Carmel Corn

I don't take it for granted that Mittelstadt will develop into a bonafide 2C period. The kid has great hands, but not seeing much else...he may not be suited for the NHL. Jack has a history of getting hurt each season as well, can't count on him to be healthy for a full season. My point is, we need management to find multiple options for center on this team. The center pipeline is really weak and needs fortification in order to be a serious contender. It may not be achieved quickly via the draft as the last time we tried to load up on C's was with Grigorenko and Girgensons in 2013. IMHO, it's going to require a trade.

I'd love to see the PP improve.....but I have no confidence HCPH can get them there. Disco Dan's 2016-2017 team had a 24.5% PP success rate, which was #1 in the league. HCPH's team only hit 19.1% last year....ranked around 20th or so. This year, the percentage is even worse with arguably more talent (18.8%). It's actually getting worse, not better. Just part of my skepticism that he is not the right man for the job.

However, with ROR I could see two (vs. one) legit scoring lines. Last year I though ROR played well with Sam, so add Sheary and maybe there's production there. I thought Jack with Skinner and Pominville played well as a line earlier too....Poms has not done much since getting moved off. Our record is not necessarily better because ROR is gone...but an improved D is certainly a big factor. From a coaching standpoint, asst. coach Smith may be a factor. However, HCPH has still done nothing to address the PP, still pretty putrid.

Games like tonight again cause me to think that ownership and management need to decide what they want to try to achieve this year....stand pat with keeping our prospects and picks for the long-term or compete to win now. Tough call yes...but games like tonight remind me too much of last year from a talent standpoint and question if we really have the right coach to lead this team to ultimate success.

Nobody on D has a more complete game.....we have more skill back there, but he is consistently the only one who dishes out any punishment.

"Sometimes" it is necessary to show the other team you are willing to pay a price....better yet, initiate something vs. just taking it.

Agree....Dahlin with Scandella makes no sense at all. Scandella is pulling Dahlin down to his level.....plus playing the wrong side.

I'd be willing to throw in Okposo to sweetin' the deal.

Been thinking lately that Mitts may never develop into the legit 2C. Yes he's a rookie, looks and plays like a boy out there which is expected. However I question if even longer term he has the game that will translate into the type of player we hope for. Great hands, but is that really enough? I don't see much speed in his game and certainly really soft out there otherwise....I don't know, but feeling less confident he will develop.

Even "if" this team makes the playoffs, they lack the grit and toughness to go very far. Risto is the only player that has the toughness needed...the rest are too soft otherwise.

Pay the man!

Special teams still a weakness on this team. PP unable to capitalize on the 5-3 and the PK still too passive IMHO....enabled Florida to maintain possession with no puck pressure and BOOM, in our net.

TT and CS do seem to be working well together tonight!

I wish they only sucked. Tonight they make me wish Wally Harris was still wearing stripes.

Would somebody please knock the crap out of Yandle.

Decline the penalty! Anybody on team have a spine tonight besides Skinner?

Maybe Brian Gionta is available :)

KO is simply no longer relevant in the current NHL. Worse case scenario for the Sabres. Can't play him on L2 or L3 because he is wasting a spot for others who either have more speed more potential or more responsible. Putting him on L4 may diminish the effectiveness of that line. Can't trade him, can't buy him out either. His only value is taking up a spot on the roster in case the team gets hit with a serious injury bug. I'd almost consider a trade where we take somebody's else's long term baggage in return as long as that asset can bring something that KO simply does not have. Give the "A" to somebody else and send him to the minors (if possible) to see if he can reacquire a scoring touch. Addition by subtraction.

4th line or healthy scratch seems about right for KO. Better than being a pylon on L2 or L3

Reinhart needs a better shooter on that line and also somebody with more speed. KO on that line would guarantee another failed experiment. I'd rather see them try Oloffson (sp?).

The PP and PK specials teams have been putrid since he got here. At least Disco Dan's team had a strong PP with less talent. It like what Rex Ryan did to destroy the Bill's defense when he took over. Reinhart's butt should be camped out in front of the goalie period on the PP....that's something he's good at, so use him there. Tonight it feels like they went complete defensive shell in the 3rd. Housley is delusional, but it would be bad optics to try and replace him with Q.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you on ROR. Hindsight is 20-20 and TT may eventually be a factor, but we could really use ROR's production right now.

If he gets moved off the first line, he will disappear into oblivion like the rest of the 2nd and 3rd liners.

At least he wasn't on the ice when the B's scored the OT goal....some of our best players were on the ice instead. I'd rather see Sobotka than some of the other liabilities we have on the roster (KO, Mitts, etc.)

Ownership and management have to decide if they want to make changes to improve this team or stand pat and keep our draft picks and prospects. This team has maybe a 50-50 chance to make the playoffs as-is. They lack the talent to truly contend in the playoffs. I would argue they also lack the coaching as well.