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You told us what to expect on Clifton. In his interview with Jon Scott he talked about the first season in Buffalo, playing on his wrong side, and how he had trouble the adjusting to Granato's system. He did recover that first season and ended with a +12 after a horrendous start. To has accountable for his performance though and made no excuses. Everything about Clifton's game declined under Lindy which surprised me. He even had less PIMs and less fights, and he saw very limited action at the end of the season. It was time for both parties to move on. I have some big concerns about how the players reacted to Lindy. The team play declined overall, and the Athletic had that players survey (limited to 111 players) that was not complimentary to Lindy at all. Big year coming for both Adams and Lindy. Cozens - you have to admit he really struggled again. I don't understand how he got the "A" and lets face it, he was handed the 2C job years ago. Cozens (and others such as Quinn and Peterka) were allowed to play a one-way game.

Specifically, the Sabres moved away from a bunch of guys with bad xgf%. Whether that's deliberate or just more dart throwing, idk. The other issue is better coached teams have better xgf% overall. So we'll see what happens. Xgf% is impacted by how teams play. Buffalo plays or played a very rush oriented attack with limited ability to cycle, so they don't get a bunch of chances. On the inverse they were mediocre shot getting pucks out so that all comes together.

Yeah, I think Muel based on his minutes is a major anchor... Gilbert was just an 8th d who was a C minus fighter that was willing... just an Adams failed nod to you need someone to respond.... here lets throw this cannon fodder out there to get beat... cause I know he will jump in when no one else will... Cozens I agree.. as unpopular as this may be I think we see Cozens mature over the years and will become a player that people will want... right now he is just too much of a spaz and head case to be an effective player and leader night in and night out... but in the right situation I think he develops into a guy that will score 25-30 for 50-60 points... and can play two way minutes... and no, I didnt say now... (especially the 2 way minute part) but if he settles down and develops I believe he can be a taller version of a poor mans Mike Peca or a higher scoring Gaustad

The crazy part is they brought back Bryson. I think the Sabres looked at some stats and decided to upgrade, I think without better gt, it won't be enough.

A couple evenings ago, my son and his wife became aware of a dog wandering the streets. I guess it was pretty obviously dumped in the neighborhood. Someone took it off the street to keep it safe, but wasn’t able to hold it. My son tracked down a rescue group that agreed to step in. He has decided to foster it, get it crate and house trained, and healed up. It has open wounds on its paws pads and appears to have some sort of skin issue/infection. If it goes well, the kids may adopt it themselves, but for now have committed to fostering it in preparation for someone to adopt it. I am proud as hell that these kids are so good hearted, but man, they have some work cut out for them. Its an adult dog that was never trained and is minimally socialized.

Even in their limited roles against limited competition, Lafferty and Gilbert were two of our worst statistical players. Clifton was less sheltered but was still our worst defensemen next to Bryson. The guys we got to replace them are pretty decent in similar roles.

But the offense is experienced. Benson, Tuch, Zucker, McLeod, and evert Thompson know how to play on both sides of the puck. Norris could be included too. It's really only Kulich and potentially Tage who aren't stout defensively. The defense on the other hand lacks experience all over. Dahlin is the only defender with 300+ games.

Having watched my son play minor hockey through U18, I’m comfortable saying that no player makes it to the NHL without having been exposed to multiple defensive systems and structures. So much of a team’s ability to play a consistent and repeatable and effective defensive system/structure at the highest level, comes down to the same things that it does at lower levels: the teaching and communication skills of the coaching staff and, above all, the head coach. I agree that our forwards were bad at defensive hockey. I don’t think it is because they are, as a collective, intellectually or temperamentally unsuited for playing a well-coached defensive structure.

I can make the case that in the Peterka trade that our roster/team got better. If Kesserling becomes a good pairing for Power and Doan adds an element of grit and responsible two-way play to a lineup that needs an improved defensive game, then those player changes will better round out our roster. And if you consider that both Quinn and Benson should be able to improve their offensive numbers to offset JJP’s offensive numbers, then the deal makes sense for us. In order to get something, you have to give up something. And that’s how I view this trade. On initial appearance it seems to have worked out for each of the trading partners. TBD.

Do you know who else does’t want to deal with an openly unhappy teammate? His teammates. Do you think the coaches will find a disgruntled player more receptive to their coaching? It was already reported that he had difficulty dealing with Ruff’s hard style of coaching. If Kesserling turns out to be a suitable partner for Power and Doan adds an element of grit to the lineup, then this trade will work out for both teams. I didn’t want him to be traded. However, he did. So goodbye to him and welcome to the new players who are happy to be here.

Can't agree with the depiction of these players as anchors. Lafferty and Gilbert were exactly what they were. Bottom players and extras. Expecting more was stupid. Clifton lost his game playing in an unstructured system. I said this might happen when we signed him. He always had the tendency to run around and try to over step and then get caught out of position. In this chaotic system he ended up floundering. We broke him. Cozens? An anchor? Let's see how Ottawa goes. Quinn's still an anchor until he isn't. Same for Samuelsson.

I don't agree. The forwards on this team by and large suck defensively. Positional play is poor, structure is weak, assignments are blown, and back checking at times is non existent. They lose puck battles (if they even enter into them) and they leave the D exposed and overwhelmed. Part of this is bad coaching but it's also inexperience. Team defense is a concept the Sabres are generally unfamiliar with.

Well, idk enough about Danforth to say he's better or worse than Lafferty but I don't think Timmins is better than Clifton. Maybe he is, we shall see, but I don't think so. Norris to Cozens??? That is an interesting one. Don't think Norris is known for his defense but we all felt let down by Cozens so again, we shall see. Kesselring and Doan better defensively but not offensively so how does that shake out? again, idk. The goalie. Now I find it interesting that one of our main competitors, Detroit, made a deal for a goalie (who is suspect in many ways) because they weren't happy with the goalie they had who we are lauding as some sort of improvement/answer. Does that not make you pause and wonder? It certainly doesn't give me optimism.

He was an RFA without a contract, he couldn't become an UFA for 4 more years (7 seasons or 27 years old). Who cares if he wanted to be here... give him a fair offer, he can sign or sit out, don't trade him at a loss just because he doesn't want to be here. The entire point of RFA status is to protect the team that drafted and developed the player.

Jones?

You have to use the language they understand to get them to listen. They are not able to understand anything else. Of course both sides suck but one clearly has a plan to destroy everything this country tried to build and turn themselves into a singular power. Destroying democracy should not be the answer yet it's the Rights plan.

He needs to be near perfect on angles to take away more net, and like most young goalies better rebound control to prevent multiple shots. If he gets deep into the crease he leaves a lot to shoot at. At 6 ft he is on the small side by todays NHL standards, 2 inches below average and the average is trending up not down. Still a very good prospect but sometimes size matters.

The man is downright crazy, which makes him dangerous. Please tell me how this decision is any good for the general health and welfare of our nation. https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-vaccines-mrna-pfizer-moderna-1fb5b9436f2957075064c18a6cbbe3c9

Be careful what you ask for. Just remember who is penciled in at #7.

Right, and the point to add is that the Democrats, being so highly principled, are threatening to do the same thing in other states. Perhaps it's time to stop all of this garbage about district lines and just move to a system that represents voting distribution? Where's the end game? Hard line red and blue states? Does it go beyond that to secession? Is it all a ploy to distract from even more ridiculous initiatives? Instead people just continue to worry about the other "side" because it's not as bad as their "side". Hooo boy.

Was it ever about efficiency or about obtaining access to sensitive data to further other initiatives elsewhere in the very, very private sector?

It's primarily goaltending and an inexperienced defense.

I don't know what case you're making. I think Buffalo will end up with a similar goals for or slightly lower this upcoming season. I'm more worried about goals against. I don't think Adams is a good team builder. You're focused on Peterka almost exclusively. I guess we'll see what happens.

Speaking only in terms of their play defensively, the Sabres seem to believe: Norris > Cozens Doan > Peterka Danforth > Lafferty Kesselring > Jokiharju Timmins > Clifton They also think Lyon is more capable of supporting/challenging UPL than Reimer was because age limited Reimer's workload. If you think that's basically boils down to Kesselring, I guess we'll see.

I agree. While I like the idea of a top line with Tage on the wing not having him at center puts too much onto Kulich at this stage. If Norris isn't healthy and contributing, I'm not sure this team will even match last year's numbers. Any drop off (or injury) to any of the top 5 or 6 makes this team fall apart fast. There's no one in Rochester ready to fill a hole either.