FrenchConnection44

I.e., he intimidates precisely zero players on the ice.

Watching the Panthers play the Lightning is a great example of why the Sabres need a lot more grit and toughness. That they just don’t have dudes like that. They need really three or four guys who play with an edge and can be intimidating. A guy like Tkachuk.

Agreed. Just being facetious

Benson is a fan favorite and really smart player with great instincts. I don’t see the comp to O’Reilly who is bigger and stronger. He can hang in front of the net. Nor the comp to Marchand who is much more physical and tougher. And has a real edge to his game with dirty play. He’s mean. And an agitator not afraid to rough it up. Marchand also probably really goes only 5’7 and still around 180. Dude is a small bowling ball. The challenges for Benson are multiple: he doesn’t skate really fast; he doesn’t have a powerful shot; doesn’t have really strong hands or handle or ability to rocket passes; and he doesn’t really have size or strength or power for the corners, or the mean / angry streak to match up. He’s got great hockey sense. Tricky good defensive stick skills (except for a shot and strong hands). Now, if he gained 10-15 pounds of muscle, developed his shot and stronger passing, improved his skating speed, or became more physical in the corners he could really become a very good player. But he has a lot of work to do to become a significant player imo. He’s a kid in a man’s game right now and it may take 3 more years and some adversity to get there. The fact is, most of our players play like Junior or college kids. Benson is the poster boy. They don’t play like men. Two or three of those on a team are fine. But it takes men to win in the NHL.

Eklund has to be the obvious pick, right? 5’11, 161. He’s the perfect finesse player to go with the other 18 finesse skaters on the team and the 15 finesse prospects we have in the system. No brainer. Especially if we want to hit 15 straight years.

Because the league prohibits that through the CBA. It is how it is in every team sport. Team facilities are open for players to train and trainers are allowed to interact with players at the player’s request during regular hours. But they cannot even make appointments with players and no team staff are allowed to contact and work with players during the off season except for the league specified conditioning camp and training camp.

Once again, the late season run was fools gold. And all it did was to likely take them out of getting a top 4 player who might have helped them next year. How ridiculous. 🤦‍♂️ Adams is so bad but he’s not likely to go anywhere. 🤦‍♂️ And a player we needed to package in a trade, Power, is injured and likely to rehab all offseason. 🤦‍♂️ Of course, we did keep Bryson in the fold I will never understand that move. I doubt he’d be on an NHL roster if it weren’t for Adams’ genius. Fairburn: “Bryson signed a one-year extension March 20. Since then, he has played five games and been scratched 10 times. The Sabres are 0-5 when he plays and have been outscored 7-0 when he’s on the ice at five-on-five. His on-ice goals-against average during that stretch is 6.42, according to Natural Stat Trick. That contract is a head-scratcher when roster spots will be at a premium this summer and the defense is in need of a clear upgrade.”

Just on here to post about that. I just don't think you can take much from a team that was all but eliminated and then decided to play freely and went on a run. It's fools gold. That's why I'd have preferred for us to rest some guys with "nagging" injuries, bring up guys from the minors, and hope for a top 4 pick in which we might land a kid who can play next year. If this is largely the same team next year (they need a physical, two-way F, a big D-man who also plays a physical game, and a goalie. Even then that is jsut to get in the playoffs) other than a few minor changes like this last offseason then I don't see it happening.

That is nice. But no offense at all, but that is ultimately utterly meaningless unless it gets us into the playoffs. And in reality that means … continues into next year. And how often has winning when it no longer matters benefitted the team the following year over the past decade plus? Until and unless we get a team that has the ingredients to win consistently all that happens the rest of the year doesn’t mean bleep. IMO. I don’t care about moral victories. Not after 13 years plus of futility.

Interesting that in ESPN’s players to watch in the upcoming NCAA tournament, along with Jake Richard under Sabres control, there were several players who are free agents that are garnering interest from NHL teams. We should be all over some of these guys (first one is Riley Thompson, Ohio St). A big fwd who can play D, and a physical defensive minded 6’6 defender? We probably won’t show any interest 😉

Imo, the key is getting a new GM in who can truly lead the organization and then decide on coaching. Torts would be intriguing given his successes.

Benson is a smart and tricky player with that uncanny knack for being in the right place quite often. Hard to teach those instincts. and still young. But he has to devote himself to get stronger. Physically overall, to add some physicality to his game, to increase his speed, and to develop a quicker and stronger shot (want to see his shot % get into the teens. As it is he just doesn’t yet have a strong shot). If he does he could be a very good NHL player—not just a hopeful one for a future hopeful winning franchise.

Just going to mention him. He was featured in ESPN’s prospects to watch in the NCAA tournament. He’s also not yet under contract. But good to see some promise.

Once again, meaningless wins. How often have we seen this. Only ruining our draft position. Smh. And giving fans hope they can be decent but they will find a way to disappoint once again next year I’m sure lol. (While the Pens position themselves to land a top player of course. And he’ll probably wind up being a star with their luck.) This team has to be the greatest flatter to deceive team in all of sports, bar none. Some sports pub / network put out a yearly award for that. If they did, the Sabres would be multi-year champions over the course of the last decade plus.

Norris already out with injury. 😂 Of course. Anyway, this team still needs a goalie but a strong power forward or two (ideally one who can intimidate and take on bullies), and defensive RHD would be nice. I don’t want to tank but I also want to finish bottom 3-4.