Tage got his $7M+ per deal after a 38 goal 30 assist season.

Dylan is on pace for a 30 goal 40 assist season.

If he finishes with 30 goals and 30 to 40 assists, how would he not be a $7M player, if not more given his age?
- kingcong39

Sure if he finishes that way, did I not say on a long term I would do Tage's contract or above. Again why would Cozens do that, I mean I hope he would but why. At his Age he could cash in on a 2 more contracts atleast. And he will be the perfect age for that 2nd one with the cap going up.

Sure if he finishes that way, did I not say on a long term I would do Tage's contract or above. Again why would Cozens do that, I mean I hope he would but why. At his Age he could cash in on a 2 more contracts atleast. And he will be the perfect age for that 2nd one with the cap going up.
- Buff36

Agreed in that respect as that's why I mentioned the 3 year deal idea like Dahlin got last time.

If Cozens does that on a 2nd line, at a younger age, and not in a featured spot on the PP, it would be more impressive than Tage last season.
- Lunaion

Agreed, and all things considered, if Dylan has a season like that, how do you tell him as an organization that he can't get a deal better then Tage did?

From the snooze Mike Harington

Two thoughts on the state of the Buffalo Sabres' goaltending:

1). It's far too early to give up on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen but the question marks are rapidly growing.

2). Devon Levi better be really good. And better become NHL-ready super fast.

(And yes, that encompasses the widely held theory that Levi will sign with the Sabres after his college season at Northeastern is complete)

Eric Comrie is hurt and likely to be out a few more weeks. Craig Anderson is 41 and that limits the amount of time he can play. Specifically, the Sabres don't use him on a back-to-back day with no morning skate and really don't think he'll be effective and stay healthy for more than a game, or maybe two a week.

Frankly, it's probably a good thing. Luukkonen is 23 years old and was drafted in 2017. We all know goalies can take a while to develop but at some point the Sabres have to make a call on the big Finn and he has to show the waiting will be worth it.

Luukkonen has played four games in this NHL stint. One was a 34-save performance in a 6-2 win over St. Louis that had KeyBank Center fans giving him the "Luuuuuuuke" calls. The other three have been against prime competition – at Toronto and this week's home games against Stanley Cup finalists Tampa Bay and Colorado.

Luukkonen has been in over his head.

You can blame the Sabres' poor defensive structure and abhorrent penalty problems, and you'd be partially right. But at some point, the goalie is there to make saves and often has to do it to bail out his team. It hasn't been happening for Luukkonen.

The NHL's 32 teams have combined to use 75 goalies thus far this season. Luukkonen entered Friday No. 75 in save percentage (.846) and No. 74 in goals-against average (4.47).

Yikes.

Make. A. Save. Or a bunch of them.

A deeper look at the numbers isn't good either. According to NaturalStatTrick.com, Luukkonen's 17 goals against are more than 3½ over his expected goals figure of 13.29. Comrie's 38 goals against are well over his expected figure of 30.79. Only 41-year-old Anderson is beating expectations, allowing 27 goals when the metrics say he should be at 29.5.

Luukkonen has an atrocious .659 save percentage on high danger chances, well below Comrie (.798) and Anderson (.857). His overall save percentage in the games against Tampa Bay and Colorado was just .810. Has to be better.

"He's in a development phase in his career," coach Don Granato said after Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Avalanche. "And I think he's taking in these opportunities to grow. His confidence looks good. He's fighting the battle and scrapping and working to improve every day."

I don't buy Luukkonen's confidence looking good at all and Granato shouldn't be selling it. The kid has played one real good period, the final 20 minutes Thursday against Colorado. Other than that? Nope.

Luukkonen never looked in control of the game against Tampa Bay, even with the Sabres holding a two-goal lead and less than six minutes to play. It was hard to specifically indict him on too many goals until Steven Stamkos' overtime winner, an unscreened wrist shot from the right circle to the top corner that saw Luukkonen off his angle just enough to give the shooter an opening.

Against Colorado, J.T. Compher's second goal of the game gave the Avs a 5-3 lead with 2:44 left in the second period and was the biggest blot on Luukkonen's night. He showed poor rebound control, kicking a Logan O'Connor shot directly into the slot, and couldn't get a glove on a shot by Compher after the Avs forward beat JJ Peterka to the puck.

But after giving up five goals on 22 shots in the first two periods, Luukkonen had a good third period. Alex Tuch scored at seven seconds to get Buffalo within a goal and Luukkonen kept the Sabres there with 12 saves, including a terrific stop on Avs star Nathan MacKinnon in alone.

"I think everybody feels confident with him and that he's a really good goalie, really good guy," said Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson. "He doesn't deserve to see the six (goals) up there. "We've got to clean up the other areas and not give them the freebies. For him to let those in in the second there and for us to give up that offense and then for him to come on the third and make some huge saves keeps us in it. It shows maturity."

Now we see if Luukkonen can take some steps against some reasonable opponents.

The Sabres were off Friday and return to action at home Sunday against San Jose, which is 27th overall and will be in the finale of a four-game road trip. Buffalo is at Columbus on Wednesday to meet a team with an Eastern Conference-low seven wins.

Then comes a home-and-home on Friday and Saturday with Pittsburgh, a team the Sabres have gone 3-0-1 against in their last four meetings and will likely be without star defenseman Kris Letang after he suffered a stroke on Monday. That's followed by a Dec. 13 home game against Los Angeles, a team the Sabres have beaten in 10 of its last 12 trips to Buffalo.

There's got to be some wins there. But only if there's enough saves. Granato will be looking for Luukkonen to harness some of the play he saw in the third period against Colorado.

"He was really good, which was nice to see," Granato said. "Because I'm sure he wished he had an opportunity to have one or two of those in the second. ... To bounce back and keep that game tight was a real good sign. He looked confident and that was a moment where it could have challenged confidence."

Here's hoping Luukkonen starts to find his game. Unless Levi follows the rapid college-to-NHL path Jeremy Swayman took from Maine to the Boston Bruins, the Sabres are still going to be waiting to find their man in net. At worst, Luukkonen was supposed to be a key guy next season. He's got a chance to make a dent on his career path right now. He has to start taking advantage of opportunity
- lacaprup

Ok, let's give up on 23 yo with 17 NHL games under his belt.

I love how Harrington cites counting stats but does not put context into the equation.
Sabres one of the worst teams giving up High Danger chances, but goaltending is average at stopping them. Forgets to reveal that UPL has a very respectable .913 SV% at 5v5. Uses Stamkos, one of the most accompished Goal scorers in the game to cite an example of a stop he should make...I could get behind it if it was Girgenson, but Stammer who has pin point accuracy from 5 - 10 feet...laughable at best. Sabres taking an abundance of Penalties late in game to sacrifice a win...predictable since their PK absolutely blows...but hey, let's absolve those players and blame a guy with 17 NHL games under his belt being left out to dry.
Context is important, and severely lacking.

Sabres brass knew UPL wasn't ready for the rigors of the NHL. It was evidenced by their statements for preferring for their G's to have 90 -100 AHL games under their belt before breaking into the NHL...usually as a BU. UPL is about 60% there to date against that milestone target. Hence why they sent him to Rochester to play the remaining 40%.
But let's take him over the coals because his team continually leaves him out to dry against recent Stanley Cup winners as the barometer.

Make a save...Pathetic.

Ok, let's give up on 23 yo with 17 NHL games under his belt.

I love how Harrington cites counting stats but does not put context into the equation.
Sabres one of the worst teams giving up High Danger chances, but goaltending is average at stopping them. Forgets to reveal that UPL has a very respectable .913 SV% at 5v5. Uses Stamkos, one of the most accompished Goal scorers in the game to cite an example of a stop he should make...I could get behind it if it was Girgenson, but Stammer who has pin point accuracy from 5 - 10 feet...laughable at best. Sabres taking an abundance of Penalties late in game to sacrifice a win...predictable since their PK absolutely blows...but hey, let's absolve those players and blame a guy with 17 NHL games under his belt being left out to dry.
Context is important, and severely lacking.

Sabres brass knew UPL wasn't ready for the rigors of the NHL. It was evidenced by their statements for preferring for their G's to have 90 -100 AHL games under their belt before breaking into the NHL...usually as a BU. UPL is about 60% there to date against that milestone target. Hence why they sent him to Rochester to play the remaining 40%.
But let's take him over the coals because his team continually leaves him out to dry against recent Stanley Cup winners as the barometer.

Make a save...Pathetic.
- IonSabres

Luukkonen has an atrocious .659 save percentage on high danger chances, well below Comrie (.798) and Anderson (.857).

Agreed in that respect as that's why I mentioned the 3 year deal idea like Dahlin got last time.
- kingcong39

Sabres gonna lock this core up long term.

7.5 -8 million per year, 8 year extension

I think cozens wants to be in buffalo long term and will help take a team friendly(er) deal.

Dahlin is gonna be a tougher deal IMO

More like 8 years 10.5/11 million per

Sabres gonna lock this core up long term.

7.5 -8 million per year, 8 year extension

I think cozens wants to be in buffalo long term and will help take a team friendly(er) deal.

Dahlin is gonna be a tougher deal IMO

More like 8 years 10.5/11 million per
- Boss34

Any issue with Cozens making more than Tage?

Ok, let's give up on 23 yo with 17 NHL games under his belt.

I love how Harrington cites counting stats but does not put context into the equation.
Sabres one of the worst teams giving up High Danger chances, but goaltending is average at stopping them. Forgets to reveal that UPL has a very respectable .913 SV% at 5v5. Uses Stamkos, one of the most accompished Goal scorers in the game to cite an example of a stop he should make...I could get behind it if it was Girgenson, but Stammer who has pin point accuracy from 5 - 10 feet...laughable at best. Sabres taking an abundance of Penalties late in game to sacrifice a win...predictable since their PK absolutely blows...but hey, let's absolve those players and blame a guy with 17 NHL games under his belt being left out to dry.
Context is important, and severely lacking.

Sabres brass knew UPL wasn't ready for the rigors of the NHL. It was evidenced by their statements for preferring for their G's to have 90 -100 AHL games under their belt before breaking into the NHL...usually as a BU. UPL is about 60% there to date against that milestone target. Hence why they sent him to Rochester to play the remaining 40%.
But let's take him over the coals because his team continually leaves him out to dry against recent Stanley Cup winners as the barometer.

Make a save...Pathetic.
- IonSabres

"I could get behind it if it was Girgenson"

Interesting thoughts this morning uncle ion

Luukkonen has an atrocious .659 save percentage on high danger chances, well below Comrie (.798) and Anderson (.857).
- kingcong39

How does he rank in the league.
I believe the context was at 5v5 as well.

Any issue with Cozens making more than Tage?
- kingcong39

That's a good question.

7 @ 50 million matching deal would be ideal.
But that's only 7 years.

8 years buying the ufa season in cozens prime, probably brings the av from 7.125 to 7.5/8

Sure if he finishes that way, did I not say on a long term I would do Tage's contract or above. Again why would Cozens do that, I mean I hope he would but why. At his Age he could cash in on a 2 more contracts atleast. And he will be the perfect age for that 2nd one with the cap going up.
- Buff36

1 reason why he would sign right away

tage is the number 1 center

tall task to duplicate 65 points again on the second line for a lousy sabres franchise

Sabres brass knew UPL wasn't ready for the rigors of the NHL. It was evidenced by their statements for preferring for their G's to have 90 -100 AHL games under their belt before breaking into the NHL...usually as a BU. UPL is about 60% there to date against that milestone target. Hence why they sent him to Rochester to play the remaining 40%.

- IonSabres

About to break every one of those rules on Levi. Just funny to hear those rules with how few goalies have come through the system lately.

"I could get behind it if it was Girgenson"

Interesting thoughts this morning uncle ion
- Boss34

no surprise there is a post with the words behind and girgens by boss

no surprise there is a post with the words behind and girgens by boss




- homiedclown

Kind of suprising I quoted you 😉

About to break every one of those rules on Levi. Just funny to hear those rules with how few goalies have come through the system lately.
- Lunaion

I'd find it hard to believe Levi starts in Buffalo...he'll go to Rochest and play 50 games...then a decision on him for the next season (probably after several games up at the end of the season). If he looks ready, he's up...if not they go back to their preference of more time to "cure".

Agreed in that respect as that's why I mentioned the 3 year deal idea like Dahlin got last time.
- kingcong39

Yeah, I can see that

I'd find it hard to believe Levi starts in Buffalo...he'll go to Rochest and play 50 games...then a decision on him for the next season (probably after several games up at the end of the season). If he looks ready, he's up...if not they go back to their preference of more time to "cure".
- IonSabres

I expect him to come straight to Buffalo when he signs and have a chance to beat out UPL in camp.

That's a good question.

7 @ 50 million matching deal would be ideal.
But that's only 7 years.

8 years buying the ufa season in cozens prime, probably brings the av from 7.125 to 7.5/8
- Boss34

Cozens comparable contracts are north of $8M per on a long term deal.

I expect him to come straight to Buffalo when he signs and have a chance to beat out UPL in camp.
- Lunaion

Absolutely

Hard to say no to the Sabres if they offer you a legit nhl chance to start next season.

Turns 21 in a few weeks.

Guys make the jump at 18 sometimes (rarely)

Cozens comparable contracts are north of $8M per on a long term deal.
- kingcong39

Just gets funny because Tage is suddenly one of the comps. I'd still say Norris is the cleanest comp @7.95m

1 reason why he would sign right away

tage is the number 1 center

tall task to duplicate 65 points again on the second line for a lousy sabres franchise
- homiedclown

Oh sure, and I hope he does. And like Boss said that he likes it here and wants to do that. But in 4 to 6yrs the cap will jump significantly, and he will be the perfect age if he took a contract anywhere from 3 to 6yrs, I mean even a 6yr he comes away at 28.

Cozens comparable contracts are north of $8M per on a long term deal.
- kingcong39

I think cozens takes a team friendly deal.

Any concerns for you with cozens making more than tage?

Langokov always made more $ then MacKinnon correct?

Cozens comparable contracts are north of $8M per on a long term deal.
- kingcong39

how many second line centers are making north of 8 mil per?


tavares
point
draisaitl

How does he rank in the league.
I believe the context was at 5v5 as well.
- IonSabres

UPL ranks dead last (75th) in the league in all situations high danger save percentage.

Courier is 54th and Anderson is 21st.

Just gets funny because Tage is suddenly one of the comps. I'd still say Norris is the cleanest comp @7.95m
- Lunaion

Is Tage really a comparable when he's almost 5 years older than Cozens?