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The Sabres biggest issue is not an enforcer, it's a gamebreaker at forward.

LGR4GM

By LGR4GM
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LGR4GM Hall of Famer

LGR4GM

Posted
Posted (edited)

Listen, Buffalo has a problem. They are young and outside of Thompson there isn't a star forward on the roster. Sure, a few guys could be that, but there's no Crosby or Pastrnak, or Suzuki, or even a Larkin. It was always the most glaring roster hole outside GT. An enforcer or tough and capable 3rd or 4th line guy doesn't move the needle. This team will probably be up and down for the 1st two months, guys will settle into roles but more weapons like a Knies or a Celebrini, would make way more impact than matheua (sp) and y'all know. If you were on the titanic you'd be looking at the ice on deck annoyed by it while ignoring the 5 watertight compartments flooding. 

Edited by LGR4GM
I'm using "enforcer" as shorthand for a tough, responsible, bottom 6 forward who's big.
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tom webster First Liner

tom webster

Posted
Posted

I was just talking about this with a friend yesterday. Buffalo is in a weird spot in that they have all the pieces 2-18, and 2-3. 
They don’t need any more depth pieces. They are short a 1C and a 1G. They are going to have the cap space and they have the tradable prospects to do it but the question is if those players will become available to them.

They already have potential to be very good and it’s possible? In a perfect storm, that they could win a Cup as currently constructed. The Athletic just did an article placing them as sixth best franchise in terms of current and future potential. I think that’s accurate and it’s incumbent on the front office to add to their potential,

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dudacek Hall of Famer

dudacek

Posted
Posted
39 minutes ago, tom webster said:

I was just talking about this with a friend yesterday. Buffalo is in a weird spot in that they have all the pieces 2-18, and 2-3. 
They don’t need any more depth pieces. They are short a 1C and a 1G. They are going to have the cap space and they have the tradable prospects to do it but the question is if those players will become available to them.

They already have potential to be very good and it’s possible? In a perfect storm, that they could win a Cup as currently constructed. The Athletic just did an article placing them as sixth best franchise in terms of current and future potential. I think that’s accurate and it’s incumbent on the front office to add to their potential,

Through design or circumstance, every move Jarmo has made has left his board set to be the Vegas in an Eichel-type trade.

It will be interesting to see if he holds out for that or sticks with the Carolina/St. Louis model.

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dperr Prospect

dperr

Posted
Posted

I guess it’s my opinion that I disagree with the title of the thread. I don’t believe that it’s just a game breaker at forward that is needed, but rather a true 1C that forces other teams to plan for, and makes his line mates better. Thompson as our “#1” doesn’t do that in my opinion. I feel he is much better as a wing. I don’t see any of the kids being bonafide 1Cs either(would love to be wrong). We’d need to acquire one by trade, but not sure anyone is or will be available.

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Scottysabres All Star

Scottysabres

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Posted

Yes, a super star or, an all star with consistency. I agree, we lack this and it is a hindrance to getting us over the hump. But LG, we aren’t Toronto, Bettman isn’t going to gift us 1st over all all star or super star offensive talent. He has given us two 1st over all defensemen out of four possible 1st overalls since our journey in to the abyss started. We lost out to 2nd overalls with Reinhardt and Eichel, and I openly admit the organization squandered that glorious opportunity, but it’s fashionable league wide to say Bettman was behind it, the conspiracy crowd reigns supreme…..but I digress.

The real issue is we’d have to give up a boat load to get one in season, hence my leaning toward the Marchenko idea. Any puck controlling play making goal scoring play driving first line player with consistency at this stage is needed.

R_Dudley Second Liner

R_Dudley

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, Scottysabres said:

Any puck controlling play making goal scoring play driving first line player with consistency at this stage is needed.

Beam me up Scotty. 👍

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Pimlach Hall of Famer

Pimlach

Posted
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Listen, Buffalo has a problem. They are young and outside of Thompson there isn't a star forward on the roster. Sure, a few guys could be that, but there's no Crosby or Pastrnak, or Suzuki, or even a Larkin. It was always the most glaring roster hole outside GT. An enforcer or tough and capable 3rd or 4th line guy doesn't move the needle. This team will probably be up and down for the 1st two months, guys will settle into roles but more weapons like a Knies or a Celebrini, would make way more impact than matheua (sp) and y'all know. If you were on the titanic you'd be looking at the ice on deck annoyed by it while ignoring the 5 watertight compartments flooding. 

I agree.   I wanted them to bring in an NHL ready 1C, or a really any true star forward to compliment Tage.   Some good forwards were moved this off season and several were at least dangled in trade talks.   I like veterans and battle tested players.  

Instead they are hoping that youth will prevail and that several young forwards will simultaneously improve and step up.   It could happen and it will take time to see if things gel at some point.  

 

Edited by Pimlach
Eleven Hall of Famer

Eleven

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Listen, Buffalo has a problem. They are young and outside of Thompson there isn't a star forward on the roster. Sure, a few guys could be that, but there's no Crosby or Pastrnak, or Suzuki, or even a Larkin. It was always the most glaring roster hole outside GT. An enforcer or tough and capable 3rd or 4th line guy doesn't move the needle. This team will probably be up and down for the 1st two months, guys will settle into roles but more weapons like a Knies or a Celebrini, would make way more impact than matheua (sp) and y'all know. If you were on the titanic you'd be looking at the ice on deck annoyed by it while ignoring the 5 watertight compartments flooding. 

The next star forward might be on the roster.  We don't know quite yet.  Crosbys and Larkins are rare.  I agree that the team's need for a scorer is paramount to its need for toughness--I think there are enough guys on the roster who can handle themselves.  But a goaltender is even more important.

SabreFinn Third Liner

SabreFinn

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, dudacek said:

Through design or circumstance, every move Jarmo has made has left his board set to be the Vegas in an Eichel-type trade.

It will be interesting to see if he holds out for that or sticks with the Carolina/St. Louis model.

I agree with this. He has locked up players that they believe in and feel has what is needed to be core players on a winning team. Kulich and Helenius might still be added to this. A 1C is what we need to be a contender, or an other first line star player could also do magic. The goaltending situation is tricky but I have faith in Jarmo to solve it.

And a bonus to this is that we have a handful of prospects that could be gems. 

I've decided to not be worried this season, I will give Jarmo time to see what he has in Kulich, Helenius, Ellis and the team time to grow and try to fill the holes after this off season. 

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Jorcus Third Liner

Jorcus

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, tom webster said:

I was just talking about this with a friend yesterday. Buffalo is in a weird spot in that they have all the pieces 2-18, and 2-3. 
They don’t need any more depth pieces. They are short a 1C and a 1G. They are going to have the cap space and they have the tradable prospects to do it but the question is if those players will become available to them.

They already have potential to be very good and it’s possible? In a perfect storm, that they could win a Cup as currently constructed. The Athletic just did an article placing them as sixth best franchise in terms of current and future potential. I think that’s accurate and it’s incumbent on the front office to add to their potential,

Obviously to the question of enforcer vs gamebreaker there really is no debate. To the larger question about winning without a game breaking 1c it sure seems like the last 4 cups were won without a totally offensive minded superstar. This year Sebastian Aho had the highest regular season point total for the Canes at 80. That was good for 25th place. It wasn't like they has a rock solid 1G either. They just used a smothering team defense that gave up very few shots against and scored enough to win. 

Looking at the 2 panthers cups Sam Reinhart lead the team in 24-25 with 81 points. The previous year he had 94. They did have a top goaltender and the best shut down forward in the NHL (Barkov) who could negate other teams game breaking 1c forwards. Is Sam Reinhart the type of player we are talking about? 

Even the Vegas cup win the regular season leader was Marchessault had 69 points. Jack had 68. In the playoffs they come though. I guess depending on ones point of view Jack Eichel could be described as a game breaker. They did not have a world class goaltender. 

Before this you are getting into Colorado, and Tampa's two wins. Those teams certainly had superstar players. 

I guess my answer would be that you can win either way. If you have a very good defense and scoring depth you have a chance. I think teams are starting to line up as to whether they want superstar contracts or a lot of depth. Looks like we are the latter for now.  

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The Jokeman Third Liner

The Jokeman

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Eleven said:

The next star forward might be on the roster.  We don't know quite yet.  Crosbys and Larkins are rare.  I agree that the team's need for a scorer is paramount to its need for toughness--I think there are enough guys on the roster who can handle themselves.  But a goaltender is even more important.

Fully agree that as bonafide number 1 goalie biggest need. Until we find another Ryan Miller/Hasek this team isn't going to be one I can honestly can take a step forward. 

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... All Star

...

Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, Nacho Libre said:

Yes, Barkov and Eichel are elite 1Cs. It’s not an argument, it’s a fact 

The Sabrez should go out and get one. I hear there's an aisle at Costco where you can grab elite 1Cs with double the warranty of anywhere else. Jarmo is so stupid not to shop at Costco.

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SABRES 0311 First Liner

SABRES 0311

Posted
Posted

I think we need a high end playmaker, a top six power forward, and a goalie upgrade.

I like Östlund, Helenius, Kulich, Benson, Doan, and Norris but let’s get real. None of them will spend their entire twenty year NHL career in Buffalo. I also prioritize the prime years of Thompson, Dahlin, and Power over development years of those younger guys.

Time to get use to the idea of shipping some off for what we need now. My willingness  to trade is this.

Norris

Kulich

Benson

Doan

Helenius

Östlund

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