Your feelings are irrelevant to monetary negotiations. Cale Makar and Matthews have set the market.
- washedup20

There are a couple of guys making more than Makar iirc.

people forget all the teams below us in the standings also got better aside from maybe washington
- homiedclown

That's true, the league doesn't stand still, but I still think they've at minimum kept pace with those teams or the gap was far enough that the improvements a lot of them made will not be enough. Let's not also forget that teams in front of them are showing the lack of tread on their tires. 2 huge retirements in Boston, Tampa is aging, Florida went from Presidents trophy to 8 seed. Is this the year any or all of those teams fall apart? Maybe, maybe not, but each year that passes is another year on the clock for them.

Boston ranked 32nd in prospects pool by the hockey writers, Sabres 1st. It's a discrepancy you would expect for where the teams did (and in Boston's case did not) draft. They have to replace a lot of good play and while that doesn't mean we will be better than them it does mean there's chances for points and wins against teams that have dominated us for a while. A few wins against Boston and Tampa can go a long way when it's March and there's a tight race. We lost by I think a goal to Florida in early October last season, that 2 points ends up being the difference in the standings between the teams

Mitts + VO + X. Recipe for success.
- Lunaion

Any line with VO on it just won't be a successful line overall. He talked about play away from the puck and I do think he meant it but it's just not a part of his game that he can do well. He's a luxury player on a team that can't afford it. If we was on the penguins or caps from 5-6 years ago he would be a great player for them.

Agreed, he was rushed. The last 2 seasons with his end of the year runs he should've been moved.
- washedup20

College players hold the cards if they sign or wait it out to free agency.

When mitts power for example signed …. There is an unwritten agreement saying they will not see anytime in Rochester.

It’s the NHL system with college players that is broken. The Sabres were forced to rush them

That's true, the league doesn't stand still, but I still think they've at minimum kept pace with those teams or the gap was far enough that the improvements a lot of them made will not be enough. Let's not also forget that teams in front of them are showing the lack of tread on their tires. 2 huge retirements in Boston, Tampa is aging, Florida went from Presidents trophy to 8 seed. Is this the year any or all of those teams fall apart? Maybe, maybe not, but each year that passes is another year on the clock for them.

Boston ranked 32nd in prospects pool by the hockey writers, Sabres 1st. It's a discrepancy you would expect for where the teams did (and in Boston's case did not) draft. They have to replace a lot of good play and while that doesn't mean we will be better than them it does mean there's chances for points and wins against teams that have dominated us for a while. A few wins against Boston and Tampa can go a long way when it's March and there's a tight race. We lost by I think a goal to Florida in early October last season, that 2 points ends up being the difference in the standings between the teams
- Zschalberg

What makes you think they won’t be a top team in the east?

I was excited for Mitts when we got him and he came up way too early for sure. I will say I think he's finally coming into his own these past 2 years and played very well down the stretch this year. This is his make or break season and he knows it. With the prospect backup behind him he's going to need to play like he did at the end of last season all year to keep his spot.

I do think he has the hands and eyes to be an effective offensive player in the league and his hustle and skating are much better than previous years. A mittlestadt breakout year would be great for playoff chances.
- Zschalberg

7th times the charm.

We went through those comps like 3 weeks ago and they're flawed.
- DirtyDan

Are they flawed or do they not fit a certain narrative.

You are correct though the flaw is Sabres having multiple 1st overall selections

Any line with VO on it just won't be a successful line overall. He talked about play away from the puck and I do think he meant it but it's just not a part of his game that he can do well. He's a luxury player on a team that can't afford it. If we was on the penguins or caps from 5-6 years ago he would be a great player for them.
- Zschalberg

He actually needs to battle in the corners. That would be an improvement.

7th times the charm.
- washedup20

Hopefully. Although if he had actually cooked for a few more years and come up later we might not be as critical. Not to mention a lot of those teams he's been on were bad teams in rebuilds.

Regardless of the past or of his potential, it's make or break this year. RFA after this season so if he's not living up to expectations I'll expect he gets traded at the TDL to make room.

College players hold the cards if they sign or wait it out to free agency.

When mitts power for example signed …. There is an unwritten agreement saying they will not see anytime in Rochester.

It’s the NHL system with college players that is broken. The Sabres were forced to rush them
- Sabretooth9

Disagree entirely, I believe a management group that bends to this approach by a player or agent is not equipped to handle their role.

Sacrificing the roster to appease a player, specifically a rookie, who is not a generational talent is bad management.

Tatar in, VO out would have been a massive improvement.
- Lunaion

Agreed 100%. And given how much money Tatar signed for, there's a chance a large one year deal could've done it. I just am not sure we were ever a consideration. Based on his comments, looks like he was looking at SC contenders, which would've counted us out.

Hopefully. Although if he had actually cooked for a few more years and come up later we might not be as critical. Not to mention a lot of those teams he's been on were bad teams in rebuilds.

Regardless of the past or of his potential, it's make or break this year. RFA after this season so if he's not living up to expectations I'll expect he gets traded at the TDL to make room.
- Zschalberg

Agreed, Krebs is the new mitts on this roster....and mitts is still on the roster lol

What makes you think they won’t be a top team in the east?
- washedup20

They finished 13th overall this season with less than 100 points, only 7 more than Buffalo. They lost players due to cap as well. I'll say they still make the playoffs but they likely aren't fighting for the division title, imo Toronto will run with that. The Sabres, Boston, and Tampa should round out spots 2-4 in the Atlantic and it'll just be about which order they go in

That's true, the league doesn't stand still, but I still think they've at minimum kept pace with those teams or the gap was far enough that the improvements a lot of them made will not be enough. Let's not also forget that teams in front of them are showing the lack of tread on their tires. 2 huge retirements in Boston, Tampa is aging, Florida went from Presidents trophy to 8 seed. Is this the year any or all of those teams fall apart? Maybe, maybe not, but each year that passes is another year on the clock for them.

Boston ranked 32nd in prospects pool by the hockey writers, Sabres 1st. It's a discrepancy you would expect for where the teams did (and in Boston's case did not) draft. They have to replace a lot of good play and while that doesn't mean we will be better than them it does mean there's chances for points and wins against teams that have dominated us for a while. A few wins against Boston and Tampa can go a long way when it's March and there's a tight race. We lost by I think a goal to Florida in early October last season, that 2 points ends up being the difference in the standings between the teams
- Zschalberg

you should be our blogger


A+ for effort

Agreed, Krebs is the new mitts on this roster....and mitts is still on the roster lol
- washedup20

Mittlestadt's offensive ability is above Krebs imo. Personally if we're planning on keeping one or the other I'm for Mitts because I don't want to develop Krebs just for him to turn into a less productive Mitts.

They finished 13th overall this season with less than 100 points, only 7 more than Buffalo. They lost players due to cap as well. I'll say they still make the playoffs but they likely aren't fighting for the division title, imo Toronto will run with that. The Sabres, Boston, and Tampa should round out spots 2-4 in the Atlantic and it'll just be about which order they go in
- Zschalberg

3 cup runs in a row possibly influenced their season last year, they lost a few guys but this is the first time they have had a summer to rest. I'm hesitant to write them off yet.

College players hold the cards if they sign or wait it out to free agency.

When mitts power for example signed …. There is an unwritten agreement saying they will not see anytime in Rochester.

It’s the NHL system with college players that is broken. The Sabres were forced to rush them
- Sabretooth9

I have said it many times, once they are finished with college, they should have to sit out a year or go play in europe for a year before they can become a free agent

any other league a player has to "sit" a year before they can go anywhere

Mittlestadt's offensive ability is above Krebs imo. Personally if we're planning on keeping one or the other I'm for Mitts because I don't want to develop Krebs just for him to turn into a less productive Mitts.
- Zschalberg

Out of curiosity, would you feel the same if Mitts would cost $5.5-6M and Krebs was only $2.5-3M?

you should be our blogger


A+ for effort
- homiedclown

I was kinda disappointed there wasn't a new one for the tournament, but training camp opens tomorrow so assuming we'll get one soon there. On a board where we have 2500 comments you would expect one soon

Yes. That’s absolutely what I said

And only one of those are from this past draft
- sbroads24

Most acknowledge 1st rounders take time to varying degrees...tiers of how long it should be expected to take before they arrive. Outside the top ~3, it takes at least 1 year, and more as the pick is later in the round.
-Power choose to stay in college for a year
-Quinn arrived "on time"
-Kulich was 27th so 2 years+, if he makes the team this year he arrived early IMO
-Ostlund wanted to play 1 more year overseas, next season you can consider him to be "delayed".
-Savoie should be the 2 years of development...his injury, this season could impact that a bit.
-Benson probably makes it in his 2nd year.

What is all the hellabaloo about?

College players hold the cards if they sign or wait it out to free agency.

When mitts power for example signed …. There is an unwritten agreement saying they will not see anytime in Rochester.

It’s the NHL system with college players that is broken. The Sabres were forced to rush them
- Sabretooth9

What's different about college players? Unless you're Russian, they all have this option.

3 cup runs in a row possibly influenced their season last year, they lost a few guys but this is the first time they have had a summer to rest. I'm hesitant to write them off yet.
- washedup20

that Hagel kid is pretty good

64 points last year

more than Casey or Duchene

Mittlestadt's offensive ability is above Krebs imo. Personally if we're planning on keeping one or the other I'm for Mitts because I don't want to develop Krebs just for him to turn into a less productive Mitts.
- Zschalberg

Mitt's would have to become a lock on the 2nd line and do so before the trade deadline if that's the route they take.

that Hagel kid is pretty good

64 points last year

more than Casey or Duchene
- homiedclown

He was blocking prospects in Buffalo...

If dahlin doesn't sign a max extension, expect him to be shopped.

Maybe dahlin for petterrsson plus


You're in or out
- Boss34

I'm not usually emoji guy but come on.