JohnC

To be fair to Paul it had to be difficult for him or anyone else to cover this struggling and middling franchise for such an extended period of time. This Sabre team was not only irrelevant but also a boring team for a long time. It is difficult to manufacture excitement/interest when the cycle of mediocrity is constantly being repeated. It's hard to repackage a damaged product when the same thing is being delivered year after year.

As a unit it is not unfair to rate them as solid with an upside where Dahlin and Joki elevating the unit. I would rather have an a more talented right handed player on the left side than having a lesser left handed player on the left side. If there is an overbalance of players at any position you can when the time is favorable deal your extra assets to better balance your roster. My point is having an abundance of talent at a certain position is a problem (at least for the short term) not to complain about.

For the Sabres the debate about whether Sam is a first or second line player is misplaced. The value that Sam has is that he meshes well with Jack on the first line and brings to that line the important attribute of playing well around the net. The Sabres are composed of many players who prefer to play around the perimeter and few players who are willing to do the tough job of being a presence around the net where most of the goals are scored. It's indisputable that Jack is the most valuable player on the team. Having a player like Sam who increases Jack's production means that the sidekick player is the type of player you want to be on the Jack line. The issue shouldn't be where does he fit on another team as it should be how does he fit with the team that he is on.

I don't know how long he intends to play in Russia or how long our rights to would have lasted if exercised. But regardless his value in a trade or part of a trade is not something to be bothered about. I liked him as a player but his value as a trade asset was minimal and his departure as a player had an inconsequential impact on the roster. Player movements are part of the landscape in the NHL and happen to every team. In the end the player did what was right for himself and the organization did what was right for itself.

I doubt it. From what it was reported due to the tax law in Russia Pilut could be making nearly twice as much in Russia than he would playing in the NHL. And it is more likely that he will be given a lot more playing time in the Russian league than he would as at best a third pairing defenseman with the Sabres. I like Pilut a lot. He is a good skater and a smart player but he is not better than Joki who has a similar style of game. In a backhanded way losing a solid to good player like Pilut and not having it more than marginally affecting the unit is a sign that that unit has accumulated a good group of blueliners. A few years ago this unit was bereft a talent. Now it has a solid to good core. That's progress.

Has Paul Hamilton called Rochester American games and done some Niagara College Hockey games? I wish him well and hope he finds himself back in the business very soon. In my view he's a no frills reporter who is solid at what he does. He seemed able to be critical without being personally harsh. In general he was meat and potato type performer who was usually fair. I wouldn't mind seeing him doing Sabre hockey games as an analyst or as a substitute game caller.