JohnC

I remember there was a discussion about UPL on WGR. I can't remember if it was the hockey commentators or KA that were involved in the discussion. The point was made that his development was not tracking as fast as some expected because of physical reasons. It was noted that he had undergone a couple of surgeries that resulted in offseason rehabbing instead of hockey workouts. A point of emphasis at the end of last season was made by the staff that he had to be diligent in this offseason regime devoted to conditioning. My understanding is that he came into camp lighter and fitter. His performances demonstrated that he took this advice to heart. Needless to say, all of us are disappointed about how this season has transpired. However, in the fog of this disappointment there are a couple of major positives. One of them is our goaltending situation, and the other is the assemblage of a promising group to staff our blueline. It shouldn't be forgotten that Samuelsson will return, and that Ryan Johnson appears to be an excellent prospect who has the talent to make the roster next year, or soon thereafter. Compare this roster situation to what it was a couple to few years ago.

Just curious, what college free agent player became a really good player?

In general, I'm agreeing with your assessment. However, I believe the primary source of our poor start related to this staff's determination before the season started to make it a point of emphasis for our forwards to put a greater amount of emphasis on two-way play by our forwards. Our players struggled with that offense/defense balancing act. Because of that attempt to modify play there was too much thinking resulting in hesitancy in play. In hindsight, a better approach might have been to stress consistent effort rather than style of play. (My opinion.) As others have noted, Quinn's injury before the season and during the season hurt this team. And there is no question, the ineffectiveness of our PP had a sabotaging effect on this team. The staff simply didn't do enough to mix it up and be more flexible in altering the PP strategy when it was struggling.

Some people get invested in a narrative on a player and are incapable of altering their opinion as time goes by and the circumstances change. There were zealots here who wanted to dispatch UPL for a retread goalie not too long ago. The same resistant line of thinking applied to Mitts. While I was a wait a longer UPL guy , he is playing way beyond my expectations. I was more invested in Levi. And the book on him is far from being completed.

His style of play is not a problem for me. I thought his play with Dahlin was very good in this game. In my opinion this is a very good first pairing that will get nothing but better. Right now, Dahlin is one of the best defensemen in the league.

Some quick thoughts on this game: UPL would be my first star. He is solidifying the notion that he is a good #1 goalie in the league. He was the difference in this game for us where the Flyers had the edge territorially. I like the pairing of Dahlin and Power. I still don't understand the negativity toward Power. Too much criticism is directed toward his style of play. He's not a banger, and never will be. Quinn is good and is going to be a core player for us. His injuries and loss from the lineup for much of the season really hurt us. Benson is becoming a fan favorite. He's arguably our best forechecker. He and Quinn on the same line has a lot of potential. Granato called a time out to excoriate his team. It had an effect! I like Clifton's game. He was a good pickup. A win is a win. One game at a time until the clock runs out.

I'll wear whatever I want to wear. And you wear whatever you want to wear. That's your prerogative.

I simply disagree that he isn't a first or second line talent. I'll go so far as saying that if I had the choice between having Peterka or Quinn, I would take Quinn. You disagree with that assessment. Different eyes and different views. That's OK.

You hit on the central issue why he is receiving some criticism for his play in your last sentence. He's a young player who is going to get better with more experience. Let's remember that Dahlin wasn't instantly a good defenseman. It took time for him to mature both physically and as a player. He's a tall and lanky player. It's going to take time for him to fill out. Let's not forget that took time for Dahlin, Tage, Mitts etc. to both physically and evolve as players. I'm glad that we took him with our first pick in that draft year.

Whether his injury was a board hit or a fluke injury it happens in hockey, and in all sports for that matter. Is he a difference maker? He's a legitimate first or second-line talent. It's not so much an issue of him leading him us to the playoffs as it is having a good enough team/players around him to get this team into the playoffs. Just ask Dahlin what it takes to get to the playoffs. He's a sterling player who needs more help to get this team over the hump.

I don't understand why there is such a chorus of criticism for his lack of physicality because that's how he played in college. (As you point out.) When the Sabres drafted him with the first pick in that draft year, they, like all teams scouting him, were well aware of the type of player he was in college and would be in the NHL. He still was considered the consensus (not unanimous) first pick in that draft. I'm happy we drafted him.

To be fair to Quinn on the issue of durability, he tore his Achilles while training in the offseason, and the injury that he suffered on a hit along the boards would have injured anyone who took a similar hit. It's not so much the frequency of his injuries as it is the severity of them when they have occurred to him. I have high expectations of him as a player for this team.

Peterka has had an excellent season. If I were given the choice of having JJ or Quinn, I would take Quinn. As you keenly note, Quinn's hockey IQ is at the top of the chart. And on top of Quinn's high skill level he is also a tough and gritty player . It's going to be intriguing to see how much better Benson is going to be in his second year with an offseason to better physically prepare for next season.

What you just stated is the mercurial nature of hockey. Washington hit the pipes at least half a dozen times. If a few of those shots would have instead ricocheted in, this would have been a more closely contested game. We were fortunate. But overall, we were the better team. As others have stated, that's what has been so frustrating about this season. We are better than many of the teams vying for the playoffs. The Sabres made some exquisite passes that resulted in scores. The pass to Tuch and Tage were examples of that. Our first line with Tuck/Tage/JJ dominated this game. As you point out UPL was a difference maker. He's playing like a good #1 NHL goalie. One of the main deficiencies in this team all season long was the lack of net presence on offense. It was better in this game. Girg's goal was an example of what can happen when you are willing to position yourself in that tough turf. Since his return, I thought Quinn was moving very well. His injury before the season and during the season was very damaging. It had a cascading negative effect to more than one line. There are those that argue that the remaining games are meaningless. What are they arguing for? To give up and not play hard and not play with pride and integrity? I just don't understand that odd line of reasoning!

LGR said 70%. WGR estimated 70% plus.

Are you at the game? If so, what percentage are Toronto fans?

I'm listening to WGR. Try another browser. Try this link. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550

When it gets to the point that people are so angered over something that they choose to get involved with, then it's time to pause and step away for a spell. It's like going to a fish restaurant and then complain that you hate fish. It's not the singular venting that's problematic. It's the spleen splitting vitriol that repeats itself over and over, regardless of what the topic is. The Sabres won in a come from behind game. Yet for a significant segment of the population the game responses are full of intense negativity over a positive result. When it gets to that point it's time to step away and compose and refresh oneself. We're talking sports here. We're not dealing with serious life issues. It's supposed to be a distraction. Give me a freaking break!

Assuming that the players in question didn't raise their sticks after a game because they believed their coach was unfairly criticized, my response again is what's the big deal? Are they not allowed to have their own thoughts and express them? You don't think that players sometimes get peeved with media and fan responses? You may reasonably disagree with their stance but why are they not entitled to not participate in a meaningless postgame gesture (due to over-use). You may think that this is a worthy issue but I don't. It's a trivial and distracting issue that has absolutely nothing to do with play. In this game, Tuch was one of our best performers. And in general, he consistently plays hard. And Greenwood's season-long play has been solid. That's where my focus in on. This has been a disappointing season. My attention is on the play and not some half-hearted stick salute that most of the player do after a game.

@inkman has never left. Just stay out of his way because he is on a rampage. You don't want to get trampled! 😀

What happens in the barn stays in the barn! Just can't quit them!

How do you know that the two players you mentioned who didn't participate in that meaningless stick salute were being petty and spiteful (your words)? I don't give a dam whether player "salutes" or not or even why player chooses to salute or not. What I care about is how the players played. And especially for Tuch who played well in this game. That's all I ask. My main problem with this "stick-salute" is that it is overused and has become meaningless. There are plenty of valid things about this team and players to criticize. At least for me, this isn't a worthy issue to be bothered about.

I can't speak about Canadian laws but in the US you can't make a law and retroactively apply it. That's illegal.

Why do you even watch the games or use your time to comment on them any longer? If you are so apoplectic about the Sabres before they even play a game, then why bother watching them? What's the point? Are you a masochist? The Sabres won a come from behind game in which Tage scored 4 goals, one of which was an empty net goal. Our young goalie was superb. There was a large crowd that was very engaged. It was an entertaining game. We won. And the result is that you have become even more enraged. I say this with no malice: Seek therapeutic care. Most insurance companies cover the cost. This self-induced insanity and anger by many over a sport is weird and not normal.

I agree with you that Tage is unquestionably a #1C. What I would like to see more from him is a little more jam both on offense and defense. He does it intermittently but not enough for me. Tuch is a big and fast guy who seems more willing to play a more muscular game. An interesting issue is who is best suited to play the other wing on that line? Is Skinner definitely out of the mix? I'm not sure. Is Benson a good option? That would be interesting.