GASabresIUFAN

Nice win today and a fine job by the Sabres to bounce back from 0-3 to NHL 500 at 4-4-1. Beating a division rival in regulation is always a good thing and it was nice to see Dahlin playing better and to watch Thompson continue his fine play. It was pretty clear that TNT's line was the best line on the ice for either team. I also liked that despite another significant lull in their play mid-game, they rebounded after the tying goal to retake the lead. The PP remains a huge issue. Despite their 1st PP goal of the year, continued bad decision making with the puck cost the team a shortie and helped get Det back into the game. On the last 2 PPs for the Sabres they recorded a single shot while surrendering 2 shots and a goal. I also noticed that they continue to try to set up TNT for the one timer. I don't know why they expect better results if they are basically running the same failed PP as last season.

I think I now understand the issues with the PP. They just make bad decisions with the puck. I counted 5 before the shortie. They had 3 opportunities to get the puck deep in the zone and didn’t. They actually make better decisions when they just play naturally instead in a half court type offense on the PP.

Yeah a PP goal.

The Sabres are 3-1-1 in their last 5 and their 5 on 5 offense has come alive. Nearly all the offense has come from TNT's line and McLeod's line. Ruff has rewarded McLeod's "3rd" line with additional ice time and has been rewarded for that trust. As of this post our goal leaders are TNT (5), McLeod (4), JJP (4), Tuch (3) and Greenway (2). Our assists leaders are Tuch (6) and Zucker (5). Notice what's missing? How about the entire "2nd" line. This isn't just a Cozens issue. Cozens, Quinn, and Benson have played 21 games between and have generated a stat line of 0g - 3a and a -10. Only injury fill-in Kulich has scored and he has 1g & 0a in 6 games. With Benson now hurt and Quinn likely headed to the pressbox, our former 2nd line is, for at least the next game, Cozens, Kulich and Krebs. Who saw that coming during camp? For this team to compete for a playoff spot, Cozens and Quinn must produce. Asking McLeod, Zucker and Greenway to carry the load of depth scoring is asking to much. Remember, Greenway has never had more than 12 goals in season across 7 NHL seasons and McLeod career high is 12 as well over 3 NHL seasons. Zucker, 32, who has been a solid scorer through his career, has yet to score, but instead seems to be the playmaker for the line (5 assists), despite never really playing that role over 11 seasons. The point being, the McLeod line hot streak is going to end at some point and we need someone else to step up and that has to be Cozens and Co. The question is how does Lindy get the line moving without f-ing up the chemistry of the TNT and McLeod lines? With Krebs on the line, will Lindy finally try Cozens on the RW?

So you are saying he is Drew Stafford.

It may be a decade before we can adequately evaluate this trade. Does McLeod keep up the scoring this season and beyond? Will he be re-signed this off-season and if so how long does he last with the Sabres? When (if?) does Savoie make the NHL? What’s his production? How long does he last with the Oilers? What impact does either guy have on their new teams? The trade perception will also be affected by how our other prospects do relative to Savoie. It may not be fair since we don’t know who Edm asked for or whom Adams refused to part with, but the comparisons will be made; such as why did we keep Kulich and Östlund over Savoie.

While there is some truth in your comment, for many players you kind of know what they are by 22. They may not be fully physically mature, but their games are pretty close to what we should expect. Take Eichel for example. He has yet to top his pt total from age 22 or his goal total from age 23. He is basically a pt a fame player who, if he plays a full season, will score 25-30 and add about 50-60 assists. The problem with Cozens is regression. Injuries are a factor, but also I think his game has slipped. He broke out at 21, regressed last year at 22 from 68 pts to 47 and now at 23 he has 2 pts in 8 games (20 pts pace). This is terrible production from the 2nd line center.

So we are congratulating the PP for not completely sucking for a change but still not scoring. Wow! Last I looked this is a results oriented business. No excuses. For a team that is clearly finding their game 5 on 5 to not score on the PP is a coaching problem.

I’m thrilled with what I’ve seen from McLeod so far. However 7 games does not a season make nor is it adequate to evaluate a trade. So far so good is all we can say and hope it continues all season. I am glad that Lindy is increasing the PT for the “3rd” line as they have earned the PT with their play. Hopefully, their fine play will take the pressure off the Cozens line and allow them to play more relaxed.

Last was probably the best overall game I’ve seen from Krebs as a Sabres. That said, I agree with you that the jury is still out on Krebs and I don’t see the long-term fit.

No. McLeod’s play so far this season has been a huge bonus for the team. The instant chemistry between Greenway Zucker and McLeod has been a huge help to the team so far and has bought time for the failing 2nd line to find their games. If McLeod plays like this all season, the trade will go down as KA’s best trade since the tear down. Of course, McLeod is in a contract year.

He isn’t one of the best D in the league. He’s not even close. I’m not asking him to rip peoples’ heads off. I just need him to use his size to knock people off the puck, clear the crease etc…. Ruff wants this as well. I’m glad he is picking it up offensively, but of he is going to become a top D, he must be better in the D zone (as the Althetic’s Fairburn pointed out today) and be more physical. Truthfully it’s not asking to much of a guy getting paid as a top D to play like one.

A mediocre overpaid defenseman who isn't physical despite his size and is average defensively?

The Good: UPL, Krebs, McLeod The Bad: The 3rd period once Dallas pulled the goalie. The Ugly: The PP, the 2nd line primarily Cozens and Quinn. Serious Dylan, can’t you even hit an open net? Lots of positives in this game, but we serious need new ideas on both special teams. The 6 on 5 play was terrible.

0-22 and counting.

That eliminated most of the Sabres forwards.

Since none of those 3 have been good or even decent so far this season, it’s really telling how bad Dahlin’s been.

0-21 and counting. When will they actually try to fix this mess?

This was UPL best performance of the season. He looked much more comfortable in the crease. 0-4 on PP again. 0-21 for the season. Embarrassing. Showed better resilience after coughing up the lead again. Loved McLeod's effort on the empty net goal. Sabres need to build on this effort, but they need to stop falling asleep as they did for most of the 2nd period. Please note: my attention was divided as I watch Georgia upset No. 1 Texas in Austin 30-15. Also dominating win by the Hoosiers over Nebraska. Hoosiers now 7-0. Crazy!

Besides the last two years where he was a 57 pt guy.

I think Kulich could be a solid NHL center. It is probably too early to put him in as the 2nd line center, but he has the necessary skill set to succeed in the middle. I envision him more as a 3rd line center than 2nd. I see him as a Jochen Hecht type player. I also think Quinn and JJP could play center effectively in the NHL. Both are good with the puck on their sticks (yes, I know Quinn in struggling right now). Disagree on TNT. He is a center, just not a great one. Sadly, KA doesn’t understand that quality center depth is essential to a winning NHL team. If he understood that, Mitts would still be here and he’d have the necessary depth to move Cozens to the wing. I don’t disagree on Krebs, but desperate times..

Peterka. Tuch. We need to station Tage in front of the net. Play Dahlin and Byram on the points, and allow Tuch, JJP and the 2 D to play a quick passing 4 man game with Tage screening the goalies and collecting loose change.

That’s not true. Kulich, McLeod, Krebs and Laferty all play center. I wouldn’t bench Cozens. I’d move him to the wing and let someone else play center. I’d elevate McLeod as a first attempt. However given that the McLeod line is our most effective so far, I can see Lindy being reluctant to make the change. The next options are Krebs or Kulich. Not ideal but worth a shot if it takes some pressure off Cozens.

To bad Reimer isn’t a Sabre any longer.

and you'd trust GM Howdy Doody to make that trade? I wouldn't.