Doohicksie

Maybe this is why Kevyn is saying there's no downside if Portillo walks; he's already got Plan B. I genuinely think Kevyn learned something when Ullmark signed with Boston, that a deal is never done until it's done. He got caught short by that but has resolved to lever let that happen again.

Oh I think Adams knew precisely what he was doing when he took over. He was forced to keep Krueger onboard but knew he was going to jettison Jack and dump other members of the core, and knew what kinds of players he wanted in return. I think he even knew who he wanted as head coach. It was delayed a year because I think he couldn't persuade the ownership to commit to such major turnover at first, so he honestly tried to make things work with Krueger, Jack, Sam, et al. But as soon as Krueger was out of the way, as soon as the commitment to trade Jack was made, the wheels were in motion to bring us the team we're seeing today. If they hit a homerun with Comrie we might see amazing things as soon as this season.

They pointed out that Savoie has a knack for finding the dead spaces where he's not close to opposing players. A lot of great goal scorers do that. They're in the play but know just when to back into empty space to get a shot off.

I've seen reports that the sale of partial season ticket packages has been very encouraging. You saw a lot of late drafted and undrafted players trying to get noticed.

I think this is important as well: the different "generations" of Sabres are supporting each other. Cozens has been around a lot, Okie some. Now for this tourney the "graduates" of the program, so to speak. There is team building and camaraderie at every level, and it seems sincere. I felt that Reinhart didn't need to be part of the purge but maybe Adams felt that once Jack was gone, Sam wouldn't feel like he could be part of that camaraderie. The makeover was at least as much about personality and character as it was about talent, and Kevyn must have felt that Sam just was too much part of the Jack clique. The disassembly of the Rotten Core v1 was done haphazardly and without regard for the return. Rotten Core v2 was dispatched with surgical precision and the return has been building blocks of the New Core.

This is been a good... ....wait for it.... ....team building exercise for the Baby Sabres. 😄

KULICH! EN

He plays the way we wanted He Who Was The Cancer That Was Traded Away to play.

A young fan from Cheektowaga! 😄

Savoie!!!!!!!!!

Rosen, the garbage man!

Breakaway by Kisakov, Seeing-eye point shot by Sova. Kisakov has some afterburners boy, I'll tell you what.

Shots are about even, but the ice appears heavily tilted toward the NJ goal. Lots of time spent down there. Sabres playing a high speed, high pressure game; Devils have no time to think on O or D.

I'm happy with Seth. His coaching meshes with Granato's very well.

Baby Sabres playing with tons of confidence. The Granato-Appert vibe x 123%

Sova with a seeing eye goal!

How did THAT not go in???

Kisakov with the afterburners and a beaut!

I'm seeing that "attacking in waves" thing they've been talking about.

Good chances both ways, but ice feels tilted toward NJ zone.

Great PK there boys

Cederqvist! 2-1 Baby Sabres!

Can't believe NJ didn't score there!

Ritchie ties it for the Baby Sabres!

Wow, seemed like we were dominating and then NJ scored.