current success that will provide some realistic optimism for the future. Trading Anderson would be a damaging move with little benefit. I'm simply perplexed by your stance.

The "what if" game is a game of futility played by losers. But "what if" the Sabres had Anderson caliber netminding all season? How many more points would this team have earned? My conservative guess is in the range of 6-8 more points. It wouldn't be a great difference but it would provide a better outlook on this team and season.

I watched the first two periods. Anderson was terrific. He got right into it with no apparent rust from the long layoff. What is evident is that in a short period of time the GM is reshaping the roster with his acquisitions that included drafting Quinn, Peterka and acquiring Krebs and Tuch in the Jack trade. From the two periods that I watched not only was I impressed with the play of Krebs but also the potential in the near future. He has exceptional vision and his passing is top shelf.

The oldsters are chuckling while the youngsters don't know what you are talking about.😁