Buffalo Fan Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 Sorry I have disagree. You don't get points for doing those things that are no-brainers. They ended up only adding one significant talent from outside the organization in Rivet. They missed out in a lot of chances to beef up the lineup and plug some holes. They also still have Max and Timmy on the roster which will create larger holes by mid-season. Much like the phrase "addition by subtraction", I think this has to be looked at as "addition by doing their jobs". I think with what they have done, Timmy's negative impact is lessened, and his positive impact would be welcomed. Max is going to play a major role this season even if it is as a trading chip at the deadline. I'd chalk this OS up as a positive.
Guest Sloth Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 Can't we just be optimistic? I think this team has learned it's lesson not to take things for granted... I expect to see Kotalik, Max, Timmy, Lydman, Stafford, and the rest of last years under-performers back at the top of their game and as hungry as ever.On another note, Pominville signing is huge news. Here's to a good year! :beer: I agree w/ what you have written. This team went through their transition season and they'll have far more chemistry and less pressure. I still remember opening night people watching the game outside the arena. Pressure was high last year. Also, I think Stafford is going to have a very good year. It's the final year of his contract and he knows he needs to put up solid, if not big, numbers to stay w/ Buffalo and have a decent contract. One more point to add. Critics said Gerbe played better than Stafford this summer. That is something else that can push Stafford to put up the numbers.
R_Dudley Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 I'm weighing in....It was officially a good offseason Gotta go with X on this one. Pretty solid OS. Double down that sentiment :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
nfreeman Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 Sorry I have disagree. You don't get points for doing those things that are no-brainers. They ended up only adding one significant talent from outside the organization in Rivet. They missed out in a lot of chances to beef up the lineup and plug some holes. They also still have Max and Timmy on the roster which will create larger holes by mid-season. Teppo also could be a very significant addition. Don't forget he played 20 min. per game the season before last. Also, it's quite possible that Max will be parlayed into the tough veteran forward we still need. Can we stop the "Connolly is a pansy" jokes? We all know about the concussion problems (which seem to finally have been resolved)... then he ran into bad luck with a bone spur. Give him this year, start to finish, and we'll see where we end up. Maybe he will break a toenail and call it a career, or maybe he'll score 30 goals and 70 points and establish himself as the closest thing the Sabres have to an elite center. Only time will tell, but until then I'm sick of reading about how he's undoubtedly going to hurt himself and how the Sabres will fail at everything from that point on. Can't we just be optimistic? I think this team has learned it's lesson not to take things for granted... I expect to see Kotalik, Max, Timmy, Lydman, Stafford, and the rest of last years under-performers back at the top of their game and as hungry as ever.On another note, Pominville signing is huge news. Here's to a good year! :beer: Much like the phrase "addition by subtraction", I think this has to be looked at as "addition by doing their jobs". I think with what they have done, Timmy's negative impact is lessened, and his positive impact would be welcomed. Max is going to play a major role this season even if it is as a trading chip at the deadline. I'd chalk this OS up as a positive. I agree w/ what you have written. This team went through their transition season and they'll have far more chemistry and less pressure. I still remember opening night people watching the game outside the arena. Pressure was high last year. Also, I think Stafford is going to have a very good year. It's the final year of his contract and he knows he needs to put up sold, if not big, numbers to stay w/ Buffalo and have a decent contract. One more point to add. Critics said Gerbe played better than Stafford this summer. That is something else that can push Stafford put up the numbers. I'm with you guys!
deluca67 Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 Teppo also could be a very significant addition. Don't forget he played 20 min. per game the season before last. Also, it's quite possible that Max will be parlayed into the tough veteran forward we still need. I'm with you guys! For reason I stated many times in the past I just hate the idea of relying on Teppo, Max and add Connolly to that list. If they can bring something to this season it has to be considered bonus. As I have said, if the Sabres are going into this season, much like last season, depending on Tim and Max they are doomed to suffer the same fate as last season. Hopefully the Sabres have contingency plans in place. This has to be a playoff year for the Sabres. With the Bills seemingly turning a corner the Sabres can't afford to lose any of the ground they have gained on the Bills.
LabattBlue Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 For reason I stated many times in the past I just hate the idea of relying on Teppo, Max and add Connolly to that list. If they can bring something to this season it has to be considered bonus. As I have said, if the Sabres are going into this season, much like last season, depending on Tim and Max they are doomed to suffer the same fate as last season. Hopefully the Sabres have contingency plans in place. This has to be a playoff year for the Sabres. With the Bills seemingly turning a corner the Sabres can't afford to lose any of the ground they have gained on the Bills. I think Connolly staying healthy is much more important than Max or Teppo staying healthy or being successful. There is NOTHING down on the farm in terms of a scoring line center who is ready to play at the NHL level. Zagrapan would probably be considered the closest, but if the reports on him are accurate, he is no more ready to be an NHLer than he was 2 years ago.
carpandean Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 For reason I stated many times in the past I just hate the idea of relying on Teppo, Max and add Connolly to that list. If they can bring something to this season it has to be considered bonus. As I have said, if the Sabres are going into this season, much like last season, depending on Tim and Max they are doomed to suffer the same fate as last season. I don't really see them as needing Teppo and Max, per se. Teppo is a bonus; even without him, we could field seven NHL defensemen. He lets Weber get some more experience before coming up, he'll help Sekera solidify his positional game, he'll help some of the other defensemen to settle down and, with the inevitability of injuries, he lets you lose another defensemen without much of a problem. Likewise with Max, we don't need him. We have other forwards who should be able to step in his place. If he starts lighting it up, then great, he'll actually have trade value. If not, he'll find himself in the press box, while someone younger takes his place. The team will not live or die by Max or Teppo, but they each posses the potential to make an impact. Timmy, on the other hand, does need to stay healthy. In his first four NHL seasons, he missed only three total games. If he can avoid a concussion and the bone spurs are gone, then he may return to that form. If not, we are definitely thin. Hecht and Gaustad are their backup plans and, while together they may make one top-two-line center, neither is really good enough for that spot. I would be much happier with Connolly slotted as a winger with a capable top-two-line center in his place down the middle.
Kristian Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 I think Connolly staying healthy is much more important than Max or Teppo staying healthy or being successful. There is NOTHING down on the farm in terms of a scoring line center who is ready to play at the NHL level. Zagrapan would probably be considered the closest, but if the reports on him are accurate, he is no more ready to be an NHLer than he was 2 years ago. Like I said - We're thin on center. We could definitely have used a Stu Barnes type player who can play both wing and center, and play both the PK and PP, but isn't considered a top forward by any means. It's not like we're talking about adding Jason Spezza here. Can it really hurt that much to bring in a vet at perhaps 2 mill., who can skate a regular shift? Like another poster wrote though, I guess we can still dream that someone takes Max off our hands and sends a veteran forward our way.
tom webster Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 I think Connolly staying healthy is much more important than Max or Teppo staying healthy or being successful. There is NOTHING down on the farm in terms of a scoring line center who is ready to play at the NHL level. Zagrapan would probably be considered the closest, but if the reports on him are accurate, he is no more ready to be an NHLer than he was 2 years ago. How good would this team be if they had won the post lockout lottery?
LabattBlue Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 How good would this team be if they had won the post lockout lottery? :)
shrader Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 How good would this team be if they had won the post lockout lottery? I'd settle for Anze Kopitar staying on the board for two more picks than he did.
tom webster Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 I'd settle for Anze Kopitar staying on the board for two more picks than he did. Funny, after my last post I revisited the draft board and thought the same thing. I hadn't realized how close Kopitar came to being available.
Bmwolf21 Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 I really can't agree with this at all. History has taught us to expect injury, that has been his story. Until he puts together a few injury free seasons, he will always have this tag. Yep. It ticks me off that we have to rely so heavily on a player who has missed so much time over the last few years. It's hard not to fall in love with his skills and talent and hope that he can pull out a full season. But we thought he'd play a full year last year, and he managed just 48 games with a brand-new injury.
shrader Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 Funny, after my last post I revisited the draft board and thought the same thing. I hadn't realized how close Kopitar came to being available. I did the same thing. I walked away very unimpressed with that first round. Granted there's still plenty of time for most of those guys, I really didn't see many "man I wish that guy was on our team" players. It's definitely a big wait and see draft class. And then there's Bourdon. :(
X. Benedict Posted September 19, 2008 Report Posted September 19, 2008 This has to be a playoff year for the Sabres. With the Bills seemingly turning a corner the Sabres can't afford to lose any of the ground they have gained on the Bills. :unsure: The only zero sum game the Bills and Sabres are playing is in your head.
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