Buffalo Sabres Training Camp (2020/21)

[LGR4GM]

When's the wjc end? Because 7 days after might be the season 

[Taro T]

11 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

When's the wjc end? Because 7 days after might be the season 

GMG scheduled for 1/5.

[Brawndo]

 

[JohnC]

4 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

 

If the AHL is tentatively slated to start later what do these assigned players do in the meantime? Do they practice with the big club or do they do it on their own? What happens if there is no AHL at all? A lot of unknowns!

The player who I feel is going to be the most negatively affected by the startup delay in the AHL is Mitts. I thought the best path forward for him is to get a lot of playing time in the lower league and then if called up he would be better prepared to play at the higher level. 

[LGR4GM]

14 hours ago, Taro T said:

GMG scheduled for 1/5.

Hearing Krueger talk it sounds like they expect Cozens and Quinn in camp around the 9th. 

[Taro T]

1 minute ago, LGR4GM said:

Hearing Krueger talk it sounds like they expect Cozens and Quinn in camp around the 9th. 

If Canada plays poorly in the elimination round or the 7 day quarantine is worked like for people coming from other states (test negative w/in 3 days of entering NYS, & then again after 3 days in state) then it is possible.

[JohnC]

Krueger was on WGR for a 20 minute segment. He's enjoyable to listen to. 

It seems that he is more than satisfied with our goaltending staffing. He talked about Dahlin getting stronger and it will be reflected in more physical play. He also indicated that Olofsson will be playing on the right side. He noted that in his system of playing off the other line mates and adjusting to where they go that being assigned to the right or left sign isn't a big deal.

He also stated that Tage stayed in the area in the offseason and is bigger and stronger. He pointed out that because he hasn't played in a long time that it is going to take time before he gets his timing back. 

Howard And Jeremy | RADIO.COM

[Taro T]

25 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Krueger was on WGR for a 20 minute segment. He's enjoyable to listen to. 

It seems that he is more than satisfied with our goaltending staffing. He talked about Dahlin getting stronger and it will be reflected in more physical play. He also indicated that Olofsson will be playing on the right side. He noted that in his system of playing off the other line mates and adjusting to where they go that being assigned to the right or left sign isn't a big deal.

He also stated that Tage stayed in the area in the offseason and is bigger and stronger. He pointed out that because he hasn't played in a long time that it is going to take time before he gets his timing back. 

Howard And Jeremy | RADIO.COM

There definitely is a reason he ends up a featured speaker at Davos.  He's pretty good at leadershipspeak. 

As for the GT, doubt anyone expected him to say 'the goaltending stinks, it could cost my job.'  

But, if they don't expect Thompson to be ready out of the gate while working off rust, wonder if that opens a door for Mittelstadt or if it puts Reider in the opening night lineup up.

[JohnC]

6 minutes ago, Taro T said:

There definitely is a reason he ends up a featured speaker at Davos.  He's pretty good at leadershipspeak. 

As for the GT, doubt anyone expected him to say 'the goaltending stinks, it could cost my job.'  

If he truly felt that Hutton jeopardized the success of his team he would be a strong/influential advocate to get him replaced. It seems that he believed that Hutton's struggles were directly related to his eye issues. He stated that the physical issue has been corrected. Hutton is the backup, and for now he is satisfied with his role.  

Edited December 30, 2020 by JohnC

[Taro T]

5 minutes ago, JohnC said:

If he truly felt that Hutton jeopardized the success of his team he would be a strong/influential advocate to get him replaced. It seems that he believed that Hutton's struggles were directly related to his eye issues. He stated that the physical issue has been corrected. Hutton is the backup, and for now he is satisfied with his role.  

Yes, he would.  But, as long as Hutton is the 2, really don't see him giving Carter anything but support publicly.

[dudacek]

11 minutes ago, Taro T said:

There definitely is a reason he ends up a featured speaker at Davos.  He's pretty good at leadershipspeak. 

As for the GT, doubt anyone expected him to say 'the goaltending stinks, it could cost my job.'  

But, if they don't expect Thompson to be ready out of the gate while working off rust, wonder if that opens a door for Mittelstadt or if it puts Reider in the opening night lineup up.

I think I will be the only one on here surprised if Rieder is not in the opening night lineup. 

The PK might have cost us the playoffs last year and Rieder is the primary thing they did to fix it. I think most people underestimate how much utility Ralph sees in him and how much ice he will get.

6 minutes ago, JohnC said:

If he truly felt that Hutton jeopardized the success of his team he would be a strong/influential advocate to get him replaced. It seems that he believed that Hutton's struggles were directly related to his eye issues. He stated that the physical issue has been corrected. Hutton is the backup, and for now he is satisfied with his role.  

I think that’s a coach trying to shore up the psyche of his team.

I got the sense in the Adams interview that no matter what he says about Hutton, he wants to upgrade and is worried he won’t be able to.

[LabattBlue]

Here’s hoping the Sabres stream some of the training camp sessions, or at least the two planned intra-squad scrimmages.  No need to have Peters and River blabbering, just give me the video feed.  

[JohnC]

6 minutes ago, dudacek said:

 

I think that’s a coach trying to shore up the psyche of his team.

I got the sense in the Adams interview that no matter what he says about Hutton, he wants to upgrade and is worried he won’t be able to.

GM's and organizations are always looking to upgrade their rosters. If the organization felt that a backup upgrade could have been made this offseason at an acceptable price it would have been done. It wasn't. There's no doubt that the GM scanned the market and considered the alternatives. That's what GMs do. It's a continuous process.

There are many people who are stressed about having Hutton as a backup. I'm not one of them. Odds are that if he falters a change will be made. We have our tandem at goaltending for now. You go with what you got.  

[dudacek]

2 minutes ago, JohnC said:

GM's and organizations are always looking to upgrade their rosters. If the organization felt that a backup upgrade could have been made this offseason at an acceptable price it would have been done. It wasn't. There's no doubt that the GM scanned the market and considered the alternatives. That's what GMs do. It's a continuous process.

There are many people who are stressed about having Hutton as a backup. I'm not one of them. Odds are that if he falters a change will be made. We have our tandem at goaltending for now. You go with what you got.  

The bold is true, but I think it is incorrect to chalk that up to simple due diligence, or to think the lack of action signifies contentment with the status quo.

I think Adams has actively pursued a goalie upgrade and still wants to make one. I believe @tom webster when he says the heavy lifting has been done and the prospective trade partners were waiting on other potential moves to pull the trigger.

I have no idea if Arizona dumped enough salary with Stepan and no longer feels the need to move Raantta, or if Columbus failed in its bid to sign Hoffman and therefore no longer needs to clear Korpisalo’s cap space, or if the GMs are haggling over draft pick sweeteners on a three way that sends Colin Miller to Winnipeg, Jack Roslovic to Calgary and David Rittich here.

I do know trades are moving targets and it is indeed Ralph Krueger’s job to go with what you got.

Where we differ is that I don’t think the Sabres are OK with Hutton until he falters, I just think they’ve been unable to make a deal.

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, dudacek said:

The bold is true, but I think it is incorrect to chalk that up to simple due diligence, or to think the lack of action signifies contentment with the status quo.

I think Adams has actively pursued a goalie upgrade and still wants to make one. I believe @tom webster when he says the heavy lifting has been done and the prospective trade partners were waiting on other potential moves to pull the trigger.

I have no idea if Arizona dumped enough salary with Stepan and no longer feels the need to move Raantta, or if Columbus failed in its bid to sign Hoffman and therefore no longer needs to clear Korpisalo’s cap space, or if the GMs are haggling over draft pick sweeteners on a three way that sends Colin Miller to Winnipeg, Jack Roslovic to Calgary and David Rittich here.

I do know trades are moving targets and it is indeed Ralph Krueger’s job to go with what you got.

Where we differ is that I don’t think the Sabres are OK with Hutton until he falters, I just think they’ve been unable to make a deal.

As I said in a prior response the GM is always looking to upgrade the roster at a variety of positions. That was evident with the additions made with Hall, Staal etc. What if Hutton as a backup plays at an acceptable level? Do you think that the organization is going to give up assets such as Miller or Montour to upgrade a backup position that is playing up to his role? I don't think so. I'm not saying you are wrong in believing that the GM is trying to improve at the backup goalie position. I agree with you there. However, as it stands I believe that they are going to go with what they got. 

[dudacek]

3 hours ago, JohnC said:

Krueger was on WGR for a 20 minute segment. He's enjoyable to listen to. 

It seems that he is more than satisfied with our goaltending staffing. He talked about Dahlin getting stronger and it will be reflected in more physical play. He also indicated that Olofsson will be playing on the right side. He noted that in his system of playing off the other line mates and adjusting to where they go that being assigned to the right or left sign isn't a big deal.

He also stated that Tage stayed in the area in the offseason and is bigger and stronger. He pointed out that because he hasn't played in a long time that it is going to take time before he gets his timing back. 

Howard And Jeremy | RADIO.COM

Thanks for that.

Krueger says he has a projected lineup pencilled in and acknowledges that the bubble guys will have limited opportunity to change minds. He is emphasizing again here that the taxi squad will be used as an extended roster - six players who can and will be injected into the starting lineup at any time.

Also confirmed that the team will not be making any significant changes to its system, just “tweaking” and “sharpening”; he thinks that is an advantage given the nature of the season.

Along those lines, Washington and New Jersey are the only teams in the division with a new coach.

[dudacek]

Also makes reference to the Sabres 5 on 5 defence being top 10 in the NHL last year and calls it the foundation for team success. Says special teams are big focus to start (they added PK ‘specialists’) and do a better job driving the net and creating second chances. These are the areas they want to improve in order to make a jump.

Edited December 30, 2020 by dudacek

[dudacek]

I also took his comments on Cozens as Cozens not being penciled into the starting lineup, more like at the front of line of those knocking at the door. He will get a chance, and his play will determine what the chance turns into.

[Curt]

4 hours ago, JohnC said:

If he truly felt that Hutton jeopardized the success of his team he would be a strong/influential advocate to get him replaced. It seems that he believed that Hutton's struggles were directly related to his eye issues. He stated that the physical issue has been corrected. Hutton is the backup, and for now he is satisfied with his role.  

Meh, maybe he just doesn’t see a move coming soon, and wants to keep it positive.

A couple months ago, the most positive thing he could muster was “they are our goalies right now”.

[JohnC]

1 minute ago, Curt said:

Meh, maybe he just doesn’t see a move coming soon, and wants to keep it positive.

A couple months ago, the most positive thing he could muster was “they are our goalies right now”.

You are giving to much weight to what has been said. You are overly parsing words made in a generic coach comment. Watch what they do. If the organization believes that it makes sense to upgrade the backup position they will do it. They haven't done it yet. I don't think they will before the season starts. 

[Curt]

40 minutes ago, JohnC said:

You are giving to much weight to what has been said. You are overly parsing words made in a generic coach comment. Watch what they do. If the organization believes that it makes sense to upgrade the backup position they will do it. They haven't done it yet. I don't think they will before the season starts. 

I mean, I could say the same about your weight placed on Krueger’s words in this recent interview.  You are right though that it really only matters what they do, and that the players feel that there is confidence in them.

[Thorner]

On 12/29/2020 at 1:18 AM, dudacek said:

Fresh Ralph interview on an NHL podcast today.

Among the highlights:

• Some of their acquisitions were made specifically to address their inability to match up tactically with the Lightning
• The taxi squad and the 7 game trial will allow them until February to get a feel on Cozens despite the fact he is missing camp.
• They kept every player they wanted to keep (in case anyone was still wondering about Larsson)
• Thinks Irwin will add something but said the team kept the same starting six deliberately because they like the mix and believe they have more to offer; quickly mentioned Montour.
• Said physically the D corps has all added size and muscle and singled out Dahlin.
• Intimated that Miller’s early issues were that his heart was still in Vegas.
• Said Ullmark isn’t getting his due around the league, suggesting his injury last year was a big blow. Was also positive about Hutton’s recovery from his eye issue and about his attitude, but (IMO) didn’t give a ringing endorsement of his ability.
• Said communication, teaching and culture building has been happening steadily behind the scenes, player to coaches, and player to player. Said Eichel and Hall have been communicating regularly and mentioned Hall’s workouts with Skinner.
• Seems to treating the taxi squad like an expanded roster rather than a group of starters and emergency fillers; indicating they will be a full part of the team and will have to plug in and out of the lineup on a regular basis. Said we should be adding an extra line to our typical perception of 12 forwards and 7 D.
• Thinks tactics mean a heckuva lot more in a set-up where you play 7 teams 8 times, then indicated he knows the coaches in our new division very, very well.
• Goal is to win the majority of their 8-game seasonal series.
• He has been using his contacts with Premier League soccer, Euro hockey, and the Bills to learn COVID protocols; the Sabres will be using stricter guidelines than those being implemented by the NHL.
• will be two full-on regulation intrasquad games to make up for the lack of exhibition games.

The first bold - well, that, and not being given enough playing time lol

Second - the goal should be to make the playoffs, no?

[Thorner]

a hypothetical 5-3, 5-3, 5-3, 5-3, 3-5, 3-5, 3-5

..gets them 58 points, a pace of 85 over 82 and therefore unlikely to make the playoffs. 

[dudacek]

3 minutes ago, Thorny said:

The first bold - well, that, and not being given enough playing time lol

Second - the goal should be to make the playoffs, no?

1) my impression was that was why he was not being given the playing time.

2) he was pitching this as the key to making the playoffs.

[Thorner]

2 minutes ago, dudacek said:

1) my impression was that was why he was not being given the playing time.

2) he was pitching this as the key to making the playoffs.

1) Well yes of course that's what he thinks

2) Ingenious, Ralph lol