GASabresIUFAN

Currently at the Violent Femmes with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Interesting show so far. I was curious about how they’d orchestra some of their songs and some they clearly couldn’t. However Gone Baby Gone was great with an orchestra.

If the current owner can’t hire competent management for the Sabres, he should sell the team to someone willing to bring in actual hockey people. GM Howdy Doody needs to go.

All teams have injuries, but man games lost are highly correlated to making or missing the playoffs.

I said all offseason that we need another top 6 forward and we needed to get rid of Joki and replace him with a good defensive D. I also said we need more offense on the 3rd line and that the 4th would provide no offense to speak of. I also said that 3 things needed to come true for this to be a playoff team; they needed to stay healthy, give up less HDCA and perform on the PP. You actually disagreed with that post. So far JJP, Benson and Kubel are already hurt, the D gave up HDCA after HDCA and the PP is ineffective to say the least. Is it really a surprise the team is 0-2 to start the season?

It’s amazing how quickly the KA lead Sabres can suck the hopium out of a season. They talked all offseason about needing to compete for the playoffs. No excuses any longer. He remade the 3rd and 4th lines. Brought in a highly touted D for the center he didn’t want to pay and brought back the Sabres ex-long time good coach. Then in 2 games to start the new season, the team looks and plays exactly the same. The PP can’t even get in the zone to setup, no one goes to the net, the D turn the puck over and over in their own zone and as a team they play without any passion. There are still 80 games left, but if you are trying to build momentum for the season, two listless performances weren't the way to do it.

By that time the season might be over. The PP is just terrible. They can’t even get into the zone. The can’t keep possession of the puck. Only Levi is keeping them in the game. Also why is Benson sitting today? Was he hurt? If not, why do you take out the only player who plays the right way?

They didn't come out flat. They controlled the puck for the first 7 minutes of the game and then quickly reverted to a team that lacked drive or passion. Same team different year. The PP was as awful as last year. No one except Benson and Kubel drove to the net. Our best scoring chances came from the 4th line and as we knew they lack finish. The 3rd line was invisible and the top 2 line finally showed up in the 3rd period after the initial decent start. Rinse, wash, repeat. If I were Lindy, I'd re-think the D pairings tomorrow. Power/Dahlin, Samuelsson/Joki and Clifton/Byram. I'd also put Benson and JJP on the top line with Thompson and tell Thompson if he doesn't crash the net, he'll be demoted to the 3rd line. The 2nd line is Cozens, Tuch and Quinn. On the 3rd line, send one of the guys to the bench in favor of Kulich and on the 4th line sub in Krebs for Kubel (who apparently got hurt). The sad part is that they spent so much time playing the top guys in pre-season to build chemistry and there was none.

F..Krebs play Kulich. At least he’ll try. I thought Lindy was teaching them to go to the net. Sadly only Benson listens.

Those zone entries are so improved.

What a great effort in the first. Love those D pairings Lindy. Can you put Bryam on the 3rd pair where he belongs?

https://nypost.com/2024/10/01/betting/nhl-predictions-odds-picks-for-division-winner-parlay/ Odds to win Atlantic Division TeamOddsTeamOdds Panthers+230Senators+1000 Maple Leafs+290Red Wings+1300 Lightning+440Sabres+1600 Bruins+500Canadiens100/1 Odds via FanDuel Because this is a lottery ticket angle, we need a long shot to juice this ticket and I’ve landed on the Sabres, who have not made the playoffs in 13 years. But the pieces are in place for them to take a massive leap from what was a hugely disappointing showing in 2023-24. What was most frustrating for the Sabres last season was that they improved defensively but took a sizable step backward offensively, which was supposed to be their calling card. The Sabres finished with 91 points and were expected to push even higher, but they fell flat, which caused everyone to jump ship. You can’t blame folks for doing that considering how many times Buffalo has fooled us, but this number is long enough to be quite tempting on a team that should score, has a terrific blueline and two emerging goaltenders. Atlantic pick: Sabres (+1600)

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/one-bold-predicition-for-all-32-nhl-teams/sn-amp/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2024/10/03/nhl-season-point-projections-2024-25-standings/75415178007/ 89 points, 6th in the Atlantic. Only Det and Mon worse.

1) Sabres point total? 97 2) Will the Sabres makes the playoffs? Yes and finish 3rd in the Atlantic - In another thread I thought they'd just miss out, but I've taken my hopium and am changing my mind - Go Sabres! 3) Sabres leading goal scorer? JJP - 35, but TNT and Quinn are close on his tail (6 Sabres score 20 plus). 4) Sabres leader in total points? Dahlin - He breaks 80+ points with 22 goals and 64 assists 5) Sabres MVP? - Dahlin 6) Sabres ROY? - Kulich. Injuries give him a chance on the 3rd line and he runs with the opportunity making Krebs expendable. 7) Best off-season acquisition - Lafferty. He becomes a fan favorite while putting up 12+ goals and 30+ points in a career year. 8.) Worst off-season acquisition? Byram. Doesn't get to the next level as hoped, but this makes his contract cheaper in the off-season 9) Biggest surprise? (positive or negative) Levi becomes the No. 1 netminder by mid-season 10) Breakout player? Benson - He puts up 55+ points and becomes one of the best pests in the NHL. 11) Will any Sabres players or coaches finish as finalists (win?) for any major awards such as the Norris or Selke? Ruff and Dahlin. 12) Unsung Hero? Power - He quietly makes the leap people wanted from Byram when Lindy pairs him with Dahlin creating one of the best D pairs in the league 13) Who will be the first Sabre traded away this season? Krebs 14) Will KA make any in-season acquisitions before the deadline? Sort of. He'll add a goalie for Rochester with NHL experience when Reimer gets claimed on waivers 15) Will the Sabres be buyers or sellers at the deadline? Buyers to add some RHD help 16) Other Bold prediction? {Such as KA gets fired mid-season ;)} Samuelsson plays 65+ games. 17) Any other thoughts? The team starts off 50/50 and then gains momentum as the season progresses. Much of the early issues will be the PP and a lack of offense from the 3rd line. These issues work themselves out on a 3 games Western road trip in November and team blossoms from there.

JJP had 25 5 on 5 goals last season. Give him some 1st line PP time and he'll score 30+ easily. Quinn, while a little older than JJP, has always been just a little more productive. You can easily argue that both have similar upside and being on the top line could weight the scales to JJP, but I think Quinn has another gear we haven't quite seen yet. I see Quinn as a long term better version of Tuch. JJP reminds me of a better playmaking Skinner. This is not a shot a JJP. I love this kid's offensive game, but do worry about how willing he is to play 200 feet. If he does become a 200 foot player, than JJP's upside is 70+ points. Benson is our Marchand. Marchand's peek was 39 goals and points seasons of 85, 85, 100 & 87 points. I'd love Benson to reach those heights.