DarthEbriate

I posted it in another thread. I'm not sure Peca has really done anything yet to warrant being an assistant coach, apart from being a former Sabre. He certainly didn't help the Rangers this season compared to his first year with them. What I'm really wary of is: Ruff, Peca, McKee, James Patrick. And Appert. Just assemble them all, but it's only because of the nostalgia and not because they're proven coaches at the NHL level. And we watch the team scuffle another couple seasons waiting for Power to age up, and then Dahlin finally says enough.

For the record: I would, too. I just have the feeling that whomever they bring in to be the GM will end either be part of the same committee we've had, just with different titles, or they'll end up walking like Lafontaine once they realize that they don't really have the power to break the Adams/Pegulas culture. Once all the existing contracts for coaches/staff are up, then, maybe the franchise has a shot at a reset.

Wayne's nephew. And... cousin of former Buffalo Sabres (and Tampa Bay Lightning nemesis) Dalton Smith.

Darth Pegulas still needs the person who listens. That's still Adams. So whatever title you give it, unless the control of the staff/personnel, the roster, and finances are moved to a qualified non-Adams person, it's only more of the same. And if Pegula still wants EEE, the GM search will be "we talked to a bunch of people, but GM Karmanos is the guy for us. Look what he did with the Amerks" and they'll still be $10M under the cap next season with almost all the same assistant coaches, etc.

And hopefully Kozak gets healthy enough to play as well.

But now I think about it more, I know Toronto's been the playoffs every season since whenever -- which is funny because they've made so many first round exits. So Matthews? But more depressing for Sabres fans by name would be Nylander.

Depressing had me think McNabb, but VGK missed in the Eichel trade season and we all chortled.

Voila is a bit of an exaggeration. There was an entire lockout season in between wherein Miller became a goalie, Roy and Afinogenov became NHL-caliber, Vanek arrived and had a full season of AHL dominance, and Gaustad grew up. Tallinder went to Elitserien for a season and came back a top-pairing guy. They moved out aging players in Curtis Brown, Satan, and Zhitnik, and retirees (James Patrick). Additions included in-their-prime Grier and Lydman. That was a lockout-aided rebuild on the fly. Satan is a part of it, yes; but make no mistake the biggest fix is Miller/Biron vs. Biron/Noronen. Miller gave Ruff his second run (way too brief because of limited budget). What did Ruff learn from this? If Levi is Miller, everything's rosy!

Vancouver might, but he's got a broken knee, hasn't looked dynamic in two seasons, and comes with a $11.5M pricetag for many seasons and a NMC kicking in. He's got even more warning signs than Norris, because he's pricier and he stays in the lineup so you can't just stash him on LTIR and bolster your lineup in other ways.

One thing I was disappointed with in last night's game was wanting to see more from Rosén and Östlund. I don't mean scoring (Rosén had an open look) necessarily, I mean, it's your chance as a rookie to leave the fans with a "pencil that kid into the lineup next October" game or moment. Go be memorable. I guess I could technically add Kulich to this list as well, although he did shoot the referee, so that was memorable. Go make a play, make a hit, play with energy and chase and fire, because in game 82 you will stand out because most everyone else is floating. Rosén doesn't have it. He will be in the NHL, but he's had 15 games and he still hasn't shown anything apart from a couple nice cross-ice passes. Östlund might, but needs more time/age/size, so give him another callup next year, but for me he's not a member of the roster until 2026-27.

Much too early to tell. The Sabres could still have significant organizational and lineup changes for next season. As of this moment, the OP question 'minds me of this question and subsequent conversation.

Ran the Tankathon sim ten times for old time's sake. Pick 7th seven times, 9th twice, and 2nd once.

From the 24-25 Sabres to the fans... "We're out!"

I saw an empty-netter in the McLeods!

Or not. Can't take the goalie's glove off there, Quinn.

Flyers could've been called for too many men, but it's Peterka on the redirect.

Östlund started that chance with a drop pass to the corner that Dahlin couldn't get to.

Fantastic save by Reimer. It should've been tied 4-4, but it stalls on the line.

Not a great shot. Östlund had a lot more room short side to make the goalie need to make the save. Instead, right into the crest on a late slide.

That pass back to a triple-teamed Dahlin was just plain odd. Possess the puck, hold for the line change, or do something fun yourself -- Dahlin's trying to give you space and you set him up for a body check?

It would be appropriate for the 24-25 Sabres to blow a 3-goal lead at home.

Cool thing for Cozens is he gets to experience playoff hockey and learn how to play with a gear and intensity his previous team never gave itself the opportunity to do. He’ll be a better player for it. How much better? That’s for another few years to determine.

Clifton, that is what we call poor shot selection. Unless he had a shots on goal clause. Then, keep firing!

Lovely move to pass, McLeod. Tap-in.

Krebs! Nice backhand