JohnC

In contrast to the other west games I watched the full game so I'm more comfortable commenting on the game. My first star goes to the goalie. Especially when the game first started, he withstood the Vancouver offensive onslaught and frustrated them. This allowed the Sabres to hang on until they were more in control. I really liked the two-way play of Mitts in this game. What impresses me about his game this season is that he works just as hard on defense as he does on offense. The combination of Cozens and Mitts stepping up their games this season has created a more balanced team. Internal improvement more than anything else has elevated this team. Although Skinner hasn't scored a goal yet he grinds hard to keep the puck in his zone and give his line more chances. He not only got the assist in Tuch's goal but he was instrumental in winning the battle for the puck in which Tuch scored. In contrast to last year Tuch is finishing plays. As he stated in interviews before the season being healthy in the offseason helped him better prepare for the upcoming season. You don't have to be a hockey guru to recognize that Dahlin is one of the best players on the ice. He's exuding confidence and seems to enjoy being chippy and creating fracases with the opposition. That's a side of him that I didn't see from him in prior seasons. I hope Samuelsson can quickly return to action. He's an anchor defenseman for us. Watching Power play you can see that he will comfortably handle the opportunity to have more responsibility placed on him. There is nothing flashy about Lybushkin's game. He's tough and good. What a tremendous addition! The thing that impressed me the most about this game was that this young team, with the stellar play of their goalie, withstood the onslaught of a desperate team in the beginning of the game, and then outplayed Vancouver for most of the game. While Vancouver seemed to play a scrambled game, Buffalo was the more composed and unified team. This coach knows how to develop and handle young talent. He's uncanny in putting together lines that fit well together. How can you not be impressed by him?!

I only watched the first period and saw the goal scoring clips so I can't fairly comment too much about the game. But even just watching the first period there are a couple of things that struck me about this team. One of them is that this young team is resilient after facing some adversity. After Calgary scored the first goal the Sabres didn't wilt against a good team on the road playing in front of a full house. They quickly came back and answered with their own score. This team can play through adversity. Another thing that struck me is that the passing is accurate and sharp. They quickly moved the puck out of the zone with some impressive medium to long stick to stick passes. Considering that some of the lines haven't play together for too long that is quite impressive. If both Cozens and Mitts play well that is a good sign for the team and an indication that the talent is spread out throughout the lineup. There is so much more balance in this lineup compared to the Jack and Reinhart era. A big overhanging issue for me entering the season is what was the meaning of last year's successful season ending? Could it be carried over or was it simply a team playing loosely because the games had no playoff implications and there was no pressure? It's still early in this season but I starting to believe that there is a carryover, and it should have positive implications for this season. Hinostroza is becoming one of my favorite players. I wouldn't categorize him as a primary player but he is a player who provides energy to this team. Coaching matters. The HC knows his players and how to fit them together. He adroitly tinkers with the lines. DG moving Tuch back into the first line has made a difference. Acknowledging the small sample size, Comrie looks good and is likely to be a primary goalie.

People have different perceptions after viewing the same event. Your perception of the interview is different from mine. I watched the post-game Jack interview with Emily Kaplan. In my view it wasn't a blanket scathing response as you believe it to be. He was asked by Kaplan about the fans who booed him throughout the game. He targeted his sarcastic and critical response to them. He gave an honest answer in saying he didn't particularly like it. It was an honest response. He said what he felt. The fans are entitled to boo. They paid for their seat. And when asked about that segment of the fans he gave his heartfelt response. What's wrong with that? What's interesting to note is that I can't recall one player publicly or privately criticizing Jack after his departure. That should indicate that he wasn't a cancer in the room that a lot of people try to portray him to be. There is no question that Jack was more of an individualist than a chummy guy. His personality wasn't necessarily warm and embracing, but so what? If anyone could bring up the Okposo interview when asked about the Jack situation before the trade, it would be very telling. He was empathetic and kind in his responses about him. He brought up the fact that it shouldn't be forgotten that because of his health situation that there was a good chance that he could no longer play the game he had a love and passion for. Okposo also classily/diplomatically stated that it would be the right thing for Jack and for the organization that he be moved, a position that Jack agreed with. And that's exactly what happened. The trade was the right thing for Jack and the franchise. I'm aware that I'm in the minority here: I wish him the best.

I would love to have Portillo decide to sign with the Sabres after his college season. I just don't see him making a decision to sign here after he gains his free agent status. On the other hand, I do see Levi signing with the Sabres after this year's college season. If given the choice between the two I would prefer Levi over Portillo. The GM got a lot of assets back for trading its old core trio in Eichel, Reinhart and Risto. In the long run acquiring Levi in the Reinhart deal might prove to be the most consequential.

I don't see Anderson splitting games with Comrie as the plan. My opinion is that the HC would like to see Comrie be the primary goalie who plays 2 out of 3 games because of the durability issue with Anderson. When Anderson is overloaded with work he breaks down. Given his age that shouldn't be surprising. In the first dozen or so games they'll probably be splitting the games. But as a long-run strategy I don't see it as a workable plan. I'm not knocking Anderson. I'm glad he came back. But he is at a stage of his extended career where the body breaks down and the recovery time is lengthened. It won't be surprising if sometime during the season UPL is called up. By then he should be in better condition than last season and more physically ready to endure the rigors of the NHL.

Hinestroza is the type of valuable utility player where he could play on any line, including the top line (for short term), and not be a liability. I'm glad that we kept him.

In the long haul better play against an opponent results in more wins. Don't get me wrong, I'll take a win when outplayed. But counting on good luck is not a recipe for sustained success.

I watched the first period and saw the scoring clips of the game this morning. Thanks to great goaltending we won a game where we were dominated much of the game. As others have said McDavid is King, he is a generational player! Adams brought in two players this offseason for reasonable prices: Lybushkin and Comrie. As demonstrated in this game they were terrific additions. Lybushkin is a rugged player. What makes him even better is his consistency. There were many times where Comie was under siege. He remained calm in the net. The young players will get better and the lines will get more cohesive. It's early in the season but if the goalie play remains at this level, I will expect this team to be in the playoff hunt up to the end of the season. What the Florida and Edmonton games demonstrated is that good goaltending will compensate for the talent disparity.

The fans have been subjected to a franchise that was in disarray for a decade. They lost faith, and understandably walked away. If this was a situation where the hockey operation was professionally run, I would have been disappointed with the attendance. But like you, I was not only happy with last night's attendance but more importantly ecstatic how engaged the fans were. Without question, last's night game was entertaining, and although the play was a bit choppy (not surprising for an opening game) the atmosphere in the arena was very lively. This was a game where the fans appreciated the play of the players and the players appreciated the involvement of the fans. This is a good sign indicating that the fans will be back this season. When trust is broken it takes time to rebuild that trust. Yesterday was a good start.

The difference in this game was the play of our goalie. He kept us in it. What's encouraging is that this team, loaded with young players, will get better. None of the young players played hesitantly. Although the Sens had a number of breakaways, I felt the team played hard two-way hockey. I liked the play of Cozens in this game. This is going to be his step-up year. Lyubushkin is a good addition. The Sabres play a fast-paced game. They are entertaining to watch. It's not surprising that this opening game was a little bit choppy. It should smooth out more after a few games. Watching the game on TV I got the sense that the fans were into this game.

The goalie play in the Ranger/Lightening game is elite. It's quite impressive.

Attached is a 20 min. WGR interview with Don Granato on the Jeremy and Howard Show. If someone else posted this link on this topic or another, I apologize for the redundancy. Granato talked about the Okposo and the captaincy. On that same subject he talked about Dahlin and his leadership, competiveness and the respect he has from his teammates. His response to the goaltending situation was simply I don't know for sure until the season starts. He pointed out that the Sabres are one of the youngest teams in the league, and because of that he anticipates this team getting better as the season goes on. Granto is enjoyable to listen to. He doesn't shrink from answering tough questions by answering in meaningless coach babble. He's an understandable communicator. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/authors/howard-and-jeremy-show

A short stint in Rochester in his rookie year would not have hindered his development. That was my point. You took my comments out of context with respect to the issue of development for players such as Mitts, Peterka and Cozens. If you respond again that is your prerogative. I'm not following up on this issue with you any longer.

Yes. I do believe that a stint in Rochester would have benefited him. If you read my full response you would have noted that I said that he had the resilient makeup to handle the challenges of a young player playing in the NHL without hurting his confidence compared to a player such as Mitts. And I made the point about him relative to Peterka that there is an adjustment period for most young players in this higher league. If you disagree with that then so be it.

We're in general agreement that Cozens was rushed. However, I think that Cozens has a strong enough makeup where he can handle struggles at a higher league without allowing it to set him back. That couldn't be said for Mitts who shouldn't have been rushed to the extent that he was. Contrasting to Cozens, I do believe that rushing Mitts did set his development back. I'm not worried about Peterka as much as others may be. It won't be surprising if he initially struggles in the NHL. What I do already know about him is that at the AHL level he shined, especially in the second half of the season. It seems that the organization believes that from a development standpoint he is beyond the AHL level of play. It shouldn't be surprising that he will need some adjustment period in the NHL. It may not be right away but accorded enough patience he is going to be a gem, i.e. a legitimate second line player, if not first line player. I would rather see him on the ice struggling and developing than simply playing a JAG who will get you nowhere. Be patient and you will be rewarded.

In this camp and preseason he has excelled. Prior to this season, even with inadequate talented wingers, he has not excelled. It shouldn't be surprising because it is part of the maturation process that all players go through. I expect that he will be one of our primary players this year.

I'm just going to respond to your Peterka comment. Is Peterka ready for NHL play? That's a legitimate question. It will not be surprising that he will struggle when given extended play. That will most likely be the case. However, the issue for the coaching staff is what is the best approach for his development? Would it be better to start him off in Rochester and have him play extended minutes, and then bring him up? Or would his development as an NHL player be accelerated with having him play right from the start this season in the NHL. I'm not sure what the right answer. My leaning is to start him off in the big league and allow him time to acclimate himself to it. Cozens may be a good comparison for Peterka from a developmental standpoint. There is no question that he struggled. He had moments where it appeared that he was going to break out, and then there were interludes where he would be invisible. From the glimpses that I have seen of him in the preseason, he more than any other young player is ready to have a breakout season. With Peterka I would prefer that he played with the Sabres and was given the opportunity learn how to play at the NHL level. If it doesn't seem to be working out, then send him back down.

Why are you freaking out over a meaningless preseason game when our full complement of players didn't play? I'm sure you will have plenty of opportunities to be genuinely agitated when the season starts. However, this game shouldn't be a reason to get you uplifted or dejected. It means absolutely nothing.

With the addition of Lubushkin and Power, the blue line is not only better but should also enhance the play of the particular goalie in net. (As you noted.) And with those added blue liners there is more depth on hand to deal with the inevitable injuries. As @mjd1001described in his analysis there is a number of areas of expected improvement that should support the play of our goalies. Again, as you are stating.

Terrific effort and analysis! What you are essentially saying is that there is a number of avenues where this team can (and should) get better. An improvement in a few of the avenues you enumerated should move this team up the ranks. It's not a stretch as much as it is reasonably doable.

It took me awhile to figure out your gif. I'm sure that you wouldn't be surprised at my ability to exasperate my teachers. I was usually around the right answers but never precisely so. 🙃

You demonstrated that you were ahead of the curve. Because he has such a wicked shot he has become a player when he has the puck on his stick in he becomes the focus of one's attention. Dahlin and the emerging Power also have that quality to grab your attention.

On that goal he turned on the jets and blew by the defenders. That was impressive. You also make a keen observation about his backchecking. He's a very a responsible defender. When your best goal scorer plays diligently on both ends of the ice it says a lot about the player and his willingness to lead.

Cozens is playing like he is on a mission. Lybushkin is not a flashy player but he is gritty defenseman who is tough and smart. He's a great addition. Powers is going to be one of our anchor players. I am pleasantly surprised at how good offensively he is. He repeatedly gets low in the offensive zone and doesn't seem to get caught in a vulnerable position. He's smart, tough and has so much more upside. Hinostrosa is a versatile player who can play on any line and never be a liability. Tage is one of our star players that other teams have to prepare for. The Sabres are an entertaining team to watch.

As like you, I would prefer Tuch back on the first line with Skinner and TT. However, last year Skinner demonstrated that he is not only a willing passer but also adept at it. In fact, I thought there were times when he was too willing to pass when he was in a good scoring position. Granato is not a stand pat coach when it comes to putting together lines and pairings. He frequently jumbles the lines during the game. It's going to be intriguing how after a dozen or so games he predictably will rework the lines. As you and others have stated before this emerging lineup has a lot of player flexibility to work with.