darksabre Posted July 4, 2017 Report Posted July 4, 2017 Has JBOT, or Gionta, actually said that he won't be back? I've seen some reports (that have been missed due to the holiday) that indicate Gionta won't be back. Quote
Randall Flagg Posted July 4, 2017 Report Posted July 4, 2017 I think Gio's foot speed is what has kept him effective the past two years. Dude's in great shape Quote
bob_sauve28 Posted July 4, 2017 Report Posted July 4, 2017 Do those of you that wanted--and got--a coaching change think that was enough to make us a playoff team? Quote
WildCard Posted July 4, 2017 Report Posted July 4, 2017 Do those of you that wanted--and got--a coaching change think that was enough to make us a playoff team?Yes, and the complete overhaul of the defense along with depth signings has me believing we should. Last year was slightly different because the East looked so much worse. Now? East is looking a lot better than last summer Quote
Scottysabres Posted July 4, 2017 Report Posted July 4, 2017 Do those of you that wanted--and got--a coaching change think that was enough to make us a playoff team? I wanted Dan gone, and yes, I believe the on ice strategy should improve enough to make the playoffs. Quote
I-90 W Posted July 4, 2017 Report Posted July 4, 2017 Half the league makes the playoffs every year. Better coaching, improved defense and less injuries we'll be in. Quote
3putt Posted July 4, 2017 Report Posted July 4, 2017 Any team can make the playoffs in any gjven year. Col and Clgy being recent examples of teams catching lightning in a bottle. I am more interested in seeing if the long term development of a perennial cup contender is on course. Quote
nucci Posted July 4, 2017 Report Posted July 4, 2017 Yea, we can make the playoffs. Will we? That is up to the players and coaching staff. I'm hopeful Housely and staff institute a system that really lets the players strengths shine. But I have confidence the talent on this team can destroy any opponent in the league if they commit to doing so. No kidding Quote
bobs0108 Posted July 5, 2017 Report Posted July 5, 2017 I think we are in the running for a playoff spot, but a slow start do to a new coach costs us. Next year we will be a terror and maybe win the division. Quote
LGR4GM Posted July 5, 2017 Report Posted July 5, 2017 There's no reason this team shouldn't make the playoffs. I expect nothing less. Quote
bunomatic Posted July 5, 2017 Report Posted July 5, 2017 We will be this years leafs. Last year they surprised many and had a good playoff experience for their young team. This season it will be the Sabres. Book it. Quote
darksabre Posted July 5, 2017 Report Posted July 5, 2017 We will be this years leafs. Last year they surprised many and had a good playoff experience for their young team. This season it will be the Sabres. Book it. I think yes. Quote
Wyldnwoody44 Posted July 5, 2017 Report Posted July 5, 2017 I wonder what happens when we are 17-31 around the halfway point, do we blame a new system, bad assembly, not "jellin".... Quote
LikeEich Posted July 5, 2017 Report Posted July 5, 2017 We are going to win the division Montreal wins the division! We will be lucky to be 4th or 5th Quote
Eleven Posted July 5, 2017 Report Posted July 5, 2017 I don't think this team should "just barely" make the playoffs, nor do I think it should make the playoffs "by a good margin." So I went with the former. Quote
LGR4GM Posted July 5, 2017 Report Posted July 5, 2017 If this team doesn't expect to be in the playoffs then they are losers. Ik Captain Jack expects it. He should hold that entire locker room to his standards. Quote
Doohicksie Posted July 5, 2017 Report Posted July 5, 2017 If this team doesn't expect to be in the playoffs then they are losers. Ik Captain Jack expects it. He should hold that entire locker room to his standards. I also think bringing Pommer in to replace Gionta will work in that direction. You could hear it in Pommer's interview in the BN: "Hopefully, we can bring that same buzz to the city again and get into the playoffs and create that atmosphere again... You want younger players to have the chance to see and to live what we were able to do. Hopefully, we can live up to those expectations and exceed them." He remembers Buffalo playoff hockey and wants to see it come back. Quote
Samson's Flow Posted July 5, 2017 Report Posted July 5, 2017 I have hope. Hope is good. Reality says that the roster has improved. We have a new coach that will be instilling a new system, which will take time for the players to learn. It will take time for it all to mesh together, which may be too long this coming season. So, as of now I will predict a playoff cusp, but in the end I think they will fall just short (I hope I am wrong), which will be a great improvement over the last several years. I will also say that I expect the Sabres to be 'in' most games and will play a far more entertaining style of hockey, which is important. Basically this. I think with the system change, much improved defense and some middle 6 wing changes (Pommers/Pouliot) we will be far more effective and not have to rely on Jack carrying the team like last year. Plus more healthy games from ROR/Eichel/Kane should help as well. Color me optimistic. Quote
Sabre fan Posted July 6, 2017 Author Report Posted July 6, 2017 (edited) Just the thought of this team playing more offensive-minded wide open hockey is awesome! Been far too long this the Sabres have been called exciting...at least win or lose they will be entertaining, which is far more then you can say for the last few years... Can't help but wonder if we'll make the playoffs before there is a nuclear war with good old North Korea and we'll all be nuked and miss the show... Edited July 6, 2017 by Sabre fan Quote
pi2000 Posted July 6, 2017 Report Posted July 6, 2017 I don't think there's been enough turnover on the bottom 6 to reduce SAT against enough to contend for the playoffs. They still don't have a guy to take the load off ROR (d-zone draws, PK minutes, etc). Quote
Sabel79 Posted July 6, 2017 Report Posted July 6, 2017 I don't think there's been enough turnover on the bottom 6 to reduce SAT against enough to contend for the playoffs. They still don't have a guy to take the load off ROR (d-zone draws, PK minutes, etc). You underestimate the benefits of not playing a system in which the only instruction to the D is: "Throw the puck that way as hard as you can!!!!!!!" Extra exclamation marks needed. Quote
LGR4GM Posted July 6, 2017 Report Posted July 6, 2017 I don't think there's been enough turnover on the bottom 6 to reduce SAT against enough to contend for the playoffs. They still don't have a guy to take the load off ROR (d-zone draws, PK minutes, etc). The system last year was to form a box in the slot and keep everything to the outside. It is one of the most passive ways to play defense in all of hockey. A change to that and the major changes to our defense will easily make us contend for the playoffs. You are getting to bogged down in the bottom 6 stuff. Quote
pi2000 Posted July 6, 2017 Report Posted July 6, 2017 You underestimate the benefits of not playing a system in which the only instruction to the D is: "Throw the puck that way as hard as you can!!!!!!!" Extra exclamation marks needed. You overestimate the benefits of playing a system in which the only instruction to the D is: "Carry the puck out of the zone and join the rush every chance you get!!!!" The system last year was to form a box in the slot and keep everything to the outside. It is one of the most passive ways to play defense in all of hockey. A change to that and the major changes to our defense will easily make us contend for the playoffs. You are getting to bogged down in the bottom 6 stuff. And what's the system going to be this year that magically makes BUF a better defensive team and reduces SAT against? I think everyone if overestimating the impact of a new coach when there hasn't been much roster turnover. Quote
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