PerreaultForever

DeBrusk wasn't replaced and that's a factor, but a small one. Zacha's actually been pretty good. The failure is mostly in their few prospects not stepping up. If Lysell had even been Kulich level they might be okay but he's just not NHL ready (if ever). Korpisalo's been better than Swayman so it's not on the goalie tandem. It's a combination of many things ending or going wrong at the same time. Zadorov ya, big disappointment there. I was wrong on him too. After watching him in the playoffs last year I thought he'd finally got it but no, he's just a big dumb guy.

Oh hell no. The game would be nothing more than your ability to make a long stretch pass. The 2 line off side being removed already led to long passes but all the way into the O zone that'd be crazy. Would also mean no icings as your guy would be down there first. Think of it. Our strategy last year would have been "Skinner, you just stay down by the goal and we will try to get the puck to you quickly. You don't back check anyway, so just stay there." No way, it'd kill the game.

Yes, if there was no penalty it would become a tactic. Under pressure? Just fire it into the crowd, problem solved. The one thing I'd change there is the one where they blow the whistle if it goes off the netting. If it falls back into the ice surface why not play on? Sure, there'd be a few crazy bounces but that would just add to it imo. Coaches would use challenges as a tactic as well if they weren't penalties. It's an extra time out to give your team time to rest and regroup. I personally hate off side challenges. Some guy who maybe had nothing to do with the play is a micromillimeter over the line and a goal is disallowed after a 5 minute "what's going on" review. It's garbage. Just play. I'd make it so that only a clear and definite off side could reverse a call. Like maybe a guy is a foot over or more. Anything less and I'd allow it.

It was an ironic hipster sign. Keep it. What they need is a torn taped up paper sign Ted Lasso style. Maybe signed in blood.

Sabres are better than the Bruins right now. That might be the first time I've said that in about 15 years but it's definitely true. You want a stat, Bruins had ZERO shots on goal against Ottawa in the third period last game. ZERO. They are an offensive disaster. Unless they've just quit on Monty and they want him fired or some bs and there's some weird flip I think it's finally over. They're currently only better than maybe Montreal in the division.

I'm not "lamenting" or being unhappy about it. What I'm saying is if you want to build a new winning culture you have to set a standard and you have to play to it. So a win like this is still a win but the team has to be taught that that's not good enough. Sure, these games happen, even to really good teams, and that's where the coaching comes in so that it doesn't become a trend or easy to fall back into. Look, be happy, but if you really want to see change you need to keep working at that change and the standard has to be the standard.

Not wrong. I wouldn't go as far as a bag skate though. Just a serious video session. No direct finger pointing or naming but going over all the mistakes in detail. I think that's all it would take. They just need to learn the new standard is the standard. This is where veteran leadership would come in so maybe Ruff needs to chat with the captains privately first since they aren't likely to take that on without a nudge.

I am with this 100%. I am hoping that's what Ruff will say as well. No coddling or acceptance of this as adequate. Demand more.

No, I can't agree that it was a good win. It was a win. Part of what you say about Calgary is correct, but they are not some top flight team like Florida. They are a rebuild team playing a back to basics grind. This is what I meant when I said they need to learn that not everybody will let you play the way you want to and you have to adjust to that. We did not adjust well. There were numerous breakdowns in the third. We were just fortunate that UPL was on his A game.

I'm not kidding. They were losing the details. Out of position, chasing the puck, not covering for other players. The things they were starting to do so well slipped away but UPL was very good and held them in against a team that isn't really a scoring juggernaut. It's the kind of thing that can happen so I'm not too worried about it but that's what I meant saying Ruff would have game video to go over. This stuff is not ingrained and automatic with this group yet. After years of loose and disorganized play they will have the tendency to break down at this stage. I definitely didn't see elite D in the third.

I'd be fine moving Byram for a winger but we can't move Cozens unless we have a replacement and we don't. Although he might try to move Samuelsson it'll be hard as he isn't value for another team at that salary point. Maybe Philly if we take back a forward Torts doesn't like with a relatively comparable salary.

Nobody? Pretty sure Kev talked about grit on the 4th line and Ruff talked about guys who could chuck 'em. There was video of Malentstyn fighting somebody I remember. Pretty sure he was touted as our tough guy. Not a goon. A tough guy who can PK etc. but still a tough guy relatively speaking. He was horrible today imo.

That was it. The quick start maybe went to their heads and they forgot they need to work for 60. Especially against a methodical grinding machine like Calgary. It was their old style creeping back in.

Well it's a good thing UPL is good at shoot outs because they really only played 20 minutes of good hockey today. You'd think that they'd be dominant 3 on 3 but they clearly haven't been practicing that either. Ruff needs to take some time and work through a few more of those. Sloppy game, old habits, and they were struggling against that Calgary grind which has a subtle but substantial physicality to it. Lessons to be learned here. Opposition teams will not let you play the way you want to all the time and they need to know how to adapt. Really not impressed with Malentstyn. He was billed as our new big tough guy and I don't see it. We weren't initiating in the second half of the game, we were responding and a step behind all through the third. They were chasing and basically just being last year's Sabres. I hope it's not a trend. But hey, good teams find ways to win even when they maybe shouldn't, and UPL stood tall to help with that so 2 more points. Ruff has much teaching game video to use from this one as well. It can still be progress.

Not wrong but that sort of thing happens a lot in games. Malentstyn should have picked up that guy down by the goal though and if he does, it's a non issue. Sloppy second period. I guess I jinxed them saying it was a good game earlier.

This is another good hockey game so far.

I think Tokarski's still unsigned.

Well, if the salary cap works to perfection the entire league should be around .500

People might think otherwise, but I have always tried to give an objective assessment of what I see on the ice. It's been pessimistic for years because the product on the ice has been sh..........t . What I am seeing right now is quite different and checks a number of the boxes in my list of things that need to change for success. Lindy knows what it takes. So maybe they are finally buying in to that and listening.

I think this team is finally starting to figure it out. There was some damn good hockey played in that game. Rangers did look a little flat and maybe we caught them napping but also maybe the skating and speed of the Sabres just never let them get going. It was an excellent game by the Sabres. What I noticed most of all is they are finally playing strong positional hockey. A real structure is taking place and they worked as a precision unit rather than a bunch of individuals who for years have just run around and chased the puck and play. When that happens everything else clicks into place and passes are quicker and crisper, the transition is better and the offense isn't just one and done. THEY PLAYED LIKE A TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think maybe the Euro trip really did set them back. They had a short camp and then a Euro holiday and what they really needed (since things are so different to last year) was a serious Ruff boot camp and now with this fairly light stretch they've had more practices and the coaching is getting the message across and they are literally figuring it out (as they like to say on Shorsey). Clifton and Gilbert work well together as a reliable bottom pair. Nothing flashy, just solid NHL hockey. Quinn's pass to Benson was a nice play but he's still the weakest link and I wish we had a veteran forward there to replace him. Not his worst game by any stretch but he gives the puck away a lot. More than anyone else on the team right now. As bad as Skinner was in that regard. If this positional play keeps developing and the effort stays this team could still make some noise. I watched the Bruins game tonight as well and right now the Sabres are playing much better hockey than them and should be able to beat them easily. Should be able to beat Calgary next too. So is this it? Is this real? Is this the beginning of a new era? Or is it another illusion like the Kreuger win streak? It looked real.

Rangers are good so idk. I don't expect a win but I really hope the effort level is there and then you never know.

I basically agree. I think he definitely expected Quinn (and Cozens) to play like top 6 players. I'm sure Adams felt sure he had the makings of a good second line with them plus Zucker maybe and then later Benson. Maybe eventually they still can be, but it looks like they are far from that now. I guess Jokiharju was brought back for that reason but the better move would have been to bring in a better D man or at least a more defensive oriented one to play with the puck movers. New Jersey made those moves instead and are getting the benefits of it. Gilbert was the right idea, but he's just not talented enough to really make a big difference. A better version of him was what was needed.

Adding veterans who can play. What a concept.

This is the burning question but I am encouraged with Lindy sitting 2 actual players who are underperforming and not just a marginal guy. Quinn needs to sit as well but it's a start and hopefully the message starts to get through. I see signs of good things this year. The framework is there. They just have to develop that culture and keep giving consistent effort. They've never had to do it here before so we shall see how they respond.

Scoring's not the issue. I've said many times I don't think we do the whole Rochester thing the right way but that is where they should be learning the accountability, the 2 way hockey, playing the right way, learning all those little details they need to be effective NHL players when they come up. Scoring is what comes naturally to them as star juniors, but then they find that's not so easy in the NHL. If they don't learn all that stuff there, then we have the frustrations you see Lindy dealing with at the NHL level and you just can't afford to lose too many games that wat and still compete.