PerreaultForever

Definitely. I have to assume they've told him his path to success is by using that body more. Or he's read all of us 🙂 but whatever, I think he knows what he needs to do now. I don't really want him fighting though (except when necessary) . What I do want from him is to start finishing his checks. Too many times still he's in on the forecheck and sticks out that long stick but backs away near the boards. He has to start pounding a few D men into them now and again to wear them down and perhaps get a turnover.

Bored. Registered, but still waiting to get vaxxed. Going stir crazy.

1. Not talking about selling off for pennies on the dollar. Talking selling off for good value. This always comes up in these discussions. On the one hand you have the fans saying these guys are worth a lot, but on the other hand they have to be replaced. If they are THAT good, why do we keep losing with them? Hokey trades do not have to be winner or loser, they can be changes that improve both sides. 2. Agree with the changing back and forth idea. Have been saying we need a clear vision, a clear plan, and we need to do everything to stick with that. I'm just hoping the vision is a little different than what I think it might be but we shall see if there even is one.

Hey, he regurgitated Stafford and Vanek not me.

I'd agree with you in part except for one thing. Toronto tanked, got Matthews and the rest is history. Point being, it's never that simple, there is no clear guaranteed path and it takes a lot of correct decisions to build a franchise. No one player, no one thing. You can't just have one good draft or one good trade or one good signing. You need to do it year after year, following a plan, laid out by solid management and good scouting. Now what does "associate" actually mean? Who's in charge of what?

lol Stafford. Letting Briere walk and keeping Vanek was perhaps the biggest mistake this franchise ever made.

He will never be the same.

Hey Go Puck Yourself.

Can't answer that until Eichel is active again. Then we see.

I agree with this. I have noticed that Granato is much more involved as the game unfolds (as a coach should be) rather than Ralph's stick to the game plan regardless of what happens on the ice method. If it was a "method". Line matching for example is much better and somewhat fluid.

Oh I'm not saying Mitts gets the C, but the leadership angle is an interesting question. With Eichel not around maybe the kids are feeling open to assume the kind of roles they might have had at lower levels. With Eichel in the room wearing the C there's maybe a little step back and let the man be the man (on the ice and off). I guess ultimately, despite his obvious huge talent, I'm really wondering if we're not better off building a new team without him.

This pretty much matches the eye test. It's a faster, more offensive, more fun to watch version but it's not really long term winning hockey without well above average goaltending. As much as we can all hate on Hall, him and Eichel on the same PP was what made it great. Olofsson was left unchecked many times with those guys out there. Now we're being pushed out to the perimeter as usual.

idk if Calgary would value him or want him but they gave Sutter a 3 year deal so I have to think if they fail this year (which seems inevitable at this point) he will have a hand in shaping and molding the team to fit his style and image of what he wants them to be. I would assume tough and hard to play against but you never know. I can definitely see the players you list being moved so who knows, but it is a potential destination. What the Sabres can't afford to do is just carry on and let Reinhart's contract come to the UFA year and give him all the leverage. We can't afford to over pay him with Skinner already in that role and he would squeeze us I am sure (who wouldn't?) . So I think you find out how much he will want, decide if you can pay it or want to pay it and if not move on now before it's too late. The more this team relies on players with 3 years or less of pro and adds veteran leadership not currently on the roster, the happier I will be. and I think the more we will win.

Does the west play the south after and the north play the east? I haven't looked up what happens after the divisions. If it's that, Toronto could make it to the final sadly as the East division will beat itself up big time and the winner (my guess Washington) could be in rough shape. otherwise they trounce Toronto, assuming T dot gets past Winnipeg. Likely Tampa, but my long shot is Carolina. They could pull the upset and win it all. I hope they bubble the playoffs again cause if they don't, it has the potential to be a disaster. This pandemic is far from over.

Calgary?

We're not going to agree on this. I don't think it puts the stink of loser on them as you say. They are not totally stupid. They will realize that it's a depleted line up and it's the coaches job to reinforce the idea that this is building for next year. The stink of losing comes from being around guys who are used to losing and accept it. That's our core. Rot spreads.

Ya, that's a false stat. Hit stats are always off as they don't measure the power and physicality of the actual "hit" just the contact.

Eventually, but Miller played well tonight.

lol, except Bjork showed himself to be a Sabre already by failing to finish on the game winning opportunity. 🙂

Well I'm not trading Reinhart and Risto etc and maybe Eichel for just draft picks. I'm talking hockey trades for players with new attitudes and outlooks and skill sets that fit the new vision (assuming there is a new vision).

Well that was fun. For a while it looked like we would fold against the tight checking but there was some bounce back and in the end it was pretty even. I watched the Bruins broadcast to see what they said about the ex Sabres and they really love Lazar already. And why not? Their 4th line much better than ours. I don't think Bruins will do anything this season though. Pasternak seems to have totally lost his mojo and the core looks old. Hall, wasn't spectacular but he definitely looked more engaged and interested than he did in Buffalo. The bastard played us. We are SOOOOOOOOOOOOO SOFT though. Kudos to Tage but that was damn near suicide. I will say it was nice to see us NOT fold against the physicality. They tried to take away our will to live but we played on, even if we were getting pushed around pretty badly. We need to get tougher . Nothing new there. Has Mitts always stood off to the side on the exit? Is he becoming a leader? Intriguing.

Well at least we have a reason to make this game worth watching.

No, I don't think so. The limited success we're having right now is not being driven by the players who you could move out. It's not Reinhart or Risto leading this slight resurgence, it's Mittlestadt and Dahlin. The bottom line for me is the old core was rotten and returning to them as the main focus will lead to the same rot. I'm holding to that view until results prove it wrong. Trading Ullmark wouldn't change any of that.

Yes, they are rare at the deadline I agree but.........Steve Yzerman seems to be able to pull it off so why not us too? Everything I've read leads me to believe Winnipeg was primed for a D man and something creative could have been managed I would think but its a moot point now.

here's your possible Bruins line up: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/boston-bruins/line-combinations/ Hall on 2nd line with Krejci and Smith and on 2nd power play unit at the point. Lazar gets a shot on the 4th line. The bad news for us is McAvoy and Miller back in so that's 2/3 of their D playing again. Still got the rookie goalies though.