Sabres Looking for Speed

[Stoner]

I know a guy who knows a guy...

[North Buffalo]

I hope they are doing whatever it takes to make this team faster and quicker.

 

The problem is not that you are just too slow...it is where it will be hard to upgrade.  Okposo, O'Reilly, and to a certain extent Reinhart.

 

This team gets dominated 5-on-5....where you would think speed makes the most difference. I posted this in another thread but I will summarize here:  The 'fast and good' players (Kane an Eichel) do not rely on the powerplay for their goals. they are very effective scoring 5 on 5.  The other 3 (Okposo, O'Reilly, and REinhart) rely on the PP for almost 45% of their goals (more than twice what Kane and Eichel do).  5 on 5, they are well below average scorers (for sure for the money you pay them and the expectations). 

 

More speed is great, but you have to find a way to get more speed on your top 2 skilled lines.  If/when Kane is gone...the only skilled player you can rely on 5-on-5 for your top 6 will be Eichel.  That's a lot of holes to fill, and why this team is a lot worse than we all expected for the last 2 years.

. More importantly they need guys who can pass, having neither except Jack they really stink and guys who can snipe, a team playing together can overcome a speed deficit, these guys dont know or dont have the puck skills to corral the puck. A good passing team can overcome a lot.

[Thorner]

This sounds right. Also: how many guys are riding Crosby's coat tails?

It's a prudent question, given Crosby is one of the greatest players of all time. His affect will be widespread.

 

Look no further than the Penguins first goal tonight. Crosby drew everyone to him at the goal post even though he was no where near the puck. It's actually insane how much other teams feel they need to account for him.