Scottysabres

Some of it I'm sure is coaching, but an overwhelming majority of this game is on ice player decisions.

The Sabres have way to many passengers still. They need to shed the dead weight. On the flip side, the Hurricanes look fast, hard nosed and know how to play defense and transition hockey.

I really like Ferland's game. Just a puck hound, able to join rushes, uses his body fairly well and isn't afraid to mix it up. Ferland and Faulk (RHD), I am on board with getting them to Buffalo. It never will be. He lacks the foot speed. His best shot is an Andreychuck light type career.

I think he does. He'd be worth every bit of 8.5 to 9 for 8 years. I don't see his skating slowing down for the next 6. He's just a pure sniper, you have to keep him. My concern isn't re-signing Skinner, it's building a line 2 comparable to keeping up with the Jones's (Toronto, Tampa, Boston) for the next 8 yrs without sacrificing defense.

And the Legend of Skinner Grows........................…. poetic justice

I would say puck luck, but these guys need to do what they did during the streak, pump the legs, keep moving in the O zone, don't just carelessly throw it in no mans land.

Me too ?

Skinner reminds me a lot of Rick Martin with his skating (I think Skinner is actually better) and his uncanny knack to pick corners on net. So many games I remember Martin wrist shooting to the upper corner from the left boards. Just a childhood memory that he brings out in me. I was at a Montreal/Sabres game as a kid and Martin just picked his corner............Skinner, so Martin like, to me in any event.

Good call TW, and glad to see you again. I like Ferland's "potential", as a 2 to 3 yr Sabres come the off season when he's a UFA, but I'm not moving any of those 1st's unless the return fits a solid player control scenario for the team.

I am hoping they sign him for the full 8 yrs, after the deadline is it?

Michael Ferland, after a skewed brief education on him with another couple board members, I watched what highlights I could find and what scouting reports on him. What I read over the past couple of days he is definitely a player that interests me. Carolina also has a couple of RD's that interest me.

Pilut looked really good tonight. The Legend of Skinner Grows...……….for how much and how long? Reinharts CF 77% topped all players. Botterill's interview revealed nothing we didn't already know. Beer night ?

I wouldn't necessarily tie the players skills and abilities with their desire to compete. I have to believe the players play to win. I would imagine a combination of factors go in to why they are falling short, skill, chemistry, inexperience at the pro game level are a few examples. I guess the only thing I am looking at is they're falling short collectively, as a group. These aren't the droids we're looking for. Which means getting new droids, by hook or by crook.

While I don't disagree with this, I wonder if the players who have an internal desire to compete feel the same way. I mean, honestly, do they say to themselves, "next years our year"? Something tells me they don't.

I am. And none of those players face the situation Dahilin has entered. A struggling team with no playoff appearance in 6 yrs. I say again, and look it up, none of Housley or Orr walked in on the situation the Sabres are in. Beyond poor examples in my opinion.

I can't agree. The management team and coaching staff have the pulse on what is going on. They made a decision, I trust they made it for a valid reason. And given ROR's comments towards the end of last season, It only further solidifies my support of that decision.

As a fan, I don't have to give him ***** first of all. It's on him to entertain me, not the other way around. I'm the paying customer, not him. Second of all, he is 18 yrs old, I expect the mistakes, but not so often for where he was touted.

I happen to agree Mitts needs AHL time. He's not ready.

our record is far better now. was he a locker room issue? Can't say. What I can say is that we are a better team over all, even if we have streaks like this.

Ullmark played great MODO. It's not the Swede's. They are doing what they are asked to do. It's the forward ranks......specifically the lack of center depth and the coaching.....

2 things I took away from this one. 1. Dahlin IS NOT a BIG GAME player, not yet. 2. The forward ranks are so *****......

Risto cares!!!!!!!

wow, a penalty...…..wholly molly call a cop......the sabres actually have apprehension.....

Agreed. But he is 18.

Exactly.