deluca67

I have nothing to complain about. If it makes you feel better I can bump up the Kassian/Hodgson thread ;)

The point is that's it's only 5 games and that even some of the uber-talented teams are having difficulties finding their stride. I'm glad the Sabres are hitting an early west coast string. It will give the team a chance to be on the road for 10 days and hopefully bond as other teams have done.

You bring veteran players in to be leaders. Effort should fall under their domain. If Nolan feels the effort is lacking then he should go to the leaders and get a real feel for what's going on in he room. Saying it to reporters does nothing but create a divide. We forget because Nolan's name has been around seemingly forever, this is only Nolan's fifth season as an NHL head coach spread out over 19 years. As far as dealing with NHL players, Nolan still has a lot to learn.

The teams that Sabres went 0-3 against to start the season are a combined 9-2-1. Through 5 games the Sabres are outscoring the mighty Colorado Av's 8-7. The Islanders may be 4-0, I have little faith they make the playoffs. On the flip side, IMO, the Columbus Bluejackets are for real.

This is it exactly. If anyone spoke to Nolan about his comments I would hope it was the leadership in the locker-room.

I get what you mean. Nothing pisses me off more than low unemployment, 55 straight months of job growth, a stable economy and healthcare for millions who otherwise couldn't afford it. Frigg'n useless bastard! :doh: If I were running for office against a Republican my entire strategy would be playing highlights from his show emphasizing that "here is the voice of the Republican party." Democrats continue to not take advantage of their #1 weapon in any election, that is the Republican party themselves. May it be the ass-clowns on Fox News, the nuts in the Tea Party, ammo-sexuals or the candidates themselves.

A resurgent Chris Stewart would go a long way towards the Sabres coming out of nowhere in the East. If Stewart can return to the 20 goal range and be the physical presence he can be, he will indeed become very popular.

Where do the Sabres finish: 8th in the East. Eastern Conference Finals: Columbus over Tampa Western Conference Finals: St. Louis over Dallas Stanley Cup Finals: St. Louis over Columbus Hart Trophy: Steven Stamkos Vezina Trophy: Sergei Bobrovski Norris (defenseman): Erik Karlsson Jack Adams (coach): Todd Richards Bonus: Who will be the biggest name moved during the season? Cam Ward

If Woods is quitting on plays with the game on the line what does that say about Woods? Manuel is a different story. The past two games have given a lot of ammo to those that don't believe he can get it done in this league.

There is a lot that can be complained about after this game. I'm going to contain it to one play. 1st and 10 at the Buffalo 29 with 1:42 left on the clock. EJ ends up scrambling for a few yards. Watch Robert Woods on the play if you can catch the replay. Woods runs his pattern and pretty much quits on the play. Woods was uncovered and could have easily moved to the wide open middle of the field to give EJ a target. It was as lazy of a play I have ever seen in a NFL game. I liked Robert Woods, going forward I am going to be looking at his effort on plays a little differently.

Think about now compared to a year ago. The Sabres were going into a season with Regier,Rolston everyone wondering if Vanek and Miller will be resigned or dealt. IMO, this franchise is going into this season with clear focus and direction which is something many have felt the franchise has been without for many seasons.

Good times ahead, that's for sure.

Considering how often the majority on this board gets it wrong, I would say "contrarian" is the only way to go. ;) Thanks, but I haven't changed, the Sabres have.

What do I have to be negative about? Over the past year I have pretty much gotten everything I could ask for. Status Quo is gone and the roster has been stripped down and is in the process of being rebuilt by a GM I can have faith in.

Let's keep everything in perspective. This is the beginning of the preseason with a young roster that is going to have to work on a lot of things.

Maybe physically. Emotionally and maturity? Not so much.

Maybe because there are no "meaningful points" in juniors or exhibition games. Adults in college?

I'm not advocating I'm simply expressing my view based on what I believe the 2014-15 roster will be. A roster which I believe is nowhere near the worst in East. A lot is based on the staying healthy and a reasonable expectation of growth from the younger players likely to make up a big portion of the roster. Exactly. The success of the 2015 draft will be based on Tim Murray's ability to maximize all the picks they have not just who or where their first pick is. If any fan is looking for a savior in this or any draft the are heading for a world of disappointment.

Take last seasons goal totals and team defense numbers and toss them out the window. Last season was about a change at GM/coach and purging the roster of expiring assets, not to mention the run of goalie injuries. In my mind, this season is the first season where the franchise is building it's self up. Going into the season the Sabres don't have their most talented players wondering if or when they will be moves. The veterans signed in the off-season know they are here for the season. I'm not saying the Sabres will be a Cup contender, I do think they will get enough offensive bump from the young guys, goaltending and veteran production to make the eighth spot in the East. If there is any truth to the Nolan reputation regarding getting max production out of less talented players, it will need to show this season.

Not beating many teams when you have more penalty yards (101) than rushing yards (87). For me, the story of this game begins ans ends right there.

The beauty of message boards is the differing of opinions. You are far more sure about the top kids in next years draft than I am. I'm always going to doubt a player until he gets it done in he NHL, which is why I would put the higher premium on the proven NHL talent. If Columbus does put Johansen on the market, I would be pissed if didn't end up being a Sabre.

Why is this? We're talking about a couple of 26 year olds. Miller was 26 when he established himself. IMO, the chances are very high that one of these kids steps it up to that next level. I'm excited about the Sabres' goaltending going into the season. Sure, there is always a chance of it ending up as a tire fire, that to me is "unlikely."

Thanks! It's been a long day.

Many people are going to be surprised when this team makes the playoffs. Good goal-tending, a veteran defense corp and a mix of high-end rookie talent and veterans gives hope going into the 2014 season. It all depends on veterans staying healthy and a certain 2nd overall pick playing like the most talented player on the draft. They may not be the most talented team in the Conference, if you take a close look at the roster, they have enough talent in the right positions to have an effective power play and an effective penalty kill. Specialty teams in hockey are equivalent to a running game in football. Run and stop the run effectively and you will always be in the game. Same with specialty units in hockey. Take advantage of your opportunities and keep opponents teams power play off the board and you will be in a lot of games. It's not as crazy as it may sound considering the year they just came off of.

How many of the Flyers and Rangers free agent signings were 22 year old 30 goal scorers? Step away from the rhetoric and take a good look at the players involved.