All Activity

Don't believe it's so much that the guys entering their 3rd year are penned into the lineup so much as we might see a 3rd year guy and a 2nd year guy penned onto Thompson's line which will essentially be the 1st line. AND it's possible that Quinn, after as awful a start to a season as you can have and NOT get sent back to Ra-cha-cha MIGHT be on the 2nd line. And Doan could find himself in the top 6 in place of one of those other 3. That is a LOT of youth to give significant roles to. Now if they were spread across the 2nd - 4th lines, nobody would really bat an eyelash at them provided the guys stepping up actually get the job done.

I sense a strong contingent of SS feels that the quality of the 3 year NHL "Vets" that are penned into the line up in Buffalo are not the type that might be penned into the line up for a true playoff contender. I think there is some merit to that line of thinking. However, the Sabres regularly get rid of "fringe players" that go on to serve very nicely in appropriate roles on playoff teams. This leads back to the same old song and dance of "if it ain't the players, it must be the team" And GM and Owner own the responsibility for what the "team" is. Sigh. And before LGR gets mad - I love love love me some Zack Benson. I don't think it is a stretch to think he will get some serious Selke consideration at some point in his career. Would he have cracked the lineup of a strong playoff team 3 years ago? Probably not. But again - team failure.

Umm, don't believe it is the fanbase that is giving serious consideration to lining him up next to Thompson (particularly if Norris & Thompson don't gel). He should not be the #1 C at least until he gets a little stronger in his own end. But whether he's 1C, 2C, 3C or 1/2LW; none of us have any say whatsoever in which of those he's lined up into.

The 2026 1st isn’t on the table, period.

Few if any besides maybe SJS and Chicago

You know a great way to increase the event count? Extended playoff run. Done laughing yet?

Center Kulich Wingers Thompson Greenway Center Norris Wingers Tuch Quinn Center McLeod. Wingers Zucker Benson Center Krebs Wingers Doan. Malenstyn Trade next years 1st and 3rd if necessary for Jake Neighbours of St. Louis or someone similar to take Greenways spot Dahlin/Byram. Power/Kesselring Samuelsson/Timmins This team isn't going anywhere unless 4K finally shows the ability to carry the team. The first 3 lines have size and can play different roles against different teams. 4th line gives you toughness if not a fighting ability

Just watched Guelli’s press conference. Terry wants 200 events held in the arena a year. There is no way in hell they find 140 “events”.

How many full-time NHL players entering their 3rd years can you name whose lineup spots aren’t guaranteed? How many NHL will enter training camps this year with more then a couple bottom-tier roster spots up for grabs?

Really?

Considerably more Id say.

Yeah, but Buffalo 😁

Changed the ***** title because this place can't handle the word linchpin.

No and not even close. The lynchpins, such as they are, are all the D not named Dahlin and UPL (or Levi). Until this team proves that it can play defense and has a goalie that can be effective for at least 35-40 games, this team is DOA. Kulich's emergence may help the offense replace JJP, but it does nothing to solve the fundamental flaws of this team under Howdy Doody.

It is somewhat hilarious to me you don't question Cooley or Gunther being in the NHL at their ages or games played but have gone on a literal crusade to put Zach Benson in the AHL this year. before you mention their points, you don't think Zach Benson can match their points in his age 20 season? Ok. Let's find out. And before you come back with nonsense, Gunther had 30pts his 20yr old season when you take out pp points and since Buffalo runs one of the dumbest pp, I'm only looking at even strength scoring. Amazing how incompetent this coaching staff is. Thompson - 448 games Tuch - 536 games Norris - 239 games Zucker - 770 games Benson - 146 games Kulich - 63 games

No pressure, Juri. You got this.

Gunther 22, 148 games Cooley 21, 157 games Keller 27, 601 games Peterka 23, 234 games Hayton 25, 291 games Schmaltz 29, 588 games Looks pretty young and soft, no? Kinda like the Sabres last year?

I have long been an advocate for keeping him and Tage together on a line. If it doesn't work after a while, make the change, but at least start with it. Why? Their production last year: -Tage was one of the best even strength goal scorers in the league last year, with him on the ice, the team scored a goal every 20.3 minutes (pretty good). -However, when Tage and Kulich were on the ice together, the team scored a goal every 12.6 minutes. (and only allowed a goal every 18.5 minutes) -For comparison: Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner paired together had the Leafs scoring once every 17.4 minutes. -Draisaitl and McDavid together had the Oilers score once every 13.1 minutes. This also was done with a pretty decent sample size. Over 350 minutes together on the ice even strength. (over 20 games played as primary linemates) Having Tage and Kulich start out together also doesn't have to come with added pressure. They don't have to be the "#1" line. You can position them as just "one of 3 lines" that get rolled out there. Again, I have mentioned it in other posts, the numbers were SO good last year and the eye test had them playing so well together, I at least want to give that pair a shot this year and see how it goes.

Now that looks like the leader of a franchise that is 0 for 14 in making the playoffs under his command😂

Kulich is one part of several. I'd say Norris has just as much on his shoulders.

Call me if you need tickets. #1of9000

If anyone foresees him working his way onto one of the top two lines, it is a very small minority who do. I don't think many people think he will be a prolific scorer either. He's an energy and gritty player. The type of player that you have called that we need more of. What I liked in the clips that were shown on this thread is his willingness to hover around the net. Just maybe a young Zucker type of player who is not afraid to station himself in front of the net?

Well he’s not fat any more and he made it through the year uninjured. 😁