GASabresIUFAN

Speaking of Sabres prospects, who do you think has made the biggest improvement this season (I'm excluding Benson and Ryan Johnson from this discussion as they have been Sabres most/all year. Here is my short list. Savoie. Going from 1.5 pts per game to 2 pts per game is pretty impressive. Novikov. Making the jump from the KHL to the AHL and basically being the Amerks' best D (+14) at 20 years old is pretty impressive. I also like the step up in offense with 18 pts in 53 games. Strbak - Looks to be having a very solid rookie campaign at MSU Neuchev - Finally showing his O chops at the AHL, with 26 pts in 46 games, with most of the points coming recently Komarov - 66 pts in 59 games. Up from 39 in 62 last year. Not bad for a 6'3 D taken in the 5th rd who was known primarily for his physical game. https://eprinkside.com/2024/03/07/qmjhl-stock-watch-maxim-masses-strong-february-rebuilding-his-draft-stock Östlund - Made the jump to the SHL and put up solid numbers with 23 pts in 38 games. https://eprinkside.com/2024/03/06/sweden-stock-watch-canucks-prospect-jonathan-lekkerimaki-thriving-with-orebro One other note: I'm honestly a little disappointed with Kulich and Rosen. I thought both would take a bigger step forward this season. I was hoping one or both would put together a JJP or Quinn type AHL season, but it hasn't happened.

Just another feather in KA's cap.

I was being sarcastic.

So, lets see if I understand this. The Sabres jumped out to a good start and a two goal lead, played hard for 2 period, and then folded when they got behind. Coaching is definitely not the problem.

This game will F-up a goaltenders numbers.

To scheduling tee times.

Wow. Talk about a 3rd period collapse.

Not sure where you came up with that number, but Washington is the bottom wild card right now (by points %) and they are on pace for 92 points. We need 93 points and with 71 currently and 24 games to go, our max points is 95 if we win at 12 games. Lose one more and max goes down to 93.

Margin for error is now officially gone. They basically have to win out to have a chance at making the playoffs.

To get to 93 points, the Sabres need to go 10-1-2 or 11-2 the rest of the way. Given the way the Sabres are playing of late, I see 7 games the Sabres should win (WSH (2), Det, CGY, PHI, OTT & NJD). The good news for the Sabres is that Fla and TB may have already clinched playoff spots before we play them the last two games. That still leaves Van tonight, Edm, Tor and Dal. We must find away to go 2-1-1 in these 4 games to have any sort of a chance. It’s going to take an effort like we saw against Sea every night.

Robinson has hands made by Lodge, but he certainly gives an honest effort very shift. What a friggin stupid penalty by Krebs. If your not going to contribute on offense, the least you can do is not take stupid penalties.

Despite my obvious distain for the way KA has managed the team for the last two years, even I will admit he has received good value on his big moves. Mitts for Bryam, whether I agree with the premise of the trade or not, was very good value. Greenway for a 2nd is good value, Jack for a 1st, Tuch and Krebs is reasonable value. The only one we might argue, especially considering his growth as a player since he left, was Reinhart for Levi and a 1st. If Levi becomes the franchise goalie we hope, then even that's good value, but possibly two years two late since we have need a no. 1 goalie for 3 years.

Do you really think Adams won’t re-sign Krebs and anoint him the 3c next season?

Anchoring his own pair after they trade Power, because they won’t pay both Bryam and Power. What is Power worth in trade?

I’ve been thinking about this question and ultimately it’s about bringing in the right vets. Where would the 05-07 teams be without Teppo, Grier, Lydman and Drury? They still have to have tread on the tire. They must fill an important role on the ice and don’t necessarily have to be leaders off the ice. Guys like Drury that change the culture of an organization are few and far between. The Sabres need better center play, better physical play, better D zone coverage, better coaching and better roster construction. Can a few vets fix all that?

Comrie Levi, Levi Comrie? Playoff chase? Let me think? Levi!

Holy small sample size Batman.

Bryan. 😉

It’s not a great win? They have somehow climbed back into the playoff race. I think they’ll have to recall Levi for the last West Coast as he gives us a much better chance of winning over Comrie.

Makes you wonder where this passion was the first 3/4 of the season.

They especially hate the 3 headed goalie monster.

Great win tonight. Personally I think it was Okposo.

The addition of Bryam and the subtraction of KO and EJ have certainly helped the pace of play. Bryan more than anyone else. He plays an attacking style and he is dragging the rest of the roster with him. Mitts wasn’t an issue either way. He excelled last year when the pace of play was higher and he is doing fine with Colo’s up tempo game as well. VO looks better. Makes you wonder if DG gave him the RK doghouse treatment because DG was smart enough to utilize him properly.

Who are they going to bring in to elevate the forward group and where will that person play? 8 of the top 9 are under contract and for unknown reasons DG & KA think Krebs is a good hockey player. They even think Girgensons is a "special" hockey player. When they re-sign Z and Robinson, that leaves exactly one forward spot open in the top 12 for next year. How is running back nearly the entire failing forward group "a meaningful" change? To make meaningful change you need to move on from Skinner and Krebs, find someone like Boone Jenner for the 3rd line center spot and bring in a playmaking wing (such as Zegras) to ignite the offense. That ain't happening. They won't move on from Skinner which means they won't have the money or a willingness to spend the assets to bring in any upgrades into the top 9. It's depressing. Remember their mantra, build from within.

I loved the blow out. It was the best first 40 minutes the team played this season. However, no one can watch that forward group and be happy with their play overall. Tonight Greenway and Benson were excellent. Tuch had a good game. However, these forwards as a group have an incredibly hard time creating offense this season. KA is going to need to invest in a couple of centers, but I don't think he has it in him.