Dr. Who

It can't sit well with the vets, can it?

Any chance the team unhappiness is a reaction to the trades? I would hate to lose an elite player on my team for a marginal starting db and a draft pick.

Well, that would be a classy way to treat a fella who should finish his career wearing red, white, and blue.

Well, I hope not, but I would never have traded Sammy. If he stays healthy, OBD will look very foolish, indeed.

Darby for Matthews and a third seems like a reasonable return. Watkins for Gaines and a second seems too light. It really depends on whether Watkins can stay healthy. If he can, I don't see how the Bills win the trade. I also don't see them making the trade unless they had continuing reservations about Watkins. Sammy was my favorite player on the team, so I am biased. He is elite level talent. I don't think you trade those kind of players unless you are getting elite level back. On the plus side, April 2018 should be interesting and we now have the ammo to go get a top qb if necessary (and I think odds are it will be.)

Thanks for the analysis. I haven't seen the game yet, but I trust the judgment of OP.

LOL. I did a double-take. Didn't know you had that kind of funny in you, Fig. Nicely done.

Always enjoy your perspective. I have fairly sanguine hopes for the new regime, but I'll be surprised if we aren't picking qb in the first next year. Fine with me if Taylor works out, but I am skeptical. Anyway, at least there is never a conflict between the anniversary and a game that really means anything. Then we'd find out if you have your priorities right

I think this is true. Since he is our qb, I will hope he improves dramatically, but I just don't see the basis for optimism shared by zealous fans of his potential.

We got lucky the kid couldn't do a pull-up and apparently some GMs thought that meant bad at hockey.

I think the OP emphasizes the defense and certainly notes the question marks at qb. I am skeptical about Tyrod, but he could exceed my expectations. If he does, this is a playoff contender imo.

Pretty much agree with all these sentiments.

I think the defense may improve simply by more rational coaching and the personnel appears better suited to a 4-3. I don't see this team tanking. Another mediocrity is perhaps most likely. Anyway, I prefer to hope they play well. If they play dreadfully, there's always two first rounders in a supposedly qb rich draft.

I like the work of many classical musicians. Vivaldi and Bach are favorites -- the baroque in general can be listened to in a variety of moods and settings. Henry Purcell lived a short, productive life. His short opera, Dido and Aeneas, is often pleasing even to folks who don't like opera. I like choral religious music such as Allegri's Miserere as well. Classical music, per se, is often associated with the big four -- Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, and Beethoven. It's kinda odd, because if one talks about classical literature or architecture, one is definitely talking about antiquity, but classical music is really early modern era through the Enlightenment and up through the Romantic era. Bruckner and Brahms are excellent. Twentieth century still has some interesting composers, though. I like Gustav Holst, Arvo Part, and John Tavener. P.S. JR in Pittsburgh, you are a nice fella, but I don't understand despising Mozart unless you are related to Salieri . . .

Opening sequence to Bergman's Wild Strawberries is spookily surreal and memorable.

I am actually guardedly optimistic with the new regimes. I liked both DW and TM, but they were both more scouts than GMs. Neither seemed to think strategically enough or had a sufficient sense of building a team. Alas, prolonged disappointment tends to create bitterness rather than build character. It will be almost surreal if we actually start to be good.

Okay, I'm not going to convince you to moderate your contempt for Tim Murray. When I say 3 years, I mean three years from being a playoff team with at least a plausible chance at competing for the Cup. I think there is an outside chance the Sabres make the playoffs this year. It will be a disappointment if they do not at least capture an eight seed next year.

They are probably three years out from being a serious contender. Eichel, ROR, Samson should be a center spine for years to come. Nylander is 1.5 years away, probably, from contributing. Risto is likely a #1 defenseman. He needs fewer minutes and help. McCabe is a first or second pair D. The new fellas brought in on D should at least constitute an average blue line, which is a big step up from last year. Housley's system of puck possession should benefit the offense. GMTM made some mistakes, but he was nowhere near the disaster you habitually depict.

Yeah, and I can't see how he comes to the Sabres for less than 7. Edit: Some on the Sabres' boards are suggesting GMJB must have a trade of Bogo worked out if he's taking on Shattenkirk. I would be kinda surprised if he was able to move Bogo's contract and though overpaid, I think he might flourish as a third pair guy in Housley's system.

Agreed. Mittelstadt is a top five pick who fell because he couldn't do a pull up at the combine. Meanwhile, his hockey talent is the same as before the combine. If you don't know hockey, why propose silly trades? Same folks who are in a hurry to get rid of Samson for D help.

Technically, you are correct, but I'm still going to root against them because . . .

I am also somewhat hopeful that Bogo plays much better in Housely's system. I just don't see how we can keep him and add Shattinkirk's salary -- for those who are speculating about Shattinkirk. Garth, fwiw, not much, probably, now seems to think it's likely Kane gets traded for an established D. Unless we know Kane won't resign, I'd rather keep him.

I'm fine with the draft. Are we done on D or do you think there is a trade or free agent signing coming? Shattenkirk keeps getting mentioned, but he disappeared in the playoffs and is likely very expensive. Don't see how we can afford him and Bogo and no one is going to take Bogo's contract.

No way they've given up on retaining Eichel. They might be thinking about moving Samson, which would not make me happy. Rumors that Hanifan might be available.

Yes, they're on the simple or plain side, imo. That may work out. I just wish we were going back to royal blue, which apparently we are not.