GASabresIUFAN

I watched about 2/3 of the pre-season games as well as DG’s post game interviews and have come away with the following thoughts 1. Benson’s skill level is off the charts. Benson’s body isn’t NHL ready, but come next year he’ll be a Sabre. A 9 game tryout could be in the works. 2. Goaltending - Levi is ready. Comrie was impressive against the NHL Pens, while UPL wasn’t in his start so far. 3. DG really likes Biro and Ryan Johnson. Could Biro steal last forward slot on the Sabres? Johnson is starting in Roch, but he could easily pass Bryson and Clague on the depth chart. 4. Mitts is going to be the 3C when the season starts. DG has played him exclusively at C so far. This relegates Krebs to the 4 and Jost to the press box. This implies at Rousek and Biro are fighting for a top 9 job. Maybe both lose and Benson or Kulich win the slot. 5. Tuch, Clifton and EJ haven’t played yet. Not sure why. 6. I’ve also liked what I’ve seen from Rosen, Kozak, Cederqvist and Novikov. Did I miss anything?

So you think there's a chance?

DG wants to see what they can and cannot do. He knows Bryson’s limitations.

Terrible news for the Bolts, but sadly good news for the Atlantic, Vasi out 8-10 weeks after having back surgery.

Are the Pens playing nearly their entire NHL roster for tonight's game?

No, which is why I said it “reminded” me. I have held this opinion for a while. Krebs’ position with the Sabres is a little tenuous. He needs to really step up this season. Remember you can’t keep everyone and odds favor Kulich, Benson and probably Rosen making the Sabres in a year. Ultimately this is Kreb’s year to prove he is the 3rd line center of the future or Kulich will take the job in a year.

Krebs tonight reminded me why I think he’ll be the first of the KA era forwards voted off the island. I see Skinner, Thompson, Tuch, Cozens, Mitts, JJP, Quinn, Benson and Kulich as our top 9 in 2024/25. I see Greenway on the 4th line with Rosen. I think KA trades Krebs as part of a package to get a backup for Levi, possibly as soon as the deadline. I think he then adds a veteran energy center to replace the leadership lost by moving on from Z and KO.

Tonight's game sadly reinforced 3 things for me. First, I have zero faith in UPL as an NHL goalie. Second, Krebs needs to really step up his play or he will be pushed out of the lineup by Kulich. Third, I still don't like the Power/Joki pairing. Please DG make it stop. Push Joki to the 3rd pair where he belongs.

From your lips to KA’s ears. Is Devan Cooley the 2nd best goalie on the team?

The Sabres were flat the entire game. It was mostly an AHL team. Yes UPL didn’t get much help, but he needs to learn to stop a breakaway.

On the positive front, after listening to the broadcast teams from Wash, Bos and Tor, I feel so much better about Dunleavy and Sabres broadcast team.

Lehner level awful. He has to save al least one of those two breakaways. The skaters screwed up, but that is when the goalie needs to step up.

UPL sucks.

That’s a place to start, but it’s not 2 way play in the NHL. I’ll reserve judgement on his 2 way play until we see him in the NHL. Cozens was known for his two way play and he is struggling with that piece of his game.

I’m surprised Clifton hasn’t played a pre-season game yet.

Based on what? He has played 2 pre-season games against Ahlers, Prospects and a couple of NHLers.

Ultimately that’s the question. Can he make a playoff contending team better this season?

I will add that he has looked more ready than Kulich and Rosen and that is saying something. DG has also given him a prime slot with Thompson and Skinner.

This kid's O talent is off the charts. We knew that when he was drafted. Give him open ice and he'll crave teams up like a Thanksgiving turkey. However, to compete in 5 on 5 battles he'll need to get stronger and he'll also need to work on his two-way game. Honestly, he reminds me of a Reinhart (maybe better) and I mean that as a compliment. I just don't think he's ready for full-time, full-tilt NHL action. The pre-season games so far are against veterans getting in game shape, AHLers, and other prospects. He won't have the time and space to operate once the rosters are all NHLers. The Sabres also don't have to rush him. The current turmoil with his CHL team notwithstanding, the Sabres can allow him to work on his strength and D-game with one more CHL season and then jump to the NHL as we did with Reinhart.

Benson, Rosen & Kulich in the lineup tonight. Benson playing with Thompson, Rosen with with Kozak and Biro and Kulich with Mitts and Nadeau

I just heard from the search party and they tell me Östlund is in Sweden somewhere playing hockey with 2 points in 4 SHL games. That is all.

I know it's way early in the season, but Sunday's game feels like a must win. Win and we have the same record as the fish but own the tiebreaker. Lose and the Bills fall essentially 3 games back of the fish as Miami would be 4-0 to our 2-2 and have the tiebreaker.

Thought shall not turn this thread into a discussion of the former Buffalo resident. We have enough such threads. Please back to the topic; Rosen or Kulich? (or Neither).

Assuming decent health this coming season, I’d argue the Sabres are 9-10 pts better than last year. Even without Quinn (who gave us 14 goals), the Sabres return basically the same roster that finished 3rd in goals. I expect continued growth from JJP, Krebs amd a rebound fro, Greenway. This team should be in the top 5 of scoring in the NHL again this coming season. The defense will also be better. Maybe not lockdown great, but improved at clearing the crease, blocking shots and on the PK. All these things will suppress the shots on goals and the high danger chances. If that improvement leads to even a 1/3 of a goal against per game, that’s 27 fewer goals allowed. Now add Levi. Yes 7 games is a small sample size, but even if he just gives us Anderson (26 games last season) level goaltending over 45 games (.908 save %), that saves another 13/14goals over what Comrie gave us in his 19 games. (Anderson played 26 last year and Comrie 19 - thus 45 games Levi will play). Between the improved D and improved goaltending, that 40 goals shaved off our GA and drops us from 304 allowed to a playoff bound 264.

Maybe KA can recommend someone to take the job.