BillsFan4

Seems like that would be a good fit for him too.

I like this signing. Seems like he’s an upgrade over what we had and still has upside left.

One step forward… (Tuch) two steps back (Dahlin and Samuelsson)

Devon Levi watch officially starts! Northeastern’s season is over with the loss to Providence yesterday. Let’s hope he decides to turn pro this year. I’m hopeful he will!

Sucks they basically pissed away any chance at the playoffs in just 3 games. I wish Adams would’ve brought in some real help at the deadline. But maybe patience was best. They certainly don’t look ready to push for a playoff spot right now.

Yes, that’s a different rule. Rules 37.4 and 49.2 address kicking a puck in with your skate, or using your skate to kick another piece of equipment (like a stick, glove, or anything laying on the ice) to put the puck in the net. Different from rule 78.5, which was the rule in question on this play. Don’t get me wrong here. I’m not saying the Isles deserved to lose. They played a good game and made a strong push during the 2nd that the sabres had trouble handling. You could see they were the more experienced team. I thought Buffalo played kind of timid/nervous at times. But I still hate that they won on that 3rd goal.

Yep. They went from controlling their own destiny to now needing other teams to lose to get it. Doesn’t matter though if they don’t start winning games or at least picking up points. Regulation losses are killer this time of year. Tonight especially so. It was basically a 4 point game. My hopes for a Sabres playoff appearance this season are pretty low now. I’m bummed. 😢 and frustrated with the inconsistent nature of NFL rules and officiating. They may as well flip a damn coin as to how they choose to apply the rules on a given night.

it doesn’t have to go off his skate. The rule applies to using any part of your body besides your stick.

Rule 78.5(I) When the puck has been directed, batted or thrown into the net by an attacking player other than with a stick. When this occurs, if it is deemed to be done deliberately, then the decision shall be NO GOAL. A goal cannot be scored when the puck has been deliberately batted with any part of the attacking player’s body into the net. Fasching very clearly deliberately directed that puck. That was not a stopping motion. You can see his leg turn and move forward. With that regulation loss and the penguins win in OT, our playoff hopes just took a HUGE hit. They don’t really control their own destiny anymore. Sucks that it happened on such a BS call. Par for the course for Buffalo sports I guess.

This goal was immediately called off. What could they have possibly seen to overturn the call on the ice? Looks like a distinct kicking motion to me 🤷‍♂️ What makes it clear - the puck wouldn’t have gone in the net had he not kicked his leg out. The puck may not have even hit his leg without the kicking motion. It doesn’t have to go off his skate for it to be a kicking motion. such a BS way to lose this game.

What total BS. If that wasn’t a distinct kicking motion, then what is? These ESPN announcers are nuts, and showing heavy bias.

This is the first Sabres game in years that i’m actually nervous for! Probably because it’s the first truly meaningful game in years… lol.

Yikes! Schoen will have his work cut out for him now. He doesn’t even get the benefit of building his roster with a cheap Qb contract. He goes right to the QB mega contract in year 2. And for a QB who IMO isn’t elite. Going to be tough to build a contending roster with that Jones deal, unless Jones takes another big step forward.

Yeah for sure it will be tough. NYI have the veteran experience too. But it doesn’t matter. This is still as close to “must win” as it gets. This is probably the most important game they’ve played in a decade. A regulation loss makes catching the Isles a much tougher task. If the Sabres really want a shot at the playoffs this season they have to get a win tonight, and preferably in regulation. Big game. It’ll be interesting to see how the Sabres play.

Missed opportunity not getting at least a point from the game tonight. Buffalo had their chances. Skinner made some big saves for edmonton. That bad 3rd goal by Anderson and ended up being the difference tonight. Oilers did a good job clogging up the middle of the ice and shutting buffalo down in the 3rd. Sabres have to get a win tomorrow, and preferably in regulation. It's effectively a 4 point game.

It was reported that Carr was actually leaning toward the Jets but the Jets wanted to wait and see what happens with Rodgers. Hopefully Rodgers just stays in Green Bay now! Or retires.

Some interesting info in this PC. Couple of the most interesting: - Arizona wanted more from Buffalo for Chychrun. They were focused on our top prospects. - Portillo was traded because he didn’t want to play in this market and because he didn’t see a path to the NHL here. If that’s the case, then don’t let the door hit ya… If he’s that scared of competition then I don’t see him making it. LA is pretty void of goalies+prospects though. They only have 2 under contract next season. Portillo claimed in a Buffalo News interview that it wasn’t because of Levi or UPL and that he was advised not to sign here. So who knows. His agent is Eichel’s agent so I am guessing there’s some hard feelings if he was advised against signing here.

Really like the way the Sabres rebounded against Tampa Bay! I was worried after 2 tough losses in a row (especially getting destroyed by Boston) that it was going to be the start of a slump. But damn, did they play great against Tampa! Now just keep it going!

I know Adams said he approached Okposo recently and asked him if we needed more toughness in the lineup. I guess we know what Okposo’s answer was 😂 I think it was probably needed. We have a lot of young kids and the NHL is an intimidating league. If they feel more comfortable on the ice it should only help them to play their game, and we’ve seen how they can look when they’re all on their game.

its the Vegas 2nd (so the worst of the three 2nds we have in 2023). He was teammates with Tage Thompson and played for Granato in the USNDTP. He actually out-scored Tage that season! lol A 2nd is a bit steep but I still like it. It brings an element we don’t currently have. He adds some much needed physicality and grit plus still could have some untapped potential. I bet he’s going to be motivated too. Still 2 years left on his deal so it’s not just a rental. asplund to Nashville for a 7th two years from now. Obviously this was about opening a roster spot and giving Asplund a chance elsewhere. I remember Tim Murray saying he had a 1st round grade on Asplund. 😂 cant say I know much about Strand.

https://www.nhl.com/standings/2022/wildcard Pittsburgh won in overtime last night. They took over the 1st wildcard spot and now sit 5 points ahead of Buffalo with 1 more game played. The isles sit 4 points ahead of Buffalo in the last wildcard spot with 4 more games played. With the Sabres upcoming schedule Its going to be tough to make up ground.

What about goalies this decade that have gone right from college to pros? Hockey was a lot different back then. I can’t think of a single goalie that has gone right from college to pros and stuck. Like I said, I wouldn’t be surprised if Levi gets a game or two this year to entice him to sign and burn a year off his entry level contract (though I could also see him playing in the AHL this season, especially if Rochester makes the playoffs). But I won’t be at all surprised if he is in the AHL next season. It’s what I expect to happen. If you are setting your expectations on him going right to the NHL you are probably going to be disappointed. Goalies especially need time to develop. Forcing him right into the NHL isn’t a good plan for his long term success. And Adams has been patient to a fault sometimes. I don’t expect him to force Levi into the Pros. I guess we will see next year though. No point in continuing to debate something neither of us have any control over.

Well that sucked. That loss to Columbus hurts even more now. You have to win against a last place team, especially when the schedule gets so tough coming up after that. Right now Pittsburgh is in the last wildcard spot and 3 points ahead of Buffalo with the same # of games played.

name the college goalies that have gone right from college to the NHL without AHL time. Are there any? I can’t think of any off the top of my head. Even goalies drafted in the 1st round get time in the minors. Levi was a 7th round pick. Giving a goalie time in the minors isn’t a fireable offense. That’s silly. Its definitely possible he gets time with the Sabres this season, if anything just to entice him to sign. But unless he’s lights-out good it’s very likely he spends time in Rochester. It’s rare goalies are ready to make the jump right to the pros. I mean, I hope he is. That would be amazing. But I sure wouldn’t plan on it. also, they had to trade Portillo. He told the Sabres he was going to test free agency. They tried to sign him last season and again this season. But he can use the college free agent rule to turn unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. So they had to trade him or lose him for nothing. He wasn’t signing here.

I am hoping/expecting to see a more aggressive defense with Frazier gone. A little more edge would be nice too.