What comes next for the Sabres? | Digital Sportscentre

What comes next for the Sabres? | Digital Sportscentre

This is Sports Center. Hey, I’m Merc. As we continue to deep dive into offseason NHL storylines, it’s time we look into the Sabres and ask what the heck is going on Buffalo. Last night, the Sabres came to terms with defenseman Bowen Byum a 2-year 12.5 million deal. And the move quietly gives the Sabres one of the most expensive defensive trios in the entire NHL as his deal along with the contracts of Rasmus Stallene and Owen Power will make up more than a quarter of Buffalo’s cap space next season. Even though keeping a young talent like Byum is objectively a good thing, you can’t help but feel like the Sabres in one of the weirder spots of the entire league. Buffalo finishes a point out of the playoff spot two years ago and it looked like they were a promising young team on the rise. But in the years since it doesn’t seem like they’ve done much to build on their success, as last year they were 12 points out of the wild card spot, a massively disappointing season. Their biggest signing over the past few years is arguably Jason Zucker, who did put up 50 points at the Sabres, but other than that, none of the guys they brought in via free agency have really felt like difference makers. But it’s not just free agency where things have been rough for Buffalo. Their trades have been just as bad. It’s been well documented that the Sabres have moved on from a number of young promising players in the past. Literally, look at this list right here and count all the Stanley Cup champions and guys who are legit difference makers. But the Sabres most recent move at this year’s deadline also went as poorly as it could as Buffalo got only three games out of Josh Norris. Whereas Dylan Cousins was a huge part of Ottawa’s playoff push. And speaking of the playoffs, that push with Cousins helped Ottawa end their seven-year drought. But this drought, it lives on and is now up to 14 years. the longest in the NHL. So, with all these struggles, you can’t help but feel that Kevin Adams time as GM could be coming to an end. Sure seems that the fans have turned on him. Perhaps best demonstrated by this Reddit poll that was circulating a few months ago. And considering his time in Buffalo has been defined by missing the playoffs and offloading high-end talent, it definitely feels like when, not if. So, again, we don’t want to be too doom and gloom after the Byron signing. It’s definitely a step in the right direction. But even with it, are the Sabres that much closer to being a playoff team next year? I feel like we need to apologize to Sabers fans for this segment. Just rubbing salt in the wound here looking at all those names you could have had. You did have and you let them go insane. To the NFL and ESPN made some headlines once again with a QB ranking poll. Jeremy Fowler surveyed 50 NFL coaches, executives, and scouts and got them to vote on the best quarterbacks in the NFL. To no one’s surprise, Patrick Mahomes was once again number one, followed by your NFL MVP Josh Allen at two, Joe Bro at three, Lamar at four, and David Daniels closes out number five. Now, Mahomes won this year once again, but with his lowest margin ever, collecting only 60% of the first place vote, and for good reason. He was close to career lows in several major categories last season, but did still win a ton of games and went to another Super Bowl. Now, most people will have their arguments over the next three, as Allen, Bro, and Lamar could all easily be argued over one another. But, I mean, if we’re looking at the playoff stats, then the answer is clearly Josh Allen for two, but I digress. You all know the producer of this show is the biggest Bills fan on earth. The next thing that caught everyone’s attention on the list was where Jaylen Herz was. as the Super Bowl MVP came in ninth with guys like Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford, and Herbert all ahead of him. Looking at the numbers, Herz was solid across the board last year with 32 total touchdowns and barely turning it over. But just look at what he’s done in two Super Bowls. Absolutely monster numbers and the Super Bowl MVP. And yeah, the ring at the end. I mean, you guys know we were at the game last year. He didn’t have his foot off the gas the entire time. Like, I don’t understand. Philly fans must be fuming. Turn off now. My favorite segment on yours is that we love sports today. Why we love sports today. The ripple tan bike event is one we look forward to every year and this year was definitely no exception. [Music] They are good. Awesome. [Music] Yes. [Music] Good reach. Oh my god. [Music] I’m looking into tandem bikes, y’all. Okay, it was the weird shaped tandem that made it. We love this stuff. And let’s finish with maybe the most heartwarming story of all time. as the show’s favorite titan George KD is investing $5 million into a 15 hectare dogtopia facility. And this place is not just a shelter. It’s a healing center for abused, neglected, and traumatized dogs. This place has training fields, splash zones, and 24/7 vet care. If you don’t have enough reasons to love George KD, this is the one right here. There’s something truly special about someone who cares about dogs. Now, Jenburg guy Bob Weeks. Great to see you, Bob. Hey, Marissa. Okay, Bob, we’re two days away from the year’s final major. In your mind, what is the biggest story line heading into the weekend? I think it’s Rory Mroy. Can he recover from the last time the Open Championship was at Royal Port Rush in his home country of Northern Ireland and get a second major championship of the season? Rory Mroy to me is the key story. Will he win? Can he win? I think he can. Checking you on FanDuel. After Scotty is a favorite, this really seems like a wide open field. Who’s someone out of the top four in Oz that you think can make some noise this weekend? I’m going to give you two names. One is Seph Straa. Seraka is having a great season this year. He’s got two wins and six top 10 so far. He tied for second at the Open Championship two years ago. The other guy is a guy hunting for his first PGA Tour win. This actually qualifies as a PGA Tour event and it is Tommy Fleetwood. Tommy Fleetwood three top 10s in his last five starts at the Open Championship and he finished second the last time it was held here at Royalport Rush. Seth Straa and Tommy Fleetwood. Bob weeks a pleasure as always. Thanks, Marissa. And you can watch rounds three and four of the Open Championship this weekend on TSN. Coverage starts nice and early Saturday morning, so set your alarm. That’s it for me today. I’m here for 3 for new Pacific. Have a good one.

What’s next for the Sabres? According to NFL executives and coaches Jalen Hurts is the 9th best QB in football. How far would you make it? Are we due for a Rory redemption at Royal Portrush? @BobWeeksTSN weighs in.