PerreaultForever

This is basically true, and I think this is definitely their plan. I think however, as I've said on numerous occasions, that it is flawed and slower than it needs to be. I'm really really hoping they fill holes next year immediately and not just wait for Levi and Kulich and..... etc. cause if they keep JUST staying in house this plan will take so damn long it may start to fall apart before it's ever reaching it's ultimate goal.

They certainly had talented teams in that era, but I'd say the fundamental flaw was those teams were not tough enough and not good enough on the lines. Bruce Smith was an incredible talent, but he needed more support for that line to be truly dominant and win it all. The Dallas O line was the big difference in those ones.

I'm just glad I'm not a Bills fan. They're reasonably good now but losing in both sports would be tough to take. idk how you guys managed to handle the 4 superbowl losses. I think it's probably even harder to be a Bills fan than Sabres. They were so close once upon a time. The expectations for the Sabres are much lower at the moment.

Maybe, but the right left thing is also maybe overrated. Dahlin with Samuelsson makes the right/left balance adequate for now. Ultimately I'd like a right handed Samuelsson type (or tougher still) but really, we just need more D prospects period.

My hope was this guy could turn into a new Mike Ramsey for us but even if he's just a reliable 5/6 he's a valuable signing. The prospect pool is weak on D and we need every one we can get.

let me think (and I will probably forget something) but I was wrong about: - Quinn and Peterka have not hampered the team as much as I thought they might. They have had ups and downs and bad nights but I did think playing them this much this early would hurt the team substantially and it hasn't. - Cozens. I expected him to eventually be good, but he has leapt forward faster than I expected. I thought next year what this year already is. - UPL. Although still terribly inconsistent (horrible last night against the Leafs) he has had very good games and goaltending has not hurt us as badly as I thought it would. - Krebs, like Cozens, has taken great strides I didn't expect. I did say earlier this year I thought he could be developed into a solid role player, and he is, but I can see him now actually being even better than that. He could become a lesser version of Marchand for us in time. I really like this kid now. - Power has adapted to the NHL faster than expected. I have always believed in him and still do, but I thought he'd struggle more season one. - Skinner hasn't sucked. I still don't like him and hate his contract, but he hasn't been terrible. I still think I'm right though that this season will end up a missed opportunity and when we miss the playoffs by a few points I will still be able to say I told you so 🙂

I've been saying this for a long time. We are building a team that one day (maybe even next year) will make the playoffs, but we are not building a team that will win in the playoffs.

Well it looks like the "trash" team beat the Caps and moved ahead of us again.

Sure, it is flogging the same horse, but it's not dead, it's simply a fact.

You can analyze this up and down and around all you want but it'll still come down to the 3 holes at the beginning of the season (goalie, RHD, 2 way 3C) still being the glaring holes they are at this point of the season. In the end this team is consistent in finding ways to disappoint. Of course ROR scores his first goal as a Leaf in Buffalo. Of course he gets a hat trick. F'n ROR. Guess he loves his hockey. This team makes me drink too much.

Just beat them. I don't care how, just beat them. We did it last year, no reason we can't do it now.

Oh absolutely. Our D has been a problem for a long time and is only now starting to look half decent(thanks mostly to JBot actually, but also adding Power). I think we need more D prospects in the system but we certainly have some pillars already on the roster. The weakest spot (besides the goalie issue) is obviously 3C though and if we'd drafted Beniers C would be a strength and we'd be going on about how we need another D. If we'd done that, then trading for Chychrun might be even more desirable and/or necessary.

Ya, I think their early success was so good it went to their heads and they keep thinking they just need that one or two shiny new things to take them over the top and they actually get worse each year instead of better.

Beniers has cooled off a lot lately so it's possible that Power could be in the running for the Calder still. Having said that, the league generally favours scoring forwards in this thing. I don't regret drafting him over Beniers either. They BOTH will be NHL stars, just different.

I'm not sure if the Isles coming back to beat the Pens was good or bad for us but at least there was no OT where they each get a point. Just win and don't worry about what they do.

I'm laughing "at" more than "with". I don't know what to make of it, but Jack Edwards, jackass that he is, said the Sabres are the team to watch out for in the wildcard race during the Islander game. Make of that what you will or want to.

Not an overly impressive win, but a win is a win. Better yet, all the wildcard competition lost.

Tortorella cracks me up.

The "trash" team is ahead of us now (for the moment) but the islanders lost at least.

I'm not convinced either, but if he is, him (and Acciari) are exactly what that team needed. The D is still iffy and goaltending is weak though so it still might not be enough. No way to argue they aren't a better team now though so who knows what happens. Healthiest team at playoff time will probably win the division.

Exactly. Hockey games in general. Which is why I pretty much watch them all in a delay or recorded mode and I have to stay off my phone not to spoil the outcome. Hence I'm always commenting on them past the time a lot of you have already gone to bed. This is another should win must win game. Can't leave these points behind if you want to have any playoff chance. Islanders lost today and Barzal had some sort of injury and left the game so there is hope, but you absolutely have to beat the tank teams.

Why on earth did Minnesota want to help out the Leafs like this? They're not a tank team and they are getting next to nothing for this deal? Bit shady if you ask me.

Well at least he's not saying he DOESN'T want to be here.

Montgomery will win it because the league loves a redemption story (and he's done a great job). I still think the best coach in the NHL is currently not coaching in the NHL and that's Barry Trotz. I really hope the Leafs, after they bow out early again, do not hire him for next year, as he might actually be able to get them their cup and that would be just about the most annoying thing that could happen in hockey.

Well I agree that Grubauer hasn't been all they hoped he'd be and he has struggled but he's been getting it back lately and might still prove his worth. But yes, their strategy was to prioritize goalie and move out from there, and to surround rookies with veterans, the very opposite of Buffalo's (which is why it's interesting to look at in comparison). I'm curious though as to what moves you think haven't worked out (besides Grubauer)? Also, "drafted low ceiling guys" who is that? Not seeing it. They have only 2 drafts but already have some good prospects and likely rookie of the year. If they've done such a bad job, why are they currently in a playoff spot and why have they beaten us every time they've played us?