LTS

No, you clearly trade him because other GMs are going to give up McDavid for Reinhart. That's how it works.. right? ?

Yes, that is the GM's job. If you look at the list of players that have been moved, not a single one of them would have helped the Sabres. That's my point. There's NOTHING going on in the NHL, so you can't just DO SOMETHING. Well, you CAN, but it would mean making a trade that is horrific for your team, so it's not really the DO SOMETHING that people want. People apparently want the GM to execute the perfect trade, without considering that other GMs are involved.

Time for another.. no time to think, just do. Who plays forward with Okposo out?

Yeah, because most people don't want to place the blame on the kid. It's like accepting the #1 pick might not be perfect is hard for people to do. Dahlin will be an incredible player, he's struggling right now. Last year he had a pass on some things because it was his first year. He's a rookie, a D, and 18.. he gets a pass at mistakes. This year he's expected to be better and he's struggling. No more passes. Frankly, that play, I think he believed it was icing. It still made no sense however for him to do what he did. I know I was cursing his name a few times in the first period. There were a few bad passes, curlbacks, and such that just drove me nuts. He needs to sit and I think that happens tonight. ------------------ As for the game, Eichel had a great game. He didn't try to do too much. His actions with Dahlin on the bench are what we need to see. The entire game had a sloppy feel to it and that's to be expected when you are playing a team like Ottawa. Their lack of skill actually causes a disruption in what people would consider normal hockey. The puck just doesn't move the same or as anticipated. The Sabres are guilty of that too, although I think they are slightly better overall. It was a much needed win. It's unfortunate that Eichel had to score all the goals, but if the team can walk away feeling good about itself then mission accomplished. Now to put two W's together.

F Cancer... The rest of tonight is just a game.

With the flurry of trades and trade rumors going around I can see why there's a massive expectation that moves are made..... oh wait. There's basically nothing other than a few things about a few teams shopping D.. because anyone with half a brain knows that the Sabres are shopping D and that the Kings are shopping Toffoli, because he's been healthy scratched out of the lineup. After that, not much else going on out there. It's every bit as difficult as I make it sound because it takes more than a single team to trade and someone has to be willing to give up something that will improve the Sabres while the Sabres are willing to give up out of the assets they have. I am sure Botterill can make a trade, I am also certain that in order to do so it would be a trade that no one on here would support, but at least he would have "done something." Right now, it seems like there isn't much of a market, and, generally, that's how it works in the NHL. I would be more on Botterill for not bringing up players out of Rochester before I am on him about not making a trade. You need to shake up the roster, pull some guys out who aren't doing enough. That's the biggest lever they have right now.

I have. Also, I see a lot of players who lack the speed to even attempt the wraparounds that ERod attempted.

Here we go. "Do Something". Why do these posts continue to exist? You speak as though there's a move to be made that helps this team and the GM is intentionally not making that move. What if the only players available on the trade market right now are the equivalent of Lazar and Asplund? What if it's only draft picks? You aren't alone in these posts, too many people keep calling out for "Do Something". Everyone take a moment and go look at this page: https://www.nhl.com/news/2019-20-nhl-trades/c-289968698 Look over that list and figure out what move there would help the team? For every bit of interest in a potential player (Toffoli) there are plenty of counter-arguments to making the move. There are not slam dunk "Do Somethings"

Anecdotally, sure. However, there are a lot of players who fall into the same story line that we never hear about because they are a mess. Sometimes you take the shot and others you play the percentages. Every team/GM does it.

There are some doctors on this forum who can provide a second opinion on your meds and perhaps alter your prescription. ?

One would hope... One would hope...

You judge them the way you judge them. 3 on 3 is different than 5 on 5, there's no doubt. However, there are some basic tenets that still hold true. Now, a player who is acceptable in a 5 on 5 situation might not be as acceptable in 3 on 3 because of the extra space on the ice. So, those lacking quickness might have a harder time playing the game with that extra space. That said, in this case. The method of covering the ice is not really all that different. Dahlin should not be up in the play creating a single layer of D for the Canes to have to permeate. Dahlin should have been back, and ERod was right to motion that Dahlin take that man as ERod would take the trailing player.

In an unusual move... I did not read the entirety of this thread. I need to go back and rewatch the OT goal, but my initial take is that Dahlin is the reason it happened. He remains lost out there and it's time he sits to take a deep breath and observe a few games from a suite and not the bench. Other than that.. the Sabres, overall, played well. Carolina doesn't suck and scored some good goals, as did Buffalo. They fought back and got it to OT. Dahlin screwed up coverage, twice and puck into the net. Good night.

Jul Must... Look it up.. MODO suggested we try it while in Sweden. Woody wasn't a fan.. it grew on me.

I thought @ was how you got someone's attention? I'm confused.

It was warmer in Stockholm... 41 on Tuesday... I came home to 22 and snow.. sigh.

I only saw him the first night. I don't think much has changed for him since pre-season when he was seeing the bench because of his turnovers. He is, at times, trying to retain possession in the defensive zone rather than chipping it out. It results in turnovers and those end up in the net. Other teams are trying to get him to be the one handling the puck and using the 2 man forecheck to get him to cough it up. Kind of like blitzing a young QB, you hope for them to panic. As for positioning, he's a little loose on it. I seem him too far up the ice at times and rushing to get back. Now, I've seen that from a few Sabres D so I think Krueger is pushing that, but Dahlin does not seem to be able to get back as well as a few others at this point. None of this gives me panic. The first issue is a byproduct of what other teams are doing to the Sabres. It seems to be the trend across the league on how to handle the change in style of play. More teams are pushing the concept of get the puck up the ice fast, so now more teams defend by trying to drop back and cover those quick/longer breakout passes. I need to watch some more games but I've noticed this in a few games this season (multiple teams, not just Sabres games). The concept is to try and 2-1-2 forecheck but if the players don't think it's there then it's revert to an almost trap style 1-4 or 1-3-1 to slow up the breakout and compress the ice.

I watched Jack Ryan on the flight over and back home. I definitely thought Season 2 was weaker compared to season 1. They tried to do too much with Season 2 and unless that somehow plays into Season 3 it was pointless. Also, it was really nothing more than an action series... Id rather see more of the analyst side. I don't want to elaborate too much so as to not ruin things for people.

I'm back in the US. Sigh.

Well, someone is likely wanting to see Scandella and how he looks after returning from injury. What if draft picks are all that's being offered? Should he not make the trade and keep the player? What if those draft picks can be turned into a player at another point in time? Who's he moving out that is going to bring back the player you think he should be getting?

Flight to Europe had dinner.. Turkey, Mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, and caramel cheesecake.. along with red/white wine (and beer). I had the white.. a few glasses. Flight back had some form of INdian Chicken with rice, and a mango,corn salad/salsa. Got ice cream (belgian chocolate truffle) and then a turkey/pesto sandwhich as well at the end of the flight. Had red wine on that flight.. Both were reasonably good.. far better than what I was expecting.

Back home.. and in time for the next game. Let's go Buffalo. What else do you want me to say? I am still unbelievably mellow from the trip.

A few things here. 1. The first attempt to motivate or change a person may not be successful. 2. Not every person will respond to everyone. 3. Not everyone wants help. Bottom line for me is.. Dahlin is scary bad right now. Sitting him would not be the worst idea. One game, two games...might not take much more.

Perhaps... we have to wait and see. One possible scenario, letting the team fail on their own without the structure so they can better understand structure when it’s applied. I’m not saying I believe it... I just allow for the possibility. It’s not about having it all figured out before you start, it’s about fixing what breaks when it happens and moving everything in the right direction.