FrenchConnection44

Great shot by Thompson. We’ve had 4 really nice shots for goals.

And we give it back. lol. Classic 2023 Sabres.

2 men. Yes!! Great shot! Just about to say we had to score. Dahlin. What a talented player.

I think this is more like what they wanted if all were healthy at the start of the season. But also the addition with Johnson to the team. I like these lines. If we could land a solid two way forward who can score (like an Olafsson who plays an all around game) and sub him in for Okposo with Krebs and Johnson, I’d take that. Really a big need there to upgrade Okposo. In fact, I’d try Jost in Okposo’s spot and see what happens. Our defense there is weak still. Power and Joki have just not stepped up. 3rd line guys have been lousy as well. Of course, coaching is still the issue.

In that case, however, the profit there, especially given that NY and Erie paid for the bulk of the stadium, is going to more than pay for any overruns. The huge increase in luxury boxes will be a massive boon for him. Plus he has the money. Stephen Ross paid for the entire upgrade to the Dolphins’ stadium - $500 million. That, after purchasing the team and stadium, and also building a $135 million practice facility. The Dolphins also built their own 80,000 acre turf facility to supply their own grass which they replace about every 2-3 weeks. This is what good owners do (not that Ross is a ‘good’ owner. He is bungling; but he is also willing to pour his money into the organization). And he is willing to put the money into the organization. Basically, whatever the team needs, he sits there with his checkbook ready. Same with the Dodgers ownership. And many other teams. Where I think Pegula needs to put his money is both in hiring a new coach and in organizational and player development.

Normally. But not in sports. Most teams don’t make a ton of profit and the better owners pay what they can. The money in sports ownership is the profit from the sale of the team (which ironically is usually around 10-12% increase year over year). Otherwise, a good owner spares no expense. Only way to compete in in the sports world against other multi-billionaires.

We are eighth worst in the standings. Which is right in range where we seem to draft every other year or so. Except for the year there is not a generational talent at the top - then we get to draft first.

For sure. And one with a real system on offense and defense. Many of us have been saying this for a while. However, I would go a step further. As young as they are, every last one of these guys 26 and under should have come into camp bigger, stronger, faster, with better puck and shooting skills (quicker and harder shots and more accuracy). All of them. All of them should have been able to improve in those areas. This is what a real developmental program does. Instead, it appears most of these guys took the summer off. Or just maintained where they were. That won’t cut it. They need to form an entire organizational structure for these players. I doubt Pegula would do this - As I doubt he has the intensity and drive to win with the Sabres - but he should.

The enigma strikes again. Big time wins at the Rangers, Bruins, and Knights. One has to wonder if those teams are underestimating us in these games and expect to win? Although Vegas didn’t play poorly. Levi for the win for sure, but those goals were crucial. Levi can be great. I think UPL has shown he is capable of being good enough. It’s just whether he can be mentally strong enough to play consistently when we need him in order to rest Levi. Goalie psychology is such a big factor and it’s hard to know how that will play out.

Yep. And I think the only way is a new coach. But whole staff needs to go. It’s really an embarrassment. Here is the audio about “accountability on every play.” Lundquist is spot on. And every game. Just terrible hockey. As much as we want to blame the goalie - and there are problems there - it is a team game. The team starts playing better and the goaltender gets confidence. And vice versa. But it’s just not happening. An entire new coaching staff and major revision of the player development department is an absolute necessity, imo. I don’t know why they don’t talk to successful teams who develop players from other sports.

The "he" I'm referring to there is Kulich. I don't disagree with you on the observation. I see it as a fan frustration when they do that (even if it is a lack of shooting 'sniper' ability). But I can see some players determined to get a shot on goal and firing right at the center of the goalie (which is more an amateur move) rather than taking the chance of missing the net entirely. It's a catch-22. You hate it when a player is at point-blank range and misses the goal entirely, which gives him no shot at converting, but also hate it when it's right at the goalie. Either way, it's a lack of accuracy within the framework of getting off a quick trigger shot.

Yes of course. I will always root for the Sabres and love the team. But when a team loses, is non competitive, and plays poorly I don’t have much interest in watching or don’t have time to put in. Why should anyone? I’ve been a fan since 1970 and will watch on occasion but don’t have the time given my life circumstances. At the same time my interest in watching will increase when they are competitive. I will still represent and be a fan and root for them. But I can’t commit to watch unless they are really showing they are in the hunt and special. 80 games is too much time to put in for my world.

I don't think intentionality has much to do with it. It's the ability to quickly sense where the goalie is, what corner (or 5 hole) is open and accurately nail the shot. That's the difference between a great goal scorer and a player who gets chances but doesn't convert effectively. JJP has that sniper ability. If he is on a strong, consistent line he can be a big time scorer. I think Kulich has that (Tage did for stretches last year) but whether he can develop to become a strong overall player at the NHL level is still a question he has to answer.

He does need to make some strong additions. And his young draft choices need to step up.

This is a challenge for several players on the Sabres. Other than JJP and Skinner they are far from snipers. Tage can be if he gets hot. Dahlin is solid but doesn’t get the chances. They often shoot it at the goalie. Cozens. Casey (though he doesn’t have much of a strong shot period). Really most of them. I would like to see the line from last year re-united when/if everyone gets healthy again.

This is a good move. Could have made it a week or two ago. Rosen was not getting ice time here. He will in Rochester. Murray may not add a ton of talent but he’s a man. And he isn’t a developing prospect who needs time on the ice.

There have been many complaints levied at Adams for not bringing in vets last year and running back Okposo, et al. I get that. But it was a thin free agent year and not a lot of players available. This year we should be in better position to bring in new players and replacing a good bit of the chaff. Now, if Adams doesn’t procure 2-3-4 very solid players this off season then he should be in trouble. I would give him one more offseason and year. But we have to get a new staff that sees the value of the players on the team and can harness that. Look, for example, at what Mike McDaniel has done in Miami with the Dolphins. Yes I know they are the Bills rival. But he put faith in the talent that was there. They added veteran talent to complement that young talent. And added a strong coaching staff with McDaniel to improve those players. Amazing what a smart Xs and Os coach from a good system who fosters self belief in players can do for a team culture. Granato just doesn’t have that hockey IQ, imo. That’s what I want to see with the Sabres young group. A good coach and staff that knows how to play hockey and can develop the players and then add quality talent in the off season to blend in and lead by example.

Granato has to go. It’s just not good hockey. You hate to see anyone fired but he’s made a lot of money so far for not making the playoffs. And he will get paid $3.8 million the next two years. Nothing to complain about. Please. Fire me and pay me $3.8 million. I’ll get fired 20x for that. So can’t feel sorry for him. It’s a high profile and high paying job. I can’t see Adams getting fired. He’s created a very solid talent pipeline. They need a new coach and staff. That actually teach them how to play team hockey. On both ends of the rink. And, simultaneously, they need to up their developmental game - providing a stronger more definitive program for the development of each player. Physically. Mentally. Hockey skills.

Said this in the Montreal thread. But … We are surely one of the most poorly coached teams in the NHL in terms of having any defensive structure or offensive plan or consistency. And the victories we get are a product of other teams having an off night and we get fortunate in some wide open shots or the players themselves get frustrated over playing bad the prior couple of games so they come out and hustle for 50-60 minutes and the randomness of the games gives them a W. We have some weak spots in talent to be sure. And the goaltending is inconsistent and Levi should be at the AHL level. But if these players were well coached and bought into that coaching, and if the organization as a whole - at every level - had a well organized, cutting edge, and well structured player development system and large training staff that got the absolute best out of each player from a physical and mental development (particularly the off-season) perspective, I think the talent is there to be a much better team. And that is on Pegula. Look at organizations like the Braves or Dodgers in baseball (or even Rays or Astros). They have excellent organizational structure, generally large off field staffs even at the MLB level but all the way up and down (as opposed to 2-3 people in player development) (even though the Rays don’t have any money they keep putting out competitive teams), excellent analytic staffs and a great plan for development of each player. We need organizational improvement at most every level. Or look at the Bruins. In spite of generally drafting at the end of every round, they have been below .500 3 times since 1968. They have been .600 or better 14 times this century alone. The Sabres have been .600 or better 11 times in their history since 1970, and 7 of those were the decade between 1974 & 1984. Since 1984, they’ve been .600 plus 4 times. Between 1972 and 2000 we missed the playoffs only 4 times. Pegula has enough money that if he did it right, we could have a solid organization that tracked, assisted, and helped develop every individual drafted player at the AHL, and other minor levels and NHL level. He needs to find someone at the NHL level who knows how to run an organization to be the President of hockey operations and restructure the entire front office and developmental staff and give him the resources to do so. I am not saying fire Adams. He may fit in fine but Pegula needs to decide if he’s going to get things in place to be a consistent winner or not.

Many have been saying this for some time. It seems like we are one of the most poorly coached teams in the NHL in terms of having any defensive structure or offensive plan or consistency. And the victories we get are a product of other teams having an off night and we get fortunate in some wide open shots or the players themselves get frustrated over playing bad the prior couple of games so they come out and hustle for 50-60 minutes and the randomness of the games gives them a W. We have some weak spots in talent to be sure. And the goaltending is inconsistent and Levi should be at the AHL level. But if these players were well coached and bought into that coaching, and if the organization as a whole - at every level - had a well organized, cutting edge, and well structured player development system and large training staff that got the absolute best out of each player from a physical and mental development (particularly the off-season) perspective, I think the talent is there to be a much better team. And that is on Pegula. Look at organizations like the Braves or Dodgers in baseball (or even Rays or Astros). They have excellent organizational structure, generally large off field staffs even at the MLB level but all the way up and down (as opposed to 2-3 people in player development) (even though the Rays don’t have any money they keep putting out competitive teams), excellent analytic staffs and a great plan for development of each player. We need organizational improvement at most every level. Or look at the Bruins. In spite of generally drafting at the end of every round, they have been below .500 3 times since 1968. They have been .600 or better 14 times this century alone. The Sabres have been .600 or better 11 times in their history since 1970, and 7 of those were the decade between 1974 & 1984. Since 1984, they’ve been .600 plus 4 times. Between 1972 and 2000 we missed the playoffs only 4 times. Pegula has enough money that if he did it right, we could have a solid organization that tracked, assisted, and helped develop every individual drafted player at the AHL, and other minor levels and NHL level. He needs to find someone at the NHL level who knows how to run an organization to be the President of hockey operations and restructure the entire front office and developmental staff and give him the resources to do so. I am not saying fire Adams. He may fit in fine but Pegula needs to decide if he’s going to get things in place to be a consistent winner or not.

Krebs and Jost played together the other night for a short bit. I’d like to see more of that. With Robinson. Really liked what he brought vs Bruins. Lines are looking better. When Quinn and Tuch get back, a lot of goood options: Tuch-Tage-Skinner Quinn-Cozens-Peterka (if we want to run it back) then, Benson-Middlestadt- (take your pick) Jost/Olafsson/Robinson or Benson-Casey-Peterka Quinn-Cozens-Jost/Robinson/Olafsson I do like Casey on that top line with Skinner and Thompson, but the problem there is shortchanging Center with ostensibly two on the first line. Cozens becomes the only other center with offensive scoring potential. Tuch could combine on the wing with any of Benson/Peterka/Quinn/Robinson/Olofsson The challenge becomes who that 3rd center is. I like Jost but not a scoring center. I would be happier to see him with Krebs and Robinson or Okposo on line 4.

😂 What a friggin’ game, lol! That sequence over the last two minutes was insane! We could not get the puck! But we fought like hell to prevent a goal. What an intense two minutes plus of hockey! Loved it. That’s some great playing. Levi was phenomenal. Even the goal was a freak occurrence. A kind of unintended own goal by Johnson. Pastrnak. That dude is just so sick with the puck! I hate the Bruins but every time he gets the puck I get intrigued about seeing something special.

I keep hearing that Adams has to make a move. This is a common refrain. I don’t entirely disagree. But what assets does he really have to get good value? The young talent can’t even get minutes on a team that totally sucks. And, further, who is going to trade a starting asset who has several years left on a good contract of that youth? Trading young assets for a half season loaner isn’t going to benefit this team. But, ultimately, imo, what does it matter with the coaching on this team? This team is not motivated. Their structure, systems, and on ice discipline is terrible. To me, that shouts coaching. The rest of December we play 8 games against teams currently in playoff position. That will be telling. If Pegula isn’t going to do anything this season, as it appears from what people are saying, then he’s the real issue. We need a coach who has some experience in a winning organization and can motivate and instill a good system. I am fine with relinquishing draft picks, unless we finish last, in the offseason.

I just can’t believe how bad Samuelsson has looked at times this year. He’s just not the same player he was. Half the team is that way. It’s insane. We have one star, this season. And the rest of this mess range from occasional decent/ barely middling NHL level to below average.

We gotta chow down on some wings tonight. Fiery red ones! Let’s go Sabres! Please win a game.