The Sabres are already behind the cap eight ball for 2025/26 without dumping a contract or two.

[GASabresIUFAN]

1 hour ago, LTS said:

Owen Power: 6G, 18A

Bowen Byram: 5G 18A

it's not really a debatable point.

?  Their 5 on 5 offense is identical and Byram doesn't get PP time.  Power's 1 extra goal is on the PP.  

By the way Byram is +6 while Power is -11.  We can sign Byram long-term for 7 million.  What do we need Power for if trading him can fix holes in the roster?

The one thing we can't do is investment nearly 27 million in 3 offensive LHD.  It's a luxury we can no longer afford.  

[thewookie1]

37 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

?  Their 5 on 5 offense is identical and Byram doesn't get PP time.  Power's 1 extra goal is on the PP.  

By the way Byram is +6 while Power is -11.  We can sign Byram long-term for 7 million.  What do we need Power for if trading him can fix holes in the roster?

The one thing we can't do is investment nearly 27 million in 3 offensive LHD.  It's a luxury we can no longer afford.  

If we sign our guys I doubt the apparent internal cap will play any part in it. Pegula has shown plenty of times he's willing to pay out the bucks to players. He just hates paying anyone not to be here and/or will look for contractual circumstances that may have a cheaper way of paying it.

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, LTS said:

So he wants money over winning?  It's possible and if so it's likely a 1 year deal so he can be moved at the trade deadline.

 

I think money is a big factor for players who are veterans and are on the downside of their careers. And I also believe that there are players who have not performed up to their talent level and would be willing to sign here for the short term in order to refurbish their career and make themselves more appealing to other teams. The veteran players recognize that it's a business as much for players as it is for the organizations. 

[JP51]

6 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Is this what Kevyn means by sustainable? 

Oh I think that is exactly what he means... him or Pegula... I think they want to do this on the cheap and go periennal youth and cheap... I really dont think he has a plan to win... I think he hopes he lucks into it... I think the financial plan is far higher on the priority list than winning ever will be. 

[Archie Lee]

53 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

?  Their 5 on 5 offense is identical and Byram doesn't get PP time.  Power's 1 extra goal is on the PP.  

By the way Byram is +6 while Power is -11.  We can sign Byram long-term for 7 million.  What do we need Power for if trading him can fix holes in the roster?

The one thing we can't do is investment nearly 27 million in 3 offensive LHD.  It's a luxury we can no longer afford.  

Here is something that people might find interesting re: who Power and Byram get paired with. 

This is according to Dobber Line Combinations. 

Byram’s primary even strength partner this year is Dahlin at 442 minutes. Second for Byram is Power at 221 minutes. 

Power’s most common partner?  Byram. 

That’s how we treat our 21 year old 1st OA. That’s how we protect our young kids. Power’s partner is an afterthought. He has never had a partner. 

[JohnC]

41 minutes ago, JP51 said:

Oh I think that is exactly what he means... him or Pegula... I think they want to do this on the cheap and go periennal youth and cheap... I really dont think he has a plan to win... I think he hopes he lucks into it... I think the financial plan is far higher on the priority list than winning ever will be. 

The irony is that if the clueless owner put together a quality hockey staff, starting with the GM, he would be able to assemble a competitive team that would be a more compelling and desirous product. If that scenario happened, the hometown arena would be mostly filled, as it is with the Bandit team, the professional lacrosse team. On top of that, the Sabres would be a playoff team that would result in garnering even more post season revenue. This billionaire has saved pennies at the expense of losing dollars. His miserly financial behavior has hurt his own pocket book while also eroding the fanbase, i.e. paying customers. How freaking stupid is that!!!!

[Stoner]

27 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The irony is that if the clueless owner put together a quality hockey staff, starting with the GM, he would be able to assemble a competitive team that would be a more compelling and desirous product. If that scenario happened, the hometown arena would be mostly filled, as it is with the Bandit team, the professional lacrosse team. On top of that, the Sabres would be a playoff team that would result in garnering even more post season revenue. This billionaire has saved pennies at the expense of losing dollars. His miserly financial behavior has hurt his own pocket book while also eroding the fanbase, i.e. paying customers. How freaking stupid is that!!!!

Save us, Guelli!

[Brawndo]

1 hour ago, Archie Lee said:

Here is something that people might find interesting re: who Power and Byram get paired with. 

This is according to Dobber Line Combinations. 

Byram’s primary even strength partner this year is Dahlin at 442 minutes. Second for Byram is Power at 221 minutes. 

Power’s most common partner?  Byram. 

That’s how we treat our 21 year old 1st OA. That’s how we protect our young kids. Power’s partner is an afterthought. He has never had a partner. 

This is the primary reason I am not ready to give up on Power. Jokiharju and Samuelsson are anchors to everyone they play with. I remember Adams saying they need to find an experienced D partner for Power even before he signed His ELC and still nothing has been done 

[GASabresIUFAN]

8 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

I remember Adams saying they need to find an experienced D partner for Power even before he signed His ELC and still nothing has been done 

True and another reason Adams needs to go and soon.  It's his job to put his players in the best situation to succeed.  If you invest $8 mill a season in a young 1st overall pick, how hard is it really to find a decent partner for that key player?  However, 2 years on, there is still no partner for Power.  

 

[Brawndo]

12 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

True and another reason Adams needs to go and soon.  It's his job to put his players in the best situation to succeed.  If you invest $8 mill a season in a young 1st overall pick, how hard is it really to find a decent partner for that key player?  However, 2 years on, there is still no partner for Power.  

 

I was probably the last hold out on GMKA, I foolishly thought he was going to be able to convince Pegula to spend closer to the cap this season.  He needs to be gone 
 

 

[GASabresIUFAN]

5 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

I was probably the last hold out on GMKA, I foolishly thought he was going to be able to convince Pegula to spend closer to the cap this season.  He needs to be gone 
 

 

Even if your happy about some of his moves and drafting, his failure to recognize simple and obvious roster issues like a proper partner for Power, defenders who can defend and playmakers who can drive offense makes him incompetent and not worth retaining.

Edited Friday at 09:57 PM by GASabresIUFAN

[steveoath]

What is Byrams stats away from Dahlin? 

[mjd1001]

45 minutes ago, steveoath said:

What is Byrams stats away from Dahlin? 

worse in almost every single way...

https://www.naturalstattrick.com/linestats.php?fromseason=20232024&thruseason=20242025&stype=2&sit=ev&score=all&rate=n&team=BUF&vteam=ALL&view=wowy&loc=B&gpfilt=none&fd=2023-10-10&td=2025-04-17&tgp=2000&strict=incl&p1=8481524&p2=8480839&p3=0&p4=0&p5=0

Although one thing to keep in mind...who are the other players on the ice with him when he is out there with Dahlin vs with someone else.

When Byram and Dahlin are together, they are likely playing with the Sabres top line (Thompson, Tuch) more.

When Bryam is out there with Power or someone else, they are likely with Cozens, or the 3rd line.

Never, EVER underestimate the negative impact Dylan Cozens can have on a player, he can even tank a D-mans stats.

For Example:

Byram with Thompson: 403 minutes, 30 goals for , 12 goals allowed (5 on 5)

Bryam with Cozens: 355 minutes 14 goals for, 22 goals allowed.

The forwards a D-man has out there with him and the support they give him can be just as important, maybe more so, than his D-partner.  In this case,  Bryams GF AND GA are much better when on the ice with Tage than when Cozens is out there at center.

I like goals for and goals allowed vs expected goals for and allowed because it takes account shooting percentage, not just shot locations, but if you dig deep into the advanced stats, they kinda mirror the same thing (slight differences) as actual goals.

Yet another reason Cozens needs to be ejected off of this team immediatly if they refuse to move him to wing.

Edited Friday at 10:51 PM by mjd1001

[Thorner]

6 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Carthage wasn't as well destroyed as the Sabres have been and the Romans salted the earth on which it stood.

If Raimi does Spider-Man 4 he’s gotta be the villain 

2 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

Here is something that people might find interesting re: who Power and Byram get paired with. 

This is according to Dobber Line Combinations. 

Byram’s primary even strength partner this year is Dahlin at 442 minutes. Second for Byram is Power at 221 minutes. 

Power’s most common partner?  Byram. 

That’s how we treat our 21 year old 1st OA. That’s how we protect our young kids. Power’s partner is an afterthought. He has never had a partner. 

I’m as pleased w/Byram’s recent play as much as anyone but it’s disappointing he apparently needs to be stapled to a franchise defender to make it happen 

[Thorner]

1 hour ago, Brawndo said:

I was probably the last hold out on GMKA, I foolishly thought he was going to be able to convince Pegula to spend closer to the cap this season.  He needs to be gone 
 

 

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, Brawndo said:

I was probably the last hold out on GMKA, I foolishly thought he was going to be able to convince Pegula to spend closer to the cap this season.  He needs to be gone 
 

 

The primary reason that KA needs to be dispatched has little to do with convincing the stubborn owner to spend money. He's a failure because as a GM he failed in understanding how to construct a roster and judge pro talent. 

As far as persuading our nontalking and conceited owner that he needed to spend more, the onus is primarily on the owner, not the GM. Terry P knew exactly who he was hiring when he made the weird GM hire. He got a sycophant who was willing to always bend a knee to the clueless owner. 

The target of criticisms should be squarely directed toward the penny-pinching owner who hired an incapable person to oversee the hockey operation. He was selected because he was a "yes man" in comparison to his predecessor who said no to the owner, and then was fired for standing up to the owner on an issue that the former GM knew would hurt the hockey franchise if implemented. 

This is a failed franchise because we have no nothing owner who lacks the self-awareness to recognize that he knows nothing about how to be a successful owner. When you mesh incompetence with hubris you predictably end up with a failed business. I'm tired of this billionaire fool. 

[JP51]

3 hours ago, JohnC said:

The irony is that if the clueless owner put together a quality hockey staff, starting with the GM, he would be able to assemble a competitive team that would be a more compelling and desirous product. If that scenario happened, the hometown arena would be mostly filled, as it is with the Bandit team, the professional lacrosse team. On top of that, the Sabres would be a playoff team that would result in garnering even more post season revenue. This billionaire has saved pennies at the expense of losing dollars. His miserly financial behavior has hurt his own pocket book while also eroding the fanbase, i.e. paying customers. How freaking stupid is that!!!!

Amen brother

[GASabresIUFAN]

2 hours ago, Thorner said:

If Raimi does Spider-Man 4 he’s gotta be the villain 

I’m as pleased w/Byram’s recent play as much as anyone but it’s disappointing he apparently needs to be stapled to a franchise defender to make it happen 

Kind of sad.  KA's big move and he's just another waste of a "talented" young player who lacks the necessary fundamentals to succeed long-term.  Good thing we are about to hand him a long-term $7 mill a season deal.  

[Slack_in_MA]

3 hours ago, Brawndo said:

I was probably the last hold out on GMKA, I foolishly thought he was going to be able to convince Pegula to spend closer to the cap this season.  He needs to be gone 
 

 

I think Pegula is just waiting until the Bills season is over before doing anything. Doesn't want a firing to be a distraction. 

One can only hope. We shall see.

[LTS]

6 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

?  Their 5 on 5 offense is identical and Byram doesn't get PP time.  Power's 1 extra goal is on the PP.  

By the way Byram is +6 while Power is -11.  We can sign Byram long-term for 7 million.  What do we need Power for if trading him can fix holes in the roster?

The one thing we can't do is investment nearly 27 million in 3 offensive LHD.  It's a luxury we can no longer afford.  

You literally said, Byram had more offense than Power. It was literally not true. You had no qualifiers so don't start responding to me with them after the fact. I am well aware of the statistics. If you want to talk about their overall contribution to the team that's different, but I won't know that unless you say it.

Your speculation on the cost to retain Byram is interesting. Do you not think Byram is sitting there saying to himself, "Hey, I have a higher +/- and nearly as many points as this other guy. I am on your top pair. How am I not worth $8M?"

Byram's agent enters the arbitration room. When asked for his justification he says two words "Owen Power" drops his mic and walks out.

I don't know what we need Power for, I did not make a case to keep him. All I said is that if your justification for trading Owen Power is that he's not a big, physical defenseman then you are using the wrong metrics.  You keep repeating the $27M statement as if somehow saying it over and over again will be relevant to my response. It won't be. I am also not arguing that point.

If Power or Byram is traded then they better bring back something that can fix the offense. A big, physical defenseman can be obtained for far less or even as part of the deal. 

Of course the coaching staff is the worst problem this team has, so I don't think bringing any player in here is going to change things.

 

[GASabresIUFAN]

34 minutes ago, LTS said:

ou literally said, Byram had more offense than Power. It was literally not true. You had no qualifiers so don't start responding to me with them after the fact. I am well aware of the statistics. If you want to talk about their overall contribution to the team that's different, but I won't know that unless you say it.

This is not what I said.  I said Power doesn't give us more offense than Byram.   Here is the exact quote.

Quote

He doesn’t give more offense than Byram, he isn’t physical despite his size, is terrible in D zone coverage and isn’t fast enough to fix his mistakes.  He certainly isn’t giving us $4 mill worth of value much less 8.35.   If we can get him off the books we free up his cap to find guys who actually play defense.   

My statement is true.  They have produced the same number of points 5 on 5 and Power is the bigger liability on defense.  His one extra goal this season came on the PP which Byram doesn't play.  

[Cranky old man]

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

[Cranky old man]

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyin didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiln didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

[DarthEbriate]

13 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

No he doesn't. You can send every single top 5 pick back next year and you should. Outside of McDavid, I don't think 18yrs olds are suited to the NHL. 

Schaefer won't even be 18 until training camp starts, so he's going back. 

Hagens is in college, not Jr's so him going back to get stronger is smart. 

Misa, I could hear the argument for NHL and is the only one that I could be talked into. 

Martone, he's good but I think Jr's helps him refine his game more

McQueen, he's been injured and has already lost half the yr

Further, I wouldn't want any of these guys up dealing with the fallout from this season because without massive org changes, next year will be a dumpster too.

But you’re thinking rationally about teenage prospects and high picks. That’s not how the Sabres braintrust operates. 

[Thorner]

5 hours ago, Cranky old man said:

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiinn didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyin didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

You are just making all of this up right? Kevyiln didn’t call you up and spill his guts about his pending incompetence in 2025-2026?

RIGHT!