Ctaeth

seems like kind of a personal question

Even if they -by some miracle- get the points for making the playoffs this year, it would absolutely mean that they played well for part of a season. They have done that before and falsely given hope...resulting in little to no changes in the offseason. I don't believe it would significantly change how I view them in the macro... as an inconsistent team that doesn't -currently- have what it takes to succeed in the playoffs. IMO, regardless of how the rest of the season plays out.. they should be changing how they are operating. If they made a run, I would definitely be excited, but I've seen enough from this group to believe they don't have it -without some major changes-. It's probably a moot point anyway.

8th in the east is so far below expectation that all eastern teams are "in the hunt". I'd argue: who cares if they are in the hunt or not? If they somehow manage to miraculously make a run, it would be to 8th place and would still not show the improvement we expected and hoped for. For Pete's sake, they lost 13 in a row. No decent team does that. Changes should be incoming regardless of how the remainder of the season turns out

No, probably not. He's having a good year though, which I think is worth acknowledging.

I think i remember the amerks twitter account recently saying he is leading the ahl in power play goals 🤔 edit: to be clear, i'm not saying that he should be called up

Byram has looked good... as the partner of Rasmus Dahlin. Whoever Dahlin is paired with usually gets a boost, because he's just really good. When Byram isn't paired with Dahlin (see long losing streak and all of his time prior to being paired with Dahlin on the first pair), he doesn't look great. Dahlin/Byram: 51% expected goals for (350 minutes on ice) Byram/X (X is anyone but Dahlin): ~42% expected goals for every pairing (~350 minutes on ice total with players aside from Dahlin) Power, on the other hand, doesn't have the benefit of playing with Dahlin but has clear defensive deficiencies. He seems more capable of carrying another partner when not paired with Dahlin. His most frequent partner has been Jokiharju 🤢, but they have held their own (~200 minutes on ice w/ 46% expected goals). For what it's worth, Dahlin/Power have about 80 minutes on ice together with a 65% expected goals for. The Dahlin/Power number may be bloated though because I assume that they are being thrown out there when the Sabres are losing and the other team is trying to turtle/protect a lead. Lastly, the Byram/Power pairing has been fairly ineffective as well: Power/Jokiharju: 46% expected goals (170 minutes on ice) Power/Dahlin: 64% expected goals (60 minutes on ice) Power/Byram: 43% expected goals for (200 minutes on ice) Byram/Jokiharju: 43% expected goals (90 minutes on ice. including this one since Joki has been paired with Power a lot) IMO, if you want someone that can carry a second line that's probably Power. If you are just looking to pair someone with Dahlin, then Byram is your guy. Obviously, it's not that simple and there are a whole bunch of other factors besides their play thus far: 1. Does Byram truly want to be a true #1 defenseman as has been reported? 2. Is Byram willing to stay in Buffalo long term? 3. How much would Byram sign here for? Is it less than Power's contract (it ought to be)? How much so? 4. Do you think Power can improve his net front game/defensive without sacrificing much offensively? 5. How are they on the second power play unit? the numbers for the pairings were even strength numbers I believe 6. What can you get for either one on the open market? 7. Can Byram improve and eventually be able to carry another defender on the second line so we aren't so top heavy on defense? credit to moneypuck for stats

As long as it's not 13 seconds left, we'd probably be fine

Alright alright. Now just don't get a 4 goal lead, we already know how that story ends

no sabres prospects in the game that I'm aware of... but Canada lost to Latvia in a shootout. maybe they should have taken our boy scott ratzlaff edit: martone no points and only ~7 minutes TOI

Amerks move into first place with that win!!

They make a glorious run to mediocrity, but obviously still miss the playoffs. No major changes are made until the end of season

holy zuck(er)! they're winning

Rosen hot streak. 7 points in the last 4 games

The battle for last place in the conference. If you told me that we would be in this position two years ago when they missed the playoffs by a point, I would've said that you are crazy. Feels pretty bad

Barring an unforeseen run by this team, I think this is likely. On the bright side, at least we got some goals from Quinn today. Maybe he will gain some momentum and start looking like the player everyone expected him to this year

Ftl, go sabres. Feels appropriate to quote marv when the Bills are playing at the same time: "Adversity is an opportunity for heroism."

Out of curiosity, what are you referring to? Strasenburgh or something else?

After you've tried changing everything else, it comes down to the players just not getting it It's a shame too because they do so well 5v5

Annnnnd.. there it is. Lead was nice while it lasted

I am indeed implying that. People have noted that he is significantly slower this year than the preceding years. IMO, it's the only thing that explains why his play has dropped off a cliff.

IMO, the only reasonable conclusion is that he is physically hampered. He's been amazing at every level prior to the NHL & has demonstrated MUCH better play than this already at the NHL level (including in his rookie year). Play doesn't just drop off this precipitously. Cozens has regressed, but what Quinn is outputting goes beyond just simple regression.

Playoffs here we come

I can see the onion article title in my head: Buffalo NY Hockey GM trying to convince players to come to Buffalo does the opposite by reminding them about NY's taxes and cold climate

If he sits long enough, won't he be eligible for a conditioning stint in Rochester?

What recent victories? Haven't they lost 4 in a row too?