Mr Peabody

Have to go to NHL APP to connect, and click on scores. Very intuitive right???

NJ looking like I’d hoped we would. Are they even coach-able?

What a difference a year makes.

Voted no mostly from superstition and “too good to be true vibe”. If they stay healthy and play with the energy the Amerks have in these past exhibition games they should. Amerks have been like wolves attacking the net - we need Sabres top lines to do the same. Ottawa, Philly, Montreal, Detroit can all take a step up so it’ll be a dogfight to get in.

Kyle O on NHL XM was asked what he saw / impressed him when he first got to Florida. He mentioned the seriousness, commitment and hard work of all players when they got to the rink every day. Called out Barkov as an incredibly hard worker they all tried to follow. This is why I think we should start with no C but KA said we’ll have one. Just because you aren’t wearing the C doesn’t mean you can’t be that guy.

Liked the pack mentality of going to the net. Speed and quickness favored the Sabres. Face offs were abysmal but they were so one sided you know they’ll be a focus for improvement.

Not sure where else to put this but listened to Donnie G on NHL Radio XM this morning. He's going to have a regular show on Tuesday mornings - not sure if he's hosting or will be a contributor to the existing morning show in a fixed time slot. Most interesting part of the interview is when he described a typical day in Buffalo as HC. A lot less on ice coaching than I could have imagined. Sounded too much administration to me but he described that as typical of today's NHL. No surprise but he's very much into the soft skills / human relations side of hockey - the Ying to a guy like Tort's Yang. Was preceded on the show by Bill Zito and they're good friends and highly respectful of each other. Lives in Buffalo and won't move until he finds an opportunity elsewhere.

Seen this movie before

If it’s a clean slate could Ruff go with a veteran, former King Clancy award winner on a one year contract and see how the season plays out?

I’ll go with a dark horse - Zucker.

IMO KA’s best press conference since he took the job. Thought he was as open as could be and liked his explanations for his roster moves. Thought he also dispelled the rumor of TP handicapping him with an Internal budget. I never bought into that anyway. Not that it matters but I now understand the Mitts trade and Skinner buyout. Always thought Ralph demoted Skinner based on Eichel’s wishes and now I’d bet Tage felt the same.

If he’s got to have a nickname at least make it Maynard, right?

Good call. He’s signed for 2 more years. Wonder if he could clear waivers at $1.45M and get ice time in Rochester in lieu of splitting time in Buffalo? Especially when both teams have home games.

Would imagine Krebs is having a hard time seeing where he fits in with the additions KA brought in and the young talent in Rochester. Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re working together to find him an opportunity elsewhere. Seems KA really likes him and he’d do good by him.

Soccer officials operating the clock?

Do the Sabres need a captain who can get in the face of a teammate not pulling his weight ( see “accountability”)? Can the names being mentioned in this thread do this? Are the friendships too deep to call out a teammate? I trust Lindy to figure this out.

My guess is 3 A’s to start the season. Tuch, Thompson, Dahlin. The entire team admitted there was no accountability last year so I think Lindy will see which one is able to hold his teammates accountable. Based on exit interviews my money is on Tage.

This might be more of a whine than a complaint. Two of us from Syracuse (Sabres fans) have a friend from Toronto (Leafs fan) and we all went to last December’s Sabres beat down of the Leafs. Had a great time. Decided to do it again and make it an annual thing so when pre-sale came up I went on but could only buy two tickets. So I waited until first day of individual game tickets and nothing in lower bowl available (except secondary market). Last year on the same day there were plenty and we all know the arena will be 60%+ full of Leaves so what happened? What is different this year versus prior year is my thought / question.

Should be good for 30 goals.

They have size, speed and I’m guessing are better in the corners than most of our perceived top 9. Get the puck to the scorers and be obnoxious in the crease would be a nice change.

Question. Do you think Lindy will play what we are calling the 4th line additions as a 4th line? Or, intersperse them among the lines to add some size and muscle to our scoring lines?

I’ve suffered death by ppt more times than I care to remember.

If like the tenacity added to the bottom 6. However, I don’t believe it was the bottom six that kept us out of the playoffs last year. Still want to see a skill player added and preferably one that can play center. Keep tinkering KA.

I think we’re basically in agreement but here’s my push back: Ruff never coached him but knows for sure he won’t be able to utilize his skills and improve his weaknesses? Obviously a whole lot I don’t of what goes on behind the curtain but couldn’t imagine going to my boss and saying I can’t have so and so on my team before even trying to make it work. Especially like you said when waiting a year would lessen the buyout hit.

Or the downgrade could be based on not learning anything from last year? Too much hopium and rostering another team at or near the youngest in the league. Buying out Skinner for what looks like (now anyway) no apparent reason. They were getting toasted for that on XM NFL.