GDT: Sabres @ Bruins, 7:00pm Oct. 30, 2025, 🎙 📺 ESPN+/MSG

[SabreFinn]

5 hours ago, HumanSlinky39 said:

Kevyn Adams' draft picks in the first 3 rounds since named GM

2020

Jack Quinn - not looking good. Has showed occasional flashes of being a decent offensive player, but at this point looks like he'll top out as a average-below average middle 6 winger. Need more out of a top-10 pick if you're going to build mostly though the draft- Looking like a miss

JJ Peterka - Developed into a pretty good offensive player but wanted out after 3 years. Netted Kesselrig who could be a solid addition and Doan who has been good so far - Hit

2021

Owen Power - Was pretty much the consensus #1 in a weak draft. But so far, it isn't looking good. Yes, defensemen take longer to develop, but he's now in his fourth full season and I struggle to identify one thing he's good at. Maybe he's a really late bloomer. Maybe he's a victim of lousy coaching. Maybe, maybe, maybe. Right jow it isn't looking good - Miss (though to be fair, nobody from that draft is anywhere near worthy of being your typical #1 overall)

Isak Rosen - Has 1 point in 15 NHL games and hasn't looked like he belongs when he's played. Not looking good - Miss

 4 second and third rounders have failed to reach the NHL

2022

Matthew Savoie - #9 overall, played 1 game in Buffalo then was traded for Ryan MacLeod. MacLeod was good last year, has been bad this year. He's probably best suited as a third line Centerman and penalty killer. Serviceable player, but a team relying so heavily on drafting needs to get more from a #9 pick - Miss

Noah Östlund - Hasn't scored a point in 12 NHL games. There's still time for him, but you'd hope a guy picked #16 three years ago woukdnat least be contributing something at this point - Miss

Jiri Kulich - He shows flashes of being a good hockey player, but also disappears for long stretches. What they've got from him isn't bad for a late first - Hit

Second and third round pick haven't reached the NHL.

2023

Zach Benson - I love watching him play. He brings it every shift and is developing into a pretty decent playmaker. He needs to develop a better shot and score more goals. Given he was thrown in the frying pan at 18, not much to complain about here - Hit

2 seconds and a third haven't reached the NHL.

2024

Konsta Helenius - too early to say here.

Second and third haven't reached the NHL.

2025 not gonna go too much into this as it's way too early.

Adam's has made 9 first round selections. None have developed into stars (yet). I'd say Benson and Kulich are his best picks. Quinn is teetering on bust territory. Power is nowhere near good enough. He traded a top-10 pick in Savoie for a third liner on a good team. Östlund and Rosen have contributed nothing. 

The only second or third rounder who has reached the NHL is Peterka from back in 2020. 

That's horrible for a team whose whole philosophy has been to build its foundation from within. Good GMs find guys in the mid-late first and second/third rounds. He's found Kulich. That's it.

He has failed.

Fire Adams.

It seems Adams and his staff has made a big misjudgement about the direction  the league is heading into and what sort of players it favors. I can't come up with any other reason why they have drafted the way they did. 

He has failed,  no doubt about that.

I am absolutely sure if Kekäläinen replaces Adams we get better drafting,  what I am not sure about is if I trust him retool this team. 

[SabreFinn]

Not more than one point from a wild card spot is not a total disaster to start the season. It's okey but not more than that and we should have won two of the last three. If they can be one point from a wild card spot by thanksgiving I think they are doing well,  the schedule is getting much more challenging the next two months.

[triumph_communes]

Not reading the noise. They outplayed Boston all game. Had some unlucky breaks. Clawed back from a deficit. The overtime was clowny, but 3v3 overtime shouldn’t be a priority that’s whatever. Happy with the effort to rebound I feel like in previous seasons they’ve would’ve simply collapsed 

[kas23]

8 hours ago, HumanSlinky39 said:

Kevyn Adams' draft picks in the first 3 rounds since named GM

2020

Jack Quinn - not looking good. Has showed occasional flashes of being a decent offensive player, but at this point looks like he'll top out as a average-below average middle 6 winger. Need more out of a top-10 pick if you're going to build mostly though the draft- Looking like a miss

JJ Peterka - Developed into a pretty good offensive player but wanted out after 3 years. Netted Kesselrig who could be a solid addition and Doan who has been good so far - Hit

2021

Owen Power - Was pretty much the consensus #1 in a weak draft. But so far, it isn't looking good. Yes, defensemen take longer to develop, but he's now in his fourth full season and I struggle to identify one thing he's good at. Maybe he's a really late bloomer. Maybe he's a victim of lousy coaching. Maybe, maybe, maybe. Right jow it isn't looking good - Miss (though to be fair, nobody from that draft is anywhere near worthy of being your typical #1 overall)

Isak Rosen - Has 1 point in 15 NHL games and hasn't looked like he belongs when he's played. Not looking good - Miss

 4 second and third rounders have failed to reach the NHL

2022

Matthew Savoie - #9 overall, played 1 game in Buffalo then was traded for Ryan MacLeod. MacLeod was good last year, has been bad this year. He's probably best suited as a third line Centerman and penalty killer. Serviceable player, but a team relying so heavily on drafting needs to get more from a #9 pick - Miss

Noah Östlund - Hasn't scored a point in 12 NHL games. There's still time for him, but you'd hope a guy picked #16 three years ago woukdnat least be contributing something at this point - Miss

Jiri Kulich - He shows flashes of being a good hockey player, but also disappears for long stretches. What they've got from him isn't bad for a late first - Hit

Second and third round pick haven't reached the NHL.

2023

Zach Benson - I love watching him play. He brings it every shift and is developing into a pretty decent playmaker. He needs to develop a better shot and score more goals. Given he was thrown in the frying pan at 18, not much to complain about here - Hit

2 seconds and a third haven't reached the NHL.

2024

Konsta Helenius - too early to say here.

Second and third haven't reached the NHL.

2025 not gonna go too much into this as it's way too early.

Adam's has made 9 first round selections. None have developed into stars (yet). I'd say Benson and Kulich are his best picks. Quinn is teetering on bust territory. Power is nowhere near good enough. He traded a top-10 pick in Savoie for a third liner on a good team. Östlund and Rosen have contributed nothing. 

The only second or third rounder who has reached the NHL is Peterka from back in 2020. 

That's horrible for a team whose whole philosophy has been to build its foundation from within. Good GMs find guys in the mid-late first and second/third rounds. He's found Kulich. That's it.

He has failed.

Fire Adams.

Agree on most of these, but the trade for McLeod has been great so far. Disagree he’s been “bad this year”. While maybe not a 2nd line center, he has 7 points in 11 games and is at least even in +/- at 0. 

[inkman]

10 hours ago, Sidc3000 said:

People are making excuses for Dahlin when he f**ks up saying that his mind is on his fiancé. If his mistakes are because of that then he shouldn’t be playing. He should get his mind straight by going to her. Plain and simple. 
 

imo I don’t think that’s the case. I think he’s is just making bad decisions like the rest of this team. 

Yeah I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt because it’s the compassionate thing to do but he can’t keep making the mistakes he’s making.  They always end up in the back of the net.  Once or twice a game, he makes a maddening decision and blows the game for us. He’s a good player but he’s gotta eliminate the crippling mistakes.  Lindy has told him about this. Told him it can’t happen but it’s still happening.  Maybe he’ll never outgrow it. It’s been too long that’s for sure. 

[LGR4GM]

3 hours ago, SabreFinn said:

It seems Adams and his staff has made a big misjudgement about the direction  the league is heading into and what sort of players it favors. I can't come up with any other reason why they have drafted the way they did. 

He has failed,  no doubt about that.

I am absolutely sure if Kekäläinen replaces Adams we get better drafting,  what I am not sure about is if I trust him retool this team. 

They're drafted how they have because they're bad at their jobs. Benson, Mrtka, Helenius are solid picks but after that it's a lot of... ok but this would have been better. Bedkowski is the perfect example of, don't do that there. 

[JohnC]

I saw this game much differently than most of the commentators here.Overall, I thought we outplayed Boston. 
 

I liked how the team fought back after going two goals back. They stuck with their game and played harder battling for the puck.

One positive takeaway was the play of Lyon. If we get this caliber of goaltending I will be more than satisfied.

I liked the play of Kesserling. He’s a little rusty but you can see that he’s a second pair talent.

This was Greenway’s first game back. He’s a big fellow who has a big presence. There is nothing fancy about his game but he’s a tough guy that the opposition is well aware of.

What’s apparent to me is that Dahlin is pressing and trying to force the action. His penalty at the end of the second period that led to a score was damaging.

Tage is also pressing. Too much solo act. 
 

Although the final outcome was disappointing, I can’t criticize the effort. There were some openings but we simply missed the shots.

The difference between this year’s team compared to previous teams is that we are at least getting loser points in close games. Certainly, not good enough but better than leaving with empty pockets.

[mjd1001]

1 hour ago, kas23 said:

Agree on most of these, but the trade for McLeod has been great so far. Disagree he’s been “bad this year”. While maybe not a 2nd line center, he has 7 points in 11 games and is at least even in +/- at 0. 

He has made a lot of mistakes he didn't make last year.

Going into last night, a few of us have pointed out in GDTs he just seemed unaware of things around him that have caused problems in other game.  Not always showing up in the numbers/analytics, but it has been noticable.

Then last night, he played the zone entry on the First Boston PP goal pretty badly (he was out of position), and he had the giveaway on the other Boston goals.

One of the simplest ways to look at him...this year when he is on the ice even strength, The team is allowing a goal every 11.2 minutes. Not only is that the worst among forwards that take a regular shift, but it is drastic drop-off from last season, where it was a goal allowed every 18.5 mins. (with similar usage)

I'm not saying he is hot garbage out there, but he has been in my opinion below average mostly due to mental mistakes that didn't happen nearly as much last year.  By far and away I thought he was the best defensive forward on the team. This year, in terms of positioning and reliabilty, Krebs is outperforming him in THAT aspect of the game.

Edited 7 hours ago by mjd1001

[Pimlach]

9 hours ago, HumanSlinky39 said:

Kevyn Adams' draft picks in the first 3 rounds since named GM

2020

Jack Quinn - not looking good. Has showed occasional flashes of being a decent offensive player, but at this point looks like he'll top out as a average-below average middle 6 winger. Need more out of a top-10 pick if you're going to build mostly though the draft- Looking like a miss

JJ Peterka - Developed into a pretty good offensive player but wanted out after 3 years. Netted Kesselrig who could be a solid addition and Doan who has been good so far - Hit

2021

Owen Power - Was pretty much the consensus #1 in a weak draft. But so far, it isn't looking good. Yes, defensemen take longer to develop, but he's now in his fourth full season and I struggle to identify one thing he's good at. Maybe he's a really late bloomer. Maybe he's a victim of lousy coaching. Maybe, maybe, maybe. Right jow it isn't looking good - Miss (though to be fair, nobody from that draft is anywhere near worthy of being your typical #1 overall)

Isak Rosen - Has 1 point in 15 NHL games and hasn't looked like he belongs when he's played. Not looking good - Miss

 4 second and third rounders have failed to reach the NHL

2022

Matthew Savoie - #9 overall, played 1 game in Buffalo then was traded for Ryan MacLeod. MacLeod was good last year, has been bad this year. He's probably best suited as a third line Centerman and penalty killer. Serviceable player, but a team relying so heavily on drafting needs to get more from a #9 pick - Miss

Noah Östlund - Hasn't scored a point in 12 NHL games. There's still time for him, but you'd hope a guy picked #16 three years ago woukdnat least be contributing something at this point - Miss

Jiri Kulich - He shows flashes of being a good hockey player, but also disappears for long stretches. What they've got from him isn't bad for a late first - Hit

Second and third round pick haven't reached the NHL.

2023

Zach Benson - I love watching him play. He brings it every shift and is developing into a pretty decent playmaker. He needs to develop a better shot and score more goals. Given he was thrown in the frying pan at 18, not much to complain about here - Hit

2 seconds and a third haven't reached the NHL.

2024

Konsta Helenius - too early to say here.

Second and third haven't reached the NHL.

2025 not gonna go too much into this as it's way too early.

Adam's has made 9 first round selections. None have developed into stars (yet). I'd say Benson and Kulich are his best picks. Quinn is teetering on bust territory. Power is nowhere near good enough. He traded a top-10 pick in Savoie for a third liner on a good team. Östlund and Rosen have contributed nothing. 

The only second or third rounder who has reached the NHL is Peterka from back in 2020. 

That's horrible for a team whose whole philosophy has been to build its foundation from within. Good GMs find guys in the mid-late first and second/third rounds. He's found Kulich. That's it.

He has failed.

Fire Adams.

His best pick is Benson.  Next best is Peterka.  Then Kulich or maybe even Kozak in the 7th round of 2020.    Quinn is still trying to establish himself.  Savoie has played 12 games at Edmonton with little production so far.  The Owen Power pick sticks out, but that looks like a mediocre draft year.  

He has 6 drafts and he had numerous extra picks in the first 2 rounds.   Take away the two recent drafts as being too soon to evaluate, and you have 4 NHL players still on the Sabres in his first four drafts.   

Two of his drafted players (Savoie and Peterka) are traded for 3 NHL players (McLeod, Kesselring and Doan) - not bad.  

He also dealt 2nd rounder picks for players such as Greenway and Malenstyn.    

His drafting isn't great but it is not the worst part of his GM performance. 

His bigger failures are (in no particular order): 

• Dealing away his Core players (Eichel and Reinhart and Ullmark) and forcing another rebuild when the team was actually close and had two NHL All Stars already on the roster
• Not properly building an NHL roster around the new and now current Core with the right veterans.  He nibbles away at this and his teams show no improvement in the standings.  
• Complete mishandling of Goaltending position which has cost them a playoff birth
• Inability to hire a good NHL coaching staff, his coaching search was a silly charade 
• Inability to inspire and to change the culture of the organization - he has publicly made excuses for the team, himself, and his invisible boss. He doesn't understand accountability, its has become a throw away word under Adams. 

 

[mjd1001]

12 hours ago, Sidc3000 said:

He is no good to the Sabres if that’s the case.  If he isn’t right then he shouldn’t be playing at all.  Give him a leave of absence for the season and let him take care of her 

As far as Dahlin goes....there isn't a huge sample size and I'm just going to quote a couple simple analytics, but they may be an indication of what we are seeing:

 

Last year with Dahlin on the ice even strength:

26.6 shots allowed per 60, 26.8 scoring chances allowed per 60, 10.7 high danger chances per 60. Team GAA 3.00. 3.07 expected goals alllowed per 60.

He was a +6 in on ice even strength goal differential last year for the entire year.

 

This year with Dahlin on the ice even strength:

31.3 shots allowed per 60, 29.6 scoring chances allowed per 60, 14.7 high danger chances per 60. Team GAA 4.22. 3.85 expected goals allowed per 60.

He is a -9 in even strength goal differential this year through just 11 games.

 

https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20252026&thruseason=20252026&stype=2&sit=ev&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=n&team=BUF&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL

https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20242025&thruseason=20252026&stype=2&sit=ev&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=n&team=BUF&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL

 

Edited 7 hours ago by mjd1001

[triumph_communes]

Dahlin looks off. Until he is playing regularly with Byram I’m not going to look too far into it 

[Jorcus]

30 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

He has made a lot of mistakes he didn't make last year.

Going into last night, a few of us have pointed out in GDTs he just seemed unaware of things around him that have caused problems in other game.  Not always showing up in the numbers/analytics, but it has been noticable.

Then last night, he played the zone entry on the First Boston PP goal pretty badly (he was out of position), and he had the giveaway on the other Boston goals.

One of the simplest ways to look at him...this year when he is on the ice even strength, The team is allowing a goal every 11.2 minutes. Not only is that the worst among forwards that take a regular shift, but it is drastic drop-off from last season, where it was a goal allowed every 18.5 mins. (with similar usage)

I'm not saying he is hot garbage out there, but he has been in my opinion below average mostly due to mental mistakes that didn't happen nearly as much last year.  By far and away I thought he was the best defensive forward on the team. This year, in terms of positioning and reliabilty, Krebs is outperforming him in THAT aspect of the game.

 

My biggest problem with McLeod right now is his terrible face off percentage. The team in general is not going well in that department but he has been really bad. In general though it's not the goals against killing this team, it's not converting on the good chances we generate. Against most teams you are going to need 4 goals a night to win a game in todays NHL. We have only scored 4 or more in 3 out of 11. If the conversion rate goes up, (it should) I  think we we be fine. 

[Stads]

9 minutes ago, triumph_communes said:

Dahlin looks off. Until he is playing regularly with Byram I’m not going to look too far into it 

I think his fiancee going through that major health scare is still lingering for him. I wouldn't be right in the head if the tables were turned. I trust he'll get back to his normal level of play as the season progresses

[Pimlach]

2 hours ago, JohnC said:

I saw this game much differently than most of the commentators here.Overall, I thought we outplayed Boston. 
 

I liked how the team fought back after going two goals back. They stuck with their game and played harder battling for the puck.

One positive takeaway was the play of Lyon. If we get this caliber of goaltending I will be more than satisfied.

I liked the play of Kesserling. He’s a little rusty but you can see that he’s a second pair talent.

This was Greenway’s first game back. He’s a big fellow who has a big presence. There is nothing fancy about his game but he’s a tough guy that the opposition is well aware of.

What’s apparent to me is that Dahlin is pressing and trying to force the action. His penalty at the end of the second period that led to a score was damaging.

Tage is also pressing. Too much solo act. 
 

Although the final outcome was disappointing, I can’t criticize the effort. There were some openings but we simply missed the shots.

The difference between this year’s team compared to previous teams is that we are at least getting loser points in close games. Certainly, not good enough but better than leaving with empty pockets.

John, 

I thought this was a spotty, careless, and often lazy effort for the most part. 

The Sabres put 10 shots on goal before Boston registered one shot, but Boston had 2 goals on their first 3 shots.  Why?   Boston went to the high danger areas and the Sabres did not.  Lyon had more stress and was under pressure even when Boston only had a registered a few official shots.  

This is yet another game were the opponents 4th line scores on the Sabres by out working them.  Kastelic did whatever he wanted to do out there.  

Boston got a few calls their way, and the Sabres could not respond and came up small again.  The big players are not carrying the team.  Big mistakes by Dahlin, and Tage was playing a solo game at times - this is not leadership by example.  

Lyon let in 3 goals on 19 shots in regulation and failed big time on the goal in OT - he needed to play the man with the puck, let the defender worry about the pass.  Some unknown dude ripped him and he left a lot to shoot at.   My fear is that Lyon will burn out soon.  

The decision to play Lyon was curious to me.  If Ellis can go he should have had this road game and maybe the team responds with more urgency and a more disciplined game in front of him?    But I am probably asking too much from this group.  

Win Rate -  we have three losses in a row, albeit with 3 points out of the last possible 6 points   That pace will get us to low 80's at best.   

Like last year, this team looks like an odd collection of players, not like a team with any kind of identity.  

 

[darksabre]

43 minutes ago, Stads said:

I think his fiancee going through that major health scare is still lingering for him. I wouldn't be right in the head if the tables were turned. I trust he'll get back to his normal level of play as the season progresses

This is just how Dahlin has always played hockey though. He's extremely talented, but occasionally makes boneheaded decisions that he can't cover up with his skill. 

[HumanSlinky39]

1 hour ago, Pimlach said:

His best pick is Benson.  Next best is Peterka.  Then Kulich or maybe even Kozak in the 7th round of 2020.    Quinn is still trying to establish himself.  Savoie has played 12 games at Edmonton with little production so far.  The Owen Power pick sticks out, but that looks like a mediocre draft year.  

He has 6 drafts and he had numerous extra picks in the first 2 rounds.   Take away the two recent drafts as being too soon to evaluate, and you have 4 NHL players still on the Sabres in his first four drafts.   

Two of his drafted players (Savoie and Peterka) are traded for 3 NHL players (McLeod, Kesselring and Doan) - not bad.  

He also dealt 2nd rounder picks for players such as Greenway and Malenstyn.    

His drafting isn't great but it is not the worst part of his GM performance. 

His bigger failures are (in no particular order): 

• Dealing away his Core players (Eichel and Reinhart and Ullmark) and forcing another rebuild when the team was actually close and had two NHL All Stars already on the roster
• Not properly building an NHL roster around the new and now current Core with the right veterans.  He nibbles away at this and his teams show no improvement in the standings.  
• Complete mishandling of Goaltending position which has cost them a playoff birth
• Inability to hire a good NHL coaching staff, his coaching search was a silly charade 
• Inability to inspire and to change the culture of the organization - he has publicly made excuses for the team, himself, and his invisible boss. He doesn't understand accountability, its has become a throw away word under Adams. 

 

I don't disagree with any of this, I was just focusing on his drafting. I'm pretty firmly on record in saying his biggest failure is not doing enough to supplement the homegrown talent they do have. And with that being the case, he NEEDS to be killing it with his drafting which he emphatically is not. Also, like you said, the "search" for a coach was a charade and he settled on a lazy/uninspired hire in Lindy then saddled him with detritus from within the organization as assistants. Hard to change a culture when you just stick with the garbage that hasn't worked. His entire tenure is a failure and his ass should be in the jackpot. No excuses, if this team is not in the playoffs this coming spring, after a 6 year reign, he has to be gone. If he's not, what the hell are we even doing?

Edited 6 hours ago by HumanSlinky39

[JohnC]

7 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

John, 

I thought this was a spotty, careless, and often lazy effort for the most part. 

The Sabres put 10 shots on goal before Boston registered one shot, but Boston had 2 goals on their first 3 shots.  Why?   Boston went to the high danger areas and the Sabres did not.  Lyon had more stress and was under pressure even when Boston only had a registered a few official shots.  

This is yet another game were the opponents 4th line scores on the Sabres by out working them.  Kastelic did whatever he wanted to do out there.  

Boston got a few calls their way, and the Sabres could not respond and came up small again.  The big players are not carrying the team.  Big mistakes by Dahlin, and Tage was playing a solo game at times - this is not leadership by example.  

Lyon let in 3 goals on 19 shots in regulation and failed big time on the goal in OT - he needed to play the man with the puck, let the defender worry about the pass.  Some unknown dude ripped him and he left a lot to shoot at.   My fear is that Lyon will burn out soon.  

The decision to play Lyon was curious to me.  If Ellis can go he should have had this road game and maybe the team responds with more urgency and a more disciplined game in front of him?    But I am probably asking too much from this group.  

Win Rate -  we have three losses in a row, albeit with 3 points out of the last possible 6 points   That pace will get us to low 80's at best.   

Like last year, this team looks like an odd collection of players, not like a team with any kind of identity.  

 

There is a good reason why this team lacks an identity: it was constructed by KA. He’s a superficial thinker in a deep thinking job not knowing the difference between collecting talent vs constructing a complementary roster.

Terry Pegula is the owner and KA is his hand picked GM. What did you expect?

[Broken Ankles]

2 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

He has made a lot of mistakes he didn't make last year.

Going into last night, a few of us have pointed out in GDTs he just seemed unaware of things around him that have caused problems in other game.  Not always showing up in the numbers/analytics, but it has been noticable.

Then last night, he played the zone entry on the First Boston PP goal pretty badly (he was out of position), and he had the giveaway on the other Boston goals.

One of the simplest ways to look at him...this year when he is on the ice even strength, The team is allowing a goal every 11.2 minutes. Not only is that the worst among forwards that take a regular shift, but it is drastic drop-off from last season, where it was a goal allowed every 18.5 mins. (with similar usage)

I'm not saying he is hot garbage out there, but he has been in my opinion below average mostly due to mental mistakes that didn't happen nearly as much last year.  By far and away I thought he was the best defensive forward on the team. This year, in terms of positioning and reliabilty, Krebs is outperforming him in THAT aspect of the game.

Are you factoring in that last year, he played 3rd line 5v5 verses this year playing a true second line?  Which means his level of competition is much higher.  And how does his offensive production compare to last year?  I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the chemistry of McCleod with Tuch and Doan.  I was an advocate of having Tuch moved to the first line after the injury to Norris but now I want to see our second line continue to flourish.

[Crusader1969]

13 hours ago, SwampD said:

I still disagree.

Honest question. At any point in the game did you say to yourself, "I can't believe we are not winning this game!…"

I didn't. It's not like their goalie stood on his head making unbelievable saves.

Yes at many points in the game I thought they should be winning.   

[Crusader1969]

11 hours ago, Believer said:

Dahlin took a stupid penalty early in the 1st period that resulted in a Boston PP goal. Dug a hole for the team. 

That in no way shape or form was a penalty that should have been called 

 

[mjd1001]

33 minutes ago, Broken Ankles said:

Are you factoring in that last year, he played 3rd line 5v5 verses this year playing a true second line?  Which means his level of competition is much higher.  And how does his offensive production compare to last year?  I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the chemistry of McCleod with Tuch and Doan.  I was an advocate of having Tuch moved to the first line after the injury to Norris but now I want to see our second line continue to flourish.

Last year as the season went on he moved 'up' to a 2nd line role.  Just before Cozens was traded, he was getting 2nd line minutes. After Cozens was traded, he was getting some nights first line minutes with 2nd line assignments.

He also this year has been up and down in terms of 'responsibility' 

Shot answer, I did not factor in the exact competiton becasue that is really hard to do. Longer answer, there may some difference in the weighting of his competition/assignement, but it isn't a direct "one role this year vs a totally different role all of last year", and even if it was, the numbers are still way down.

But above all, as I said in a previous post, I am noticing by watching the games mistakes he is making this year that he didn't make as often last year.  Just my opinion.....sample size is really small yet.

[Broken Ankles]

49 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

Last year as the season went on he moved 'up' to a 2nd line role.  Just before Cozens was traded, he was getting 2nd line minutes. After Cozens was traded, he was getting some nights first line minutes with 2nd line assignments.

He also this year has been up and down in terms of 'responsibility' 

Shot answer, I did not factor in the exact competiton becasue that is really hard to do. Longer answer, there may some difference in the weighting of his competition/assignement, but it isn't a direct "one role this year vs a totally different role all of last year", and even if it was, the numbers are still way down.

But above all, as I said in a previous post, I am noticing by watching the games mistakes he is making this year that he didn't make as often last year.  Just my opinion.....sample size is really small yet.

Below is a snippet of McLeod for just  October 2024 vs 2025 - 5v5.   Eleven games vs. ten, but a higher XGF, and a higher XGF%.  More Shots for and SF% is better. Actual Goals against is 2X (concerning?), but GF is ~60% more. My observation is they are driving play. 

[mjd1001]

9 minutes ago, Broken Ankles said:

Below is a snippet of McLeod for just  October 2024 vs 2025 - 5v5.   Eleven games vs. ten, but a higher XGF, and a higher XGF%.  More Shots for and SF% is better. Actual Goals against is 2X (concerning?), but GF is ~60% more. My observation is they are driving play. 

I'm not worried about October vs October. 

I am comparing him now to his entire year last year. You don't want/need last October's McLeod, you need last Seasons Mcleod...and he simply is not playing as well now as he was for the year as a whole last year (he's also partially getting paid for his performance the entire year last year, not October. And again, its not just the mistakes he is making, his mistakes have come in closer games that have cost the Sabres goals. The goals allowed stats above you posted show that.  What they do not show is that not only was he on the ice for those goals, his specific play, not his teammates, was directly responsible for many of the goals against.

Trust me, I like him as a player. I was one of the leaders on this forum pounding the table to extend him as I thought he was one of the top 5 or 6 players on the team last year.  I just am not seeing it this year (yet).  I don't think he is a 'bad' or 'overrated' player. I'm just saying he needs to be better than he is now and he is one of the players that is noticably playing worse now than he did for most of last year.

Edited 3 hours ago by mjd1001

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, Crusader1969 said:

Yes at many points in the game I thought they should be winning.   

How you saw it is how I saw it. I'm not saying that anyone who takes the opposite view is wrong because one's perception is one's perception. What I found disturbing is the play of Dahlin and Tage. As I previously stated, it's obvious that both players are pressing and trying to force the issue instead of letting the game come to them. And it's becoming a pattern of play that's becoming noticeable. 

[Pimlach]

2 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

I'm not worried about October vs October. 

I am comparing him now to his entire year last year. You don't want/need last October's McLeod, you need last Seasons Mcleod...and he simply is not playing as well now as he was for the year as a whole last year (he's also partially getting paid for his performance the entire year last year, not October. And again, its not just the mistakes he is making, his mistakes have come in closer games that have cost the Sabres goals. The goals allowed stats above you posted show that.  What they do not show is that not only was he on the ice for those goals, his specific play, not his teammates, was directly responsible for many of the goals against.

Trust me, I like him as a player. I was one of the leaders on this forum pounding the table to extend him as I thought he was one of the top 5 or 6 players on the team last year.  I just am not seeing it this year (yet).  I don't think he is a 'bad' or 'overrated' player. I'm just saying he needs to be better than he is now and he is one of the players that is noticably playing worse now than he did for most of last year.

who is playing better this year than they did at the end of last season? 

Benson, and Kozak, and ...