LGR4GM

Mrtka, Helenius, and Östlund are the only 3 Sabres to make Wheelers top 100 prospects list. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6469634/2025/07/14/nhl-top-prospects-ranking-2025-schaefer/

I don't think there's a parallel universe where Benson is worse at defense than Peterka. Edmonton had 259 and Florida had 252 I think. The problem is we don't have good gt and have a questionable defence system.

I think our goal total will go down. Not specifically because of Peterka but in part. We're not better, just different.

"According to Evolving-Hockey, last season, (Benson) was in the 98th percentile in defense among all NHL skaters." Benson will pace at a 60pt season

But that's not how it works. And you're only looking at 1 side of the equation. If they took away 27g but also shipped out 30ga, they are up +3. I'm not saying they did that, just that finishing 16th in goals for versus 8th matters as much as finishing 4th in GA and moving to ??? Also they dumped Cozens 11g for Norris and Kulich picking up that ice time, I've stated repeatedly I don't believe we lost 27g although year to year goal totals vary so unclear where we come out, especially if Buffalo decides to play defense this year.

The Hockey Writers

Sounds like McTavish is legit available. Buffalo should certainly inquire.

Kesselring was something like top 40 for defenseman in xga so maybe it works but you're right about the games played. Buffalo has less experience than they did which is concerning.

I think Terry wants to get to know Jarmo. Adams is still his friend. Kevyn didn't do great on the last group project but he's still gonna get his name on the next one.

Hiring Ruff after no search was the canary in the coal mine... and it died.

Totally stunned Ruff has kept Wilford around. He's failed every year he's been here.

I wonder if the jjp return had analytics involved

I'm being too hard on power

No it didn't. It simply took Krueger going away.

You know what's really hilarious? William Eklund is a playmaking lw with some grit... Buffalo needs a playmaking lw with some grit.

William. Eklund. Also he wasn't even the best defender in that class. Luke Hughes was that draft and Mason McTavish too but the true top guy in that class was and impo is Eklund. But he wasn't 6'6" and you can't teach size! And defensemen that tall are rare! (Buffalo has 4 now, Power, Mrtka, Bedkowski, Kleber) The Sabres bought the hype, didn't value the underlying traits enough, and decided he was the best player even though he's a passive player.

And as Zucker said, "hope isn't a strategy"

Trading for Dumba? I'd hope he didn't think of that. Terrible idea.

Personally still amused that all and I mean ALL of the big talking heads were like "lol Buffalo, they dumb dumbs" after that trade and almost the entirety of Sabrespace was like "oh thank ***** God, an nhl center"

Casey Mittelstadt last season: 0.7g/60, 1.1a/60 Ryan McLeod: 0.9g/60, 1.5a/60 So not only did McLeod outscore 2nd line center Casey Mittelstadt, he was more efficient with the ice time he got as well. It was not a case of simply more ice time, McLeod legit improved. Mitts hasn't topped that assist rate since leaving Buffalo and has never topped that goal rate. If Casey Mittelstadt is a 2nd line center than Ryan McLeod is a 2nd line center. On top of that, McLeod had about 62% d-zone starts compared to the opposite for Mitts with 36% and yet... McLeod was only a few xgf lower compared to Mittsy. Just interesting to look at how perceptions drive narratives.

What Improvements did Boston make that I am forgetting?

That's exactly what happened in College Football. The SEC and Big10 added teams and buy all the good players. A few of the historically good schools outside of that realm will compete but everyone else is picking up scraps. The strong got stronger. There aren't enough NCAA College Hockey programs for this to work that way. Canadian Jrs and AHL will still be strong places to play. We have to remember a lot of the Canadian Jr kids won't be NCAA eligible until they are 18, 19, or 20 depending on the their schooling. It also means there are more spots in these other leagues for late bloomers to get ice. As others have said, my big concern would be USHL and NTDP.

Luke Osburn is probably our best LHD prospect and might be our best D prospect outside of Mrtka. I think he makes team USA.

https://thehockeywriters.com/philadelphia-flyers-should-set-sights-on-viggo-bjorck-not-gavin-mckenna-for-2026-nhl-draft/ Viggo Björck the center out of Sweden. He's good but he's short at only 5'9" so his true combine number will be important come June.

Don't forget Dahlin getting injured really broke the defense. If we assume he plays 80 games, that might get you those 4 wins.