JohnC

Few would argue that this team needs a major upgrade in net. Based on how the GM has seemed to minimize the position I'm not even sure if it is a priority for him. My sense (opinion) is that the GM is banking on UPL as being his primary goalie with another second-tier goalie added to the position. That lack of urgency to address that position is risking another middling season played in front of an even more declining audience. As much as there is a lot of attention on the goalie position this team still has glaring weaknesses. Out of the 11 offensive categories the Sabres have no player listed in the top 20 in any of the categories. How many times has the opposition capitalized on our defensive lapses and converted while the Sabres attempted to capitalize on the opposition's mistakes with near misses? There is an assumption that Quinn and JJ will make the roster. That should help the offense. However, this organization needs to use its cap and draft capital to bring in at least another couple players in order to bulk up the roster sooner rather than later. I believe that the GM in general is taking the right approach in rebuilding the roster. However, he will be making a mistake if he doesn't accelerate the rebuild process with a couple to few aggressive moves to add more talent to the roster.

The grueling compressed schedule that we are subjected to is the same grueling compressed schedule that everyone else is dealing with. Anyone that is fair-minded recognizes that the Sabres are reconstructing this roster for the better. However, we are still at the stage where this team has less margin of error than good teams with a more complete roster have. When the Sabres play with energy and up to their capabilities, they can compete. When for whatever reason the Sabres play a lackluster game they are simply overmatched.

You don't need to provide a disclaimer. When opinions of Amerk players are solicited you are one of the two or three go to guys. You are a member of the AHL/Amerk wisdom club. That means in that area you are astute and perspicacious. 🍺

Thank you for the JJ response. Let me add a follow up question. It's been widely reported about Quinn's offensive prowess. How is his defensive game?

For those who have watched him play is he ready to play an NHL two-way game? Most of the reports about him indicate that offensively he is ready to play in this league. Is he ready to play in the NHL without being a deficit when he is defending his zone?

Big belly and tight assss. Is that a paradox?

There are simply too many chicken littles in this house.

Is that guy pregnant? And is he balancing himself by putting his hand in his crotch? 🚫

I'm putting together a fourth line of Asplund/Gergs/Okposo. Within that group if Asplund scores 10 to 12, and Gergs scores 10 to 12 and Okposo scores around 15 goals I would be more than satisfied with their goal production along with their defensive prowess. If you add Quinn and JJ to the mix you are starting to have enough players to assemble two lines beyond the first that has scoring potential. Mitts, Cozens, Olofsson, Quinn, JJ. Krebs, Hinostroza and maybe another player brought in. The pieces are starting to fall in place to make this team a more serious team in the not-too-distant future. With a couple to a few smart personnel moves my time frame is next year.

Florida is such an impressive team. Without question they are a serious Cup contender. All their lines are potent. It is unfair to label any of their top three lines as either one, two or three because each line in its own right is a #1 line. Last offseason, Florida added Reinhart and Bennett for a reasonable price. And recently they added Giroux. It's going to be interesting to see how their offensive explosiveness translates in the playoffs where it is a tighter game. My sense is that it will because although they can score in splurges they don't play a loose style of game, at least in the few games I have seen them. The happiest player in the league has to be Reinhart. Compared what he went through when he was playing up North, he must feel like he is in hockey heaven. I wonder if Jack is a little jealous?

A line composed of Asplund/Gergs/Okposo makes some sense to me. This would be an aggressive checking line with Okposo providing some scoring threat. A comparison to Larsson is a good comparison other than Asplund is a faster skater than Larsson.

Your attitude of not being satisfied with a loss even against superior teams is a reflection of a higher expectation. That's a good sign. Compared to the general low expectation during the Krueger era, that is a major change. People who watched this game point out specific bad plays (such as the Eakin throwaway) and point to those misplays as contributing to the loss. That certainly beats a loss where there were so many misplays that you can't ascribe blame to a particular bad play or two because the game was replete with bad plays. I didn't watch the game (don't ask why because it will set my fuse off) but I did listen to it. In listening to the game, I got a sense that the superior team that lost to us the night before turned it on. However, even when the more talented team took control, I didn't get the sense that the Sabres didn't play hard all the way to the end. I'm not looking for psychological victories in losses. What I'm looking for is a winning attitude even when the talent doesn't measure up to the opposition. Over the last 15 games or so I have seen it. I know that a few more good pieces will be added next year. I'm not fully satisfied but I'm optimistic.

You have to acknowledge that Eakin did an excellent job in providing support. 😃

I'm listening to the game on WGR. Just saw the clip on NHL.com on VO's goal. More and more I'm starting to conclude that Mitts is our best wall player. He set-up that score. Last year or earlier if anyone would have told me that Mitts would be one of our grittiest players I would have told you to take a cold shower and sober up.

As you indicated, the first priority was getting the organization and its staffing in order. Just like with the Bills, when the organization was overhauled and staffed with competent people who were all aligned from top to bottom, the prospects for this franchise went dramatically up. There is an organizational coherency now that is obvious to all. That's why most of us are optimistic now!

You captured what makes Power such an elite prospect. There's an intelligence and positioning adroitness that can't be taught. As a youngster he plays like he is a veteran. His teammate, Hughes, has much more offensive flash to his game. But as an NHL player Power is going to be a player who anchors the blueline. The Sabres/GM made the right decision to select him.

How has Minnesota's Johnson been doing? Is he ready to play in the AHL?

As like you, I have never heard anyone inflate his talents and on ice contributions. He is what he is. He is a veteran player at the end of the line whose contributions more likely relate to his professionalism and positive influence on the youngsters. My understanding is that he is well respected and popular with his teammates. He doesn't deserve to be targeted and an object of scorn.

Who is broadcasting this game? Is this game on ESPN +? If it is, profanity will follow.

Your fixation on this inconsequential player is out of proportion to his role on this team. I'm not aware of anyone who has overrated his talents and contributions. That's just you creating your fictitious bogeyman to rail against in order to support your zealousness on this minor player and issue. It's very likely Eakon will not be on the roster next year. He's at the end of the line. It might serve you well to direct your attention toward another player.

Tell that to the HC who keeps putting him and his line out on the ice. What you see and perceive is not what the HC sees and perceive.

I player who I believe would be a good fit for the Girgs and OK line next year is Asplund. He plays a hard and full-length defensive game. And there is the added benefit that he is already on the roster and could more suitably be used when he gets bumped down by the additions.