I do not see the "thank you" button on the new layout - I'm on an old iPhone now. I'll catch you later for that Matty. I do not think Buffalo's worst hater would deny that they've gotten much better. The problem is relativity. The Sabres had 54 points. They are probably 20 points better, but even a wildly optimistic 35 point jump would still land them in the lottery. I like that most of the trades involved prospects that I did not project as contributing to a future playoff team. (I did like Zadarov and really liked Compher in a gritty fourth liner way.) This is the season to really assess what the team already has, which is a marked improvement over wondering what needs to be added. Of course there are holes, but there is not one position that we can point to as a gapping hole, (either already in Buffalo or in the pipeline). Another way of looking at is that Chicago is likely to be worse this year. But, who would you rather be a fan of this season? It's all relative. Gionta was brought in as the local boy to give guidance/leadership. I know he was frustrated last season; he had AHL talent as teammates and a coach that, well, Teddy just sucked.
Two stories reported today, which is not bad for this time of year: 1) Ted Black was fired as president and now Russ Brandon will wear that hat for both the Sabres and the Bills. Tim Murray will run the hockey operation. Black struck many as an "empty suit", but I believe he deserves a lot of credit for the (wildly successful) HarborCenter. Brandon is disliked by many because he's considered the architect of the ill-fated Toronto series for the Bills. Many saw that as a precursor to the team moving there. I never thought that was a serious risk. Mainly Buffalo fans have a paranoid nature because it's Buffalo, after all. The series was a fiasco on most counts, but it did put some serious ching in the Bills' coffer, and that's what someone who runs the operations' side of things is supposed to do. The Bills and the Sabres are rare in that the NHL does not allow an owner to also own an NFL team - unless they're both in the same city. I think the Pegula empire will be able to do some things that other teams can only dream about. (BTW, I think it's a virtual lock that the Bills announce plans for a downtown stadium. The holdup is the intricate language in the lease for the Ralph; it was only ten years but has onerous terms preventing it from being broken. But there is one year - I think 2019 - with an escape window.) 2) The Sabres signed Brendan Guhle to an ELC. He will turn 18 on Wed., so he's ineligible for the AHL. I actually believe he'll be given a chance to make the team this year - but it's more likely he gets 9 games and then gets sent back to the WHL. Still, it seems a little bit of a rush to sign him. However, I believe we're going to see a lot more of this year's draft make the NHL than usual; there may be as many as 10, and some could be second round picks. (Guhle was #51 - and a good one at that spot.). I think Paul Bittner for CBJ is another 2nd rounder with an outside chance at the NHL this season. The ELC contract values are funny money in terms of what the player actually pockets, but it strikes me as odd that he's listed at the same rate as Jack Eichel's 3 yr. $925k.
I'm a big fan of Pegula aligning the business operations of the Bills and Sabres under Brandon. I think its also a clear sign that the business side of the house will be above hockey operations but also out of the way of it. As long as the business plan is wrapped up into a big picture and allows the hockey people to do the hockey stuff, I think that's a real good start. I think both franchises will benefit from the other more than they would have otherwise, I like it anyway.
The Sabres have the rights to 51 individuals who are 24 years old or younger. That's a lot. Some will never sign a contract with them and fewer will skate in the NHL, let alone in Buffalo, but they have an awful lot of stuff to throw against the wall with the hope that some of them stick. Some are pretty good: ROR, E. Kane, Gus Girgensons, Lehner, Ristolainen, Bogasian, Jack Eichel, and Samson Reinhart. I'm happy.
Well, I'll be dipped in shit and call me stinky! Zach graduated on July 15th, so you're right. We'll have two more turn 25 before the end of this year, with three more graduates before the end of the 15-16 season (notably ROR on 2/7, less notably but a current Sabre Deslaurier on 2/22). However, we currently have 10 '16 picks and I'll bet that every one of them is under 25.
This was, IMO, the catalyst for a lot of changes in Buffalo since Nov. 12, 2011: [video]https://youtu.be/TERA-GY2K1o[/video] Thank you, (you PoS), Milan.
Wow, Pominville, Vanek, Miller, Sekera, Gaustad, Myers... there's not one player on the ice still on the Sabres. Pathetically, Miller's two-handed stick swipe at Lucic, (it missed), was the most forceful response of any Sabre that night. Darcy Regier, you suck! Lucic, (you PoS), thank you.
since u brought him up, dan, i'd also like to thank the LA queens for taking this junk-slashing punk motherf**k to the western conference.
i don't blame you. the Dekeysering started to open some of Sully's eyes around here to what it is exactly that they're rooting for so enthusiastically. Hey Sully, stop comparing him to Neely and its not even close. other people aren't as enlightened as you and i are lulz as to the true value of the Bigfat. LA clearly isn't. I hope Lucic and Ryan Miller wind up on the same team at some point.
and yet, even after the dekeysering and its clones, a certain someone on cBS continued to defend the guy, categorically stating "they all had it coming."
playing devil's advocate a bit here but interested in everyone's thoughts on this- the structuring of Ryan O'reillys deal is going to be very problematic for Buffalo and not just in cap hit. He signed for $52.5/7 for a $7.5 aav. the problem is that it's all given in bonuses, minus $1m annually, essentially insuring that he can't be bought out. Im expecting Jack Eichel to surpass ROR by the time Eichel's ELC is up. He can look at ROR and easily demand more at that point. and what about Reinhart? Buffalo could have an unmovable 3rd line center making $7.5.
Wow! ROR makes $1.2M less than Sidney Crosby?!?!? Did I say "wow"? I meant... Aaaaaaaaahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!
Everyone knows that ROR is a, hmmm, tough contract negotiator. He will not turn 25 until February. He is not likely to be a C for the duration of the contract, and this will not be his final contract, (in all likelihood), in the NHL. ROR was brought in because of his superlative attributes not measured on the stat sheet. A young established player that can be moved to the wing or back to the pivot gives great flexibility to the coach and the organization. Hell, if Eichel (or Reinhart) develops faster than expected, then he may play wing this season. But, we know that a teenager does not have to be thrust into the 1C role. ROR is exactly the type of player Buffalo had to get this year. After eight seasons in blue & gold it is more likely that his salary is going to looked at as a bargain rather than him being a buyout candidate. There is no way to know for sure at this time, but this simply is not an inevitable problem waiting to happen. The team needs to lock up Gus Girgensoms long term, so they do not need to pay their 3C too much. They need to avoid/limit NMC with their bevy of young talent. But, if BUF should have Hawk-like cap issues in a few years I'll take that. The only way it becomes a problem is that everyone fulfills their potential. Their potential is to be perennial Cup contenders. Terry & TM knew what they were buying when they got ROR. They're also already thinking long term with respect to the cap; that is why Hodgson was bought out this year. Otherwise, it is sure a nice change of pace to see others commenting on the over abundance of talent on the Sabres.
The hockey team from Boston [del]xxxxxx[/del], New Jersey Devils will join Sabres in round-robin prospects tournament from Sept. 12-14 The Buffalo Sabres announced the team will host the Prospects Challenge, presented by Tops Friendly Markets, from Sept. 12 to 14 at First Niagara Center and HARBORCENTER. The hockey team from Boston [del]xxxxxx[/del] and New Jersey Devils will compete with the Sabres in the round-robin challenge featuring prospects from each team. The participating teams will play two games during the course of the three-day event. The Sabres had participated in Detroit's prospect tourney, but pulled out to set up their own now that they have the facilities back home. (The Hawks will replace the Sabres in Traverse City.) I expect this will grow to four-to-eight teams in time.
The Sabres have four of the Top 100 Prospects per Corey Pronman of ESPN.com. A year ago they had 8 top 100, but this year they have #2 & #3, (Jack Eichel & Samson Reinhart). Jake McCabe is #78, and it is possible that all three will graduate off the prospect list this year. Hudson Fashing, #92, will skate for the Univ. of Minnesota this year. In all likelihood the '16 first will make the list next year, but if they're below the statistical 3.33/team then I will take that as a sign of progress.
