mjd1001 Posted October 14, 2016 Report Share Posted October 14, 2016 I have been thinking about this all summer....what do you think the identity of this team will be going forward? I can't think of what it will be compared to other successful teams? -Speed teams. Teams like the Flames, Hawks (to a certain extent), Montreal. Tampa. There are teams that have a LOT of speed through a large part of their lineup. The Sabres have a few fast players (Eichel, Ennis, Kane) but they don't play fast as a team, and can't skate with the elite speed teams. -Physical teams. L.A. San Jose. Teams that will punish you and wear you down. I really don't see the Sabres being this type of team. Even the guys who do hit (or fight) don't do it often or consistent enough..and there aren't many of them. -Skilled teams. Maybe not the fastest..but highly skilled..from playmakers on offense to D-men that are great at moving the puck. Think Pittsburgh here. Is this Sabres team going to be an elite, top 5 skilled team? Maybe, but I don't see it yet. -Shut down D teams. L.A. is another example..but maybe the best example has been Boston in recent years. Some of the best Defensive forwards..and an Elite guy on D. You have O'Rielly on the Sabres..but I don't see many other players filling this role. So, when or if the Sabres become good (if they become a top 5-6 team year after year), what will this roster turn into in terms of their identity? I can't seem to pick one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cisse Posted October 14, 2016 Report Share Posted October 14, 2016 I'd say we are a waiting things to get better team like Columbus and Toronto. No success in the cards in couple of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trettioåtta Posted October 14, 2016 Report Share Posted October 14, 2016 Failed team? Is that an identity? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwksndmonster Posted October 14, 2016 Report Share Posted October 14, 2016 Good team. We're going to overwhelm other teams with our depth of quality forwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_sauve28 Posted October 14, 2016 Report Share Posted October 14, 2016 The new Edmonton Oilers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwksndmonster Posted October 14, 2016 Report Share Posted October 14, 2016 The new Edmonton Oilers?Yikes. That illuminates my "depth of quality forwards" in a haunting light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Flagg Posted October 14, 2016 Report Share Posted October 14, 2016 An injured team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Berries Posted October 14, 2016 Report Share Posted October 14, 2016 What that identity means, I have no clue. And I get the sneaking suspicion he may not either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doohickie Posted October 14, 2016 Report Share Posted October 14, 2016 I will say this, regardless of the personality the team eventually evokes, it's way too early to look at the team and judge or even describe it. With ROR starting the season with an injury, the new guys (Ok and Kuli) out with injuries, and then Jack getting hurt at the end of the last practice, I think the best we can hope for over the next week or two is something that looks a lot like the beginning of last year: Spotty (at best) chemistry as linemates learn each others' tendencies, and complete breakdowns at times because so many players are still learning the system. Not only did DD have to deal with injuries, he's had to deal with them happening very late in training camp. He's had very little time to adjust the team. At mid-season, the injuries would be less disruptive as players would already be adjusted to the system and know their roles, even if they are playing with different linemates. In this case, DD is trying to put together a team on the fly with a lot of key pieces going missing all at once, and before the team even starts playing for realz. It doesn't mean the team sucks and it doesn't mean the coach is garbage. It means that we're starting the season with a team we didn't think would be playing, and as a result, the key players are not playing with the other players they thought they would. Everything is diluted and out of wack as forwards slide up and down the depth chart to cover holes. PP and PK chemistry is disrupted. Cats and dogs living together. The team we saw in Game 1 is *not* this year's edition of the Buffalo Sabres. Don't write off the season. Even if Kane and Jack are out for extended periods, I think you're going to see a much better product on the ice as we head into November. Until then, TANK ON. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASabreFan Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 I suspect they needed to get one of McDavid or Babcock to have an identity. The identity continues to be an old Lindy-ism: Eeyore Hockey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunkard Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 I'd like to see them become a strong passing and possession team that's well rounded with skill, speed, grit, and defensive awareness. It's gonna be rough going to start with all the injuries but I think we'll still have a decent shot at the playoffs by the turn of the calendar. If they can weather the storm we could be primed for a decent run once the rest of the cavalry returns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksabre Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 Dan Bylsma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GASabresIUFAN Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 We need to out work every team we play and let that become our identity because we aren't fast enough, skilled enough or tough enough to play any of those styles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwksndmonster Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 We need to out work every team we play and let that become our identity because we aren't fast enough, skilled enough or tough enough to play any of those styles. That means we need John Torts on the job! We'll pick him up next week when he gets fired from whoever the is actually letting him coach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North Buffalo Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 Identity is a term used by News people and PR people when they have nothing else to write about..... Yawn :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvelo Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 losers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippyfeet Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 One game and we're having this discussion. Panic much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueBlueGED Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 We need to out work every team we play and let that become our identity because we aren't fast enough, skilled enough or tough enough to play any of those styles. We're definitely skilled enough (up front anyway) to let that be our identity. True we don't have the speed to play like Pittsburgh, but we can definitely play like Detroit did when it was good. Unfortunately, we have a coach who would rather play fast north-south and grind it out on the boards...and we don't have the right players for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjd1001 Posted October 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 One game and we're having this discussion. Panic much. In my original post I stated it was a discussion I had before the first game was every played. It has NOTHING to do with panic at all, not even close....it is a general thought/question about how people think this team will be identified as going forward. Isn't that was discussions forums are for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunomatic Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 their identity is that of a team that is aboot 1 season out of a complete teardown. Thats who they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorny Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 their identity is that of a team that is aboot 1 season out of a complete teardown. Thats who they are. They are, who we thought they were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampD Posted October 16, 2016 Report Share Posted October 16, 2016 Mr. Bump is fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GASabresIUFAN Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 That means we need John Torts on the job! We'll pick him up next week when he gets fired from whoever the ###### is actually letting him coach. You don't need Torts, you need leadership and hard work and that was what we saw in Edm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudacek Posted October 18, 2016 Report Share Posted October 18, 2016 Way back, when Murray was first hired he said something to the effect of "I want big, fast, skilled guys who can shoot bullets and skate through walls. But everybody wants that. If there is one thing I care most about, it is hockey sense." I think that when the pieces come together this team's identity will be neither Pittsburgh, nor LA. It will be smart, competitive and versatile. Remember how the Okposo/O'Reilly/Reinhart line played against Edmonton? That is our identity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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