GASabresIUFAN

What? Isn't he a center for Columbus? I doubt Leinonen every becomes a full time NHL goalie.

Yep.

From the Athletic today. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6237558/2025/03/27/sabres-kulich-bernard-docker-penguins/ “2. Jacob Bernard-Docker looks hungry Bernard-Docker wasn’t the main attraction in the Sabres’ trade-deadline deal with the Ottawa Senators, but he’s making a strong early impression. He had two assists against the Jets and then a goal against the Senators, but he shrugged off the point production and said his main focus is being hard to play against. He showed that against the Penguins on Thursday, blocking two shots and crushing Connor Dewar with a huge hit that sparked a fight. He didn’t win the fight, but Bernard-Docker opened Ruff’s eyes. “He showed he was hungry every shift,” Ruff said. “I really liked his game. I liked the fact that he ate a couple of pucks for us. A couple of big blocks, a heck of a hit. A good hit before the fight. His intensity around the puck has been real good. He is hungry. He’s pushing guys to say, ‘I want to be part of this. I’ve got my opportunity and I want to prove I can stay in the lineup.’” It’s too early to say that Bernard-Docker will be a fixture in Buffalo’s lineup next season. But he’s provided a spark and looks like he has something to prove. That’s an attitude the Sabres could use more of.”

Every time I see a post about this prospect I think about the old Sabre Jacques Richard. It would be great if this kid could erase the prior Richard from my memory. Seriously how does a guy put up 24 goals over three seasons in Buffalo score 52 in a season with Quebec a few years later?

Need to get Strbak signed.

He has a Tallinder type skill set. The question is can he bring that level of consistency. Ottawa didn't think so now which is why they traded him to us, but they clear saw something in him they likely in order to draft him in the 1st round. Granted most talking heads didn't think he was that level of player, but there is a good base skill set. What's interesting is JBD has a very similar resume in college and the minors as Ryan Johnson. They are also about the same size. JBD is just a year older and an RHD vs a LHD.

The Sens over drafted JBD with the 26th pick in the 2018 draft. Most rankings had him as a 2nd or 3rd rd pick out of the AJHL. He then spent 3 years in college. Here are some comments about him from the 2018 draft. https://thehockeywriters.com/jacob-bernard-docker-2018-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/ They thought he had 2nd line potential. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/342438/2018/05/21/pronmans-2018-nhl-draft-board/ I think the bolded is what we are seeing so far from Bernard-Docker in a very limited sample size. https://senshot.com/ottawa-s-problem-with-jacob-bernard-docker-is-buffalo-s-problem-now-01jpe4seg1jt Apparently, this Ottawa fan site was happy to see JBD move on. One thing the author fails to mention is that JBD blocked 156 shots his one full NHL season and was willing to play physically when necessary. I don't know if he has 2nd pair potential, but he looks to be playing a simple game, can skate and is willing to hit and block shots. I'm curious to see what he can do.

With a win tonight, the Sabres improve to being the 6th worst team in the NHL up from 4th. Heroic run to picking 8th again on its way.

I want to watch this video, but I'm afraid, very afraid at the same time.

I grew up on Santora's and Bocce. What is the best pizza in Buffalo now?

No. Just lots of backup goalies.

Apparently subtracting Cozens was more important than adding Norris.

No

Win a friggin puck battle

Statistical evidence why we need to overhaul the defense.

Awful giveaway

Yep.

As of right now, these 9 players are the most likely scenario. I know Ruff has moved TNT back to wing since returning from injury, but I like him at center. I think the lineup flows better with him there. I don't think a Norris/TNT combo is a good fit. JJP TNT ???? ???? Norris Tuch ???? McLeod Greenway After those pairs, I'd like to see how well Benson, Kulich and Zucker work with each center before slotting them.

If you read my prior post; 3 years 4.75.

Last I looked Norris and TNT are ahead of him on the center depth chart. Before this season he hadn't had over 30 points in a season. Until he proves this season isn't an aberration, he's a 3C.

McLeod’s shooting % in Edm was 11.9%. He is shooting 22% this season and only has 17 goals. To pay up for a career shooting year is Cozens all over again. Someone brought up Casey’s deal. His was based on two consecutive 55+ seasons. McLeod has never had over 30 points in an NHL season prior to this season. Again paying up for a career year would be a mistake. He is a solid two way 3C until he proves this season isn’t an aberration. 3 years at 4.75 max.

Given who they have re-signed and Adams statements, I don’t think any new top 6 forwards are in the cards. Norris, Tuch, TNT and now JJP are core top 6 forwards. They just re-signed Zucker and Greenway. The McLeod acquisition was a big move from this season and has worked. He’ll be re-signed. That’s 7/9 of the top 9 forwards next season. The remaining slots are going to 2 of Benson, Kulich or Quinn. Benson and Kulich are our top young forwards not named Peterka and both play the right way. Management is likely counting on a big jump in production from both next season and their ELC’s help stay cap compliant. As much as I’d like to see a top 6 playmaker added to this group, I don’t see it in the cards at this point. I do agree on two top 4 veteran D. I’ve only been asking for them for 3 years. Getting back on topic for a minute, I’ve been debating a 3 yr deal vs a 7 yr deal. The more I think about it, maybe a 5 yr 6.5 per season contract would work for both. This would give JJP another FA contract before turning 29, while giving the Sabres a core piece for most of his prime.

I did. I felt Cozens should have traded over the summer and I criticized the contract the day it was signed because of the shooting %.

This is precisely my point. The run it back option would be a mistake. However to create flexibility, some current Sabres with high or potentially high cap hits need to go. The Samuelsson buy out is probably the easiest decision, but after who do you move to free up money to fix the roster issues? Do you trade Byram or Power or try to keep both? Is your most productive young forward on the block (JJP) or do you move Quinn, a recent top 10 pick or do you trade the 3c who you traded Savoie for? If I was the GM, I wouldn’t mess too much with the forwards. We need to re-sign JJP and McLeod. Guys like Lafferty or Krebs would be on my chopping block in favor of playing Kozak. My changes start with the defense. Moving on from Clifton, Power (or Byram) and Samuelsson creates potentially $16 mill in cap space to get veteran stay at home D to replace them.

Which forwards are you punting?