GASabresIUFAN

Quick thoughts: Greenway looking much more comfortable here. Mitts is our Minnesota Army Knife. Looks like he’ll do whatever DG asks. He is clearly one of best passers and playmakers on this team. Casey one point from 50 and only skater to play in every game. Tuch just loves being a Sabre. He really elevated today with TNT out. Skinner is a better player today then when he got here. Takes so much more joy when playing now. UPL made some great plays, but also some that leave you scratching your head. Milestone watch Tnt 1g from 45 and 1 pt from 90 Skinner 2 goals from 35 and 2 points from 75. Now 10 pts past his previous career high. Tuch’s hattie gave him 35 and he’s 2 pts from 75. Previous highs were 20 goals and 52 pts. Dahlin 3 pts from 70. Cozens 2 goals from 30 and 3 pts from 65 VO still needs 4 for 30. Quinn 1 goal from 15 and 4 pts from 40.

I’m not saying Östlund isn’t good. In fact, it’s the opposite, but you have to give to get. TNT was Stl’s 3rd best prospect at the time and that’s how I view Östlund. Unlike Stl, we don’t need a top 2 center, but we need a top 4 D or a goaltender. Getting a top 4 D, unless signing a UFA will cost a first or a someone like Östlund.

The timeline even to become a Cup Contender is now. A team with one of the top 3-4 offenses in the sports with a top line of players squarely in their primes should be a contender now. In 3 years Thompson, the youngest member of the top line will be 28, Skinner 33, and Tuch 29. What the heck is KA waiting for? The team’s needs are not that great and can be fixed with 3 or so smart acquisitions. One goaltender who can play 50 games, one veteran D who can play with Power and 1 or 2 depth forwards to give us a true physical 4th line. At some point this GM is going to have to step up and take a risk and force this team to take the next step. This doesn’t mean giving up the next 3 years worth of top draft picks or dumping every top prospect in the system, but moving a few assets, such as Rosen, or Östlund, and/or a few draft picks to fix these holes is honestly a necessity at this point if KA is truly going to address the top issues with this team. Band-aids like Comrie and Lyubushkin won’t cut it any longer.

Doesn’t half the NBA also make it?

At least we aren’t the NY Jets, who now hold the longest streak of missing the playoffs. The Sacramento Kings held the record, but just clinched an NBA playoff spot. The Jets last appeared in the playoffs in 2010. Sabres last made the playoffs in 2011.

It also requires a coaching staff that can teach defense, defensemen who can play defense and goaltenders who can stop a puck at least 90% of the time. Based on the current team, we don’t have the goalies, enough D who can play D or possibly the right coaching staff. These issues have now been evident for 2 plus seasons and have yet to be properly addressed by the GM. I know the KA/STH meeting gave @Taro T and others hope that KA is serious about winning next season, I’m not sure that true. Continually saying the time line is 3-5 years from now after 3 years of his tenure doesn’t bode well.

Two of their top players were Recchi (then 38) and Sergei Gonchar (then 32). Frankly KA is wrong to cross guys like Orlov (32) off his list. Unlike Z, Anderson and KO, Orlov is an actual Cup winner with tons of playoff experience. The Hawks brought in Soupy and then Hossa.

Winning still isn’t the priority. The playoffs are “a goal” not the goal. I interpret that to mean the winning is still not the priority but an aside that would be nice if it happened. That means he won’t do what is necessary to fix the roster holes, but hopes to fill them again with more band-aids like Comrie and Lyubuskin and hope for the best. Frankly it’s discouraging, because last year’s band-aids did nothing to elevate the defense or goaltending. Both areas are weaker this season than last year and that is truly saying something.

And that’s the problem with KA. He seems to think you can’t do both.

Or Putin could send them to the front. To bad no one had the guts to ask Adams why he has mismanaged the goaltending so badly and what affirmative steps he planned to take to fix it. Someone should have also asked when does winning the priority?

Yep. Instead we got Stillman and no help in goal, but kept a draft picks that won’t see the lineup for 2-3 years if we are lucky.

This is disappointing as it seems to eliminate someone like Orlov. They seem to believe in vets like Anderson and KO but for reasons unknown won’t get a veteran leader for the defense. I hope this does mean that players still in their prime are still on the table, guys like Saros or Demko who are 27.

https://theathletic.com/4357938/2023/03/29/buffalo-sabres-2023-24-roster-contracts-offseason/ The Athletics view of where each player stands for next year Core under contract - TNT, Skinner, Tuch, Cozens, Samuelsson Core needing an extension - Power and Dahlin Potential Core Players - Quinn, JJP and Krebs. Not sure I agree on Krebs. The author thinks Krebs is emerging as our No 3 center. Part of the Plan for at least next season - Mitts, Greenway, Joki and Lyubushkin. I say Stillman is as well as a worst the 7th D. The author thinks both Joki and Mitts will be available if the right trade offer was made. He thinks Joki on the 3rd pair would help Joki succeed and thinks Mitts adds value as a 3rd line winger. Under Contract with things to prove - Bryson , Stillman, Comrie, UPL, and VO - He thinks UPL returns and VO is gone. I think all should go, except I realize management acquired him for depth next year as well. I think there is a high likelihood that UPL is included in any deal for a quality goaltender. RFAs - Clague and Jost - He says no to Clague and yes to Jost, but not sure of Jost’s role next season. UFAs - KO, Z, Anderson and Vinnie - Vinnie is gone. Anderson to retire. KO decides if he’ll be back and Z may hit the market. I say time to move on from all 4. Potential rookies - Levi, Kulich, Rousek, Rosen and Savoie. What about Johnson? Agrees Rosen and Levi need to be in the AHL. Thinks Kulich and Savoie could compete for NHL jobs and Rousek had a legit shot at earning one next year. I agree, except I think Rousek will make the team.

https://theathletic.com/4348003/2023/03/28/nhl-most-underrated-defensemen/ Samuelsson makes this list and the guys on this list are the type of guys we need more of not less. With Power and Dahlin, we need one more Samuelsson type to balance the top pairs. If KA can do that we’ll take a mediocre D group and turn it into a very good one. “Mattias Samuelsson, Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are an elite offensive team, ranking third in the league behind Edmonton and Bostonwith 3.57 goals per game. They’ve faded from the playoff race because they lack quality defensive players. That’s put a spotlight on the importance of Mattias Samuelsson, their go-to rugged defensive defensemen, who’s been in and out of the lineup because of injuries. Buffalo has a 28-16-4 record when Samuelsson’s played and a dismal 7-15-2 record when he’s been hurt. Samuelsson is 6-4, 231 pounds and plays a throwback style with his physical nature. He’s also mobile which combined with his long reach and excellent stickwork makes him an excellent one-on-one defender. Watch how he effortlessly eliminates a Brayden Point rush. Here’s another example of a brilliant defensive stop against a puck carrier with speed. Samuelsson, 23, is going to be a crucial piece for the Sabres as a caddy for either Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power.”

That isn't exactly saying much.

This game encapsulates the Sabres' season. Winning in the 3rd but can't hold the lead. Winning in the shootout, but can't get the big save. Just coming up a little short.

Lame Casey

Like I said Quinn

Lame attempts

Quinn with the winner?

Anyone bet on Stillman, Rousek and JJP as your goal scorers so far tonight?

Milestone watch Tage (out?) needs 1 goal for 45 and 1 pts for 90. He needs 11 pts for 100 Tuch needs 2 pts for 70 Dahlin needs 1 goal for 15 and 5 pts for 70 Cozens needs 2 goals for 30 and 4 pts for 65 Mitts needs 7 pts for 50 and 3 goals to reach a new career high in goals. VO needs 4 goals for 30 Quinn needs 1 goal for 15 and 6 pts for 40 JJP needs 1 goal for 10 and 1 pt for 30 Power needs 2 pts for 30. TNT, Mitts, Tuch, Dahlin, Skinner and Cozens have all had their career highs in points this season and TNT, Cozens, Tuch, Dahlin and VO all have had career highs in goals.

All good points. Even by AHL standards he is having a very good but not great season as an 18 year old. https://www.quanthockey.com/ahl/en/player-age/18-year-old-ahl-players.html. Kulich is 2nd all-time so far in total points for an 18 year old, but his pts per game played of .727 are significantly behind Pastrank’s 1.12. Perfetti and M Nylander all had better pts/gp than Kulich as 18 year olds in the A. I think Perfetti is a pretty good proxy for Kulich. Cole has 30 pts in 51 NHL games this year at 20. Leave Kulich in the A another year and see how he grows.

Can the Amerks still make the playoffs?

I think he's already given them that speech. They have played so much looser the last 2 games.