GASabresIUFAN

Brannstrom will be on the Buffalo blueline next year.

Great goal by McLeod. Byram and Clifton in defense. I’m shocked Washington scored.

They made a recall of Jack Rathbone. Hilarious. 🤣 This organization is clueless.

Trade him for a 1st and a defensive D and then trade the 1st for 2nd defensive D.

Kulich only showed he was ready to displace someone after getting time in the NHL. Thank you for proving my point. Kulich played in one NHL game last season and this season had little impact in his 1st 17 games with just 2g, 0 assists. As to Novikov, he has been the Amerks best defensive D that last 2 season despite being only 20 years old in 2023/24 and 21 this season. He hits, blocks shots, and even chips in some offense with 23 points last season and 20, including 6 goals, so far this campaign. The thing that stands out is he was the Amerks leader in +/- in 2023/24 at + 20 and now this season he is the leader again at +30. Metsa, the next D, is only + 18. This indicates to me that he is doing a great job at suppressing opponents offense. Novikov's performance isn't really a surprise. Novikov played the majority of his 18 year old season in the KHL and was full time at 19. Now look at the Sabres. Besides Dahlin, the rest of our D group stinks defensively. The Sabres have allowed the 5th most goal in the NHL this season. Is it really so hard to believe that a defensive stalwart like Novikov might do a better job at playing defense for the Sabres than Clifton, Bryson, Samuelsson, Power or Byram? Certainly it's reasonable to give the kid a shot because there is almost zero chance he'll be worse than Bryson or Clifton. The Sabres just got blown out by the Flyers; allowing 7 goals. Haven't you seen enough of our crap defenders to be willing to try someone else?

These current players already know winning isn't important to this organization. LOL! Did bringing up Murray, Rosen, Dunne, Kulich, Kozak change the messaging? Bringing up a player who has earned an opportunity sends the right message to the players in the A and to the players in the NHL. That message is roster spots are earned and that players in the NHL who aren't doing what is necessary will be replaced. This team has already been eliminated from the playoffs. Finding out who can contribute long-term is much more important than winning an extra game here or there. Don't forget I have been harping on bringing in two veteran stay at home D to this roster for 3 years. I've wanted failed D like Joki and Bryson gone for years. You want to build a wining culture, this team needs to make better offseason acquisitions. That doesn't change the need to properly evaluate your prospect pool.

What are you talking about? Teams have been brining up prospects late in the season for 100 years to help determine if they are ready for the NHL. We are not talking about Novikov or any of the kids playing out the season in Buffalo, but for a few games. Practice? Don't make me laugh. Clifton has been mostly lousy this season. He has 2 pts and a -3 in his last 10 games, and this maybe his best stretch of the season. Who the heck cares if he is benched for a few games to see if a key prospect is ready for NHL duty. It's not like Clifton is helping us win games down the stretch for a playoff spot run. My guess is Novikov is a better player than Clifton right now. The best way to find out is to put him out there against NHL competition.

Send Dunne down, bench Clifton and play Novikov for example.

I didn't say give them a roster spot. I said lets give the kids a few games as a reward for a good work in the A and to see how they look against NHLers. How do you know if Novikov's skating is NHL quality until you see him in the NHL?

Anyone you want to see get a callup? I was looking at the Amerks stats, and maybe it's time for Novikov to get a few games in the NHL. The guy is +26 for the Amerks. Metsa is the next closest D at +16. Östlund in the next closed player at +17. Novikov has to be doing something right. Lets find out how his skating looks at the next level. I'm also wondering if Östlund should get a look see as well.

While there is much truth to this analysis, occasionally young guys do build on their late season heroics. Whether JBD is one of those guys only time will tell.

Gotcha! Yep, I agree a terrible draft pick by the Sabres.

What? Isn't he a center for Columbus? I doubt Leinonen every becomes a full time NHL goalie.

Yep.

From the Athletic today. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6237558/2025/03/27/sabres-kulich-bernard-docker-penguins/ “2. Jacob Bernard-Docker looks hungry Bernard-Docker wasn’t the main attraction in the Sabres’ trade-deadline deal with the Ottawa Senators, but he’s making a strong early impression. He had two assists against the Jets and then a goal against the Senators, but he shrugged off the point production and said his main focus is being hard to play against. He showed that against the Penguins on Thursday, blocking two shots and crushing Connor Dewar with a huge hit that sparked a fight. He didn’t win the fight, but Bernard-Docker opened Ruff’s eyes. “He showed he was hungry every shift,” Ruff said. “I really liked his game. I liked the fact that he ate a couple of pucks for us. A couple of big blocks, a heck of a hit. A good hit before the fight. His intensity around the puck has been real good. He is hungry. He’s pushing guys to say, ‘I want to be part of this. I’ve got my opportunity and I want to prove I can stay in the lineup.’” It’s too early to say that Bernard-Docker will be a fixture in Buffalo’s lineup next season. But he’s provided a spark and looks like he has something to prove. That’s an attitude the Sabres could use more of.”

Every time I see a post about this prospect I think about the old Sabre Jacques Richard. It would be great if this kid could erase the prior Richard from my memory. Seriously how does a guy put up 24 goals over three seasons in Buffalo score 52 in a season with Quebec a few years later?

Need to get Strbak signed.

He has a Tallinder type skill set. The question is can he bring that level of consistency. Ottawa didn't think so now which is why they traded him to us, but they clear saw something in him they likely in order to draft him in the 1st round. Granted most talking heads didn't think he was that level of player, but there is a good base skill set. What's interesting is JBD has a very similar resume in college and the minors as Ryan Johnson. They are also about the same size. JBD is just a year older and an RHD vs a LHD.

The Sens over drafted JBD with the 26th pick in the 2018 draft. Most rankings had him as a 2nd or 3rd rd pick out of the AJHL. He then spent 3 years in college. Here are some comments about him from the 2018 draft. https://thehockeywriters.com/jacob-bernard-docker-2018-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/ They thought he had 2nd line potential. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/342438/2018/05/21/pronmans-2018-nhl-draft-board/ I think the bolded is what we are seeing so far from Bernard-Docker in a very limited sample size. https://senshot.com/ottawa-s-problem-with-jacob-bernard-docker-is-buffalo-s-problem-now-01jpe4seg1jt Apparently, this Ottawa fan site was happy to see JBD move on. One thing the author fails to mention is that JBD blocked 156 shots his one full NHL season and was willing to play physically when necessary. I don't know if he has 2nd pair potential, but he looks to be playing a simple game, can skate and is willing to hit and block shots. I'm curious to see what he can do.

With a win tonight, the Sabres improve to being the 6th worst team in the NHL up from 4th. Heroic run to picking 8th again on its way.

I want to watch this video, but I'm afraid, very afraid at the same time.

I grew up on Santora's and Bocce. What is the best pizza in Buffalo now?

No. Just lots of backup goalies.

Apparently subtracting Cozens was more important than adding Norris.

No