A little different spin on Sabres Goaltending:
I have criticized the Buffalo Sabres a lot, however, in this one insignificant, but seemingly still important move, the Sabres, I believe, made a good, well thought out signing. That is the signing of goaltender James Reimer. I like the player but I like the contract more. Why would I think this?

First, they gave him a one way contact. As you all know, that means that he is paid the same whether he plays in the NHL or AHL. So his one way contract is good because by having it, Reimer might not mind going down to the AHL when he almost inevitably will do during the course of the season in order to allow goalie phenom, Devon Levi, to come up to the NHL. And it just may be that Reimer starts in the AHL in light of Levi's great season in Rochester last year. Reimer, as a player, had a very good year last year as a backup goaltender. That is what he will be if he makes it onto the Sabres next season. It does not look like he would be complaining if he isn't the number one goalie in Buffalo since he has already played that role. If he is still a good NHL backup goalie then it would make sense that he can step into the starting role in Rochester so that the Amerks are not overly impacted by the loss of their all star goalie.

The only thing I did not get was paying Reimer, if I remember correctly, $1M to play in Rochester. Then I thought about it. It does make sense. That is because Reimer is subject to waivers if he is moved down to Rochester.

Since. as we said, the Sabres will almost certainly be placing him on waivers to send him down at some point, that will mean that any team thinking about taking Reimer will have to think twice when they could replace this $1M guy with someone who can make as little as $70,000 in the AHL. Of course the acquiring team can take him for their NHL team. Then the status of his one way contract is irrelevant. That is a risk but his salary seems to make it very unlikely that he would be picked up to go to someone's AHL team.

So if he stays up with the big club, then the Sabres have a good, cheap backup. If he goes to Rochester then they have a good replacement for Levi down with the Americans who won't complaining about not playing in the big leagues.

Wow. I think the Sabres did something intelligent.
- sabrebuzz

No team is claiming a player off waivers then turning around and waiving them to send them down to the AHL because the original team can re-claim them (and have them report to their AHL team upon re-claiming). Teams will only claim Reimer for an NHL spot. I believe Sabres claimed Axel Jonsson-Fjallby when Washington waived him for the purpose of AHL, and eventually when the Sabres waived him the Capitols re-claimed him and he was assigned to their AHL team.

(edit) fixed

If you have nothing to base it on, why does Peterka spring to your mind?
- kingcong39

His play sometimes reminds me of Maxim Afinogenov and I believe Max found his way into Ruff's doghouse from time to time.

If you have nothing to base it on, why does Peterka spring to your mind?
- kingcong39

Also glad to see you representing the Capitol District. I grew up in Schenectady, and still have family and friends in the Albany area.

I am hoping Sammy stays healthy and contributes as a Top4 Dman. That resolves a ton of issues, but does introduce a conundrum for the 3rd Pair of Joker and Cliffy on who to play on the left.
- IonSabres

I think Sammy has to eventually be traded, If Dahlin, Power, and Byram are your top three. Assuming long term Dahlin is the 1st pair RD and Byram/Power are 1st & 2nd pair LD, do we think Samuelsson is an ideal 2nd pair RD. IMO we still need to find that 2nd pair RD, and we don't need to keep Samuelsson as a 3rd pair Dman.

I think Sammy has to eventually be traded, If Dahlin, Power, and Byram are your top three. Assuming long term Dahlin is the 1st pair RD and Byram/Power are 1st & 2nd pair LD, do we think Samuelsson is an ideal 2nd pair RD. IMO we still need to find that 2nd pair RD, and we don't need to keep Samuelsson as a 3rd pair Dman.
- BuffaloHerd

Ya, I want to see him on 2nd Pairing consistently. If it works, it's a good contract.
If it doesn't trade him away.

I think Sammy has to eventually be traded, If Dahlin, Power, and Byram are your top three. Assuming long term Dahlin is the 1st pair RD and Byram/Power are 1st & 2nd pair LD, do we think Samuelsson is an ideal 2nd pair RD. IMO we still need to find that 2nd pair RD, and we don't need to keep Samuelsson as a 3rd pair Dman.
- BuffaloHerd

I disagree. Adams signed him long term for top 4 minutes. Just needs to stay healthy

I think Sammy has to eventually be traded, If Dahlin, Power, and Byram are your top three. Assuming long term Dahlin is the 1st pair RD and Byram/Power are 1st & 2nd pair LD, do we think Samuelsson is an ideal 2nd pair RD. IMO we still need to find that 2nd pair RD, and we don't need to keep Samuelsson as a 3rd pair Dman.
- BuffaloHerd

Unless Byram is in their long term plans and Power isn't

Unless Byram is in their long term plans and Power isn't
- Hank Balling

I disagree. Adams signed him long term for top 4 minutes. Just needs to stay healthy
- Sabretooth9

Samuelsson at best is an average 2nd pair Dman, and Byram has the better skillset over what Sammy offers and Power is a better version of Samuelsson. If Samuelsson was a natural RD, I would agree with he's could be here long term, but he's not. Adam's long term plans for Sammy likely change when he got Byram in the Mitts trade.

Unless Byram is in their long term plans and Power isn't
- Hank Balling

I think Byram could end up being the better player.

Just read several articles on The Athletic on "Re-drafting the NHL class of ____", and made note of some players that we have discuss recently (notably from the 2018 and 2022 draft classes). I realize the 2018 will be more on target than 2022, since more time has past, but currently Savoie and McLeod fall pretty close on their respective re-draft lists.

Re-drafting the 2018 draft class:
8. Joel Farabee, LW
13.Mattias Samuelsson, LHD
22. Ryan McLeod, C

Re-drafting the 2022 draft class:
14. Jiri Kulich, C
16. Noah Ostlund, C
19. Matt Savoie, C
20. Rutger McGroarty, LW

Just read several articles on The Athletic on "Re-drafting the NHL class of ____", and made note of some players that we have discuss recently (notably from the 2018 and 2022 draft classes). I realize the 2018 will be more on target than 2022, since more time has past, but currently Savoie and McLeod fall pretty close on their respective re-draft lists.

Re-drafting the 2018 draft class:
8. Joel Farabee, LW
13.Mattias Samuelsson, LHD
22. Ryan McLeod, C

Re-drafting the 2022 draft class:
14. Jiri Kulich, C
16. Noah Ostlund, C
19. Matt Savoie, C
20. Rutger McGroarty, LW
- BuffaloHerd

Interesting ostlund ahead of savoie

Samuelsson at best is an average 2nd pair Dman, and Byram has the better skillset over what Sammy offers and Power is a better version of Samuelsson. If Samuelsson was a natural RD, I would agree with he's could be here long term, but he's not. Adam's long term plans for Sammy likely change when he got Byram in the Mitts trade.
- BuffaloHerd

2nd paid is in the top 4. Glad we agree

Interesting ostlund ahead of savoie
- turbo044

Savoie didn’t dominate juniors as a 20 year old. He was good but not great for being so old

2nd paid is in the top 4. Glad we agree
- Sabretooth9

I think bottom 4 is more accurate

https://thehockeywriters....-ruff-to-do-list-2024-25/
Lot to do

https://thehockeywriters.com/sabres-ruff-to-do-list-2024-25/
Lot to do
- Buff36

>>> Ruff’s former assistant coach Kevyn Adams is now his general manager and he flushed out the team’s bottom-six this summer, bringing in a truly random bunch to replace them.

>>> Ruff’s former assistant coach Kevyn Adams is now his general manager and he flushed out the team’s bottom-six this summer, bringing in a truly random bunch to replace them.


- kingcong39

Guess there random till he puts the pieces together 🤷‍♂️

>>> Ruff’s former assistant coach Kevyn Adams is now his general manager and he flushed out the team’s bottom-six this summer, bringing in a truly random bunch to replace them.


- kingcong39

I hope every player was given a Game plan on what Ruff wants worked on, and a basic plan on what system he intends to run so they can roll into Camp with a General Knowledge and hit the ice rollin.

I hope every player was given a Game plan on what Ruff wants worked on, and a basic plan on what system he intends to run so they can roll into Camp with a General Knowledge and hit the ice rollin.
- Buff36

Send them film of the Panthers wins in the SC Playoffs, marked up with position labels for each player on the ice. 5 men units all over, up and down the ice. Lots of puck pressure with disciplined positioning.

ATW w/ Lance is a decent listen.

Lance sounds like a black guy, trying to talk like a white guy for the local channel 12 news.

Send them film of the Panthers wins in the SC Playoffs, marked up with position labels for each player on the ice. 5 men units all over, up and down the ice. Lots of puck pressure with disciplined positioning.
- IonSabres

Shouldn't be hard, plenty of tape. Even from when Ruff was here the first time. Interested to see the PK units and who he uses.

You sure? I imagine she’s hooked up constantly at home. Her head was rolling around like a person with sever brain damage, I can’t even believe they walked her out there like that and filmed it.

We are so desensitized as a culture.
- Jet Jaguar BD

You got issues dude. Desensitized?? All you been talking about is they should of killed her your last 5 post.

How bout all the kids born with major issues? Kill them also?

She raised her hand up to break the huddle. That means shes she somewhat there and she knew to do that herself.

Go back to hating on American and LandlordTom.

ATW w/ Lance is a decent listen.

Lance sounds like a black guy, trying to talk like a white guy for the local channel 12 news.
- washedup20

So gerbs - when do we become happy, when is the zebras trade finalized?

You got issues dude. Desensitized?? All you been talking about is they should of killed her your last 5 post.

How bout all the kids born with major issues? Kill them also?

She raised her hand up to break the huddle. That means shes she somewhat there and she knew to do that herself.

Go back to hating on American and LandlordTom.
- ZiggyBuff

This is some fun stuff. Go gaslight your family.