Digger

This interview is from March and he mentions that school is very important to him and to have 2 potential paths (education and professional hockey). Maybe some insight to his decision to stay in school.

Good point, yes I agree that may be the case just prepping the Sabre fan base to not panic (apparently the message didn't take).

Don't worry I read somewhere that Kevin Adams said there was no downside to Portillo returning to school for another year. 😏

Great post. Thanks very much for articulating your thoughts on this. For me I believe that it's just impatience on my part. I want these guys to develop and start contributing to the Sabres success as soon as possible and I want the next layer of talent ready to step in and be available when we need it. How can we forget the 2006 playoffs when Jay McKee was lost to injury for game 7..............opportunity for a player to step in. I would love to understand how players really think when considering signing their first NHL contract. To me, it's logical for a player to believe that he will make the team either right away or after some time in the AHL but it seems wrong for a player like Johnson to not agree to sign a contract because we can't guarantee him a spot on the Sabres. I don't mean to disrespect his talent or potential but it is still rare for a player to not need any time in the AHL before playing full time in the NHL. I would think that he wouldn't immediately crack the lineup on most NHL teams (but he would still be a top prospect). I would hope that he would (will) sign a contract with the Sabres and come to the team and work hard, develop, and force his way onto the Sabres when he proves ready. A spot and opportunity always opens for a talented player.

Sorry if I missed it in the thread but is there an interview link where he said this? I do hope that Adams has something positive to say on him staying in school for another year. I guess I'm just disappointed, knowing that development takes time (for all of our prospects) and it was my belief that getting him some time in the AHL next season would have him ready to play for the Sabres sooner than waiting.

I have been a big supporter of Okposo but I would not offer anything until we see where we are at next year's trade deadline. Are we in a race for the playoffs in 2023 as we hope or are we out again? How are the younger players developing? What role and needs do we have? It's impossible to predict next season and why lock into a new contract with a player that many have been counting down the years to get rid of his contract. He's always been a great person, good leader and speaker. He will be remembered as a good Sabre. I guess that I'm hoping Adams is not going to necessarily get caught up in signing players unless they are the best fit for the open role that we have. 2023 he's here on the team, let's wait and see where we are and what we need in a year from now.

I'll wait to see if Kevin Adams has any further comments on Levi................ But if a contract was offered, it seems strange to me to pass it up and wait another year. He had a great season and he's developed well in college. He looks ready to try with tougher competition and schedule. This is a great opportunity without any established NHL goalie in front of him on the Sabres. Sit back and wait I guess, goalies take time.

This clip from today made me smile. Nice read by Dahlin, Weegar not so much.

"Skill it up"? That's a bizarre statement. So they are saying they are against having players use their skills to score goals?

It's interesting to try and put ourselves in these guys shoes. If I'm Levi or Portillo I'm happy to have the chance to sign with the Sabres that are clearly a team with a lot of young developing talent at forward and defense and there's really no solid block to taking or earning the #1 goaltender spot on the Sabres. I'm not scared to go head to head with the other (Levi or Portillo or UPL for that matter) for the chance to win the eventual #1 spot. These guys all must have confidence in their abilities. Would it really be an issue to have both Portillo and Levi in Rochester next season and getting call ups when they earn it (or with injuries.............like we have for the last two seasons using every goalie in the organization and even having to sign additional guys just to play games). Should be an easy sell for Adams to sign both. Get er done KA.

Thanks for posting the videos guys. I enjoyed watching them all. Lots of memories stirred up. It's great to see the tributes to RJ. I have to add a comment that I find it so fascinating to see how people age over the years when you haven't seen them in so long. Some guys I still pictured in my mind from their playing days. Nothing more than an observation, just interesting.

Great to have the win. The team's culture is really starting to take shape as the season progresses. RJ's tribute was emotional for me. Lots of great memories. Well done and loved the overwhelming support and respect shown to him tonight.

I found this story pretty interesting. Drury was a real catalyst of changing and improving the culture when he joined the Sabres as a player. This story (if entirely true) doesn't seem to support Lafreniere who I would assume is proud of his heritage and would gladly give an interview answer in French.

Egos vs Eggos

As I recall the comments and thoughts about Tage Thompson 12 months ago were not very optimistic for him becoming anything more than a 3rd line winger. Mittelstadt will come around but I think we're going to need to wait until next season to see him strong again. I agree with @PromoTheRobot

It doesn't concern me that the Sabres were unable to trade their soon to be UFA's. The only one that really surprised me was Anderson (I would have thought he would be happy to go to any of the top contenders for one more shot at the Cup). If keeping everyone as we did helps us end the season with an improved culture in the room then great. If it helps Rochester make the playoffs then great. But it does concern me that there seems to be some sentimental stuff being thrown around about who we should resign again. If it makes sense then okay but in most cases I think the Sabres should be starting with a clean slate on all the UFA's and seeing how to build the best Sabres team for 2022-23. Wipe the board at the end of the season of all the expiring contracts and build the best team we can taking all players into consideration with trades, and signings and bringing back players (only if they are the best option available to fill a need). I think and hope that Adams approaches the off season this way.

Good bye Robert, we hardly knew ya. Go and win a cup like so many former Sabres have before you. Someday we'll be back in the hunt again.

shhhh............we're trying to trade him.........let's just say he's a good RHD on a poor defensive team that can help a playoff bound team. Let the bidding war begin. 😏

I really like Samuelson and had no complaints when he was drafted. I went back and read Samuelson's draft profile below and while they said skating could make him go higher in the draft they didn't indicate that skating would prevent him from making the NHL. Sometimes when I read the scouting reviews skating comes up as a much bigger concern for prospects. I guess that I'm not convinced Warren is the RHD equivalent to Samuelson (much more of a project). https://thehockeywriters.com/mattias-samuelsson-2018-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/ What he’s done a really good job of in the last couple months is challenging his gap, his footwork, shutting pucks down in the neutral zone and then transitioning the puck to our forwards and activating into the rush. You ask forwards in the USHL, they certainly know how physical he is. He’s a physical player, he’s hard to play against. He’s not a defenceman that goes for a big hit at the expense of making the right play. He just gets into you and lets you know you’re going against him when the time is right. Mattias Samuelsson is going to be a top-three defenceman on some NHL team for the next 15-plus years. He’s going to eat minutes, he’s going to help you win and he’s going to be miserable to play against.” – Seth Appert/U.S. National Team Development Program Welcome to the 2022 Sabres (nice prediction Seth)!

Okposo

It's possible but he'll need to have a couple of strong games to make that happen. Hopefully the adrenaline carries him in tonight's game. He's been off for quite some time now.

Wait until their locker clean out when Lehner and Eichel can tag team complain about the Sabres medical staff.

I chose 15 for no other reason than it was Eichel's number when he started with the Sabres. I'd be happier with 9 but the pick is top 10 protected. He owes us pick 15. My random lazy poll pick of the day, but I see 15 is in the lead. Thanks very much.

Yes I would have thought making $10M per season would buy better "interview coaching" for Eichel. Heck he was our former captain and should know how to take the high road with difficult or uncomfortable interview questions. Don't the teams help players with this? The worst thing for Eichel is that his reaction and poor choice of comments will ensure that he gets even more abuse the next time he comes.

weather in Hamilton says overcast with snow until 6pm. Should be a good game with all the winter elements in play.