FrenchConnection44

I think the key for trades, along with what Perraultforever argued - trading them at peak value, will be adding a real NHL caliber, respectable coach (revamping the entire staff and development personnel). That will help. Granato just isn’t going to win here, imo - if ever anywhere. The other challenge is determining which prospects to trade. They have to be great at continually self-scouting the talent they have drafted.

I think he's trying to build a roster that wins and I like a lot of the talent in the pipeline and on the team but it comes down to poor coaching above all, imo. Secondly, poor player development (not just in play but in terms of individual development). They need to put a ton more resources into that. And that is on Pegula and Adams. That said, as I and others (and the video above) have noted (generating ill-tempered criticism) it's generally the same players he keeps drafting or accumulating. Arguably the most consistently physical player is also the most skilled - Dahlin. Cozens tries but the guy has to add strength and muscle weight (about 10 more lbs) as do most of the rest of the club.

Of course. This really points to coaching and team management, development, imo. I know it’s not the be all end all of player evaluation since it’s not nextgen, but just look at the plus minus of those two since leaving Buffalo relative to their time here. Night and Day. Reinhardt is scoring at a significantly higher rate and the Panthers are clearly coached better overall. They have a system that benefits the players and puts them in position to perform overall effective hockey. They are not the best team but in spite of coaching changes they’ve had to make there is something there that keeps winning. The Panthers have some other good forwards in Verhaege, Barkov, et al, and a very good defender in Ekblad, but look at their play the past four years compared to previous years. Ver did not even make an NHL roster until he was 24 in 2019-20. But once he got to FL he’s been exceptional. Barkov has been significantly better these past 3-4 seasons than previously. Everyone seem to want a trade - and they could use a veteran or two (but, then, look at Eric Johnson?) - but I would venture to say that not all but most of the players on this team, if they get into a good system, even just an above average one like FL, would flourish and produce much better hockey than here. Yet, Granato, when asked about every facet of the game, says, “it’s the grind.” “It’s the grind.” What went wrong? “It’s the grind.” What about the power play ineptitude? “Again, it’s the grind.” (Only grudgingly looking at the PP structure after being pushed about it). Yes, part of it is the grind and they need more consistently physical players to grind. I don’t mean by that hitters. But just general physicality; endurance; strength; strong with the puck; strong on every shift; etc. These players need to get stronger and be able to grind 82 games, not 35. But that is also on coaching and overall team management and player development. But along with that these players would be better in a well coached team within a team structure. In fact, I’d argue that if you had the very same team with an excellent coaching staff and player development staff, this exact same team would be performing much better. And would then be in a position to trade for a player who fits and even improve. Do we really want to give away assets for a vet player is likely to go from +15, 20 to - 12, 15 under Granato? A coach who, based on his post game comments, doesn’t want to take personal responsibility for the problem. Until that changes, any needed personnel changes will be a waste of assets. I never want someone to lose their job if they are putting in the work. Not every person is a star. But this isn’t a $50k or even $100k a year job. This is $millions a year job that coaches are making - with guaranteed contracts, unlike every other job in the world, and that comes with a much higher threshold of judgment and accountability.

Merry Christmas! Be blessed one and all

I would care if we lost in the trade. I don’t want to trade anyone if they are better elsewhere and we are worse or the player we get back is worse. If we won the trade and the player(s) we received are more productive and we win, then I don’t care.

If the Sabres W/L record were transformed into a rollercoaster, every Sabres fan would have lost their dinner by now. Some more than once.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! 9 baby!!!!!

Quinn!! Great to see this line of Quinn Cozens Peterka. I think this will help Cozens and revitalize that line. And Skinner as I type! 😂 this is like last year! Totally love it!

That to me is about disciplined coaching. Dahlin was at fault but a really good coach and quality assistants would solve that. Great coaching makes a huge difference in every sport at every level.

Great shot by Thompson. We’ve had 4 really nice shots for goals.

And we give it back. lol. Classic 2023 Sabres.

2 men. Yes!! Great shot! Just about to say we had to score. Dahlin. What a talented player.

I think this is more like what they wanted if all were healthy at the start of the season. But also the addition with Johnson to the team. I like these lines. If we could land a solid two way forward who can score (like an Olafsson who plays an all around game) and sub him in for Okposo with Krebs and Johnson, I’d take that. Really a big need there to upgrade Okposo. In fact, I’d try Jost in Okposo’s spot and see what happens. Our defense there is weak still. Power and Joki have just not stepped up. 3rd line guys have been lousy as well. Of course, coaching is still the issue.

In that case, however, the profit there, especially given that NY and Erie paid for the bulk of the stadium, is going to more than pay for any overruns. The huge increase in luxury boxes will be a massive boon for him. Plus he has the money. Stephen Ross paid for the entire upgrade to the Dolphins’ stadium - $500 million. That, after purchasing the team and stadium, and also building a $135 million practice facility. The Dolphins also built their own 80,000 acre turf facility to supply their own grass which they replace about every 2-3 weeks. This is what good owners do (not that Ross is a ‘good’ owner. He is bungling; but he is also willing to pour his money into the organization). And he is willing to put the money into the organization. Basically, whatever the team needs, he sits there with his checkbook ready. Same with the Dodgers ownership. And many other teams. Where I think Pegula needs to put his money is both in hiring a new coach and in organizational and player development.

Normally. But not in sports. Most teams don’t make a ton of profit and the better owners pay what they can. The money in sports ownership is the profit from the sale of the team (which ironically is usually around 10-12% increase year over year). Otherwise, a good owner spares no expense. Only way to compete in in the sports world against other multi-billionaires.

We are eighth worst in the standings. Which is right in range where we seem to draft every other year or so. Except for the year there is not a generational talent at the top - then we get to draft first.

For sure. And one with a real system on offense and defense. Many of us have been saying this for a while. However, I would go a step further. As young as they are, every last one of these guys 26 and under should have come into camp bigger, stronger, faster, with better puck and shooting skills (quicker and harder shots and more accuracy). All of them. All of them should have been able to improve in those areas. This is what a real developmental program does. Instead, it appears most of these guys took the summer off. Or just maintained where they were. That won’t cut it. They need to form an entire organizational structure for these players. I doubt Pegula would do this - As I doubt he has the intensity and drive to win with the Sabres - but he should.

The enigma strikes again. Big time wins at the Rangers, Bruins, and Knights. One has to wonder if those teams are underestimating us in these games and expect to win? Although Vegas didn’t play poorly. Levi for the win for sure, but those goals were crucial. Levi can be great. I think UPL has shown he is capable of being good enough. It’s just whether he can be mentally strong enough to play consistently when we need him in order to rest Levi. Goalie psychology is such a big factor and it’s hard to know how that will play out.

Yep. And I think the only way is a new coach. But whole staff needs to go. It’s really an embarrassment. Here is the audio about “accountability on every play.” Lundquist is spot on. And every game. Just terrible hockey. As much as we want to blame the goalie - and there are problems there - it is a team game. The team starts playing better and the goaltender gets confidence. And vice versa. But it’s just not happening. An entire new coaching staff and major revision of the player development department is an absolute necessity, imo. I don’t know why they don’t talk to successful teams who develop players from other sports.

The "he" I'm referring to there is Kulich. I don't disagree with you on the observation. I see it as a fan frustration when they do that (even if it is a lack of shooting 'sniper' ability). But I can see some players determined to get a shot on goal and firing right at the center of the goalie (which is more an amateur move) rather than taking the chance of missing the net entirely. It's a catch-22. You hate it when a player is at point-blank range and misses the goal entirely, which gives him no shot at converting, but also hate it when it's right at the goalie. Either way, it's a lack of accuracy within the framework of getting off a quick trigger shot.

Yes of course. I will always root for the Sabres and love the team. But when a team loses, is non competitive, and plays poorly I don’t have much interest in watching or don’t have time to put in. Why should anyone? I’ve been a fan since 1970 and will watch on occasion but don’t have the time given my life circumstances. At the same time my interest in watching will increase when they are competitive. I will still represent and be a fan and root for them. But I can’t commit to watch unless they are really showing they are in the hunt and special. 80 games is too much time to put in for my world.

I don't think intentionality has much to do with it. It's the ability to quickly sense where the goalie is, what corner (or 5 hole) is open and accurately nail the shot. That's the difference between a great goal scorer and a player who gets chances but doesn't convert effectively. JJP has that sniper ability. If he is on a strong, consistent line he can be a big time scorer. I think Kulich has that (Tage did for stretches last year) but whether he can develop to become a strong overall player at the NHL level is still a question he has to answer.

He does need to make some strong additions. And his young draft choices need to step up.

This is a challenge for several players on the Sabres. Other than JJP and Skinner they are far from snipers. Tage can be if he gets hot. Dahlin is solid but doesn’t get the chances. They often shoot it at the goalie. Cozens. Casey (though he doesn’t have much of a strong shot period). Really most of them. I would like to see the line from last year re-united when/if everyone gets healthy again.

This is a good move. Could have made it a week or two ago. Rosen was not getting ice time here. He will in Rochester. Murray may not add a ton of talent but he’s a man. And he isn’t a developing prospect who needs time on the ice.