JohnC

I think you are getting too optimistic on the point ceiling at 111. There is just a lot of parity in the league with teams such as Ottawa and Detroit getting better. I believe that 97 points is much more attainable than 111. As you well know, I fall into the optimist camp. If I had to venture a guess I'm expecting a 96 to 97 range. Our road record last year was superb. I don't expect us to match it this year, although I do expect a better home record. The team responds to a near full building. And I expect that to happen with greater frequency this season. However, I really don't believe that the Sabres are going to reach a three digit point total.

When you watch him play there is not a hint that he is a rookie. He belongs.

As far as the right or left hand issue, I don't particular care. After watching Ryan Johnson play in preseason it is apparent that we have a good player waiting in the wings to move up. The trading of Lyubush was the right thing for the player and for the team. To be honest, I thought he was a solid pickup when he was added. In general, he was a disappointment. There is nothing to fret about in the moving of the Russian.

You are correct that there hasn't been much public discussion about a Mitt's contract from the organization in contrast to the Dahlin contract negotiation. I wouldn't make any judgments from the organizational silence. As others have noted, Mitts has gotten better as he has gained more experience. That shouldn't be a surprise. But the biggest revelation and pleasant surprise that happened last year is when he was elevated to the top line when Tage was ailing. Without question, for that short duration, Mitts played like a genuine first line center. And his stats supported that assessment. Was that sample size too small to make a judgment on the caliber of player he is? Maybe. But it was a pleasant surprise that indicated the level of player he is, especially when playing with better talent around him.

An article in the Buffalo News on Girgs by Mike Harrington. He has a fourth line role that he does very well in conjunction with Okposo and probably Krebs. Hopefully, he can score a few more goals. https://buffalonews.com/sports/professional/nhl/zemgus-girgensons-buffalo-sabres-nhl-detroit-red-wings-don-granato/article_f277becc-6217-11ee-9121-c35e9b368c50.html#tncms-source=login

Don't lump my view on VO with Bryson. UPL is in a different category and situation. I'm not exaggerating the virtues of the player in question without acknowledging his limitations. Everyone can see what they are. The primary point that I'm making on this issue is even with his manifest limitations, he was able to score 28 goals last year while his playing time was curtailed. So, on this year's team I don't think it is unreasonable to project him scoring between 25-30 goals. The issue comes down to whether he is able to get enough playing time. That will be based on his play. You may be said about how the goalie staffing turned out this year but I'm not. It's better than it was last year. As much as you are concerned about the goalie situation, you should be just as concerned with how in general the team plays better defensively. Those two issues are inextricably linked. On those two critical issues I'm optimistic because there will be more of a focus on them than before.

I wasn't flexing. I was responding to your kids in the schoolyard response about betting over who was right or wrong. That type of response is so childish. Will Olofsson be a Sabre in March? He could be gone or not. So what?

There is no question that VO is a one-dimensional player. I've never said otherwise. It is acknowledged that it is likely that he will be gone after this season. The goal projection that I'm making about him is very reasonable, not outlandish. Last year, he scored 28 goals after his playing time was curtailed, and his PP time was also diminished. If you factor in that Quinn probably will miss a large chunk of the season, then that puts VO in a better position to play more. Both of you are aware that certain players get tarnished with a label, and then the stench of that label is very difficult to remove. Do you remember the lamenting about Skinner and his defensive deficiencies and how it would be difficult to give him away because of his expensive contract? Now he is one of our core players. The same lamenting happened with Mitts and Joki. Again, I'm comfortable in predicting that this same player who scored 28 goals last year will score at least 25 goals this season. I'm also comfortable in saying that like Skinner, he will put more effort into the defensive side of the game. He, like Skinner, will not be accomplished at that side of the game but the effort will be more apparent.

I don't bet. If you are right, then so be it. If I'm right, then so be it. I contribute a lot of $$$ to charity on my own. Much more than you do. So, I don't need or desire to contribute to any of your causes. I'm not proclaiming VO to be more of a player than what he is. He's on the team this year but odds are not the following year. He's scored 28 goals last year when his minutes were curtailed. It's not unreasonable to think that he won't be in the same goal range this season, especially if he gets some PP time on the second unit. Again, we shall see.

I disagree with your goal expectation. We'll just have to wait and see.

Both players demonstrated that they belonged in this league. I thought Quinn showed that he was on the verge of becoming a very good player. I'm not down on JJP because I think coming off his world tournament experience, where he excelled, it was a good experience for hm leading to being a better player this season. However, at the end of the season, JJP's minutes were curtailed, especially at the end of tight games.

This statistic is for the snickering @LGR4GM: VO scored 28 goals last season.

I'm going to make a prediction that I know will be skewered for. VO is going to be a 25-30 goal scorer and have a good year for us. He's become the same type of whipping boy that was directed toward Mitts a year or two ago. I'm not claiming that he will be a part of this team beyond this year. But, as with Mitts, he is going to prove that the persistent scorn that he gets here will be proven to be off base. If Quinn didn't get hurt I would have a different view on his status. But because of that tough injury he will get an opportunity to show that he is an asset for this team. VO knows very well that there is a side of his game that he has to be more diligent about. He will do it and the critics will fade away.

No. It would be a very incongruous fit. The original line that included Krebs had a more defensive role that it executed well. I would rather see VO playing with a center who will give him some scoring chances. Whatever faults he has on the defensive side of the ice it still should be recognize that he can shoot and score goals.

Don't worry about her becoming a Chief's fan. If she does become one because of her relationship with Kelce, it will only be for a short term. You'll know when it is over when after the breakup she writes a tough girl and get even song about this scoundrel. 😀

Attached is a link from a Buffalo News article by Mike Harrington. He basically brings up the same roster questions that we discuss here. He puts Comrie ahead of UPL but believes that all three goalies will make the roster. He feels that there are a few teams that have goalie needs who would claim him if exposed. https://buffalonews.com/sports/column/zach-benson-buffalo-sabres-nhl-don-granato-brandon-biro-rochester-americans/article_868299b6-5fbb-11ee-aa08-a309b798c3b0.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Your projected lineup is plausible. However, I don't see DG tampering with last year's first line. It was too prolific to alter this year. I agree with you that it appears that the coach is committed to keeping Mitts at center. On which line and assemblage? I'm not sure. But the better players he's with the more effective he is. When assessing the players who will make the roster what becomes evident is that there is a lot of lineup flexibility where centers can play the wing and wings can play the center position. Over the past few years, this roster has significantly changed. If you compare the before Eichel and old core trades to now, it is a dramatic change. What's exciting about this roster is that there is still so much more upside to it!

I'm not a bettor. Betting never appealed to me. However, if a person wants to bet or not, it is an individual choice. In my view, it has no bearing on whether one is a fan or not. I have a diametrically different view on Levi than you do. With Levi as our primary goalie I'm more optimistic about this upcoming season. Our competing world views (about hockey) simply don't mesh. That's okay. Some people like mustard on their hot dogs while others like ketchup. If I had it my way, anyone who puts ketchup on their hot dog should be charged with a misdemeanor violation.

I know this thread is about Benson but related to the issue of earning a roster spot is whether Biro has also earned a spot? From what I have observed (not seen all the games) he has made a good impression.

Betting on games after they have been played is a sure way to always win. It's a full-proof system to always be right. 😀

If you have trust in KA's judgment on assessing players and putting together a roster, then why are you so resistant over anyone, young or old, earning a roster spot? You are like a student who when asked if the answer is A or B, your response is both. I'm not saying this in a mean-spirited way but you have been a caricature of yourself. It gets weirder by the day. What's next? If this team has a successful season are you going to say: I told you so!

He went to camp and competed and outperformed the competition for a roster spot. And based on his play he earned a spot, or at a minimum an introductory stint. Why would you have a problem with that?

When one files for bankruptcy the business goes through the bankruptcy court system. The owner would have no interest in that unless it was a last option. It would tie him up longer with the final disposition becoming more of a question. I just don't see it.

I agree with the highlighted first sentence. That's what I have been saying all along. I don't know why you think I'm saying otherwise. We have gotten to the point of talking past one another. We agree on this issue, not disagree.

When Golisano sold the team to Pegula he noted in the news conference that the no-move clause existed. It certainly applies while Pegula is the owner. If Terry P. sells the team (don't see that happening any time soon) that is another matter. The issue here is not what the league will allow or not; the issue is what does the contract stipulation state. The matter revolves around the contract and law.