GASabresIUFAN

Quick question. How does KA fill the hole at 2/3C?

His 26 EVP was 201st among NHL forwards last season who played 41 or more games. Still 4th line production.

The fact that Benson was in our top 6 forwards this season is an indictment on the GM and the other players on the roster. As much promise this kid has, at it's a ton, he should not have been in the NHL this season. It was terrible asset management and it didn't make the team better. He should have been in the CHL completing his 4th year in the CHL and then he could play in the AHL or NHL this coming season on the 1st year of his ELC. Just dumb. Did the kid show he could play in the NHL? Yes his did, but he was often knocked off the puck and took dumb penalty after dumb penalty. He was not physically ready of the NHL game and it showed all season. I'm not sure he'll be physically ready next season either because he is only 19 and not yet physically mature. Sadly, he won't be eligible to be sent down to the A if he again isn't physically because of his age. Oh well! I'm sorry, but while I like some of what I saw from Benson this season, Benson's production was 224th among NHL forwards last season. His p/gp of players with 41 or more games last season was 225th (tied with Greenway) at .42 pts p/gp. That was 4th line production. I also think the analytics place him in the top 9 for the Sabres, but considering how bad the offense was this season, that isn't much to write home about. Do I think Benson has top 6 potential? Yes I do, but in 2025/26 just in time for his next contract.

I never said clear out players to make room for Novikov. I said I’d love to see him make a run at a roster spot. Those aren’t the same things. I’m perfectly fine sending Novikov back down. Ruff’s complaint in the presser was having to work in 3 rookies on D because of the injuries. I doubt he’d have a problem with a single rookie making the team if he earns the job. it’s also not realistic to expect KA to add two veteran D to this group. That’s just not realistic with 6 guys (including Johnson) under contract, 3 RFAs and Adams already pinching pennies on player contracts. We’ll be lucky if Adams trades Joki and gets Ruff an RHD upgrade. Just don’t count on it. Adams traded Mitts to avoid paying him and the adding a Cup Vet thing failed last year when Eric Johnson had nothing left in the tank. You even expect Adams to run it back. The “biggest” roster changes coming are the depth forwards. My biggest hope is he trades a couple of our glut of forward prospects to add a 2nd line center. I’m hopeful, just realistic enough to believe that also is unlikely.

I don’t think that will determine whether or not we make the playoffs. With Ruff as the the coach, our D should be much better in zone than under Granato. That should make both goalies’ lives easier. I think the defensive improvement will be one of the reasons we make the playoffs next season. Don’t forget the tandem this season was UPL/Comrie and we ended up with a positive goal differential for the first time in over a decade, despite the offense taking two steps back.

I have become a fan of Novikov as well. He has a skill set that would be a nice addition to the Sabres D group long-term. As I mentioned in another thread making the D group next fall is going to be hard unless KA uses some of our excess LHD to add depth elsewhere. Still, I’d love to see him make a run at a roster spot. As to Krebs, under Ruff even a 4th line job could be a good position. Ruff wants to roll 4 capable lines. Guys like Gaustad and Hecht thrived in his system in the past. My worry with Krebs is that he doesn’t have the drive of guys like Hecht and Gaustad. Maybe his attendance at the presser is a good sign of a new player.

When I think about a Lindy Ruff team, I think about him rolling 4 lines, activating the D, and playing fast. I remember him always having some physical players but not being overly physical as a team. Tough, yes, but not grind you into the ground types. However the thing that always stands out is the good D groups. The 1999 team had McKee, Zhitnik, Woolley, Patrick, Smehlik, and Shannon. 05 had McKee, Lydman, Tallinder, Teppo, Soupy and Kalinin. Even last year’s NJ team was excellent on all 3 pairs. I look at Dahlin, Power, Mule, Byram, and the others and I see a bunch of talented kids desperate for a coach who truly understands 2 way D play and that is Ruff. When we are looking back at the 24/25 season next April (as we march into the playoffs) I think the defense is where Lindy’s biggest impact will be felt.

The question for me is would have this season’s team made the playoffs if Ruff was the coach? The answer for me is that they would have. No way Ruff would have put up with the slow starts.

I think the other 9 or so candidates interviews went like this: “Hi Coach _________, this is Kevyn Adams with the Buffalo Sabres, I’m calling….” ‘Click!”

If they just played hard from the opening puck drop they probably make the playoffs.

Aren't all coaches hired to be fired?

Skinner

Yes he should.

@dudacek I'm not sure what you are getting at. Of the players on the roster at the end of the season you have the following: 8 (9 with Rousek) Forwards under contract plus RFA Krebs, 5 (6 with Ryan Johnson) defensemen under contract plus 3 RFAs, and UPL (RFA) & Levi (signed) in net. The bring it back roster looks like this so far JJP TNT Tuch Benson Cozens Quinn Skinner Krebs (RFA) Greenway Rousek ???? ???? Bryam Dahlin Power Jokiharju (RFA) Mule Clifton R Johnson Bryson (RFA) UPL (RFA) Levi Not many open roster spots. KA could really give the fans a big FU by re-signed Girgensons and Robinson.

Innocent question: If the Sabres miss the playoffs again next season, does Ruff stay and Adams get fired?

Apparently there was a Rick Dudley sighting at 1 Seymour Knox plaza today.

Not only true, but also pretty obvious given GMHD track record as a GM and the players under contract. As I wrote in the OP there are 16 players under contract and 5 RFAs. Not hard to envision that those 21 players could easily all return.

I should have posted two poll questions; who do want to be the next coach and who you think will be the next coach. I wanted someone other than Ruff, but thought the day DG was fired that Ruff would be the next coach. I’m actually surprised on 28% of Sabrespace thought Ruff was going to be the man. I thought it was an obvious TP hire.

Coach hired. Now time to start fixing the roster. I do worry that run it back GMHD is going to bring back nearly the entire failed roster from last season.

Girgensons. 688 gms. 89g 99a 188 pts -66

1 division title and 3 playoff teams in 8 years. In Dallas 165-122-41; in NJ 128-125-28. Not great, but better than the last 3 coaches here.

I said the day DG was fired that TP wanted Ruff and low and behold he's hired. I'm shocked (ok not really). At least he is a good coach. If he had no history in Buffalo, but had his track record, people would be very happy with the hire. I was for getting someone new here like Berube or Gallant, but they may have been looking to see what else opened up. Ruff at least wants to be here. All in all we could have done a lot worse.

Despite my comments on wasting 2 years of Benson (which still hold by the way), if he is going to be on this team, then we need to get him in open space. That means PP time. Just on raw skill he and JJP are probably our most talented forwards. In the pre-season, Benson looked good as the bumper on the PP. I'd like to see JJP, Benson, Tage, Tuch and Dahlin as the 1st PP. I'd then like to see Cozens, Quinn, Byram, Power and Savoie (if he makes the team) on the 2nd PP.

From watching other teams' PPs it seems they utilize more plays down low with a player often behind the PK net. They also move the puck quicker.

Johnson, Clifton, Byram, Jost, Krebs, & Tuch were all from "winning" organizations. None have changed the losing culture KA has created. It has to be more than just a guy from a winning team. It has to be a leader that insists that the team play hard like a winning team. It has to be someone playing in a key role that the other players will respect, not a 3rd pairing D or a 4 line forward. Guys like Drury and Teppo certainly made a difference, but sadly there are not many of those types of players floating around and willing to come here.