Taro T

Would agree that this is what Granato needs to do this coming season.

Yes, the goal is the playoffs. But without a plan and goals that work towards that it isn't saying much. Agree that fixing the home record is going to be paramount to getting into the playoffs. They likely won't improve the road record much if at all and even if the team is better next year they might not have as good of a road record.

Do we need a different defensive coach next year or merely the increase in emphasis on that portion of the game? Teams are exploiting the D's tendency to overplay the puck below the goal line (often getting both D below the goalline along with the puck carrier) so that when the puck bounces back out (either to the point or the slot) there is an opening in the low slot for the opponent and the low F is slow in reacting to that and the D are too deep to recover. They also leave the backside open, but that is better than leaving the slot open. Had seen games where they were better at covering those but recently they've been as bad as that as they have been all year. Hoping that additional top 4 D man coming in and Power being a year more experienced helps them get back to taking that sort of play away. That alone might drop the GA by at least 20 and possibly 30.

Agree that these are the sort of things that Adams needs to be doing. But what are the goals that the rest of the crew needs to make doing well in the playoffs a reality? Would agree that a little introspection (and at the maangement level, a lot) will be beneficial across the board. But what are some more tangible subgoals which will be necessary to make the big goal a reality?

Which is what Adams needs to be doing. Any thoughts on what do the players and coaches need to do to get into the dance and, more importantly, do some damage once they're there?

They're already at 248 (probably actually 247 as that likely includes a goal for their 1 shootout victory). They'll likely end the year close to 280 goals. Do they need that as a target again next year? Really doubt only 248 would get it done. Does Thompson need to be a 50 goal scorer next year to get them where they need to be there? How many 30 goal scorers do they need? How much do they need to reduce the goals against? Getting a #1 G and a 4D will help there alot. Assuming the starter plays 50 games. If he gives up 2.8 per game (140 on the year) is that low enough to get them where they need to be?

Open topic, looking for something positive to talk about besides the possibility of Levi having a miracle effect on the trajectory of where they seem to be heading these past few games. So, we'd all like to see the team make the playoffs next year, and doing some damage there would be a very nice bonus. What do they need to be striving for to make that a reality. Won't focus in this post on what the individual player goals need to be, though hopefully those come up here. Will focus on what the team needs to have as team based goals to reach those higher end goals. They HAVE to be at or above an NHL 0.600 to get there. To make that a realitiy, they should focus on getting to 0.750 at 1 home and 0.500 on the road. The latter should be doable, because with 1 more win this year away from the MMArena, they don't just guarantee an NHL 0.500 but that mythical Deluca 0.500. Getting to 0.750 at home, will be a much tougher task given where they are now, but it SHOULDN'T be an impossible task. On a shorter term basis, the team should have a goal of never losing 3 games in a row. There is no way a team this young will be able to avoid any back to back losses, and no 3 game losing streaks would be a stretch goal, but getting there will make those other goals reachable. They also should strive for not going 2 games at home without taking at least 1 point. Do all that and making sure they get 12 points in every 10 game segment becomes doable and guarantees that NHL 0.600. To make that happen, they really need to fix the PK. If the PP can stay top 5 (and actually be legitimately top 5, not just ride a 1 month hot streak to a good ranking even though they're usually middle of the pack at best), then somewhere in the middle of the pack might be good enough to reach those goals. Could being top 20 be enough of a jump to make the other goals possible? What else do they need as smaller goals to get? to the big one?

How is saying "they played very poorly" defending anything? (Nicely played, the old guy from Bradford is smiling.)

They did not quit Friday, regardless of how often you state that they did. They played very poorly, but they did not quit. Pretty sure that I am done with this thread. (But as always, not positive that's the case,)

Didn't get to see the 3rd. As mentioned elsewhere had a meeting with a client this afternoon. Through 2 they had not quit. They were playing poorly, but hadn't quit. (There actually is a difference between the 2.) Saw the final score, so will likely not watch the 3rd. So, will have to take your word for it that they quit in this one. Really hoping nobody here is happy with that if they did. But am guessing some are if they did. 'See, they quit when Tuch was in the lineup too.' Congrats. Not exactly a good thing if it did in fact happen.

Bandits converted a 4-1 lead at the end of the 1st into a 13-8 loss. Colorado had Lee back for the 1st time since their opener. He had 5 helpers early in the 3rd. Williams and Robinson both had multiple goal games. Bandits couldn't solve Ward after the 1st. His coming out to the top of the crease caused the Bandits to send a lot of shots wide. They play in San Diego next week in a battle of division leaders. At least the Rock lost tonight too. Bandits had Frazier back for his 1st game of the season. (He'd been on their protected list before the season but didn't sign until late February. Not sure why.) He played well. Getting Nanticoke and Brendan Robinson back will help the cause. (No word on when they will be back.)

This is IMPRESSIVE.

Maybe. Bandits have dealt with a lot of injuies and haven't been blowing people out. But they still have only lost 2 games all year. 1 opening night against Albany who've only won once since and in Ra-cha-cha early in the year. They're still the team to beat in the east until somebody knocks them off.

Colorado is having a tough year. They're 5-6 and could miss the dance unless they pick it up.

Bandits playing a rematch of last year's championship vs the Mammoth tonight. Looking to stay a 1/2 game ahead of Toronto and a full game ahead of the Kin-ig-hit Hawks. Hopefully Nanticoke is back this week. Byrne and Cloutier came back last week. Last game at home before a short road stint.

Or by the Massachusetts Miracle Pt 2 willing them to a much worse draft spot. ;)

Don't expect him to get more than a handful of games in Buffalo, but would be mildly surprised if he doesn't get any games at all. But do expect Girgensons back, so 28 will be unavailable.

3-4 is pretty much a given. The only way we see 8 new players on the opening night roster is if Adams is gone. Can't see a realistic likely scenario where that happens this off-season. And even if Adams is gone, that's a huge stretch.

Yes. (To the bolded that is.)

They'll probably need to reset the year after Savoie retires. 1 down year then should be plenty. ;)

Yes, we are close to being on the exact same page. The differences are really can't see them forcing Girgensons out and expect he will be back. (Yes, he's a UFA, but by "forcing him out" mean can't believe they won't make him a legit offer and also can't see him wanting to play anywhere else. And after having gone so many years on teams that never sniffed the playoffs can't see him bailing on them now.) Also can't see them walking away from Clague nor Bryson. Expect both will be back and will be starting the year in Ra-cha-cha. Can see them keeping Comrie but waiving him to Ra-cha-cha. After the nightmare his season turned into can't see anybody but possibly Winnipeg claiming him. The only way he gets traded is if there is a trade for a starter (Saros please) and the other team wants a backup coming back. Which even these other items, it's merely nuance in the differences in our positions. As for Okposo, really see him going back to his roots in Minny. Whether it be as a player or a coach.

Please show me where it has been said that he IS a panacea for every Sabres ill. Have said 1 statement in 2 parts, which are very simple and very specific. The team has only QUIT in 2 games out of all the games played this season and last. (150 in total.) In neither of those 2 games has Tuch played. You and Liger are trying too hard here. There have been several games Tuch hasn't played in that they haven't quit. Haven't said that he is necessary to keep them from quitting. They have RARELY done so since the "true" Granato era has begun. But whether it be merely coincidentally or not, the only 2 games that they DID quit in happened a mere 1 week apart and in neither game did Tuch play. There are several players that either currently have a legit claim to being a leader on this team or will within the next 2 seasons. The team really is blessed in that regard, and quite certatin that is by design. Several players can have a case made to replace Okposo when he relinquishes the C. IMO that Tuch is the only one of them that wasn't involved in either of those 2 particular games is the final piece in the pros and cons evaluation that sets him apart from the other candidates. Can see any of 3 players getting the C next year if Okposo relinquishes it. Any would be a good choice. And should he keep that C next year as well, there will be at least 1 more player that might get it. But, again, IMHO, Tuch would be the best choice. (And, repetivitvely, not JUST because he wasn't involved in either of the games they quit.)

The team that has been getting 2 shots on goal per PP (if they're lucky) these past 10 or so games when they're actually trying will start getting myriad shots on net AFTER quitting in a game. Sure they will.

That absolutely is the question and Adams needs the read the results of this test properly. Still expect this team only needs 2-3 pieces to be really dangerous.

You don't expect him in Buffalo at all next year? Because really expect Girgensons to be back.