GASabresIUFAN

Ahhh, just think what might have been had KA grabbed Comrie when he was on waivers after helping the Devils beat the Sabres in his one start for the Devils last year.

“Politics?” What’s political about giving a rookie a day off? TB used to sit Victor Hedman periodically his rookie year to give him a night off as he adjusted to the rigors of the NHL and to coach him up while he watched the game. Sort of live action film study. DG said something similar when he sat Quinn the other day. It’s unlikely JJP sits tomorrow. After all you don’t “F” with a streak, but JJP will almost certainly sit at some point, probably sooner then later.

This isn’t going to be a popular opinion but JJP could sit. The forwards playing the least so far are Vinnie, Z, Krebs and JJP. All are playing 12-13 minutes a night. I can see DG giving JJP a game off to get Quinn some PT. We even could get into a rotation of sorts if everyone remains healthy with one of Quinn, JJP, Krebs and Vinnie sitting to keep guys fresh and healthy while still getting consistent PT. Matchups, back to backs and “maintenance days” also playing into the rotation.

Dahlin and Comrie. Call me after game 10 and we’ll see if what we are currently seeing is sustainable.

Getting louder by the goal.

Don’t do it. Eventually a blind squirrel finds an acorn.

Why do I hear a cash register each time he scores?

Funny how that works

Tuch > Eichel for half the cost.

Just finished watching the game. Great 1st 2 periods. Mitts was excellent tonight. I think we can put the BS that Casey isn’t fast to bed. Tuch was fantastic again. Comrie was as well. Dahlin and JJP made their usual contributions. Worst play of the night belongs to the ref. He should be fined about $5 grand for kicking the puck in front of the net. That shouldn’t be allowed. Calgary was lucky we weren’t up 7-1 after 2. 3 point blank shots off the posts and crossbar. This is the type of win the helps a young team gain long-term confidence.

I didn't realize talking about Eichel was still a thing around here. I'm so happy to have Tuch (plus Krebs and Östlund) on this team, I have almost completely forgotten about Eichel

I'm surprised no one has commented on this article

Back in 2018 Pronmam hated this pick. I remember watching him for the USNTDP and seeing him as their Captain and thinking this is exactly the type of player we need on the back end. I was glad we grabbed him then and thrilled with how quickly he has developed into a top D man for us.

https://theathletic.com/3691128/2022/10/20/nhl-redraft-2018/ The Sabres had 6 picks in 2018 headlined by Dahlin, Samuelsson. According to Pronman, Dahlin is the 4th best player in that draft, behind Brady Tkachuk, Svechnikov, and Quinn Hughes. Dahlin looks like he is working toward another level this season. Samuelsson (drafted 32nd) is now 13th on Pronman’s list, but is listed in Tier 5 as a middle of the lineup player. While I don’t have an issue with the ranking per se, Mule is playing top line minutes right now and is a perfect compliment to the free wheeling Dahlin.

I saw the B’s with the sword in the video, but they aren’t really noticeable in the photos at all. Maybe a color on the shoulders would help make them stand out.

My daughter and I were watching the Edm game and we noticed the boards showing Buffalo ads (La Nova pizza specifically), yet that was no interference with the broadcast of the players when they in front of the boards. Amazing tech. I noticed last year the ads on the ice by the blueline and the one on the glass behind the net, but the changing ads on the boards is really crazy. What is also weird is seeing a Buffalo ad on the board during the live broadcast, but then seeing the ad painted on the boards in the highlights or replays.

Much to early to read this trends. Special team usage and late game assignments will play heavily into this especially early into the season. For example Mitts has played 17, 21 and 15 minutes in the 3 games. In game 2 he spent 4 minutes killing penalties. So he is averaging 17:30 a night, but it hasn't exactly been consistent.

…. And? Badly bruised ankle, broken ankle or what?

Pronman’s 2019 re-draft. The Sabres had 6 picks in 2019 and acquired Krebs in the Eichel trade. 5 of 7 made the list and unlike the 2021 re-draft, I doubt we’d quibble much with his list. https://theathletic.com/3690768/2022/10/19/nhl-redraft-2019/ 4. Cozens (pick 7) - Tier 2 - Bubble NHL All-star. I think we’d all agree this is his potential 11. Krebs (pick 17) - Tier 3 - Potential top line player. I think we’d all agree he isn’t close to that level, but is an elite passer with speed. Should get closer to that level with time, experience and physical development 35. Johnson (pick 31) - Tier 5 - Middle of the lineup player. Most of us project him as a 2nd or 3rd pairing stay at home D. 56. Portillo (pick 67) - Tier 6 - Will play in the NHL. He’ll play in the NHL but probably not the Sabres. Likely as a back-up. Cal Petersen 2.0 99. Huglen (pick 102) - Tier 7 - Could play in the NHL. I’d lean more toward Tier 6 given his skillset and development last year, but he is now in a very crowded Sabres forward pipeline. Missing: Cederqvist and Rousek. IMHO Rousek should be on the list. He’ll get a callup at some point this year given his development and the organization’s belief in his game. I see him as Z’s eventual replacement. Cederqvist also has a chance if he translates his improved SHL scoring to the Amerks. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if all 6 for Jbot’s picks from 2019 play at least some NHL games. The closest we’ve come to an entire draft class playing in the NHL was 1979 when 6 of 7 played at least one game. That 79 class was pretty solid and featured Mike Ramsey, Ruff, Cloutier, Hamel and Haworth. Even goalie Rick Knickle managed 14 NHL games for the Kings in the early 1990s. What a story that must have been, kicking around the minors for 14 years waiting to hear your name in the NHL.

How to get into the Calder conversation? Average a pt a game for the season. That should do it.

Lets see where we are after 10 games. In those games we play (or have played) 4 playoff teams from last year (Edm, Cgy, Fla and Pitt), two teams viewed as significantly improved (Ott and Det) and 4 teams we should be able to beat on paper (Chi, Mon, Sea and Van). I think that schedule is a pretty good sample for what we will face this season. If we are say 6-3-1, I think there is reason for optimism for the rest of the season. That said two wins when being outplayed most of the game is not sustainable. On the positive, most of the sustained pressure in our zone in the 3rd of both games came from teams pressing because they were down on the score board. However, in both contests we went into a shell much much to quickly. Honestly this should improve over the course of the season. This is a very young team still learning to win.

A couple of random thoughts 1) Comrie and Anderson through 3 games are giving the Sabres the type of goaltending needed to make and win in the playoffs. That said, it's 3 games with another 79 to go. If they can stay healthy and keep this up, this team will have a legit chance to be very good. 2) However, the 3rd period made it clear and to quote Robert Frost, we have "Miles to go before we sleep," The Sabres don't have anyone close to as talented as McJesus and Draistaitl. We have to win through collective will and rolling 4 lines and they all have to contribute. 3) Nice to see TnT return to form and as I said pregame, I like Asplund, Mitts and VO together and I thought they had a really good game 4) Lyubishkin really stepped up tonight until he got, but Joki's game is still lacking. Dahlin has taken his offense to another level. Now if he can be a fraction better on D, he'll become a mega star. 5) Rookie Watch: JJP is making the most of his limited playing time and is getting better and better each shift. Power was better tonight, but needs to be more assertive. 6) I love Vinnie's energy, but he does seem to turn the puck over to much.

Comrie has been awesome, but we need to get even more aggressive and get some chances.

I think our goal projection for Dahlin may have been low.

Maybe he is the more talented love child of Mike Peca