PerreaultForever

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.

Oh no I got that. Not sure who you wanted for Norris from them (Petterson?) but I got the idea. Demko? There's nobody on their D that I'd want. If I'm the Sabres I am however looking at moving Norris to somebody for D and/or goaltending. The only difference there with Hughes and Dahlin is I don't think Hughes will sign long term unless he sees progress first. Dahlin had faith we were already moving in the right direction I'd guess. Or maybe signing and then complaining gives him leverage idk. I could see it either way but in any event it's similar. No instant RHD help. You will be waiting 3 years before any chance of impact. We need a veteran RHD not a draft prospect. We can add a prospect for later, but it's not going to help now.

I doubt that matters. He was best friends with Tkachuk in Ottawa. They don't trade people because of friendships on other teams. The Hughes situation is exactly the same as the Dahlin situation. No more no less. Oh you don't think we have a "Dahlin situation"? Well wait until we lose next year to see. Point being Hughes doesn't want to be part of any rebuild. He wants a commitment to winning now. Just like Dahlin. Hughes traded here? He'd leave after he becomes a free agent and sign in New Jersey.

So can we stop all the talk about how they've figured it out and just wait until next year stuff? That was the same lousy hockey we saw earlier in the year. Still completely useless in front of their own net and they cave under any pressure at all. Zero progress this season. Zero.

Unless Adams is fired (which seems unlikely) I fully expect him to do just that and run a 3 headed monster with UPL Levi and Reimer to start the year. If Levi plays well Reimer might get waived again but that's what Adams will do. It's stupid, but that's Adams.

Maybe Hasek wants to come out of retirement so he can face Ovi in a shoot out?

I'm not going to list specific names cause I don't see the point. None of it's going to happen. But I WANT: 1. all the assistant coaches fired and replaced by Ruff's own choices. 2. I want a real goalie. Don't say it can't be done. Colorado switched both of theirs in mid season. 3. I want defensive D added. Minimum one top 4 guy. Other people do why can't we? 4. I'd like to upgrade Lafferty with more of a feisty gritty and maybe even fighting type guy. That's it. I think that's all it takes but it does take all of that. I see Norris as a huge potential trade chip along with numerous picks and prospects. More than enough assets to do anything you want to do if you have the will to do it. In my dream world I want Adams fired but I can see it's not happening and Pegula would just hire the next loser so it's nightmares instead.

I'm thinking more hairless cat

I've never thought of Tuch as a "defensive forward". Who is calling him a defensive forward and why?