JohnC
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Posts posted by JohnC
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5 hours ago, Weave said:
I swear Adams is purposefully trying to lose the fanbase.
What if Girgs let the GM know that he would be willing to the point of desiring to be dealt to a playoff team for the sake of having a playoff experience in his career? Systemic losing is corrosive to a prideful player's psyche. The GM has to show some urgency to getting this team over the playoff hump this offseason. And it should be acknowledged that in itself is a low bar to shoot for.
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14 minutes ago, Pimlach said:
Agree 100%
The announcer last night says the Sabres are being heavily scouted and Girgensons is a guy that is likely to be targeted by a playoff team looking for depth.
So Z will likely be gone soon, and next year replaced by Rousek/Rosen/Savoie or some other smurf, as Adams was quoted last night as saying he is going to be bringing up his young players next year. To which the 2nd announcer emphatically replied (twice) - "but you have to have a mix with some veterans".
Replacing him with a young player to play his role as a fourth liner seems self-defeating to me. This team need needs some character veterans who provide some spine to this too often weak-kneed team. Okposo is at the end of his career; Girgs still has more hockey life in him. He still has some utility as a role player and character guy on this less than resolute team.
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14 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:
Further proof they don’t want to be here.
Sorry! It was to easy.
How does a poorer record prove that some players don't want to be here? What it proves to me is that this team hasn't learned to adapt to a visiting team's more conservative/tighter road team style of play. There is a difference between being physically talented and having the required on ice intelligence to adjust to a different style of game. What's the remedy? A few additions need to be made to improve the mix and balance on the roster.
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9 hours ago, Slack_in_MA said:
If he played to his size, he’d be a monster. He reminds me of Big Mike in the Blind Side. I can picture him reading Ferdinand the Bull.
I have a different view on Greenway. In my view, he does play to his size. He usually isn't a banger but when he chooses to do so he can squash opponents into the boards. But that's not his game. He's a farmer strong guy who is difficult to move, and he is one of the few players on this team who will anchor himself in front of the net. Ironically, the smallish Benson, along with Greenway, gives us our best net presence on offense. If Greenway had Tuch's speed he would be a top two line talent. To his credit, although he doesn't possess that kind of speed, he is still able to play with his limitation because he is a positionally sound player, as @Doohickiehas keenly noted. Greenway was a good pickup and a great bargain pickup. Little flash to his game but a lot of strength/toughness to his game.
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2 minutes ago, Doohickie said:
Highest hockey IQ on the team...?
I agree with you that he is one of our smarter players. He is one of our best positioned players. That aspect of his game becomes evident on the PK. This was a good DG instigated value pickup.
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Some quick thoughts on this game: UPL gets the first star. Without question this has been a disappointing season. But if we come out of this season and enter the next season knowing that we have a #1 goalie, then that is a meaningful consolation. I thought he was superb in this game. One goal was off the stick of Krebs where he had no chance to stop. UPL had good puck control with few rebounds off his stops. He's playing a composed game with little scramble to his game. I can't recall one instance where he was out of position.
I thought Tage and Tuch were two of our best players. Both players were active on both sides of the ice. I thought that aside from the goalie Tage was our best player.
Joki is being more aggressive on offense. He's shooting more with a good proportion of his shots on net. His shot on net with a Girgs tip in was a critical play.
Greenway is not fancy or particularly fast. Although he isn't very accomplished on offense, he plays a solid defensive game. He's a big player who plays strong.
Cozens seems to be getting better. He seems to have broken out of his funk.
A win is a win. As a Sabre fan I can't scoff at any win.
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18 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:
I see where you are coming from at least. Dahlin, Power (whether we want it or not) and Samuelson are going to get their huge minutes. Jokiharju usually gets above average minutes. The top 4 (at least the top 3) on this team WILL get those minutes because of what they invested in them, and they are still young so they need experience. That leaves less minutes for the bottom 3 (or bottom 2, depending on Jokiharju). So, all things being equal, I'd LOVE a good, veterain, top minute (and likely top dollar) guy. But when balancing budget and ice time, the balance between how much use you will get out of a good forward (Mitts) or a good D-man....well, spending $6-$7m on each, you might get more value out of that forward with the way the minutes are split up on this blueline.
I think the going-rate for Mitts will be at last $6m per season, more than likely even higher...and as 'good' as he is, I don't see him as a difference maker. But if he is an important part of the team...yeah, those decisions have to be made.
Injuries are part of the game. They can't be avoided. As I have said on a number of occasions, his value is increased because of his versatility as a winger and center. And he is talented enough where he can be moved up to the top line and still keep it functioning as a top line. That was keenly demonstrated when Tage was hurt last year and Mitts was moved up to his spot. That line didn't kept playing at a high level with him centering it.
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1 minute ago, Weave said:
Got it.
My floor for turnover from the outside is 4 players. I won’t quibble at 3, but I think 3 isn’t quite going to do this.
Emphasis on players coming from outside the organization.
My money would be 4 or more rather than 3. To start off, Olof, Okposo, Girgs?? , Eric Johnson and a lower line player will probably be gone or sent down. The organization has assets to maneuver with. Will our GM be willing to parlay them? I think so because this roster needs a jolt. There has to be a better mix to this roster. A few bigger and tougher additions will make a qualitative difference, at least that is what I believe to be the case.
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4 hours ago, inkman said:
Amerks and Sabres both tonight at 7. Both played Monday afternoon at the same time and both play Friday at the same time. I realize they probably don’t give it one thought but should they? I’m guessing in their wildest dreams they couldn’t picture WNY hockey fans choosing the AHL over the NHL but I’m about to do exactly that. Hell, if the prospects were actually doing anything the last dozen games, this wouldn’t even be a contest.
Whose our best prospect (not including Levi) in Rochester? Is it Kulich or is Rosen moving up the ranks?
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3 hours ago, Weave said:
Wait….. Am I correctly reading that you are OK with mostly rolling this back next season?
As far as mostly bringing back this roster next year, I say yes. That doesn't mean that the GM should choose to pursue the status quo. That's not what I'm advocating here. There should be at least 3-4, if not more roster spots open next season. (Okposo, maybe Girgs, Olof, possibly Eric Johnson, and maybe more.) The GM has a surplus number of prospects and a full list of draft picks. If he judiciously uses them to bring in some bigger and tougher players to have a better mix of players, then we will have a more well-rounded roster. In general, most of the improvement will come from within with players such as Peterka/Quinn/Power/Ryan Johnson/UPL/Levi etc. improving as they gain more experience.
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2 hours ago, Pimlach said:
John, my comments on your review of the defense:
- We have Dahlin and the rest are all question marks. Everyone after Dahlin is tradeable with the exception of Power who needs a longer look and who's contract makes him almost impossible to move
- Mule had a rough year. Hopefully he gets better next year. We desperately need more physical presence from a guy with his size. His ability to play a tougher game, to clear out the front of the net, and to be rugged and durable is still a major question mark. He has big potential still.
- Power had a sophomore slump. Not gonna comment further, just leave it at that. He is going to be very highly paid next year and he needs to grow up faster than the average defenseman because of it. He has a ton of work to do this off season. Not sure Adams did him any favors - this kid will be making $8.35M and wont be 22 until November. 😞
- We lack the big, strong, steady stay at home RHD that would help Power immensely. This is a major need. We don't need another Clifton - we need a top 4 veteran in his prime years to steady this group and take minutes away from Power. We should be able to add this player and keep Mitts.
- The addition of Clifton is fine for the 3rd pair. He hits, he is a tough middle weight player, he shows ability to clear the net and to be rugged. He has periods of being error prone but as a 5/6/7 that is normal.
- The addition of EJ will end this after this. He was a one year addition, a 3rd line guy now in the twilight of an excellent career. I am not sure he got through to the youngsters, I hope he did. I would love to pick his brain after the season and get his real thoughts on this group and the entire organization.
- Joker - he is playing well most of the time. He does not fill the bill as a top 4. His game is similar to Dahlin, Power, and R Johnson - a puck mover and not a heavy hitter or a defense first guy. His presence "blocks" adding the big tough defensive defenseman that we still need. More of a 5/6 that can move up to top 4 in a pinch. Very tradeable IMO.
- Ryan Johnson - he has played well in sheltered minutes. He looks to be smart, good skater, good passer, his head is up and he is usually composed. He lacks ideal size and strength, but still very young and will get stronger, will rely on mobility, passing and breakout skill to become a solid NHL player. Due to injuries on the team his minutes have gone up lately and he is looking much more like a rookie now. In fact, I thought he was targeted by the Ducks. Despite not having the last line change the Ducks had their best line out there against RJ for all three 2nd period goals. We hardly saw RJ in the 3rd period. Coincidence? This speaks more about the terrible game day coaching that we continually get from Don Granato and his staff. I will be watching Ryan closely tonight as I expect Montreal will try to take advantage.
- Bryson - an AHL/NHL tweener and a 8/9 guy on the roster.
In summary - the defense is better than last year, improving on that was not a high bar either. Some of it is the better goaltending (UPL). Some of it is the better players at 5/6/7. Some of it is the system changes that focus more on defense (and consequently stifles our ability to score).
There need to be changes next year. This still not a playoff caliber group but just a few moves away from it.
The main point of my post is reflected by your last sentence. With internal improvement and a few judicious moves this should become a playoff team next year.
With respect to the defensive unit, I have a general/philosophical disagreement with how you and others( @GASabresIUFAN )view the blueline unit. If I had the choice of adding a top two pair player defender at the cost of losing MItts, I say no. I would rather add another Clifton type defender and go with Joki, Ryan Johnson to the upper pairings as support players for Dahlin, Power and Samuelsson. I see a lot of value in Mitts's versatility as a center and winger who could move up to the higher lines when needed.
I'm not arguing for standing pat. That is certainly not what I am advocating here. This franchise has prospect assets and draft assets to parlay. There will be roster spots available for new additions to vie for. With a few judicious moves this should be a better squad. There are those who strenuously and emotionally argue to blow up the roster. In my opinion, they are misguided.
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20 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:
My friend @Taro T once pointed out to me that I was once one of the most positive voices on the board and that over the last few years, I’ve become quite negative. For that, I apologize. I am not, in general, a negative person. I am quite the opposite.
However I looked at my posts recently and I have let my frustration and anger with Adams and the Sabres grow to the point that it’s ruined my enjoyment of watching the team. Not that the frustration is misplaced. However, it’s ruined the game for me, so it’s time to take a step back. Time to concentrate on the Braves and fantasy baseball.
What makes me so frustrated is how different the management of the two Pegula teams are. Beane fires Dorsey and then trades for Douglas. He swings for the fences on occasion with the Diggs trade and with Von Miller (he missed here). He moves up and down the draft to get the players and assets he needs. He is proactive with his team and I have no doubt in my mind is that he’ll find a way out of the cap issues this season and Bills will be younger and probably better next year. The Bills missed the playoffs from 2000-2016 (17 straight seasons). Beane and McDermott arrive, and they make the playoffs in year 1 and 5 of 6 seasons with 4 straight division championships.
I compare that to Adams who is reactive, takes little to no risk, and therefore has nothing to show for his efforts but his job. Like Beane, he correctly cleaned out the old core. Like Beane he drafted well, but that’s where the comparison ends. Since the clean-out, he hasn’t made one proactive move, and his reactive moves have borne little to no fruit. If Beane was the Sabres GM. He would have acquired a quality goaltender as soon as Ullmark walked. He would have added defense in trade last season as soon as we were down 2-3 starters on D and he’d have fired the assist coach in charge of our special teams this year.
All that said, the Sabres have a ton of assets to work with, but it’s time for Adams to step up and learn from Beane. This will be the 13th season without playoffs in a league where 50% of the teams make the playoffs every year. If there is a 14th year, Adams will be gone.
So taking a step back and just looking at the organization there are things I like still.
1) Goaltending - a source of weakness since Ullmark left, could be a strength as early as next season, assuming UPL can continue to perform at this year’s level and Levi can make the jump back to the NHL. He is currently playing very well at Rochester.
2) Defense - Dahlin is currently the only top 4 D on this roster. R Johnson may be that someday, but that someday is not today. Clifton, Samuelsson, and Jokiharju are all 3rd pairing guys. Power, although, young and talented and being paid to be a top 4 D, isn’t there yet either. As a unit, they are just ok. I think the pieces will fit better if Joki is traded and upgrade by a legit top 4 RHD. The good news is that Mule is better than he played this year, Clifton has been good in 2024 and Power and R Johnson have more to give. The question is when (if?) they reach their potential.
3) Forwards - An outsider looking at the Sabres has to wonder how a team that played with such spirit last season; playing hard from the opening puck drop until the final horn blew, completely lost their edge. On paper this may be the most talented roster the Sabres have fielded on offense since 2006. There are 6 Sabres forwards capable of scoring 30+ goals a season in the NHL in TNT, Tuch, Skinner, Cozens, Quinn, and JJP. Mitts and Greenway have 20+ goal potential. Benson’s upside is hard to gauge at this point, but 25g, 65 pts seems reasonable. So where did the offense go? Bad coaching? Injuries? Lack of effort? Why also won’t they commit to two-way play? Once these talented guys figure out the effort questions and the 2-way play question, the sky is still the limit for this team.
4) The pipeline. On paper, we have one of the deepest pipelines in the NHL. We have 4-5 top-notch forwards (even without Benson) and at least 2-4 future NHL D headlines by Strbak and Novikov (not including R Johnson). We also have a top 10 pick in the upcoming draft.
Honestly, the roster is close to being a playoff roster. If Adams brings back the entire top 9 I outlined above, I doubt we’d have much room to complain based on talent. But the question for me is what would Beane do if he were the Sabres' GM. First, he’d probably fire the entire coaching staff. He certainly would get rid of the assistants except Bales who has done a good job, especially with UPL. Second, he’d probably find a way to trade Skinner to save the cap and change locker room. He made similar moves when he arrived with Bills. He would also dump all ineffective players including KO, Z, Krebs, Bryson etc… Third, he’d trade this year’s no. 1 pick (and other assets) for the proven D he needs (like he did for Diggs). I can then see him trading our 2nd rd pick and other picks to move up in the draft to grab a player he likes who has slipped on draft day like Kincaid last year. Lastly, he’d probably add a veteran goalie as insurance if UPL backslides or Levi isn’t ready. Beane likes to pair rookies in rotation with vets. This is easier in the NFL but works with goalies as well since Levi can easily be returned to Rochester if he isn’t ready even next season.
I read your well reasoned and written post. However, from an overview perspective you essentially conclude that the Sabres are in a good situation for the not-too-distant future. I agree with assessment! To a great extent, the roster has been rebuilt and the system is well stocked. (As you point out.) Most NHL analysts also agree with that take.
There is no question that this season has been a disappointment. A season that many of us had high expectations has been squandered. Are there any positive takeaways from this exasperating season? Absolutely! If UPL ends up demonstrating that he can be a legitimate #1 goalie, then that in itself would be a major positive. And there is a good chance that Levi with more grooming can also be a legitimate NHLgoalie. That in itself resolves a critical deficiency. Our defense with the addition of Eric Johnson, Clifton and the surprising Ryan Johnson have upgraded the blueline unit. The team defense, the greatest area of need has been upgraded. I know you are an advocate for adding another top pair defenseman, but I have a different take. I would rather use the money for that caliber of defenseman and direct it to re-signing Mitts. Instead, I would then go out and get a Clifton type player to add to the unit. Without question, he had some adjustment problems but now he is playing solidly.
Go back and review most of our losses. What you will find is that the difference between winning and losing is very small. Again, this season has been a major disappointment. But I don't believe that we are that far away. There is nothing wrong with taking a break when it becomes too stressful and frustrating to follow. Those same exasperating sensations apply to most of us. Stand back a little farther and hang in there.
Next year, the roster will have some changes. I doubt that Okposo and possibly Girgs won't be on the roster.
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6 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:
The issue is not the stick salute.
The issue is that the Buffalo Sabres players, decided that they disliked something some fans did. So they want to exact a form of RETRIBUTION, no matter how minor, to get BACK AT the fans. That's the issue, they changed something they did as a form of punishment. Again, the fact it's minor is irrelevant. Actively trying to hurt a fan or their experience is quite frankly pathetic.
The players stopped something to retaliate, that's the issue.
Some players disliked what some fans did. So what! They expressed their displeasure by stop doing some meaningless "stick salute". Big freaking deal! The players are allowed to express themselves just as fans are. There is nothing disrespectful about stopping a meaningless act that was in reality overdone. If that hurt some fans' feelings then tough. My recommendation to these overly sensitive and whining and sniveling crybabies is stop being a pathetic snowflake and toughen up. If you throw shiiit---then don't cry when it symbolically gets thrown back at you.
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28 minutes ago, Thorny said:
It’s rather a skill to miss the point THAT clearly lol
This issue of "stick salutes" is inane. If the players don't want to do it, for whatever reasons, then that's their prerogative. Who freaking cares! If the players don't want to do this periodic postgame hollow ritual, even if not doing it is an expression of their dissatisfaction with a faction of fans, then so what?
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4 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:
It frustrates me that the point here is getting lost.
I don’t think anyone here gives a sh1t whether the team salutes or doesn’t.
What’s causing concern is that an unnamed Sabre veteran - read: Okposo - confirmed that, after a handful of leather lungs bellowed “fire Donny” amidst a 9 goal shellacking, the team decided to stop making a customary gesture of fan appreciation.
It doesn’t matter what the gesture was. It doesn’t matter if it was good or bad. It doesn’t matter if you value it or don’t.
What matters is what the team and its leadership elected to do in response to frustration being voiced by some fans in the arena. And what they elected to do was effectively say “ well then fu*k them - Donny’s our guy.”
Awful.
The fans understandably expressed some frustration with the team and staff. And then some players wanted to express their aggravations with the same fans. So what! Some of the players are doing the same things that some of the fans are doing i.e. expressing their back-and-forth frustrations. What's so surprising about each faction expressing their frustrations in what is such a disappointing season. This manufactured issue has two sides to it. A faction of the fans are expressing their frustration with the team and staff, and some of the players are in their way expressing their support for their coach. That in itself is not necessarily a bad thing.
As I said in my posts, the overuse of the "stick salute" has rendered it meaningless. That is how I see it.
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Just now, Buffalonill said:
I don't think anyone cares about "saluting fans" more so the captain and his core don't understand the The fans frustration
Of course, the players understand the fans' frustration. They are not idiots and divorced from reality. It shouldn't be surprising that the players are also frustrated with their play and record. You don't think that Dahlin, Mitts, Okposo, Tuch etc. are happy with this team's record and likely not to be in the playoffs for another year?
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Just now, That Aud Smell said:
Says who? Someone had it right when they suggested it was a post lockout fan appreciation thing.
There is no defending this. The team leadership’s decision to lead the team in abandoning a fan appreciation gesture — in response to theiw feewings being huwt — is damning.
Having a post lockout gesture is one thing. But to do it too often renders it meaningless. If you find it meaningful, that's fine. It makes little sense to me. I can see it done at the last game or at the few games when the arena is filled and the play was outstanding for an important game. That's not the situation we're discussing here. If you want to make the gesture meaningful, then it should happen less often than more often.
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1 minute ago, PASabreFan said:
I think this is the definition of moving the goalposts. They weren't protesting the salute.
Did you read what the topic is?
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13 minutes ago, PASabreFan said:
Why do they like Donny so much anyway?
They like his variety of color framed glasses.
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8 minutes ago, ska-T Chitown said:
My impression of the discussion isn't so much that those that are complaining are doing so because they so desperately need to see the stick salute; but rather the Sabres' reason for stopping it is childish. I forget who mentioned it up-thread, but I also recall that it was a PR move by the league after the lockout.
As for the players. who do they expect the fans to yell to get fired? The chant would be incredibly long and hard to coordinate if the fans listed out all the underperforming players on any given night, lol.
Stopping something that shouldn't have been started isn't childish. Hollow and insincere gestures make no sense. The stopping in doing something so inauthentic is the right thing to do. Don't get me wrong, fans have every right to voice their displeasure. This team shouldn't expect a torrent of kudos from the audience, especially for their home performances. But this too frequent post-game ritual of "stick salutes" is silly and stupid.
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1 hour ago, Pimlach said:
He is Ok. My problem with him is the roster make up. We have Dahlin, Power and R Johnson. Joki is not a complementary player to any of them, he is similar.
I want a big, tough, stay at home solid guy - like Samuelsson should be but isn’t. We get that guy then Joki is expendable.
I'm not saying you are wrong on your assessment on Joki but I have a different perspective on him as a player. I do see him as a complementary player and not as a primary player as a defenseman. Whether as a first, second or even a third pairing player, he is the B/#2 player in the pairing. He's not a banger (as you noted) but on a team that wants to emphasize pace and puck movement, he fits in. I see Ryan Johnson in the same type of role. He can play on any of the top pairings, but his style of play leads him to be the B/#2 player in the pairings. In comparison, there is no question that both Dahlin and Power are A/#1 players in the pairings that they are placed on.
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When it gets to the point that we're discussing "stick salutes", we have entered the realm of absurdity. Who gives a freaking dam! Salute the fans for what? For attending a game? I can see the players doing the post-game "stick salute" at the last home game but doing it on a regular basis after a home game renders it a hollow and meaningless gesture. Please stop with this foolishness.
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7 minutes ago, K-9 said:
I see that Cozens was credited with the Greenway goal.
Both Greenway and Cozens were digging at the puck. It's difficult to determine who put it in. Both players deserve credit for playing strong in front of the net.
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Some quick thoughts on this game. UPL gets the first star. He's really been playing well over an extended period of time. It's inarguable that this season has been a big disappointment. But if one of the takeaways of this lost season is that we found our #1 goalie, then that is a major plus.
As @PerreaultForeverobserved, this was a game between two fast and even teams. A lot of pace to this game.
And as @Pimlach has pointed out Skinner has faded to the point of being invisible. You can't have that level of inconsequential play from a first line player.
There clearly were two big plays for the Sabres. One was Greenway in front of the net and furiously digging at the puck when he was at the net. The key to that play was (I believe?) Cozens shooting the puck on net. The other obvious big play was Joki scoring in OT for the win. Joki fought on the boards to get the puck, and then made a no look back pass to Tuch who took it inside for his pretty pass in the slot for Joki's quick shooting score. As was noted on the broadcast, the defender shaded to the flake where JJ was to create space.
I thought the Sabres played hard throughout the game. As this game illustrated, there is such a small difference in games that determine winning or not.
Mitts made a well placed shot for his goal. It would be a mistake not to resign him. Tuch is an instrumental player for us. I would love for our GM to pick up another big, fast and gritty player like Tuch in the offseason.
A win's a win. The players deserve this win. I'm happy for them.
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Girgensons Is No Longer An NHL Level Player ?
in The Aud Club
Posted · Edited by JohnC
I like Girgs as a fourth liner. That is a suitable role for him. The return in value for him or Eric Johnson is inconsequential to the point of meaningless. With respect to EJ, he was a good pickup for us, especially on a one-year deal. I would be receptive to having him return on another one-year deal. At this stage in his career, he is a lower pairing defender who is a stabilizer on the ice and a mature voice in the room. If he is not overused, his play is solid. The GM needs to add another one or two players who fall in the category of being rugged and tough. This roster needs a little more toughness to better balance out the roster.