Buffalo Sabres Training Camp (2020/21)

[inkman]

39 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The Dahlin show should also be aesthetically pleasing. And with him there will be a lot of "wow" moments. 

Like “Wow, there he goes giving the puck directly to the opponent in scoring position again”.   
 

I kid, I kid....I think...

[inkman]

How has everyone breezed over the fact that Dahlin took out Victor’s skate on that injury.

 

[bob_sauve28]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

ya, but he's fast enough to play. He's not very strong on the puck imo and lacks compete. Strength would help him more. I don't think losing a few pounds will make him a better skater to the extent that he'd have to be to make up for that. 

Ya but how old are you? He's a kid and an athlete. Usually not the recipe for a pot belly. Muscle weighs more than fat remember. 

I was never impressed with his speed. RK did just say he was faster now. Hopefully that allows him to buy time and space to make plays. I know I lost ten pounds and skated much better. 

[Thorner]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

Terrific post. Well thought out and expressed. As you point out not only are the pieces being assembled but what distinguishes this roster from the prior years is that there is a cushion of depth that we haven't seen for years. This team has a recent history of starting off exceptionally well and then falling like a boulder rolling down a steep mountain because there wasn't enough cushion to sustain a few injuries or substitute for faltering players. What is apparent entering this training camp is that there is internal competition vying for playing time. We haven't had enough talent before to fill the holes when they happened. 

I believe that this team is capable of being a playoff team even within this more challenging Covid manufactured conference. If they don't there still should be a recognition that this organization is being more smartly run and more aggressively run than with the previous administration. 

Shouldn't this be based on results? Sounds like you've made up your mind already. 

Frankly I don't think it's possible to know if the organization is being smartly run until we see how this all translates on the ice. 

Edited January 2, 2021 by Thorny

[SwampD]

53 minutes ago, inkman said:

How has everyone breezed over the fact that Dahlin took out Victor’s skate on that injury.

 

Well, now Victor has learned that that is a thing defensive players will do.

[JohnC]

4 minutes ago, Thorny said:

Shouldn't this be based on results? Sounds like you've made up your mind already. 

You didn't correctly interpret what I stated. If you go back and look at what I stated what I didn't do is guarantee any results. (To be specific I said this team is capable of being a playoff team and not definitely a playoff team. That is clearly stated in my last sentence.) However, I did note that this roster was upgraded. I also stated that there is a greater coherency and conceptualization with respect to how this roster is being put together i.e. this team is faster and the scoring is better spread throughout the lines. I credited this new regime on how it more smartly functioned compared to the prior regime. 

I hope this response clarifies for you on what I actually stated. 

[Thorner]

35 minutes ago, JohnC said:

You didn't correctly interpret what I stated. If you go back and look at what I stated what I didn't do is guarantee any results. (To be specific I said this team is capable of being a playoff team and not definitely a playoff team. That is clearly stated in my last sentence.) However, I did note that this roster was upgraded. I also stated that there is a greater coherency and conceptualization with respect to how this roster is being put together i.e. this team is faster and the scoring is better spread throughout the lines. I credited this new regime on how it more smartly functioned compared to the prior regime. 

I hope this response clarifies for you on what I actually stated. 

No, not really. 

I wasn't saying you were guaranteeing any results, my point was that your post reads as if you have already determined this organization to be better run, now. Everything you say in the above paragraph about how the roster is better put together is a guess - we can't know anything until we see the results. 

You said that there should be a recognition that the organization is being more smartly run regardless of if we miss the playoffs. I'm not sure how we could be close to proclaiming that, at this point in time. 

All the credit you are judiciously heaping on this regime is all sans a single minute of time-on-ice. 

Edit - Also, can you please just stop with the "what I actually stated" stuff? It reads ridiculously condescending, whether it's your intention or not. 

Edited January 2, 2021 by Thorny

[JohnC]

1 minute ago, Thorny said:

No, not really. 

I wasn't saying you were guaranteeing any results, my point was that you post reads as if you have already determined this organization to be better run, now. Everything you say in the above paragraph about how the roster is better put together is a guess - we can't know anything until we see the results. 

If you look at the additions as an example such as Staal and Hall and consider what was given up to acquire this combo (nearly nothing) I would with no hesitation say that it was a productive offseason. If you compare this regime's work product in one offseason compared to the prior regime's work product for the prior few years I would with no equivocation state that this current regime was better run. 

[Thorner]

1 minute ago, JohnC said:

If you look at the additions as an example such as Staal and Hall and consider what was given up to acquire this combo (nearly nothing) I would with no hesitation say that it was a productive offseason. If you compare this regime's work product in one offseason compared to the prior regime's work product for the prior few years I would with no equivocation state that this current regime was better run. 

You can go ahead and compare offseasons all you like. I'm going to wait and see what happens on the ice before I pass any sort of judgment on whether things are being better run or not. 

The reason I state this is because what happens on the ice is, literally, the only thing that matters. 

[Thorner]

4 minutes ago, JohnC said:

If you look at the additions as an example such as Staal and Hall and consider what was given up to acquire this combo (nearly nothing) I would with no hesitation say that it was a productive offseason. If you compare this regime's work product in one offseason compared to the prior regime's work product for the prior few years I would with no equivocation state that this current regime was better run. 

Futhermore, we are viewing the offseason from this particular point in time without the benefit of seeing how things actually unfold. If the loss of Larsson is dearly felt, the GT costs us a playoff spot, and we lose Reinhart, too, (after Hall walks) because we declined to lock him up this offseason so we'd have room for Hall, is it still a good offseason?

I don' t think I'm making a very radical point to say that I merely think, after all these years, a-wait-and-see approach probably bodes best. 

[JohnC]

1 minute ago, Thorny said:

You can go ahead and compare offseasons all you like. I'm going to wait and see what happens on the ice before I pass any sort of judgment on whether things are being better run or not. 

The reason I state this is because what happens on the ice is, literally, the only thing that matters. 

This is a hockey bulletin board where judgments/opinions are made before the fact all the time. When you make a bet at the gambling window you make a judgment before you place your bet---not after. That's the nature of the beast. 

[Thorner]

1 minute ago, JohnC said:

This is a hockey bulletin board where judgments/opinions are made before the fact all the time. When you make a bet at the gambling window you make a judgment before you place your bet---not after. That's the nature of the beast. 

Dude I'm not talking about a bet. I have no issue with you saying "I think they've had a great offseason and think they will be way better". But as I mentioned already, my contention was with your statement that, should we miss the playoffs, we'd still need to recognize things are being better run. 

I don't think it's a given that this is the case. I think we can't pass judgement on that until we see what happens. 

[JohnC]

1 minute ago, Thorny said:

Dude I'm not talking about a bet. I have no issue with you saying "I think they've had a great offseason and think they will be way better". But as I mentioned already, my contention was with your statement that, should we miss the playoffs, we'd still need to recognize things are being better run. 

I don't think it's a given that this is the case. I think we can't pass judgement on that until we see what happens. 

You pass the judgment you want and I'll pass the judgment I want. If you disagree that's fine. I'm not bothered by disagreements and can handle disagreements. I don't want to come on as being antagonistic but you are belaboring a point. 

[Broken Ankles]

7 hours ago, tom webster said:

I think something you might see is a 13-5 line up with Reider as a PK specialist.

Is this a thing?  I’ve seen numerous teams play an extra D but not one less.  What is the inherent reward versus the risk of losing  one to injury and you’re forced to play with only 4 the remainder of the game?

[Pimlach]

6 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

This would be the crux of my skepticism. I'd buy into the losing weight is good argument if he was a track athlete, a runner, but for a young hockey player who should already be in great shape, he needs to add muscle to compete with men, like Cozens did. Night and day those two in comparison. 

Yes, I agree.  All I’m say is he can still be getting stronger while losing some of that body fat, then add more weight from muscle.   It’s up to Mittlestat to get control of his game and his career.  

[Doohicksie]

On 1/1/2021 at 6:40 PM, dudacek said:

Zemgus Girgensons 6’2” 213, which is only up 2 pounds, I was just surprised he’s that heavy

That's about where I'm sitting right now, and that's not really that heavy, especially considering how much more muscle he has than I do.

[Doohicksie]

13 hours ago, SABRES 0311 said:

Girgensons Cozens Okposo

Two vets who have played up and down lineups and special teams to mentor him.  He’s got skill and I can see those two being a positive influence.

This could actually be a very good line if Cozens is up to it.

[bob_sauve28]

Staal on Reinhart: "His shot is pretty lethal"

Staal said he has quickly noted Reinhart's hockey IQ after skating with him in the early going, a common observation among those who have played with Reinhart in the past. But he's also been impressed with Reinhart's shot, a weapon Staal said he will implore Reinhart to utilize more often.

"His shot is pretty lethal," Staal said. "From watching from years prior, I don't think he shoots the puck enough, but I'll try to get that out of him maybe a little more this year. He's a very good player. I've liked his style, his competitiveness. … He's one of many guys I'm excited to be alongside right now."

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, bob_sauve28 said:

Staal on Reinhart: "His shot is pretty lethal"

Staal said he has quickly noted Reinhart's hockey IQ after skating with him in the early going, a common observation among those who have played with Reinhart in the past. But he's also been impressed with Reinhart's shot, a weapon Staal said he will implore Reinhart to utilize more often.

"His shot is pretty lethal," Staal said. "From watching from years prior, I don't think he shoots the puck enough, but I'll try to get that out of him maybe a little more this year. He's a very good player. I've liked his style, his competitiveness. … He's one of many guys I'm excited to be alongside right now."

I have been arguing to keep Samson on the first line with Jack. But if he moves to the Staal line and it results in him becoming more aggressive by shooting more and driving play then that expansion in role will not only serve him better but it will help to create a genuine second caliber line, something we haven't had in a long time. One of the keys to having a successful season is putting Skinnner in a position to succeed.  Putting Reinhart on a line with Skinner does that. And adding Staal to the line also puts Skinner in a position to thrive. It's early yet to come to a judgment but the Staal acquisition was a terrific addition from a talent and leadership standpoint.  

[inkman]

16 hours ago, SwampD said:

Well, now Victor has learned that that is a thing defensive players will do.

Commit penalties and injure players.  Yes bad players do this.  

[Pimlach]

1 hour ago, bob_sauve28 said:

Staal on Reinhart: "His shot is pretty lethal"

Staal said he has quickly noted Reinhart's hockey IQ after skating with him in the early going, a common observation among those who have played with Reinhart in the past. But he's also been impressed with Reinhart's shot, a weapon Staal said he will implore Reinhart to utilize more often.

"His shot is pretty lethal," Staal said. "From watching from years prior, I don't think he shoots the puck enough, but I'll try to get that out of him maybe a little more this year. He's a very good player. I've liked his style, his competitiveness. … He's one of many guys I'm excited to be alongside right now."

Great to hear this.  Hoping that Skinner-Staal-Reinhart become a 1B, not a 2.  

[LGR4GM]

 

 

Edited January 3, 2021 by LGR4GM

[inkman]

5 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

 

 

What do the different color jerseys indicate?

[Brawndo]

 

[Zamboni]