Pimlach
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Posts posted by Pimlach
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18 hours ago, spndnchz said:
Benson is pretty much Skinner just younger
He already plays a responsible two way game, which has always been the knock on Skinner.
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19 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:
The fact that Benson was in our top 6 forwards this season is an indictment on the GM and the other players on the roster. As much promise this kid has, at it's a ton, he should not have been in the NHL this season. It was terrible asset management and it didn't make the team better.
He should have been in the CHL completing his 4th year in the CHL and then he could play in the AHL or NHL this coming season on the 1st year of his ELC. Just dumb.
Did the kid show he could play in the NHL? Yes his did, but he was often knocked off the puck and took dumb penalty after dumb penalty. He was not physically ready of the NHL game and it showed all season. I'm not sure he'll be physically ready next season either because he is only 19 and not yet physically mature. Sadly, he won't be eligible to be sent down to the A if he again isn't physically because of his age. Oh well!
I'm sorry, but while I like some of what I saw from Benson this season, Benson's production was 224th among NHL forwards last season. His p/gp of players with 41 or more games last season was 225th (tied with Greenway) at .42 pts p/gp. That was 4th line production. I also think the analytics place him in the top 9 for the Sabres, but considering how bad the offense was this season, that isn't much to write home about.
Do I think Benson has top 6 potential? Yes I do, but in 2025/26 just in time for his next contract.
Cant say you are wrong either, especially the first sentence.
Benson is going to be fine, but Adams gets an F for his off season work.
My opinion on Adams has really dropped since the last off season.
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Okposo might get an apple.
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On 4/23/2024 at 5:35 PM, Flashsabre said:
OK, coach is hired, vibes, accountability talk.
The real work needs to begin.
Step 1: Fill out the staff with quality NHL level coaches
Step 2: Identify what pieces Ruff feels are missing from the lineup. A checking line with some energy and grit is a must. Centre that can win key draws. Sounds like Lindy wants an enforcer type he can move in and out of the lineup.
Step 3: Adams needs to step up and get these pieces. Prospects and draft picks need to be on the table for quality NHL players
You can tell by Adams demeanour today that he knows his ass is over the fire and he better deliver.
Yes. Lindy looks at the little things that add up. Win face-offs and you have the puck more. Have a true shut down line to protect leads. Have an enforcer to prevent your stars from doing that role.
I commented last year on Lindy's Devils. They played us fast and open to start and their skill overwhelmed our at the time bad team defense. They took a 3 goal lead in the first. Then a 4 goal lead in the second. Halfway through the second he had them shut everything down and bottled up the neutral zone. They scored twice more by capitalizing on our inability to pierce their defensive shell.
He basically had them play two styles and they won easily.
Meanwhile Granato was teaching offense and saving defense for the next season. Ruff, and most coaches, start with defensive responsibility as the core of the system. But he knows he has a few guns and some wheels to work with.
The players will have a lot to learn before the season opener. I hope he brings in all new assistants.
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18 hours ago, Night Train said:
Sabres need 5-6 new forwards, IMO. That may come from promoting a couple of the young guys but that still means going out and getting some Vets.
Still, a big issue was the huge production decline form our top 2 lines. I like JJ and Quinn (if he can stay healthy) but can TT, Tuch, Cozens and more wake up ? Is Skinner a buyout ? Trying to blame bottom 6 guys like Jost,Krebs etc. for our issues is beyond silly. Our so called stars let us down.
No doubt players like Thompson and Cozens had bad years. I don't think it will happen again to this same extent, I expect them both to be back.
The bottom six does not contribute enough. They don't bring any of the intangibles you want from lines that score less.
As you said 5 or 6 forwards need to be replaced.
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On 4/20/2024 at 9:08 AM, dudacek said:
What does this mean? How are players held accountable in the summer?
Byram was acquired because the Sabres needed a top 4 defenceman, place high value on his particular skill set, and don’t care as much as Sabrespace does about L/R balance.
I don’t question the fit - 3 very talented D is an asset, not a liability, and it’s not like these guys are the three Brian Campbell clones some seem to perceive them as. There have been plenty of examples over the years.
The better question is whether Byram (and to a lesser extent Power) can be the kind of player their draft status indicates they should be.
I question the money they will tie up for Dahlin, Power, and maybe Byram. Plus Muel is getting paid.
I don't see anyone moving people out, not enough physical presence with the mix we have.
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24 minutes ago, dudacek said:
I gravitate to smart players who don’t quit.
He’s become my favourite player to watch on the team.
Really hope he can improve his shot. It stood out to me as a significant hole in his game.
His performance relative to physical maturity and experience was remarkable, something I’ve never seen before on this team. Housley, Dahlin and Turgeon were much bigger and/or obviously skilled and that’s more or less where the “regulars at 18” list ends. Guys of his size just don’t play in the NHL without hall-of-fame hands and feet, but he doesn’t seem to have either. So that says a lot about his will and hockey sense.
It’s hard to project his ceiling given the lack of comparables.
But it’s obvious the kid just gets hockey.
You said it all in the first sentence - smart and doesn't quit.
No, he doesn't have HoF hands and feet, certainly not impressive size - it is all heart and hockey sense. He reminds me of Marchand and that type of player. Players that that find a way to win and make their team better.
He can top out at 5'11 and 185'ish by 25, which is decent size for a wing. By then he will be a 7 year vet and just reaching his prime.
This guy was a steal at 13.
What really impressed me is he fought through the rookie wall. He played a lot of games at the highest level in the world and he got better by the last 2 months.
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On 4/18/2024 at 1:14 PM, nfreeman said:
Bumpity bump.
My complaint: "Curb Your Enthusiasm" has ended.
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Marchand did everything right on that last shift. And he scored.
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Obvious penalty on a Tavares. Get in the box.
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43 minutes ago, Weave said:
Southern Tier’s bourbons are quite good for a tiny distillery. Have you had any of the 7yr bourbon they released last year? It’s pretty fantastic.
I will be in Buffalo most of the summer and will pick up some. Thanks for the tip.
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6 minutes ago, CallawaySabres said:
This Boston Toronto series is exactly why we really needed to get into the playoffs. The team, as it is currently constructed would be absolutely ragdolled from start to finish. It would actually be embarrassing. The good part about that is that this idiot GM would finally realize how to build a team.
Adams better listen to Lindy.
Adam’s has a chance to learn a lot in his two years with Ruff. He better listen and get him what he needs.
Lindy knows NHL pro personnel MUCH BETTER than anyone in the organization. He probably has a better chance of bringing in NHL players too. They better utilize that.
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Love it. Marchand effects the game once again.
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5 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:
I'd bet that Ottawa is talking to one or both of them as well and they might be more inclined to go there with that team roster more closely aligned with their philosophies. Adams would also not want to get into a bidding war or get used in a negotiation. Sabres aren't exactly in a good position to come out a winner in those.
Yup, I thought about that too.
Gallant may end up in Ottawa, which will give them a big boost.
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7 hours ago, LGR4GM said:
Lindy sounds infinitely better today in this interview with Biron. Make me feel a bit better but that roster surgery is gonna make or break it.
None of the Buffalo media asked about roster improvements and what Lindy thinks they need. I would have ask him that. Ruff knows what they need. But will he say it on Day 1?
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3 hours ago, Pimlach said:
I watch the game with the volume muted and I either stream music or spin vinyl.
I have a nice Bourbon for tonight.
Southern Tier Smoked Bourbon.
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16 hours ago, inkman said:
Mute is your friend. Put on some music you enjoy instead.
I watch the game with the volume muted and I either stream music or spin vinyl.
I have a nice Bourbon for tonight.
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I will be watching the Broons and Leaves tonight.
Go Broons (cant believe I said that)!
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50 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:
Two seasons ago, Ruff had a healthy Dougie and Graves and Severson in late-20s contract years. All the forwards had career years. And the goalies were good. Also a Miles Wood type, if inconsistent on the score sheet, the type of player this roster lacks entirely. This year they were all hurt and the two vet D were replaced by Hughes and Nemec, high upside offense first guys but easy in their own zone.
Amend the roster correctly and Ruff can lead most of this lineup to the playoffs.
One thing of note: Ruff was never able to transform Myers into a #1 defender (by merit). Can he tap into the potential of Power?
Did any coach ever do that?
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1 hour ago, Thorny said:
Have to agree. He makes a great first pass and therefore starts off plays well, but if he could be moved for a guy who’s stand-out skill is ending them, it’s a demonstrably more impactful contribution. Particularly because of our strength at D. If you trust Byram.
And I kind of don’t - so it would have to be a a player with equal upside to Power, just at forward. Probably very unlikely we’ll see that type of deal. Which is fine - Power is going to be very good
ByramDahlinPower
JokerMuel Clifton
Johnson
BrysonStill developing: Novikov
Lines are through the most movable players.
I would keep Power over Byram. Byram will fetch much less in a trade but after listening to Lindy talk about how todays game is played you have to stick with Power. They at least have to see what Lindy can do for him as a player. They will probably keep both Power and Byram and let Lindy evaluate things. The Byram contract will be interesting. Joker is a decent 3rd pair guy that plays 2nd pair on our team, this is a problem. He can be moved.
It is a matter of time before Bryson fades away but he can be 7/8 until then.
I want a bigger and more physical, defense first guy in the top 4 to pair with Power. Not gonna wait for Novikov, go get a guy now and give Novikov time to mature.
Adams will need a complete mindset shift away from "no blockers" and "players that want to be here". We can be a real team now.
Win a lot of games and fill the house and players will want to be here again.
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19 hours ago, dudacek said:
Are these guys who are settled in Buffalo?
I know Tage and Dahlin have settled into homes there as well, but they seem to summer "back home".
Most have seemed to only be Buffalonians in the winter, although I suspect that changes as they grow up.
The players today make so much more money than on the past, they can live were they play and anywhere else that they like.
Once they get married and have kids in school it changes and they tend to have their family in one place. Buffalo is a good place for that. Always was an still is. Just get a winning tradition back and they will love it.
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19 minutes ago, Sabres Fan in NS said:
Echo chamber alert.
I hope it works out for the best, of course. I had to vote that it was a dumb move though. I would have gone with Gallant.
It's been 25 years since 1999. Almost 20 since 2006. Time as taken it's toll on Lindy, as it always does for all of us. He said he is super excited, but it appeared that he was barely awake. Maybe he will be different with the players, but he was always very animated when he ever spoke with any of the press back when.
What toll has time taken? He is smarter and more patient as a coach.. He recently led a very young NJ team way past Buffalo and to their best point season ever.
I am still far more worried about the roster than the HC. Watch the playoffs and you see we need at least 6 players.
Ruff has 2 years. Adam’s better get him a few more players.
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Ruff’s input on the roster is going to be important if Kevyn is going to bring in some help.
Two way hockey and fast and hopefully with a physical presence.
We are going to join the NHL soon
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5 hours ago, JohnC said:
As you point out, regardless who the coach is, the critical issue relates to the composition of the roster. That includes bringing in talent and better balancing the roster so it is not simply a collection of players but the proper construction of a team. It's about getting players slotted into the right roles. In my view, getting the right players to play in the lower lines is more important than addressing the top two lines. It is these lower lines that will determine whether the Sabres become a more rugged and difficult team to play.
The Okposo and Olofsson spots will need to be filled. And most likely players such as Rousek, Jost, Robinson and maybe Girgs and Krebs spots will be open. That means that somewhere in the range of 4-6 positions will need to be addressed. These types of players are available at a reasonable price. It's a question of smartly using your assets to get the right type of support players on to your roster. I'm not looking for blockbuster Jack-like deals; I'm looking for judicious deals that makes this a more competitive team.
They need a center to replace Mitts.
After that, the the middle and bottom 6 must be improved. Lindy wants a face-off guy. He wants someone to put out for key draws, especially in the defensive zone. We also need one tough SOB that can also play hockey and will pound people if need be. We have a middle weight in Clifton that handles some things. Now gimme a heavy weight too. It's not Greenway, Tuch, or anyone else.
Then there is backup goalie. Bring one in and let Levi start in the AHL? If you can swing that insurance then why not.
Zach Benson, the 5'10" 170lb, 18yr old rookie's first season review
in The Aud Club
Posted
what does this mean?