Curious on Sabres fans take...

Does JE being able to take that Tkachuk hit, come back and be a dominant force in these finals, justify his decision to go with his doctors and does it not cast some doubt on Sabres doctors rejecting and not allowing it...

Makes me wonder because it sure looks like he was right to hold out for his kind of surgery and Sabres were trying to take the easy way out ...

Would love Hanifin but is a UFA after this year and is LHD. Maybe not the right choice for the Sabres. Mayfield would also be a good choice.

Curious on Sabres fans take...

Does JE being able to take that Tkachuk hit, come back and be a dominant force in these finals, justify his decision to go with his doctors and does it not cast some doubt on Sabres doctors rejecting and not allowing it...

Makes me wonder because it sure looks like he was right to hold out for his kind of surgery and Sabres were trying to take the easy way out ...
- dozerD10

No, one hit doesn't decide everything. A lesser hit in the right spot could be worse.

Its something that no one will know until his career is over.

Curious on Sabres fans take...

Does JE being able to take that Tkachuk hit, come back and be a dominant force in these finals, justify his decision to go with his doctors and does it not cast some doubt on Sabres doctors rejecting and not allowing it...

Makes me wonder because it sure looks like he was right to hold out for his kind of surgery and Sabres were trying to take the easy way out ...
- dozerD10

So my take on this. Sabres and Eichel were on a path to separation. The injury caused a cross roads. The one option had never been done on an NHL player before, and it was easy for the Sabres FO to just say that was the reason they traded him, not anything on ice or locker room. So for me there was some surgery concerns, but also an easy excuse for them to trade him.

If Eichel wins a cup this year but the hit causes him to be a shell of him self for years does that make it the right surgery? No one can see the future. I’m glad it is working out for him, so far, but the Sabres were in serious trouble (possibly selling team?) and they needed a solid return from Eichel to move ahead. It’s a win win situation.

I think I am still bitter on Eichel, but that’s my issues not the player. I wanted McDavid (who had yet to win the cup by the way) and they did not put any sort of team around Eichel. He also wasn’t captain material, but since we did not have a team, he had to be it (the savior). It’s really hard to be a savior to your team in the NHL. You need a solid team to be anything in the league.

find a happy place
- homiedclown

Saw something about Tom Wilson being available…

https://nhlrumors.com/nhl-rumors-calgary-flames-colorado-avalanche-and-buffalo-musings/2023/06/11/
Interesting stuff
- Buff36

😂😂😂😂

>>> Kevyn Adams likes his defensive corps. That is not a secret.

"So here’s an incomplete list of players the Sabres met with this week and their rankings on Scott Wheeler’s latest board.

10. Matthew Wood, RW
12. David Reinbacher, RHD
14. Eduard Sale, LW
16. Axel Sandin Pellikka, LHD
17. Colby Barlow, LW
18. Quentin Musty, LW
32. Etienne Morin, LHD
41. Oliver Bonk, RHD
77. Gavin McCarthy, RHD
85. Jakub Dvorak, RHD
Unranked: Sawyer Mynio, LHD"

From Matt Fairburn on The Athletic.
https://theathletic.com/4...ource=user-shared-article

So should we therefore expect their pick at 13 to be one of the top 6 guys listed here?
- IonSabres

Considering it is an incomplete list, no.

In the last 10 years 7 goaltenders 22 or younger have played 40 or more games in a season:

- Gibson
- Vasy
- Murray
- Oettinger
- Blackwood
- Hart
- Swayman

Gibson, Hart, Murray, and Oettinger (barely) had + GSAx in EH model. Other 3 were negative.

So if the Sabres want to keep their tandem they would have to hope Levi is one of the exceptions that can make be productive that young.

Then…you have to sell yourself on Comrie and/or UPL giving you at least average results in the other HALF of the games.

Also fwiw last season was the first time Levi played more than than 40 games in a season (NCAA, NHL, and WC).

That NHL schedule is different though than 2 weekend games a week.

All this to say running back a mix of the 3 on the roster now is a MASSIVE risk.

https://twitter.com/CMDeD...Se0FpH06qbcHkRSJqtYQ&s=19

So my take on this. Sabres and Eichel were on a path to separation. The injury caused a cross roads. The one option had never been done on an NHL player before, and it was easy for the Sabres FO to just say that was the reason they traded him, not anything on ice or locker room. So for me there was some surgery concerns, but also an easy excuse for them to trade him.

If Eichel wins a cup this year but the hit causes him to be a shell of him self for years does that make it the right surgery? No one can see the future. I’m glad it is working out for him, so far, but the Sabres were in serious trouble (possibly selling team?) and they needed a solid return from Eichel to move ahead. It’s a win win situation.

I think I am still bitter on Eichel, but that’s my issues not the player. I wanted McDavid (who had yet to win the cup by the way) and they did not put any sort of team around Eichel. He also wasn’t captain material, but since we did not have a team, he had to be it (the savior). It’s really hard to be a savior to your team in the NHL. You need a solid team to be anything in the league.
- Lilroot9

Agreed with most of this.
I was strongly on the Let him have the surgery of his choice side of the debate. The injury really complicated the trade negotiations as Jack had requested a trade the year before, another major hurdle to overcome. Sabres didn't want to risk further de-valuing him, so they refused his request in an effort to allow the acquiring team make their own decision with him.

He's gone, good on him for playing well.
I'm pretty happy with the return, especially since a locker room issue was hung on him and the team has now unified very nicely with him having left.

Aside from the Edmonton one, which of these, if any, would you say yes to from the Chicago perspective?

Mock trades with Chicago for the number one pick (Bedard):
- Edmonton = McDavid
- St. Louis = Kyrou, Thomas, all three 2023 first round picks (10th, 25th, 29th)
- Arizona = Keller, Cooley, both 2023 1st's (6th, 12th), Arizona 2024 1st
- Vancouver = Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, 2023 1st (11th), 2024 1st, 2025 1st
- Montreal = Both 2023 1st's (5th,31st), 3 of the following: Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Kirby Dach, Kaiden Guhle, Slafkovsky, Filip Mesar
- Nashville = ALL 13 2023 picks

https://bleacherreport.co...ard-at-the-2023-nhl-draft
- kingcong39

No
No
Yes
No
Maybe
No

Curious on Sabres fans take...

Does JE being able to take that Tkachuk hit, come back and be a dominant force in these finals, justify his decision to go with his doctors and does it not cast some doubt on Sabres doctors rejecting and not allowing it...

Makes me wonder because it sure looks like he was right to hold out for his kind of surgery and Sabres were trying to take the easy way out ...
- dozerD10

Had Eichel truly wanted to be here prior to and during his early days of injury, the Sabres would have allowed the surgery.

No
No
Yes
No
Maybe
No
- TheSabresTaco

Arizona and Vancouver are a quick yes for me.

St. Louis probably is a yes as well.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have already added Ivan Proverov and Damon Severson in this young offseason.

Could Colton Parayko be next on their list? #CBJ

@Jackie_Redmond | @EJHradek_NHL | #NHLNow

https://twitter.com/nhlne...&t=xdQbB5Lb122zkqI9Vd9bMg

Had Eichel truly wanted to be here prior to and during his early days of injury, the Sabres would have allowed the surgery.
- TheSabresTaco

Thanks for all the measured responses.. If Fantilli is anything close to JE as the 2nd OA this yr.. I will be more than jazzed..

Your take is the 1st one I've seen or heard that makes the case the Sabres would have allowed the surgery... I've never seen that - I thought they were always wanting the other diagnosis.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have already added Ivan Proverov and Damon Severson in this young offseason.

Could Colton Parayko be next on their list? #CBJ

@Jackie_Redmond | @EJHradek_NHL | #NHLNow

https://twitter.com/nhlne...&t=xdQbB5Lb122zkqI9Vd9bMg
- kingcong39

I wish Vertank was as pissed about losing as Jarmo seems to be... Dude is making a serious roster overhaul... opinions be damned.

I wish Vertank was as pissed about losing as Jarmo seems to be... Dude is making a serious roster overhaul... opinions be damned.

- dozerD10

If Columbus ends up getting Parayko, I would be calling them about this guy:

https://www.capfriendly.c.../players/denton-mateychuk

I wish Vertank was as pissed about losing as Jarmo seems to be... Dude is making a serious roster overhaul... opinions be damned.

- dozerD10

Columbus is spending a lot of draft capital and money to go from picking 3rd to picking 9th.

The Columbus Mid Jackets

Not your link, I always appreciate you and others for posting those.

It was this blog I just read.
When the Sabres are in the SC Playoffs, I will expect to read reminiscent blogs about the 1980 season.
- IonSabres

So it wasn’t just me…..

Curious on Sabres fans take...

Does JE being able to take that Tkachuk hit, come back and be a dominant force in these finals, justify his decision to go with his doctors and does it not cast some doubt on Sabres doctors rejecting and not allowing it...

Makes me wonder because it sure looks like he was right to hold out for his kind of surgery and Sabres were trying to take the easy way out ...
- dozerD10

It makes me question the Sabres a little bit more but also, he was a piece of crap about everything.

What bothers me more is being the NHL’s farm team in general.

Columbus is spending a lot of draft capital and money to go from picking 3rd to picking 9th.

The Columbus Mid Jackets
- Swedish_Jesus

Is that a prediction on where they'll be picking in the 2024 draft?

Is that a prediction on where they'll be picking in the 2024 draft?
- kingcong39

Yes it is

Columbus is spending a lot of draft capital and money to go from picking 3rd to picking 9th.

The Columbus Mid Jackets
- Swedish_Jesus

They did have a ginormous amount of injuries.. Getting Werenski back and with the adds so far.. they will be much better on the backend.

You could be right though.

I do like a GM being angry about losing and doing something about it though.

They did have a ginormous amount of injuries.. Getting Werenski back and with the adds so far.. they will be much better on the backend.

You could be right though.

I do like a GM being angry about losing and doing something about it though.
- dozerD10

All Columbus needs is a goalie at this point and I was saying that 2 years ago. Regardless, they are doing what needs to be done after signing Jonny G. Have to build a team and see if you can sustain success.

Arizona and Vancouver are a quick yes for me.

St. Louis probably is a yes as well.
- kingcong39

You said for Chicago, not Buffalo. Put yourself in their shoes. How does getting a couple vet players in their primes help the rest of their poopty team?

Thanks for all the measured responses.. If Fantilli is anything close to JE as the 2nd OA this yr.. I will be more than jazzed..

Your take is the 1st one I've seen or heard that makes the case the Sabres would have allowed the surgery... I've never seen that - I thought they were always wanting the other diagnosis.
- dozerD10

Their (Buffalo) doctors did not support the idea. But the Sabres and Eichel were at odds for well over a year. Ya know, because we were garbage. It came down to, do we want to risk this for a guy who doesn't care if he's here?

And so, they never pressed the issue. Let someone else deal with the risks, we can collect the pieces to better suit this team.