JohnC

I have said it numerous times that I'm not going to over-interpret what our recent good record means. However, that doesn't mean that these games aren't meaningful for the opposing teams. During this short positive segment we have beaten upper echelon teams and teams vying for a playoff spot. So let's not suggest that other teams are folding because they are playing an out of contention team. The point is often made that the Sabres are winning primarily because of the recent good of Reimer. Well hallelujah, that's exactly what I and others have pointed out. Getting good goalie play uplifts for the team. That's what I and other have noted needs to be addressed in the offseason i.e. the goalie position.

What I'm seeing is not matching up with the analytics that many here are citing. As an example, I do see an uptick in Quinn's recent play since the benching due to being late for a team meeting. Some posters here are suggesting otherwise, most notably @mjd1001. And it should be noted that in the recent games many of them/victories were against good teams and teams vying for playoff spots. While I'm not going to over interpret the recent preponderance of wins, I will draw some cautious encouragement from this end of season play.

Ovie scored tonight against Carolina. Three goals away from passing Wayne G. https://www.nhl.com/news/alex-ovechkin-scores-goal-892-now-3-from-breaking-nhl-record

There is no question that Adams made some premature assumptions about his players entering the season, mostly young players, that didn't materialize. That's why this season didn't come close to meeting our expectations. Given that disappointment, that doesn't mean that Quinn/Benso/Kulich/JJP/Power shouldn't be better players next year. I expect that to happen but also not assuming it. As far as Zucker and McLeod producing like 2nd lines, from a production standpoint I can't say definitely. However, what I can say about both player is that both of them will provide experience, adequate production and good examples to the younger players. I'm not going to complain if they become solid third line players. With respect to the injury factor for injury prone players such as Greenway and Norris that's an unavoidable fact of life in sports for all teams. No team is immune from that issue. It seems to me that this team is starting to build up with more depth on the roster and within the system. There are no guarantees and never will be. It's the nature of the physical business. The Sabres wil not be a serious Cup contending team next year. I'm not delusional. But my expectation is that they should be a playoff qualifying team if our GM responds more wisely in his tasks than he has done in the past. (As you should well know, I'm not a fan of KA.) The owner has the say here. So you deal with what you got and go on whether you like it or not.

I'm not advocating for all the highlighted players to be on the top two lines. Benson may be more suitable as a third line player. Also, there is nothing wrong with having a high functioning third line with the ability of those players to move up the lines when the inevitable injuries happen. I have also advocated for the need to add another established second-line player to this roster.

I would certainly take the bet on young players such as Quinn, Benson, Kulich, JJP and Powers. Do I know for sure that all these players will become good players? I do think so but am smart enough to say that I'm not sure. I'm willing to be more patient than most here. If you ask me if I'm willing to place a bet on UPL, my response would be a no. My position on him is that I'm willing to be a bit more patient but I want an acceptable option in place because I'm not fully counting on him.

The Capitals's front office has decisively outperformed our piddling front office. Over the past two to three years they have reconstituted their lineup and invigorated it by adding a number of complementary pieces. The most impactful action that their front office made was adding two goaltenders, Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren, for a miniscule price. Based on performance, our GM is a pigmy compared to their GM.

I'm more upbeat on Quinn than you are. Sometimes you have to accept who the player is instead of trying to fit him in the mold you prefer him to be in. I agree with you that he is not the type of player who excels at generating his own shots. He's more of the type of player who needs to be set up. His main asset is his shot. And that is not an attribute that I'm going to lightly dismiss. He's another young player that we have to be a little more patient with and see how things unfold. As long as he is willing to put effort on the other side of the game, I'm more willing to be more patient with him. Without getting too entangled with the analytics, which sometimes doesn't give you an accurate picture, my eyes tell me that his recent play has improved. While I'm not saying your assessment is wrong, I am saying that based on his recent play he deserves more time before drawing a hardened conclusion.

This team certainly has a number of weaknesses. Few are saying otherwise, especially not I. However, what I am saying is that even with the glaring deficiencies if we had the type of goaltending that Reimer has recently been displaying, this team would be in the middle of contention for a playoff spot. The 13 game non-winning streak is a non-erasable part of the season. Does that happen to such a season sabotaging extent with solid goaltending? I don't believe so.

I'm surprised with your negative view of Quinn, especially since his recent good play. (Not going to disagree with your jaundiced view of Cozens. His departure seemed to open up opportunities for other players who are taking advantage of it.) There were two plays in this game that demonstrated to me that Quinn could be a good NHL player. The first was with him battling behind the net to retrieve the puck that an Ottawa player had, then pass it out to Dahlin who then scored from the outside. The second play was another play where he battled another Ottawa player along the back wall, got it back and passed it to JJP who had a good scoring chance near the net. Both of these physical plays were the type of plays that were lacking in his game. More attention is being paid to his increased point scoring but substantively what I find most encouraging is his greater willingness to be more physical and battle for the puck. KA is placing a bet on this young fellow, and it seems that he is winning that bet. Quinn is a keeper, and so is JJP and Kulich.

The issue isn’t whether to bring him back or not for me. The issue is whether he could handle the heavy load of a #1 goalie. As of late he has been stellar. Because UPL is playing as a rattled goalie, the goalie issue is still a big question mark that needs to be addressed in the offseason. What’s the answer? I’m not sure.

If the GM gambles on having UPL being the #1 goalie, he is making a big gamble. I just wish Reimer was a few years younger where it would be more likely for him to handle a heavy-duty load of a #1 goalie.

Reimer is clearly the first star in this game. When watching this game you get the "what if" sensation if only we had this caliber of goaltending all year long. What was impressive about his play beyond his impressive stops was that the economy of movement even when Ottawa had a number of good chances. UPL has something to learn when watching Reimer play. The most impressive play may have been the pass from Tage to JJP who passed it back to Tage for the score. Tick-tack-toe play. The play that encouraged me the most was Quinn battling on the back boards to get the puck, then passing it to Dahlin for the score. There is no question that Quinn is belatedly stepping up his game. Krebs is playing well and hard. He needs to shoot more. In this game, even when Ottawa had the puck in the Buffalo zone, the Sabres never panicked. They kept after it all along. This was a game where the Sabres played hard throughout. I can't recall any lulls. Kulich made a couple of impressive plays by putting on the jets to get to the back with a defender on him and then getting off a quick and hard shot. We really need Quinn, JJP and Kulich to continue to develop. It's clear all three have offensive talent. The Sabres have won 5 out of the last 6 games. Many of those games were against playoff teams and team fighting for a playoff spot. So they should be given credit for that. Again, what a difference when you have good goaltending. I'm starting to feel a lot more positive about this team. Next year, Norris and Greenway will be back. Starting to have depth where players will be competing for jobs and playing time.

Yes.

Roster construction is mostly the GM's responsibility through player acquisitions. No doubt, there is plenty of communication between the two parties to get the right mix of players and then put them in a position to succeed. I'm a Zucker guy. Whatever line he is on he provides toughness and net presence. He's also a factor on the PP because of his ability to go to the tough areas in front of the net. I'm often critical of the GM but do give him credit for the Zucker and McCleud acquisitions. He needed to do a little more on that front to make our very young roster a little better balanced.

One of my main criticisms of KA is his inability to properly assess his own players and individually put the players in the best position to succeed. Olofsson is a good example of that. There is no question that he is an offensive specialty player. He's primarily a shooter. This season with Vegas, in 49 games he has 13 goals and 12 assists, with a +/- of +14. And half of his goals were scored on the PP. He's certainly not a well-rounded player you would want on any of your top two lines, and obviously you wouldn't want him on a checking line. But by utilizing his strengths and minimizing his weaknesses he can be a contribute when his role is properly assigned.

You hit on the issue that will differentiate whether he becomes a good player or more of an offensive specialty player, like Skinner. I'm a little more optimistic than you are regarding his prospects. His recent good play which came after his benching for being late to a meeting seemed to light a spark in him. I have to give the coach credit for holding players accountable. It seems the development priority has now been subordinated to the performance priority. The GM and organization have placed a big bet on the development of players such as Quinn, JJP and Kulich. The big challenge for them is not in the offensive zone, that comes naturally to them, as it is being able to play a responsible two-way game that allows them not to become a liability in end of game situations.

How far away is he from being NHL ready? One, two years?

One of the primary reasons why there is a distaste for Power here is his playing style. He's not a banger, never was and never projected to be that type of bullish player. He's more of a skater and positional/finesse type defenseman who is still learning how to play. Too many people expected him to be a defenseman who wiped out players hovering around the net. That's not his game and never will be. He was wrongly stereotyped, and when his play didn't match the expected stereotype, he was deemed as a failure. It took some time for Tage Thompson to physically mature and become a primary player for us. I also believe that after Power goes through the same physical maturation process he will become one of the better blueliners in the league. Only time will tell. I'm very comfortable with my evaluation of him.

You are astute and perspicacious. 😀 My position on retaining Power is resolute. Although I do like the play of Byram, if he can bring back a second-line forward in a trade. or even a rugged second-pairing defensive blueliner, I would be receptive to a deal.

Whether he gets hot and goes on a scoring spree the mind-set for this backward franchise for all players is what you get is what you earn. No more of "not blocking" young fellows should direct how coaches assign playing time and roles. The word "entitled" should be stricken from the organization's vocabulary. Maybe that approach made sense when the rebuilding was in the first stage. But now the organization is entering the 6th year of the so-called "plan". I do believe that Quinn, JJP and Kulich are second-lines talents. But that doesn't mean that right now they are playing at second-line levels. I've said it, you've said it and many others have made the same point that the out of his depth GM needs to bring in a few veterans to be examples for the young fellows on how to play and prepare.

He is elite. Yep.

Sabres don't win he is not in the lineup. That's a reflection of how good and important he is to this team.

We are in accord. I would also like to add that much of our defensive deficiencies can be attributed to the inadequacy of our young forwards.

Dahlin is recognized all around the league to be an elite player. As the record shows, when he is not in the lineup, the team plummets even more than usual. Dahlin's vast talents are not a secret to those who follow and are involved in the league.