JohnC

The best approach the Sabres can take is to stand pat and work with the players within the system. Our blueline unit is mostly set, with the hope that Kesserling eventually returns this season. Norris is soon to return, so there will be some shuffling of the lines. I don't know if Kulich will return this season, but if he does, then Östlund and Rosen can move up to fill in when needed. The roster has gotten enough buffer to the point that Greenway can be given games off when needed, which is another sign that roster depth is becoming a reality. Instead of searching the market for new players it would make sense to work out a deal with Tuch to solidify the roster. In my view, he is an essential player whose play is a plus and his presence provides a good example for the youngsters. Keeping in-house talent is more important than searching outside for talent. The position I'm taking doesn't foreclose player moves in the offseason, the better time to make deals. Hopefully, there will be some changes in the staffing who may be better at making player moves.

We have to get some road wins to stay in the race.

Quibbling can sometimes be fatiguing when not in the mood to duel. 🙂

We disagree on each other’s characterization of him and his role. That’s okay. Not worth quibbling over.

I stand corrected. My main point is that Norris was brought in to be a top two line center. And also related to that point is that if he plays up to that level, his salary would not be considered out of bounds.

He will be on our top six. So if he plays up to his intended role, his salary will not be considered to be out of line.

If the Sabres are losing as much money as you claim (not challenging you on that issue), then a factor in the supposedly inadequate return is the product that he has provided since he bought the team. You don't think that if the Sabres were a serious team during much of his tenure the revenue flow wouldn't be a lot higher? In any business endeavor, a poor product is usually not going to be as profitable or even profitable. And when you are in the entertainment business, the quality of the production certainly is a factor when the receipts are tabulated.

No doubt about it that the Sabres have to avoid extended losing streaks to become a playoff team. But even without such a streak, if this team can't play better on the road, it will be too much of a challenge to overcome. Buffalo is 8-4-2 at home and 1-5-2 on the road. That home/away disparity is simply not good enough to put this team in a position where it needs to be. Toronto's record is 8-4-3 at home and 1-6-0 on the road. Both of these team are dealing with the same road record problem. We need to get our record around .500 to put us in a position to put us in a realistic position to make the playoffs.

Where did you get the exotic notion that the Sabres want to build around a player such as Norris? The only player on the Sabres who is in the lofty category of worth building around is Dahlin. Norris certainly isn't in that category. Let's not forget that he was dealt in a one-on-one deal for Cozens. So his acquisition falls far short of an Eichel blockbuster type of deal. Hopefully, Norris becomes a first or more likely 2C player for us. If he becomes that caliber of player, then the trade works out well for the Sabres. If it doesn't, then so be it and move on.

I thought with Doan, we were getting a grinder who was a third or fourth line type of player. However, his offensive instincts and production have surprised me. If he was inserted on the first or second line now, I would not automatically say that he was miscast for those upper line roles, although I would still categorize him as a third-line type of player. I'm not going to say that he is better than JJP but what I can comfortably say that he is a more well-rounded player. What makes his value more noticeable is that he excels in areas in which this team was glaringly deficient, such as net presence, a physical style of play and more responsible play in the defensive zone. There has been a lot of discussion here about roster construction. From that standpoint alone, he was a good addition.

This line played its fourth line role very well. It played hard and tight throughout the game. Kosak fits in well on that line. He is solidifying his spot on the team.

And to add to your point, if we can get consistently good goaltending, this can be a credible team.

Samuelsson was constantly plagued with lingering injuries, and it affected his play to the extent that the enraged mob wanted to get rid of him for nearly nothing. Now he is playing well in a first pair role. Let’s not reflexively throw out a potential asset out of frustration with his past history riddled with injuries. Just be more patient and you may be rewarded. There are no guarantees for him or any other player on the team.

As you are indicating, with the return of some injured players, there are more pieces to juggle to rework the lines. And as you note, there are a variety of options that make sense. Ruff is not afraid to juggle the lines, including within the game. Now he has more material to work with. My sense is that he wants to keep Tage as a 1C because of his recent play and also the player's preference.

It is going to be interesting to see how Ruff is going to assemble the lines once Norris gets back. I expect the Zucker/McLeod/Quinn line to stay intact because playing with the vets has elevated Quinn's play.