FrenchConnection44

Even given the contract situation I might still go with Byram. Straight up, no doubt imo. I wonder if we could get Byram for less than the Power deal or similar? I can’t see a team signing Byram to $8 M per long term. Maybe. 🤷🏼‍♂️ But Power being under contract control for the longer period might also increase his trade value (or not; depending on how teams see him lol) Bill Parcells used to say, “If they don’t bite as pups, they aren’t likely to ever bite.” That may well be Power. Unless he gets with a tough, quality defender/teammate who pushes him to get tough.

This was the Sabres. 😂 Existential Dread Buffalo Sabres When things went poorly for the Sabres in their first 22 games, like when they dropped eight of nine games, the reaction was "here we go again." When things go well for the Sabres, like when they won four of five games heading into Thanksgiving, the reaction was the most guarded optimism imaginable with an impending sense of doom -- which is understandable when every season since the last playoff appearance in 2011 has either been a tease or a tank. Through 22 games, Money Puck gave the Sabres a 7.5% chance of making the playoffs. But Stathletes put their odds at a robust 33.4%. There's no better example of the divergent paths ahead for this Buffalo team. If Tage Thompson continues to dominate, if Mattias Samuelsson and Rasmus Dahlin remain a bedrock duo, if they can squeeze out enough goaltending success ... maybe the drought ends? Or maybe this ends up being the 15th consecutive "wait 'til next year."

100%. Perfectly stated with this organization.

This was about as predictable a win as it gets for the Sabres. I saw the line and told my wife - we will win this game. It’s the Sabres MO for the last half decade. We look horrible for several games and beat a superior team unexpectedly. May win the next 1-2 games or 4 out of 5, and then lose 7 of 8. It’s baked into the culture of the team.

Not just talent and roster construction. Culture. Talent is important but culture is even bigger, imo. You don't have to have a McDavid to win. You can bring in talent to this culture and it loses. You let talent go to a better culture and it wins. That starts with a president / GM who can dictate what that culture will be and build talent geared toward that. You see that in Florida (kind of a revision of the broad street bullies). You've seen it, generally, in Boston, the Avalanche (Sakic is the rare ex star player who makes a good exec but he has developed a solid winning culture for going on 9 years now), and a few other organizations. You see it in the NFL. The Ravens, Steelers, Packers, Eagles, and a few other teams for shorter periods (e.g., Rams, Niners, Bills -- though I think Josh Allen is the real factor) have had long standing cultures and team identities in place. While those teams may have down years, they have an identity. If they get a decent QB they are going to be good. Generally, you know if you are going to play the Steelers or Ravens it's going to be physical. So with the Eagles. And the Packers are going to run an efficient, balanced offense, generally.

The failed culture in Buffalo remains the same. It won't change with an addition here or there or simple coaching change or exchanging a few players. Even the seasonal pattern remains the same as it has been in previous seasons. They lose 3 in a row. They win 4 of 5. They lose 8 of 9. They sit in last place in the Conference (3rd from last in the entire NHL). Owners don't seem to understand that they have to change the entire FO if they want a culture change. And exchange some bad culture players for good culture players. If Pegula doesn't have the energy or knowhow to run the team, then at least hire a reputable President who can then go out and hire a GM & HC. Or at least hire an older, winning hockey mind who can be a consultant and review the team. As it is, as long as this FO stays, the team will suck. He might want to check into hiring someone like a Dean Lombardi to be President. He led the Kings to two Stanley Cups, was fired, and has been a Senior Advisor with the Flyers the past few seasons. Pour out the $$$$ for him or someone akin to that who knows hockey, has experience running an NHL organization, and can restructure the entire front office. When that happens the new Pres, GM, and HC can change an entire culture by determining what kind of team identity you are going to build and staying focused on that from the top down. I just don't see any other way to transform the Sabres than to do this. I think this is true in all team sports. It's pretty much a no brainer for that. But Pegula seems unwilling to do so. One has to wonder if he's so caught up in the Bills Stadium and tied up so much liquidity that he has to resort to short changing the Sabres.

Yeah and Bob Lilly dominated as a 275 lb DT in the 60s. Both Peca and Gare played in different eras. Gare in the 70s and 80s. Peca’s last good season was the early 2000s, a quarter century ago. And Peca was 5’11, 190 range. And Peca had 7 solid seasons then fell off the cliff. Benson is 5’10, 177. His game is often at its best in the corners taking away the puck and making the right play. I do think he gives off Peca vibes. But to really become that, to be able to score better, to be able to hold up, he’s going to have to get bigger and stronger. Ideally, adding 10-12 lbs of muscle, will allow him to play a more physical game, develop a stronger shot, skate faster, and hold up physically. Beyond that you just bragged about Rosen gaining 25 lbs and getting much stronger. Which is, on a lesser level, exactly my point with Benson. But Rosen is still not a physical specimen. Though his style of game is different. Some players who skate exceptional well and fast and have a great shot and passing ability can play smaller for sure, but Benson is not exceptionally fast. He has great instincts and stick play but still needs to get stronger and faster.

Nope

Although it’s hard to avoid the thought that the fact that the Sabres suck may contribute to this, this probably has impacted his play on the ice this year. As such, this a good move until his fiancé gets better. Hopefully and prayerfully. If he’s distracted from a full commitment to hockey (as appears to be the case), then he needs to be at home with her. Wish him all the best.

This is true. That said, his body, as is, is not currently suited to his style of play. If he doesn’t add 10-12 lbs of muscle he’s going to get more injuries and and as they pile up it will be more difficult. He's not a speedster offensive player. He is a smart player with great stick work in the corners. But needs more size and muscle to elevate beyond just decent. He also needs strength to improve his shot. Heck, a lot of players have better backhand shots than his forehand. It’s all about commitment. If he gets close to 190 that is a weight that would be ideal for his style of play. This is a big offseason for him. And a big season as well.

Just what the hell is Quinn doing there? No one there but Keller. Is he worried a 30 foot shot is more dangerous than a free lane to the goal? What is wrong with you dude? 🤦‍♂️

I really hesitate to post this as no team, perhaps in all of sports, has flattered to deceive than the Sabres. Still, we are at the top of the league in terms of lost games to injury, and we are getting a couple of players back. I thought this is a great piece by Fairburn. I really like him. He’s a reasonable dude. I could probably cut and paste for those who can’t access. This summer was a wash for me in terms of following any of my teams. Had a gargantuan move and started a new job as a Chaplain at UAB hospital so I completely missed Dahlin’s fiancé’s heart transplant. He gets a pass on any play through December for me—if she has a full recovery. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6756421/2025/10/28/sabres-josh-doan-zach-benson/?source=user_shared_article

Nice period but we are not good at scoring goals this year. Would be nice to have another quality offensive threat (and good hockey player; eg not another Peterka) to line up with Tage.

I'm a huge Star Trek fan going back to when my older brother got me to watch the original when it was on TV in the 60s. Absolutely LOVE Strange New Worlds. Have watched every episode so far. Love the mixture of lighter, humorous and really artistic episodes. And plenty of omage to the OG.

Yes. And what is Dahlin doing going down to block a shot there (one never taken)? Lyon had the goal and angle covered. Just go after the play and don't take yourself out. That just wasn't very smart. As good as Dahlin is, his defense is often lacking.

Benson is a really smart and pesky player. As it his he just doesn't have any kind of shot. That will remain a weakness because he lacks physical strength unless he really builds himself up (which he could do if he has the right training regimen). Still could add another 8-10 lbs of muscle. And needs to be a bit nastier. Then he could be a really good pro.

One Battle After Another was phenomenal. Great story. Relevant to today’s society. Great writing dialogue. And excellent acting from all the main characters. DiCaprio always great. Penn will surely get a nom for best supporting. Del Toro also really good. I just love his acting. Teyana Taylor was powerful. Anderson is a superb filmmaker. Loved Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood among many others. Both are masterpieces. His short film Cigarettes and Coffee is really good.

Personally, as long as he is getting a reasonable amount of minutes, I prefer him to face the highest level of competition. I think that would give him the most development and the fastest. He appears able to hold his own.

What about Greenway?

The Amerks should dominate. I’d rather see several of these — good or bad — at the NHL level than many of the players we are keeping at that level. Tired of so many of them.

There are numerous unaccounted variables and not apples to apples since different teams and number of games. But just a comp with Doan (who is only 23) to some of our other young forwards. player..games..pts/gm..goals/gm +/-/gm Doan 62 … .45 … .19 … + .06 Quinn 178 … .54 … .21 … - .14 Benson 146 … .39 … .14 … - .03 Krebs 296 … .32 … .19 … - .10 What I liked about Doan in the above video analysis is his two way play. Plus being very young. Some promise there even though Kesselring is the main return

Really liked this breakdown. May have been posted here already but I’m too lazy to go through every page. Based on this— I am happy with what we did in this trade. Gotta convince these guys to stay. Gotta have better coaching. And gotta have better physical training. Which, allegedly, we do now. Let’s hope so. But get our guys in better shape. Add strength and muscle. And endurance. And perhaps we will improve.

I don’t see why we just don’t try to keep him. I’d be fine with a two year arbitration deal. But also try to sign him longer. He’s a very talented offensive player. And we have traded away a lot of offensive fire power. Of course, we need to sell him on the value of staying in Buffalo. But if we can get fortunate and make the playoffs (bit of a stretch) who knows? other than the contract uncertainty I don’t see the value in trading him. And I suspect teams aren’t wanting to give up significant assets and sign him to a big long term deal.

Lol. But he always says he tries to shop elsewhere. Except every time he tries to go to brooksbrothers.com he gets a “page not loading” message because they won’t even let him look there. And Joseph A Bank won’t let him through their doors. If he tries to get in, security escorts him out to his Gremlin.

Fairburn called this largely a salary dump. I wonder if it is to keep Byram and also get a new deal for Tuch? At the same time, what is up with our “billionaire” owner? Is he just pouring so much into the Bills & the stadium that he needs frugality with the Sabres?