With a loss to Winnipeg, Buffalo currently has a 2.3% chance of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs, according to Sports Club Stats. It's basically over. Even if the Sabres were to go 7-1 or 8-0 for the rest of the season, they still would need help from other teams.

I wanted to answer a few questions that were submitted this week. I can't tell you how many questions regarding Miller and Vanek I received.

Question from slapshot1106: Isn't it obvious that Miller is much more of a valuable asset than Vanek--especially since there isn't a great market for NHL goalies out there? Also shouldn't we highly consider taking offers for Vanek, especially since he seems to be getting more injury-prone lately? Not a guy I'd want to give a long term deal to and have it blow up in your face.. Change to the CORE should've been done long ago, but Miller's not the problem... And to sell him off for a lesser return would be idiotic.

I don't think I agree with what you're saying completely. Before the trade deadline, I said that if there were one piece of the core I would keep, it would be Thomas Vanek. To say he is injury prone isn't really correct. Vanek has missed 45 games over eight seasons, which is about 5-6  games a season on average that he is missing. He's also played at least 71 games in each season. He is a player that I would give a long term deal to. Of course, anyone can get injured, but to say Vanek is injury prone and it's not worth signing him long term doesn't really hold up.

I also don't think that Miller is more valuable than Vanek, and I think we may even see him go soon. Miller is 32 years old, so it's likely that he has a few more years left in the tank, but as he approaches 40, his value can go down simply because of age. Vanek is 29 years old and a 4 time 30-goal scorer. You're right in saying that Miller is not the problem with this team, but I don't think he is more valuable than Vanek.

Question from John Henry: I feel like most Sabres fans never appreciated what Pominville did for them. I think that he deserves to be in a program that will respect him and a place that the fans won't get on him after every bad play he makes. Pominville is a class act and deserves appreciation. There were very few fans that actually treated him right. He will do great in Minnesota and I wish my favorite player the best of luck.

This. I think he was appreciated in Buffalo, but I do believe that many Sabres fans wish him luck in Minnesota and want to see him win.

Question from Richard: Is leino really that bad for his price when healthy? A 4.5 cap hit for a second line winger doesn't seem as crazy as everyone makes it out to be, if that's what he is. He got that $ because of his puck posesion skills and because he turns it up during the playoffs, as far as i can tell, which we haven't even been able to test yet. Why buy him out?

Yes, it really is that bad. Leino's contract has turned out to be horrible. He's earned 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 79 games with the Sabres. For the price he signed him for, that's not at all what
Sabres fans wanted out of him, especially after he put up 53 points in one season with the Flyers. He's also been injured and missed most of this season. Whether or not he would turn it up in the playoffs in Buffalo is unknown. More importantly, Buffalo needs players that can get them to the postseason.

Question from DC: Is it more rewarding as a fan to watch a final push for the playoffs over the final 2 weeks or to obtain a Top 3 talent in the draft, whom we can all enjoy for the next 10 years? Hmmm... tough question for a fan to answer. It's the type of question that makes your insides turn.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not. I don't root for my team to fail. Just because a team finishes toward the bottom of the standings does not guarantee a top 3 pick, although it's more likely. Also, Regier has acquired a handful of draft picks in recent trades. If the Sabres want a top pick bad enough, they have the option of trading up. With that in mind, why would you throw away a late season push? It's been 40 years and Buffalo has never won a Cup. Amazing how many people are willing to throw a season away with 10 games left. Anything can happen in the playoffs. When we went to the Finals in 1999, do you know where we finished the regular season? 7th.

Question from J.W: What crowd are you listening to? It sounds like a pre-season game in that arena ! I have had season tickets for 15 years.

For the last two home games (Ottawa, New Jersey), I thought the crowd was loud and into the game. It may not be as loud as the Winnipeg crowd was last night, but they were into those games.

Question from G from Arizona: If Miller is dealt in the off-season, do you see a combo goalie tandem of Hackett ad Enroth, as St. Louis does with Elliot and Halak ?

Yes, exactly. I really do see this happening. The Sabres haven't had something like that in a while. I know we had Martin Biron and Ryan Miller as a combo for a bit, but that was for injuries until Miller eventually took the starting job. I do think Enroth and Hackett will split time, and I think being able to have a goaltender tandem will be beneficial. There's also Leggio, too, though.

Question from Cabin: We see a bunch of opinions regarding tankin for the best pic in the draft. imo that 1 player will not transform this team into a winner overnight. This team needed a whole transformation in its identity. Seems to be heading that way. The younger group is winning and what better way to end a season on a winning note for the blueprint going into next season.

Yes! 100% agree.

Thanks for reading!

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