FrenchConnection44

Other than Huglen who is still in college 🙄 What sticks out to me is Ryan Johnson. I got a lot of pushback when I criticized him a couple of months back. But he’s 23. And was the 31st pick in 2019 and there are a number of younger players drafted in subsequent years - some later in the draft - who are at the NHL level or in the AHL and doing as well or better. And that’s on a mediocre—at best—team. 2 assists. At the AHL level. Not giving up on him but he’s a disappointment imo and not flashing first round value. Or close to it.

No. While the national media are bragging about Pegula and his desire for a “best in class” stadium … … They don’t say anything about his running the Buffalo hockey team into the ground such that it’s one of the “worst in class” franchises in the NHL.

It’s called a “metaphor.” Metaphors by definition are not intended to be taken literally. 🤦‍♂️ 🙄

Love it. Casey is not only -13, but also has 4 take aways to go with 23 give aways! That’s one trade by Adams that is looking good so far.

Great game to watch! Let’s hope this is a start of a genuine turnaround. And not just that we caught the Rangers on an off night. Because we’ve been down this road of lose 3 or 4 or 7 in a row and come back and win 4-5 in a row, look good, then go on another losing streak. Gotta stay tough. Mentally and physically. Not every game will be that easy.

Incredible! they need to slow down on the scoring. I can hardly keep up! 😂 just kidding

Amazing.

Greenway!!! Hahahaha

Don’t relax. Stay intense.

Tage!!!!

Samuelsson is a healthy scratch? I suppose that is a message?

This is the same team we’ve seen for the last few years (though they were at least entertaining 2 years ago with all the scoring). They go out and lose 2-3-4 in a row. Then they win an unexpected game and win a couple in a row. They are a .500 club. The same thing they have been. Which sucks. If they are .500 this year they should just blow it up. Trade their talent. Pick up first rounders. Get rid of Adams. Wish Pegula would sell but that probably won’t happen. There is no reason to follow this team until something radically different happens.

That’s about as disappointing a loss as it gets. What the heck is Tage doing in OT? And for the last however many seasons our shorthanded defense has to be one of the most passive. But when it’s six on five skaters, you have to be more aggressive. Can’t just pack it in and then give a guy space to tap it in! UPL did himself no favors on a couple of those goals.

Between 1972 and 2001 we were in the playoffs 25 out of 29 years! And a very competitive team with anyone in several of those seasons. Winning or not winning a cup that franchise over a 3 decade stretch cannot in any way be described as a joke. (to say nothing of the fact that we were clearly robbed in the Dallas cup finals) The last 14 years in the Pegula - Adams era (which can’t end soon enough), can quite fairly be described as a joke.

If we benched Cozens, I would not change up the 3rd line but would move Krebs in that position between Benson and Quinn. Krebs has compete and could gel with Benson. And he was originally a talented offensive prospect.

I think/hope Cozens still can improve but he’s overpaid and I don’t have much confidence. Ever since getting pummeled in that fight last year it seems he just hasn’t had that same compete he has two seasons ago. He was really weak on that steal.

I love these Sabres away uniforms. Which used to be their home unis. Especially great when we play well. 😉

He seems apathetic and cheap re the Sabres Maybe if only 3000 fans show up each night he would be pressured to do something. But who knows. He might be waiting for the new stadium and that revenue to kick in before doing anything. Or not. The NHL is low on the totem pole for revenue and popularity. It’s the red headed step child among the big 4 professional team sports. Heck, it gets less pub than the WNBA since Caitlin Clark came along. It’s also way below CFB.

Who is going to trade anything for these players? Who wants to come here as a free agent? Team needs a new owner and a new GM and then to finish last and win the draft lottery in a year there is a McDavid-level type talent coming out. That could be decades. Otherwise we have to hope we actually scratch and claw our way into the playoffs and get a hot goalie to win series - then a talented player or two might want to sign. But Pegula has to want to spend. It’s funny to me that the NFL and its media generally loves the Bills, but the NHL seems to have no respect for the Sabres.

If they keep struggling after a few more games, that might not be a bad idea as a slap in the face, lol. Anything that would get them a bit angry and play with more life and sharpness in their game.

We shouldn’t have any shot at winning this game, so we probably will. If we are anything like last year’s team. But then we are sure to lose to the Blue Jackets and Blackhawks. Lol

I think it would be the best move by the organization to play Kulich tomorrow. When is he ever going to play a real game for his NHL team in Prague? Dude has been busting his butt the last two years. and do we really think Krebs is going to make all the difference in one game? Over a season he is probably more consistently reliable at this point but in a single game - in Prague?! Gotta go with Kulich.

It’s not the end of the world but it is also a BS start for a team that was somehow working hard and ready to go. If I’ve heard the bs line, “It’s early, they still are adjusting, yada yada yada” line once I’ve heard it 10,000 times. Even uttered it myself. How well has that worked the first 1/5 of the season the last 13 years? Have heard it about the Sabres and any number of other sports franchises for which I root. 90% of the time it has no basis in reality other than the reality of wishful thinking. Not giving up hope by any means. But it’s a lousy start for a team. No excuses. The Devils didn’t offer any. Hopefully the players realize these are real games and come out storming Next game. And we are that 10% who come along and develop into a solid playoff team. Still … wake up!

He’s not yet a bust. That’s a more accurate wording. ( the waiver rules and lack of playing time on the trip make sense - given he’s not making the team) But it’s still a disappointment, imo, that he’s not able to make the team - on a team that had 84 points last year.

Wish I could, since I lived in Prague (Praha) for two years. Such a great city. Also loved the hockey there! Saw several players who later played in the NHL. And went to several games at Jagr’s home town team, Kladno (not such a great city 😉).