Good Day/Afternoon/Evening Children of the ⚔️
Taking a pause from game threads to have a (ideally) reasoned discussion on the Sabres Development in 2023-24.
I heard Meatballs on interviews saying that the first 1/4 of the season is figuring out what the team is, and making adjustments around that. Sabres have played 60% of first 25% of the season. They will have played 1/4 of season by Nov 25, Saturday after American Thanksgiving.
I expect that he is working to get lines set. It doesn't help with the combination of youth and injuries (I know everyone has injuries). Sabres have depth, just not experienced depth, so there is that to consider. ,
IMO, I believe that GMKA, Meatballs and their collective staffs, J Karmanos, Seth A and ROCH staffs are working together on putting the best possible lineup forward for Sabres that they can each game.
Some factors (not excuses and not all inclusive) I am considering:
GMKA continues to focus on building culture with skills for his players - I believe that culture is much better than it has been in many years (going back to losing Drury AND Briere in FA, through the beginning of the rebuild trading Risto,Reinhardt & Eichel).
Currently, yes the youngest team in the league (again). This is a choice by GMKA with regards to the rebuild & long term success of the team. The team (as noted above comments by Meatballs, needs time to gel. That said, cannot go in the loss hole again like past years.
Add to that the injuries currently impacting the big club and ROCH, that are not helping nightly BUT I believe are helping for growth of the:
I have to give sneaky kudos to Sabres for using the system (like, erm, Tampa Bay) to manage their talent.
Benson is "hurt" and placed on IR, so he doesn't surpass his 9 games, and will be off to Team Canada for World Jr's in Dec.
Savoie finishing his rehab in ROCH next week, and will join Sabres for his (less than 9) games, then, will join Benson on Team Canada....
What do you know!? Quinner is on pace for return sometime in Dec/Jan, assuming all goes well
Well played, if so.
I have said before and will state here - the biggest decisions for young as a GM - GMKA - will be to package prospect and big team pieces for difference maker(s) to help get this team into the playoffs and NOT miss a 13th year in a row. I don't expect immediate changes, but something should be done by Trading Deadline (March 1, '24)
He needs to treat them as assets at some point, help them to move their careers forward in a new place, and get top value for Sabres
Not every prospect can or will make the big club. Just not enough spots to go around / the development of prospects. The team as constructed is not a finished product. GMKA will need to give up some good pieces to get other good pieces. Must deal some while they have value to other clubs.
That is the Spoonman's initial stir on things.
What say you fellow Sabre Spacers?
Tuchie with the cold shoulder!
