JustOneParade

Went to the '03 tournament at Oak Hill. Was planning to hit golf in the AM then an afternoon Bills training camp practice in Pittsford. (The PGA was played in mid-August back then). Had sponsors tickets for the PGA. Hospitality Tent. ☺️ The Bills had to make due without me that day.

I wonder if this optimism that most of us feel about the team is shared by the players themselves. Surely it must. (Insert 'Airplane!' bit here). And assuming so, might it result in the players pushing themselves, and each other where possible, a little harder than they otherwise might during the offseason? Anyone have any first-hand experience with this type of situation?

It feels like once the Sabres get set up in the offensive zone they can be reasonably (above average?) productive. VO being at full strength helps. But .... getting the puck into the zone and set up with the man advantage seems to be quite problematic more often than not. (As opposed to teams easily gaining the zone regularly against the Sabres when on their PP). The data may prove this all to be a mirage.

I am of the opinion that the Sabres are better off right now, and with a brighter future, than they had with Eichel in spite of his obvious talents. It may turn out to be that the neck injury and the subsequent scuffling about its remedy will be the best thing that's happened to the Sabres. Because in the absence of the injury I'm not sure when, or even if, a trade ever would have been made. Trying to build around a $10M/year disenchanted and immature foundational piece was only going to prolong the Sabres misery. Again, JMO.

Lost in this analysis is the question of alternatives for the two goalies. Where are the other NHL opportunities with (1) relatively unfettered path to a starting job or at least significant playing time, and (2) an organization on the upswing? And I'm asking because I don't have a feel for that. Further, if they wait and become FA's, does the CBA keep the pay range for college kids entering the league pretty narrow so that $$$ offered isn't a deciding factor?

Another question for you guys. Based on past statistics, then factoring in the strength of this draft class and the Sabres present scouting/development abilities, is it reasonable to expect 3 of the Sabres' upcoming first four picks to eventually be contributing NHL players? The last of the four would be @ #40 +/- overall I assume? Anyway, too optimistic? Expectations too low?

Not familiar with the rules, but does being $16.5M below the cap put them above the floor?

Fitzy v. Konecney. Please.

If Portillo and the other two college prospects are where they are right now and the Sabres were the team of one year ago I would be seriously concerned. Actually resigned to the fact they would wait it out for FA or be included in a trade. Thankfully, the Sabres are a much different team. Certainly not a lock they'll join the team at some point. But if they don't, its because they had other goals, not because they wanted to avoid the Sabres.

Thank you @GASabresIUFAN and I agree with you about the needs at GT and RHD. I don't feel this is a playoff team without those being addressed. (And FTR, I think a sneaky third thing is a vast improvement in the effectiveness of managing/passing the puck). Playoffs is the next milestone. For the Sabres to become elite, i.e. Presidents Trophy contenders, at the least the present 'young core' likely needs another three years of experience.

Given the number of games and the quality of opponents, is that a sufficient sample size for folks to feel comfortable that the Sabres have turned the corner in a sustainable way? (As opposed to those mirage-like streaks of recent past). I certainly believe it to be so.

Watched the EDM/VGK game. Vegas did not look near as bad as the final score would indicate. LA will need to finish quite strong to hold off Vegas for that third spot, I believe.

My goodness is DG going to have a lot of options available to him to construct lines next year.

@LGR4GM, you follow this stuff more closely than most. Is it a concern that a player that young has too much variability in his remaining development to know what he will become? or is a kid like Bedard simply SO good that you don't worry about what you're going to get?

I wonder if Johnson's outlook about joining the Sabres has brightened any now seeing Dahlin playing on the right side?

Well, if one is going to throw their first post out there, might as well shake up the bushes with it. I have been thinking for a couple weeks now about the very scenario @jsb posed in his last question above. How effective would a line be with Cozens centering OK and Gus? DG hasn't been shy about matching Cozens up against top centers. I would assume OK would be even more effective offensively replacing Eakin at center. And don't call them a 'checking line' even though they would match up (when possible) against the other teams' top lines. That line should provide some secondary scoring also. An enhanced LOG line, if you will. But I suppose that's a topic for a different thread. Separately and more on topic, I plan to watch every Leafs playoff game just to enjoy the misery that will be put upon their fanbase and the Toronto press.