PerreaultForever

Yes, he should have spent time in Rochester I agree. I look at how Detroit has Kasper between DeBrincat and Kane. We should have had something similar with Cozens. Maybe we wouldn't have found as talented pieces but veterans like that for sure. Adding a guy like Zucker helped, but it's too little too late. Power is definitely behind where he should be and he needs a one on one coach and a veteran partner.

Don't be an a-hole. Those guys were top of the list picks. You could also easily argue they developed slower than they should have because of Buffalo and they both peeked after leaving. Reinhart never topped 25 goals in Buffalo. He's been over 30 every year in Florida and had 57 last year. If you think Sabres have a good development program and plan good for you. Keep believing that. I disagree.

I get that. There's no question there are drafting errors. The question however, would be would these players be as good had they been drafted here? Would Power etc. be better if drafted elsewhere? I stand firm on my contention that we as an organization do not develop our picks well. McAvoy had struggles when he entered the league. Bruins paired him with Chara. A veteran mentor. Sabres just throw them out there and expect them to learn on their own. Cozens should have been stuck between 2 veterans but we put him on an all kid line. We have a ridiculous organization.

Does it matter who we draft? He'll just leave and be good somewhere else anyway.

I wanted Dudley like 10 years ago or something. I think he might be a little old for it now but I certainly wouldn't mind him being named as some sort of senior advisor or executive that had the power to hire a new GM etc.

Move on from him absolutely, but get rid of him before we add a competent D core? That's impossible. We tossed Gilbert and Jokiharju away so Bryson is now top 6. We need to add D before we subtract any more no matter how much they suck.

Yes, and everything about the team has been about fast and offensively oriented because that is what Pegula likes and wants. He said as much many years ago. I don't remember the exact quote but he said he likes offensive hockey and there was a belief that the league was moving towards more wide open offense and the Sabres were going to be ahead of others in this direction. That was like 10 years ago or something. As we have seen, the league is faster than ever before, but good defense and physicality is still very much a thing. Pegula however has not changed his view it seems. Because we asked too much of him and wanted him to be all things and he just isn't that guy. Poor development and a failure to recognize what a player is (or isn't). Now, as a defensive defender in a structured system he's pretty decent. You don't go backwards but as he is right now, what he is, he'd actually be the defensive partner we all want for Power. I'm not saying trade for Risto, just pointing out that we do not develop players well and that is a big part of our problem.

Predates him so I think because Pegula. Fast puck moving D was the Housley mantra.

The strength of the organization? The fans. It's a miracle there is still a fanbase at all and as we've seen in snippets they will rally around the team quickly if there are even any signs of life. This franchise is dying, but without this fanbase it would already be dead.

The D is so damn lazy. Just pathetic. I was thinking tonight if Torts was the coach he'd bench all 6 of them. Powerless and Donkey (a new and more appropriate name for Muel) being the worst. I literally laughed out loud when all the rough stuff was happening and the only Sabre standing there doing nothing was Donkey. The D is pathetic. Thanks Kevyn. Thanks Terry. Now I just watch the rest of the season to wait for when Lindy's head actually explodes.

and that's the key right? Pair a puck mover with a physical guy. Don't know why the Sabres can't figure this out.

Here's the conundrum. Beating Detroit helps the Bruins (and Rangers) and hurts our draft pick so......go Sabres?

100% This is something I was talking about already last year. We should NOT be noticing what Benson does as much as we do. Everything is relative. He's not a great passer. His instincts are to shoot and that should be his role.

Bruins lacked speed but now look much faster. Could be a blip. See if it's real or not on Thursday when they play Ottawa. For the stats people here in 2 games, Jokiharju paired with Zadorov: 30:01 minutes of 5v5 ice time 40-20 shot attempts 22-7 scoring chances 7-3 high danger scoring chances 1-0 goals Go figure.

I don't know how to explain this (and nobody here will want to hear it) but somehow the Bruins actually look much better after being sellers at the deadline. Florida game was excellent tonight. Jokiharju and Mittelstadt both solid. I suppose the upside is Adams can point to the success of all these guys who leave as sales pitches on anybody else he wants to get rid of or move.

You sure he didn't do it just because they wanted a guy named Josh?

Bennett's the only difference maker that's out there to my mind, but I doubt he'd even take a Buffalo phone call and we aren't where we need to be for him to make that difference. Marner is just going to be too costly imo. Not worth it. I could see him sign and float. I personally don't see anybody on a losing roster as untouchable but the offers would have to be huge for Dahlin or Thompson. I want Tuch and Peterka but if Peterka's contract ask is ridiculous he's also a trade chip that could get us a different type of player. I personally want to move one of Power or Byram and someone change the make up of the team by bringing in veteran defenders and toughness. A different focus and a better mix. I agree, I doubt Adams is the guy for the job.

No, Thompson's definitely a top line winger now. Both him and Dahlin have reached their maturity level and are elite players. They should remain what they are into their 30's and then decline slowly as players do. The new guy has top line skills. The only thing about him that makes him questionable is the durability. If he stays healthy we have 2/3 of a top line. I doubt he stays healthy though.

They might, but I'm not sure I see Adams making those moves without creating new holes. He seems to believe too strongly in his guys, his picks. So Samuelson might go but what's his value? I'm not sure there's a market for him at his cost. Tuch? Sure, easy to trade but how would that make us better? Peterka is tradeable for sure but again, what's the return and then who is your top 6 scorer to replace him? Clifton's a UFA next year so he will become next year's Jokiharju. I just don't see anything to indicate Adams will move away from his philosophy which is shown in the type of players he drafts.

I think you're actually right about that. I do believe he is a slow thinker and sometimes that leads to on ice indecision. It's possible that in his new environment he gets renewed confidence and plays more instinctively (and is thus better) but thinking not a strength.

Well obviously I used those names as elite guys on top lines who exemplify the TYPE of player best suited to the role. The issue for me is line composition. Roster composition. Complimentary players and guys who make a unit. Not a pile of guys who play the same way. Every team that succeeds sees the need for these guys. This is why a team with high end talent like Edmonton signed Hyman (as an example). Hockey has never changed in any era in this way. You want a great top line you need a sniper, a playmaker and a mucker, all with the speed and level of skill that let's them play together. Bossy-Trottier-Gillies as the perfect example. Team building requires a player mix. Adams has failed in this regard.

The signing of Greenway and Zucker pretty much assured the same roster. There's room and money for a piece or two or a trade to change people but overall I don't see many changes taking place. If you look over the free agents I don't see a game changer that would come here.

I already know I won't get what I want and it's obvious that next year's roster will look pretty much the same as this year's now. We might trade a piece like Peterka or Byram or somebody else but overall it's the same guys and the same poorly constructed roster. Probably UPL Levi in goal. KA gets another year, as does Ruff, but likely both fired before next season is over. In other words, same old same old.

Sure, but what kind of horse is he?

I think he'd lost his love here, yes. This is the thing. All these younger guys know they'll get another chance somewhere else and it's the easiest path away from the losing. Once he had his contract he knew he held all the cards.