DarthEbriate

Co-coaches and co-captains.

Dahlin is willing to throw a hit. And might’ve thrown the hardest hits on the entire roster the past few seasons. As defenders, collectively they do need to run folks out against the boards, box out and fight for position and clear the view for their goalie, stick check, and clear the crease better. That’s on all 7 and the coaching. Look no further than their games against Dallas. The larger issue for hitting is they have no forwards who finish hard body checks. There is no one on this roster who makes opposing defensemen rush a pass. There are good and dogged forecheckers, yes, but no one who will wear down a defenseman through pain and attrition.

50 pages isn’t too many, is it?

But if the #7 stays healthy he’s going to play 40+ games. The Sabres d-corps was pretty darn healthy this season. 5 guys played 73 or more games (Dahlin, Clifton, Power, Joker, Byram). You can’t call for a vote of no confidence in the chancellor when he used the vote of no confidence to get into office in the first place. You’ve gotta throw him down a reactor core shaft.

Something else to consider is Ruff bringing in a forward and a d familiar with his system and expectations. The 95-96 Panthers provided the Sabres with Barnes, Woolley, and Warrener. Look to the recent Stars and Devils rosters. Who could be brought in for a Joker/Johnson or even (the redundant?) Byram? Remember, Warrener was still young when he was paired with baby McKee. You could bring in someone for Power, or even a Novikov on the 3rd pair, in the next couple seasons. But Warrener was already Cup Final-experienced with Ruff. But back to my main theme, this offseason look to recent Devils and possibly a Star. And draft baby Satan in the 6th for fun.

I think this is partially that the Sabres blue line, while younger than the Amerks, is also entirely filled with top-32 picks. And experienced guys in Bryson and Clifton.

They should be selling them for $13/game. That way, TP can still raise prices next season if they fail to make the playoffs.

Did anyone else read this as Fasching? (I gotta let it go. Those 2nd round picks were…like… 4 GMs and 3 tanks ago!)

Definitely. But he’s also the caliber player you don’t build around. Either let him go to keep the real gang together (Panthers), or hope he can contribute in that 3rd line fashion and be ready to sell high.

He’s a NHL caliber defensive puck-moving defenseman. And that’s good. But he’s effectively the lefty version of Joker, which has less value. And he lacks the experience of Bryson which limits his value to the Sabres on-ice right now (but should increase his value in a trade because of potential). And because of draft pedigree, he’ll likely be pricier than Bryson on his next contract. Byram should easily keep Johnson as the 7 or off the roster entirely.

— I got one. ++ Great, kid! Don’t get horny!

It’d have been nice to swing something like VO to SJ with 50% retention for Duclair early last season once SJ was out of it (early). Add a simple pick for their trouble. Duclair wouldn’t have replaced Quinn, and doesn’t play heavy, but was able to keep up with Florida’s excellent roster and might’ve been a good fit for that gaping middle six hole. All bridges and all water long since under now.

Nope. But that’s what the pick status and roster construction were hoping for here in Buffalo, particularly after the Calder trophy.

No, except for a year or so there where the Sabres roster construction mandated it.

Yup. I want the Sabres to be good or relevant or even popular enough for long enough to be vilified the way the Leafs or Bruins are. That’d be fun.

He’s a great bargain-bin 20g guy (on the right roster). Once you pay him like a 2nd liner, you’re going to be disappointed because he needs to be protected. And this roster couldn’t shelter anyone unless the TNT line was on fire.

Two seasons ago, Ruff had a healthy Dougie and Graves and Severson in late-20s contract years. All the forwards had career years. And the goalies were good. Also a Miles Wood type, if inconsistent on the score sheet, the type of player this roster lacks entirely. This year they were all hurt and the two vet D were replaced by Hughes and Nemec, high upside offense first guys but easy in their own zone. Amend the roster correctly and Ruff can lead most of this lineup to the playoffs. One thing of note: Ruff was never able to transform Myers into a #1 defender (by merit). Can he tap into the potential of Power?

A bunch of Canucks bottom 6 are on expiring contracts: Joshua, Lafferty, Blueger. They know the role. Carrier out of Vegas. O’Brien from Phoenix, but I guaranteed Utah gives him a contract because of the value of that role for an expansion/new fan base.

I’m not sure “objectively” is ever provable, let alone at this stage.

I won’t pretend to know how this all turns out, but I am glad they fired him when they did and spared him the indignity of coaching those rosters.

If you have a spare 6th or 7th, always pick a Satan if available.

Something like 15 NHL coaches have been switched in the last 12 months. Two years is a good run with these guys.

He absolutely should go to Chicago and get 20+ again for a couple seasons until their kids are ready to win. That’s not a bad gig, really. But as soon as Greenway replaced him, GM Sheevyn should’ve traded him for whatever. Then, when Quinn gets injured, you’re forced to go get a 2W to play with Cozens all season. Also, good job, VO. You made it from a 7th round flier to a legit PP2 sniper in the NHL. And that’s a pretty good run.

Even more than system/design, they need to be willing to outwork the PK. If you get pinched on the boards because you foolishly turn your back, then you have to fight to maintain the puck. Chip it deep again and then fight to get possession again. Every loose puck race you have to win. Every face off you need to battle for position because most draws aren’t clean. And screen the goalie all the time. Outwork them and the PP suddenly will look amazing. (And TNT may occasionally kill your screener.)

Darth Maullis. Always two there are: the master and the apprentice.