Ruff Around The Edges

Agree completely, especially when it comes to going to the games. It might take me a long while to even consider it and given the economic devastation that has been forced on everyone by this, NHL Players better be ready for their new reality. It won't be as fruitful as before and for a long time.

Over time a lot of Sabres fans have pointed to specific seasons for the teams that could have been the ones to hoist the elusive Stanley Cup. Rightfully so, a lot of fans (and younger ones) look to 2005 -2006 and 2006-2007, and the much older fans look at years in the 70's (1975 and 1979-1980) as well. I have always felt one team that had just about everything to win it all but never got out of the 1st round: The 1993-1994 Buffalo Sabres Lets look deeper: Goals For: 282 (11th of 26), Goals Against: 218 (1st of 26) Very good offense and a very underrated defense with superior goaltending with Dominik Hask posting sick numbers; 30-20-6 with a 1.95Gaa and a .930SV%. How the heck did Dom lose 20 with numbers like this? On offense, you had firepower: Dale Hawerchuk with 86 points such an underrated great player during his time, the great Alexander Mogilny with 79 points (and he only played 66 games). The big one missing from the top of this list? Pat LaFontaine, 18 points in only 16 games played in 1993-1994, the Sabres were 11th in scoring and all those games missed, would have been Top 10 easy if #16 played a normal amount of games that year. The series against the Devils was an epic battle defensively, we all know about Dave Hannan, imagine if #16 was there in a series only decided by 1 goal? I remember that year my Dad and I went to 'Tux and Pucks Night' on NYE and watched the Sabres thoroughly outplay the who would be Stanley Cup Champion NY Rangers 4-1. This team has grit, toughness all over the place: Wayne Presley, Brad May (18G and 171 PIM), Rob Ray and even Matthew Barnaby. Solid players galore like Donald Audette with 29 goals, Yuri Yuri Khmylev with 58 points. John Muckler at the helm was nothing to sneeze at either If the Sabres were fortunate enough to advance past NJ, I truly believe they make it to the Wales Conference Finals and give the Rangers everything they can handle and more. This team will always be one of my all time favorite Sabres teams. Oh what could have been....

Agree, just made 1 edit which I think we can all agree on. This exposed everyone.

The compliance buyout possibility would really create some big time intrigue for the Sabres. I completely agree with GASabres with the #2 center comment: And given the strong chance that there will be this compliance buyout for every team, I can see a few options developing where the Sabres can get a vet #2 center for a couple of years (Kyle Turris type) to help Skinner and the other forwards and allow more time for Cozens and even Mittlestadt to develop. Interesting that Vancouver gave up a LOT for Toffoli and they only might have 2 weeks of games to show for it. Wonder if this will motivate Vancouver in doing whatever it takes to retain him.

So if the Sabres lose this game, I expect a new thread 'Why is John Mucker Coach AND GM?' thread started by lunch tomorrow.

Just at the car dealership purchasing my sleek new Ford Escort and Ill be working tonight: Would anyone be nice enough to page me updates of the score? Hoping my beeper blows up with lots of updates!

I forgot that LaFontaine was out almost that entire year, what could have been

I see zero chance of the season being played. In fact i am not even sure about October. Also the economic pain will be felt so severe and so vast, can these teams even survive when they return? I can see the salary cap being chopped again, everything rolled back. It will be about survival. Can businesses really afford to buy suites, and expensive tickets considering what is about to happen? I don't see it. Sports as we all know it is about to change in a very profound way, among everything else.

Without a doubt I actually predict that is the case. No NHL, NBA or NCAA Champion this year

Would be absolutely shocked if this or any NHL games go on tonight. While some can argue we may look back as an overreaction (let's hope that is the case), I do think the season should stop now for a bit, its the right call. The NHL cannot afford the massive PR hit that would come from the biased media, and must follow what the NBA did and put the season on hold until further notice.

Linus can be a solid #1 goalie in the NHL for years to come, not elite like say a Tukka Rask, but can develop to an above average goalie, coupled with a good offense, can be very successful and win a lot of games

Agree and would love if the Sabres can get him they may have to get in the Top 3, also I would say Stutzle is the most 'NHL Ready' propsect in the 2020 Draft (Lafrienere aside), given that Tim has played with older players.

Nice win, seeing Ullmark in net just has me wondering what could have been if he didn't get injured. Even if this team was able to muster 4-6 points more over his absence we would be right in the playoff chase. Having said that, I do think Kruger deserves credit for the efforts in Philly and last night, this team hasn't mailed it in and hopefully they build off of this in the effort to change the culture of this franchise going forward. Kahun is looking like a nice find so far...good job JBot

Good pst and good questions indeed. If the Sabres were lucky enough to win #1 overall, it would take an act of the Hockey Gods for me to move off that pick: Lafrenière is THAT good. If the Sabres won #2 or #3 that is where the debate is: Perhaps a move down to stay in Top 12 AND get a#2 Center would IMHO be a move worth considering.

I agree on all counts. can see Rossi going as high as 4 depending on team and fit and need

Nobody.....and I mean NOBODY circles the tanks like the Buffalo Sabres!

And should be a signal to whomever is the new Sabres GM (hopefully someone other then JBot) that getting a goaltender is abig off season priority. But with Braden Holtby as the 'best' possible UFA, the trade route may be the only viable short term option until UPL is ready. And this UPL regression is why I don't think the Sabres should shy away from Askarov in the 20 Draft if they pick say 10th and he is available.

How will Sam Reinhart recover from not being able to see the bundle of joy Mike Harrington in the Sabres locker room?

Is it time to overreact? Now? Maybe?

The Oven Mitt.

The captain of the sinking ship does not sit down unless he is injured and cannot play at all. And yes he will hit 90 points.

I hope the Sabres finish decent, even 9-7 in their last 16. Would give them 84 points, a modest 8 point improvement from last year, but at least it would be an improvement, something of a positive note for the franchise can help. It certainly cant hurt As for the lottery, the Sabres going to 5th won't give them much better odds. This draft is very deep, if the Sabres can pick 5 or 11 they might get a similar caliber of talent anyway.

CTE?

Over under on percentage of Pens fans in the building? 45%?