FrenchConnection44

Of course, that makes sense. The issue is not hitting per se. The issue is being able to play a physical game against physical teams and not get dominated physically and, to one degree or another, wilt just a bit in the face of it. That includes taking hits and having the strength to fend off players who are trying to be physical against you New Jersey has performed well as a speed team. I’m fine with that. We do need to get faster on the whole. We shall see if they can win it all. Though they do have a physically strong, quality defender who is becoming a free agent. But I think that labeling it “hit or don’t hit” is a misnomer as well as a false dichotomy. It really is about being able to hold up physically against a physical team. Look at Victor Headman the past decade. It’s not just the hits that matter. It’s been his ability to be physical, skate, and dominate forwards coming into his zone. He can fend them off and drive them away without even necessarily laying a big hit. As well as being a generally good hockey player. He goes 6’7, 244. And he’s been a crucial player on a perennial Cup contender. I’d like to see Power get into the 230-235 range and be that kind of player on defense.

Let’s Go Oilers! Pound Eichel. Send him into hiding.

I am sure this has been posted. But Kris Baker, whose opinion I respect, is really high on Kulich and Savoie making the team. Savoie he sees as making the team, being rotated in and out of the line up; maybe sent to the World Jr. Championships. But ultimately brought back. He and the other analysts with the Sabres are very high on Kulich and his shot and his strength - while realizing he will get stronger. And they seem to see Kulich making the team. His shot is incredible. Add a strong defender in free agency (or two), those two, and another power forward, and I am pretty happy - as long as the young guys still get stronger.

This is the best observation of the thread. Hands down... wherever they wind up. 😉

Gotta improve the defense. IMHO, we have 3 solid defenders. I'm okay with Joker as a #5-6. But at the least we need a strong veteran defensive player in free agency to pair with Power. Maybe another to play with Joker. I don't have confidence in Johnson at this point as a # 5-6 - and it may be best he moves on and we pick up a 2nd round comp pick - but who knows.

Unsure where he will fit but Krebs is a guy I want on my team. He has to get stronger and more physical - as well as 90% of the team - but his scrappiness and his toughness is something this team needs. He's one of those guys that can be a thorn in the oppositions side. I want him there. And I think he can make it. It's a tough call because of the talent entering with an NHL future. But we gotta find a space for him. He has a bit of Brad Marchand in him (not the same player; but the same kind of pesky nature). If he can get to 200 lbs in a year or so he can be a really tough fourth line center or forward. He may be someone we need to trade but I hope there is space for him.

Good breakdown. Going to have to see what’s up next year. But the only thing I am unsure about is Mitts at $6 million? Not a hater. He’s improved. But still some question marks as far as his shot and overall play. Would like to see Heim become stronger, more physical, a better two way guy, and work on his shot velocity / accuracy.

I’ve never felt the hatred on that basis. I have fam in NC and they are big fans. But I generally dislike root against most of the southern teams / expansion teams including the Hurricanes (I am an old school original six; plus the late 60s early 70s expansion teams; and the WHA additions; - Buffalo, of course; and okay with the Kings - with fond memories of 11:00 pm games against Dionne and Rogie Vachon). The one original 6 team I can’t ever root for is Boston. First Sabres game I ever saw was on TV vs Bruins in 1970. Lost 8-2 and if I recall, they had 72 shots on goal. Lol. It was actually a good goaltending game from Daley. Hated them ever since.

McDavid is amazing. So aggressive and quick. What a beast. Love the Oilers team.

Gavrikov would be a really good addition.

Definitely need a top 4 defenseman. Imo, we have 3 bonafide starting calibre defensemen. Joki and Bushkin are serviceable. But they are 5-6 at best. A top tier D is essential, imo. A two way forward (center or wing) is also significantly important. A two-way center would be nice; but I'd take a two-way forward as well.

Is it SabreSpace 2003 or 2023? 2023 is the one I joined. Bracket in. Happy if I lose because I have Boston winning it all. The one team I had to pick against based on emotional ties / hatred ... was Vegas. The rest of the way I went with my mind over heart.

Man. We need serious improvement on D. both our defenders were packed in and checking no one. Need better coaching and discipline. And … A free agent defenseman has to be the priority in the off season.

He’s really benefitted from the line changes. He’s a much better passer than scorer. That said, he needs some improvement. 1. He doesn’t have a strong shot. Or deadly accurate. Has to get stronger on the shot. 2. He has to get stronger and more physical. Both on face offs and in general. I think he can do both and become a real positive for the team. But still has some off season work to do. I was down on him early but he’s proven me wrong.

Players gotta stay positive. A goal for us will change the complexion

Man. Bad goal. Levi looked like he was peering around then stopped and it went right past his glove. But bad give away by Jokiharu in the Devils zone. just gave them a 3 on 2 and set up the trailer.

To me, as long as he progresses physically, hitting the weights to add muscle and getting up to 230ish+ in weight over the next few years, and improving his skating/balance, he will be a stud. He should look to Hedman as his model. Though not quite as tall (Hedman is 6’6+; but was only 220 when he entered the league. For years he’s gone 240), Power can become that kind of defenseman.

Works for him. Don’t see the benefit for the club. If he were first team or second team All-American I’d think differently. But I have watched several games of Minnesota hockey. I don’t see the value of giving him just what he wants. I would just as soon have the second round comp pick. Save the money and go after a top tier free agent D man to help the club immediately in 2023-24. Draft a high rated defenseman. And we have a couple in the system who could come on. Well … if so, hope he is great. I have doubts about him becoming anything special. Jmo.

Dahlin was amazing in this game. And that shot by Thompson was other worldly.

A number of times, not just on goals, it seems like our defensemen are just out of position - like they are setting up in a spot but no one is there and, oh look, there's an opposing player open in the slot. We need some sort of defensive system. Maybe try to hire a defensive specialist assistant? Someone with some experience with good defenses? But we also need 1-2 free agent vets to come in. One as a top 4 calibre. Another to at least compete with Joki, Byush, and Stillman. I thought Levi was pretty good. Kid has something about him. That said, like rookie pitchers or hitters, the league has yet to adjust to him to find his weaknesses. I felt like they did a couple of times tonight - the first goal and the last goal. Should have had that first goal. He makes up for his size with quickness and has a good butterfly but I think that can be exposed. Teams will try to go up high (as in goal 1) and see how he handles those high shots. And they will try to used his quick movement against him (as in goal 6). Tough situations on the other goals. But he's still learning. Going to be growing pains and most of them will come next year I believe. He's going to have to continue to work on quickness and build his intelligence to be able to be effective and a winner.

I agree. We have cap space the next couple of seasons. As I mentioned, I'd like to see us sign a top 4 Defenseman (who is a very good defender) and a strong forward. To add to the mixture of young players. But don't want to give up the young prospects.

Not just looking at his points (although at the college level one would like to see more offensive production given his experience - he's been outscored by several defensive teammates). But more so, just that he hasn't really improved significantly from 3 seasons ago. He was honorable mention All Big 10 3 seasons ago; not last year; then honorable mention again this year. In the 2-3 games I've seen he's been decent but not special - which one would hope at that level (probably the 2nd best below the NHL level, after the AHL).

Keep the nucleus and young guys there. Unlikely the UFAs remain unless we don't sign anyone else. I like those 3 but I think we can get better. We need a power forward and a defenseman with size (who can play, of course). But the main thing is to see these guys get bigger and stronger. Obviously continue to improve their skill sets. So they can play more physical. Our game will still be offensive scoring power but we have to get bigger. I was perusing the Tampa Bay lineup. They have 13 players over 200 who play and get minutes. And 8 over 220. The Sabres have 3 over 220 (Greenway, Tage, and Samuelsson - and Tage is not a physical player). These guys are young so it will take a couple of years before they reach their peak but we need to see advancement in size. Gotta hit the weights in the off-season. A second element I'd like to see among several of the scorers and potential scorers is to work on their shot. Speed and more so accuracy. We get a number of opportunities but are inconsistent in shot accuracy (often right into the goalie).

I don't dislike Joki. He is still 23 so he still has upside. But I would not let that preclude me from drafting a defenseman high (hope we have a shot at Reinbacher); and we have a high 2nd round pick (right now it's the 7th in the 2nd round. Which has potential). Nor would it preclude me from going after as good a defenseman as I can land in free agency. Would be great to find a top tier veteran. It's not a spectacular year for free agent defenseman. Whether Joki is a solid 4 or not wouldn't matter to me. It would be even better - regardless of how he rates vs the rest of the league - if he were #6 as it would mean we upgraded 4 & 5. Better to have a really good 4 & 5 and a legit 4 playing as the #6 defender. He does need to improve though, imo. Ryan Graves is an interesting target. He's having his best season by far - typical for free agency - but he's young (27) and he's got size (6'5, 220) and he's been a strong, near lock down defender this year. +28 (was +40 in his second season). He could be a fine defender for us and imagine him alongside Power. However, it has to be a reasonable contract. Which may prevent us. It's tough because although we are in a great position the next 2-3 seasons, you don't want to over pay free agents who may not be as good as many others on the team you are going to have to start paying.

I hate the Jets.