GASabresIUFAN

UPL to start in goal according to Sabres.com

One thing about Mitts is that he has basically improved every 40 or so games he played in the NHL and last year was no exception. I know I maybe in the minority here about this, but I’m expecting him to take another leap in development. I’m looking for 20 to 25g with at least 50 assists. The big off-season question is how much and how long will his new contract be?

If they don’t think he is ready, they’ll send him back. They’ll almost certainly give him the 9 games to see him in the NHL and then evaluate from there. KA has done a good job of not rushing guys. I trust their evaluation of forwards.

In modern hockey a 200 foot game is important but speed and puck possession are more important. Adding Benson to Thompson and Skinner is about driving puck possession. Benson is a wizard with the puck on his stick. The 200 foot game tends to evolve as the player matures. We saw the light bulb go on for Mitts last year. I expect TNT to be more attuned to that aspect of the game this season. Cozens as well, but it takes time for the young guys to get to that point because they have thrived all their lives on offense alone. I think the Sabres finally understand this which is why they added Clifton and Johnson. This gives the Sabres a much more balanced D group with guys who play physical, play defense and block shots. I think the Sabres philosophy about defense is to use puck possession to not only drive offense but to prevent opponent’s offense. When that fails, let the physical d group and Levi prevent goals against. The analogy I’d draw would be the Gretzky/Messier Oilers teams. They came at you wave after wave and when things didn’t work they had Grant Fuhr covering up those mistakes. Hopefully Levi becomes our Grant Fuhr. I’d also point to the 05/06 Sabres that came at you with 4 lines the could score. I’ll admit it’s not perfect, but given the talent we have this philosophy makes sense. I’m also not really to worried about Benson making the team and even playing on the first line. We added rookies JJP and Quinn last year and they helped make the team better. I don’t see why Benson won’t as well despite his age and size. While I agree teams may try to key on TnT’s line, but Sabres forward depth should punish teams that try it. The Cozens line has a 28 goal scorer (VO), a 30+ goal scorer (DC) and a developing talent in JJP who put 28 goals in the A at 19. Mitts’ line also has a 30+ guy in Tuch, a 40+ assist guy who can add 20 in Mitts and Greenway, who can chip in as well (and is a surprisingly good passer).

Me thinks you are taking my post to seriously.

Let’s give Benson 9, then Savoie 9, let Biro, Rousek and Jost play a few here and there. Bring up Kulich for 9, Rosen for 9. By then your at mid season, all your young guns get a good look, and by then Quinn will be ready to return. No Kane required.

McDermott vs Leslie Frazier. Same base defense, but McDermott is willing to be aggressive with stunts and blitzes and Frazier was always bend but don’t break. The Bills defense looks better for the change. Football is won in the trenches. Always has been and always will be. The team that keeps their QB upright and with time to throw nearly always wins. The team that doesn’t losses. See Sea vs NYG last night and the Bills vs Fish for all the proof you need. In the Bills game Allen was hit 3 times (2 sacks) all game. The Bills sacked Tua 4 times and hit him numerous others. it’s a testimony to how much better the Bills O Line is that Josh has only run 10 times in the last 3 weeks.

I don’t think DG/KA think EJ is up to playing 20+ a night. He has averaged 17 minutes a night the last two seasons and hadn’t played over 20 since 2019/20. I think this is why Power/Joki is a pairing so far this camp. Of EJ’s 17 minutes of TOI he averaged 2 minutes of PK. That leaves about 15 minutes 5 on 5. Power averaged almost 21 minutes a night at EV.

Is Dahlin moving back to left defense? If my memory serves, Dahlin played the majority of last season on the right with Mule on the left. With the additions of Johnson and Clifton, the Sabres are actually balanced 3 and 3 between Right shot and left shot D. Is DG going to fully balance his pairings? It seems so. Clifton, very much a right shot and right playing D, being assigned as Dahlin’s partner implies Dahlin is now going to play on the left. This also explains the return of the Power Joki pairing and the Mule EJ pairing we have seen in camp. FYI Stillman, Bryson, Clague and Ryan Johnson are all LHD. If the goal was balance in the D group, why trade away your only RHD depth D in Bush? Yes Clague and Bryson have right side experience, but that doesn’t make them good at it.

@Curt I think your chart is missing Rousek (and possibly Biro).

How much of that was VO and how much was bad D and bad goaltending? The +\- story is never simple. Remember Vanek lead the league in +/- (+47) the year after he was -11. Do I think VO will ever be a good 2-way player? No, but he is committed to improving and coupled with improved D and goaltending his mistakes will end up less frequently in the back of the net.

I think she is 5 inches taller than he is.

So back to the Bills for a second. What do the Bills do if Poyer is out for an extended period and White is done for the season? I can see running with Elam and Hamlin for a week or two, but we need better players to win it all. Is Rapp an upgrade over Hamlin? Will they trade for a CB?

Sorry, I left out the word "also".

Your right. Kelce is just a phase.

I'm thinking a top 9 and a bottom 3. There will also be situational line changes such at Tuch moving back to the top line when we are trailing in the 3rd and DG shortens his bench.

Best way to attract young women viewers.

Did you really just go there?

@That Aud Smell Fanatics announced that Kelce jersey sales are up 400% and that they are getting huge orders for KC 87 jerseys with "Swift" on the back. I'm not sure what the big deal is, Philly already has Kelce and Swift on the same team.

My biggest concern is that if Swift and Kelce become a real thing (instead of a media PR stunt), my daughter may become a Chief's fan. She assured me yesterday that wouldn't happen, but I'm still worried.

I agree. It's why I wrote he'll start the season in Rochester because "He needs to be playing and gaining experience." My point was he may be the 7th best D in the organization and management may feel comfortable with only keeping 7 D (Stillman as the 7th) in Buffalo, because of how well Johnson looks.

I think people are being a little unfair about VO. Yes, the guy is allergic to two-way play, but so are Skinner, Thompson amongst other forwards in our lineup. VO has also posted 20 or more goals in 3 of the last 4 seasons and we have also seen him play excellent overall hockey at points, especially when he got healthy in the second half of 21/22. Yes, he was benched late last year, but he is playing for a new contract. Don't be surprised if he has his best season ever. His speed, great release, and decent passing make him a solid offensive fit with JJP and Cozens. I suspect they'll be getting a lot of ozone starts. Remember this is a line with two guys who can score 30+ and a young stud who is easily capable of scoring 20. How many teams can boast a potential 3rd scoring line that can pot 80 goals?

FYI: My youngest daughter is a huge Swiftie and just as big a football fan (UGA and the Bills).

Controlled Josh is a good Josh. I love the occasional Superman play like the one to Cook for a 40 yard run after the catch, but he is so much better when he takes what the defense gives him instead of trying to force it. If you look at the drive chart for the season, including the 1st half against the Jets, the Bills are routinely going 10-11 plays 75 years for their scores. They are mixing the run and the pass and as long as Josh keeps his head, the Bills Offense can score, keep the defense rested, and win. The Bills have actually lead the TofP in all 4 games. Josh in the last 3 games is 72 of 94 for 8 tds and 1 int. He has only rushed 10 times for 70 years in those 3 games. 11 players have caught a pass ytd, with 6 having 12 or more targets.

I think DG believes that Benson could be our version of Brayden Point. This thought hit home after watching Benson play the bumper spot on the PP where Point plays for TB. The Sabres PP got a little stale last season and having someone who can distribute and shoot in the bumper spot can really make the PP even more dynamic.