Mango

Preseason is what it is. You don’t need to be great, but unless you’re a contender you can’t really suck either. Being really good or really bad in preseason isn’t a great place to be.

This is a big part of why I really wanted/needed Adams to address the personnel for the defensemen and goaltending. The explanation of goaltending and defense has been pretty muddled with “young guys, learning the game” but also “system”. I really wanted to cross personnel off the list so we could get a clear inventory of problems for 24-25.

My thing here is, “at what cost?” Devon will need a reliever at best and an actual starter at worst. The team just missed the playoffs last year. It’s year 4 of this regime, and we’re going into year 13 of the longest drought in league history. Sticking with UPL is what’s best for UPL. But UPL isn’t necessary for this teams success. What’s best for the Sabres future is that this team be better than it’s ever been in the last 13 years by a large margin.

I was very high on this team coming into the season. I thought for sure we’d have at least one new top 4 defenseman, a goalie, and a new assistant coach. We kept hearing that “money isn’t an issue”. But here we are basically rolling the whole thing back with the 31st most expensive roster. Pre-season has been bad with little redeeming quality other than Benson. I get it’s pre-season but for me a historically bad hockey owner doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt. I am unsure of Adams/Donnie have peaked here and this is all by design. Or if Pegula is holding the purse strings tight. I’m excited for the season but I’d be lying if I said I am more concerned about this team today than I was last year. This regime has to work. I needed Adams to go shore up our deficiencies this offseason and Donnie to show he could coach defense. Or at least one of the two. I’m so sick of being a terrible hockey franchise. 105 points and a 6 game loss or playoff series win was my expectations for the season. That seemed like a reasonable timeline for Adams. I know this is so Debbie Downer. But it’s been a long 12 years.

Awesome. I saw the lines. Part of my flip flopping on him was he can’t just exist with Tage/Skinner. He has to be able to sand alone in addition to having 82 games in him. Finding production on the 3rd line makes me feel better. Adios VO (when Quinn is back)

Box score watching tonight. Looks like UPL stinks but so does Clifton. Somehow can’t get any scoring going. Do I need to know anything else?

I don’t believe he qualifies next year or the year after since his birthday is May and he has zero CHL seasons. He’ll make the roster before he has AHL eligibility.

When we ended last season l thought we had a lot of comps to NJ. My expectation is similar. About 105 points and play a competitive playoff series (6 games). If they sneak in at 95 and lose in 5 I’ll be disappointed.

Not to beat a dead horse, but to me that response pairs with his unwillingness to sign more than a 4-5 year extension without the franchise delivering.

I guess the inverse is that Buffalo won’t fill a hockey arena? That doesn’t hold up historically. I don’t think it’s an excuse; I think it is a reality. I don’t think Buffalo is permanently over hockey. https://www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendance/att_graph.php?tmi=5054

I think the second line to end the season with Greenway Cozens and Tage was a solid line. Much more complete than the full kiddo line. EDIT: To add on, I think he was our best defensive forward as a whole. I don’t need him to throw his body around, the team needs somebody with Tage to account for his bad play in our own end. I thought Greenway was slow and laborious for a good part of last year. If he can find some explosiveness and play with some more speed, I think he can be a good line mate for a star who right now has a knack for being all offense.

I think he’s a good line mate for Tage. I am curious what this year looks like for him. If he can become a bit more explosive that could be a good second line with either JJP or Cozens. Re: Tommers, sometimes I don’t think he’s good enough in our own zone and has a too many head scratchers for a 1C. Or at least an heir apparent 1C. Don’t get me wrong, Tage Thompson is a talent. But a guy like Greenway can accidentally find himself on the second line by helping a guy like Tage be a complete player.

I know he scored earlier, but he wasn’t good tonight. A lot of head scratchers.

I was not a huge fan of Greenway last year, but I thought he got better as the season progressed and looked good when paired with Cozen and Thompson. Obviously those guys are studs. Theres some rumor that Greenway could have some more juice this year. If he can be a Tuch-lite, I think there is a place for him in the top 6 and can provide some additional balance. Curious to see this one play out

You were fairly close. I’m interested to see the top 3 forward lines.

They were one of the top first lines in the league last year with Tage at C. I totally get not moving it around. But I actually really liked Thompson on the wing with Greenway and Cozens at C. I say that not liking Greenways game last year. If he can be an Alex Tuch lite on the left side this year, that’s a formidable line.

I am not watching this one. It feels like defense and goaltending are still a major issue with an emphasis on goaltending but not in a good way. I was thinking that maybe KA has held out on moving VO to get through the Quinn injury. At that point he may be prepared to package him for a goaltender. Im high on Levi and this roster but if this defense still blows without any systemic adjustments, and UPL/Comrie are still miserable options I’m gonna be pissssed!

Oh, duh… I was only thinking of players that dressed last night.

I feel like an idiot, who is EJ?

I honestly loved our lines to finish the season. I thought our top line with Mitts at center was as good or better as anything they did previously. Tommers made the second line better. Mixing in Greenway, Jost, and Krebs around the line up helped provide some physicality that lets guys like Cozens and Peterka shine a bit brighter. I would like to see more of it, at least situationally. Just my $0.02 carry over from last year.

Last night was exciting. But after a full day I think the kid gets a few call ups, but likely isn't ready for an 82 game season. I am curious how he looks when guys start playing a much more physical game as the preseason progresses. He was good tonight, but it will be different when other full grown men are fighting for the back end of their careers and to stay on a roster to provide for their families. The real bummer is the rules about the AHL, not necessarily whether he makes the Sabres or not. He should be playing in Rochester.

I think maybe he gets a few games early to get a feel for playing with grown men at that size, speed, and intensity. Then sent back to juniors with a check list of things to improve upon and maybe hit the weight room. Then we see him again later in the season.

It’s a preseason game but he isn’t just skilled he’s playing with a lot of confidence. After that breakaway I was like “well, maybe…” It all feels like a risk for a franchise in the middle of a 12 year drought who might be starting a rookie goaltender in 50+ games this year and a million other young players. I think he might make the roster. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about it.

My biggest negative is these terrible Boston announcers. They sound like they pulled them out of the Harp pre game and offered them the mic.

Another plus one for me on the first so far is the PK. But tough to tell, I’ve seen our prospects against some real Boston players and it wasn’t great either. I think I’ve seen Tommers and Skinner on both PK’s so far.