FrenchConnection44

I'd say the top 4 are solid for the future. Lyubushkin has a two year deal and needs to get healthy. But we have nothing at 6 and beyond. L has to get healthy - he is on IR. When he gets back that could really help some. But Bryson is a liability. We need more upgrades there (two). But do have 1 or 2 players in the pipeline down the road (like, Komarov).

It is looking bright, imo. No idea what we will do for free agency. But if we can get Levi in here - he will still need some time to develop but within 2 years he could be huge. Kind of our Grant Fuhr. 😉 Goaltending is something one can never predict for sure. It's often a confidence issue. And Luukkonen could still get better. And needs to. Two areas I think we need to upgrade. 1. Center: I think Middlestadt needs to be traded for whatever we can get. He has the tools but he just seems to play soft and then disappear on some shifts. We need to add a two-way center in his place. One that can get face-offs in our zone on key situations, and be a great back checker. Dylan is that already, and he needs to get stronger. But I think we need another strong center with good size. Bo Horvat, if he makes it to free agency, is a player I'd love to have. Physical I've seen him twice this year and he's looked really solid. Good defensive center and also wins face-offs. Add a player of this calibre and our team changes. His scouting report from one site (just the guy to replace Middlestadt): Has grown into a shutdown center capable of making big contributions even when he is not generating a lot of offense. In addition, he has gotten much better at driving play--even when starting shifts in the defensive zone. He skates well and is among the NHL's best face-off men, meaning his team ends up with the puck more often than not. Is also a team leader who can play a lot of minutes at a high level. Quality two-way center and leader. We have a ton of small guys coming up in the ranks that are high draft picks and surely one will emerge. But they all are at least a year if not two away and none are heavy on the defensive end. 2. Defenseman: Basically we have Dahlin, Samuelsson, and Power as mainstays. Jokiharu is good with more upside. That's 4. Lyubushkin could still be good if he gets healthy and be a mainstay next year. But I see Joki as more of a #5-6 defenseman overall unless he improves. We have to develop some solid defense. I think 1-2 more defensive defensemen could really shore things up the next few years. As far as free agents, this year is not great for defensemen. Had Weegar not gotten an extension he might have been a great addition (one of the best defenders in blocking passes). Klingberg is a very good offensive defenseman. Average defensively. We are 32nd in the league in giving up "high danger chances." Matt Dumba will arguably be the best free agent defenseman on the market. He's a good two way player and physical which we could use. I'd really try to go after him if he reaches free agency. Other than Power, we haven't spent a lot of draft capital on defensemen in the past few drafts. Ryan Johnson (Minnesota Gophers) - I assume we still have his rights? Seems to be a good player but not producing a lot offensively. His plus minus is solid, though. Also not a big player for a defenseman. No idea what's going on there. Vsevolod Komarov is a young player with a lot of upside, imo. Good size (6'3, 188 and will probably get to 200 in a couple of years). Only 18. I like the potential there but, again, he's two years away though (hopefully we will get him on the Amerks next year). But he's coached by Patrick Roy so that's a positive. Here's a nice report on him before this past draft when the Sabres selected him: On the ice, there are a lot of things to like about Komarov’s game according to Remparts head coach, Patrick Roy. “Hockey wise, I really love his poise with the puck. He’s very patient, doesn’t get rid of it, moves it very well, rarely makes mistakes on his first pass and defends really well,” Roy explained. “He’s a big, strong kid and I feel like he has a good mix of offense and defense because he’s got those skills with the puck.” Roy is no stranger to coaching talented Russians and overcoming a language barrier after being behind the bench when Alexander Radulov, now a nine-year NHL veteran, played for Quebec from 2004-2006. Although the Remparts have several highly touted draft eligible players on the roster this season, Komarov is making sure that he doesn’t fly under the radar and the hockey world is certainly taking notice. With six points in his first 23 games, he has been given a “B” rating in the NHL Central Scouting’s latest rankings and Roy is confident his 6’3’’ blueliner has what it takes to succeed at the next level. “He needs to get stronger, and his skating has to improve, but he’s got all of the tools,” Roy said. “I think he just needs to keep working on his game. He has a great mindset and I see good things coming for him.” Roy’s endorsement isn’t surprising considering that Komarov’s style of play and his abilities with the puck are well-suited for today’s NHL. Puck-moving defensemen are a hot commodity these days, which means that Komarov could be a popular name on the draft floor this summer.

Surely Levi will see the value of coming to a team like Buffalo with all the youth and potential. And the high scoring.

That long term deal is one of the best decisions the Buffalo management has made in many years. And the beauty is he is playing great in the first year. A lot of times an athlete will have a great season, sign a big deal, and his play and production tapers off (in every sport one sees this; in baseball, football, basketball, etc.). But Thompson is playing even better this year than last! Got to give great respect for that.

We do have a talented young offense with enormous upside. Tage is fantastic. Great with the puck around the net and a giant shot. As long as these players make a commitment in the off-season (getting stronger; stick handling; skating) and continue to play selfless hockey, they will put up points and we will get better. Defense needs input (another two way center; and 1-2 more defensemen).

This offense is reminding me of the early mid 70s. That potential.

Indeed. Quinn is coming on and growing in confidence. As young as these players are they have a lot of potential. No idea who might be available in free agency. But if we can get the Northeastern goalie to sign. Then bring in a quality two-way center (in place of Middlestadt) and add a quality defenseman with size, we could really be rocking in the future. I was really pumped about this team at the start of the season. Then it looked like a carbon copy of the past couple of years with the big losing streak. But whatever happens to the playoff race, if they can keep fighting for games, scoring, it will be a fun year and a year to build on. love these young kids. It’s a bit like a college team playing in the NHL, they are so young.

I also would love to see Power look to Victor Hedman as an example. He needs to add muscle and strength (about 15 pounds worth the next 3 yrs). And needs to grow as a skater. But the raw ability is there. He could be a dominant defenseman. Offensively and defensively.

If they were willing to trade him why would we need to work so much for other teams to eat his salary? His cap hit is $10 M. We are $17 million under right now, $32 million under next year though we will need to add some players. I don’t think the cap is

Good points. While I do believe goaltending is a factor and also agree with a few others about Anderson not really being able to grind out 50-60 games like a 25 year old, I also think we need a couple more strong defensemen. Defensive defensemen. Our offense is pretty good. But when you actually look at the games and the goals - we are leaving way too many open shots in the slot. Especially relative to some good defensive teams. I would also add that some stronger defensive forwards. Whether that can be developed from within or not is not likely (a bit). But we were doing some quality back checking early on in some of our wind and that had been inconsistent. As well as positioning. One could see that against the Rays.

Quinn looked Gretzky-esque on that second goal. Skinner. Two insane goals. what is it with this team. Are we just going to go on 5-6-7 game streaks all year, lol. The raw skill is there (and Skinner is on fire; that whole line is!); they do need some of that added physicality and intensity in close games. Gotta be able to be more physical and handle those tough games. But still feel positive for the future.

Well, that was more like the team we saw early in the year. Can they keep it up. The positive is also a concern. 12 points came from the first line. But that is 12 of 17 points among forwards from our first line. The strength of this team is the first line. Cousins. And Dahlin. With a few future potential quality players. Hopefully we can add to that. But have to develop some intensity. Nevertheless, great to see a big win. Now go win a close one.

This is a start to a discussion. Via ESPN. I am okay with not adding a bunch of free agents. But if the Pagula’s are not willing to start to spend this off-season something is amiss. I love the nucleus. But we do need some good coaching to improve and, really, an entire organizational structure. Many teams are able to build winners without massive $$$$ such as the Astros or Rays in MLB or even the Lightning in the NHL. Maybe we need to poach the Lightning Asst. GM? But there is some flotsam to be jettisoned and some fresh blood. And some better drafting. Frankly we have not drafted well, overall, given the draft positions. VIA ESPN: Buffalo's season began with promise. The Sabres were 7-3-0 on Nov. 2, boasting the NHL's fifth-best record and sitting second in the Atlantic Division. They've been the NHL's worst team ever since. Back-to-back losses at Carolina and Tampa Bay started a skid from which Buffalo has yet to recover -- an eight-game losing streak (through which the Sabres have been outscored 38-19) with seemingly no end in sight. Problems: Everyone from coach Don Granato to top defenseman Rasmus Dahlin has posited theories about the Sabres' rapid decline. An increasingly impatient Granato -- who chalked up the skid early on to a necessary learning experience -- has since cited a lack of urgency and identity within the group. Dahlin thinks Buffalo is short on swagger. Killer instinct? They don't have it. Or at least, not enough to pull out of this funk. Those are the intangible issues. Buffalo's performance on the ice has been laborious. In the Sabres' past eight games, only Jeff Skinnerhas scored more than one five-on-five goal. Tage Thompson has been an excellent producer on the power play, without the even-strength offense to match. Buffalo is averaging the most goals against per game since Nov. 3 (4.75) and their penalty kill is tied for worst in the league since then. Eric Comrie's play in net deteriorated (0-4-0, .865 save percentage and 4.28 goals-against average) until he was hurt against Ottawa earlier this month, forcing Buffalo to recall Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as a complement for 40-year-old Craig Anderson. The veteran Anderson has outplayed Comrie of late (.881 SV%, 3.84 GAA), but at his age, Anderson can't be rolled out each night. Despite the Sabres' best offseason efforts, goaltending is a problem -- again. Buffalo has potential stars on the roster. Granato is still figuring out how best to use them. Dahlin deservedly generated early Norris Trophy buzz that has fizzled slightly along with the Sabres' hopes of busting an 11-year postseason drought. And that's not Dahlin's fault. He has arguably been Buffalo's best player, carrying a heavy workload and shepherding rookie Owen Powerwhen they're paired together. The Sabres just need more of everything, from everyone, everywhere. And that's going to be even tougher to get now that Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons are out with injuries, too. After a hot start to the season, the Sabres have struggled. Steph Chambers/Getty Images Solutions: The Sabres didn't add many pieces in the offseason. They were prepared to go to battle with a young core of players who will, in theory, be the bedrock of great Buffalo teams to come. What's happening now is a reflection of that choice. Granato pointed out too many poor efforts following Buffalo's recent loss to Toronto. He called for more determination, for the team to "dig down" and work their way out of this hole. Granato believes the Sabres' youth to be a major benefit in that. But how? Thompson, Dahlin, and Dylan Cozens have continuously put in the effort, with or without the desired results. That's the example Buffalo needs to follow. Their situation doesn't offer the most obvious solutions because, technically, the season is unfolding as planned. The next generation of Sabres is here now and doing its best to perform. Cultivating the right mindset that leads to consistent execution is part of that. The Sabres showed real flashes of early potential. That's not gone. One greasy win to end the streak goes a long way. Forget about expectations or postseason pressure. The Sabres have to decide, first and foremost, who they are, and what habits to hang their hat on game after game.

Of course. A hat trick. F him!!!

Love him. He needs to get stronger. If he’s 6’3 200 he would be a beast on the ice with his spirit and grit. Love him.

Been saying that. Can’t believe we didn’t play him.

Joki is good. More potential. Bryson is small and too mediocre. He doesn’t really have anything special to his game, imo.

Comrie hasn’t played poorly but why are we not playing Anderson? He’s only played 4 games and Comrie 10.

definitely thinking missing our defensemen hits us. On both ends of the ice. When I see certain defensemen out there I get a bit discouraged that the shift will not produce anything. Having those two back in the lineup will elevate that and lead to fewer bad shifts. Power clearly has amazing talent but at 19 is going to be up and down. And not as strong as he needs to be. Hard work and his talent will shine through.

The most disappointing game of the year for me. Arizona basically went into a defensive shell and then waited to counter attack. We had no one to make things happen. We need a 2-3 of these young players to emerge as stars. Someone at the level of a Kucherov (there are 3-4 potentially there) or approaching a Stamkos. Neither are big but they are smart, strong for their size, and can dominate with the puck. And shoot. But we also need these young guys to get stronger. To be able to dominate more. They can skate. They have potential with good height, several have grit (especially love Cousins grit), but they are not rising to physically dominate opponents (not just hits but being able to move opponents, carry the puck without getting pushed off, making plays with an opponent pressing, and so on). When they get that they can weather tough games better. Concerned about Vegas; but also, more generally, about the team culture getting negative (that’s been a problem for years and it’s tough for teams to eliminate that). I would also be good with trading Middlestadt. He’s not a center. If we can get a couple of good games out of him then someone might bite.

Well, I’ve been a fan since 1970. I like this young team. Need some growth and another piece or two but this is the most positive I’ve felt in well over a decade. Probably since 2007 (and that team was loaded with a lot more players in their mid-late 20s and early 30s. So this team is at least 3-4 yrs away from that maturity and experience. While needing to add younger players).

Well, tough loss. I thought Conroe did poorly on the first goal. Was a bit to relaxed and not ready for it. Otherwise he was excellent. None of the others were on him. Our back checking was not so great. And our passing resulted in too many bad turnovers. Especially the one in the 3rd period. Just set them up. And we missed several good chances. Especially Peterka and Skinner. Chances were relatively even. That said, we were without 3 starting, quality defensemen and our best player. So there is that. Some fans like to say “no excuses” but that matters. What if Aho doesn’t play two nights ago? Different outcome. What if Kucherov and/or Stamkos were out? Different outcome. Still not a top tier playoff team by any means. But you can see a lot of the talent. We played two of the best teams. Not at their level but if all D are healthy … Add some physicality to the players. Another year of experience. Add one bigger forechecking forward who can shoot. We are going to be competitive. Key this year is not losing the mental toughness that comes when we lose a couple of games

PP struggled with their aggressive D. Yes on the officiating. I think a big game changer was the no call on the slash on Cousins’. Terrible miss! That would’ve given us a big advantage, and a great chance to score a goal.

A comment about the Canes game. They are a really good team. Three things: 1) We had no answer for Aho. The guy is super talented. Has been from the start. Hard to believe he was a 2nd rounder. We should be so lucky. 2) Their forechecking and defensive press coverage on our defenders made a difference. Our defense struggled to get the puck out of the zone at times. Really missing Samuelsson and Jokiharju. Can’t wait til they get back. Depth is not there. 3) Carolina was great at disrupting passes in their zone. Seemed like we had no open passing lanes. They are a sound team. We had no answers. They are just ahead of us defensively and physically. And have Aho. Another big test tonight. Love our team but these are barometer games as to where we are right now. Will be interesting to see if we can.

We have to be the worst rated face off team in the NHL. Or at least near the bottom. Maybe we need a “face-off coach.” But another deeper issue there is the lack of physical power in our center men. Those guys and several others need to get bigger and stronger. Become more physical players. Cousins is an example. Love Cousins game but if he were 6’3 195-200 with good weight and in great shape, instead of 6’3 183, he’d be a more physical player and should improve several areas including face offs.