JohnC

The Benson dilemma of where he should have been playing was a tough organizational issue. The ideal situation was to send him to Rochester. But that option was foreclosed because of the age rules. My view after seeing him play is that from a developmental standpoint it was better to keep him up with Buffalo. But from the standpoint of what was best for this team this year, it would have been better to use his slot for a more productive experienced NHL player. (The position you seem to argue for.) Benson is certainly not helping this team from a production standpoint. But watching him play with intelligence and tenacity, he is not a liability. However, not being a liability doesn't necessarily mean that you are a sufficient asset. In the short run, keeping him here in Buffalo might have set this team back a little. But I do believe that it was the right decision because it did accelerate his development. Ultimately, the organization will get a quicker return on his value. From a small picture perspective, this player judgment may have been the wrong call. But from a bigger perspective and a little longer time frame it was the right call. The Benson decision was a tough judgment call that I agree with. For those who conclude otherwise, I am not saying you are wrong.

The injury to Quinn prior and during the season has had a significant impact. His injury has resulted in the lines being jumbled. I'm not making excuses because all teams have to deal with injuries. But he, like JJP, was going to take a step forward this season. He's going to be good.

Everything you commented on makes sense. However, I have a slightly different version/interpretation on how this season has so transpired so far. The problem isn't that we don't play well against the better teams because we usually elevate our games against them. What has sabotaged this season was that this funky and irresolute team didn't beat the teams that they should have beaten. We lost two games against an inferior Anaheim team and lost a game against Columbus at home where we were pummeled. If you take those "should have been" 6 points, and apply them to our record, our perspective on this team and season has a more positive spin to it. Don't get me wrong. Your record is your record. "What ifs" are for losers, and excuses are for losers. The point I'm trying to make is that this team dug a deep hole for itself and now it has to accept the consequences. My other point on this issue is that the difference between success and failure can be small. The onus for this situation is directly on the players and coaches. They simply underperformed while teams in the same strata played to a higher level.

If we come away with a Greenway type deal at the deadline, I would be ecstatic. I'm more focused on the offseason because I expect some roster spots will need to be filled. The GM has some prospect and draft assets to parlay. Will he? I'm not sure. With respect to the goalie issue, I really don't expect much action. I see UPL and Levi as our two goalies. If Comrie does not return, I expect a similar caliber of player to add to the mix.

I'm not too concerned about the Sabre action at the tradeline. I'm looking for some substantive moves in the offseason. If we don't get it, I will be very disappointed.

I don't think there will be much KA action at the trade deadline. Maybe a marginal transaction? What I will be more focused on is what happens in the offseason. I expect that Olofsson will be gone and Okposo will retire. So, there will be roster spots to fill. I'm hoping for a deal that will add a Tuch like talent, big and fast, and more, to better round out the talent mix. Assuming that the goalie issue has been resolved with UPL and Levi staffing that position, I expect some action by the GM after the season.

Some quick thoughts on this game: The transformation of UPL into a stalworth goalie is amazing. He's a big fellow who is playing big. Calm with no frantic movement to his game. His rebound control during his recent exceptional stint has been exceptional. It seems that when there is a rebound that it is directed towards a safe area. In this type of game it is difficult to single out the individual play of anyone. Everyone gave good effort throughout, and everyone seemed to be very conscious about their defensive responsibilities. I always considered Bryson to be a utility player who would be brought up when needed. He's not getting a load of minutes but when he is on the ice he is not a liability. Clifton was a good pickup. Nothing special but solid. I consider him to be a good third pairing player who provides some grit to the unit. Dahlin is playing a ton of minutes. He has been smart about picking his spots and husbanding his energy. I thought that Tage played well along with Tuch. I don't want to over interpret a win against Columbus. But it is glaringly evident that this team plays a tighter game on the road. If this team would play like it does on the road at home, the Sabres would be a playoff team. A win is a win. One game at a time.

https://theathletic.com/5231542/2024/01/28/blue-jackets-david-jiricek-ahl/ I don't believe that Columbus has any interest in trading this high-end prospect. Jiricek sees some of the other top prospects in his class get significant playing time in the NHL while he isn't. That frustrates him. It shouldn't be surprising that Columbus would rather see him getting a lot of playing time in various roles with Cleveland in the AHL for developmental reasons. Next year, he will most likely be playing a lot with Columbus. They know how good he can be, and they aren't surprised that this generation of players are more outspoken and impatient. Just a sidenote on this issue: Levi is handling his demotion to the AHL in a much more mature way. He's making the best of his situation and using it to become better prepared for the big leagues.

One of the lifeguards at the pool I regularly swim at was also going to a community college to learn welding. He told me that a good specialty welder could make as much as $100,000 in their first year. Once one gained experience a person could make a lot more. When I refer to specialty welding, I'm not referring to general welders who work on construction sites. (Although they also make a lot of money.) The high-end welders I'm referring to work on nuclear plant projects, on military boats/submarines and airplanes etc. One of the advantages of being in a trade is that you can go anywhere in the country and still find work.

I had a leak somewhere that was causing water spots on the ceiling below. I told the plumber that the wet ceiling was below my bathroom upstairs. He immediately went to the bathroom and directed his attention to the toilet. He tightened the bolt under the tank where there was a leak. He was finished in 15 minutes. It took him more time to write out the work order on his tablet than to diagnose the problem and fix it. The bill was for $316. I was happy to pay the bill because he fixed the problem if left unattended much longer would have cost me thousands of $$$$. The thing about trade workers is that they will always be needed and there is an inexhaustible demand for them. And there is no onerous college debt hanging over you.

I have no clue what you are getting at or what post you are referring to. Simple solution: Don't respond to any of my posts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Whose our best prospect (not including Levi) in Rochester? Is it Kulich or is Rosen moving up the ranks?

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.

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.

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.

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.