mjd1001

One could say that just as firing staff during Covid was to save money, that mandate might have continued to exist for the next couple years under the new GM, whether it was Adams or anyone else, to not spend anywhere close to the cap, make moves that would save the team money. A lot of theory here, but its pretty likely that if the team wanted to save money and Terry didn't want to spend, that could be part of the reason Adams couldn't (or was directed to) 'find a reason' to trade a disgruntled Eichel and a longer term contract extension, at a higher dollar wasn't offered to Reinhart. Adams simply was the guy that was operating under those conditions. Had it been a different GM, the same conditions, the same edicts from above, might have existed. They certainly didn't go after any 'bigger name' coaches that they would have to offer more money to after they made a change. No long term high priced guys were brought in. Guys due for raises were often moved out. Even the Taylor Hall deal was short term and he was moved out pretty quick.

Ok, it is not a cup winning looking lineup that is for sure. Krebs is not a great player, but I'm willing to see what he does for one game up there (knowing Lindy it might be a few shifts before he sees something he doesn't like though). Krebs was my whipping boy on this forum for the last 1.5 years, maybe even as much as Cozens. But I have liked glimpses of his game this year. Again, does he deserve first line time? No, but why not at this point? McLeod on the '2nd' line, hopefully that means 2nd line minutes (1-2 more minutes per game than he averages) Greenway back. I never loved his game, but wow, could this team use him. Hope he plays. Cozens on wing, and on what looks to be a 3rd line. Best thing I have seen on this. Now keep him off of special teams also. Kozak on the 4th line. Well he scored 1, maybe 2 goals in 2 games so far D-unit. I want to see Johnson play again, teaming him with Byram I hope will be good. Power-Joki? with that combo you could get a great game that gives you the win OR they could single handedly be the reason you lose. Bryson-Clifton. I think they are a fine 3rd pair. Not great, but I do not think they hurt you anymore than most 3rd pairs hurt. But if Samuelsson and Gilbert play instead, so be it, don't care too much. If they play with these lines, I hope Lindy stick with them for the whole game. Some changes will at least be SOMETHING to look at and talk about.

The thing about those 2 vs Cozens.... I have heard from a lot of people who dive deeper into stats that at a team level, and that a player level, Shooting percentage is something to look for that can 'revert to the mean'. Meaning if an entire team, or a player, has a career year...but the shots they take, the location of the shots, if many of the metrics are similar to other years but their SHOOTING percentage is higher, it may be a sign it isn't sustainable. Suzuki and Stutzle had more than one year of production/10%+ shooting percentage before signing. Cozens had 49 games and earned his deal off of that. Cozens signed his huge contract about half way through the 2022-23 season when he was shooting 14.5% over 49 good games over 1/2 a season and was a plus +1 over that time. He didn't get that deal over him scoring 13 goals in full season the year before where he was a -19. He didn't get it off his rookie year where he scored 4 goals in half a season. Basically, before those 49 games that he earned that contract on, his career was 17 goals and 34 assists over 120 games and a MINUS -34. (an 82 game pace of 11.5 goals, 23 assists, and -23) Again, so his contract was mostly based on production over those 49 games. So, what is his entire CAREER other than those 49 games? Before and after he signed the new deal? a 9.3% shooting percentage over 258 games, minus -48, and an 82 game pace of about 16.5 goals per 82. The Sabres made him the 2nd highest paid player on the team (at the time) and the 2nd highest paid forward overall (just a fraction behind Tage who scores at more than double the pace Cozens does and this year is scoring at almost triple the pace Cozens is), based on under 4 months and 49 games of play. There are some people that aren't fans of Tage, but him and Cozens got about the same deal, at about the same time. But even if you take out Cozens rookie year where he only scored 4 goals, From 2021-22 to present, for the same money, Thompson has 128 goals to Cozens 68. And as much as some people don't like Tage's defense, Cozens has made a LOT more bad plays costing obvious goals against that probably any player on the team. Ok, there is my bi-monthly Cozens rant.

Peterka's stats recently are a bit alarming: -9 times he had over 20 minutes of ice time. Lindy must no like something because, despite being down in some recent games and needing scoring, Peterka hasn't had over 20 minutes of ice time since the Vancouver game on November 29th. -In his last 11 games: 1 goals, 2 assists, -12. A minus 12 in 11 games is REALLY bad. -He's had shots, but is only shooting 4.5% in those games over the past month or so. I'm not worried about him like I am about Quinn and Cozens. Not yet. But he really hasn't contributed much of anything in a positive way.

Yes and No. Even despite the contract and the "A". Lets say Cozens was only getting paid half as much and didn't have an "A". That still leaves him: -As the guy you have given the most Powerplay time to above any other forward on the team this year, and gets the vast majority of his starts in the offensive zone, yet: --Is playing as an 18 goal, 36 point, -18 plus minus Center losing the majority of his faceoffs, with only a single power play goal in all that PP time, who makes a lot of bad plays without the puck causing chances against, shooting at 8.3%. --That is a top 10 pick with now over 300 games experience, in his 5th NHL season, who just came off of a season where he scored 18 goals, was a minus player on a plus team, and shot 9%. Even last year he was 4th among all your forwards in PP time He is so 'un-clutch' that he had one single game winning goal the entire year last year, and only 1 this year (2 of his last 24 goals were game winners. For comparison, Alex Tuch has 8 of his last 30 goals being game winners over the same time perios)) Even without the money and the "A", I think a lot of us are upset that he continues, for going on 1.5 years, to be a high draft pick who is now mature in the NHL, making mistakes over and over and yet getting some of the best ice time and best chances while not delivering. The fact he is getting paid $7m per year on a long term contract and has an "A" is simply the small cherry on top of the hugely disappointing sundae.

I just talked myself into looking at where he is shooting from even more. Compare high danger chances shots on goal, (close, in front of the net) to perimeter shots with Quinn: 2022-23: 42 high danger, 84 perimeter (33.3% high danger, 66.7% outside) 2023-24: 12 high danger, 44 perimeter (21.4% high danger, 78.6% outside) 2024-25: 1 high danger, 41 perimeter (2.4% high danger, 97.6% outside) Hes not going to the front of the net. And the few times that he does, hes not getting off shots on net...but he is still taking them from the perimeter. For comparison, the rest of the Sabres this year, as a TEAM besides Quinn, are taking 23.5% high danger shots on goal, 76.5% outside, and that INCLUDES D-men who are usually taking more shots from outside/the point. As a matter of fact, he is taking MORE perimeter shots then before: 2022-23: Outside/perimeter shots on goal 1.12 per game 2023-24: Outside/perimeter shots on goal 1.63 per game 2024-25: Outside/perimeter shots on goal 1.75 per game. Again as per my other post, Cozens, nor the other wingers he plays with, have not had a significant drop-off in inside/high danger shots. Other lines (Tage, Tuch) are not having a big drop off in high danger shots with ratio to Perimeter shots. Its just Quinn. Him going to the net and getting less shots from there and more from the outside started last year compared to his rookie year, but has drastically accelerated this year. Each time he gets injured, is he just too afraid to go to the tight areas anymore? I didn't vote for that, but these numbers lead to that being a strong chance.

It can't be just Adams though, you have to clear the entire room.

I have no clue why. Similar linemates, seems to be healthier than in the past 2 years, yet dreadful play and its not a short term slump, we are almost 1/3 of the way through the season. The ONLY thing I think of is Lindy. Not that Lindy doesn't like him, nor does he not like Lindy. Just sometimes even a small change in style/coaching can impact players. That is all I have. But he went from being a nearly 13% shooter to basically Zero (only goal being empty net, hasn't beaten a goalie all year). There is one difference you can see from NHL edge shooting charts that doesn't make sense, especially if he is healthy. He is not going to the high danger areas or not taking shots from there. Its almost like he is afraid of the front of the net like never before: -This year through the entire year, he has 1, ONE shot from high danger areas (from the crease out, no farther out than the dots, between the dots). Lets compare that to 2022-23, in 75 games he had 42. So yeah, 2 years ago he went to the front of the net and took shots from there 42 times. If you project what he is doing this year, he is on pace for THREE shots per 75 games from the same area. Is it he just isn't taking shots from there? or has he become totally allergic to being anywhere in front of the net? In games where Quinn isn't with Cozens, the other wingers that are with Cozens are going to the net and getting shots, but not Quinn when he is there. So, I get that he might do better with a different playmaking center, but why is he not even going to the net when Benson, Zucker, and Peterka are when playing with Cozens? Its not the coaching. Cozens already has 18 this year. Tage has 10. Tuch has 18. Benson 12. Peterka 12. But Quinn, again, just 1. Why?

The problem with Tage on wing is he seems to work best when not along the boards. Many of his goals are when he has room both to his left and to his right. 11 of his goals this year according to NHL edge are between the dots. 25 of his 29 last year were between the dots. The previous year he had 28 goals alone from either right in front of the net or between the inside of the circles. I know that is the prime scoring area for everyone, but if he is that good between the dots and he is the best shooter/best hands on your team, I want him in the position to take the most shots from those areas. Now maybe some of their data is off by a few feet (going off of diagrams) but the thing is, other than a one-timer on the PP or a set play, he doesn't score well on rushing coming up the ice on the wing. He is most dangerous front and center of the net.

McLeod to me doesn't make a lot of bad mistakes. He plays a more 'veteran' game. I just posted elsewhere, but guys like Quinn, Cozens, Krebs, Kulich...I would not put them on the ice together without at least one, and preferably 2 veterans with them anymore. They all take turns, maybe on the bench, but you pair them with 2 guys like McLeod, Greenway, Zucker, and hopefully someone else you can acquire to fill out the 2nd line. I'd almost rather have Malenstyn even fill in on the 3rd line with those guys rather than continuing to pair the young guys together. It should have been done 2 seasons ago, not letting the young guys 'develop' together. but you can't undo that damage, only hope to minimize it now.

I myself have underestimated the need for veterans..for overpaying for some semi-quality vets as part of development. The issue with this team now may not be drafting poorly...it may not be awful development in the minors....it may not be bad signings or trades. Instead, not paying money when you did have room under the cap, possibly overpaying. Someone else just brought this up, and I'm sure a few of the veteran posters have brought this up over the last year or two. What if, in the last 2-3 years, you signed a vet, either as a free agent or you worked out a trade, and paid a 30 year old who scored 18-22 goals per year $6-$7m over 3 years? For that production it is an overpay. But if you had room under the cap, how much of a value would 1, 2, or maybe even 3 of those guys be to pair with the young guys? Have a guy or two like that on a line with Peterka or Quinn instead of having Quinn, Peterka, and Cozens all 'develop' together? What if you took a 'Good' Dman that wouldn't come here for market value, but you gave that 28-30 year old guy who got $5 someplace else and you gave him $7m here for 3 years...so when Power or Dahlin were in a slump you could pair them with a vet...and you are paying them $7 per year not for their production but for having SOME production and being a settling influence with the young guys. Erik Johnson was a good idea last year, but I'm talking paying possibly a LOT more to get someone better than him. You had the cap room. I criticize Pegula alot, and I'm going to take a shot at him here that may or may not be true. I would think that Adams and the hockey department WOULD want to do something like the above and WOULD want to spend to the cap....but after being burned with bad contracts in the past, it may have been (and I think it was) Pegula that limited the spending and had a desire to stay 'under' the cap until the team started to play better...instead of the other way around. Paul Hamilton and one of the other Sabres beat guys (forgot the other one) both said that 2 offseasons ago the Sabres were considered an up-and-coming team and they were getting calls from agents asking about coming to Buffalo. That was their chance to do all of the above. But after last season and so far this season, they blew it. So what do you do now? McLeod centers a line with Zucker (or Greenway when he gets back), you throw Cozens on that wing. That would be a start. TWO vets with just ONE of the struggling young guys. Quinn doesn't play for a while until there is an injury or if you want to swap him in for Cozens and Cozens sits. My main priority trading this season is to get a good center or a very good winger (at least 5-6 years experience and at least 26-27 years old) to fill out the 2nd/3rd line. Quinn, Cozens, Krebs, Kulich, even Peterka can play, but you do not put 2 of them (of course not all 3 of them) together on the ice at the same time.

If you had a solid 2nd line, you could use your '3rd line' to work in guys like Kulich (or Rosen). With your first 2 lines producing, and your 4th line your energy/d-zone start line...the 3rd line could have some vets on it that you pair with the rookie, and allow that rookie/younger guy to play a 2 way game, tell him to take some offensive risks, but with some vets on the line with him to help him along/cover for him. Of course, with nothing close to even a respectable 2nd line, that isn't even an option.

You quoted the example I put of "in board meetings" I'm not sure why? you are saying that is how I see it and its not true? I am seeing capital letters/shouting that others aren't? If that is not the case I'm not sure why that was included in your quote. You are obviously the one that needs to feel justified in your posts. As others have said, you have WAY too many replies that are short, vague, with no substance and filled with sarcasm. That is how I see it, and obviously that is how others see it. It appears the only person, up until this point, who sees things your way is the person with the sticky 'caps lock' key.

So was your post on the previous page where you said "YOU IN THE BOARD MEETINGS??????" Shouting, in addition to the apparent lack of a verb. And yet when I read all the posts, it is you and Trips that use the sarcasm and shouting that comes across to not just myself, but apparently a few other people as exhausting and angry.

Bingo.

Ok, you are using caps shouting and your argument sounds like its coming from a 3rd grader who is saying something and shouting 'gotcha' after you say it. I always say its a message board so anyone can say what they want, but it does show the level of a particular poster when they don't engage in conversatation but rather resort to all caps or put a post with nothing but sarcasm because they can't articulate their point beyond that (see post immediately above this for an example).

This is a message board, not a court of law, I don't have to prove anything to support my post BUT if you want proof, i'm not typing it all over but look through my posts about this topic in the past month, or take a look through the older thread titled "the trial of Terry Pegula". In it there are a LOT of articles, Quotes from Terry himself, quotes from reporters who were in the room, stories written by credible sources/news sites giving examples. Again, I'm not going to take a hour to repost it but you don't have to search the whole internet, there stories and quotes are on this forum. There is a whole lot of smoke, and some actual fire there.

Yeah, he gave me a 'thumbs down' to my post above. I didn't really give an opinion, more stating the fact that the less he knows about one of his teams and the less he is involved with them at a roster level, the more successful they are. That is true, not sure why he gave that a 'thumbs down' other than its devastating to his argument. 🤷‍♂️

Agree ownership is the problem. I think in the top 6, I'm also 100% happy with Tage also. One of the more dangerous players in the league. Tuch is "OK", but I'd like if he were a guy who could/would score 5-7 more on the first line. 2nd line is garbage.

If you could get something of value for Cozens I would be all for it. I just don't think someone that is on his 2nd season away from that 30 goal season, and makes as many mistakes as he does (he is the worst positional player at forward I have ever seen) and that 30 goal year was obviously an outlier in that he shot almost 15% to do it (his other seasons shooting were 6.5%, 8.1%, 9.2% 9.0%, 8.3%). Maybe you are right and I'm not, but I just don't think other teams will look at him and say "Lets give you a top center and have the centerpiece of the return you give s being a guy who most of his career is 'high teens' goal scorer who is awful defensively and usually shoots in the single digits for his career, but we are hope he will turn into what he was for one single season and has shown zero signs of doing it for almost a full year and a half after. Oh, and we are going to allocate $7m of cap space to him.

Agreed. When he bought the Sabres he didn't even know anything about the Bandits other than they existed, by his own words. I don't think there has ever been a public sighting or account of him at a bandits game and sitting next to/talking to leadership of them. As for the bills, there are many more layers of management and complexity between him and the roster. If anything, brining up the Bills and Bandits with regard to the Sabres further illustrates that his involvement into the roster and his communication with managment....well, the amount of input he has that way is directly related to the lack of success of a franchise he owns.

Tage is good enough and dangerous enough to be a first liner. The issue is the 2nd line. The mistake was made 2 years ago when Cozens was given that deal. When you pay him $7 per year, it would take a lot of courage to take him off of your 2nd line. This management, this ownership, does not have that courage or humility to admit that mistake. Tage, Tuch, and Peterka are scoring at an 82 game rate of 52 goals, 24 goals, and 26 goals respectively. Not GREAT, but that is over a 100 goal pace for a first line with a cumulative +28. You can win with that. The 2nd line with the forced anchor of Cozens is the issue. Cozens, Quinn, and lets just say Benson. Their pace is currently at 18, 3, and 11 goals and a cumulative -52. This is where the issue is. An 82 game pace of 32 goals with a -52 is absurd for a 2nd line, almost ANY line. Sometimes the forwards making neutral zone mistakes or mistakes without the puck put the Defense back 6 of this team in tough positions, where they have to cover for the forwards and in doing so it makes them look like they are making mistakes when in reality they are in bad positions to start with. Cozens to me is obviously the forward that is the most guilty of that, Quinn is getting close to him though, getting worse as the season goes on. My point is many times where the Defense looks bad, it is often when that 2nd line is out there and making those mistakes up front that make the D-unit look bad. And again, that 2nd line production is mostly a factor of you forcing Cozens into a role because you are justifying a mistake made a couple years ago. Keep that first line together, the 3rd line, the 4th line, the entire defense......and the ONLY change you made was replacing the Sabres 2nd line with a competent 2nd line, this team is probably in a borderline playoff spot right now.

I had already written off Krebs last year and mentally I am OK with him this year because he is playing slightly better than my super low expections. Cozens is this regime/Adams/Pegula's biggest mistake. What is he and what is he worth? He should be a 3rd line winger. He should be getting paid in the $3.5m dollar range. He should not be on the Power play at all. He should not have an "A". He should be regarded as a player that when he makes dumb mistakes, and he makes a LOT Of them, that he isn't so important that he can't be benched. With little to no power play time and with the 3rd line winger minutes he would likely be a 12-15 goal per year guy. If when you signed him that to that deal, if he didn't want it, then you should have traded him or let someone else offer sheet him. I know, hindsight....etc. You game him the $7m per year. The problem now is you are compounding that mistake by giving him the minutes, the PP time, the center position and the "A", none of which he earns with his play...but rather 'earns' it by the mistake of a contract you offered him and he signed.

His exact comments. Did he point out issues in just this game? did he talk about the bigger picture? did he 'name names?' stuff like that.

I'm not say send Cozens to Rochester, I meant demote him on the roster. Get him off the Power Play, have him play a couple less minutes per game even strength than he does now.