SABRES 0311

Watching the game now and at the end of the second period. I don’t know what the final score is but since you’ve all been waiting for my qualified analysis. OP and Dahlin play well together. OP had a good game overall. If he continues into next season I’ll happily be proven wrong. TNT is not a number one center right now IMO. He is quickly trendy that way though. He has quietly learned how to protect the puck with his body very well. Looks increasingly difficult for defenders to separate from the puck. Peterka is a bonafide 1W. Good hands, good speed, good offensive IQ. Doesn’t seem to be a defensive liability. Rousek I expect will make the team next year. Nothing flashy about his game and could be a decent bottom six guy. Third liner? When Benson learns how to finish he’s gonna be an offensive threat. No problem keeping him with Cozens. Two guys with tenacity and scoring capability. Cozens, decent 2C, probably would make a really good 3C. He and Benson could hound a team’s first line in a defensive role with scoring potential. Maybe Rousek on the other wing? Quinn is a 2W, no question. A veteran 2C would be good for his development and the team’s production. Slightly less refined than Peterka due to injuries/missed time. Good offensive IQ but not as confident. Krebs is a lifetime 4C. Theoretically he, Girgs, and Greenway could bring the physical aspect with Krebs and Greenway capable of playing up as needed. Tuch, flashes of brilliance mixed with big wide circles. Keep on the second line with Quinn and a vet 2C next year. Peterka Thompson TBD Quinn TBD Tuch Benson Cozens Rousek? Greenway Kreb Girgs Dahlin Power Byram Muel Clufton Johnson Bryson??? UPL Levi The 1RW can be an average top six guy. Doesn’t have to break the bank. 2C will cost. I bet they go with Cozens and find a 3C though. More cost effective I guess. TBH that’s probably the better scenario. Whatever prospects survive the summer can challenge for bottom six roles. Lookout Krebs, Girgs, Rousek, and even Benson. In total, find a top six RW and a 3C. As long as they are aren’t duds I’d be happy if they were the only moves. Oh yeah, whole new coaching staff!

Well actually….

Agreed. If the system of play was the issue then it’s the coach. Not skating hard and playing sloppy is a player issue.

So I think we have the answer to the OP’s question. I’m glad we could resolve the issue after today’s game.

Those sound like 1920s gangster names.

The real question is how close will we let the rest of these loser teams get before we ***** their dreams away. And I used a word which means to forcefully grab and SS took it as something profane. Need new SysAdmins 😂

Uh, the issue is the Flyers are inferior on paper but have had a better season. One win/loss doesn’t create or destroy a narrative.

If the salary cap is expected to go up, wouldn't it make more sense for him to sign a bridge deal now and then long term/more money later? Incentive for both sides to do it that way IMO.

I have thought about Muel. I don't know what his market value is when taking into consideration contract and injuries. I think Dahlin is fine where he is at now, but you can't expect a guy to suffer forever. He doesn't seem to have Eichel's attitude but in any job you gotta take into account your worth and goals.

I am convinced we need a responsible second pair guy with experience. I believe either Power or Byram could get us that guy. The reason I favor Byram over Power is because I see a tenacity in Byram that I do not see in Power. I think Byram plays with more structure too. The structure piece is not completely on Power though. Dahlin was hampered under RAKRU and DG allows Dahlin to play his game which is why he has been more of an asset under DG IMO. Power, I think gets the same freedom, but I think he needs the coaching staff to impart structure. Essentially, between Dahlin and Power the pendulum went too far in opposite directions. One needed less structure and the other actually needs it. I do understand how I am in the minority on this subject. Different perspectives on the same players is cool. It's just when I see Byram play I feel he is more well-rounded right now than Power.

It is interesting. Comparing how players produce and perform with different systems and linemates might offer perspective on what configuration could work going forward.

We’re talking about a team who is about to go 13 straight years missing the playoffs and took a nice step back from last year. Fair to say the drought continuing is a real possibility.

I am actually worried we are four years away.

I clicked it 🤦‍♂️

I think his ceiling is middle six.

Probably me. Streaky, injury prone, likes to have babies like there’s something more important than hockey.

I think Pegula has pride. More of it in the Bills than the Sabres.

Until they line em up and end their career. If Stevens hit McDavid, McKinnon, or Matthews they’d be done.

Can’t keep everyone. It comes down to who is the right player. Byram or Power? IMO Byram is further along in his development and more well rounded.

It’s not about liking him. This is isn’t elementary school. What puck moving does he do? One no look pass highlight last year isn’t puck moving. Scouts have definitely been wrong before. At this point I’d rather get a guy who is a couple years older. Use that first overall status to land a guy that is a legitimate 3 or 4 and responsible. We have Dahlin and Byram. We don’t need Power. We need someone who is an asset now, not in three years maybe.

The Alex Tuch in the OP is the motivated and playing on a good team version. The Tuch we have is the skates big circles, misses the net, and occasionally does something useful. Is there a correlation? Yes. Is it excusable? Hell no. Is he a first liner on most teams? No Would he make a good third line defensive forward? I believe so.

If I’m wrong then I’m wrong and everyone wins in the end. 21 is not a child though. It’s old enough to be held accountable for actions to reinforce what right looks like. He’ll get more experience but I don’t see the top four defenseman everyone thinks he has inside him.

Only he’s not a child and he has played a lot in the last three years. NHLer for sure, just not a top four. Not sure why it’s hard to accept.

Power is not a top four dman. He continues to get sucked into chasing. He acts like the fourth forward too often then gets stuck down low. He does not demonstrate any vision for playmaking beyond basic awareness. Meaning he sees where everyone is at but does not seem able to anticipate how a play will develop. He’s an NHL caliber defenseman but not a top four. I was hopeful at one point. To get better KA needs to be realistic with what he has.