JohnC

There are going to be superb big goalies whose style of play is predicated on utilizing their size to play the position. And there are going to be smaller and quicker goalies who use their quickness and analytical ability to diagnose plays to play the position. Just as in all sports, football, basketball, hockey, baseball etc. there will be no one physical profile to play a position. You are either good at what you do, or you are not.

The GM has added a goalie in Comrie, a defenseman in Lyubushkin and later, a center in Jost. In each addition no assets were given up. Are more additions outside of our system needed? Of course. It's undeniable that there are still needs to be addressed. The offseason is the better time when the roster can be reworked with trades and free agent acquisitions. There is no quick fix. And there never was! The rebuild for the Sabres, as it is for any team undergoing the excruciating process, is never always linear. The most meaningful question that constantly has to be invoked throughout the process is: Are we better off tomorrow than we were yesterday? Since KA was installed as the GM the answer has been a resounding yes. It's a frustrating process for the fans to withstand. You either go along with it or you jump ship. Then when the situation calms/stabilizes you get back on board. If that's what you want to do, then do it. I'm along for the turbulent ride.

That physical punishment approach would be the worst approach to take. What it would self-destructively do is give the players heavy/tired legs in their next game so that they wouldn't be able to keep up with the next opponent. I understand your sentiment of cracking the whip. The best way for the coach to get his point across about effort and playing smart is limiting playing time for players who seem to be lagging. The Sabres play Anaheim tomorrow. I expect a more focused and desperate play from the players.

I don't sympathize with your line of reasoning. There is no secret to what the GM's plan is to rebuild the roster and organization. He's publicly stated it literally hundreds, if not more than a thousand, times. He's going to primarily rebuild this franchise with his draft prospects. It's the standard "draft and development" approach. It's not a novel or a quick fix approach to rebuilding for any franchise. And when this type of endeavor is taken on it is rare that it is an even or smooth process. It takes time and patience. However, if you have been following this team there is no doubt that since KA has taken over the hockey operation, the trajectory clearly is upward. I understand your impatience and frustration. But the worst thing this front office staff can do is react to the frustration and deviate from the course that it is on.

This team has been plagued by an upsurge of odd rushes. It is catching up with the team. The problem is not only with blue line players or even the goalies. The forwards have to be aware of their defensive responsibilities, especially when linemates are in tight in their offensive zone.

The problem isn't Quinn. It's Peterka. He is struggling and not much of a factor. I'm confident that both players will eventually become second-line caliber of players. But right now one of the young duos is befuddled and not contributing much.

You don't like to be hugged? 🤡

Just me conjecturing but I think the impetus for jumbling the lines is the Quinn/Cozens/JJ line is struggling. Cozens's play is still very good. But it is not sufficiently elevating the play of JJ, and Quinn to a lesser extent. It's not unusual to juggle the lines just for the sake of changing the lines when they seem to go stagnant. Teams adjust to what you do---so teams have to respond with their own adjustments.

The notion that Portillo is afraid of competition because he wants to scan the hockey market to find the best employment option for him makes little sense. He was a diligent student who stayed in school because he was serious about his education. That shouldn't be something that warrants criticisms as it should be praised. If he believes that he would have a better professional opportunity somewhere else, then that is his right. As it is for anyone in any profession. He's acting within the rules of the profession, so why should he be criticized?

It's more of a third line, not a first or second line. I'm more than satisfied with how it is playing. They have a role and fulfilling it.

You know what that answer is! Stop toying with us! 🤡 There's no doubt that the inglorious Krueger stint was damaging for a lot of obvious reasons. But there is an aspect to Krueger's proclivity toward stifling talent that the owner should be furious over. It was not getting production value from dollars invested. It's like Pegula sinking in a lot of money in a location that is supposed to be filled with an abundance of gas only to draw a miniscule amount of gas that didn't come close to getting a return on one's expensive investment. Skinner was getting paid $9 per year. Under Krueger's suffocating approach Skinner was being used as a marginal $250,000 utility player. That made no sense. Let's not even bother with how he handled Dahlin! He took a player with expansive talents and deliberately crimped (castrated) him with his regimented approach to the game. Compare how Coach Don G in relatively short order regained the value that the players' possessed. Shifting gears a little, what you see now is that the players on the roster are being more properly slotted to their talent level. Our first is composed of first line players. The second line, although not currently fully developed, have young players who will in the not-too-distant future play up to their line status. The same goes for our first pairing and for the most part the second pairing. (I'm aware that some don't believe that Joki is playing on a pairing that is too high.) As the talent base increases the slots get more properly solidified. Not that long ago that wasn't the case.

It wasn't that long ago where I avoided watching this team because of its lack of entertainment value. Now, I have the opposite sensation ii that I am disappointed when I don't have an opportunity to watch this team. This team is now winning at a respectable rate, and it is an entertaining team to watch. How quickly things have changed.

You make a potent point that even the ascending numbers that have followed Mitts with the addition of Jost to the line don't alter the unshakeable narrative that many have of this particular player. And as you insightfully point out the other units you are playing with are a factor in the analytical numbers attached to this particular players. I have a recommendation for those who aren't capable of deciphering the actual numbers: Trust your eyes more than your ingrained jaundiced attitudes toward specific players.

Yes. The addition of Jost has made a difference and solidified that line.

Tell that to the Granato who has kept him on the first line. Explain that to me.

His unique style of play is certainly working well with his linemates. The Sabres have one of the most productive top lines in the league. If that isn't meshing with his linemates then I don't know what meshing means. Skinner is certainly contributing to the Sabres's winning. Just check out the team's record. That is nothing to be dismissive about; it's something to celebrate. Why would you want to put Skinner on the third line or help to elevate a lower line? Isn't it better and more productive to be a contributing first line player?

I agree with you. Skinner is on one of the better first lines in the league. If someone wants to argue that he is a little overpaid, maybe a $7.5 million to $8 million player would be more fitting, I won't quibble with one's position. But a consistent 30 to 40 goal scorer is a valuable commodity. There is another aspect to his game and contribution that also needs to be factored in when computing his value.: He's a good teammate on and off the ice. And his emerging passing skills and grit on the ice shouldn't be dismissed when considering his value. Krueger took a valuable commodity and made it valueless. Granato took over and restored his value. Coaching matters!

I don't know who was responsible for putting Granato on the Krueger staff. It could have been Krueger, himself. I'm not sure? There were reports that KA had a say on adding him to the staff when Krueger was hired. If that is true, then in hindsight, that would have been one of the most consequential decisions he made because when Krueger was dismissed the replacement was on staff and available.

Stating the obvious that Dahlin's signing a bridge deal gave him more time to demonstrate that he is in the elite category. He is going to get a contract commensurate with his status as a top tier player in the league. What would have been the cost if Tage would have signed a short-term deal and then pursued a long-term deal? Our GM is systematically locking up the new core and doing in such a fashion that he will have roster flexibility because of his cap management. The GM has been in his position for a short period of time. In short order with a lot of smart decisions (including those associated with staffing) he has not only stabilized a teetering franchise but has also put it on a favorable path.

I don't know for sure if he will be the difference maker to getting in or not. But if he is a factor in a couple or few more wins, he could be the difference between getting in or not. It looks like there are going to be maybe three to four teams vying to get in for the last spot. As you said, let's wait and see.

Horvat may or not be a decisive factor for a playoff spot. But my main point is that their goalie is such an exceptional goalie that he will be the main reason why they could be a playoff team. Could you imagine if we had a Sorokin caliber of netminding this season? In my estimation we would have at least an additional 10 pts. That would be the difference of us being chased instead of us having to chase other teams for a playoff position.

The Sabres have faced a number of good goalies this season. The Island goalie, Sorokin, was as good as any of them. As you point out he is capable of compensating for some of their deficiencies. The Islanders may not be a serious Cup contending team but the addition of Horvat could be a factor in solidifying a playoff spot for them.

If a better player can be brought in to move him down a pairing, that would be fine. Certainly, no one would be against that. That's not the case now, or probably the near future. If you want the organization to be aggressive to add to the second pairing, then it is going to be costly. From what I have seen from KA and how he handles contracts, I just don't see him paying the price $$$ to the position you find troubling.

I'm sure, much to your displeasure, that Granato's assessment of Joki is much higher than your assessment of him. Every time I hear him talk about Joki it is to praise his play with the added comment that there is more upside to him. Power is becoming an important backstop for the defense. He credits Joki's supportive play for his quick adaptation and advancement.

I understand your position but it is not going to happen. The demand for tickets will go up as the team becomes a more serious team. And it is moving in that direction right now. And not surprisingly, steadily the attendance numbers are going up.