GASabresIUFAN

Levi played 42 games last season; 34 in college, 1 in the Worlds and 7 NHL. I expect him to play about 45 games during the season.

https://theathletic.com/4936865/2023/10/06/buffalo-sabres-henri-jokiharju-injury/ “The Sabres’ 24-year old defenseman was skating back toward the blue line in the offensive zone when Kyle Okposo tried to dump the puck into the corner. The puck hit a stick and then struck Jokiharju in the face. Jokiharju dropped to his knees immediately as blood trickled onto the ice. Trainers helped him to the locker room. The Sabres went on to win a thrilling 6-3 game, but Jokiharju suffered a facial fracture and a concussion. He didn’t play again for another month, and when he did return he had a tinted visor to deal with the light sensitivity.” Maybe this explains Joki’s lousy season last year. “Now almost 12 months removed from the concussion, Jokiharju said he feels better than he’s ever felt entering a season. Teammates have noticed, too. He has two goals in the preseason so far and has continued to skate alongside Power.” The tinted visor is gone and DG is coaching him to me more assertive. Maybe he’ll bounce back to the player we saw two years ago when he played relaxed and simple and added a little O here and there.

But did he play for the Golden Seals?

Didn’t play enough games.

1. Sabres win and point totals - 47 wins and 102 pts 2. Do the Sabres make the playoffs and if so how far do they go? - Yes, and they win their 1st rd series. 3. Team MVP - Dahlin over Levi and Thompson 4. Team ROY - Levi over Benson and Kulich 5. Most Improved player - JJP - he puts up 50-55 pts 6. Team leader in goals, assists and points - Thompson 51 goals, Dahlin 68 assists, Thompson 105 pts 7. NHL Award candidates (Norris, Vezina, Selke, Calder, Richard, MVP etc)? Any winners? Dahlin (18 g 68 a for 86 pts) finishes top 3 in the Norris. Levi finishes 2nd in the Calder to Bedard. Benson in the top 5. Thompson and Dahlin get votes for the MVP. 8. How many players score 10 or more goals? Who? 12 - Thompson, Cozens, Tuch, Mitts, Greenway, Skinner, Benson, JJP, VO, Krebs, Dahlin and Power. 9. How many players score 20 or more goals? Who? 5 - Thompson, Cozens, Tuch, Mitts, and Skinner 10. Does anyone from Rochester get callup and stay with the Sabres (such as Pominville back in the day)? Kulich, he comes up and gives the team a spark and his work ethic sends Greenway to the 4th line filling in for oft injured Z and KO. 11. Which Eastern playoffs team (s) miss the playoffs and who replaces them? Boston, and TB. Replaced by Buffalo and Ottawa 12. Stanley Cup champions 2023-24? Lindy Ruff gets his Cup with the NJ Devils 13. Other predictions you'd like to share? VO traded by mid-season creating a roster spot for Kulich. When Quinn returns Jost is traded. KO or Z become the 13 forward. Also Mitts scores 20 for the first time and adds 50 assists. Sabres finish top 3 in goals again and the D improves as the season goes along and the Sabres finish with a +30 differential.

Fascinating idea! If this were two years ago I might have a different opinion, but I’m not sure the Sabres want to carry 14 forwards, especially when the playoffs are the stated goal this season. This is no longer a developmental team. Also what happens when Quinn returns? Had we been in this situation 2 years ago, I’d say F’it and give both guys a chance.

It's that time again. It's one week until opening night. What are your predictions for the season? 1. Sabres win and point totals 2. Do the Sabres make the playoffs and if so how far do they go? 3. Team MVP 4. Team ROY 5. Most Improved player 6. Team leader in goals, assists and points 7. NHL Award candidates (Norris, Vezina, Selke, Calder, Richard, MVP etc)? Any winners? 8. How many players score 10 or more goals? Who? 9. How many players score 20 or more goals? Who? 10. Does anyone from Rochester get callup and stay with the Sabres (such as Pominville back in the day)? 11. Which Eastern playoffs team (s) miss the playoffs and who replaces them? 12. Stanley Cup champions 2023-24? 13. Other predictions you'd like to share?

Derek Roy - 549gms 161g 266a 427 pts Jack Eichel - 375 gms 140g 214a 354 pts (also wore 15) Giles Hamel - 365 gms 92g 114a 206 pts Scott Arniel - 295 gms 64g 74a 138 pts Erik Rasmussen - 281 gms 33g 46a 79pts Rick Dudley - 279gms 70g 94a 164 pts (also wore 17) Evander Kane - 196 gms 68g 50a 118pts

How do you know Benson will keep No. 9?

I do agree that most of these guys will go unclaimed. It's not like we are cutting guys with proven success in the NHL. If someone takes Bryson off our hands we should send a thank you note. I feel the same about UPL. UPL's NHL save % is .898 in 46 games. Could someone take him? Sure, but he is a Jonas Johansson level goalie, except Jonas actually has good AHL numbers, unlike UPL. We won't miss him when he's gone. Same goes for Bryson, Stillman, Biro, Clague, Comrie, and UPL. Of all our depth goalies, Tokarski has the most experience (80 games) and the best save% (.902) for his career in the NHL.

It’s only preseason but last night’s effort was lousy and DG thought it was as well. The D pairings aren’t working for me and I don’t like that they waited so long to get the new guys on the ice for preseason games.

I think is a ton of flexibility and I expect Tuch to move up when we trial in the 3rd and DG shortens the bench. I don’t like the D pairings. The balance of R and L shot D isn’t not a necessity IMHO. I’d rather focus on player chemistry. I also thought the goal this summer was to find a better partner for Power. I also don’t like the 3 headed goalie monster especially when two or the goalies are Comrie and UPL. FYI Forgetting Stillman was just wishful thinking.

https://theathletic.com/4932149/2023/10/05/buffalo-sabres-depth-projection-zach-benson/ Fairburn's roster Skinner TNT Benson Greenway Mitts Tuch JJP DC VO Z Krebs KO (Jost) Dahlin Clifton Power Joki Mule EJ and All 3 goalies He’s worried that Clague and Biro could be claimed when waived. Also thinks UPL will be claimed if waived. Nothing earth shattering here, but I liked his logic on the forwards line with DG building from what worked last year: Skinner/TNT, Mitts/Tuch, Cozens/JJP and the Krebs line. Most of us had the same thoughts when see these lines in practice.

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/don-granato-postgame-at-cbj-6338417861112 DG was about as happy with the team’s performance as we were. Should be a long day tomorrow boys.

Sounds like a trade worthy of GMTM.

I'm talking about the Edm version of Grant Fuhr. I often forget the Fuhr played for us.

That's why Levi is our Grant Fuhr (hopefully) and UPL should be playing elsewhere. Did Cozens actually play tonight? I don't remember seeing him at all and it's hard for him to be invisible on the ice.

Not to defend UPL, but he had no help.

Piss poor effort overall. They need to pick up the pace and be much much more aggressive on the forecheck and backcheck. They played like rhey were playing pond hockey with the boys back home. Just like the first two.

15 high danger chances allowed through 2 periods is friggin awful. Donnie coach them up please.

Also Elvis is as bad as UPL. Not if you listen to the CBJ broadcasters.

They woke up with 8 minutes left. Benson has been our best forward. Is that a good thing?

He controlled the puck and the blue line and made a really nice pass to Z for the goal.

Benson good. UPL bad.

This is why I have asked why did KA traded his only RHD depth D in Lyubushkin. It's not like we are cap-strapped and need to save cap for the one season left on his deal. The excuse of letting a vet go where he'll play every day doesn't wash. He was one injury from playing every day for a contender.