Thorny

There’s a distinction not everyone seems interested in making between what we think is *likely* to happen, and the steps we’d take to accentuate the roster if given the chance in a professional setting. If I was building a team in ea sports nhl yes I definitely have Benson in my top 6 as his “potential” rating is a lock to increase his overall stats! this year. But if I’m the GM of a professional hockey team with paying customers that needs to make the playoffs, im doing way more if we deal some prospect / pick assets and are left with an extra top 6 F that skates on the third line, I assure you this is a good problem to have, and nothing at all in the universe of being prohibitive to doing so/making that deal

No matter how much we compare relatively, none of those comps yield a team that garnered a playoff berth. Peterka had a very good year, yes, on a team that lacked scoring and finished 22nd. It’s not even close to a guarantee we DO get JJ production from Benson next year. I’m definitely not putting it past Benson to do it, I wouldn’t even be shocked if he did better. I wouldn’t even be shocked if he had 80 points. I also wouldn’t be shocked if he had another 40. Why chance it when we are sitting on an (abundant) pool of tradeable pick and prospect assets? Add another top 6 forward if you can, so that we aren’t COUNTING on a 19 year old sophomore to do it how serious do we want to be about making the playoffs

Because PR videos don’t determine the captain full disclosure I’m sort of growing tired of their media team filtering literally everything through the perspective of Alex Tuch. He’s not the beacon of the fan base lol Nahhhhh

There are two announcing GOATS: RJ, and Bob Cole. We’ve now sadly lost both. The game will not be the same

Good thread I agree with the sentiment of both Liger’s and GA’s posts, tbh. Benson was certainly great relatively (to other Sabres, to rookies in general), and yes, the former part of that relatively is damning regarding the roster we iced this season. Of course, none of that reflects poorly on Benson who was nothing but a bright spot. No, they shouldn’t game plan on Benson routinely skating in the T-6 next season

Your post put me in the mind of pondering the butterfly effect

Calm down Ashton Kutcher

I like that we posted these on different threads so closely together, both points go hand in hand both times. Defence can and will be the strength that separates us, if the forwards/centre spine are merely par. We don’t need immaculate additions at forward just something reasonable from KA and Ruff And, if next year is frustrating for the prospect pool, that covers my entire second point

There’s honestly several areas of need, but imo by far the 2 we need to see go right are: - a legit 3C. Not a 3C/4C tweeter but a legitimate C more in the mould of “middle 6”, if anything. Our top 2 guys are well slotted imo but not so secure in their relative status league wide in those positions to make upgrading the third guy anything other than mandatory. We need to upgrade at C merely so as to keep the output at that position safely “acceptable”, at a break even point of sorts where our strengths in other areas (D?) can hopefully be an x-factor. Without a 3C add, any roster areas where we have advantages relative to other teams probably just go towards digging out of a hole. We’d be an incomplete team without it: the Mittelstadt trade was clearly half of a re-shape -2nd thing isn’t an add, it’s a lack of one: keep rookies scarce or non-existent. Equally important. - - - I’m not saying addressing these two things means we are all set, there’s more we need to do, just that I think missing on either of these likely represents an auto L. In truth there’s also another layer of additions to mould further from playoff contender to cup contender but WAY too much cart before horse to even go there yet. There’s are few more things we need for this year besides the two I mentioned, but i’m certainly not saying they need to think about that “next layer” yet.

Add it to the list of things he’s been wrong about Adams, that is That Cup was going to be ours

I just sort of expect him to employ a different tact. But I do think he’ll rip the heads off a few officials

No it’s the expectation regardless

I dunno if that works with this age group

I would hope Adams has a pretty good idea already maybe Ruff will contribute specific player ideas

Have to agree. He makes a great first pass and therefore starts off plays well, but if he could be moved for a guy who’s stand-out skill is ending them, it’s a demonstrably more impactful contribution. Particularly because of our strength at D. If you trust Byram. And I kind of don’t - so it would have to be a a player with equal upside to Power, just at forward. Probably very unlikely we’ll see that type of deal. Which is fine - Power is going to be very good

I certainly wont forget about it

The fanbase

Hope you are correct. One of the best things I inferred (perhaps incorrectly) from yesterday, truth be told, was that there was going to be literally no hedging on the standard this year, sort of an all-in agreement that playoffs are the only marker and indeed what job retention would be based on

Also should make the poll selections public

Love the hire. A little less enthused overall today by the running narrative im seeing come to the forefront, about the length of contract meaning Adams gets a further 2 years to make the playoffs. I just feel so thoroughly in my bones that this should be a do or die year. Finally it was “it’s about winning!” “it’s about winning…but not QUITE yet” just doesn’t invoke the same confidence Still love Ruff and the hire. My line still comes down to this season, though. I am going to try very hard to be a man of my word and stick to that line regardless of whether the team does.

He should have said, “sorry Terry I didn’t quite hear what you said just now, I’ve got a Stanley cup ring blocking my ear”

Just asked Chad and he thinks he’s got 2 years which, yes, unfortunately brings me down quite a bit

Good He took it cause he has no choice. In his heart of hearts he knows it’s true. tough titty

Energy probably wasn’t present because, unlike us Sabres fans, Lindy hasn’t been conditioned to, ya know, treat press conferences like the super bowl for a decade because we have literally nothing else

Tone doesn’t seem to be that Adams will be idle. Everything I’ve read makes it seem like he’s on the hot seat for this season and only playoffs are acceptable