GASabresIUFAN

Here we are 21 pages into this thread and the board continues to primarily focus on "fixing" the forwards. Other than a few passing references to Demko, I've almost no ideas on how to elevate our goaltending which has sucked since Ullmark left town. It is ironic that Ottawa found a way to get Ullmark; Ottawa a franchise nearly as moribund as the Sabres, and immediately made the playoffs. There has also been precious little on fixing the inept defense besides the reality that Byram is being traded as some point this summer. I have seen discussions on getting Schneider (a 23 year old solid all around D with size) and he'd be a coup for the Sabres. Also some chatter on trying to acquire Dobson. However, not to much else. I admit I'm over simplifying. Considering that the poor defense and goaltending are the primary reasons we missed the playoffs, I'm a little surprised a how overweighed on the forwards. I also admit that there are significantly more options in the forward universe, but it seems we are looking in the wrong place to fix this mess. One goalie I can see Adams signing is Anton Forsberg. He has spent the last 4 plus years in Ottawa, in a UFA, and in 142 games for the Sens he has a .905 save % and a 2.99 gaa. Considering how poor Ottawa's D was most of the those seasons those are very good numbers. He'd certainly compete for the starting job with UPL and Levi and at worst would be a huge upgrade as a backup over Reimer. I would love to see a run at Demko.

Maybe, but we still need to unload 3-4 of our current D.

Fix the D and goaltending and if there is any cap left over that address the forwards. We can't Leaf our way to the next level (my reference he is Toronto wasting money on Tavares when they needed defense and goaltending).

I'm really learning to loath that smug face.

That’s truly horrible news.

I don't see much difference between John's proposed line and the Vanek, Roy, Max line from 2005/6. Entering that season: Vanek (age 21) 0 NHL games , Roy (age 22) 49 games w 19 pts, and Max (age 26) 332gms w 152 pts. Entering next season: Quinn (age 24) 178 gms w 97 pts, Kulich (age 21) 63 gms w 24 pts & JJP (age 23) 238 gms w 150 pts

Based on his history, he'll play about 60 games for us next season. I disagree with your characterization of Kulich, Kozak and even Malenstyn. All 3 are solid defensively; Kozak especially so. The reason Kozak is even getting a shot in the NHL is because he plays 2 way hockey and does the dirty work teams need. Kulich for a rookie in the NHL, has a very developed 2 way game.

Marner is also one the most consistent Leaf underperformers in the playoffs.

I disagree. We have seen considerable turnover at forward the last 3 years to get to a better group. They aren't nearly as soft and they are much much better defensively. Gone are Skinner, Cozens, Mitts, VO, KO, Girgensons, Jost, Eakin, Hinostroza, Bjork, and Asplund and honestly we are better for it. Guys like Greenway, Benson, Kulich, Zucker and Norris (when healthy), play with much more grit, guille and defense than the guys listed above. Until we fix the D and G, we honestly won't know how the forwards will stand up in the playoffs. That said Tuch was solid in his playoff games with LV.

This isn't really accurate any longer. Zucker, Norris, Tuch, McLeod, Benson, Greenway, Kulich, Kozak and Malenstyn are all solid to excellent defensively. TNT and Krebs are improved. JJP is a work in progress, but is no longer a consistent liability. The forwards' d awareness really isn't an issue any longer. Now add that they were 10th in goals (only 2 goals behind the Leafs), 4th in 5 on 5 goals with 185 and 4th with 191 in all EV situations, the offense isn't the issue with this team, except the awful PP which is solvable with better coaching (IMHO). This past season with had 6 forwards score 20 plus (TNT had 44 and Tuch 36). We had 2 more score 15 (Quinn& Kulich) and 2 more score 10 (Krebs and Benson). We have plenty of capable scoring forwards. Benson and Kulich should continue to improve their scoring given their ages. The issue with this team is the 287 GA (4th worst in the NHL) - Bad goaltending and incompetent defensemen. Over the last 4 years the Sabres have allowed 287 (25th), 297 (26th), 243 (12th), 287 (29th). Our 1114 GA over the last 4 years is 7th worst in the NHL over that period while our 1031 GF is 13th best. I repeat, the issues with this team are poor defensemen and goaltending. When Anderson and Reimer are the 2 best goalies over the last 4 years it's easy to ID that problem. Now add the revolving door of crap D besides Dahlin and that problem is also easy to identify.

I’m fine with the forward group as is. It’s not perfect, a few small changes might help, but I like the core of Benson, Tuch, TNT, Kulich, McLeod, Zucker, & JJP. With a healthy Norris so much better. This is not the area that kept this team from winning.

I loath the Leafs, but I’m not happy they were eliminated. The Sam Bennett cheap shot to the Leafs goalie changed the complexion of the series. The lack of a penalty or a suspension was further proof of the joke that is the NHL league office and the refs that work for them. For once I almost feel bad for Leafs nation. Almost

LOL. Yep, it seems that way. After all it's the Sabres way. Trade Eichel, trade Reinhart, might as well trade JJP. Let's trade all the good players our system develops and allow them to win Cups elsewhere. Dumping another good young forward is the height of stupidity. Why not trade/waive/catapult our bad defensemen and goaltending and use the saved cap space to fix the real problems with this team. Put Power, Byram, UPL, Samuelsson, and Clifton on the block and see what you can get. That's over 25 mill in cap liability right there. Dump most of those players and bring in a solid goaltender to play with Levi and find 2-3 defensive D and this team will become a playoff team next season.

Kevyn Adams - Manager of Harborside Arena. Ryan O’Reilly - Zamboni driver

Lou’s first piece of advice to Terry will be to fire Adams and bring in a real GM.

That's correct. Even if you "shift" Samuelsson's and Clifton's money to Byram, you still have to allocate cap for their replacements.

I think it means they are average at best, but mostly below average. What are their numbers away from Dahlin. JBD at 60% is adequate. Having one good defenseman (Dahlin), 1 adequate one (JBD) and the rest below average or worse is not a recipe for success. The team stats, as I mentioned above, show that this team is below average defensively. The number 5 on 5 in SA, SCA,HDCA have been consistently bad the last 3 years regardless of goaltending. Bad goaltending just makes a bad problem worse.

They aren't adequate defensively.

The defense is terrible and the goaltending is just as bad if not worse. We allowed the 8th most high danger chance against last season (763), 3rd most the season before (793), and the 4th most in 22/23 (881). So while this improved it's still in the bottom 3rd of the league and coupled with bad goaltending, is it any wonder this team hasn't progressed? No add we allowed the 4th most shots against and the 11 most Scoring chances against and you have more evidence of an inept defense. Now add a terrible Penalty Killing (only 76.3%). I have more hope for a rebound in UPL or Levi taking over than I have in the defense as constituted. I'm ok with running back Dahlin, one of Power (of Byram) and seeing what JBD is, but after that the rest need to go.

Do you think they would actually be interested in a quitter?

Slava Kozlov and Doug Gilmour - Directors of the Alumni Association.

Don't you mean Berglund. His motto is if you don't like how things are going, then quit and move to Sweden.

How about Doug Gilmour?

I forgot Zagrapan.

He was recently spotted having dinner in a Moscow restaurant with Brett Heisten, Denis Tsygurov, David Cooper, Jozef Cierny and Dennis Pearson. Joel Savage was supposed to attend, but got stuck in customs.