dudacek

It was like reconnecting with the ex night: all the players we worry about reinforced why we worry; Bryson got overpowered down low like Bryson does UPL whiffed on a long shot, like UPL does Olofsson failed to assert himself in any appreciable way like Olofsson does Jost looked like a JAG, like Jost does Krebs hustled a lot and accomplished a little, like Krebs does. Most of the rest of the lineup consisted of minor leaguers and longshots, who looked like minor leaguers and longshots (I thought Brett Murray was the best of that bunch). The notable exception was Ryan Johnson, who is a legitimate prospect and continues to show it. He will be an NHL regular.

And our only key guys who would be playing a back-to-back would be Cozens and Power. We will have ability to respond with a pretty solid lineup of our own.

I’m implying that many 18-year-olds can and do chart their own paths even into such risky, demanding vocations as forestry, fighting wildfires and the military (I also think that a lot of what you posit is only reflective of those in positions of privilege, but that’s not a discussion for this thread). Keeping it strictly to hockey and the discussion at hand, I think the structure and support system an NHL team is capable of putting in place for its $3 million asset is far superior to what one would find at most colleges. And I’d argue that even in the “prove the exception” scenario that you think should be the base point, that collecting data to make a determination on a case-by-case basis on how Benson should proceed is exactly what the Sabres are doing and a process I support.

And I agree with all of this in terms of precepts. The one thing you haven’t tied in for me is why Zach Benson is clearly at risk here and others might not be. 18-year-olds going off on their own to live as adults is a fact of life. Benson has been living away from his family, travelling around the country, playing against significantly bigger and stronger opponents since he was 15. He has been preparing to make this step, literally, for years. What criteria should be used to make that determination who is ready and who is not?

No, I think you’ve expressed your position very well: Benson is (at least for the purposes of this particular debate) a child and therefore not ready for the adult endeavour that is NHL hockey. I disagree that it’s his age and/or physique should automatically make that call and instead think that his play should be the determining factor. I think ultimately you’re arguing that the NHL might need to rethink its eligibility rules because allowing 18-year-olds is exposing at least some of them to unnecessary risk. Good talk.

You realize this argument holds for every single player in every single contact sport?

I'm saying maybe Benson isn't the helpless little boy you've decided he is. The preseason is helping to determine whether or not he has the ability to cope, just as it is for the similarly sized Connor Bedard — who everyone has pencilled into an NHL lineup — and just as it did for Keller. I'm using the Gerbe example to point out that the risks of the game are inherent to it, and aren't necessarily a product of physical development. We could talk about the Lindros brothers or many other mammoth human beings whose careers were cut short.

The bold is short-sighted. If he makes the team better, that is the best reason, and should be the only reason that matters. Gerbe was 24 in 2011. the analogy doesn't follow. On the other hand, Clayton Keller is the same size as Benson is right now. When he was an even smaller teenage rookie he put up 65 points. He's survived for 6 years at that size in the NHL without significant injury. I'm not saying Benson is ready. I am saying his play should determine that, not any bias about small players.

Agree completely. Of course, the same applies to Rosen, Kulich, Rousek and anyone else competing for a spot.

I think people need to spend less time thinking about their pet theories on development and their master plan for the roster and more time watching Zach Benson play. This team has developed a culture/environment that will allow any young player to thrive if that player is ready. Quinn's absence has created a hole. The pertinent questions are the on-ice questions and so far the answers are 'yes'.

i thought his intensity came and went, although he ramped it up more often than the other top vets in the lineup. Couldn't disagree more with "invisible" though. He had 2 assists, one of which was a beauty, was easily the best Sabre along the wall, and probably had the puck on his stick more than any player out there. To me, he was very noticeable.

Disappointed there’s no Clifton or Johnson. No Girgs or Okie yet either. Donnie letting the vets ease in. VO, UPL and especially Power get a turn to step into the spotlight as the regulars to watch closely tonight. Important game for Rousek. Let’s see if Ryan Johnson can keep impressing.

Devon Cooley might be a sneaky good signing, as in one of those late-blooming goalies who works his way up from the ECHL into a useful piece. He looked big and athletic. The comments coming from the sabres caught my attention when they signed him and his play tonight really piqued my curiousity as to if he can show something on a pretty good Amerks team this year. Devon Levi was sure not showing any cause for concern. You had the vibe that group of plugs in black and gold were never going to score. Tage and Ras were out for a Sunday skate. Casey turned it on every once in a while. First time I've like Nadeau's showing. Wouldn't call him a standout, but at least he matched his rep as a guy who got his hands dirty enough to be in the mix for the bottom six some day. Seems like a nice kid, but i will very surprised if Mats Lindgren ever plays a game for the Sabres Riley Stillman was nasty and mostly effective and looked like a man fighting for his job. All of you sure look cute trying to convince yourselves that Zach Benson can't really be as good as he's looked so far.

The Hockey News is reporting the investigation is into allegations he used a racial slur.

Fingers crossed. Sportsnet Plus was fantastic last year. Didn’t miss a game and was grateful about not having to chase games across multiple platforms like many US fans seem to. Like @French Collection, I don’t remember if it carried exhibition games last year, but I’m sure I watched them somewhere.

In one of the odder coincidences i've seen, the most high-profile player on that team was a 16-year-old Kyle Beach. Others were top-10-picks-that-missed Zach Hamill and Peter Mueller. Am i silly for wanting the Sabres to keep Benson and Savoie as far away as possible?

Any Canadians with any advice on how to watch? The previous game was geo-blocked for me in British Columbia on the sabres site

I just remember him having a Mike Keenan reputation in the days when it was “OK” to be that way. As far as “controversy” there was this: Constantine has previously been suspended by the WHL. In 2006 — while head coach of the Everett Silvertips — Constantine was suspended four games and fined $5,000 for what the league deemed "inappropriate" behaviour. According to The Seattle Times, that incident saw Constantine force his players to eat their post-game meal and ride the team bus in their equipment after a 5-0 exhibition loss to the Tri-City Americans. (Sportsnet.ca) For context, that was a 4-hour bus ride across Washington State.

I guess, but I'm not sure why. Blocks usually only happen when there's a rights holder conflict. Not aware of that being available on any outlet up here.

Johnson's 4 years at a top NCAA program is showing. Benson's skating won't keep him out of the NHL this year. He creates and uses space just fine. For the first time, I'm starting to wonder if his size will either. Still a ways to go and many tests to pass, but he's not looked overmatched yet. Is he really behind Rousek or Kulich? If you're looking for a guy to replace Quinn's game, he's the best fit. I was geo-blocked yesterday and expect to be blocked again tomorrow. I have no idea why.

Definitely from the old school tree, with the keenans and crawfords etc. Was a little surprised when they hired him.

The Athletic predicts the Sabres with 87 points, 22nd in the league. https://theathletic.com/4886371/2023/09/25/buffalo-sabres-season-preview-2023-24/ Everyone loves the Sabres. There probably isn’t a more fun team in the league. A playoff berth would be a fantastic feel-good story that one of the most enthusiastic cities in hockey truly deserves. We’re not counting it out; there’s a huge amount of upside here. But a lot of internal progression needs to happen without the puck to make it more of a certainty. Buffalo has improved by leaps and bounds over the last two seasons. It’s possible it’ll do the same this season. But a small step back spent learning to play the right way before taking off as a true Cup contender wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. It’s not the unlikeliest either.

Is there a bubble player not in that lineup? Davidson…? I mean, it’s literally the organization’s 7-14 on D, and probably the 13-20th-ranked forwards, minus Savoie. And a guy desperately trying to hang on to his spot in the NHL starts in goal. Should be a hungry bunch. Even the veterans - 8 NHL players the minimum for an exhibition? - are arguably the team’s least established, maybe minus Olofsson?

The starting 18 listed in the OP average a shade under 205 pounds (204.6). The biggest team on that list averages 204. So…relatively a big team? And for @Sabres Fan in NS When did you stop trusting me man? This one hurts.

This is the healthy starting 18 for the Buffalo Sabres, as listed by their camp roster. 6’6 231 6’4 231 6’4 225 6’6 220 6’4 219 6’6 218 6’0 218 6’3 202 6’2 200 6’0 200 5’11 197 6’3 195 6’1 195 5’11 190 6’0 189 6’0 187 6’1 185 5’11 181 Tell me again how this is a small hockey team.