dejeanerret
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Posts posted by dejeanerret
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5 hours ago, Brawndo said:
Colorado is smoking something crazy.
Dzingel 26G, 56P, AAV $3.35m
Reinhart. 22G, 65P, AAV $3.65M
Compher 16G, 32P, AAV $3.5M
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I'm more confident in Bots than I ever was in Murray.
Credit Murray for obtaining the likes of EKane and ROR. He did trade away lot of capital but in hindsight it's not like those picks were used to choose superstars that could help us today.
But his development skills as a GM were a train wreck. We held onto hopes too long on players that never truly developed. Rochester was constantly a hot mess. Whether that was the structure Murray created or the player skill levels, bottom line it wasn't happening.
Pound for pound it seems Bots prospects are developing better than Murray's. I just like the structure Bots has in place. And the fact that most of his trades (all but the ROR one) have benefited our team makes me confident in his vision.
We have a brighter future with Bots. I know many want to tie him to our 8 year no playoff drought and the one bad trade for ROR. He sucks....he's horrible....bla...bla...frick'n bla. But I only look at his time on the job and see the positives he's done and I have faith in him to take us where we need to go. Bots vision is long term. Some fans can't accept that, and that's OK with him.
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On 7/10/2019 at 6:17 PM, Ducky said:
I honestly don't know how good Nylander is but Joki will be a 2nd pairing D man at the least and who cares if Nylander lights it up or not? He's a Hawk...
The Sabres D just got better with a cost controlled asset for the next 6 years for a player that didn't pan out for the them. Very solid move and I am envious. I'd love to see him in a Jets' uni.
Blackhawk fans are losing their minds over this deal. Joki was their future core and to trade him for a forward like Nylander whose production and effort rain question marks is apparently not a popular move. Hawk fans think the Sabres stole this guy.
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She's a steal based on 26 goals and 56 points last year. 49 goals last two seasons on a crappy OTT team.
We paid more for an injury prone Johannson
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39 minutes ago, SHAAAUGHT!!! said:
That is pure speculation on my part, but if you look at the timing of these deals it appear JBotts and his front office have been working this daily and I don't expect them to stop until their team is finished. I think it's a safe bet the Sabres aren't going to be signing anymore FAs, so all other moves will be signing RFAs and through trades. Originally I expected JBotts to sign all his pending RFAs and then re-assess his cap situation before making a trade. But after the Johansson signing (he's a LW and we need an established 2C to legitimize this line-up) I'm now leaning towards a multi-player trade that moves around a big chunk of salary (Risto/Scandella/Bogo/Sheary/Sobotka) among a pick or two to get that 2C. Fingers crossed!
Edit: arbitration on remaining RFAs starts in 3 weeks
Think your right. It's tough though when you see a 26 goal/56 point 2C like Dzingel get signed for $3.37 AAV. That's a steal for Columbus and a player we could have really used.
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1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:
We all agree that without improved play from our 2nd line center, this team is going no where fast. If Casey is pencilled in as the 2C, Jbot probably needs to strength the 3C just in case Casey proves not ready.
The question now is whether or not Jbot is satisfied with his internal candidates for the job to carry the load or is he actually searching for external help.
So far we haven’t seen any attempt to improve that position with an external candidate. That doesn’t mean if won’t happen, after all Skinner was acquired August 2nd 2018, but after the recent flurry of trades and signings, most of the obvious (read good) candidates are gone such as Hayes, Duchene, Galchenyuk among others.
If he sticks with the internal candidates, I think the fan base is going to be pissed, but that maybe his plan.
Internal Candidates
1) Casey Mittelstadt - Casey “failed” this test last year and frankly it was unfair of Jbot to place him in that position. Still he is very talented, has an NHL season under his belt, and if Jbot puts Reinhart on his line he may have a much better talent to play with then last year by a country mile.
2) Arttu Routsalainen - Smallish center had a breakout year last year in Finland with 21 goals. He’ll be 22 in late Oct and has 4 years of pro experience in Finland, but none in NA. He needs to return to Finland if he doesn’t make the Sabres. Camp will be huge for him. How quickly will he adjust to NA hockey?
3) Erod - He is a wonderful utility forward, but is really best as a middle six winger. If he has to center a line I’d prefer he anchors the 3rd line
4) Rasmus Asplund - It took TM’s guy half a season to adjust to NA, but had an excellent 2nd half. Likely would be best served with another year in Rochester and Jbot is unlikely to rush him.
5) Dylan Cozens - Thumb surgery probably increases the odds against him making the Sabres next year, but he is an excellent talent. 2020-21 is much more likely.
6) Vladimir Sobotka - He stunk last year and somehow is still in the organization. While I doubt he gets a shot at the 2C, I wouldn’t be surprised, but I be really unhappy, if he was in the pivot of the 3rd line. Hopefully he finds himself in the press box come opening night. This would mean that Jbot actually worked to fix the forward group.
7 & 8.) Larsson and Girgensons - Both have played center in the NHL. Both have prove they belong on the 4th line bringing energy, physical play and killing penalties. Having either player in the top 9 is a step in the wrong direction.
External Candidates
1) Marcus Johansson - Utility forward is a UFA and has a history of concussions. Listed primarily as a LW, but has played center in the past. Performance in Boston shows the skills are still there, but rumor mill says we wants 5 year deal at $5 mill per season. Right now he has priced himself out of a job.
2) Ryan Dzingel - 27 year old had a breakout season with 26 goals and 56 points. Has improved in all three NHL seasons and plays LW and Center. Turned down a 5 year extension from Ottawa mid season (5 yrs 20 mill), but so far hasn’t signed anywhere. I think he’s our best option.
3) Kyle Turris - Will be 30 in August and has 5 years at $6 mil per season left on his deal. Had a terrible season last year leading to speculation that his skill are fading. Probably the cheapest trade acquisition.
4) Nick Bjugstad - the rumor mill says Pitts wants to trade him to create cap space. He’s 26 and has 2 43+ pt seasons in recent years, but had an off year last season. $4.1 mill cap hit for the next 2 years. Plays both C and RW which we need. I wouldn’t mind seeing him acquired.
5 - 7) Tampa Bay centers - TB needs cap space, but after trading Miller away, they have guys who could help us, but all have NTC except Corelli, who I doubt they’’’ trade since he is still on his ELC. Tyler Johnson (28 5 years at 5 mill left on his deal) and Yanni Gourde (27, 6 years left at 5.16) both fit our needs, but would they waive their NTC to come here. Would you?
8.) Other UFAs - Derrick Brassard and Brian Boyle - older proven players better suited for 3C duties, but veteran presence couldn’t hurt. One or both could be had for a 1yr deal.
If Bots heads into this season thinking Mitts is our 2C, we are in deep trouble. I don't think he does.
There isn't anyone on our roster who can fill that spot, regardless of the "potential" they bring. We need a proven scorer at that position. FA wise, Dzingel is the best choice, but he is probably asking too much, so Bots is waiting to see if his price will come down. More likely, I see us obtaining a 2C via trade, with Risto and/or Nylander going the other way.
Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart
Vesey- ????? - Olafsson
Sheary- Mitts- Okposo
If both Eichel and Reinhart can build on their 2019 seasons, and we can get a guy at 2C who can score 25 goals/55-60 points, and our Dmen learn how to get the puck out of our frickn zone, we'll be in good shape.
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5 hours ago, Curt said:
I think those numbers are a pretty good baseline and I totally agree that Buffalo literally had no 2nd line quality forwards.
It wasn’t even because guys turned in seasons well below what was expected of them. Sheary was only a 53pt player when he was on the wing of Sidney Crosby. No one expected him to do that here. Okposo has not been the same since his serious head injury a couple years ago. I don’t expect him to return to the 50pt guy he was before.
Mittelstadt, you could say was disappointing but he was a rookie and you can never be sure what to expect from them. I would love for the team to add a 2C, so Mitts will only need to be counted on to fill 3C duty. Olofsson looks like he could fill a 2LW role, but see what I said about Mitts. I would rather not have to depend on him to do so.
To me Vesey looks like a good fit to possibly play 1RW, even though he is a 2/3 line player. He is a big body with speed who can go to the net and clean up loose pucks or recieve passes in dangerous areas. Hopefully he could score 20+ doing that.
This would allow Reinhart to shift to 2RW, play with the new 2C and Sheary at LW. Then the 3rd line could be Olofsson-Mitts-ERod. 4th, Girgs-Lars-Okposo.
Thats not an ideal forward group, but it shouldn’t get completely shut down outside of the 1st line like last years team. The team last season had glaring holes, you can’t put that on Housley. However, he did a lot of things wrong and could have gotten more out of the team than he did.
I would agree with you that acquiring a quality 2C is a key to improving the lineup. If that can’t be done, acquiring a very good top-6 winger would help a lot too.
All of this is spot on.
When I say 65 points for first line, that's minimum output for all 3. Of course the top first lines have players in the 90+ and above point totals.
You look at a team like Pittsburgh. They had no 2LW or 2RW. But there first line was massively productive, and they had a highly productive 2C which carried them to 100 pts. Besides Letang, there D was nothing to write home about, but Letang was so productive he made up for the others.
With all that said, they got swept in the first round by the Islanders. When your dependent on one line and one Dman, it's easy for a good team to shut you down.
When the Pens won the cup in 16-17, their scoring fit this model. It didn't in 15-16, but Fleury stood on his head that year during the regular season and post season. If you can't put up the numbers in this model, then you have to have a goalie who is top 3 in the league for a legit chance to win the cup.
A perfect example of this is St. Louis. On New Years, they were in last place in the league. Their main goalie Jake Allen was struggling. His back up, Jordan Binnington, was 0-2 with a 3.51 GAA and .840 SV% in two mop up appearances. They were heading towards nowhere.
A coaching change, Binnington gets RED HOT. Ends the season with a league-leading 1.89 GAA and 4th in the league with a .927 SV% allowing the Blues to finish 5th in the league in total goals against. Makes big saves during the post-season and they scrapped their way to a SC. Their horrendous start didn't allow their point total to match this model, but they turned it around and with a goalie who stood on his head made it to the promise land.
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For me, it lays out like this:
First line: 65 points or more
Second line: 41-64 points
Third line: 25-40 points
Fourth line: 24 points and under.
Based on this, the Sabres issue was they simply had no second line. Do they have players that produced 2nd line numbers before? Yes. But they didn't do it last season. Was that on Housley? Perhaps. But I look at a player like Sheary who the Sabres hoped would be more of the 53 point producer than the 30 for Pitt, and he ended up being the latter.
Okposo went from being a solid 2nd line producer to 3rd line production. Was that the system? Or a player whose age is catching up to him.
There are some unknowns in this. For example, if you play Olafsson with a solid 2C and 2LW can he produce over 41 points? I think so. That guy is dynamic.
Middlestadt scored 12 goals and 25 points, barely squeaking into 3rd line production. For me, he is a 3rd liner until his production tells me different.
That's why Pommer's return to me isn't as vital, cuz he's a 3rd liner at this stage of his career. We have guys coming up that might be able to fill that 3RW
With the Vesey deal, the jury is out. 17 goals and 35 points puts him at a 3rd liner in my book. But that was an improvement from 28 points the year prior. Another similar jump and he could be a 2nd line performer.
That's why the 2nd line scoring in my mind was so critical to our failure. But one has to ask, was that lack of production on the player, or the coach? Will Krueger be able to allow some of those 3rd liners who put up 2nd line numbers in the past replicate them, and help those on the brink of 2nd line numbers achieve those goals?
If Bots is thinking Vesey at 2LW and Olafsson at 2RW, then no question we need a 2C center. I find it incredible to believe we won't achieve that this summer. Keep in mind, the Skinner deal wasn't done until August. The summer is young. But make no mistake without that 2C the Sabres are in jeopardy of falling flat on their face next season.
Thoughts?
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Thought Miller would be perfect for us. That's a steep price to pay for a 2C though.
Just now, jad1 said:They got Skinner for Pu, a 2nd, 3rd and a 6th. There are deals to be made, just need to be patient.
And the Sabres also have cap space as an asset.
Agreed. You want something to happen but it has to make sense.
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This is why some Sabres fans are so sad. They whine and cry about a player's attitude and demand he get's traded. Everyone was laughing at the trade when St. Louis was in last and the Sabres were in first, saying "told you so" to the Blues.
Now he's on the verge of a Stanley Cup and the trade is the worst in team history.
I was a proponent of trading OReilly at the time. I felt you couldn't have a player like that in the lockerroom who is looked upon as a leader. It's a culture killer, and one of the reasons why the Avs wanted him out of Colorado.
In hindsight, it seems that Housley's coaching style may have been the culture killer, and OReilly's comments may have been more of an indictment on that, then the type of attitude and mental toughness he possesses.
Had the Sabres not traded OReilly, they may have been better last season. But it was obvious he wasn't a fit with Housley, so who knows.
As for the trade, while Sobotka and Bergland were disappointments, I'm excited about Tage Thompson and the 1st we received. It's too early to tell whether we won or lost the trade because the main pieces in the trade were a focused on the future. 3-4 years for now we'll know.
A perfect world would have OReilly on a team with a coack like Krueger, whose more of a mental coach than Housley. But bottom line it's done, and to continue to whine and complain about it is one of the reasons why Buffalo fans are looked upon as whiners and complainers. It's easy to criticize in hindsight. We all make decisions at our jobs that may look bad at some point, then look good months later. Or just end up not working out. Sports is not different.
Let it go. Move on.
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On 6/3/2019 at 6:35 AM, Pimlach said:
Yes, he is no dummy. But even prior to PSE, he seemed to lack the ability to get the inside scoop on Buffalo sports. Like he was not part of the inner circle for Buffalo Sports (Like Felser, Kelley, etc).
You can lose sources quickly in sports with all of the turnover. Woudn't surprise me if he just lost the ability to connect with execs and players due to his overt negative tone. When you continually tear into a team, they tend to want to talk to you less.
As a fan, I need a writer who can identify both negative and positive in a situation. Sullivan seemed to always take a negative, whiny, approach to every article, which I'm sure meshed well with many of the Bills and Sabres fans who are also whiny and negative.
But after a while, that grows old on a fan like myself. I followed him on Twitter for a while, and vast majority of the comments below his negative takes were critical of his negative tone, telling him to shut up...or confirming why the BN dumped him.
When you mix in the fans AND team execs being tired of his constant negative takes, it becomes a business decision.
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In previous years, I have been a huge proponent of getting rid of many Sabres due to lack of production. This season, as in past seasons, disappointment seemed to find it's way through many of their 2nd and 3rd lines.
But after taking a step back, seeing the dismissal of PH, and seeing the success of previous Sabres on other teams, I think withholding judgement may be in order.
Let's start with a few of the obvious:
Risto: Was one of the "stubborn" players Bots was talking about during last off season, and his locker cleanout interview recently showed he wasn't a fan of Housley's system or culture. In two years with Disco Dan, Risto was a total -30. 2 years w/ PH, he was -66. His shot % dropped below 3.2% for the first time in his career. He was always paired against the opponent's best line, and he wasn't the only player on the ice. His work ethic cannot be questioned, yet PH system didn't work for him. We can send him off to another team for a scoring 2C and watch another former Sabre succeed, or allow a new coach use him and play to his strengths and sign a 2C via free agency or through trading another piece.
Sobotka: Yes, I was one of the many who said just shelf the guy in January. But he came out and said PH was using him in a different role, which curtailed his scoring. Square peg meet round hole. He went from 11/20/31, -6 in St. Louis to 5/8/13 -20 in Buffalo. He took half as many shots in Buffalo this season (71) than he took in St. Louis last season (131). I"m a bit skeptical in blaming Sobotka cuz of the result of ROR for the Blues. Here is a guy who was 24/37/61 -23 in Buffalo and deemed the problem to 28/49/77 +22 in St. Louis and deemed a leader. That's a 45 plus/minus jump. Many fans wanted ROR shipped out. That's a whole 'nother post.
Okposo: Here is a guy who this past season had his lowest goal and assist total in a non-strike season since 2010-2011. He was -7 in one year w/ Disco Dan, and -43 in two years with Housley. Some may contribute that to his age, and the fact he was recovering from a serious concussion two seasons ago, but the negative attitude in the Sabres locker room and lack of a true 2C probably had more to do with that than anything. Keep in mind earlier in the season during the Sabres stretch run in Oct/Nov he was 5/6/11 in 15 games, yet 8/5/13 from January 1st on. I think a solid 2C and a new coach and system may turn his numbers around.
Scandella: He also struggled in PH defensive scheme, with horrendous give aways and bad decisions. But I think he was another player who didn't work well in PH system. He had double digit assists in 4 of his last 5 seasons until putting up a measly 7 this year. His shot total went from 138 last year to 83 this season. I believe he was another player who the culture took a toll on him.
Hutton: Here is a guy who stood on his head on many nights, yet went from 17-7 w/ 2.09 and .931 last season in St. Louis to 18-25 w/ 3.00 and .908 this year. He was left out to dry on many nights. Although he played almost twice as many games w/ the Sabres than last year with the Blues, a better team in front of him would have helped his numbers greatly. Also, when you look at Lehner, who openly criticized the Culture in Buffalo, went from 14-26, 3.01 .908 w/ Sabres to 25-13, 2.13 .930 w/ NYI this past season. Almost mirror images of the same player with a different team. Is it the player, or the team?
I'm not a GM, and I'm not saying "keep everyone for another year". Change is good. But before we cast off players who were the ire of our fury and have struggled this season with a coach that clearly was in over his head, I think it's important to take a deep breath. Last year a fan posted that they ran into the parents of Justin Falk while on vacation. The parents stated that Housley was soft on veteran players, and was afraid to bench or ride them when they underperformed. Looking back on that today, PH record and on ice performance reflected that softness. This team simply lacked mental toughness through adversity. They talked about it last year, and it still was an issue this year. It wouldn't surprise me if he lost the respect of the locker room because of it.
I just hope Bots doesn't react and pull another ROR based on the performance of a player in a system that lacked structure and a culture that lacked discipline. Would I want to see another high scoring 2C or 2Winger? Of course. But if that happens, and then that player underperforms here, are we going to go through the blame game with them again and trade them away? Or do we look at the bigger problem, which is the voice and direction they are following?
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Bottom line it's difficult to gauge a players performance based on how Housley used him.
Sobotka even came out stating his scoring took a hit based on the role Housley assigned him. Once a new coach comes in that may change.
I'm reserving judgement
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Our next coach will be Chris Taylor
Book it
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Sabres scored 31 goals in 16 games during the month of March
They've scored 10 in their last 5 periods... ?
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This is the Sabres team that won 10 games. nothing but sticks, skates and bodies in passing lanes. Giving up nothing. That goal was a fluke bounce. Otherwise they've been playing really strong.
Wonder where this has been all season
Just now, ... said:Ullmark is not a NHL goalie.
That was point blank under the crossbar. Tough save for anyone
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I think you have to see how Thompson pans out, and how the Sabres use that 2nd round pick
Bots has been drafting some good players in the first four rounds over the last few years. They may be able to add to that stable.
I really like some of the skills Thompson carries and he is still very young. If he can turn into a 20g scorer on a 2nd or 3rd line and Montour becomes one of our core Dmen then I think the Sabres got the better of this deal.
Right now, similar to that WGR call, it seems the Sabres have traded all of their good players away in hopes of rebuilding through the draft. Those players in my view were seen as anti-culture, yet they've gone on to other teams and have shined. I saw the WAR stats that showed Kane & ROR on this team makes us a playoff team, and it fit under the cap. That's tough to swallow for a fan base that hasn't seen a playoff game in close to a decade.
If I could step back to July 1st I'd say I'd wish the Sabres kept ROR. Granted, I was one of the fans who thought he had to go. But after this season it seems he wasn't the problem. I really believe the coaching style of PH and the culture he has created has adversely affected this team. Had a different coach been in place, ROR wouldn't have been in that state of mind. I don't think PH is demanding enough. Players simply don't listen to him.
I know this because ROR and Kane gets traded and they both are having career years with skilled players, similar to the players we now have on our team.
To this poll's point, it's a wait and see. Honestly, we have no choice.
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On 4/3/2019 at 1:13 PM, sweetlou said:
Reports are out that McDavid not happy with direction Edmonton is going in. They have no GM and like Buffalo he is frustrated with the losing culture. Everyone on CapFriendly is making their trade proposals of what it would take to get McDavid. I went a different twist and looked at who on Edmonton might Buffalo be able to get if they have a roster make over.
My trade idea...
Buffalo sends Reinhart, Ristolainen, Mittelstadt, and Sobotka to Edmonton for Draisaitl, Benning, and Kassian.
I would just do Reinhart & Risto for Draisaitl & Kassian.
McDavid isn't going anywhere. That's crazy talk.
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Over his last 10 seasons as HC, Alain Vigneault has finished with less than 45 wins and 96 points only twice. Once was during the strike shortened season 2011 when his team finished first in their division, and the other was the last season he coached in 17-18 before the Rangers fired him.
In his first season as HC of Canucks, he finished w/ 45 wins, 105 points, and made it into the second round of the playoffs.
In his first season as HC of Rangers, he finished w/ 45 wins, 96 points, and made it to the Stanley Cup finals.
Since 2011-12, his teams made it to the playoffs six times over seven years. The Sabres are 0 for 8.
Vigneault's teams won a playoff series in six of the last 10 seasons he's coached, including three conference finals appearances and two Stanley Cups. The Sabres haven't won a single series over that time.
The Rangers team that made it to the Stanley Cup only had 3 players who scored more than 50 points (Zuccarello had 59 to lead the team) and only two 20+ goal scorers. So with less offensive talent than the Sabres have this year, they made it all the way to the finals.
Yet, we have been playing like the worst team in hockey.
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I don't know how Sabres can sell Housley coming back for another season to their fan base or sponsors. That's like selling Ice to Eskimos.
Coaches have been fired for lesser reasons. Besides a 10 game stretch, this has been one of the worst teams in hockey during Housley's 2 years as coach.
We added an elite D talent, a potential 40g scorer, and allowed Eichel and Reinhart to up their games, and we are still horrible.
Most importantly, it all comes down to players performance, effort, and body language. Right now this team has no confidence, no grit, and that's a reflection of coaching. Housley isn't reaching them.
If anything, a change is needed to shock the players system. They need a coach that can exude confidence in them and get them to perform.
From Eichel's comments it seems he's more pissed at the players than Housley, but at the end of the day it's Housley's job to ensure the players are doing theirs, and if they aren't, he needs to lose his.
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It seems this team has quit in more ways than one.
Despite their post 2018 woes where the Sabres have arguably the worst record in the league since Jan 1st (if they don't, they might as well have), we have a new problem.
After the Zadorov hit on Eichel after the whistle Saturday, there wasn't a glove dropped. It was reminiscent of the 2011 Lucic hit on Miller in which no one dropped their gloves to stand up for Miller, the team just scrummed around and eventually the whole thing was broken up.
On Saturday, Casey Nelson came by and gave Zadorov an embarrassing love tap. Embarrassing. It wasn't until Scandella came from behind and tried to grab Zadorov around the neck in an attempt to pull him down. No dice.
The most energetic guy in the pile was Reinhart. But again, a lot of pushing and gloves being rubbed in people's faces, but no gloves dropped and fists thrown.
Sounds familiar?
Yes. the Lucic hit on Miller altered the direction of the franchise. I read that Darcy Regier even admitted later on that he knew at that moment the Sabres needed to rebuild and start over again.
Compare that moment to a hit in 2017 on Sam Reinhart by Ian Cole. It was during play (not after the whistle) and was a clean hit by Cole. It didn't matter, Eichel (of all players) immediately dropped his gloves and actually attempted to throw a punch at Cole. Evander Kane beat him to the punch (no pun) and immediately dropped his gloves to take on Cole and protect Eichel. That's two players dropping their gloves to defend their teammate, including a guy who we don't want dropping his gloves--our best player--on a clean legal hit.
It seems that, besides Bogosian, this team doesn't have anyone that would answer the bell. The closest to Bogo was Beaulieu, but he's in Winnipeg. Heck, even in 2007 when Drury got elbowed by Chris Neil, a scrawny rookie named Drew Stafford stepped up, dropping his gloves, and took on a guy he had no business fighting. That's what teammates do for each other.
Based on his post game comments, Eichel concurred that his team needs more pushback when they get pushed around. Based on the video in 2017 of him vs. Cole, he has to be disappointed that no one did the same for him.
This team is dying on the vine. The sparkle of the 10 game winning streak has evaporated. Talk of "best team in the league" has turned into "worst". There is too much talk of "soft" and "lack of pushback" being mentioned in post game interviews. That's not a good label to have in a physical league where a team knows they can come into any building and push the Sabres around on their way to a win.
At some point someone needed to challenge Zadorov. No one stepped up.
Bots now has a new problem. It's one thing to say we may not have the players to competently put 3 potent offensive lines on the ice (see TB Lightning). But now he finds a team with no sandpaper, no grit, and allows their best player (and arguably their grittiest minus Bogo) to get run.The Sabres learned that the days of signing Jon Scott are over. They need guys who can score or play competent D, and drop the gloves, fight for each other, stick up for each other, and never let another team's player to make a run on one of their guys. ESPECIALLY after the whistle. No matter that opponent's size.
I didn't see that Saturday, even after that shift--except for Eichel. I saw a defeated team that got pushed around and didn't do a whole lot about it. For a moment it was our 18 year old phenom D-man who laid a shoulder into one of the Ave players. An 18 year old playing with more pushback than arguably the rest of the team. Let that sink in. (In a few years, Dahlin is going to be a beast. But for now...)
Player toughness and standing up for each other is out of Housley's hands. That task lies directly on the shoulders of Bots, and the players he signs to wear the blue and gold. Bots talks about teaching the young players how to play the game the right way. Saturday was not a good example of that.
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to see that this off-season will bring more change to this team. Add to the list of 2nd and 3rd line scoring, is players with grit and fight.
Hopefully, Eichel won't have to be the guy time and time again to get physical and pushback against other teams. If that continues into next season, the direction of this franchise will be in deep trouble.
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Sabres are toast this year. Their confidence is gone. It will be a small miracle for them to make a playoff push.
Ok, large miracle.
Regardless, this team is playing for the future. Just call up Pilut and Olafsson and let them gain experience and see what we have.
JBots isn't going anywhere, and neither is Phil. If the same effort returns next year, Phil may be a goner. But that's a big if.
Bots will be dialed in on 2nd line scoring over the summer. I see us getting a big name. Not your 29-30 year old GMTM player who can't hold his water after one season (see Moulson, Okposo). I'm talking 26 year old with his best years in front of him.
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Bots will be around awhile so get used to that. Housley will have at least next year.
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9 minutes ago, Sabre fan said:
Really do not think trading risto is or would be a smart move, but we did give ORielly away for basically nothing so who knows? We had better sign Skinner or move him instead of losing him for nothing come this summer.
I would hate to see Risto go as well. But we are pretty deep at D in Buf and Roch. We need playmakers more than anything.
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