oddoublee

This team will probably finish outside of the playoffs by double digit points 3 out of 4 years. Some players are playing better under DG. But the team, as a whole, is more the same. Coaches don't last long in the NHL. The 'team' is not responding to DG. Maybe some players...but not the 'team'. Time for a change.

dont hate skinner - but i would rather him not be a sabre for reasons stated many times over. a veteran on a young team who floats and plays out of position on purpose is a bad influence.

Sure looks like we are all set at 1 and 2 C...... Lord I hope this year is just a blip

yup...with the current nhl point system, finding your way into OVT is so important. you can lose - but you have to get to OVT. compared to other playoff teams - too many regulation losses is going to probably haunt them.

So let me get this straight. Moving KO, Mitts and EJ were done so they could start playing with pace. They had no problem playing with pace last year having Mitts and KO. KA adds EJ; this, EJ, Mitts and KO are not allowing the team to play with pace. I'm gonna surmise that either Chad D is full of crap, his source is full of crap, or they are both full of crap. I'm going with both.

agreed. it is in the rules for every team to use. we would be more than happy with the sabres utilizing this...if they could actually get into the playoffs without their star players....well, get into the playoffs that is

I would like to think at this level the pressure never goes away and the competitors on our favorite team embrace that. It is what I would like to think.

The sabres played well and Detroit played well. Cannot both things be true at once? Point is, it's a waste of time telling people how they should assess a game unless they asked.

Sabres played well and Detroit played poorly. Cannot both things be true at once?

Dead on UPL deserved better. Red Wings were being purposely *****. Byram is no doubt the teams second best d man. (Still don't like trade in a vacuum). But he is way more NHL ready than OP. Upside, allows OP to play less and learn properly. Good game. Goals are fun.

I think the best thing for krebs is the 4th line on a average to below average team like the.....sabres? Dude has 3 goals. Z and Kyle have more....what's Krebs excuse? He was one of KAs eichel trade pieces...he's getting all the opportunities in the world...and some would argue more than he deserves. The 3 C talk is something I am praying KA is saying to the public bc Krebs is on the team and bad mouthing him is pointless....but behind closed doors he is telling pegula and DG that they need to find a 2/3 C for less than 7 million in the worst way. I don't know what the #@*& this front office is doing

God bless you for sitting through one of those. I couldn't handle all the non answers, buzz words and spin jobs, etc. Basically a sales call. Sigh

Thompson is the only player with the potential of the players you listed. And he showed he can't guarantee a multi year stretch of it. Cozens...nope. at best a CONSISTENT 60 point producer. Not a bad thing...just not elite. Skinner, Lord help us all. JJ, like Cozens, good, but probably a peak 55-70 point season is what you'll see. Quinn, we simply don't know. Tuch, 60 point average season player most likely. In our top 6, we do not have 2 players who can be counted on for a point per game. This team is shallow offensively...which can work if you have an identity in other ways/areas. If anyone can tell me of this magical identity we have that leads to success, I'm all ears

Great comparison. Well said

I'm a believer now

but but but...he won a stanley cup. i dont understand

at least he helped teach this team how to win.

ho hum. lottery ticket for the captain. this thread should get boring quick....

in the off chance a playoff team came calling for skinner, you think he would say no to a trade to that team, with only a couple years left on his contract? i am fairly certain he says yes to that. lord knows the sabres are not a playoff team as constructed in the next year or two.

good assessment. i still struggle to think of him as a top 6 winger in terms of minutes. my impression has always been he is a 3rd line minutes guy....UNLESS...your team is down 2 goals going into the 3rd. then you play the living crap out of him looking to strike gold. his style of play would make a head coach in the playoffs go absolutely nuts.

i am all for this. i do believe KA will keep him one more year - and reduce the buyout to 4 years instead of 6. plus - if he finishes strong this year - and gets hot next year - the odds of getting a draft pick for him go up since his long term cost goes way down. KA will have to retain a little salary - but...could be worth it. all of that said - if they buy him out this offseason - i will sing to the high heavens.

couldnt agree with you more. minus a serious move to address the forward position at the deadline or summer - this trade does not improve the team in the near term

while i doubt it as well - i am not 100% certain of that. most lefties struggle to play their best at RHD (which is why right handed defensemen are so coveted and hard to acquire). i think if power can be moved for a legit top 6/first line forward - that may be hard to pass up, especially if they believe in their new acquisition and see moving power as an opportunity to clear a little salary for other moves.

i like dylan - i just notice he is considerably better on the wing - and legit as a top 6 forward. i dont think he solves our long term issue with solidifying the 'spine' of the forward groups. but i seem to be in the minority as most fans believe our 1 and 2 C is set

they have a 1 and 2 center on paper. not in reality. tage is the only legit top 6 center this team has. no, that was his total contract value. he makes approx 3.8 a year