pi2000

Well it was interesting to hear that he's been struggling with neck/nervous system issues since 2018 and hasn't really been healthy at any point since (neck, abdominal, rib fracture..)

I'd give Tuch an "A" and Cozens at some point. Don't know enough about the office social dynamics to make that decision tho. That said, the future captain is not currently with the team, but has already been drafted.

Eakin is one of the few experienced players on the roster. He'll play if he's healthy.

Use it to fill out the roster and upgrade the goaltender position, but don't spend to the cap. They won't be contenders next season so they need to continue to grow from within, draft , develop, and use money to keep guys they like. Don't be tempted to jumpstart the rebuild by signing one or two big name UFAs.... now is not the time.

Who will be the next Sabre to go down? Skinner is having a nice bounce-back season and for that reason he's destined for a season ending injury here sooner than later.

Yo, I'm assuming you're being sarcastic here.... 🙂 Tomkins and Pasquale will be playing against their peers in the Olympics, and those numbers are no joke. Levi? Has never played against pros.... so jury is out. It's foolish to simply assume he'll put up the same numbers he did in college, when the sample size is 0. At this point, he's 3rd string. Let's hope he proves to everyone he deserves the starting nod.

Sabres for life or GTFO

I'm a big fan of Brock Faber, I'd offer them R. Johnson straight up.... and while your at it, throw in a pick and try to pry the rights to David Hrenak from them as well.

I'm not sure how you come to that conclusion. Levi is playing NCAA while the other two are seasoned pros. Sure Levi's put up some nice numbers against amatuers, but these two (both drafter higher than Levi) are having really nice pro seasons.... Pasquale KHL 38g .916 1.99gaa Tomkins SHL 23g .913 2.23gaa I'd say unless Levi dazzles in the prelims, he likely won't dress in the medal rounds.

I'd give him 5 games, and make him skate out at the All-Star game as Batherson's replacement.

Hold up. They just got blown out by Ottawa. OTTAWA. And it wasn't even close, giving up 47 shots, 11 high danger chances at ES and generating only 4 of their own. Outshot 36-20 at ES. Are you saying Ottawa is that much more talented than Buffalo? BUF was supposed to be a free wheeling team under Granato, the shackles came off when Kruger was fired, yet they rank DFL at generating high danger chances per game and 10th worse at suppressing high danger chances. At some point the finger has to point at the coaching staff... they're not improving as a team. They look disorganized and lost out there, last night some players seemed to just check out after they got down a few. Do better.

The other goalies are big and having great seasons of their own overseas. I just Levi gets a game here and there. I expect a similar trajectory for Power as what we saw at the Worlds last year.

There has to be a balance, let them create offensively while being responsible in the d-zone.

This team plays with no structure, it looks like they're playing pickup. I get the idea they're young and Granato wants to give them some leash to be creative... but there has to be some minimal sense of structure for them to operate in. I don't see it. It won't matter how much talent they add if they're all playing as individuals.

Don't lose to Jacksonville and play the Chiefs in Buffalo. If Mahomes is on his game and at home, there's nothing you can really do except hope they make a mistake. In Buffalo you'd at least have crowd noise, weather, etc... to make things more difficult.

It simply due to having too many borderline NHL level players playing at a level they shouldn't be.

My guess on Quinn is a knee sprain.

He was serviceable defensively, a career plus player. Dahlin is already a career -66 after 3 and a half seasons.

The Sabres ranks (at even strength)... Shots Against/60: 31st Shots For/60: 27th High Danger Chances For/60: 31st High Danger Chances Against/60: 20th ....that's some bad hockey. Sure, INDIVIDUALLY some of the players have improved, however you could argue they've largely regressed AS A TEAM under Granato. Watching them play (with my trained eye), they do not appear to have installed any defensive system whatsoever. They chase and scramble in the d-zone, easily give up the blue line, turn pucks over due to lack of support, etc. etc. the list goes on. It appears their only focus is individual player development.... which is fine, but the loses are going to continue to pile up until they commit to playing a winning brand of hockey.

Only makes sense if he gets some games.

Dahlin's goal was nice but his defensive play still sucks. He was beat to the net on more than one occasion for prime scoring chances. He just doesn't seem to be improving at all in his own zone which should be a huge concern. My fear is he's becoming Erik Karlsson, a career minus player (-67) who's a massive liability in his own end. Sure he'll put up points, but won't move the needle in win column.

Historic run to 12th place? LFG!

The Bills and Sabres use the same panel of doctors. But that's besides the point. How is a doctor supposed to prevent Quinn's injury?

meh, it's as good a year as any to be plagued by the injury bug. hopefully it's weeks and not months.