Crusader1969

The Unlucky number is 32 as of this morning. Leafs have 18 games remaining...doesn't leave much room for error at all. If leafs go .500 sabres would have to go 13 - 7

It would mean the Sabres win 14 out of the next 20 to make the playoffs, coming off 6 out of 7...Now im starting to rethink my position. Hopefully we have this optimism still on Thursday

one could argue that the playoff experience would be even more valuable, even in a 4 game sweep.

there was an interesting Poll on twitter by someone yesterday.. 4% chance of playoffs 4% chance of 1st overall pick.. Which do you prefer? I'll take the pick and the long term view that Lafreniere will bring them closer to a cup. I will admit it was pretty great Screaming "goal" the other day when Okposo scored vs Winnipeg. Certainly nice to have it being late Feb and the games meaning something.

i think optimism has to be based on the way Florida an Toronto are playing as much as its about how the Sabres are playing.

not me

to be honest, not really. I know he made a phone call that was then deleted. Besides that I tried not to pay too much attention to him.

so they trade, Montour or Risto for 2nd and 4th rounders and you'd be happy? if anyone makes a decision based on Duane, god help us!

its amazing the shade thrown at him yesterday when 3 dmen got traded. If he traded away any on of his Dmen for draft picks, the same people criticizing him for not making trades would have slayed him for just getting draft picks in return. After last nights game, its probably too late. Need one in place by opening night 2020/21

I have to admit that I'm excited for tonights game. Win tonight and a Leafs loss.... Though I really believe they will need to Pittsburgh to take both games with the Leafs this week, coupled with win vs Ottawa they would only be 6 out going into the weekend with 2 games in hand. Mid Feb and I haven't looked at Tankathon for a week...so thats saying something ?

im sure we all played on teams in our lives, where you knew your goalie just wasn't good enough vs the opponents. You play your hearts out and then he/she gives up a stinker and you can't help to be deflated. The players aren't blind, they know they can't compete when Hutton is in net vs a quality opponent. thats the "here we go again" attitude. Fans feel it and so do the players. Has nothing to do with the Tank...how can it be? only 2 (?) players are left from the 14/15 team.

never thought of Strome...think thats an interesting target for them

My over-simplification is that if Hutton didn't completely stink for near 4 months, there wouldn't be any losing culture talk. instead we would be talking about how important tonight's game is in the playoff race.

I know a lot of people, like myself, follow the CHL for the draft eligibles. that being said, most kids in their D+2 seasons aren’t ready for the AHL. I’d be surprised if being allowed to play pro would effect 10 kids at most per year.

I agree dominating in your draft +1 season is important. But having to go back for your 19 year old season, seems like overkill. For teams that think the kid isn’t ready for the AHL, they would then have the option to keep on CHL. Let’s hope it happens. Though when it comes Cozens, I think he has the size and speed to play in the NHL next season.

How about in 21-22? Need to get an experienced 2C next season

Hypothetical Sabres draft 5th. Top 2 go as expected, followed by Stutzle and Rossi (top 3 centres off the board) Drysdale is sitting there ..... what do you do? Seeing how Makar and Hughes have positively impacted their teams this season Do you take him? Pair him with Dahlin and in 2 years potentially have the one of the best top pairs in league or do you take a winger? Raymond, Perfetti or Holtz Or do you maybe draft a guy like Lundell (higher than ranked but fills need) assuming no one will trade the pick with you

Would you be happy with this situation?? Krueger - team president JBot - GM Sexton - Asst Gm Kronborg - coach ——- even if RK stays behind bench for year with Kronborg is asst clash with promise of promotion for both

we can go around and blame whomever we want but I think the blame lays squarely on one players shoulders. Carter Hutton - Since Oct 24th He ranks last in NHL goalies (min 6 appearances) with a SV% of .869, 2nd last with a GAA of 4.03 and has a record of 1-4-9 Even if he is avg over that time frame and has a record of 5-4-5, you are 2 points behind the leafs with a game in hand. Maybe you can blame JB for not finding a decent back-up but at some point in time the player has to face criticism. Fix your goaltending and a lot of all the other issues go away. I know its tough to preach patience in this current environment but I honestly believe the plan was to just get through this season and take advantage of this summers cap space and start again in 2020/21. hopefully getting contributions from players like Mitts, Cozens, Asplund and maybe even UPL. Plus. further growth in Dahlin as he will no longer be a teenager. so 29 more games to go. close your eyes if you have to. on to the lottery!

what if the plan all along was just to get through this season? I'll say this about the whole debacle. if Hutton was remotely average since October, they'd be right in the thick of a play-off race. I believe the Fix isn't that far off. 1) a better goaltending Tandem. is Ullmark with Johansson enough? or do they need to get a stop gap till UPL? 2) get rid of the remainder of the Riff-raff - Bogasian, Sheery and all the other UFA's have to let go, do not resign Erod 3) get a legit center - above everything else, they have to get this done - and another RW. I think they have a good start to the bottom 6 with a player pool of Okposo, Cozens, Mitts, Thompson, Asplund, Lazar and Johansson. Find another JAG to compliment, outside the organization. Whats the Cap space ? $30Million I believe. no reason they can't over-haul the roster...just need to get through the next 30ish games.

the good old Buffalo tradition of blaming the good players

Lottery is the only thing they’ve won of consequence in last 6 years

I’ve been watching a lot of Rossi and Perfetti lately. (7-9 slots) However, with Hutton in net for the next month, its time to start paying attention to Stutzle and Raymond who are usually in the 3-6 range.

they had great goaltending and PK?

I agree. They need to find a quality stop game. A guy in his late 20s early 30s to fill the role until one of Cozens , mitts or the 2020 pick take it from him