Porous Five Hole

This is an excellent observation, but, it’s also the first/only year he’s scored more EV than PP.

While I agree in concept, I don’t think you can pay third line guys 4M or more.

I was listening to NHL Network radio this week and Friedman was stating that the percentage of goals at 5-on-5 is at its second highest rate in modern memory (something like 80% of goals are at even strength). He said most NHL GM’s prefer the the game to be decided 5-on-5 versus the way the game was called coming out of the lockout. This should be considered when determining a (mostly) PP specialist (who is currently running on PP2). If he cannot regularly skate in the top six, I would move on from him at the trade deadline next season.

Love it. Onward and forward.

Listening to this episode, it is hard to argue that culture is a real thing. Something is brewing with this group.

He’s four seasons in at the end of the year. I don’t think his age is as relevant.

I guess. Is it the county that owns the building?

I would be shocked if an NHL team didn’t have a working line of credit collateralized by the organization. But I don’t know that.

"No. None of them are for sale," Raccuia said on the front lawn of The Breakers hotel. "None of them are for sale, none will be. There's no plans at all for that." According to Forbes' annual valuation of NHL teams, the Sabres are ranked No. 29 with a valuation of $500 million. The Pegulas purchased the team for $165 million in 2011. I am not going to go down the road of a minority ownership group for as long as Terry is alive. He doesn’t need the cash. If the team was in dire straights, he could simply collateralize the team with a line of credit with this equity. So I guess this speculation is all tied to front office reshuffling at the end of the season?

To me, this is where I want Rasmus to be from a physicality standpoint going forward. He is playing the body, standing up for himself and his teammates, and isn’t easily moved off the puck. He’s hard to play against. If he obtains more man strength, it just multiplies the above. Anything more would probably increase injury risk. I don’t need him trying to Scott Stevens body check people and I definitely don’t want him throwing fists. His current physicality baseline in conjunction with his continued flourishing of driving of puck possession will put him in elite company.

I always appreciated the insight of @TrueBlueGED

I would take Stevie Y in a heartbeat. His rebuild results and the Wings trajectory is very similar to Buffalo. Yzerman was hired in April 2019. If you give him credit for the June 2019 entry draft, his first round pick that year is an NHL regular defensemen at age 20 this year (one selection ahead of Cozens). Their second round pick is akin to our Ryan Johnson in both age and college status. His 2020 first round selection, Lucas Raymond, is a 20 goal scorer in his rookie year this year. He is our version of Jack Quinn. And don’t forget this was the year that Detroit was AWFUL (39 points in 71 games, yet only got #4 overall). He inherited one of the worst teams in NHL history. BTW,,His second round pick is on a two year deal in Sweden. I’m sure Modo would tell us all about him if Modo still posted. For Buffalo, Peterka is in the AHL. Bad organizations don’t get good overnight and I would trust Yzerman over GMKA (however I am hopeful for Kevy).

I would prefer the current Ducks logo to the Buffaslug all day everyday.

You can vacuum it

Agree. And that isn’t too easy. I think Tage’s case is pretty unique.

That’s Barzal/Pavelski/Kevin Hayes money. While that is probably most likely, that doesn’t feel quite right either. To GA’s point, Buffalo would be taking on a lot of risk at that AAV.

That would put him at about the 60th highest paid center in the league. When I put it that way to myself, I don’t think that gets it done.

https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/rankings/center/ For further reference, a 5m AAV puts him in line with Gourde, Charlie Coyle, and Marchessault. None of those guys are playing Tage’s role on this team.

I understand that train of thought. However, Kevyn locked him up (at least) a year early last time around. I think he’s inclined to do it again.

What term are you thinking would be acceptable? Good call on July 1, I also agree that’s the timeframe.

I deleted my post because it didn’t honor the spirit of the question. To more appropriately answer your inquiry, I think you nailed it with the exception of JJ. Sabres fans have seen more from Quinn than Peterka. But I also think Tage tops them both. It is also pretty cool that fans identify with the coach and I agree with you on that.

This is probably an off-season type of thread, but, Tage is having another good night. It got me to thinking about what it would take to keep him here for the foreseeable future. He was recently featured in this Sabres production and seemed genuine that he wants to be here and be a leader: Capfriendly states he is signed for one more year at 1.4m and then an RFA one more time. https://www.capfriendly.com/players/tage-thompson At the time of this contract signing, it was widely considered a low risk, high upside signing for a guy who some wanted in the AHL. Fast forward to today, and he’s the Sabres first line center and leads the team in scoring. He’s outplayed his current contract to the point that he cannot be asked to take a hometown discount. He’s age appropriate for the Sabres new core, and their top line would be lost without him. Just imagine if Casey or Krebs had to anchor the first line…yikes. So what gets it done? Would 6m X 5 years be enough? That would take him to age 30 and eligible for one more big contract. But is that enough to buy out his prime years? Would he rather sign shorter term and bet on himself? He’s in the same situation that Reinhart was in (one year from UFA at current contract conclusion). Would he prefer arbitration one time and UFA for max $$? What is it going to take to buy out his prime years? Are you ready to make a long term commitment after 60 games at the center position? I am. I’m asking him to take 6m X 5/6 years. Would you? Would he?

Aside from secondary market fees, you also have far less season ticket holders selling than most previous years. So less plentiful options. I found that the box office was cheaper than secondary market for VGK game, and I hounded the market for 48 hours prior to puck drop.

I just bought a box office ticket for Vegas game. There are no TicketMonster fees if you purchase at the box office. There also aren’t any paper tickets. They text you a link to a QR code and you scan your phone for entry.

Barring injuries, the Amerks are going to be loaded.