JohnC

Yes to your question. Entering this season my expectation/hope was for them to stay in the playoff race to the end. And I expected this team to be in the 90 point range. The first part of the expectation is coming to fruition while the second part will fall short. This team's needs have clearly been identified. I expect the GM to be more aggressive in adding blue line talent. Although it didn't work out the pursuit of Chycrun was a good sign that he needed to take action. I want the GM to be more active in adding a more dependable goalie. I'm not sure if he is going to succeed in that endeavor?

My time frame is different from yours. The KA era has absolutely nothing to do with the era/s before his elevation and tenure as a GM. I understand the frustrations of many here. But my viewpoint, compared to those who constantly compare this team to teams from era in the past, is that he is taking the right approach. In fact, I would say that his rebuild is going faster than I thought it would take. I'm confident that you have another view. Nostalgia can be entrapping.

It's your standard jaundiced view of things. Of course, DG is on board with the plan. Why do you think that he was given the position and full time hiring after the Krueger firing? It certainly wasn't because he disagreed with blueprint that the new GM established. In your fantasy world you expected that the turnaround should have been instantaneous with no bumps and bruises on the way. You don't have to be sober to understand that is not how things usually work. You act as if your understanding of the definition of "depletion" is a major discovery. Of course, it means lack of depth. What else is it supposed to mean?

Within this WGR link is a 20 min segment with Granato on the Jeremy White Show. The coach talks about Greenway, Levi and Samuelsson. With respect to Greenway, he is confident that he can be a lot better. There are hints that he is hurt. He mentioned that right now he is day to day. On Levi, he pointed out that what makes him special as a player is his makeup and maturity beyond his years. He compares him to Power in that regard. On the loss of Samuelsson and relating it to the team's struggles, he stated that the team's downward spiral after his injury is more attributable to the depletion within the unit rather than attributing it directly to Samuelsson not playing. My general takeaway is that the coach is an ardent believer in the process and is optimistic that the organization is on the right course. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/authors/howard-and-jeremy-show

I'm going to give him 10 to 15 games next fall before I judge too much. With an offseason and training camp he should have more than enough time to establish a role and become comfortable with the team. In my mind, I see him as a third line or lower player who provides some size and toughness. I don't want to exaggerate his role next year. If he understands his role and plays within it, as Jost does, then his addition is a plus.

The Sabres have assembled a good top line with Skinner/Tage/Tuch. The second line composed of Quinn/Cozens/Peterka is a work in progress. Cozens started to emerge this season while Quinn ,episodically, demonstrated that he can be a good to top tier player. Peterka seemed to stall and lose his footing this season but in the past few games you can see him regaining his confidence. That's the future. Hopefully, it augurs well for the near future i.e. next season. The youthful pieces that have worked up from the system have started to make an impact or more accurately show that they are capable of making an impact. The fortitude to have enough patience to allow these players to develop can be frustrating to experience. But there is no other way. The best thing the GM can do for these young players is to address the weaknesses of the roster (everyone knows what they are) and give these young players a stronger platform to support then and help them grow.

Although the Sabres lost a home game against the Rangers in OT, I thought it was one of their best games from a variety of standpoints. All the lines played a tight, disciplined and defensive oriented style of play. The energy was good throughout and there were few lapses in the game. That was only a few games ago. Could they duplicate that type of play? Maybe not to that level on a consistent basis but they do have it in them to play smarter with a greater awareness in their defensive zone. Something that has not been evident in its most recent games. I'm not completely counting them out of the playoffs but realistically it is a longshot. However, this team needs to finish the season on a more positive note. There are some deficiencies that are evident to everyone. Those plaguing issues need to be addressed in the offseason. If this team continues its downward spiral for the rest of the season, I will be very disappointed.

Pursue a goalie in the offseason, such as Saros, if available. Would we have to give up assets, including first round draft pick/s? Absolutely. There are a few prospects that I would consider untouchable, such as Savoie, but getting a goalie such as Saros or whomever would do more to elevate this team next year than addressing any other position. The GM can't only fully stay on his internal development course. He's got to get aggressive and address the goalie and blue line unit this offseason. It's beyond past time to make a bold team to energize this roster and fan base. The pursuit of Chyrun is an indication that our GM is willing to make an aggressive move to accelerate the process.

If one reviews your roster and @GASabresIUFANprojections what is apparent is that the bulk of the roster is set. The need to address the blueline and goalie positions are clearly evident. The GM's Chycrun pursuit indicated that recognition. I'm not sure if the GM is willing to expend serious assets to acquire the caliber of goalie that would be a difference maker (such as Saros) for this team? Will there even be that type of goalie/s on the market to deal for? That's an open question for me. But where there will be opportunities on the market this offseason is 4-6 caliber of blueliners that should upgrade that unit. Granato and KA have often have repeatedly stated that improvement is going to be centered around the development of the young players that are on the team and in the system. Given that realization, at the minimum buttressing the defensive unit should be doable via trades or free agency, and it shouldn't require shedding an inordinate amount of assets. The goalie issue from an acquisition standpoint is much more of a challenge. I still believe that the GM is going to stay with the players he already has, now including Levi, for the most critical position in the sport. If he does take the more conservative route in addressing that position that will be a potential self-sabotaging gamble.

(Just my impression.) From a makeup perspective he reminds me of Miller because he is so thoughtful. He's careful when choosing his words. He seems to be influenced more by analytics and less by emotions. Great attributes for a goalie.

Your strawman argument that you color me with is utter BS. On this issue you offer the same nonsensical response. You and your pugilistic allies say it is not about fighting when you and your allies argue about the lack of fighting by the Sabres. My position is consistent. Play harder and tougher. That has nothing to do with fighting. That isn't promoting soft hockey; it's the opposite. If you are so enamored with fighting then just go to a to a MMA or pro fighting match and get your vicarious bloodthirsty thrills there. The Sabres certainly have deficiencies. Idiotic, contrived fighting is not one of them.

Even if this team has an end of the season tailspin I don't see KA fired. The owner is committed to the GM and the plan he agreed to. I won't be as lenient if after another season this team continues to be stuck in the muck of mediocrity.

The problem with the Sabres has absolutely nothing to do with willingness to fight. That is a phantom issue imagined by old school fans who pine for the hooligan era of hockey that existed more than a generation ago. A willingness to fight addresses none of our obvious deficiencies that were on display against the Flyers. Playing hard and tough have nothing to do with fighting. There is no fighting in Olympic hockey and college hockey. Fighting is not allowed in football, basketball, baseball, genuine wrestling etc. If people are so enamored and captivated with fighting in NHL, they should instead watch MMA, pro wrestling and pro fighting events. The Sabres were too loose and not engaged defensively (including forwards) to keep up against a team that played harder and tougher. How many times were Flyer players uncovered when they got off a goal scoring shot? The Sabres lost to a more active and engaged team. I turned the channel and watched one of the tournament basketball games. It was much more entertaining. Fighting is simply stupid and a doesn't address the real problems that hinder this team.

How about 3 to 4? I would bet on 3. I can see maybe two defenders added to the blueline unit. I know we just signed Levi but I would like to see an upper tier goalie added such as Saros. However, not counting on it.

How can you tell if an old-timer is a hipster? They button the top button on their shirts.

@Brawndois combative. I'm confident that he threw the Milk Duds back at you, followed by some choice obscenities. Rumor has it that he is the usher who hits unruly people with his bulky flashlight.

He's well known. He has a reputation for physically throwing out juveniles who are unruly. The punks know not to mess with this tough as nails mature hipster.

Don't tell me you were shirking your duty for a matinee discount? If you then asked for a senior citizen discount, you will be pushing your luck. Get back to work and serve this cantankerous community!

Send him to Rochester to play full-time. If and when the Sabres are out of the playoff race then play him in Buffalo to get him introduced to the league.

Within this WGR link is a 25 min interview with Dan Dunleavy. The focus of the discussion is on having a perspective on where this team is in comparison to some of the more established and veteran teams. You can skip the first five minutes which focuses on arenas. In this interview, you get a more positive sense of where this team is at and trending. We often have similar discussions here. Participants here such as @dudacekand @Taro T and some others, periodically, try to quell the heat of the emotions after some frustrating and exasperating losses by acknowledging and accepting that disappointments are part of the process. It's good hockey talk. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/authors/howard-and-jeremy-show

Stop being so supercilious. 🤡

I also hope that he learns from this experience and becomes a better person. However, this is a different world from which you and I grew up. Our episodes of bad behavior were not captured on camera phones or surveillance video. Our bad deeds were forgotten. We were able to move on without permanently being tainted. That's not the case in this era. That video will exist forever. And it is going to be a public record that will follow him and be associated with him.

There is no question that the reason why this incident became a public issue is because his father is prominent in the hockey world. And there is no doubt from a criminal perspective compared to other acts this is a miniscule bad act/behavior relative to criminal matters. But what makes this issue resonate (at least for me) is that it represents a behavior that lacks decency, civility and empathy. Is this young fellow a serious bad actor? No. However, this particular conduct goes beyond being inconsiderate. He's at an age that he should have known better. And he's at an age where he should be held accountable for his more than boorish bad behavior.

I don't want to shift the subject away from the topic but the same arguments that make Buffalo a good situation for Levi are the same that can apply to D Ryan Johnson from University of Minnesota. Both could be joining a team on the rise and be in a situation where their respective positions are in need. And both players will be given an opportunity to play rather soon, assuming each demonstrates the talent to do so.

Put aside who his father is. If he were simply some typical, immature over-drinking college kid (which he appears to be), this behavior still falls in the category of being disturbing simply because it is so callous and inconsiderate of how it might affect someone who was handicapped. I don't want to exaggerate the seriousness of this stupid act. It is less about the issue of criminality as it is a testament to this kid's lack of character and awful attitude. He's a punk who needs a good jolt (ass kicking). Some people can be publicly shamed, resulting in remorse and a change in behavior. My sense, maybe being unfair, is that he is a spoiled and entitled brat who is shameless. Whatever category he falls under, he should be held accountable.