dudacek

I'm curious what those who prefer Krebs on the wing thought of his ROchester playoff performance. To me, he looked like a natural centre down there, both ends of the ice.

it's going to be interesting how things shake out in terms of how stays and who goes and I hope Kevyn is more patient than the fan base. The best example I can think of is Olofsson, who many are prepared to trade despite the fact he's, what, the 3rd most successfully developmental guy we have, after Dahlin and Thompson? Jokiharju, Mitts and now Krebs are joining him. Some Cozens doubt is even starting to creep in. It's easier to move on when you've got a long list of prospects pushing from behind and you're impatient for wins. Basically, a lot of fans go from sky-high hope for a shiny new toy to moving on to the next guy in a remarkably short time when really it's going to take 200-300 games to see what we have. Peyton Krebs was a point-a-game-player in Rochester this year after scoring 43 point in 24 games in his last season of junior. He is 21 with 48 Sabres games under his belt and needs to get better. I suspect he will.

When they asked Adams about centre, he was the one who brought up Z.

You’re not wrong, but you also watched some of the best passes made all season from the same player. He is a high-risk high-reward playmaker whose coach has given him considerable leash to learn from his mistakes. If he does, he’s a weapon. Last year he looked very much like the rookie he was.

I think these have become my favourite line combos: Skinner Thompson Peterka The chemistry if the 1st 2 is well-established. Peterka’s pace through the neutral zone and on the fore check, plus his skill and strength on the puck should complement them nicely. I picture it as a battleship flanked by two darting spitfires, each creating space for each other. Quinn Mittelstadt Tuch Ive wanted to see Mitts and Tuch together since we first traded for Alex. I think Tuch’s size and speed and transition game and Casey’s fine motor skills and half-court game compensate perfectly for the other’s holes. Not only does Quinn have the finishing skills the other two lack, he’s also going to bridge the other two, finding them in space and filling the holes they create. Krebs Cozens Olofsson This is a textbook combination: Peyton’s passing and forechecking, Dylan’s speed and power, and Victor’s ability to read and finish. The first 2 are great at pushing the pace and all three can make plays at speed. Asplund Girgensons Okposo The LOG line Mach 2? Three extraordinarily hard-working and responsible players together on a hard-forechecking defence-first shutdown line.

We spent a lot of time talking about the new guys on here, but it was interesting to watch the guys who will be in Buffalo as well. Power is never going to look like he’s busting his ass. With his skating, length and brain it’s not often he will have to. Samuelsson was loosey goosey. You could start to see the playful goofiness and the way his teammates gravitated to him. He's going to grow into a leader on this team. Not sure how long it will take before the mob comes for Peyton Krebs for his lack of finish. One thing I hope people don’t overlook though is the fact that is he is getting and creating chances. He was the best forechecker out there and one of the best in transition. I say one of the best, because the best was clearly Quinn, who was also the best player on the ice. Kid look so confident and skilled with puck on his stick, and so engaged. Peterka was just a half-step behind him. He was notable, but also seemed to be just doing what he had to. He’s got an extra gear when better competition draws it out of him. These 5 are supposed to be NHLers, so the needed to stand out, and they did.

I don’t know that it will matter much because it will be a rare day when all 13 are healthy. But one of the stories to follow this year will be the pecking order that emerges between Peterka, Quinn, Krebs, Hinostroza, Asplund, and Girgensons.

Dude is gonna be fan favourite.

Seems like an earnest young man. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/eric-comrie-71822/t-277437090/c-12238456

So by gaping holes do you mean the 26-9 edge the Sabres put up in shot attempts in the first period against Boston only to go down 2-0 thanks to Dustin Tokarski’s outstanding .844 sv% goaltending? Or did you mean the 59 per cent overall possession advantage the Sabres had while outshooting Boston 37-32 over the full game? Or the 6 consecutive power plays the refs handed the hometown Bruins with the game still within reach at 2-0? Those holes?

If Comrie doesn't implode, they're likely going to be able to do this.

He said he plans to play in Sweden for another 1 or 2 years and I have no reason to think that has changed. I'm talking about him being in training camp and potentially playing in the prospects tourney. Yes, his Swedish league team will be playing, but I'm thinking he's there essentially on loan from the Sabres and wondering if the Sabres want him to be in Buffalo for camp, they can make that happen.

Is that a given? I know the plan is for Östlund to play in Europe, but since he is under contract, do the Sabres not get to have him here if they want him here for camp? Pretty sure other Euro prospects have been here in the past, but maybe I’m misremembering.

I’d be very surprised if Quinn and Peterka aren’t there. Maybe not Power, Mule or Krebs, but given the dev camp set-up, why not, if they’re eligible? We should get Rosen again, and our first looks at Savoie and Kisakov. Östlund and Kulich are under contract, so I think there’s a good chance they will be here, rather than Europe, too. The college guys and unsigned Euros, no.

He’s going to break out either this year or next with 60 points. Most likely breakout player on the team, IMO. I think they’ve been grooming him as their all-situations matchup centre and I suspect he will stay in the middle.

Thing with prospect pools is the development pace. Dahlin finally looks to have arrived at close to what we hoped in his 4th year. Thompson in his 5th. Dahlin was a legit NHLer prior every year of his career, Thompson was not. Zadorov and Risto were exciting prospects. Not so much as NHL players. Is Cozens all he can be? Will Peterka add a ton this year, glimpses, or nothing at all? Who the hell knows?

If Samuelsson and Power play at or near what I project them to be (not a guarantee for any of the 6) Samuelsson Dahlin Power Jokiharju Bryson Lyubushkin Is a pretty solid mix of size, skating and skill sets, with Boosh jumping into the top 4 in shutdown situations and each player slotted about where he should be in the lineup. The only obvious hole is experience.

No doubt in my mind that Bryson and Hinostroza are at least on par with 4th liners/3rd pairing guys around the league. Anderson of last year as well. At his age though that status could disappear at any time.

Pretty sure Dorion said the Debrincat deal was happening regardless of the Murray deal. Apparently it was pick 16 and prospect, rather than pick 7.

Will we actually see this this October? If our 12th forward is Girgensons/Hinostroza and our 6th defenceman is Bryson, I believe we will. First time in a decade that would be the case.

Zadorov and Grigorenko.

I'm not on board at all with how the popular narrative has soured on Jokiharju. Yes, his underlying numbers slipped slightly, but the kid was injured to start the year, then was thrust from an 18-minute 4/5 to a 22-minute 1st-pairing role. His counting stats doubled without serious PP time and his +/- was among the best of the lineup regulars despite his tough usage. If he ends up as a 4/5 as this team moves forward, I think he will be a very good one.

I agree with this. I think the Sabres would happily add a "real" veteran NHL defenceman in a cap dump. But if it's a forward, he's more likely to be flipped or bought out. Not that a Compher type would be rejected outright, but I don't know that they'll pursue that.

And wait and see what that look like after Anderson gets hurt.

Wish Brett used his size more. He had his chance. With the influx of more talented kids, I’m not certain he’ll get another.