PerreaultForever

We have size and speed and could, if we wanted to, play this sort of hard nosed forechecking game. We do not however, have the fortitude, tenacity and aggressiveness it requires. Except maybe Benson.

Agreed, but the problem is Terry doesn't like that style. He said as much early on. I talk about Dudley but I know full well that isn't a direction TP would ever go in. He just doesn't see it as the right way and thus we get what we get. Zito's been a great GM and they have a solid management structure. I have to think a guy like Shawn Thornton is also loving how they play. It's a culture.

Well that's not exactly what I'm saying. I think TP THINKS he is committed to winning but he's set in his ideas regardless of the evidence to show how flawed it is. People outside Buffalo however see what they do, how they spend, who they hire and don't hire and they don't see it as a real serious commitment to winning. Terry has to turn over the top decisions to a hockey voice like Dudley or this will just continue .

There's a few injuries now and if they are serious Florida might have trouble repeating against a healthy Edmonton squad (or Dallas) but otherwise this is looking like a repeat in the making. Man is that a well oiled machine that plays as a team. ERod clearing the front of the net! I mean talk about small guys not afraid to play big. Orlov on the other hand played like he wants to go on summer vacation.

You hear things now and again that Dudley has had a real influence on how Florida came together. Not an in the spotlight guy now but I think he quietly has a huge impact. Florida certainly plays his style that's for sure.

No he's not. He's destined for the waiver wire.

Just pay Dudley to come home. Full stop.

What you describe is what they do, but I say it's a self fulfilling prophecy. If the team was committed to winning and had a good culture it would be a fine destination same as most places. We don't though. We are not a serious franchise.

Bull. Winnipeg signs players. Nobody is ever going to convince me that Winnipeg is a better spot than Buffalo. I've been to both.

Probably heading to that. Goaltending the x factor for Edmonton so I wouldn't count Dallas out just yet though. They don't really care if it's home or road the way they play.

It's a myth. Players wanted to be here in the good old days. It was a good hockey market. The losing started after Lucic broke the franchise and it's never recovered. Now it's a joke.

I know you're being funny but at the time he thought he could make it a top destination. I wouldn't be surprised if for years he's thought "why don't they want to come here I don't understand?"

Wasn't that the initial Pegula logic though? Didn't they give them the best locker room in the league (at the time)? Created the country club. There's no reason aside from being a loser team for Buffalo to be on the outs. Ontario is right there for all those Canadian players. Living in St. Catherines or Niagara Falls used to be a thing for Sabres players. It should be that way again but players will only want to come is they see that the team is serious about winning. We simply do not look like a team that is trying to win.

K'Andre Miller would interest me but I don't see the Rags wanting Byram. They have a cap squeeze already and by all indicators Byram wants big coin. He thinks he's a top pairing guy and wants top pairing money. If we could figure out a blockbuster for Miller and Cuylle for Byram and ? Quinn, picks ? I'm all in. Maybe we could get Borgen back in the package 🙂 The more viable scenario I see is Byram to a team that has cap room and is in a build. Sees him as a missing piece for their PP etc. so the return is likely picks and prospects but then we flip those or our own for the veteran D man we want. Just for the record, while I don't like Quinn and thus always dangle him in these scenarios I also do it because he's somewhat cost controlled and if you're dealing with a cap strapped team they might take a chance on a cheaper potential goal scorer at the lower cost. A viable gamble from their perspective.

I'm 100% for D upgrades and additions. It's essential and should be top priority. All of those players could go but I caution moving people out before moving people in. We need depth. If Samuelson's bumped to bottom pairing that's great but I'm not moving him or Clifton unless bodies come in. Maybe you can get York out of Philly as someone mentioned. Send them Samuelsson. Not sure that's an upgrade. This is why I want to move Norris for a D man and then we can move a D man out for another D man and change the make up. Adams created a 2C hole by adding Byram and Cozens wasn't up for the job. My fear is that he will just do something similar again. His "hockey trade" philosophy has to go. He needs to be more creative and make multiple transactions. Trade picks and prospects for a D man. Then trade a D man for picks and prospects. Flip those. Whatever. Mix and match. Just get it done, but add depth as well, not a bare bones one injury away from a problem D.

This has been my position for years. I hate the 15 years and want the playoffs for sure but I keep seeing a strategy and plan that will fail if it gets there and I don't want to end 15 years of no playoffs with 10 years of first round exits. Sure, it might be better than not getting in, but after a few years it'll be just as frustrating.

I think Washington has more prospects coming. They have a solid veteran young mix and they did leap the development curve. Getting next level will be harder and some of the vets will age out eventually. Carolina's another team that can never get past this round. Meanwhile Florida, who was supposed to have a weakened D this year actually seems to have a better D and they even have a Carolina waiver guy. They are such a disciplined and well structured team they get the most out of everybody they have. The GM built a good team, but they are also an example of why coaching and leadership really does matter. Everybody on that roster plays bigger and everybody knows they all have each other's back.

I would agree with this except for his Buffalo connection and his inner wish to succeed as a Sabre. I think that gives it a slim chance that he will stay and sign an extension. Slim, but real.

The saddest part of this was Shaw and Peca were there for the taking (among others).

Just move some pieces. Honestly don't care who. I like Benson on this roster and that's about it.

I can't cheer for Florida but man do I like how they play. That was textbook perfect hard nosed hockey. Terry? Are you watching???

Ya I can't disagree with that but it takes will and a GM who will make moves and not just wait for prospects to develop. Adams isn't that guy.

Adams needs to get off his butt too. I'm reading that Ottawa's primary off season concern is getting a top 4 D man so there's competition if one is in fact available. Sitting back and looking for the perfect trade or trying to win that trade isn't going to get it done. Unless of course they are interested in Byram.

You want me to be blatantly honest? No. No I do not see anybody wanting to come here unless maybe they were born in Buffalo and even then. Why would they? If I was a hockey player in the NHL you'd have to offer me a boatload of cash for any bottom feeder team and a perennial loser like Buffalo? Not a chance. Only if I had no other options. I'm just dreaming about type and style and what the team needs. I'm tired of supporting a loser and making/accepting excuses.

Right. Forgot about that. Well, higher or not at all then. I just want moves and progress. Rolling out the same basic thing with Norris and Levi is going to fail.