So much speculation with so little substance. We are at the point when no matter what “informed” sources choose to bring something to the chain of thoughts, they are all just extrapolated from hypothetical conversations or from media source disturbers that just need content to survive. Until contracts are signed, or legitimate people with titles let us know something has been consummated, have fun volleying the tennis ball to each other over the net that is set low. I am not quite sure why I have to reiterate the simple facts of the lineup as opposed to trying to entertain you. Yes, wondering why we have not been a player in acquiring assets that would have definitely improved our team are legitimate conversation points, but we all know that our success is being built with a core in mind. There are legitimate contracts needed to be signed and the salary cap is real. Faith in management in knowing their players integrity and value to the team is a poker game, but they know where the cards are in the deck more than the outsiders or the peripheral antagonists. You can put graphs and numbers in front of anybody, but emotion and circumstance trumps all. The eyeball test and coaching your family are the real intangibles. Data can be an indicator to help people understand a different way but it is not a label. We all react separately to different social situations. Our line up as it is constituted is as follows. It is a group that believes in each other and the additional pieces that have been added have not been done so without deep conversations in regards to fitting in and getting on board with the philosophy for success. That being said, once again this is what we have. It is going to be a great year. I believe in what I saw, and have the confidence in our coaches for sure. They have the ability to use our roster when other teams try to thwart our strengths. Our organization will adjust, and whoever pulls the jersey on will buy in, or they are out.
Forwards that will inevitably be on the roster on opening night –
Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens, Kyle Okposo, Zemgus Girgensons, Casey Mittelstadt, Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn (Injured)
Forwards that are still in play or will be sitting in the press box. Trades or waivers to the AHL –
Victor Olofsson, Tyson Jost, Jordan Greenway
Defensemen that will inevitably be on the roster on opening night –
Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson, Connor Clifton, Erik Johnson
Defensemen that are still in play or will be sitting in the press box. Trades or waivers, or assigned to the AHL –
Ilya Lyubushkin, Henri Jokiharju, Riley Stillman, Jacob Bryson, Kyle Clague
Goalie that will inevitably be on the roster on opening night –
Devon Levi
Goalies that are still in play or will be sitting in the press box. Trades or waivers, or assigned to the AHL –
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Eric Comrie
Back to the judgement with our ownership and management. We have to let the rest of this offseason play out. They are not done. The numbers just don’t add up. After the draft and free agency we are all just Ned Rierson and they are Bill Murray (Phil Connors). They know and you don’t. They have all of the opportunity to change the day and the landscape. When they wake up for real and the starting lineup is announced, hopefully they have learned from their lessons and there is a bright light shining down on us. We as a fan group are not credulous, and they are aware that we have endured too much.
A few things just from the heart –
Devon Levi is going to be able to handle the workload and will be everything we need. Our defensive system will be tailored to his success. Thinking that he will not have what it takes is nearsighted. Sometimes you have to take the plunge. The kid has the athleticism and mindset to make us proud.
If Patrick Kane wants to play for his hometown at a discount that fits our needs than get it done. If he is healthy enough to confidently lace them up, and he can humble himself to truly acclimate himself to his teammates, there is no reason for negativity. His experience and skill would resonate through the locker room.
Oh yeah –
The Sabres are not going to move. It didn’t happen before and it most certainly won’t happen now. Enough with that.
Buffalo Sabres Blogger • 
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