eman

The defence is absolute a$$. It stinks. It is, and has been (along with prior goaltending, the achilles heel of this club the past several seasons) Watching these Sabre games and seeing the numerous odd man rushes, 2 on ones, 3 on two's and clear cut breakaways is alarming. I think our goaltenders have actually done a decent job stopping most of those from ending up in the net. Way too porous D!

Heavy emphasis on THE DEFENCE. I'm not totally with throwing the goaltending under the bus watching highlights of the goals against. They (Anderson and Comrie) have stopped numerous odd man rushes and 2 on 1's etc. in almost each and every game and that is just deplorable D. Sure thay may give up the odd suspect goal but this defence is absolutely garbage right now (and has been for the past few seasons) Leaving numerous opposing snipers unmarked in the slot is not on the goaltending. Given that amount of time and coverage, snipers are gonna snipe. Again totally on the defence. Absolute rubbish!

I would beg to differ just slightly. The amount of odd man rushes, 2 on 1's and just flat out breakaways given up by this current edition of Sabres defence is criminal. You can have the greatest goaltender in the World but expecting him to continuously stop and cover up these miscues is dreaming. By the way, Comrie and Anderson have done a decent job of doing that so far. The defence on this club is absolutely horrendous. Ridiculously so. Stop blaming the goaltender and needing them to steal games for this club to win. The rest of this squad bears scrutiny and needs to be held responsible.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe there is a nice bunch of talent on this team and in Rochester. I like Donny G in general but now I have my doubts about the coach yet again. I cannot figure out why this team continues to crap the bed in November. I believe in October, Sabres opponents aren’t sure what style of play they’re facing. Come November, opponents have plenty of Sabre game film to look at and make adjustments on countering the current style of play. What the hell else can it be?

Sorry Thorny, but my honest opinion is that this team is spinning it’s wheels. Do they look better than the disasters of the past decade? Perhaps. But what does it matter? Other teams in the division have also improved and we’re seeing another instant replay of seasons past. Done by US Thanksgiving again. I really thought it would take until about late February at the earliest for this season. Nope. I wish I shared your optimism. They have beaten it out of me now.

They’ll be done by US Thanksgiving again. I thought it would take much longer this season but nope, different cast of characters and the same result. Barry Trotz is out there- just sayin’!

Totally agree. As I stated in the post LGR4GM replied to: Barry Trotz is out there!

I think they jumped the gun again on giving DG an extension. We shall see as this season progresses. Let's hope it doesn't regress!

Trotz is out there- just sayin'.

I agree. Teams playing with a lead will give you the "perimeter game" for the rest of the night as it generally isn't dangerous and doesn't generate anything.

Not sure who would be available via trade and what would the other team want in return, to give us the type of D-man desired on this board. Not so easy to do for GM Kevyn. Also, it is early in the season so other teams might not yet know what part of their club could use an upgrade.

Plus he is healthy to start an entire season and he has very good supporting teammates in Vegas. This season we will see the Jack Eichel that Buffalo should have had.

Especially if he still comminicates with Ullmark. Linus will tell him how the grass is much greener elsewhere.

Count me in. Make it three.

Ottawa has its 2 goaltenders. Forsberg and Gustavsson. I don't believe they're looking. That's why Murray was expendable.

I don't think Murray is an upgrade over Campbell for the Leafs. Unless he regains his "Pittsburgh form", I think the Leafs are worse off in net this season. Maybe they have faith in that Swedish kid who came on at the end of last season as a decent backup.

Hey, for the first time in years, I actually do have reason to be optimistic. I actually atrribute that to coach Granato and GM Kevyn. They were both placed in a tough spot and had to eat a season to start pushing this team in the right direction (which I believe they are headed) That being said, no way on earth I give the Pegula's "a pass" for the embarrassing clown show over the past decade. They deserve the scorn. When this team does accomplish something, provided they still own it, they can reap the reward as well. But in all honesty, this "process" has taken over a decade and that's unacceptable. Let's see how the club performs this season.

I'll be honest with you. If they sold the Sabres I wouldn't care- as long as the new owner keeps the team in Buffalo. They have contributed to the community which is terrific, but as a hockey team ownership group, they have, up until now, failed miserably. In fact, even including Thomas Golisano, they have been the worst owners in the history of this franchise. That's not to say that GM Kevyn is doing a bad job. We'll see this year and I do have expectations on serious improvement this season. I have been a Sabres fan since the early 70's which is why I am completely pissed at how low this franchise has sunk under the Pegula's. You deserve better as a Sabres fan. We all do. I'm here because I care. If I didn't, I wouldn't waste the energy. I really hope this upcoming season is different and the Sabres make a playoff push. I don't mind if they go a 12th season of missing as long as they made it close and showed even more improvement. That being said, I could care less if the Pegula's sold this team. My patience with them has long run out. Just keep the team in Buffalo (which I believe the NHL would want as well)

The point being, I TOTALLY BLAME THE PEGULA's for the past decade of ineptitude of Sabres hockey. I don't care what they've done with the Bills. This is a Sabres blog and the team has gone 11 seasons of no playoffs and some of the worst teams in the history of this franchise that has alienated a fan base that deserved so much better. Yup, completley on team ownership. Hope that makes things clearer.

and they have that new arena being built near downtown in LeBreton Flats. They need to get competitive to drive up ticket and box interest $$$$$!!!!!!

Not the Bills loss. Sure they're competitive now, but again, enjoy the regular season and a playoff game or two. In the end, you're there to win a Championship and the Bills have not done so as of yet. They should have been in the Super Bowl last season but all things being Buffalo, the bed got ££££ upon again. The Sabres, while improvement looks like its on its way (after 11 of the worst seasons possible) have to show this season that it's no fluke. Yes, I blame the last decade entirely upon ownership of the Buffalo Sabres Hockey Club. You accept the grief and you also share in the rewards as an owner.

But he has jobbed up the Sabres which this blog is about. And, although I am a Bills fan, they haven't got a Super Bowl ring yet. Let's not forget the end to last season which was, to put it mildly, epic.

Agreed. I am glad to remain willfully ignorant of what Ralph would, could or should do with this group of players. Very happy we'll never know!

I think he nailed it. Facts is facts and standings are standings.

He must be master of the gab to convince the Pegula's he was "the guy" to coach this team. Unbelievable how brutal they were under him and how the group today plays. Did Kruger coach at all while he was here? Wow!