GDT: Oilers at Sabres 11/17 7pm MSG, WGR 550

[mjd1001]

6 hours ago, elijah said:

I don’t understand the Jack Quinn hate, truly 

Last year was a disaster, the year before that was promising, and this year is building on that season from 2 years ago. He’s fast and skilled, he’s done more than enough to not be the first suggested guy to be taken out of the lineup. 

The "hate", at least from me, was just because of how bad last year was.

I say this with all honesty ...I think he may have been the very worst forward in the league last year that got regular minutes. 

When you have a year like that, you have a LOT to prove going forward.

This year I think he's been better than last year, but he's still not 'good'. As a matter of fact, he has had some good games but those are the exception. This year I'd say he's had 3-4 actual good games, another 2-3 where you really didn't notice him at all, and the rest have been bad just like last year (little offense generation, bad mistakes in the defensive zone/neutra zone, etc.)

Again, for me hes not at the 'you got to get him out of the lineup, he's killing you!' place that he was last year...so thats good, but I still need to see more.

Edited 4 hours ago by mjd1001

[Shoot da Puck]

1 hour ago, mjd1001 said:

The "hate", at least from me, was just because of how bad last year was.

I say this with all honesty ...I think he may have been the very worst forward in the league last year that got regular minutes. 

When you have a year like that, you have a LOT to prove going forward.

This year I think he's been better than last year, but he's still not 'good'. As a matter of fact, he has had some good games but those are the exception. This year I'd say he's had 3-4 actual good games, another 2-3 where you really didn't notice him at all, and the rest have been bad just like last year (little offense generation, bad mistakes in the defensive zone/neutra zone, etc.)

Again, for me hes not at the 'you got to get him out of the lineup, he's killing you!' place that he was last year...so thats good, but I still need to see more.

I like him.   Now

[Doohickie]

6 hours ago, Believer said:

Östlund, Rosen, and Kozak bring great energy to the team. Will hate to see any one of them sent down, but expect it.

Kozak is never going down again.  Mark it.

The other two, as long as they're waiver exempt, will have to out of necessity.  Doesn't mean they haven't earned it.  Their day is coming though.

Deal UPL to open up a spot for one of them.

[shrader]

It’s kind of funny to read these projected lineup changes when you realize that Geertsen still hidden away on the roster. 

[Doohickie]

2 minutes ago, shrader said:

It’s kind of funny to read these projected lineup changes when you realize that Geertsen still hidden away on the roster. 

Lose him.  Don't care.

[shrader]

39 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

Lose him.  Don't care.

Of course, but how is he still around when he can’t even get on the ice when they’re down 15 forwards?

[PromoTheRobot]

9 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Winning is fun

Between the Detroit game, last night and the Bills game, I'm giddy. Now don't harsh my vibe by stubbing your toe on the Calgary Flames.

1 hour ago, Doohickie said:

Kozak is never going down again.  Mark it.

The other two, as long as they're waiver exempt, will have to out of necessity.  Doesn't mean they haven't earned it.  Their day is coming though.

Deal UPL to open up a spot for one of them.

There might be a paper move just for roster gymnastics.

[PromoTheRobot]

9 hours ago, thewookie1 said:

Reminded me of the Florida game from earlier this year; a full 60min effort where we all but dominated a team.

 

Ellis is #1G for now until teams get a book on him. 

Thought the same. Can they maintain that level of fight every game? I hope.

[inkman]

10 hours ago, Spoonman said:

I put win on Lindy & players.
 

Trade UPL & KA on AMAZON PRIME - now! 

Bring Megan Chayka or Shayna Goldman in as President of Hockey Operations & let Kiko run as interim GM. 

KA is SABRES kryptonite. 

 

I’m not sure how many times you can spam a GDT with anti Kevyn Adams rhetoric before you get put on everyone’s ignore list.  We all hate him.  Terry doesn’t.  End of story. 

[Doohickie]

3 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

There might be a paper move just for roster gymnastics.

On the other hand, do you want Östlund and Rosén riding the pine if everyone else is healthy and they have to be scratched?  Would it be better to give them reps in Rochester?  I'm not making any implications either way, just asking the question.

2 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

9 hours ago, thewookie1 said:

Reminded me of the Florida game from earlier this year; a full 60min effort where we all but dominated a team.

Thought the same. Can they maintain that level of fight every game? I hope.

Wasn't that the game where Dahlin said, "This is the way we play every night from now on" or words to that effect?

[K-9]

10 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Between the Detroit game, last night and the Bills game, I'm giddy. Now don't harsh my vibe by stubbing your toe on the Calgary Flames.

There might be a paper move just for roster gymnastics.

Don’t harsh my vibe. Outstanding. 

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

The "hate", at least from me, was just because of how bad last year was.

I say this with all honesty ...I think he may have been the very worst forward in the league last year that got regular minutes. 

When you have a year like that, you have a LOT to prove going forward.

This year I think he's been better than last year, but he's still not 'good'. As a matter of fact, he has had some good games but those are the exception. This year I'd say he's had 3-4 actual good games, another 2-3 where you really didn't notice him at all, and the rest have been bad just like last year (little offense generation, bad mistakes in the defensive zone/neutra zone, etc.)

Again, for me hes not at the 'you got to get him out of the lineup, he's killing you!' place that he was last year...so thats good, but I still need to see more.

Players get singled out to become the symbols for the frustration (understandably) of this team. Samuelsson is a classic example of that where he became vilified and demonized. Now look at him! I would say he is playing very well and more importantly has become one of our consistent performers on the unit. I, like you, have been disappointed in Quinn relative to my expectations for him. But let's put things in context when evaluating any young Sabre. Usually, they are rushed in their roles. Instead of playing on a lower line and working their way up, they often are prematurely elevated for a higher line playing against the better players on other teams. That's a franchise failure in the handling of players. 

I do see Quinn getting better. It's not a grand leap but from what I have seen there is an incremental progression. I'll gladly accept that steady improvement which is more of the norm on how young players develop in comparison to the few who almost right from the start demonstrate that they are high-end players. I recommend more patience when evaluating him. 

[Jorcus]

On last nights game. Nice to see more than 3 goals again. Sabres seemed to have good control of the game. You have to like the beginning of the third period when you expected an Oilers push the Sabres seemed to still control play and when they got the 4th goal it was pretty much over. Ellis played his best game and sent Leon D back to the bench snarling after that chance in the third. Ellis is quick side to side to side, seems to absorb the puck well and has a good glove. Sure looks promising. We can dump on Adams for a lot of things but claiming this guy when he had 4 other goalies on 1 way contracts might be one of his best moves. 

Certainly if our forwards return to health Östlund and Rosen are going back. Kind of wonder about the order of things. You would think Dunn goes back first then Rosen as Östlund can play on the bottom lines to replace Dunn. People were quick to write these guys off based on limited reps in the NHL but go back and look at Thompson or Mitt's path to the NHL. Both were almost written off as busts until they were sent down. One's a lot better than the other but they are both NHL players. 

The Oilers have no forward depth at all. You have to wonder in 2 years when McDavid hit's the eject button how Leon D. is going to deal with the pressure of having to deal with this all by himself. This team is not going back to the finals this year.   

Edited 2 hours ago by Jorcus

[sabremike]

Watching this game and the performance of the Rochester call-ups in general have me convinced that allowing Leone to slip through their fingers would be one of the all time blunders that haunts us forever. The fact Rochester is at the top of their division despite all the call-ups and Levi (the guy expected to carry the team) being a huge liability in net says it all.

[PromoTheRobot]

Anyone catch this crack from Rob Ray last night? 😂

 

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by PromoTheRobot

[Taro T]

8 hours ago, elijah said:

I don’t understand the Jack Quinn hate, truly 

Last year was a disaster, the year before that was promising, and this year is building on that season from 2 years ago. He’s fast and skilled, he’s done more than enough to not be the first suggested guy to be taken out of the lineup. 

The reason that it was suggested he be the 1st out of the lineup is all of the guys that will be coming back are offensively minded.  So, you'd likely want to not be removing your defensively minded guys out initially.  IMHO Rosen and Östlund have been playing better than Quinn.

Expect that you have a better constructed roster removing Quinn than removing, say, Kozak who's been very good in a checking role or Malenstyn who's been very good on the PK.

It isn't hate; it's simply a #'s game.  Could see him being removed from the lineup after Krebs, but if he is kept in the lineup in Krebs' spot (because he isn't getting more ice time than Zucker, Benson, or Norris) can he handle that role?  What is your preference for lineup when Zucker (and quite possibly Norris too per reports yesterday) comes back in?

7 hours ago, Broken Ankles said:

Wow, Quinn still has your ire? That surprises me just a bit.  Too many turnovers and goals scored not what you might expect, but he is a half point per game forward with a huge ceiling and needs games played.  Especially when you have Josh Dunne still in the lineup.  Where does he rank for you?   

Dunne out —->Zucker in

Krebs out —> Benson In

Beck out —> Kulich in

Greenway out —> Norris in 

Tage/Norris/Tuch

Benson/McLeod/Doan

Kulich/Kozak/Zucker

Rosen/Östlund/Quinn

 

Edit- still agree Ruff sends down Rosen and Östlund, cause….Sabres 

Forgot about Dunne.  Would pull him out of the lineup before Krebs and Greenway and depending upon the opponent, Quinn too.  Again, it isn't ire, and was one of the few here that expected a bounceback year from Quinn.  It's strictly numbers and believe the 2 Swedes have been playing better than him in a very similar role.

[SabreFinn]

10 minutes ago, sabremike said:

Watching this game and the performance of the Rochester call-ups in general have me convinced that allowing Leone to slip through their fingers would be one of the all time blunders that haunts us forever. The fact Rochester is at the top of their division despite all the call-ups and Levi (the guy expected to carry the team) being a huge liability in net says it all.

Excellent post! I agree 100%!

[inkman]

2 minutes ago, Taro T said:

The reason that it was suggested he be the 1st out of the lineup is all of the guys that will be coming back are offensively minded.  So, you'd likely want to not be removing your defensively minded guys out initially.  IMHO Rosen and Östlund have been playing better than Quinn.

Expect that you have a better constructed roster removing Quinn than removing, say, Kozak who's been very good in a checking role or Malenstyn who's been very good on the PK.

It isn't hate; it's simply a #'s game.  Could see him being removed from the lineup after Krebs, but if he is kept in the lineup in Krebs' spot (because he isn't getting more ice time than Zucker, Benson, or Norris) can he handle that role?  What is your preference for lineup when Zucker (and quite possibly Norris too per reports yesterday) comes back in?

Forgot about Dunne.  Would pull him out of the lineup before Krebs and Greenway and depending upon the opponent, Quinn too.  Again, it isn't ire, and was one of the few here that expected a bounceback year from Quinn.  It's strictly numbers and believe the 2 Swedes have been playing better than him in a very similar role.

This is where Adams is going to ***** the team.  Rosen, Östlund and Dunne have been better than Quinn, Krebs and Kozak.  I find a way to keep the first trio in the lineup over the other 3.  
 

But because Adams has the imagination of a cardboard box, he’ll send Östlund and Rosen back down and play the other guys because it’s chalk. It’s the only thing his tiny brain can handle.  So we’ll be stuck with lesser quality players on the team because Kevyn.  I guess that’s been the story the whole time. 

[Big Guava]

2 hours ago, shrader said:

It’s kind of funny to read these projected lineup changes when you realize that Geertsen still hidden away on the roster. 

No no...we can't get rid of Meersten Geertsten that will cause a violation of the deal the Sabres signed with Molson Golson. 🤣

Edited 1 hour ago by Big Guava

[LGR4GM]

Isak Rosen:

2023: 7games, 0g, 0a, -3

2024: 8games, 0g, 1a, -3

2025: 8games, 3g, 3a, -1

 

Noah Östlund:

2024: 8games, 0g, 0a, -6

2025: 11games, 3g, 2a, +2 (quick note, all of these points have come in the last 7 games)

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by LGR4GM

[Pimlach]

8 hours ago, Broken Ankles said:

Wow, Quinn still has your ire? That surprises me just a bit.  Too many turnovers and goals scored not what you might expect, but he is a half point per game forward with a huge ceiling and needs games played.  Especially when you have Josh Dunne still in the lineup.  Where does he rank for you?   

Dunne out —->Zucker in

Krebs out —> Benson In

Beck out —> Kulich in

Greenway out —> Norris in 

Tage/Norris/Tuch

Benson/McLeod/Doan

Kulich/Kozak/Zucker

Rosen/Östlund/Quinn

 

Edit- still agree Ruff sends down Rosen and Östlund, cause….Sabres 

This lineup is fine in a no check league.  Otherwise, not enough physical players to sustain a playoff run.  Not to mention you killed one of the best PKs in the league by benching both Malenstyn and Greenway.  

Quinn, Rosen and Östlund are not full time 4th line players.   I don’t see them matching up every night in that role.  Sure, Östlund scores a goal with the fourth line but that is not his game in the long term.  

In Östlund first 2-3  games he was just hanging in there playing steady but with no impact, and I could see he was unwilling to possess the puck and get hit.  I thought he was headed back down and then the next rash of injuries hit.  Once Rosen came up Östlund seemed to get a spark and play with more confidence.  Right now I must say Östlund is impressive and is getting comfortable.   He has the ability to create offense and make passes like a traditional play-making center, something we need.   Still, he needs to get stronger,  so more time in Rochester is an easy option.  

Center candidates are - (1) Thompson, (2) Norris, (3) McLoed , (4) Kozak,  (5- spare) Krebs, (6- move to wing) Kulich, and (7- back to Rochester) Östlund.   Kulich can certainly move to wing and shows top 6 capabilities.   Norris is not dependable, forces you to carry a few  C/W type forwards on the 23.  Krebs drops to 13/14.  Östlund can go back for now but his future is bright.  

Rosen is a much better now than in his two looks last season.  You can see the difference in physical maturity and mental confidence.  He is going to play somewhere in the NHL.  

Note - we also have Danforth on the roster   

The Sabres have some good problems with roster decisions.   This team just might be getting good.  

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Pimlach

[shrader]

I don’t know if it’s here, but I do think both Swedes are full time NHLers next year. 

[LGR4GM]

7 minutes ago, shrader said:

I don’t know if it’s here, but I do think both Swedes are full time NHLers next year. 

Rosen would have to be, fairly certain he loses waiver protection next year. 

[Broken Ankles]

4 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

This lineup is fine in a no check league.  Otherwise, not enough physical players to sustain a playoff run.  Not to mention you killed one of the best PKs in the league by benching both Malenstyn and Greenway.  

Quinn, Rosen and Östlund are not full time 4th line players.   I don’t see them matching up every night.  Sure, Östlund scores a goal with the fourth line but that is not his game in the long term.  

In Östlund first 2-3  games he was just hanging in there playing steady but with no impact, and I could see he was unwilling to possess the puck and get hit.  I thought he was headed back down and then the next rash of injuries hit.  Once Rosen came up Östlund seemed to get a spark and play with more confidence.  Right now I must say Östlund is impressive and is getting comfortable.   He has the ability to create offense and make passes like a traditional play-making center, something we need.   Still, he needs to get stronger,  so more time in Rochester is an easy option.  

Center candidates are - (1) Thompson, (2) Norris, (3) McLoed , (4) Kozak,  (5- spare) Krebs, (6- move to wing) Kulich, and (7- back to Rochester) Östlund.   Kulich can certainly move to wing and shows top 6 capabilities.   Norris is not dependable, forces you to carry a few  C/W type forwards on the 23.  Krebs drops to 13/14.  Östlund can go back for now but his future is bright.  

Rosen is a much better now than in his two looks last season.  You can see the difference in physical maturity and mental confidence.  He is going to play somewhere in the NHL.  

Note - we also have Danforth on the roster   

The Sabres have some good problems with roster decisions.   This team just might be getting good.  

 

 

I thought about the League leading PK.  You have McLeod (check your spelling Professor 😉), Tuch and Benson.  Can Kozak be the fourth?  Probably.  I know a team could match up against a smallish 4th line and dominate, but I’d like to see the Sabres match up speed with speed the next time this team plays Montreal.  If you have a heavy line up, then slide Kozak to the 4th, and/or plug in Greenway and Beck.  For my money, Kozak and Zucker are medium grit and could grind and score.  This team lacks scoring, and to be quite honest Greenway, Beck and Danforth cannot bring it. If we had the kids play together for a few games against other teams 4th line talent (maybe used exclusively at home games to take advantage of matchups) I think their contribution could be the difference.  Trust me, I like the energy Beck brings.  A real lunch pail guy.  But the 4th line has been a huge negative on the ice. Danforth, Krebs - zero goals.  Beck gets his first last night.  I wouldn’t expect a dinosaur like Ruff to think different.  It’s partly the reason we are in the basement.  It’s more probable than not he just mixes up all the lines again and runs the kids back to Roch. 

[pi2000]

Lindy doesn't like to change the lineup if they're winning.  I think this current roster sticks until they lose again.