GASabresIUFAN

The real indictment of the entire Adams era is this Sabres team falling apart in the 3rd against the worst team in the NHL

Great news on Benson. Terrible news on Kesselring. With his injury, we have yet to really see what Adams’ vision for the defense so far this season. We really need a better “7th” D over Bryson and Johnson.

He won't be 27 when the contract expires. His status likely comes down to whether or not Byram was on the active roster (including injuries) for 40+ games his first two seasons when he only appeared in 19 and 30 games respectively. If he didn't "accrue" a season in either of those season, then he's an RFA. If he accrued seasons in both of those years he's a UFA. Given those were COVID years and he spent a great deal of time on the taxi squad, who knows what his actual status is.

According to Capwages.com Byram is an RFA with Arb rights at the end of this contract in 2027. https://capwages.com/players/bowen-byram

I think the overriding factor of who stays or go will be who is the better player/fit for the Sabres, with contract/cap considerations second and the type of return 3rd. Well some here would argue that the JJP, Mitts and McLeod trades are looking pretty good from a current Sabres perspective, even if scoring is down to 2.8 goal per game and the team overall is still mired in the Pit of Despair. The critics would point to the bad Malenstyn, Norris and Greenway trades on the other side of the ledger.

If everyone is healthy, I see Krebs as 12 with Malenstyn as 13 with Rosen keeping a slot in the top 9. Krebs brings more offense and is more flexible position wise as injuries occur in game. I'm swapping Greenway and Malenstyn depending on health and matchups.

As we have seen forward positions in the NHL are fluid.

I generally agree here, but I'd say to Power's credit there has been some steps forward this season. He is a little more willing to take the body and has definitely shown an increased willingness to block shots. I also like how Lindy is using his size and reach to clog passing lanes on the PK. He is still terrible 5 on 5 defensively where he is more easily caught out of position than on the PK. As to why we shouldn't keep both, Samuelsson is playing his way to being Dahlin long-term partner. However that leaves Power and Byram to anchor the 2nd and 3rd pairings. I don't see the Sabres wanting to pay 8+ a season for a 3rd pairing D long-term.

Wait, didn't Beck get his 1st of the season last night? Given what we have seen from our forwards and callups what does our best lineup actually look like? The spine should be Tage, Norris, McLeod and Kozak The top wingers are Benson, Doan, Zucker and Tuch Who are the other 4? The choices are plentiful. Greenway, Malenstyn, Krebs, and Quinn are the guys who opened the season in the lineup. However Östlund has come on after a slow start (3g 2a in his last 7 games +2) and Rosen has been solid since he was recalled (3g 3a in 8 games -1). Krebs (5a in 19 games) and Quinn (3g 5a in 19 games) haven't out played the two kids. Don't forget limited utility Dunne and Geertsen are still hanging around. Knowing the Sabres they'll take the easy way out and demote Östlund and Rosen, but I'm not sure that's what is best for the team. Benson Tage Zucker Doan Norris Tuch Quinn McLeod Rosen Greenway Kozak Krebs (Malenstyn) I'd waive both Dunne and Geertsen.

So you want the Lobster and the Cracked Crab? I think the answer to your question comes down to usage and opportunity and this is where Byram's contract comes in. I don't think Bowen wants to play 3rd fiddle to Power and Dahlin long-term. After next season Byram's contract is up, but he is still an RFA. I suspect his agent will try to force a trade out of town.

They are only a year apart age wise. Both were top prospects. Adams gave Power the big (and undeserved) contract, but only bridged Byram. Within a year or two one of the them is getting replaced by the younger and cheaper Mrtka. Byram has 3g 6a for 9 pts in 19 games with a -4. He has 7 pts at EV including all 3 goals with 2 PP assists. 25 BLKs and 14 Hits. Power has 2g 5a for 7 pts in 18 games with a -8. He has 5 pts at EV including both goals, zero PP points, but 2 SH assists. The SH assists are a positive surprise. 16 BLKs and 9 Hits. As I wrote above I don’t think the Sabres will keep both long-term. Both are good assets that can be moved to help other areas of need like top 6 forwards or goaltending. Contract wise Byram is the one likely to be moved, but IMHO his play is outstripping Power. Both are pretty even offensively, but Byram seems to bring more defensively and is obviously the more engaged player physically. Power still seems to easy for opponents to skate around. An interesting development for both players is a substantial increase in PK time. Power is being utilized more on the PK, but both are being used each game especially recently. So who are you keeping? Who do you think is the better?

How many times do I have to say I have hope for Ellis? How many times do I have to say play Ellis and see what you got? He played very well tonight, but prior to tonight his save % was .895. That is below NHL average. Why is this so hard to understand?

You keep telling us Lyon is good while ignoring the terrible play of our others goalies. The Sabres overall goaltending even with Lyon is below average. Lyon is maybe going to play 45-50 games and Ellis and UPL haven't shown they are good enough. Even if Lyon keeps up his 3+ GA play, that still isn't good enough for a team scoring 2.8. We need stellar goaltending to make the playoffs. Lyon is giving us average goaltending at best. His 3-5-3 record shows that we are still struggling to win even with him playing "well." I've also shown you that the defense is actually improved year over year statistically and the goaltenders, despite less SCA and HDCA and the No 1 PK, are still near the bottom of the league in GA off any SC or HDCA. They simply aren't good enough to elevate this lousy team into contention. It's going to take more than improved defense to help our goalies including Lyon.

Really, then why are their 32 goalies from 32 different teams that have started 10 or more games for their teams this season? Lyon with 24th on that list is GAA.

Are you saying the 17th best goalie in the NHL, a league with 32 teams, is above average? The interesting math. What about the other 35+ games Lyon won’t play? Ellis is 40th in save % in goalies with 3 or more starts and UPL is 52nd. Remember Lyon has never played more than 44 games in an NHL season. I get that you’re happy with Lyon YTD. All Sabres fans are happy that he has been better than the parade of terrible since Ullmark left town, but at 3+ goals a game this still isn’t playoff caliber goaltending. He is giving us exactly what he gave Det two years ago. That team nearly made the playoffs, but only because they scored 278 goals (3.4 goals for per game). The Sabres are averaging 2.8. Scoring 2.8 and allowing 3+ is not a recipe for success.