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We have an expression here where I live, that says a bad dress rehearsal means a succesful premiere. The problems we have however seem the same as last year. Not surprising when very little has changed from last season.

I think preseason means a lot. -Figure out line combinations and defeat pairings. -Train to a system of play and get everyone on the same page. -Work on individual goals (skating, shooting, two-way game). -Instill a hard work mindset. You know, all the stuff the Sabres don’t do.

It is embarassing that Adams has stayed this long and still hasn't succeeded in building a well balanced roster.

Too many "elite" players, not enough warriors.

We took a meaningless game to OT against a bunch of vets without several of our starters and a bunch of new people. I really haven't been turned off by this preseason except perhaps by the game prior. Some interesting new pieces, although they're still weak in goal, even with UPL. Levi really needs to bust out and become an NHL goalie or they'll struggle to make the playoffs.

This reminds me a lot of Reinhart tbh, I remember quite stupidly arguing that he “wasn’t even an nhl player” sometime in his 3rd year, or 4th year post draft, the season where he utterly flipped the switch after that outdoor game in some sweet jerseys We’ve been in this spot for so long and been spoiled by the like of Eichel and Dahlin, picking so many elite, all star level players (that we’ve failed to properly supplement) that we’ve forgotten a longer development curve is often the case, especially with D. Even top picks in a weak draft

That contradicts the "preseason doesn't mean anything" mantra chanted by so many.

lol - it is like you folks have never heard of Google. Forbes does all this work for you. This is from 2022-23, but feast thine eyes: Red circle, operating income - 2024 was $13M, 2023 was $25M, and 2022 was $22M The fine print in the first part implies that the $13M is after payroll, taxes, and arena expenses. It also notes, that is NOT inclusive of the Kraken fee ... which was $1B/30 so ... $30M per team. The Sabres have not lost money since Covid. Pleez Stahp!!!!

He is the target because he is a former top over all pick, carries a big contract and hasn't improved at all in 3 years in the NHL. In many ways he is a worse player today than as a rookie. The Athletic gave him a negative -3.5 mill contract deficit last season. That basically means we are paying 8.35 for a 4.85 player. Analytics aside, his game doesn't pass the eye test and Byram is a similar but better player for less money making Power a luxury we don't need to keep. Could Power change the narrative this season? Sure he could, but if we go through another season where he is inept defensively, these calls to move on are going to get louder and more frequent.

Power is definitely baring the brunt of baby/bath water philosophy right now - almost shocking after 14 years of this

That and the golden goal “IGGY!”

He hasn’t handled Levi patiently at all

wtf are you talking about haha

I don’t think Lyon is a problem. I have concerns about Georgiev.

Was it a raucous scene as compared to your normal stuffy key bank center crowd on a Monday evening ?

Good evening teammates, glad I had family commitments and missed this one. From reading the thread it was up, down, and way down. My first concern is goaltending, just like every year in the Adams era. A team cannot emerge to the next level without goaltending.

Lyon was fine this game - he had two weird goals against him, one that shouldn't have counted.

Feeling like Levi may be the call if UPL instant while. They’re desperate for a hot start and Lyon and Georgiev don’t seem oooe the answer

If it’s not instilled in preseason there’s no reason to believe it will be there in the regular season.

Yes, there is a consistency to the futility and the vision comes from him. I've said it before and will repeat it often. We all should have walked out the door with LaFontaine. He knew. He saw it coming.

I don't think Greenway is "good to go".

Preseason only matters if we win and look good 😉