JohnC

Some quick thoughts on this game. Not much of a takeaway can be deduced from this game that meant little to Tampa. To the Sabres credit they played this meaningless game with pride. Comrie played really well. Easily earned the first star. He kept the Sabres in the game early on when Tampa was dominating. This might have been Cozens best game of the season. I can foresee the possibility of a Benson/Cozens/Quinn the second line. Benson is becoming one of my favorite players. Great hockey intelligence and a gritty player. Quinn is also a very smart player. The play of the game was Greenway pushing the puck ahead on the PK and then getting it to Cozens for a shorthanded score. This is a big offseason. A few good moves by the front office could be the difference of getting over the hump. On the other hand, if the front office becomes too timid and takes a status quo approach, then the owner deserves an empty building in their home games. At the minimum, this team easily should have had another 8-10 pts in their point column. That's what has been so frustrating about this season. The "what ifs" are gut wrenching!

You make a great point that even if he is losing money from this franchise, the loss of revenue can be directly attributed to his mismanagement of it. He basically eroded the market for his product unsurprisingly resulting in less revenue. It's like a person strangling someone and then complaining that the person isn't putting in the effort to breathe on his own. Buffalo (including southern Ontario) is potentially a great hockey market. It has been suppressed because of extended systemic incompetence. There is no excuse that a number of other organizations that were behind us when our rebuild started are now in front of us. If the owner and front office don't exhibit urgency through their actions this offseason, then it's obvious that they are not committed to succeed. This situation is inexcusable. I'm not advocating for a major overhaul. What I'm arguing for are some impactful personnel decisions that will jolt this team upwards.

I will be watching what moves this front office makes this offseason. I'm not advocating for or expecting some blockbuster deal/s that dramatically alter the shape of this roster. The Greenway and Clifton acquisitions were good/solid additions. My hope is that there will be at least a couple deals that are on a higher level to improve this team. If that doesn't happen, then I place the onus on the owner. My fear (hope that I'm wrong) is that he has lost his passion for the failed franchise he has presided over. It just seems to me that as an owner over the past number of years he has acted as if he is a bean counter in a turbulent business cycle. If that is the case, he is in the wrong business. No question that pro sports are very much a high stakes business. But it's also a competition. If there is little desire to compete with the big boys, then it's better to get out. What's really frustrating about Terry Pegula is that he has become a behind the curtain invisible owner. No one knows what his thoughts are regarding this stumbling franchise. That's not how an owner should operate. No one's arguing that he should be a high-profile owner constantly bellowing out his opinions. But his sphinx-like act behavior while his franchise struggles is getting tiresome.

I was listening to Paul Hamilton on WGR talking about Cozens and his substandard play this season. He made the same point that you just made that the team's disappointing start had a negative/depressing effect on him. Cozens entered the season expecting to play well and be a leader. It seems that because he cared so much he ended up being consumed by the team's failure. The surrounding negativity drained him, and it showed. I, however, have a different view on Cozens and what his role should be next year. I expect him to be our 2C playing with Quinn and another scoring and gritty winger (Peterka??). The critical issue for me is not whether Cozens is our 2C or 3C. It is adding another 2C caliber of talent who can play on the second or third line. The Mitts trade added a first or second pairing defenseman. It was a good hockey trade. But the loss of Mitts requires another player who can fill that void. As I said in prior posts, consistent losing has a corrosive effect on the players. I worry about Dahlin getting influenced by persistent team futility. The owner and GM need to jolt this roster with a couple of impactful players. If those additions can be made it will have a cascading positive effect throughout the lineup.

I agree with your assessment of Cozens's play. It was a big disappointment, especially for a young player who at the beginning of his career showed potential. That's why he garnered a rich and extended contract. It's not unreasonable to expect a highly drafted young player who started his career in a promising fashion to continue on an upward trajectory. The expected upward trajectory flattened out this season. For whatever reason, he became a no impact and non-descript player. My worry of extended team failure (more than half a generation) is that it can have a corrosive effect on players' psyche. It's hard not to get infected by the stench of long-term failure. There's no question that constant negativity influences performances, especially when facing adversity. How many players have left this stuck in the mud franchise and then seem to be liberated and rejuvenated in their new place of employment? The owner and the GM have to show some urgency this offseason by their actions to change the dynamic of this meandering franchise. It would be inexcusable not to use their abundant assets to make a few judicious moves that will jolt this team. The Greenway and Clifton were solid additions. This offseason, the front office needs to make a couple to few higher level deals that will upgrade the roster and change the team dynamic.

You have more than once made a terrific point about both Quinn and Benson i.e. that their hockey IQ is off the charts. And without a doubt their competitiveness are in the same high realm. They are so compatible that it would make good sense to play them on the same line. The next issue regarding the line is who should center for them. I have been a Cozens supporter but this season he disappointed me with his play. I would still consider playing these three on the same line but I say that without conviction. As you suggest with your line projections there are a number of intriguing options.

As you are indicating, the Benson line composition is going to be intriguing. As many have repeatedly said about Benson is that he is a driver of a line, not simply a benefactor of his linemates. Stating the obvious, this was a terrific draft selection.

The remarkable thing about Benson is that he didn't fade as the grinding season advanced. Not only did he hold up well but he got better as the games passed by. What's so remarkable about his season is that this youngster played a physical style of game. He was arguably our most tenacious forechecker and our most willing player to position himself in the tough areas in front of the net. This young guy is the model that the rest of his teammates should emulate! There are two surprising takeaways from this season for me. The first is the play of UPL. I didn't expect him to play as a good #1 goalie so soon. The second surprise may be even bigger: the unexpected quality and tough play of Benson. It's going to be interesting to see how much better he will be next season.

Some quick thoughts: I'm not going to give much meaning to this game because we had nothing to play for other than pride. However, this was an important game for Washington. UPL was my first star. He's playing like a quality #1 goalie. He's our most positive takeaway from a disappointing season. Benson would be my next most positive takeaway from this frustrating season. Power and Dahlin are a good first pairing in this league. Our once thin blueline is filling out to the extent where players are paired where they should be. Next year, Samuelsson will be back and maybe Ryan Johnson will start the season in Buffalo or be one of the first call-ups from the AHL. I thought Tuck had a good game. The best shot of the day came from Quinn. He held the puck and niftily moved to the middle to get off a hard and accurate shot. I expect a lot from him next year. The Sabres got to be one of the worst, if not the worst, at winning draws. It's ridiculously bad. Talent still needs to be added and the player mix needs to be adjusted. We have draft and prospect assets that judiciously need to be used. One critical need is for players that will hang in front of the net in our offensive zone. The player to be emulated in this aspect of the game is Benson. The hometown fans deserved a good effort; I thought they got it in this game.

I watched the Washington feed. Their announcer said it was a personal issue. The hope was that he would come back for the final two games.

You make a strong point about the value of being patient. I'm more confident that Cousins will be a good player for us. I consider him good enough to be a solid second-line center. With Krebs, I'm not sure what he is or will become. What I do know is that it would be a mistake to jump to conclusions about him and write him off too soon. Mitts stands out as an example of being too premature in assessing players. How many people were frustrated by his play and wanted him unceremoniously dispatched? He turned out to be one of our better players whose valued increased to the point that his trade got us a potential top two-pairing player.

I remember there was a discussion about UPL on WGR. I can't remember if it was the hockey commentators or KA that were involved in the discussion. The point was made that his development was not tracking as fast as some expected because of physical reasons. It was noted that he had undergone a couple of surgeries that resulted in offseason rehabbing instead of hockey workouts. A point of emphasis at the end of last season was made by the staff that he had to be diligent in this offseason regime devoted to conditioning. My understanding is that he came into camp lighter and fitter. His performances demonstrated that he took this advice to heart. Needless to say, all of us are disappointed about how this season has transpired. However, in the fog of this disappointment there are a couple of major positives. One of them is our goaltending situation, and the other is the assemblage of a promising group to staff our blueline. It shouldn't be forgotten that Samuelsson will return, and that Ryan Johnson appears to be an excellent prospect who has the talent to make the roster next year, or soon thereafter. Compare this roster situation to what it was a couple to few years ago.

His style of play is not a problem for me. I thought his play with Dahlin was very good in this game. In my opinion this is a very good first pairing that will get nothing but better. Right now, Dahlin is one of the best defensemen in the league.

Some quick thoughts on this game: UPL would be my first star. He is solidifying the notion that he is a good #1 goalie in the league. He was the difference in this game for us where the Flyers had the edge territorially. I like the pairing of Dahlin and Power. I still don't understand the negativity toward Power. Too much criticism is directed toward his style of play. He's not a banger, and never will be. Quinn is good and is going to be a core player for us. His injuries and loss from the lineup for much of the season really hurt us. Benson is becoming a fan favorite. He's arguably our best forechecker. He and Quinn on the same line has a lot of potential. Granato called a time out to excoriate his team. It had an effect! I like Clifton's game. He was a good pickup. A win is a win. One game at a time until the clock runs out.

I'll wear whatever I want to wear. And you wear whatever you want to wear. That's your prerogative.

I simply disagree that he isn't a first or second line talent. I'll go so far as saying that if I had the choice between having Peterka or Quinn, I would take Quinn. You disagree with that assessment. Different eyes and different views. That's OK.

You hit on the central issue why he is receiving some criticism for his play in your last sentence. He's a young player who is going to get better with more experience. Let's remember that Dahlin wasn't instantly a good defenseman. It took time for him to mature both physically and as a player. He's a tall and lanky player. It's going to take time for him to fill out. Let's not forget that took time for Dahlin, Tage, Mitts etc. to both physically and evolve as players. I'm glad that we took him with our first pick in that draft year.

Whether his injury was a board hit or a fluke injury it happens in hockey, and in all sports for that matter. Is he a difference maker? He's a legitimate first or second-line talent. It's not so much an issue of him leading him us to the playoffs as it is having a good enough team/players around him to get this team into the playoffs. Just ask Dahlin what it takes to get to the playoffs. He's a sterling player who needs more help to get this team over the hump.

I don't understand why there is such a chorus of criticism for his lack of physicality because that's how he played in college. (As you point out.) When the Sabres drafted him with the first pick in that draft year, they, like all teams scouting him, were well aware of the type of player he was in college and would be in the NHL. He still was considered the consensus (not unanimous) first pick in that draft. I'm happy we drafted him.

To be fair to Quinn on the issue of durability, he tore his Achilles while training in the offseason, and the injury that he suffered on a hit along the boards would have injured anyone who took a similar hit. It's not so much the frequency of his injuries as it is the severity of them when they have occurred to him. I have high expectations of him as a player for this team.

Peterka has had an excellent season. If I were given the choice of having JJ or Quinn, I would take Quinn. As you keenly note, Quinn's hockey IQ is at the top of the chart. And on top of Quinn's high skill level he is also a tough and gritty player . It's going to be intriguing to see how much better Benson is going to be in his second year with an offseason to better physically prepare for next season.

What you just stated is the mercurial nature of hockey. Washington hit the pipes at least half a dozen times. If a few of those shots would have instead ricocheted in, this would have been a more closely contested game. We were fortunate. But overall, we were the better team. As others have stated, that's what has been so frustrating about this season. We are better than many of the teams vying for the playoffs. The Sabres made some exquisite passes that resulted in scores. The pass to Tuch and Tage were examples of that. Our first line with Tuck/Tage/JJ dominated this game. As you point out UPL was a difference maker. He's playing like a good #1 NHL goalie. One of the main deficiencies in this team all season long was the lack of net presence on offense. It was better in this game. Girg's goal was an example of what can happen when you are willing to position yourself in that tough turf. Since his return, I thought Quinn was moving very well. His injury before the season and during the season was very damaging. It had a cascading negative effect to more than one line. There are those that argue that the remaining games are meaningless. What are they arguing for? To give up and not play hard and not play with pride and integrity? I just don't understand that odd line of reasoning!

LGR said 70%. WGR estimated 70% plus.

Are you at the game? If so, what percentage are Toronto fans?

I'm listening to WGR. Try another browser. Try this link. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550