"The Sabres are going to be VERY good"

[SabresFanInRochester]

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/The-Sabres-are-Going-to-be-VERY-Good-Barzals-Brilliance-New-Standings/1/91382

 

I know Ek doesn't earn respect for his ridiculous rumor site. Understandable.

 

But, before he said it, my thoughts were that we have a team that without their most talented players (Eichel, and now Eichel and Kane) is beating the best in the league. They have been playing better hockey; just inconsistent. Powerplay is clicking. Maybe it just wasn't because we let the coach slip away to Minnesota. This team will be strong, and the roster does not need to be blown up. Yes, tweaks need to be made, but this team is closer than many (including most of the stuff I read on SS) believe.

 

I have suffered through reading topics dedicated to:

• Fire Phil Fan Club
• O'Reilly "very likely I'll be traded"
• JBot Do Something Already 1, 2, and 3
• Can this Franchise be saved?

 

Not to mention the themes that carries over from topic to topic:

• Reinhart was a mistake and we should have taken ...
• Bogosian sucks and is only interested in cocaine
• The team is too slow
• Everyone needs to be blown up and we start fresh

 

And if you're not depressed enough, have you ever listened to Schopp and the Bulldog, or any of the callers???

 

I say, F you Joe-bu. I do it my way. I will stay the course. I will keep my season tickets for another year. This team is getting there, and I cannot wait to see them with Jack, Guhle and Middlestadt next year. That's enough speed injected into a team that is already competing with the big dogs.

[dudacek]

Hockey fandom is about hope. No point otherwise, for me.

Glad you still have some. I always will.

 

9-7-2 since the Dallas debacle, including two wins against Tampa and two against Boston.

Half those games without Eichel. Kane checked out for the majority.

 

Mirage in garbage time? Who knows?

It seems the ice is decidedly less tilted these days.

 

I will choose to enjoy it.

Edited March 1, 2018 by Mick O’Manly

[Radar]

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/The-Sabres-are-Going-to-be-VERY-Good-Barzals-Brilliance-New-Standings/1/91382

 

I know Ek doesn't earn respect for his ridiculous rumor site. Understandable.

 

But, before he said it, my thoughts were that we have a team that without their most talented players (Eichel, and now Eichel and Kane) is beating the best in the league. They have been playing better hockey; just inconsistent. Powerplay is clicking. Maybe it just wasn't because we let the coach slip away to Minnesota. This team will be strong, and the roster does not need to be blown up. Yes, tweaks need to be made, but this team is closer than many (including most of the stuff I read on SS) believe.

 

I have suffered through reading topics dedicated to:

 

• Fire Phil Fan Club
• O'Reilly "very likely I'll be traded"
• JBot Do Something Already 1, 2, and 3
• Can this Franchise be saved?

 

Not to mention the themes that carries over from topic to topic:

• Reinhart was a mistake and we should have taken ...
• Bogosian sucks and is only interested in cocaine
• The team is too slow
• Everyone needs to be blown up and we start fresh

 

And if you're not depressed enough, have you ever listened to Schopp and the Bulldog, or any of the callers???

 

I say, F you Joe-bu. I do it my way. I will stay the course. I will keep my season tickets for another year. This team is getting there, and I cannot wait to see them with Jack, Guhle and Middlestadt next year. That's enough speed injected into a team that is already competing with the big dogs.

I agree on a few points. No this team doesn't need to be blown up. It lacks depth there are a core of very good players. As far as Schopp and Bull Crap go don't take any of them seriously. WGR is a terrible radio station who run more commercials than programming as much as I detest commercials at least it allows an escape from the non stop dribble coming from their hosts. Quit listening long ago.

[Doohickie]

That's the way I've felt pretty much all year since the terrible start.  I've said it for some time now:  This season is not about winning.  It's an 82-game training camp for Phil to develop his system, instill his system, and undevelop and redevelop the players that were screwed up by previous coaching (Girgs, McCabe, Risto, even Jack and Reino). 

 

Now that we're in the dog days of the season, the results are showing up.  I kind of like that their recent run of better play has happened without Jack.  Jack is our best player, but even the Oilers are realizing that a single player can't save a franchise, and it's time the rest of the Sabres roster steps up and plays their best so that Jack doesn't have to carry the whole weight.  (From that standpoint, maybe getting Jack really was winning the lottery, because it got XGMTM and DDB out of the organ-EYE-zation quicker).  The team that Jack returns to will be a much better one than it was before Christmas. 

 

I look forward to the continuing emergence of ERod, Baptiste, and whoever else makes the jump from Rochester next season.  It would be nice if we can make a splash in free agency and sign Tavares or something, but I'm more excited about JBot continuing to develop depth and finding diamonds in the rough that will contribute in meaningful ways.  (Well, maybe not diamonds, maybe just opals, but the contribution is what counts.)

 

I don't know how close we really are but I think next season will be different in that good play of this season will actually flow into next season (unlike late season bumps of previous years).  I hope we'll be at least a .500 team in October and pick it up from there.

Edited March 1, 2018 by Anordning

[MattPie]

That's the way I've felt pretty much all year since the terrible start.  I've said it for some time now:  This season is not about winning.  It's an 82-game training camp for Phil to develop his system, instill his system, and undevelop and redevelop the players that were screwed up by previous coaching (Girgs, McCabe, Risto, even Jack and Reino). 

 

Now that we're in the dog days of the season, the results are showing up.  I kind of like that their recent run of better play has happened without Jack.  Jack is our best player, but even the Oilers are realizing that a single player can't save a franchise, and it's time the rest of the Sabres roster steps up and plays their best so that Jack doesn't have to carry the whole weight.  (From that standpoint, maybe getting Jack really was winning the lottery, because it got XGMTM and DDB out of the organ-EYE-zation quicker).  The team that Jack returns to will be a much better one than it was before Christmas. 

 

I look forward to the continuing emergence of ERod, Baptiste, and whoever else makes the jump from Rochester next season.  It would be nice if we can make a splash in free agency and sign Tavares or something, but I'm more excited about JBot continuing to develop depth and finding diamonds in the rough that will contribute in meaningful ways.  (Well, maybe not diamonds, maybe just opals, but the contribution is what counts.)

 

I don't know how close we really are but I think next season will be different in that good play of this season will actually flow into next season (unlike late season bumps of previous years).  I hope we'll be at least a .500 team in October and pick it up from there.

 

I just looked; EDM has 19 games remaining and 58 points. My patented Countdown Calculation says they need to win 18 of those 19 games to get to 94 points.

[josie]

I feel the way about the Sabres this year as I do a long lasting winter. I'm dismayed by the piles of slop everywhere, it's certainly not ending when I imagined, but while I do get exasperated and grumble about the neverending grey, I will shuffle on through it because I know the sun and warmth will come at some point and to some effect. But I def have that feeling another winter storm or two will have to hit before it'll actually get better. 

 

 

ok, enough metaphors 

[SabresFanInRochester]

Hockey fandom is about hope. No point otherwise, for me.

Glad you still have some. I always will.

 

9-7-2 since the Dallas debacle, including two wins against Tampa and two against Boston.

Half those games without Eichel. Kane checked out for the majority.

 

Mirage in garbage time? Who knows?

It seems the ice is decidedly less tilted these days.

 

I will choose to enjoy it.

 

 

That's the way I've felt pretty much all year since the terrible start.  I've said it for some time now:  This season is not about winning.  It's an 82-game training camp for Phil to develop his system, instill his system, and undevelop and redevelop the players that were screwed up by previous coaching (Girgs, McCabe, Risto, even Jack and Reino). 

 

Now that we're in the dog days of the season, the results are showing up.  I kind of like that their recent run of better play has happened without Jack.  Jack is our best player, but even the Oilers are realizing that a single player can't save a franchise, and it's time the rest of the Sabres roster steps up and plays their best so that Jack doesn't have to carry the whole weight.  (From that standpoint, maybe getting Jack really was winning the lottery, because it got XGMTM and DDB out of the organ-EYE-zation quicker).  The team that Jack returns to will be a much better one than it was before Christmas. 

 

I look forward to the continuing emergence of ERod, Baptiste, and whoever else makes the jump from Rochester next season.  It would be nice if we can make a splash in free agency and sign Tavares or something, but I'm more excited about JBot continuing to develop depth and finding diamonds in the rough that will contribute in meaningful ways.  (Well, maybe not diamonds, maybe just opals, but the contribution is what counts.)

 

I don't know how close we really are but I think next season will be different in that good play of this season will actually flow into next season (unlike late season bumps of previous years).  I hope we'll be at least a .500 team in October and pick it up from there.

 

 

I feel the way about the Sabres this year as I do a long lasting winter. I'm dismayed by the piles of slop everywhere, it's certainly not ending when I imagined, but while I do get exasperated and grumble about the neverending grey, I will shuffle on through it because I know the sun and warmth will come at some point and to some effect. But I def have that feeling another winter storm or two will have to hit before it'll actually get better. 

 

 

ok, enough metaphors 

 

I might start a message board just for the optimists because I feel we're in the minority, and it is so damn depressing listening to the other mentality 24x7. Either that or I will keep doing what I am doing, but add a little sativa to my daily regimen.

[Doohickie]

Heh.  Look at the statement at the beginning of my signature.  ;)

 

But there is always hope.

[DarthEbriate]

Fandoms are built on hope.

 

I do love when Schopp and the Bulldog draft things. The Animal Draft remains a pinnacle of sports radio because... sports radio.

[nfreeman]

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/The-Sabres-are-Going-to-be-VERY-Good-Barzals-Brilliance-New-Standings/1/91382

 

I know Ek doesn't earn respect for his ridiculous rumor site. Understandable.

 

But, before he said it, my thoughts were that we have a team that without their most talented players (Eichel, and now Eichel and Kane) is beating the best in the league. They have been playing better hockey; just inconsistent. Powerplay is clicking. Maybe it just wasn't because we let the coach slip away to Minnesota. This team will be strong, and the roster does not need to be blown up. Yes, tweaks need to be made, but this team is closer than many (including most of the stuff I read on SS) believe.

 

I have suffered through reading topics dedicated to:

• Fire Phil Fan Club
• O'Reilly "very likely I'll be traded"
• JBot Do Something Already 1, 2, and 3
• Can this Franchise be saved?

 

Not to mention the themes that carries over from topic to topic:

• Reinhart was a mistake and we should have taken ...
• Bogosian sucks and is only interested in cocaine
• The team is too slow
• Everyone needs to be blown up and we start fresh

 

And if you're not depressed enough, have you ever listened to Schopp and the Bulldog, or any of the callers???

 

I say, F you Joe-bu. I do it my way. I will stay the course. I will keep my season tickets for another year. This team is getting there, and I cannot wait to see them with Jack, Guhle and Middlestadt next year. That's enough speed injected into a team that is already competing with the big dogs.

 

Good man.

 

I'm not putting much value into their recent garbage time surge, but I wholeheartedly appreciate the optimism.

 

AND, as I posted in another thread, I do think they can be greatly improved next year if they get better goaltending plus a number of other things, each of which is quite possible. 

[Crusader1969]

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/The-Sabres-are-Going-to-be-VERY-Good-Barzals-Brilliance-New-Standings/1/91382

 

I know Ek doesn't earn respect for his ridiculous rumor site. Understandable.

 

But, before he said it, my thoughts were that we have a team that without their most talented players (Eichel, and now Eichel and Kane) is beating the best in the league. They have been playing better hockey; just inconsistent. Powerplay is clicking. Maybe it just wasn't because we let the coach slip away to Minnesota. This team will be strong, and the roster does not need to be blown up. Yes, tweaks need to be made, but this team is closer than many (including most of the stuff I read on SS) believe.

 

I have suffered through reading topics dedicated to:

• Fire Phil Fan Club
• O'Reilly "very likely I'll be traded"
• JBot Do Something Already 1, 2, and 3
• Can this Franchise be saved?

 

Not to mention the themes that carries over from topic to topic:

• Reinhart was a mistake and we should have taken ...
• Bogosian sucks and is only interested in cocaine
• The team is too slow
• Everyone needs to be blown up and we start fresh

 

And if you're not depressed enough, have you ever listened to Schopp and the Bulldog, or any of the callers???

 

I say, F you Joe-bu. I do it my way. I will stay the course. I will keep my season tickets for another year. This team is getting there, and I cannot wait to see them with Jack, Guhle and Middlestadt next year. That's enough speed injected into a team that is already competing with the big dogs.

 

 

Love the enthusiasm and I agree, just don't know if its next year or the year after that we see a "real" turnaround. I still think its coming!

[GASabresIUFAN]

Despite your mentioning 4 of the threads I started, I’m really not a pessimist. Although the management of this franchise could turn just about anyone into one.

 

I have repeated said look to what Colorado accomplished in one off-season to prove that a quick turnaround is possible. I have pointed to a wave of good young players who could make an positive impact on the Sabres within the next few years including Mittelstadt, Asplund, Guhle, Ullmark, Olofsson, and even Nylander. In fact, I wrote today a detailed list of the prospects (in the prospects thread) I think will help the Sabres and when I thought they’d arrive in Buffalo. have also been very vocal in my support of Wowie and keeping Reinchuk.

 

I’m also thrilled that guys like Erod, Nelson, Antipin and Wilson have stepped up their games with Kane gone and Eichel, McCabe and Bogo injured.

 

I also watch every game, only occassionally fast forwarding to the end.

 

So while it is good to be optimistic above the future, and I am; this team needs more then just tweeks to turn it into a contender. The Sabres are 30th in GF and 27th in GA.

Edited March 1, 2018 by GASabresIUFAN

[mjd1001]

I like that everything and everyone isn't 100% doom and gloom around here, we need a balance....but...I still don't see the core of this team as being very good.  The fundamental flaws are just too much to overcome without major changes:

 

-Assuming Reinhart is here next year...3 of your top 6 (in reality and probably in terms of payroll) up front are not just slow..but very slow. The NHL has changed to a skating, transition league. Okposo, O'Reilly, and Reinhart...with them as 3 of your top 6, you can't be a fast team...only hope to be an average skating team overall.

 

-Tied in to my above point...O'Reilly and Okposo are hard to move or can't be moved, and the money you have tied up in the is a LOT for what you are getting.

 

-You need to hit on 3 or more of your prospects into becoming stars. By a 'star' I am talking a consistent 25-30 goal scorer up front or a D-man as good as (or better) than Risto.  Mittelstadt, Pu, Asplund, Baptiste, Nylander, Guhle, Borgen...are we getting 3 "stars" out of that group...and another 2-3 above average players?

 

Maybe they will be better soon...and that will be good...and maybe I'm just negative because I don't just want a "very good" team...I want a "Very good" team that is also one of the fastest and highest scoring in the league...and THAT is what I don't see.

 

Okposo and O'Reilly and Reinhart may be better players than I make them out to be...but to be honest, I'm not a guy who is into the subtle aspects of play...who appreciates board work and positioning.  I am just slightly above a casual fan and I want to see blazing skaters blow by D-Men and end to end action....not so much sound positional hockey.

[inkman]

I'm going out on a limb but I feel the Reinhart and O'Reilly slow stuff has gone off the rails. Are they fast? Hell no. Are they fast enough to play in today's NHL? Abso-freaking-lutely. They will be fine. Now we do need to supplement them with speedy wingers. Kyke Okposo isn't helping matters. Middlestadt, Baptiste, CJ Smith, O'Regan, Bailey (probably not a top 6), Nylander and whoever we draft this season (assuming we don't get Dahlin will be a nice infusion of speed and that's not including any free agents or trades.

 

Our team is coming...

[mjd1001]

I'm going out on a limb but I feel the Reinhart and O'Reilly slow stuff has gone off the rails. Are they fast? Hell no. Are they fast enough to play in today's NHL? Abso-freaking-lutely. They will be fine. Now we do need to supplement them with speedy wingers. Kyke Okposo isn't helping matters. Middlestadt, Baptiste, CJ Smith, O'Regan, Bailey (probably not a top 6), Nylander and whoever we draft this season (assuming we don't get Dahlin will be a nice infusion of speed and that's not including any free agents or trades.

 

Our team is coming...

I don't think the lack of speed with them CAN be understated.  Slower players have more trouble transitioning through the neutral zone..they simply have trouble getting enough speed up to get separation from defenders when carrying the puck.  Their numbers show this....when the puck is set up in the offensive end (on the powerplay), they are fine...but their lack of speed shows terribly in 5 on 5.

 

Look at the past 2 seasons and compare the sables 'fast' forwards (Kane and Eichel) vs the slow ones (Okposo, O'Reilly, and Reinhart).  Kane and Eichel have 92 goals, 72 are at even strengt (78%).  The other 3 players have a total of 99 goals, 53 at even strength (54%). 24% more at even strength is a BIG difference. 

 

Or put another way, how many even strength goals do those players project to have per 82 games?

Eichel:  23.5

Kane:  24.5

O'Reilly: 11

Okposo:  12.5

Reinhart:  9

 

I want all 3 on the Power play, and I want O'Reily taking important D-zone faceoffs...but other than that..those are NOT guys I want getting a ton of ice time 5-on-5.  But you are paying them like you want them to get more 5-on-5 ice time than just about anyone else. 

 

 In todays NHL, speed DOES matter, more than it did even 3-4 years ago.  Sure, powerplay goals still DO count, but the slower players on this roster rely on the PP for more than half of their production. That is a fundamental flaw that is not easily changed on this team by "Filling in around them".

Edited March 1, 2018 by mjd1001

[dudacek]

I'm going out on a limb but I feel the Reinhart and O'Reilly slow stuff has gone off the rails. Are they fast? Hell no. Are they fast enough to play in today's NHL? Abso-freaking-lutely. They will be fine. Now we do need to supplement them with speedy wingers. Kyke Okposo isn't helping matters. Middlestadt, Baptiste, CJ Smith, O'Regan, Bailey (probably not a top 6), Nylander and whoever we draft this season (assuming we don't get Dahlin will be a nice infusion of speed and that's not including any free agents or trades.

Our team is coming...

If the next three are Eichel, Mittelstadt and Nylander at their full potential, our top six speed will be fine.

 

But they have to reach their potential and we have to make sure the rest of the lineup is full of Baptistes and light on Larssons.

[nfreeman]

I too am mightily concerned about the speed issue with those 3 in the Sabres' top 6.

 

At the same time, I am expecting all 3 back next year based on JBott's recent comments, plus ROR's and KO's contracts and Reino's depressed value.

 

I think a potential remedy is to increase the speed on D.  If Guhle is indeed in Buffalo next year, that will help.  Another fast, skilled defenseman for the top 4 would be a great addition.

[Radar]

I too am mightily concerned about the speed issue with those 3 in the Sabres' top 6.

 

At the same time, I am expecting all 3 back next year based on JBott's recent comments, plus ROR's and KO's contracts and Reino's depressed value.

 

I think a potential remedy is to increase the speed on D.  If Guhle is indeed in Buffalo next year, that will help.  Another fast, skilled defenseman for the top 4 would be a great addition.

I'm not as concerned about speed as maybe you are. ROR is not that fast a skater but his overall hockey skills more tan compensate for any speed he lacks. Sure we could use more speed but I'm afraid we may think that's the problem. I still think overall depth talent is our biggest issue. I do agree the speed on defense needs to increase.

[That Aud Smell]

If the team could slot in Nylander and Middlestadt in the next 2 years, that'd probably solve the speed problem.

 

As for Nylander, I saw an encouraging Tweet last night from Kris Baker. Not encouraging like: He's almost NHL-ready! More like: He is showing signs of improvement and is still just 19 (until tomorrow, anyway).

[SDS]

I'm not as concerned about speed as maybe you are. ROR is not that fast a skater but his overall hockey skills more tan compensate for any speed he lacks. Sure we could use more speed but I'm afraid we may think that's the problem. I still think overall depth talent is our biggest issue. I do agree the speed on defense needs to increase.

 

The easiest way to figure that out would be to compare the top two lines with winning teams and see if the production is comparable. Then look at the bottom two lines and do the same thing. Most don't seem to be carrying their weight.

[dudacek]

Patrick Kane is deadly quick, but not not straight line fast - kinda like Casey Middelstadt.

Jonathan Toews is no speed demon but he more than compensates with brains and tenacity like Ryan O’Reilly.

Was an aging Marian Hossa quick, or just very powerful, kinda like Kyle Okposo?

Do you really think Seabrook was a way better skater than Risto?

Who was the Hawks Eichel?

 

Before you jump all over me, I’m not saying we have the Hawks core and we do need to get faster as a team.

But good NHL hockey players are good NHL hockey players.

[Radar]

I'm going out on a limb but I feel the Reinhart and O'Reilly slow stuff has gone off the rails. Are they fast? Hell no. Are they fast enough to play in today's NHL? Abso-freaking-lutely. They will be fine. Now we do need to supplement them with speedy wingers. Kyke Okposo isn't helping matters. Middlestadt, Baptiste, CJ Smith, O'Regan, Bailey (probably not a top 6), Nylander and whoever we draft this season (assuming we don't get Dahlin will be a nice infusion of speed and that's not including any free agents or trades.

Our team is coming...

This is where I'm at. The questioning of ROR is ridiculous. He's a complete player and in his case I don't even want to hear arguments about lack of speed. Speed is becoming the buzz word now.

Patrick Kane is deadly quick, but not not straight line fast - kinda like Casey Middelstadt.

Jonathan Toews is no speed demon but he more than compensates with brains and tenacity like Ryan O’Reilly.

Was an aging Marian Hossa quick, or just very powerful, kinda like Kyle Okposo?

Do you really think Seabrook was a way better skater than Risto?

Who was the Hawks Eichel?

Before you jump all over me, I’m not saying we have the Hawks core and we do need to get faster as a team.

But good NHL hockey players are good NHL hockey players.

Great post. Thank you.

[PASabreFan]

The post started with HockeyBuzz and somehow managed to get worse. Sorry, my fellow traveler.

[SwampD]

I'm with ink. This whole speed thing is getting silly. I'm way more interested in getting guys who can actually complete a pass than I give a crap about getting guys with speed.

[That Aud Smell]

I'm with ink. This whole speed thing is getting silly. I'm way more interested in getting guys who can actually complete a pass than I give a crap about getting guys with speed.

 

Amen!