PerreaultForever

Yes, that's the key, not just STP but also the net front. Without the net front you just risk losing possession or a stoppage after an easy save. Then we lose the face off and it's another 20 seconds off the clock or more. We've had the net front problem for ages though. Even Kreuger recognized it and tried to stick his biggest immovable object in there (Risto) and it worked a little, but in general most of our guys are around the goal but not in tight enough for it to matter.

You like a laugh I see. But is it? If it is, why did so many teams add that to their roster. Why did a top team like Tampa spend so much on Jeannot? I guess they enjoy laughing at the teams below them that don't make the playoffs. Now what really is laughable is the notion that Hathaway is a "top pugilist". I'd agree with you if he took on DesLauriers (a guy we discarded and yet there he is, still wrecking havoc around the league) but Hathaway is a mid level fighter at best. If you can't stand up to him, you have ZERO chance come playoff time. ZERO. Imagine what the Sabres might be like at this point if they actually valued toughness, even a little, and still had guys like DesLauriers or Foligno on the roster. Maybe then Cozens would have been in the line up. Not valuing that at all is incomprehensible. Two laughs and one incomprehensible each. I think that makes us even.

Well yes, arbitration is the most likely route. I just kind of see the possible impasse along these lines. Last year if he was mapping out the Sabres over time KA probably thought I have my 1C (Thompson) locked up on a good long term deal so I'm locking up my 2C with similar term (Cozens) and then if he grows into it Mitts can be my 3C and with that thinking he's probably projecting 4-5 million but since, Mitts has been arguably the best center, definitely second best and now the math goes out the window. idk, we will see what happens. It's all guess work at this point. Partly depends on how much Mitts wants to stay a Sabre. Again, just guess work.

We have a different view of how to structure a team but that's okay. I don't see how this constant evolving will get us to the playoffs but it is what it is.

I'm going to disagree with the STP idea. STP only works if the goalie doesn't know where it's coming from, is late to react to quick movement or can't see it. We're just not strong enough in front of the net and we rely on Dahlin too much. Yes, he's the PP QB but you need to vary things or it gets too predictable. We have to use both points and the bumper. Keep the puck moving but drive the net and get those tips and deflections.

Totally agree but I said a long time ago I didn't think there was much value out there for VO and I got the usual scoffs from (some) people claiming we could move him for first rounder cause "who doesn't want a goal scorer". 10-1 he just falls by the wayside at the end of the year and then maybe somebody like the Sharks gives him a cheap contract or PTO. I wish he had real value, but I really don't think he does. Agreed, but it also depends on how you define "playing well". Putting up AHL points is not an indicator of NHL readiness.

Ya, unless he decides to hold out. Sabres get Nylandered. I can see it happening.

That's the problem imo. There's still too much shuffling and movement all over the roster. I think it's well past time they all had clearly defined roles and positions and barring a massive amount of injuries (where you have no choice but to juggle) they need to be slotted in those spots and expected to do those jobs. If they dont' they get replaced. We have, to this point in time, done Cozens a disservice by giving him too many different linemates and sometimes inferior ones. They seem to have gone to great lengths to helps Mitts find his place, but with Cozens it's almost like they expect him to carry whoever they toss out with him.

Depends how you look at it and what parameters you use.

Nice thought, I'd like it to be true, not sure it is.

My impasse comments were just hypothetical "if" comments. We have no way to know on contract discussions but you can speculate for conversation sake. So IF there is an impasse there could be a scenario. Trade for a goalie? Top 4 D? There are possibilities. The real point for me is we have a lot of offensive players in the system and unless we just squander them somebody will get moved somewhere at some point. Assets are assets.

I'm not thinking just of the fight. The injury from the fight is the bigger issue to me but the fight is just a moment to launch the conversation. I have been thinking about his play all season. He doesn't seem to have kept progressing this year and has taken a bit of a step back in his overall play. Now that could be temporary, but I had thought he'd really come into his own this year and that hasn't happened, all fighting aside. Now as to this bold, absolutely correct. While you want those guys unafraid and ready to step up when needed, it's better if you have some bottom end guys to handle that dirty work more often. I, for example, wanted us to sign Hathaway rather than Okposo. I still think a 4th line overhaul is what this team really needs.

Well it's true, since face offs don't matter for the Sabres, they are all wings. So too many wings then. How ever you want to draw it up it's too many similar guys looking for the same spots on the roster. Something has to give. As for needing new deals, that is correct, but if you're a good GM you also have to be projecting forward and you make moves to avoid a moment with too many deals at once. You want your contracts coming on and off the books to be staggered.

I don't pay much attention to playing well in the AHL. If we get to see him play an NHL game I will be able to assess him better. Right now he remains a mystery to me.

Was talking about Mitts but anyone is a trade chip under the right circumstances. Somebody traded Gretzky remember. ANYBODY can be a trade chip. So, specifically to Cozens, what if Mitts stays good or even gets better and Thompson is locked up and is good, Mitts signs a good deal, outplays Cozens, now Cozens is 3C. Then Benson and Savoie both shine and we have too many centers. Sure, convert some to wing but Quinn and Peterka and Kulich etc. maybe we have no room at wing but maybe we still need a D man. You move a center. In that situation it COULD be Cozens. It COULD be anyone.

No, there's no "need" to do it but I still think if you are at an impasse you have to think ahead so you entertain offers and see if there's a deal that makes the team better out there. There's no need to rush but you might get your best offer now rather than waiting until you're up against the wall and other teams know it. If the offers aren't good enough you don't accept them.

Well since I haven't seen him play a single minute of a game I have no idea how "gifted" Savoie even is. Time in the NHL: is fine and that's what the 10 game window is for. Then you decide if they stay or go and that's it. To me the Sabres are monkeying around too much and it can cost the team.

Probably, but not necessarily. If they are far apart on Mitts next contract and they think they have a prospect ready to step in (eg. Benson) I could see them trading Mitts for picks. I think they'd prefer moving him for a player(s) who could contribute now and fill a need but if that's not on the table they'd take the picks in that scenario. Ideally though they will hope to sign him. Mitts keeps playing as well as he has been they might also sign him to top dollars and then move Cozens. A highly marketable player I would think.

This is likely the main issue. Save money. Cap floor last year. Don't burn ELC years. There's a pattern.

maybe respect on the Sabres, but not from other teams. He's a big guy but if the word is he can't fight and isn't that tough he loses respect not gains it. Hathaway's a fighter, but he's not all that. Tkachuk took him out in last year's playoffs. Pronger threw his weight around though. He hit hard and often. Nobody on the Sabres does that.

True. I'm just saying IF this makes him more skittish he might not be all that but it's an IF. I've also not been impressed with his D play as a whole this year so far. He looked promising in this respect when we had him shut down McDavid and such last year but he's played softer and slower this year. It might change, but right now I'd say Mitts has leapt over him in terms of the center depth chart.

A lot of things to like in that game imo. They hung in tough in a tighter checking game and that's something they have to learn to get good at so it's a start. I think they are far too passive on the PK though. They form the box and then with Tage and his reach and everyone else they try to shut everything down with their sticks and the other team gets to move easily around that. I'm not saying they should chase, but they have to pick their moments and up their physicality. When the net drive happens, it's usually unopposed. Carolina didn't forecheck or hit the way I've seen them do in the past. Maybe they save that for playoffs but they are still a tough team to play against and more physical when and where it counts so it was good to see the Sabres fight through that. Peterka one great play, one missed backcheck which is I guess what you expect at his stage of development. I'm not going to critique the OT cause 3 on 3 is stupid no matter what happens. overall solid effort. Probably the game I've liked best from the Sabres this year.

Pronger comparison to Cozens? Come on man. A guy who goes down and is out for several games because of one Hathaway punch is not going to generate any respect or space at all. Quite the contrary.

We can skate with them, but they forecheck really well so it's a big test for the D. I suspect this game will reveal our flaws in that regard but it's winnable if the PP comes through, PK is solid and we strike fast with quick outlet plays and finish our chances.

Until we win, yes, because I have been consistent from day 1 that I think their plan is backwards and I don't see how it can work. If I'm wrong and they start winning consistently and then make the playoffs, great, happy to be wrong. But until that time I will be sticking with the old mantra, YOU BUILD A TEAM FROM THE GOALIE OUT not the top line down. Three "offensively dangerous" lines is the plan, that's clear, but there's no checking line. There's no shut down. The Okposo line isn't it. That's a has been cast off pile of crap. So they want to run and gun and win 6-5 rather than 2-1, that's clear, and it will work when they play the Leafs or some other similar team but it's a flawed idea when the checking gets tight. Pessimism or truth, you can label it what you want but it is what it is. Reality.