ExWNYer

KA: "See, guys...we DID do something!"

A mind-blowing and NHL record setting 13-years in a row without making the playoffs only serves to reinforce the bolded point. You have to be completely inept to not fall bass ackwards into a playoff spot in the NHL at least once during that stretch. It's unfathomable, yet this organization has somehow found a way to make it a reality.

Unfortunately for their girlfriend (i.e., the fans), they've been doing it all wrong...

Whether that's really Calgary's stance on Kadri or just posturing on their part, you'd think that the Sabres at least have the assets to match up in any potential trade with them. How many potential deals will be 86'd due to these NMC's? It's a stark reality for KA and company.

I don't have an issue with the signing. It's just a "meh" transaction like dozens of others throughout the league. The problem is, this is the level of signing I've come to expect now. Nothing earth-shattering that moves the needle. This organization has had a perception problem for far too long, IMO...with the majority of its fans and with players around the league. How many times do we have to hear KA say that he was "working on several deals but they fell apart at the last minute"? This isn't the first time it's been uttered. Either he's completely inept at his job and can't close the deal(s)...or overvalues his own assets...or other GMs are trying to fleece him because he's caught between a rock and a hard place (created by his own front office & ownership)...or the players involved want no part of Buffalo. No matter the reason, this front office has failed to make the requisite moves to get this team to even the bottom of the playoff heap. I, like every other fan of this team, am hoping that things change during this draft and free agency period but anyone who expects that it will happen is being intellectually dishonest, IMO. There is just no evidence of this which fills the "hope tank" and a trade down from 11 to 14 for an additional 2nd Rounder doesn't raise expectations all that much. Maybe the arrival of Lindy helps to change player perception around the league and this year is the start of relevancy but the proof is in the pudding. Do something significant, KA. Find a way. It's got to start this weekend.

Yo...the Sabres were probably afraid to 'comeout' with a "front line winner" with eleven in Vegas.

I chose Levi & Peterka.

I had heard that the window actually opened at noon today, not 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final. That may be erroneous info because I can't seem to find verification of that noon time frame anywhere.

They have until 5:00 PM June 30th to get it done. If they don't do it at the beginning of the window, they may wait until closer to that deadline on the off chance that they can actually deal him somewhere.

Yeah, I meant to say that the Sabres would save approximately $7M by buying him out, not that the hit would drop from $21M to $7M. I was multi-tasking and trying to work, as well. I should have proofread before posting. My apologies for any confusion. 🍻

Chad DeDominicis said this morning (radio) that he thinks the buyout is part money/cap savings, part hockey move, part roster construction...but the crux of the move is a lineup thing as the Sabres don't believe that Skinner is a top 6 fit for them any longer. He also said they need to use the cap savings to make moves. We'll see. From your lips, Chad... Added tidbits: 1) As of now, he thinks the Sabres will stay put at #11. 2) Said they should/could target Devils D John Marino, if he becomes available.

WRT "better mean more", I think most if not all of us are of the same mindset...we'll believe it when we see it. From a purely financial perspective, the buyout makes perfect sense. The real or actual money to paid out over the remaining term on the contract would be around $21M - $22M whereas a buyout would bring that down to around $7M. It's a sunk cost either way but that $7M could be used to make arena improvements, add players, or.......simply upgrade the Pegula yacht.

Are they waiting to do something...anything...until after this is done? They can pull the trigger on Skinner at noon today. It's not actually "48 hours" after the end of the Stanley Cup Final.

"Does he want to be in Buffalo?"

Dubois is the NHL's equivalent of the crazy ex-girlfriend you know you should quit but just can't. It's good for a while but will, ultimately, end badly.

Much ado about nothing, IMO. 😇 😉

The hockey gods f'ing hate us. And Reinhart to boot. Fan-f*cking-tastic...

Extend them both ala 'Meatballs' with a game to go. It's the Pegula way...

At least one 'loser point' is coming. Where was this all season? 😕