PerreaultForever

Down to the last game. I will laugh if the Habs miss because of that Chicago game. Chances are they see an AHL roster last game though.

@thewookie1 can throw up over that all he wants to, but he needs to keep in mind he's walking into the wind. Now we could talk about the Key Bank issues I read about on twitter and how some people now think the team will be moved............................

Adams says Ruff will be back next year so I guess that means Adams is back. Stupid franchise. That was a horrific and anemic game where they quit on each other. Perfect encapsulation of the season. So now Dahlin will want out, we will trade him and tank for McKenna and then lose the lottery and pick second. That sound about right?

I didn't see this coming already but I just want to say I am already on record as being the first to predict that next season's excuse for missing will be injuries. It's almost certain now.

I would have preferred a look at somebody else but whatever. I can't care about this game in any way and that's the first time ever for a Leaf game as I hate the Leafs. Going to be cheering for Ottawa to upset them.

Given how the current group does seem capable of scoring goals and generating offense (and Benson, Kulich, others should still get even better) Norris is my trade chip for a D man. That's it. If I was GM I would not put my future on an injury prone offensive center when I already have a number of offensive guys in the system. We need D. Big solid D. That's it. Get them. Whatever it takes.

I'd agree with that and I think the 4th line was a bust. Lafferty is nothing and Malentstyn blocks some shots on the PK but really hasn't done much. Definitely not a momentum changer. We need hitters/forecheckers and pests. Just another example of how Adams has failed and why he should already be gone.

No argument BUT bodies have to come in rather than prioritize moving bodies out of we will end up with a complete lack of D like JBot inherited from Murray. So if we move Samuelsson and/or Byram who comes in? That's the question. I would much rather end up with a solid D that Samuelsson has trouble cracking the top 6 than creating more holes on the D that get filled with a Bryson. I still say use Norris as a primary trade chip to get a top 4 D man. After you do that you can look at moving on from Samuelsson etc.

Well sure, but I'm just looking at the state of the roster at the end of the year and offense and center doesn't jump out at me as the big issue that needs priority fixing. Defense and goaltending should be the priority. That can include defensive forwards too but we have to keep more pucks out of the net as the priority.

Sure, 2 top 4 D. Especially if you can replace Samuelsson but I'd be happy with at least 1 good one. Playmaking center? I don't know about that. First off there's the Norris issue. One presumes he can play next year? Maybe. But I don't really need him. Kulich looks like the real deal and a line like Benson Kulich Thompson could get even better and get really good. I actually think we are okay at center and we definitely have enough offense. It's not the weak spot.

Sure. A little harder to get though. Tanner Jeannot is a UFA. I take issue with this. No, no they are not. Greenway is always hurt and he doesn't fight often or particularly well. Malentstyn? Östlund got crunched today and what did he do? Nothing. What has he done all year? Sure he blocks a few shots on the PK and throws a few checks but he's basically a non factor of anything and never drops them. At least not as a Sabre. Tougher D though yes. I agree. Who answered the bell after the Thompson issue? Gilbert. Not a great D man. A 7/8 guy for sure but he could take on a heavyweight. So what did KA do? Tossed him away as a throw in on the Cozens deal. We never value these guys.

Does anyone disagree with the needs being top 4 D man (defensive D man), NHL level goalie, and 4th line tough guy? Same needs as last year incidentally.

Oh my that was a waste of time. Glad I watched it in replay at least. Shorten the time of suffering. So basically here we see most of the playoffs is the same teams, and we can see it's not easy to crack that list, but Montreal and Ottawa did it. Montreal, clearly a better rebuild plan. Lucky or better drafting. A more balanced roster. They could pull a playoff upset. Ottawa? Offensively not better than us. Defensively much better than us. So one would think, in the off season, the GM will try to address that lack of defense. Ya right. Sure they will.

Well I see your point so let's say we're 50/50 on that one. I originally just wanted to post against the "illegal hit" idea some people have (not you). He had enough awareness to avoid the worst of it, but not enough to slow down or avoid it. If Torts was coach that pass from Quinn would get Quinn a long sit down.

So no Stanley Cup for them. First round upset exit 🙂

Tampa going to rest people like Florida did? Talk about a meaningless game.

Oh I like Kulich. Have liked him since we drafted him. Sabres as a whole just have this tendency to skate full out and assume nobody's going to get in their way. They need to learn when to turn it on or off more and how to avoid these things. Pick their moments. It's part of the problem with too many young guys on the same roster. As for Quinn, I would prefer him traded.

Edmonton is a little banged up and just lost Ekholm so it might be LA's turn to win that. Not sure about Avs. Haven't seen them since their deadline deals. Great Raantanen storyline though. Goaltending could shift that one. 7 game toss up.

His speed is deceptive but his stride moves him quickly and he shifts gears quickly hence he fools defenders and gets that step forward on them. Good body positioning too. He coasts sometimes away from the puck though and that might make some people think he's "slow".

Okay. I didn't remember and took his word for it. They all need more on ice awareness.

Stars against Avs in the first round. Talk about sending a good team home early!!!!!! Likely LA Oilers yet again.

Correct, but Kulich needs more awareness too. Too many of these offensive guys get caught up in their own game and have a lack of awareness for where the other team's guys are on the ice. Hit was solid and legal. Marginal, but legal. Sabres could use a few guys that hit like that.

This team is still a bunch of pussies. I don't have a problem with Tuch stepping up, and it shows good leadership, but it shouldn't have to be Tuch. It's quite apparent he cannot fight worth a crap and he's a top offensive player so it should be somebody else. We really need a 4th line tough guy. I guess as a whole they are trying to stand up better but they just look ridiculous with all this gloves on slapping at people. I can bet you other teams see this and laugh at it. Go or don't go but stop this clown crap. Just ridiculous. Again, Benson has good instincts and attitude, but he's a kid and it should be somebody else. And in the other scrum Marchand just pins his arms which I guess was an act of kindness 🙂 Really, this is a joke and they would never hold up in a playoff series. Bennett would end somebody in the first minute and the series would be over. Lastly, just as an aside, back when expansion hit and we lost Ullmark there was a moment we could have had Vanecek for next to nothing but whatever. Not suggesting he changes much but we do need a veteran NHL goalie still. Oh right, I forgot. Kulich has to learn to keep his head up.

I know about Rochester but are there any Sabres prospects doing anything of note elsewhere right now?

That's not the definition I use. I have always considered forechecking as part of the offense. Creating turnovers generates offensive chances. Defense is back checking and defending in your own end. Tuch is not good at that. few Sabres are. A 2 way forward is good in both ends of the rink.