Are We For Real?

[Two or less]

18 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

4-4-2 10pts

How so?

[PerreaultForever]

Here's the thing for me. It was similar the year we ended up a point behind Florida as well. I think there are positive signs, there are roster improvements, there are a number of good things, but I still think we end up a little on the outside. As such I think this is a moment not to be lost and if you want to build forward it's the time for some bold moves and immediate roster improvements. get just a little bit better and we might just get in like Montreal did last year and then you can really build.

If you can move prospects or picks now for roster veterans or disgruntled players like a Chinakov we should do it and do it now. Forget about when Norris might come back and get a top 6 forward now. I really don't want Kevyn in charge but since he is, he needs to make the moves. Don't let this opportunity slip away thinking next year we will be even better. Be better NOW. 

Unfortunately I think Kev will be conservative and believe too much in his own guys and previous moves and then we will have Tuch issues and other people wanting out, Maybe Levi, maybe more and it can all go back down the dumper real fast. Don't miss the moment!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GASabresIUFAN]

59 minutes ago, Two or less said:

How so?

The Sabres are 4-4-2 this season so far

They started 0-3

Won 4 of the next 5, thus 4-4

and now have lost two straight on OT, thus 0-0-2

 

[ska-T Palmtown]

7 hours ago, Weave said:

Statistically, we’ll know by American Thanksgiving.  

They were in a playoff spot on American Thanksgiving last year ...

[Taro T]

3 minutes ago, ska-T Palmtown said:

They were in a playoff spot on American Thanksgiving last year ...

By points percentage.  Not by points.  Needed to not just outplay the Wild the day before but actually beat them to have been able to say they were there by both metrics on Eat Turkey/ Watch Football Day.

[Two or less]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

The Sabres are 4-4-2 this season so far

They started 0-3

Won 4 of the next 5, thus 4-4

and now have lost two straight on OT, thus 0-0-2

 

 

The question was about last season.

[pi2000]

I'm enjoying the fact that they're competitive.   

They've been in every game.

They've had better starts at home, and their home record is much better since Jan 1st.

PK is 1st in the league and the PP doesn't stink.

Lyon is playing well in goal.

Taking steps in the right direction, the points will come if they continue to focus on the details.

I wouldn't say "they're for real" yet, but I'm encouraged. 

[msw2112]

14 hours ago, pi2000 said:

I'm enjoying the fact that they're competitive.   

They've been in every game.

They've had better starts at home, and their home record is much better since Jan 1st.

PK is 1st in the league and the PP doesn't stink.

Lyon is playing well in goal.

Taking steps in the right direction, the points will come if they continue to focus on the details.

I wouldn't say "they're for real" yet, but I'm encouraged. 

Agree.  There are several encouraging signs, but they are not "there" yet.  In a way, it's a positive that they're getting a couple of "loser" points that they didn't get last season, but they are called "loser" points for a reason, as in the end, they're losing the 2nd point by losing the game in OT or shootout (in both of this year's games so far, OT).  In my opinion, they need to win at least half of the OT/shootout games to get over the hump.  If they continue to play pretty well, but fail to win some of these types of games, they will fall short of the playoffs again.

Edited yesterday at 05:46 PM by msw2112

[JoeSchmoe]

Any signs of improvement will be ratcheted back when the coach's pet Justin Danforth gets back. I don't care how hard he fought to get in the league, he doesn't deserve a lineup spot.

He's a whopping -22% relative expected goals

In 34 minutes of ice time and 54 shifts of 5 on 5 ice time, his line has 0 high danger shot attempts. Zero.

[Doohickie]

16 hours ago, pi2000 said:

I'm enjoying the fact that they're competitive.   

They've been in every game.

They've had better starts at home, and their home record is much better since Jan 1st.

PK is 1st in the league and the PP doesn't stink.

Lyon is playing well in goal.

Taking steps in the right direction, the points will come if they continue to focus on the details.

I wouldn't say "they're for real" yet, but I'm encouraged. 

I was going to post something like this.  I'll also add that while they blew 2 third period leads in the last 2 games, they at least got a point out of both, something they didn't do in recent seasons, when an extra point here or there would have playoff implications.

I think hanging onto third period leads is the next thing to work on, but hey, at least they're getting third period leads.

They're not for real, not yet.  But my sense is they're moving in the right direction.

[BlowLeafsBlow123]

1 hour ago, JoeSchmoe said:

Any signs of improvement will be ratcheted back when the coach's pet Justin Danforth gets back. I don't care how hard he fought to get in the league, he doesn't deserve a lineup spot.

He's a whopping -22% relative expected goals

In 34 minutes of ice time and 54 shifts of 5 on 5 ice time, his line has 0 high danger shot attempts. Zero.

I have a hard time blaming him for those early games. Literally everyone was playing like absolute *****. I still think he's a good hockey player and has a history of decent analytics for a 4th line guy. I think he could be a better player than Krebs with the right linemates. When healthy I could see a 4th line with Greenway-Kozak-Danforth working well. Maybe I'm crazy.

[BlowLeafsBlow123]

38 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

I was going to post something like this.  I'll also add that while they blew 2 third period leads in the last 2 games, they at least got a point out of both, something they didn't do in recent seasons, when an extra point here or there would have playoff implications.

I think hanging onto third period leads is the next thing to work on, but hey, at least they're getting third period leads.

They're not for real, not yet.  But my sense is they're moving in the right direction.

The problem is the swing of having 2 points in your back pocket, then blowing it while giving a team you're fighting for position with the extra. That's a huge swing. It's one thing if you do that against WC teams, but they really had a chance to put some distance behind them in the standings and instead we're bottom feeding again. Our schedule is about to get tougher and we simply didn't bank enough points against several terrible/mediocre teams (Boston, NYR, TOR, CBJ). My thought, if they want to take the next step they need to get 12-14 points out of a stretch like their first 10. It was a pretty soft schedule with more home games than road. 

[JoeSchmoe]

3 hours ago, BlowLeafsBlow123 said:

I have a hard time blaming him for those early games. Literally everyone was playing like absolute *****. I still think he's a good hockey player and has a history of decent analytics for a 4th line guy. I think he could be a better player than Krebs with the right linemates. When healthy I could see a 4th line with Greenway-Kozak-Danforth working well. Maybe I'm crazy.

I'm not sure what analytics you're looking at but my sources show he's not good. We have so many better options, but like Lafferty last year, I fear us playing him until it's too late to do something about it.

[LGR4GM]

On 10/28/2025 at 6:05 PM, LGR4GM said:

Are we for real? Ask again in January. 

Sorry had a typo. Should read "ask again in November" 

 

[Wyldnwoody44]

1 minute ago, LGR4GM said:

Sorry had a typo. Should read "ask again in November" 

 

I'll take "things that will fall apart for 2,000 Alex" 

[GASabresIUFAN]

If you look at the last 3 games you see a team that is playing harder but is still finding ways to lose. Stupid penalties at in opportune times.  Losing control of the puck leading to two of the three OT losses.  Coughing up 2 3rd period leads.  

So until this team stops being stupid, they will remain on the outside looking in.

[Thorny]

4 wins, 7 losses. 

if this is “real”, I’d rather they be a figment of my imagination 

[Scottysabres]

Same mngt team philosophy, build from the draft then proceed to draft terribly. Keep the same power play coach that is by far one of the worst in the league. Hire uninspiring coaching staff. Pick up the broom after each loss and continue to sweep the decade + long issue of rotten organizational culture under the rug while player after player continues to voice wanting out. Not that it matters since it appears not one of the players can muster the competitive fire in themselves to want or will the team to consistent victory.

Yes, this is “for real”.

[bunomatic]

No. No we’re not. 
It reminds me of the movie 1941.

Real *****?

No. Wooden *****.

[Scottysabres]

5 minutes ago, bunomatic said:

No. No we’re not. 
It reminds me of the movie 1941.

Real *****?

No. Wooden *****.

I love that movie, Belushi was great lol

Even threw in the zoot suit controversy lol

And the dummy on the Ferris Wheel, epic 😂

[mjd1001]

Its look like 'no' right now.

They are tied for 20th-26th in the league in point percentage.

They are 21st in the league in goal differential (per game)

My own personal 'eye test' opinion doesn't tell me they are that much better than other teams around them near the bottom of the standings (Anaheim, Boston, Minnesota, Seattle, Chicago, Rangers, Kings)

 

[DarthEbriate]

The Sabres are a hyperreal franchise.