mjd1001

Yeah, I agree. Sure, the D-unit has breakdowns, but if you have to pick the bigger issue it is goaltending. I don't think anyone is arguing the D-unit doesn't have to get better it does....I don't get how people are excusing the goaltending by bringing up the D-unit everytime someone says there is a major issue with the goaltending.

That is why it is too bad things happened they way they did with Ulmark. Is getting paid $5 a year for 4 years probably too much for how he is playing? Maybe. Is he playing great in Boston? No. Would have have stayed with Buffalo if they matched the Boston offer? Maybe not. BUT, the way he played with this team last year...and even this year with a GAA under 3 and a Save % around 910, he would have been a great fit for this team and probably have the Sabres close to a .500 club now.

I think in the long run you are hoping for better than a 'good' goalie. My point is don't trade assets for a 'good' goalie that will help you this year....but who isn't good enough to be your long term solution. IF you want someone that is good enough for this year AND to be a long term solution, I don't know who is available and you might have to give up a lot for that.

I guess it doesn't really matter much, but on a personal level I just like when things have meaning. How about instead of getting "future considerations" you must make it something definite...like instead of getting 'future considerations' you just make it ' the next time team A has a better 7th round draft pick than team B in the same draft, Team B gets to swap it".

Its a shame, because with an above average goaltender, this team might be above average in the standings (contending for a wild car) and would be really fun to watch. The problem is, I can't blame Adams for giving up valuable asset(s) to get a 'good' goalie that might only serve this team this year. You aren't getting a 'great' long term goaltender for any assets at this point in the season. So, we are stuck with what we have....a young team that has potential to be 'good' and exciting to watch, but is let down by its goaltending more than almost any of us can remember.

Besdies 2023, I think the next best option is 2024, but that isn't a choice.

What I didn't want to see from MItts was him coming back from Injury and taking games and games to get on the scoresheet. It happened in game 1, so to me that is a big thing with him.

Sharks, Red Wings, Leafs, and Rangers. If NOTHING else changed besides the goalie performance, even with 'average' goaltending they should have/would have won those games. Of course, the flow the game can change, as well as opposing team strategy and other things if you were getting better goaltending. But I agree with your overall point. They would probably have 3 of those games be wins, and maybe ONE other game I'm not thinking of, with consistent average-to-above average goaltending. Instead of being 25th in the league, that would put them battling for a playoff spot right now.

I would agree with those who say no name on the back. I currently have 4 hockey jerseys (1 being from the Sabres) and all of them are name-less. I know its different for other people, but when I buy a jersey, I'm all about the design or the team on the front. Nothing against any particular players, but I never really liked the idea of wearing clothing that had someone else's name on the back, someone who might or might not even be playing for the team on the front for a long time. If I HAD to pick a name, I would pick someone obscure that you like. There are just too many Dahlin, Eichel, etc ones out there. If there is that former player that you liked but wasn't a star, or a current player that for some reason you like but isn't that popular or good...I'm being honest I would go with that because there will always be a story attached to it and it will be unique.

You are thinking like someone who is trying to win every game at all costs (nothing wrong with that). The disconnect is the Sabres (and Granato) probably WANT to win every game, but they are more interested in young player development. Granato has said multiple times on the radio and in interviews he is currently willing to let young players make mistakes so they can learn from them (apparently even if it costs goals).

In this case Rochester is 'misused' as an option. When you want a player to go to Roch, it is usually so they can get more playing time in...so they can be free to make mistakes and learn from them. Granato already gives him top playing time...and Granato already said 'multiple times' that Dahlin is going to make mistakes here and he has to learn from him. So, he is getting the 'Rochester' treatment already in the pros. The only difference is his mistakes are magnified in the eyes of the fans because of the level of the competition, and are more likely to make the Sabres lose a game than they would make Roch lose in if down there. If Granato is willing to keep giving him max ice time, and is willing to let him make his mistakes, there is not much benefit to sending him to Roch (Even if it WAS possible).

Good. The player I am most looking forward to seeing play for the Sabres this year (yes, ahead of even Quinn and Peterka and Krebs), and probably the biggest addition to make this team better than any other 'realistic' piece they might add before the offseason.

I disagree. I thik he needs work still in the other aspects of the game besides putting up points. While it is great he is putting up goals and assists, I've followed the Roch games, watched 2 of them on AHLtv, and watched all the highlights I can find of goals for and against them. Quinn often seems to be out of position when goals are scored against Roch. A few times I have watched the highlights of goals against, and not only is he on the ice, but often times it looks like his back is turned to the play or he is just way too far out of the play for the goal against. Anyone else here actually a season ticket holder for Roch and have seen all of his games? I am not saying I am 100% correct on this, I would like someone who sees more/knows more to give an opinion on it.

That would be impressive. In the last 10 seasons (I know a couple of them being covid shortened) the Sabres have a total of 3 (Three!) 30 goal seasons by players.....In the last 10 years. Skinner had 40, Eichel had 36, and Pominville had 30. That is it. Even with how bad they have been it seems like it should be more than that.

I know enough to react to the thread you posted, that is all I need to know to put the words down on the forum that I did.

That is the problem with people like you...you are so quick to label something else as 'sad' if you don't agree with it. You know what? Some of us watch sports to be ENTERTAINED, win or loss. It isn't such a big part of our lives that we place labels on others (or their thoughts) like you just did. So basically you are wrong. It isn't a 'losers mentality' that is 'sad'. What it is..it is the mentality of a fan that can appreciate the game for more than being just the black and white of the scoreboard and nothing more....who can appreciate the 'building of a team' and enjoy it.

Thanks. That is kinda what I was looking for. We hear a lot of updates of the players in Roch obviously, but I've always been interested in Johnson.

I know a lot of people will say this is a 'losers' mentality, but if they start Dell in net and lose, but it isn't a blow-out and it is entertaining with the Sabres putting in at least 3-4 goals, I'll be OK with that. With this team I WANT them to win, but this season is not about W's and L's for me, it is about seeing progress I can be excited for and, quite simply, being entertained with goals.

I know the Sabres have a lot of holes yet, but if I'm KA, I really hope he is thinking which of these LHD prospect can he trade (maybe with something else in addition to it) to get an equal level or better RHD prospect that will fit in with this team.

This might be a tough one. Detroit is getting better. Sabres on the 2nd half of a back-to-back with travel. Detroit plays really well at home this year. I expect a loss, but hopefully will be proven wrong...and at least expect to be entertained with some Sabres goals.

Does anyone really know how Ryan Johnson is looking as far as his chances for the Sabres next year or beyond? I haven't heard/read much about him....the little I remember is some saying he could be a legit NHL D-man soon...and other times he might not even be an NHL guy. But nothing I can even remember where I saw any of that. For being a late first round pick, there is very little discussion or news about him.

It is all about expectations. There are really 2 things that make sports fans happy. First and most importantly is winning the championship. If you DON'T win the championship, then the only other thing that really matters to fans is exceeding expectations. Sure, there are some fans that want to see their favorite player do well, others want to see maybe a little of this and a little of that.....but when you break it down it really is all about (at least 95%) about either winning the title or exceeding expectations. That is the issue with being a Bills fan now. Expectations are/were so high, that anything less than going to the Superbowl (and probably winning it) is going to disappoint a lot of fans. With the Sabres, if they finish with 75-80 points and we see some un-expected development from the young guys, a lot of us will be happy.

I'm OK with 4 young C prospects for now, as long as that gets addressed in the next 2 drafts or with trades. You don't need them to 'hit' and enter their prime all at the same time, as long as you always have a potential feed coming through the system.

There are a bunch of metrics we can all throw out there as to how good they are, advanced analytics, goal differential, or simply the record. At this point though a lot of us use the 'eye test' and try to mesh it with what we previously believed, or want to believe. My 'eye test' tells me this isn't quite 'good', but I will be interested to see how they are when Mitts, Joku, Olofsson, and Tuch are playing, along with hopefully some of the young guys being better. So are they 'good' now? Not yet. They are better so far than Arizona, Ottawa, Montreal and Chicago. To me that lumps them in middle-to-bottom tier or teams with Detroit, Columbus, Anaheim, New Jersey, and maybe Seattle and Vancouver. If everything goes well the rest of the year (the injured players get back and there are no other major long term injuries to key pieces) this could be a 80-85 point team....but right now I'd bet on that point total being in the upper 70's. I'm OK with that, actually happy with that for this year. What I want is for this team to compete for 80 points WHILE keeping the kids who are in Rochester down in Rochester. Next year, with some of them elevated to the Sabres and hopefully a good #1 goalie, I want them to compete for the playoffs next year.

A) Not likely, only if the young guys on this roster go though a LOT of in season development and there are major injuries to teams above them in the standings. It isn't a zero percent chance, but I'd say that happening and this team being in a playoff race down tot he last week are in the 20-1 odds range. B) Other than getting that 3-4 game (1-2 week) taste of the NHL later in the year, I see no reason for them to be called up, even if some think they are slightly better than players on the current roster.