PerreaultForever

Oh no sir, we are not a playoff contending team even if the goaltending is Ullmark quality (as Doohickie called it). We might be much better than last year but we are in thick with most of the really good competition. Who is dropping out? Boston was the only possible drop with the injuries but they got both Bergeron and Krejci and have Lindholm from day 1, they have one last kick at the can in them. Then there's improved Ottawa, Detroit and maybe even Columbus, just who do you think we are knocking out for a playoff spot? Pittsburgh, Washington and Boston are all on their last legs, but they're all still in it. In a couple years they might all be out and we'll be in with Ottawa and Detroit instead, but it's unlikely that's this season. Might actually be why Adams didn't fix the goaltending and would rather take his time with the kids. We could rise to Tampa level in 5 years or so with that strategy if things go right.

True, and the team is better than last year instantly with the addition of the number one overall pick added. With all the high draft picks there is no question this team should be better. It has to be right? They surely can't have missed on all these picks? The question for me most of all will remain the goaltending until proven otherwise. I just don't believe Comrie is much of an answer to that hole, and it's a very big hole that could sink the season quickly.

I guess it took so long because he was trying for longer term with somebody but he lands on a very good team so he should do okay. So Kadri out E Rod in, bit of a downgrade but such is the fate of championship teams in a salary cap. Good for E Rod.

IF (big IF) there is this shift in focus you predict. I personally doubt we see it this year.

I hope this is true, but there's no clear evidence (yet) that it is the new mantra.

Coincidentally(?) this is the three people who I think should be wearing letters this season.

I am glad to hear this. It's not a hard statistic to achieve maybe but in all seriousness, this is good. What we need.

Pretty much an unknown for me as I don't remember his impact in the few Laugh games I saw and certainly never noticed him before. I think he's a good fit and we certainly needed D but how good he will be I have no idea. My big question for him is he a fairly passive (but maybe responsible) D man or does he have a bit of a snarl (maybe even dirtiness) to his game like some of the Russians do. I'm hoping it's the latter.

It does look like there's more heart on this team then there used to be. I think Krebs qualifies too (although not sure he is good enough to be on the roster, still a maybe imo). Fitz as well, same thing. Lots of the young guys have it, I just hope they do start seeing results so they don't lose it. I do have hope that a new leadership core develops and a competitive team with pride in the jersey develops. Like it used to be oh so long ago now. We heard the "close off the ice" thing before though in the Eichel era. That part I'm not buying in to and is kind of meaningless.

I think what Ottawa is doing is trying to re-energize their fanbase and sell a lot of season tickets. They are spending and pretty much announcing that they (believe they) are a contender and will stay that way. Will be interesting to see if their whole thing works or not.

Getting Scandella wasn't a bad move. We were desperately short of D men at the time (JBot made a mess of that later obviously but when he got here we were lacking to say the least). but he tossed Foligno away like he was a worth nothing goon. We were just going to be "fast" remember, lol. Huge misunderstanding of how it takes heart and soul players to energize a roster. Ah well, all in the past. Let's hope your comment about somebody from Rochester pans out.

The Marcus Foligno trade will annoy me forever. I think we have a few guys who won't be pushed around easily, but I'm just not sure what happens if the truly big guys decide to target a Mitts or Quinn or somebody smaller. Or Maroon runs over our goalie as he is fond of doing from time to time. This team didn't even answer the Kucherov hit so all I can do is hope it'll be different now.

I don't disagree with this but it depends on which era you are looking at in terms of winning or losing. I want a Brad May in the line up far more than a Rob Ray, but I want that Brad May guy. There's no question rough stuff is down and there's less fighting but it still happens. We haven't faced much of that in recent years because we've simply been too horrible for teams to bother with, but if we become a fast skating offensive team as the plan seems to be, some teams will try to answer that by banging us around and intimidating, or trying to. We will have to answer that as a team, like you said, but we will have to see who that will be if anybody. We certainly don't want the Nelson (lack of) response to the Eichel incident. I still think we could use a bigger and tougher 4th line than that sort of cast off assembly we usually throw together. Think of Wilson tossing Panarin around and ponder what the Sabre response would be to something like that? I'd rather have a lesser minutes guy standing up to that than have to have Tage or somebody like that do all the push back. I want Tage on the ice after those guys go to the box.

That was a fun clip to watch, but is there anybody on this current roster who can truly answer the bell? Tage? Cozens? Do we want them fighting? I think not. I'm not sure it matters any more in this league, but if we do get roughed up by some team I do wonder how we will handle it.

Stutzle's age is the differentiating factor, but it's a gamble as well. A big one.

I can't buy into this. No way is he as good defensively. Not even close. Maybe will be, not as of now.

I don't disagree with this, but can you make an argument that Dahlin is as good as McAvoy? I can't.

I think he will give it a gritty effort when called upon but he won't make the starting line up. I personally prefer him to Bryson, but I don't think the Sabres agree.

I don't think so. I mean he might squeeze the Sabres for that number but he doesn't deserve it and it would be an overpay. The current market for top D man has pretty much been set in the 9 million range. McAvoy 9.5, Makar 9, Heiskenen, Werenski, Hamilton, nobody makes 10. Can't see any way to justify a contract higher than McAvoy or Makar.

The Pasternak deal certainly worked out for them. I wonder if he's now looking to make up for a little of that bargain pay as the Bruins haven't re-upped him yet and there is talk out of Boston that they are far apart and he might even walk after this year as a result. idk. Just rumours. The cap assumptions might play out, but who can say? Economy is in an iffy place. Inflation, cost of living, hockey revenues might suffer, you just never know. At the moment the Sabres payroll is super low as we all know and they can certainly afford this contract so we shall see how it plays out.

I didn't really watch Montreal much last year but I know the fans aren't happy with him and there was a lot of media talk in Quebec about it being a bad signing. Some trade talk too as a result. I think his defensive game was really bad and the effort level was questioned, but as you say, it was a horrendous season for them so you can't base anything on one year.

and at the moment, the Suzuki contract looks like a mistake.

Well I was trying to find comparable salaries. Miller's contract is the only current comparable and that was already discussed. I personally find it hard to compare Tage to other players since it was an oddly surprising season for him at a new position. I'm really not sure WHO he compares to if anyone in terms of style and play.

You're ignoring the fact that Skinner has never had more than 63 points. No matter how you look at it, he is grossly overpaid. I think Krueger caused covid, inflation and high gas prices too. It's his fault for everything.

It still comes down to one fundamental point and that is: it's based on ONE season. So, you can believe, as the Sabres obviously do, that he has developed and matured and that was his break out season and he will continue to play similar or perhaps even better hockey. If he does, it's a good contract and may become a great contract for the team . Or you can believe that he had a lucky fluke year and isn't really that good in which case he will be overpaid. It's a possibility. As a fan you won't want to believe in this possibility, but it is a possibility. Or lastly, you can be uncertain of what he will be (which I am) and so you can believe the contract was premature. So as a fan you end up hoping for the first but fearing the second. So I view it as a gamble. The stats can't disprove this as the sample size and body of work isn't large enough.