The Sabres make the playoffs in 2021-22 because:

[aristocrat]

Jack has a career year, skinner back to 30 goals, cozens is a legit number 2 center over 30 goals, dahlin plays all star type defense, power is top rookie. Ullmark stays healthy. We sign mike Hoffman who nets 25 goals and we don’t miss Sam. 

[nucci]

they allow all 32 teams to make the playoffs

[Buffalonill]

I like the idea of hoffman 

[Huckleberry]

Pegula bribes every referee in the league, and in the final one of them even scores for us by kicking it in 🙂

[Stoner]

2 hours ago, Huckleberry said:

Pegula bribes every referee in the league, and in the final one of them even scores for us by kicking it in 🙂

[GoPuckYourself]

Because we got rid of the 3 problems and now play as a cohesive unit with no individual player thinking they're bigger than the team. 

[PerreaultForever]

because Terry finds the magical orb while out frakking and we are all transported back to the proper world of the multiverse where Sabres are good and the Leafs suck. 

[Wyldnwoody44]

We are tripping on some good shrooms 

[Norcal]

1 hour ago, Wyldnwoody44 said:

We are tripping on some good shrooms 

[Cal Naughton Jr]

Because it takes more than just talent to win games. Look at the men’s USA basketball team dropping L’s all over with all that talent 

[SHAAAUGHT!!!]

Because more roster movement is on the way.  A haircut usually looks bad until it is finished.

[Gabrielor]

Dahlin explodes

Team comes together now that isn't about one guy

Goaltending

 

Edited July 26, 2021 by Gabrielor

[Drag0nDan]

57 minutes ago, Gabrielor said:

Dahlin explodes

Team comes continue now that isn't about one guy

Goaltending

 

The last one is the big one.  Either UPL graduates and is a stud, or ullmark stays healthy and plays to his potential.

[JoeSchmoe]

Take last year's team under Granato which was competitive in nearly every game.

Realistically, all of the players below are on the upward side of their development curves. Some will take big jumps and some see smaller gains:

Aspland

Bryson

Cozens

Dahlin

Joki

Mitts

Routs

Samuelson

Thompson

Other than Okposo, no other sabre is on their backside of development.

Then, sub in a somewhat healthy Jack for Sam, and call Risto addition by subtraction as long as we can get some reliable veteren help to replace his minutes.

But goaltending is the x-factor. Hopefully we get at least Ullmark level save % this season.

[Palm Trees And Taxes]

There is a zombie apocalypse?

[lost in dc]

Sabres trade jack and the return, whatever that is, takes the team to the playoffs

[DarthEbriate]

Our starting goalie, whoever he is, has a .921+ save percentage, but his backup takes over at midseason with a startling .935% and carries us all into the playoffs. Let's say it's re-tread Bernier and UPL. 

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

On 7/25/2021 at 2:50 PM, Doohickie said:

The Sabres will make the playoffs in 2021-22

I remember my first beer, too.

[sabremike]

Thanos snaps his fingers and makes half the teams in the east disappear so we get one of the 8 spots by default.

[miles]

Because in 2021-2022 everyone is special so everyone gets a trophy 

[nucci]

On 7/25/2021 at 7:35 PM, aristocrat said:

Jack has a career year, skinner back to 30 goals, cozens is a legit number 2 center over 30 goals, dahlin plays all star type defense, power is top rookie. Ullmark stays healthy. We sign mike Hoffman who nets 25 goals and we don’t miss Sam. 

at least you're being realistic and not reaching

[Doohicksie]

5 hours ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

I remember my first beer, too.

Just trying to stoke a little enthusiasm.

[Brad_MI]

First time posting, but been following SabreSpace for a long time for news, thoughts, etc. 

Saw this thread, loved the optimism, and figured I had to sign up and give my thoughts. Kudos to the original poster. 
 

I’m figuring there are two paths for the Sabres to actually make the playoffs. Neither are likely, but again, love the summer optimism;

a) Eichel stays, is healthy, and plays like someone looking to increase their trade value by putting up 100 points. Skinner, along Eichel, scores about 35 goals, and the two of them uplift Bjork (off-hand), Quinn, JJP, or someone to a serviceable 1RW. 
Others, like Mitts/Asplund/Thompson form a good second line, Cozens shines as the 3C with a couple decent line mates that cause match-up problems. Girgs/Okposo/somebody provide a good checking, shutdown 4th line. 
Dahlin, Joki take big steps and each anchor a pairing. McCabe returns, plays well. Some combo of Miller/Hagg/Samuelson/Laaksonen/Power (hopefully not Power) round out a serviceable defense. 
Ullmark resigned, plays like a 1A and keeps them in a lot of games/ steals some. Back-up 1B is signed, plays well in 30 games or so, hopefully goes about .500. 
 

b) Eichel traded. This is harder…all of below is unlikely, but it’s fun to hope;

I think you’d have to hope for someone , maybe a UFA, that could step into the 1C slot and at least keep up. 

Then, I think you’re hoping for some of the same things as above, just with maybe a different usage. 

First line plays a defensive-zone skewed usage. Maybe this is Danault if we could get him (doubtful), or someone that could handle that role. Basically, negate the other teams top line. 
Mitts/Asplund/Thompson form a good second line with offensive-skewed deployment. More of a 1B ice time. 
Cozens takes a huge step forward as the 3C, drives the line, and they provide a scoring surplus that gives the Sabres a buffer. Maybe Skinner on his wing, if you can find a 1LW that could play a better 2-way game. Girgs/Okposo/somebody provide a good checking, shutdown 4th line. 

Defense then needs to shine…

Dahlin takes a HUGE step forward and becomes a true 1D, driving play, shutting down other teams top lines, and QBing the power play. 
Joki anchors second pairing.

Assuming this is a development year (If Eichel traded, focus is probably development and Power / Laaksonen aren’t in NHL), then everyone else on D has basically a career year….

Ullmark resigned, steals a TON of games. 1B goalie, a UFA signing, plays lights out too. 

Either scenario;

Granato lives up to the hype as a development coach, helps the kids out, while also keeping up with X’s and O’s plus in-game adjustments  

Atlantic division is nowhere near as difficult as it appears… Montreal 20-21 is a fluke, they take a step back. Toronto has an off year due to cap crunch / defense issues. Boston gets one year older and Buffalo splits with them. Florida struggles with Bob in net and then a hopefully-inconsistent Knight playing most of the season. Detroit steals some games from other teams but Buffalo sweeps them.

 

All unlikely. 
 

Anyway, glad to be here! Live in Ann Arbor, so hoping to see Power and Portillo this year in person, and looking forward to seeing development this year for Sabres that make me feel good about 22-23, 23-24. 

[postseasonblues]

Hell freezes over.

[SwampD]

...the team is actually for sale, and every time a team is either up for sale or financially struggling, they somehow have a good run.