Who will save the Sabres POLL

[Taro T]

14 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

Apparently hockeyviz.com thinks someone will save us.

If you're trying to see this on a cell phone, Buffalo is the third red-ish band from the right, indicating third in the Atlantic, with a predicted 91 points.

Umm, Buffalo with 91 and BOTH FLA and TO with 89?

Probably wouldn't be betting the farm on this model's output.

 

[Doohickie]

Yeah, I know.  Maybe they know something we don't.

[mjd1001]

10 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Umm, Buffalo with 91 and BOTH FLA and TO with 89?

Probably wouldn't be betting the farm on this model's output.

 

I could see Florida taking a big step back without Barkov. Many of us truly think he's a top five player in the league. All the way back to 89? Not sure about that. 

Toronto is the same way. I do not think they are going to miss marner as much as many people think. As much as I don't really like Matthews, I also think he is by far and away a top five player in the league. He carries anybody on his line. 

With that said, any injury at all to Matthews, which happens frequently to him, and even a slight step back in their goaltending can be a big drop for them. 

The only thing is, it's possible those teams can drop that far, but you're relying on injuries to do that. That's pretty much the story for any team in the league.

[Taro T]

58 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

I could see Florida taking a big step back without Barkov. Many of us truly think he's a top five player in the league. All the way back to 89? Not sure about that. 

Toronto is the same way. I do not think they are going to miss marner as much as many people think. As much as I don't really like Matthews, I also think he is by far and away a top five player in the league. He carries anybody on his line. 

With that said, any injury at all to Matthews, which happens frequently to him, and even a slight step back in their goaltending can be a big drop for them. 

The only thing is, it's possible those teams can drop that far, but you're relying on injuries to do that. That's pretty much the story for any team in the league.

Could definitely see FLA missing the playoffs if they get just 1 or 2 more LT injuries to KEY players.

Until the Loafs miss the playoffs, won't expect it.  Though they MAY take a step back to upper 90s, very low 100's with their latest moves and Tavares being even 1 more year older.

But BOTH of them dropping all the way to sub-90?  NFW.

Edited 7 hours ago by Taro T

[dudacek]

22 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Could definitely see FLA missing the playoffs if they get just 1 or 2 more LT injuries to KEY players.

Until the Loafs miss the playoffs, won't expect it.  Though they MAY take a step back to upper 90s, very low 100's with their latest moves and Tavares being even 1 more year older.

But BOTH of them dropping all the way to sub-90?  NFW.

The Leafs have morphed from the all style and no substance team to a savvy, structured veteran Berube team that doesn't beat itself.

But they're going to struggle to score goals when Nylander or Matthews isn't on the ice.

They're no gimme, but they're vulnerable.

Math demands someone hitting 100 points in the Atlantic, but with Barkov out the entire year and Tkachuk for half, there are no dominant teams in our division.

[JP51]

On 9/27/2025 at 10:41 AM, Doohickie said:

What else do we have?

fair point.... 

2 hours ago, Taro T said:

Umm, Buffalo with 91 and BOTH FLA and TO with 89?

Probably wouldn't be betting the farm on this model's output.

 

I think I am gonna put more stock in the Farmers Almanac Hockey predictions based on the flatulence of live stock... just sayin...  LOL

[bob_sauve28]

On 8/20/2025 at 9:46 AM, Mr Peabody said:

Voted for Norris but feel Tage could make the biggest impact by adding defense and a bit of snarl to his game.  Lead by example and others will follow.  

He sure has looked amazing in preseason. The way he has played so far I wouldn't be surprised if he got 60 goals this year. 

[French Collection]

6 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

I could see Florida taking a big step back without Barkov. Many of us truly think he's a top five player in the league. All the way back to 89? Not sure about that. 

Toronto is the same way. I do not think they are going to miss marner as much as many people think. As much as I don't really like Matthews, I also think he is by far and away a top five player in the league. He carries anybody on his line. 

With that said, any injury at all to Matthews, which happens frequently to him, and even a slight step back in their goaltending can be a big drop for them. 

The only thing is, it's possible those teams can drop that far, but you're relying on injuries to do that. That's pretty much the story for any team in the league.

The Sabres have to take advantage of their games vs Florida in order to move up. 
Win more “4 point” games and gut out a few more loser points when they have their “B” game.