Pimlach

But if Greenway continues to play strong defensively, adds a mean streak, and chips in 14-18 goals, then Lindy likes him.

I didn't vote. We don't know what the 3rd line is except for McLeod is at C. Good assumptions are that Zucker does not crack top 6 and Greenway is still top 9 and you get a line. Not sure its a good one but it might be. Is Benson ready for top 6? Will Krebs work his way into the line up, and where? Not sure about Malenstyn-Lafferty-Abe Kubel as a line either. They are fast and they hit people, they were 4th liners on other teams, we know that much. Lindy is a line mixer and he likes to match up with situational players so we could see a lot of shuffling for awhile.

To add other points to "how you see it": (1) the Sabres opened up a slot to give Krebs a shot at 3C; and (2) they think that their prospect pool can help them overcome the loss of Mitts at center. They failed to trade their #1 pick for top 6 help, so they traded Savoie for a 3C, and they drafted another center in round 1 that now appears to be their new top prospect at center. Adams tends to miss on attempts to improve the team "right now", to win today, but he does seem to find good prospects/players in the draft. I can't wait to see what Byram brings. I am concerned that a organization like Colorado, a recent Cup winner, was willing to make this trade. They traded for better value right now (Mitts over Byram) to win today. Despite Byram's lofty 4OA draft status, they moved on him to fill a big hole in their roster. So yes, its a risky deal that counts on Byram reaching his potential. Most defenseman peak in their late 20's, can they afford to keep Byram that long given the amount of dollars already invested on the blueline?

Still can't fix my slice this season. I need to stay on the fairway. Need to get a few lessons I suppose.

Someone forgot the Loctite.

What???? So defenseman willing to play a physical style are crease clearing gorillas? smh Every defenseman is responsible to keep the crease and the slot area cleared and support the goalie. Power is not special. He needs to get physically invested in the game. That is all I ask. He needs to be willing to use that big body to his advantage and there must be more effort to support every Sabre teammate on the ice.

Hitting (throwing a body check), or using your body as leverage to defend. So far Power doesn’t do either.

I think I will go to Buffalo and catch that home opener. Gonna look into it.

This really is the worst thread I’ve ever read on Sabrespace. Nothing of value here. Very worthy of being locked or deleted.

I heard that there were Bison roaming around in downtown Buffalo, and that they were wearing goat heads.

I selected Tage to rebound as a #1 center and a PPG guy. I selected UPL to be a solid #1. That’s it. I sure hope Cozens and Mule can have their best season ever under Ruff. Cozens and Mule are key players if this team goes anywhere. If every player performed to your description then this takes a big leap in the standings.

I hear those tall comments a lot - there are also tall players that develop quickly or on a "normal" time frame. Including star players. Power's issues have nothing to do with height and a lot to do with his age, experience, his playing style, and probably even the level of coaching he has received thus far. His size and skill made him a dominant player prior to the NHL. Now he has to do it in the best hockey league in the world.

Dahlin is a star player. Power looks promising but still very young, and he needs to use the body more as has been stated here a lot. Byram? I’m not sure yet. Joker is meh, ok. Clifton adds some much needed muscle back there. Samuelsson may be the key. The team lacks the physical and defensively strong stay at home guy(s), unless Samuelsson can play that game and be available more (injured less). He very well may be the key to a stout defense. Watching the playoffs and seeing the intense battles in front of the net, I’m not sure we have enough physicality to get the job done in a deep playoff run. In summary, I think they have well above average talent on defense, but the top talent is not diversely skilled. The addition of Byram brought in more of the same skills that he have. They are young but very experienced for their age. This crew should be good enough to get us to the playoffs. People here talk about the puck moving aspects of Dahlin, Byram, and Power - can’t wait to see what they do this season under Ruff. Ryan Johnson, our most ready prospect on defense, can also move the puck and pass.

I’m still thinking about this the next day. Tragic.

I think DG lost them because of their comments we heard after his firing. They knew they we not rady to start the season. They want harder practices for one thing. They seem to want more accountability. Lets face it DG got no help from Adams, and whatever system DG was using (offense first, defense next, etc.) was a failure too. Some of the young players have had huge minutes and big responsibilities at a very young age. I don't think they are baby soft, but they have lacked leadership and mental toughness and they need more leaders to emerge from within. Who wears the A's and the C are not as important as everyone being on the same page and backing up their teammates. I don't think we have yet seen the best of what this core group can do. I cannot be convinced that Quinn, JJP, Benson, Power, and even Tage and Dahlin have reached their peaks yet.

Great info here. I think there was a sophomore slump, and there were many players on this team that never really got going last season. I point my finger at the coaches for that. I just think that Power must get more involved in the game physically, and become more invested in the games outcome, and then points and the rest will take care of itself. Experience should help him and hopefully he meshes well with Ruff.

OR - Ruff will have them chomping at the bit to beat NJ, and they do it, and they get off to a good start. Then the key will be adjustments as the season wears on.

To play GM.

Nothing about the Sabres, or the NHL, should make you feel dread about life in general. This is a game, and we are spectators and fans.

Just wait for Byram to go out and win the Norris this year. Did you know he was drafted 4OA?

Yes, its crazy isn't it? It is just too painful to go over how poor his leadership has been. The record speaks for itself.

They really did not ever use Tage as a net front guy. Granato never saw TNT as an Andreychuk type of player. He had Benson in front of the net more than Thompson. Hoping Ruff can run more than one PP formation because Granato and his staff did the same thing for two years.

My point.

Good question. We don’t. But here we are sitting well below the cap.

It says more of what we already knew about KA, and mostly Pegula, and the state of the franchise. I am going to root for a Triple Lindy and hope for the best.