GASabresIUFAN

Why would we trade for forwards? Seriously. We need goaltending and we need accountability.

Not until we get the @DarthEbriate seal of approval.

Rick Jeanneret Ryan Johnson R2J2 With Eric Johnson it would be R2J3

If you are going down this road, might as well go the whole Star Wars road with R2J2.

The stat is about 75% per season. That means about two teams from each conference that aren't in a playoff spot at Thanksgiving make the playoffs. Stl and Fla last year were one of those 2 teams. So who would you rather be part of the 75% in a playoff spot or one of the other 10 teams fighting for two slots?

If we wait to figure things out until after Thanksgiving it will be too late. Historically the majority of playoff teams are in a playoff spot by American Thanksgiving. https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/why-nhl-standings-at-u-s-thanksgiving-have-huge-playoff-implications/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolschram/2022/11/25/its-thanksgiving-time-to-assess-the-nhls-2022-23-playoff-picture/?sh=5fc205c14cd9 Last season in the East the following teams were in a playoff spot (using pts %) Atlantic - Boston, Tor, Det Metro - NJD, NYI, Car WC - TB, Pitt 6/8 (75%) made the playoff, with Pit missing out by losing on the last day of the season. Det faded quickly and the NYR surged to replace them. PS the West was no different (6/8 or 75%)- Dal, Colo, Wpg, LV, Sea, LA, Calg and STL. Stl crumbled and Calg fell out late to be replaced by Minn and Edm.

I said coach, not a fake motivational speaker who knows absolutely nothing about coaching (or hockey). Don't forget DG is a holdover from that staff. Remember when coaches used to hold players accountable for terrible play?

Just what we need, a declining small forward on a terrible contract. I have an idea, how about we acquire some goaltending and hire a coach willing to bench top forwards who aren't helping out on defense.

The OP asks why not Kulich? The answer is simple, management wants to know about the veteran prospects like Biro & Rousek and is still juggling Benson and Savoie. There is still concern about Kulich’s and Rosen’s 200 foot games.

I just realized the Sabres played 11-7 tonight with Johnson and Bryson basically splitting the 6th D slot. The Sabres also only played 9 forwards most of the night with VO and Krebs playing about 8 minutes each. A win is a win, but the whole team has to be better.

You have to give the team credit for going on the road after laying a giant egg against the Flyers and beating the Leafs, especially after giving up the lead multiple times.

They didn’t look tired because they didn’t actually play yesterday.

That was embarassing. UPL back to being UPL.

Jost and Olofsson in the dog house?

@mjd1001 TOI is a huge reference point, but comparing them at even strength should be the reference as certain players don’t receive much time on special teams. For example Mitts is our leading forward at EV at 14:38 with Skinner second at 14:05. Tuch is 3rd and TNT 4th at 13:11. It’s pretty clear that Mitts and his line has become our top line at EV. TNT’s usage is fascinating. DG loves him on both Special Teams, but not as much as EV. His EV time is down nearly 1:30 from last year. I wonder if this is a reflection of his poor backchecking and DGs attempt at more balance. Cozens’ EV usage is the same as last year. On Defense, DG has dropped the EV usage of the top 4. Dahlin is down 30 seconds, Power is down nearly 2 minutes. Mule is down nearly 30 seconds and Joki is down nearly 2 minutes. The 3rd pair is also skating less that last year’s 3rd pair. I think this a reflection of limiting EJ TOI to keep him healthy and more Special teams time early in the year.

I was just about to post the same thing.

Who else is hurt? VO traded?

Raz points seem almost like a given. There were points last year where he would almost take over a game. I don’t think we have seen that this year.

Like Power being +9

With 12% of the season in the books, the Sabres stand at 5-5. That’s good for 6th in the Atlantic, and 4th in the wild card standings in the very rugged Eastern Conference. Sabres sit 10th in GF with 32 (16th in GF/gp at 3.20) and 16th in GA at 29 (12th in GA/gp at 2.89) for a +3 differential. Despite the terrible 1st game (and the Calg game) and team is trending in a positive direction on defense and in goal. The offense is also coming along with 19 goals in the last 4 games. The Sabres special teams are the reverse of last year. The PP is 29th at 10% while the PK is 5th at 90%. Last season the PP was 9th at 23.5% and the PK a horrific 73% (28th). The Sabres are getting contributions from most of the forwards. Skinner leads with 10 pts (5,5), followed by TNT with 9 (5,4), Mitts with 9 (3,6), Cozens with 7 (3,4), and Tuch with 7 (1,6). JJP (4 goals) and Greenway have added 5 points each. Dahlin leads the D with 9 points (2,7), followed by Power with 6 (1,5) and Joki with 5 (0,5). The Sabres’ victory over the Flyers was the first 2 game winning streak. Biggest surprises so far? Biggest plus? Biggest minus? The minuses so far have been Clifton, more injuries, and the PP. I also don’t think the coaching staff had the team ready to open the season. I also think DG ran Levi into the ground by starting him 4 straight to start the season. Krebs is playing his way to the pressbox. The plusses - Mitts’ continues to improve, JJP’s development, Greenway’s all around play, Joki’s improvement, and the fine steady play of Eric Johnson Biggest surprises - UPL’s excellent play recently, Tuch’s early season struggles, and KA juggling of Benson and Savoie. Things KA still needs to do. I’d like to see KA added another decent depth D. While I hope UPL continues his fine play. I’ve seen the show before last season. If I were KA I’d still keep checking the veteran goalie market. Other things I’d like to see: KA needs to find away to move VO. He is an unnecessary distraction at this point and deserves a chance to play somewhere. With Biro, Rousek, Rosen, Savoie and Kulich all playing well in Buffalo or Rochester, we have plenty of forwards to cover any injury. Eat the cap hit and move on already. It’s also past time to rethink the PP. Overall I think the team is rounding into form. This is a playoff team IMHO. I think we are better than Fla and Ottawa. I also think Montreal and Det will back track from their hot starts.

I project a 6 year deal at 7 per season if he finishes with 65+ points. He wants to stay and he is an important locker room guy. KA extended his BFFs Dahlin and Cozens. I would try to minimize the usage of NMC/NTCs if I were KA. The 6 year deal brings Casey to 30 and another good payday if his game is intact. I do wonder if locking up Casey makes it near impossible to retain Joki as well.

His back checking isn’t at Casey’s level yet.

This is a much better explanation.

Now they need to win this weekend to start moving up the standings. The goal, be in a playoff spot by Thanksgiving.