PerreaultForever

That was it. The quick start maybe went to their heads and they forgot they need to work for 60. Especially against a methodical grinding machine like Calgary. It was their old style creeping back in.

Well it's a good thing UPL is good at shoot outs because they really only played 20 minutes of good hockey today. You'd think that they'd be dominant 3 on 3 but they clearly haven't been practicing that either. Ruff needs to take some time and work through a few more of those. Sloppy game, old habits, and they were struggling against that Calgary grind which has a subtle but substantial physicality to it. Lessons to be learned here. Opposition teams will not let you play the way you want to all the time and they need to know how to adapt. Really not impressed with Malentstyn. He was billed as our new big tough guy and I don't see it. We weren't initiating in the second half of the game, we were responding and a step behind all through the third. They were chasing and basically just being last year's Sabres. I hope it's not a trend. But hey, good teams find ways to win even when they maybe shouldn't, and UPL stood tall to help with that so 2 more points. Ruff has much teaching game video to use from this one as well. It can still be progress.

Not wrong but that sort of thing happens a lot in games. Malentstyn should have picked up that guy down by the goal though and if he does, it's a non issue. Sloppy second period. I guess I jinxed them saying it was a good game earlier.

This is another good hockey game so far.

I think Tokarski's still unsigned.

Well, if the salary cap works to perfection the entire league should be around .500

People might think otherwise, but I have always tried to give an objective assessment of what I see on the ice. It's been pessimistic for years because the product on the ice has been sh..........t . What I am seeing right now is quite different and checks a number of the boxes in my list of things that need to change for success. Lindy knows what it takes. So maybe they are finally buying in to that and listening.

I think this team is finally starting to figure it out. There was some damn good hockey played in that game. Rangers did look a little flat and maybe we caught them napping but also maybe the skating and speed of the Sabres just never let them get going. It was an excellent game by the Sabres. What I noticed most of all is they are finally playing strong positional hockey. A real structure is taking place and they worked as a precision unit rather than a bunch of individuals who for years have just run around and chased the puck and play. When that happens everything else clicks into place and passes are quicker and crisper, the transition is better and the offense isn't just one and done. THEY PLAYED LIKE A TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think maybe the Euro trip really did set them back. They had a short camp and then a Euro holiday and what they really needed (since things are so different to last year) was a serious Ruff boot camp and now with this fairly light stretch they've had more practices and the coaching is getting the message across and they are literally figuring it out (as they like to say on Shorsey). Clifton and Gilbert work well together as a reliable bottom pair. Nothing flashy, just solid NHL hockey. Quinn's pass to Benson was a nice play but he's still the weakest link and I wish we had a veteran forward there to replace him. Not his worst game by any stretch but he gives the puck away a lot. More than anyone else on the team right now. As bad as Skinner was in that regard. If this positional play keeps developing and the effort stays this team could still make some noise. I watched the Bruins game tonight as well and right now the Sabres are playing much better hockey than them and should be able to beat them easily. Should be able to beat Calgary next too. So is this it? Is this real? Is this the beginning of a new era? Or is it another illusion like the Kreuger win streak? It looked real.

Rangers are good so idk. I don't expect a win but I really hope the effort level is there and then you never know.

I basically agree. I think he definitely expected Quinn (and Cozens) to play like top 6 players. I'm sure Adams felt sure he had the makings of a good second line with them plus Zucker maybe and then later Benson. Maybe eventually they still can be, but it looks like they are far from that now. I guess Jokiharju was brought back for that reason but the better move would have been to bring in a better D man or at least a more defensive oriented one to play with the puck movers. New Jersey made those moves instead and are getting the benefits of it. Gilbert was the right idea, but he's just not talented enough to really make a big difference. A better version of him was what was needed.

Adding veterans who can play. What a concept.

This is the burning question but I am encouraged with Lindy sitting 2 actual players who are underperforming and not just a marginal guy. Quinn needs to sit as well but it's a start and hopefully the message starts to get through. I see signs of good things this year. The framework is there. They just have to develop that culture and keep giving consistent effort. They've never had to do it here before so we shall see how they respond.

Scoring's not the issue. I've said many times I don't think we do the whole Rochester thing the right way but that is where they should be learning the accountability, the 2 way hockey, playing the right way, learning all those little details they need to be effective NHL players when they come up. Scoring is what comes naturally to them as star juniors, but then they find that's not so easy in the NHL. If they don't learn all that stuff there, then we have the frustrations you see Lindy dealing with at the NHL level and you just can't afford to lose too many games that wat and still compete.

Barry Trotz saying "if they don't get it going soon we will trigger the rebuild plan" so maybe a decent veteran available there soon.

I guess, but then he should have made a proper decision on Jokiharju in the off season and/or traded Samuelsson to Philly (as I believe they had interest in him) and then signed one of the free agents that were out there along the Gilbert lines. Dillon or one of the other rugged reliable journeymen. Indecision or ineptitude but it costs us and we still have that hole on line 2 since Quinn isn't getting it done. I've also heard there's talk of them moving out Petterson. They talk a lot in Vancouver.

lol, but he's not ready yet either. He's not a solution on that line. Too many fresh green faces and not enough grit imo. Adams needs to bring in a veteran winger. Another Zucker at least. Somebody to guide Cozens and Benson and develop proper line chemistry. Quinn isn't getting it done.

I still think Samuelsson lost his mojo so to speak with the injuries. He's afraid to get hurt so he doesn't block shots the same way and isn't physical. Makes him very ineffective. He has to get over that and start paying the price. He's not skilled enough to be a different guy. Jokiharju I've never thought all that much of and would still like to see him replaced. We have better puck movers than him already so if you are keeping Byram, there's no need for a Jokiharju.

Ya exactly. That's what I was getting at saying now Ruff has to get them to do this consistently. It's the long standing issue of not having a strong culture and a veteran locker room. These guys have never figured it out and they need to now, quickly.

The Ottawa game gives me hope again. But can they bring this on a nightly basis???

I thought Byram played his best game of the year against Ottawa. As such Quinn deserves the #1 worst label now. He still sucks.

It's fine. He needs to play.

So there you go. They show us that they are capable of bringing the effort and playing decent hockey. Ruff just has to figure out how to get them to bring that every night on a consistent basis and not just every now and again. No complaints. That was entertaining hockey. I personally think Gilbert should stay in the line up. At least for a while. Quinn however, still needs to sit. Byram looked better

I think that is maybe true. I've kind of forgotten the details but it sounds true. I just can't imagine Quinn, playing the way he is, not being benched and out of the line up on any other team. I don't see how you can talk about accountability and let him keep playing.

I will just say this here. You do not build a winning franchise by saying things like "this is a development year" . You do it by saying "we want to win now". Winning is all that matters for successful teams.

I don't think it's Pegula deciding everything but I do think he hires yes men who try to please him rather than just doing their job thinking only about hockey and winning. The problem imo is Pegula sitting in all those meetings and having an influence on a constant basis. Like in any corporate environment. Think of it this way (hypothetical). Start of the year Pegula says "I like the look of this team. Fast young guys playing offensive hockey. Love where it's headed. Really like that Jack Quinn. I have high hopes for him. You did a great job drafting him. He will be a star here." Now you're in this meeting later and as a hockey guy you think Quinn is such garbage this year, do you say it with Pegula at the table? Do you dare bring up that the guy you know he liked is garbage? Do you say I might have drafted the wrong guy? No, no you don't. Just one hypothetical possibility but I think that's how a lot of it goes. Owners who don't know anything about the sport (but think they do) and meddle in day to day are always a problem. We were all warned when LaFontaine walked out the door.