Alaska Darin

Poor man's Chandler Jones. Here's to hoping he develops similarly.

Mario is the most talented player I've ever seen. I was thrilled to see him come back and play the way he did. I was also bummed that Pat didn't win the scoring title.

Thanks for sharing that. I've never seen it before. Mogilny/Lafontaine is probably my favorite era of the Sabres. They had magic.

Assumption is the mother of all ***** ups.

Guinness>McGregor

It isn't that simple. The Celtics and Pistons got older and the Bulls around MJ got much better and more mature. It's never as black and white as people make it out to be.

Winning and losing are both contagious diseases. Look at this year's Yankees. They've been just smashed by injuries. At times, they've had only 2 Opening Day starters playing but they continue to win, regardless. Role players have been brought in and a few (Gio Urshala and DJ Lemahieu especially) are having career years. They just keep playing hard and finding ways to win. The Sabres are exactly the opposite. Even during the winning streak last year there were signs that it was a mirage (possession stats, SOG being skewed, etc.). The Sabres seem to lack the experienced leaders (like Brett Gardner & CC) who've had success and know how to keep guys focused when times are tough. Don't even get me started on the difference between Aaron Boone and Phil Housely.

Yup. People just won't behave themselves. They get drunk as hell and then cause problems. It's not a big deal in a small environment but you get even 1% of the stadium ridiculously intoxicated and it's tough to deal with. So the solution is to run up the price to a point where it's cost prohibitive to drink a ton. It's the reason most sane people pregame and just nurse the buzz.

While I didn't read the article, anyone who tries to start a car company is fighting a significant uphill battle because Detroit has lobbied very well to keep their monopoly. I don't have a dog in the fight about Musk. He's certainly smart and driven but he's also not actually Tesla.

I don't have a problem with guaranteed contracts but they need to max at 4/5 years, not 7/8. It's ridiculous that the Sabres are going to be paying Skinner that kinda coin in his mid-30s. I know why they do it...I just don't agree with the strategy. In the analytics era, goalies are among the most replaceable players so it makes little sense to give either that amount or that term. I'd bet good money that they end up regretting that contract.

I don't think ANY goalie in this era is worth that kinda coin. These contracts are going to cause a lockout...almost guaranteed.

No way. If all you can get at this point is a young, prospective middle 6 center then you hold the asset until the deadline.

I understand what you're saying, I just don't agree with it. There are less than 10 RHD in the NHL that score like Risto and he does it on a one line team. Cirelli (at this moment) isn't a special player, so Tampa would need to supplement the trade with something enticing to make it happen. It wouldn't have to be their best prospect but rather someone like a Tage Thompson. The additional first is because they're in our division. Sorry, I'm not playing against Risto that many times every season and not getting a premium back for him. I'd rather keep him. I'm also not touching Tyler Johnson. That's too much money and too many years left for a small dude that's already 29. I do love his game, however.

We could probably get Nurse and RNH for Risto from Chiarelli. What a disaster that dude is.

Multiple failures: 1. OVERDRAFTED 2. Rushed to North America 3. Didn't speak English 4. Rushed to the NHL 5. Ken Hitchcock 6. Injuries I'd take him if the asking price was low because it feels a bit " Strome-ish" to me.

I think I would too.

I agree with with the perspective that Cirelli is a 2/3 center type. At this moment, he's simply not enough to trade Risto straight up for. It'd would have to be something like Cirelli, a top prospect, and a first.

That's not a great return. Cirelli is a nice player but he's been a 3rd line center and doesn't appear to be ready to contribute at a high level offensively. Good skater and defender. His ceiling is supposedly Patrice Bergeron light (my current favorite NHLer), so that would be great and his cap hit would save the Sabres almost $5m but we'd have to get much more to make the deal. He's on his ELC, so I doubt he has a NMC.

Of course...

Go back and look at their first round picks over the last 6 or 7 seasons. One thing they don't seem to know at this point...is what they're doing.

I can only imagine how Kelly would be perceived with Wade Phillips as his DC instead of Walt Corey. Joe Montana never won a SB without a defense rated lower than #3 in the NFL. Teams win titles, not individual players. If I was starting a team in ANY era, I'd take Steve Young.

I agree with Gare, though I'll say that there is only ONE player in the current roster that I wouldn't consider trading (Dahlin) at this time. Obviously the haul for someone like Eichel would have to be insane (think 2 top eschelon players entering their prime, 2 mid-production players, and a first or two just to start the conversation) but I'd still be listening if anyone was offering.

I did not have sex with that woman. Wait...what?

She does live in California, where you need multiple jobs to afford even basic necessities...thanks to "progressives".

I'm trying to give JBott the benefit of the doubt but he better execute. The obvious concern with Haula is where he is in his recovery but you are correct that he's the kind of guy the Sabres are pretty desperate for.