nfreeman

Well, it's been a classic 0-for-3 Buffalo sports weekend. Good times!

Tuch actually gave Kucherov a pretty big shot after that hit. I get the skepticism, but this team is different. Separately -- my game notes: - That was a really good, entertaining wire-to-wire hockey game. - After the Sabres took the lead in the 3rd period I thought to myself that they came out and played with heart and determination, notwithstanding the back-to-backs on the road against strong opponents and the last-minute scratching of their leader and best player, and whether they would win would come down to mental toughness and execution -- and then Loobie had an awful turnover in the D zone that created the GTG, and Comrie, after saving their bacon all night, let in probably his worst goal as a Sabre on the GWG. So they still need to learn how to win tight games against good teams. - That was Skinner's best game of the season. - If Cozens and JJP each had about 10% more finish, they could both score 25+ this season. - TT was better than he was vs Carolina, but they still could've used a bit more from him. - Bryson had 26 minutes and Power had 28, and both held up reasonably well IMHO. Fitzie only had 6 minutes and Pilut only 10, so DM must not be happy with them. - Although Power did play well, there was still a pretty noticeable dropoff on PP1 -- he's not yet as good as Dahlin in that role (understandably -- no shame there). - DM shook up the lines again in the 3rd period -- Skinner was on with Cozens and JJP I think, while TT was on with Zemgus and KO. It sure would be nice to beat at least 1 of Boston or Vegas.

They are skating well, creating chances and playing respectably in the D zone. Need to cash in.

This is a great hockey game though.

That is a kick in the nuts. Maybe a concussion from Kotkie's sucker punch? If so, get ready for bloodlust the next time the Sabres play Carolina.

Perhaps, but they weren't the problem tonight. The problem was that Dahlin was the only Sabre who was able to create any offense. They didn't get anything out of TT, Skinner, KO, Mitts, Quinn, Cozens, Tuch or JJP.

It needs to be said: the Canes have controlled TT and made him ineffective tonight.

Good call. Carolina is playing great team D and is creating a ton of clean high-danger chances on O. The Sabres can beat them but they need to turn up the intensity on the forecheck and realize how little room the Canes are giving them to stickhandle and pass.

Good stuff here, especially the point about the expected growth in the cap. I don't think the Sabres will, or should, give VO a 7-year deal. But if they offer him the 4-extension I proposed next summer, from VO's perspective, that would give him 5 more years under contract (from the time he signs the extension) at a pretty rich salary, with the opportunity to sign one more deal at age 33 -- which will be there for him if he scores, say, 27 goals in his age-32 season -- which is quite plausible given his skill set as you point out. Would he turn that down in favor of playing out his deal and hoping to cash in on UFA? Maybe. Or maybe this season will be so much GD fun that he can't imagine walking away from $25MM or so guaranteed to stay with this team. From the Sabres' perspective, next summer, they will absolutely need to sign Cozens. But will they prioritize Asplund over VO? And would they prioritize saving cash for Mitts, Krebs, Joki, etc. over the rich, juicy bird in the hand that VO represents? It's a tricky one. Very possible.

This is indeed the issue. There is a lot of talent coming up in the system. However, that talent is on paper, and VO is a consistent goal-scorer IRL -- and he gets a bit better every year. He turns 28 next July. I think the following results are highly plausible for this season: VO -- 38 goals (although as I've said, I think he will get 40 if he stays healthy) Quinn -- 13 goals JJP -- 15 goals If their actual results end up looking like that, are they really going to not try to keep him and just assume that Quinn, JJP, Kulich is going to turn into that kind of goal-scorer? Or are they going to offer, say, a 4-year extension at $6MM per year, which would cover his age 29 through 32 seasons?

Well, the 8 other wise men of the board and me are looking pretty good on this right now. In all seriousness: I think VO has a good shot to score 40 this year if he stays healthy. He’ll have 1 more year under contract next summer and be eligible for an extension. At what point do the Sabres have to seriously try to keep him?

Well, I’d say I believe already that he has tools till Tuesday, and a great attitude, but I still need to see more before I know whether he can bring it when it counts and against the best competition. Last year‘s garbage-time performance, which was definitely impressive, plus 6 really good games this year, doesn’t quite do it for me yet when it comes to the latter. I think he has the right stuff and I’m glad we gave him that contract. I just want to see more before I’m all in.

I like TT a lot, but let's see how he does against the stepped-up competition the Sabres are about to encounter.

I agree with most of this, but violence and intimidation are still part of the game. I'm not saying we need a fighter or a goon, but a guy like Tom Wilson or prime Milan Lucic would be a huge addition to the top 6, as would a Pronger or Kronwall type in the top 4 (as they would for any team). I'd guess that KA knows this and isn't opposed to drafting one if he's the right guy.

Well, here's a pin for the schadenfreude balloon: Vegas is 9-2 and Eichel leads them in points and goals and is 3rd among VGK forwards in ice time. They're coming to Buffalo one week from tonight. Mama, I'm scared!

Edwards was one of my all-time favorite Sabres. I was pretty unhappy when they let him go and went with Sauve as the #1, although to be fair, Sauve was really good too and did well as the #1 IIRC. (SabreSpacers of a certain age will remember that Sauve’s brother, JF Sauve, played a bit for the Sabres as a nifty but undersized PP specialist.). Certainly they were a great tandem and I’m sure the internal competition was good for both of them.

Good to see ya sir! The cold heart beats again! This team will do that to ya.

Well, if you insist, but I’m going to need a couple of drinks first.

And a goalie! Don't forget the goalie!

I'd guess Krebs. I thought he did not play well vs. Chicago.

I was pretty skeptical about Mitts/Quinn/VO going into the Chicago game , but I was pleasantly surprised at how well they were able to gain possession and create chances in the O-zone, and it was borne out by the analytics cited upthread. So maybe that line will work. Quinn certainly looks better in the last couple of games than he did to start the season. FWIW, I love Cozens, but he still needs more finish to his game. I thought his line created chances with speed and forechecking vs Chicago but it seemed like he missed a number of shots and passes.

I think the Mitts/Quinn line has been improved in the last 2 games, although still not where we need them to be. I tend to agree that although VO is flawed, this team needs goals. We aren’t getting anything from Skinner, Mitts, JJP, Quinn, VO or KO. A guy who lights the lamp pretty consistently adds a lot of value and should be appreciated.

Well, I thought Quinn had his best showing of the season vs the Habs, so perhaps there's hope for Mitts' line. It just seems way too easy for the other team vs that line to get possession away from them and move it out of the D zone though. Small sample size, but the goalies' W/L records are kinda interesting and reminiscent of last season.

False.

Things have taken a turn in here.