Doohickie Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 (edited) At the start of last night's game against Florida and in previous games, the Sabres have been running these lines: Krebs - Tage - Doan Zucker - Norris - Tuch Benson - McLeod - Quinn Greenway - Dunne/Östlund - Malenstyn At some point in last night's game Lindy started tinkering with the lines and by the end it was: Benson - Tage - Doan Zucker - Norris - Tuch Krebs - McLeod - Quinn Greenway - Dunne - Malenstyn I wonder if Krebs on the first line is played out in Lindy's mind and it's time to shake things up. They have a day off today and then a back-to-back. Let's see what the lines look like in practice today... will it go back to the same ol' same ol', or will it be how they finished the game last night.... or maybe something else altogether? I know others and I have suggested Benson - Tage - Doan Östlund - Norris - Tuch Zucker - McLeod - Quinn Greenway - Dunne/Krebs - Malenstyn It seemed like Quinn was most productive in that setup and the top three lines were pretty balanced, with a clearly defined 4th energy/shutdown line. The fact that it feels like we have to put the right people around Quinn makes it seem like he's gotta go. He had the two goal game against the Ducks, and although he didn't get an assist, he started the play that led to Bryson's goal last night. Yet by the end of the game he seemed more worn out than the rest of the team in my opinion. Edited January 13 by Doohickie 2 Quote
SabresBaltimore Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 (edited) I'd prefer any of the following: Benson - Tage - Doan Östlund - Norris - Tuch Zucker - McLeod - Krebs Greenway - Dunne - Malenstyn Östlund - Tage - Doan Benson - Norris - Tuch Zucker - McLeod - Krebs Greenway - Dunne - Malenstyn Benson - Tage - Doan Östlund - Norris - Tuch Zucker - McLeod - Quinn Dunne - Krebs - Malenstyn I don't see Quinn coming out of the lineup though. And I doubt they will bench Greenway over Dunne even though I think Dunne has shown to make a big difference on the 4th line. Adams was banking on Quinn turning into a top 6 winger and right now despite his recent 2 goal game he's barely qualifying as a good 3rd liner. Lindy apparently believes in him and was rewarded against the Ducks. Quinn has times where he looks like the player from before his injury and he's improved his defensive game under Ruff, but I feel like he's the biggest underperformer on the team right now (in terms of expectations vs results). Benson has had a tough time finishing on his chances too. Last night he got a greasy goal being at the net. He's had a lot of assists. His 2 way play is great. I think he could be a top 6 winger at some point, but I'm not sure he is right now. However he's played with Tage before and I think he's a better option than keeping Krebs there. In an optimal world I'd want something like: <newly acquired winger> - Tage - Doan Östlund - Norris - Tuch Benson - McLeod - Zucker Dunne - Krebs - Malenstyn That would require moving one of Greenway/Quinn Greenway has been better as the season has gone on, but I think Dunne is still more deserving of a spot over him. I don't know that anyone would take Greenway's contract off our hands, maybe if we retain. I think when healthy he will appeal to other GMs in general. Quinn could fit/do better on another team, but hard to say. Then you have to also factor in what it would take to get a top 6 winger mid season and if that's just a rental you're making it a lot harder next year when you either have to pay or replace Tuch too. If Östlund can be that answer at the top 6, it would greatly simplify things. Putting him on the 4th line to get Zucker back in just has me scratching my head. I get benching him for Dunne last night, but I think he's the best option we have at present to fill the hole in our top 6. Edited January 13 by SabresBaltimore 1 Quote
pastajoe Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 32 minutes ago, Doohickie said: At the start of last night's game against Florida and in previous games, the Sabres have been running these lines: Krebs - Tage - Doan Zucker - Norris - Tuch Benson - McLeod - Quinn Greenway - Dunne/Östlund - Malenstyn At some point in last night's game Lindy started tinkering with the lines and by the end it was: Benson - Tage - Doan Zucker - Norris - Tuck Krebs - McLeod - Quinn Greenway - Dunne - Malenstyn I wonder if Krebs on the first line is played out in Lindy's mind and it's time to shake things up. They have a day off today and then a back-to-back. Let's see what the lines look like in practice today... will it go back to the same ol' same ol', or will it be how they finished the game last night.... or maybe something else altogether? I know others and I have suggested Benson - Tage - Doan Östlund - Norris - Tuch Zucker - McLeod - Quinn Greenway - Dunne/Krebs - Malenstyn It seemed like Quinn was most productive in that setup and the top three lines were pretty balanced, with a clearly defined 4th energy/shutdown line. The fact that it feels like we have to put the right people around Quinn makes it seem like he's gotta go. He had the two goal game against the Ducks, and although he didn't get an assist, he started the play that led to Bryson's goal last night. Yet by the end of the game he seemed more worn out than the rest of the team in my opinion. I like those lines, except I would leave Dunne on the 4th line and rotate Quinn and Krebs on the 3rd. Quote
triumph_communes Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 OP has a good idea on lines. Last night was half baked and that third line was too weak 1 Quote
GASabresIUFAN Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 Who are the 9 best forwards on the team? Tage, Tuch, Benson, Doan, McLeod, Norris, Zucker, Östlund, and then..? It’s Quinn or Krebs. Decide who the 9th is and if it’s Krebs, trade Quinn as we have Helenius and Rosen in Rochester who can step in case of injury. If it’s Quinn, then drop Krebs to the 4th line and Dunne to the press box. Östlund shouldn’t come out of the lineup and if center is his best use, move Norris or Tage to the wing and go from there. 2 Quote
Taro T Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 4 hours ago, Doohickie said: At the start of last night's game against Florida and in previous games, the Sabres have been running these lines: Krebs - Tage - Doan Zucker - Norris - Tuch Benson - McLeod - Quinn Greenway - Dunne/Östlund - Malenstyn At some point in last night's game Lindy started tinkering with the lines and by the end it was: Benson - Tage - Doan Zucker - Norris - Tuck Krebs - McLeod - Quinn Greenway - Dunne - Malenstyn I wonder if Krebs on the first line is played out in Lindy's mind and it's time to shake things up. They have a day off today and then a back-to-back. Let's see what the lines look like in practice today... will it go back to the same ol' same ol', or will it be how they finished the game last night.... or maybe something else altogether? I know others and I have suggested Benson - Tage - Doan Östlund - Norris - Tuch Zucker - McLeod - Quinn Greenway - Dunne/Krebs - Malenstyn It seemed like Quinn was most productive in that setup and the top three lines were pretty balanced, with a clearly defined 4th energy/shutdown line. The fact that it feels like we have to put the right people around Quinn makes it seem like he's gotta go. He had the two goal game against the Ducks, and although he didn't get an assist, he started the play that led to Bryson's goal last night. Yet by the end of the game he seemed more worn out than the rest of the team in my opinion. Ruff was asked about it postgame. He said expect to see him modify lines midgame if stuff isn't working more often. Which implies that we'll still see a lot of games with essentially the starting lineup he used last night; but that he'll be more inclined to change things if they aren't working than he has been in the past. Being a Bowman disciple, he's never been shy to change things up midgame. Quote
erickompositör72 Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 (edited) 4 hours ago, Doohickie said: At the start of last night's game against Florida and in previous games, the Sabres have been running these lines: Zucker - Norris - Tuch At some point in last night's game Lindy started tinkering with the lines and by the end it was: Zucker - Norris - Tuck Love the concept of changing the player's name. Keep the other team guessing! Edited January 13 by erickompositör72 1 Quote
DarthEbriate Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 4 minutes ago, Bangarang said: This makes sense with the current roster. Until rental-Panarin is a 1:1 swap with team-control Quinn, that is. 1 Quote
Doohickie Posted January 13 Author Report Posted January 13 3 hours ago, triumph_communes said: OP has a good idea on lines. Last night was half baked and that third line was too weak I can't believe Lindy sat Östlund while Quinn played. 18 minutes ago, erickompositör72 said: Love the concept of changing the player's name. Keep the other team guessing! You don't know the half of it. I did it both places, corrected the first one, missed the second. 1 1 Quote
Doohickie Posted January 13 Author Report Posted January 13 20 minutes ago, Bangarang said: Yes. This. 1 Quote
inkman Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 38 minutes ago, Bangarang said: Finally lines that make sense 2 1 Quote
French Collection Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 1 hour ago, Bangarang said: Zucker will hold Quinn more accountable, I like him on that line. 1 1 Quote
Spoonman Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 2 hours ago, Doohickie said: I can't believe Lindy sat Östlund while Quinn played. You don't know the half of it. I did it both places, corrected the first one, missed the second. Agree on both: Östlund (English spelling) over Quinn & @Doohickie is a Maroon! 🤣😂 Quote
triumph_communes Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 2 hours ago, inkman said: Finally lines that make sense Yeah these actually work 1 Quote
dudacek Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 3 hours ago, Bangarang said: In a vacuum, this would be exactly how I'd line them up. Quote
LGR4GM Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 2 hours ago, French Collection said: Zucker will hold Quinn more accountable, I like him on that line. How? In what way will this change Zucker holding Quinn accountable? 1 Quote
PerreaultForever Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 Östlund over Quinn, leave Dunne in. That is all. 1 Quote
French Collection Posted January 14 Report Posted January 14 5 hours ago, LGR4GM said: How? In what way will this change Zucker holding Quinn accountable? Seeing performance up close and then talking about responsibilities on the bench. Linemates talk more between shifts because of proximity. I just want more from Quinn and I thought he had some good games with Zucker earlier in the season. 1 1 Quote
Doohickie Posted January 14 Author Report Posted January 14 10 hours ago, French Collection said: I just want more from Quinn and I thought he had some good games with Zucker earlier in the season. Maybe Lindy shares the sentiment and if Quinn doesn't respond, then he'll finally sit a game. Quote
JohnC Posted January 14 Report Posted January 14 It’s a shame that Kulich had serious health issues that derailed his season, so far. Adding him to the forward mix would have created more line flexibility and internal competition. I’m hoping that he can come back sometime this season. TBD. 1 Quote
oddoublee Posted January 14 Report Posted January 14 (edited) 28 minutes ago, JohnC said: It’s a shame that Kulich had serious health issues that derailed his season, so far. Adding him to the forward mix would have created more line flexibility and internal competition. I’m hoping that he can come back sometime this season. TBD. I hope so as well...but I'm not optimistic. The blood thinners he most likely is on cause serious risks with physical contact. Once he is off them, the time to get back into game shape could be longer than we hope. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see him until next season. Edited January 14 by oddoublee 1 Quote
LGR4GM Posted January 14 Report Posted January 14 11 hours ago, French Collection said: Seeing performance up close and then talking about responsibilities on the bench. Linemates talk more between shifts because of proximity. I just want more from Quinn and I thought he had some good games with Zucker earlier in the season. If that is what Quinn needs after playing 222 career games, yikes. I hope Zucker helps because right now I see a player that would get bodied in the playoffs because he gets bodied in the regular season. To me, that goes to mentality and that is hard to change at this stage. Quote
nfreeman Posted January 14 Report Posted January 14 26 minutes ago, oddoublee said: I hope so as well...but I'm not optimistic. The blood thinners he most likely is on cause serious risks with physical contact. Once he is off them, the time to get back into game shape could be longer than we hope. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see him until next season. I’m not optimistic either based on an interview with Lindy from last week — he said something like there’s still a chance that Kulich could return this year — but it sure didn’t sound likely. Quote
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