jad1

The Sabres posted 75 points last season, their 4th best season total since 2015. They are currently two points ahead of last place in the division. No doubt several of their young players are developing. And the fancy stats do suggest optimism. But the overall team progress in the standings does not suggest a team that has greatly improved since trading Eichel. I believe that the Sabres will eventually improve in the standings. But the gap in the timeline between Eichel leaving and the climb in the standings will suggest that the reason will have little to do with Eichel's leadership or lack thereof.

No-showing for a period isn't a good look for a young team. This team seems to do it a lot.

Yeah, he showed that he's not a top six forward tonight.

This is like taking out the first few boxers in Mike Tyson's Punch Out.

Here's where the Sabres would benefit from having a veteren defenseman. Steady things down on the back end.

They also need a veteren version of Samuelsson and a veteren 3rd line center. The list isn't long. There is no reason that winning shouldn't be expected this season. The rookies are contributing. The vets (Tuch, Thompson, Skinner, Dahlin) are playing playoff-caliber hockey and deserve the chance to legimately compete. Rather than burning the season to see if Mitts, Krebs, and Bryson can break thru, Adams needs to add a couple/few vet pieces and Granato needs to tighten up the defensive zone play. Goaltending will continue to be an issue, but the train left that station when Adams refused to pay Ulmark, so they need to figure out how to work around the deficit at goalie. It's time to rally around the new core. There are lessons in losing, but those lessons are limited. There are better lessons to be taught in winning. It's time to focus on helping this core of players learn those lessons.

Not even close. But Thompson is awesome.

He's got no confidence. Should have been in Rochester, relearning how to play more aggressively.

You asked if someone who's highest season goal total is 20 can be a 30 goal scorer. My response, using Thompson as an example, was yes, a player can become a 30 goal scorer when their previous career season high was 20 goals (or less). Tuch is a player who many would acknowledge can be a 30 goal scorer, even through his career season high is just over 20 goals.

I'll let you know after I check Thompson's career stats (and Tuch's).

Okay, Jost is better than Bjork.

I got a wacky, poorly-sourced theory that he loves the NHL lifestyle waaay more than the AHL lifestyle. He needs to stay healthy to prove it out.

If UPL could be the guy in net...

I'd throw Cozens in that group too. He's close.

Nice call Granato! Full marks to the crowd tonight.

Cozens is getting there. Olofsson needs a consistent center.

UPL!

Draw the penalty, score the goal. That works.

They didn't, but that's okay.

Love it when they they don't eff up a 3 on 1.

That move should be called the Drunken Giraffe.

Rob Ray with the 'Who are you wearing" interview.

They got bored watching Skinner get mugged and decided to call a BS tripping call to liven things up.

Pass from Dahlin was just as good!

Man, the first line (Thompson, Skinner, Tuch) is playoff-quality. Dahlin is too.