GDT / Islanders @ Sabres, Thurs 3/14, 7pm MSG, ESPN+ & WGR Radio

[Pimlach]

3 hours ago, PASabreFan said:

He's already better than Dahlin. He is large and in charge.

So he is not dumb?  

[Weave]

1 minute ago, Pimlach said:

So he is not dumb?  

Not yet.

[sabrefanday1]

Can't help but wonder if all these years KO was not a good leader for the team and now Byram is...team looks better by subtraction losing KO and the old man and adding Byram 

Edited March 14 by sabrefanday1

[Believer]

Nice guy… In watching him the past few years, not a guy who saw the hill and led the charge, imo… Never cared for his postgame interviews after wins or losses… Didn’t really turn it on until the past couple months he was here… probably after a discussion about his future with Adams and Pegula… Then there was the Stick Stunt… As Captain, if he wasn’t part of it he condoned it, and lost control of the group… KO had to go… The fact the team is playing better without him speaks volumes, imo. 

As for Byram, he seems to be a natural leader who leads by example, skates hard every shift, constantly talking to teammates on the ice and on the bench. Next Captain?

[That Aud Smell]

18 minutes ago, sabrefanday1 said:

Can't help but wonder if all these years KO was not a good leader for the team and now Byram is...team looks better by subtraction losing KO and the old man and adding Byram 

beware the small sample size and ... Recently Arrived Player Phenomenon** notwithstanding ... we all know that guy who's a super good guy, respected, well-regarded ... but is also sort of a vibe killer, right?

** Dang it - who is the rugged forward that the Sabres once acquired (this must be post 2005-2007) at the trade deadline -- did he come to us from Montreal? did he eventually play for Montreal? -- who scored (maybe twice?) in his debut and looked like he was going to be a monster power forward for the Sabres, before he trailed off and was soon off the roster?

[Pimlach]

28 minutes ago, sabrefanday1 said:

Can't help but wonder if all these years KO was not a good leader for the team and now Byram is...team looks better by subtraction losing KO and the old man and adding Byram 

KO was not the problem but pushing the leadership down to the Core players and making them be accountable is the right next step.  

1 minute ago, Believer said:

Nice guy… In watching him the past few years, not a guy who saw the hill and led the charge, imo… Never cared for his postgame interviews after wins or losses… Didn’t really turn it on until the past couple months he was here… probably after a discussion about his future with Adams and Pegula… Then there was the Stick Stunt… As Captain, if he wasn’t part of it he condoned it, and lost control of the group… KO had to go… The fact the team is playing better without him speaks volumes, imo. 

As for Byram, he seems to be a natural leader who leads by example, skates hard every shift, constantly talking to teammates on the ice and on the bench. Next Captain?

We need to give Byram more than 4 games before we anoint him anything.  He sure plays a style of hockey that is a breath of fresh air.  Colorado has a program that Adams should be looking at closely.  

As for next Captain, Dahlin is probably it. 

 

 

[Thorner]

Just now, That Aud Smell said:

beware the small sample size and ... Recently Arrived Player Phenomenon** notwithstanding ... we all know that guy who's a super good guy, respected, well-regarded ... but is also sort of a vibe killer, right?

** Dang it - who is the rugged forward that the Sabres once acquired (this must be post 2005-2007) at the trade deadline -- did he come to us from Montreal? did he eventually play for Montreal? -- who scored (maybe twice?) in his debut and looked like he was going to be a monster power forward for the Sabres, before he trailed off and was soon off the roster?

Steve Bernier

[Second Line Center]

 

[That Aud Smell]

3 minutes ago, Thorny said:

Steve Bernier

God bless you.

[Believer]

5 minutes ago, Second Line Center said:

 

Would seem to suggest deficit coaching and lack of veteran leadership.

[DarthEbriate]

12 minutes ago, Thorny said:

Steve Bernier

I couldn't remember Bernier's name last week, either.

[Doohicksie]

10 minutes ago, Believer said:

Would seem to suggest deficit coaching and lack of veteran leadership.

Why?  I think you're connecting too many dots there.

[Believer]

Hahaha… Probably… Enjoy connecting variables to come to conclusions for myself… 

So, what would you attribute the two season second half improvements to instead?

[That Aud Smell]

35 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

I couldn't remember Bernier's name last week, either.

just watched a 5:00 clip of his debut on YouTube. linked below. an incredible debut - 2G, 1A, a scrum where he frickin' decked someone who took liberties with Derek Roy and then holding-sweater-fist-punched the other guy who came in to grab him (no actual fight, as the Sharks player declined to drop his gloves).

it will surprise no one - least of all @PASabreFan - that the true star of the clip is RJ.

 

 

[LGR4GM]

4 hours ago, PASabreFan said:

He's already better than Dahlin. He is large and in charge.

lol, Byram is not currently better than Dahlin. lol 

[IKnowPhysics]

51 minutes ago, Believer said:

Would seem to suggest deficit coaching and lack of veteran leadership.

[DarthEbriate]

And thus... the Concept of Bernier was born!

[PerreaultForever]

This is the contrasting styles game I've been waiting for. How we play in this one should tell us a lot about what we really are or aren't. 

[Doohicksie]

49 minutes ago, Believer said:

Hahaha… Probably… Enjoy connecting variables to come to conclusions for myself… 

So, what would you attribute the two season second half improvements to instead?

I don't know.  If it was easy they'd fix it.  I think the problem was foisted onto Donny when he had to juggle three goalies, didn't have Quinn, etc.  The focus on defense didn't work with the goalie carousel.  I see that as Kevyn problems more than Donny problems.

That said, I know Donny may be punching above his weight class as an NHL head coach.

[Hank]

I think donny's growing and learning just like the kids. He'll get better. 

[DarthEbriate]

52 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

This is the contrasting styles game I've been waiting for. How we play in this one should tell us a lot about what we really are or aren't. 

Yup. This isn't some freewheelin' Leafs or no-confidence Wings team. This is the grind-it-out veteran "We-ARE-the-loser-point" team that's been solidly 4th-6th in their division every year but are built to win a quarterfinal playoff round. These are the teams in the way. Starting now, they must be left behind.

The Sabres need to beat the Isles decisively and prove what they're learned from last season. Or to put it another way: "The Island. Remember your failure at the Island."

(Caveat because all we remember is the Fasching kick in a loss -- the Sabres shut out the Isles 2-0 later in March last year.)

[Stads]

34 minutes ago, Hank said:

I think donny's growing and learning just like the kids. He'll get better. 

[Scottysabres]

03-14-24, Day 2

Metropolitan's Divison attempts to cross the center ice field as the Islander's 23 tries to turn the flank at the right face off dot.

As they advance up ice Dahlin's 26 brigade prepares to hold the dot while the cannons are brought forward to pepper the Islanders.

The fight is on to hold the high score on the ice tonight at Sabresburg.

[Jävə Keith]

Muscling Washboard

[LETSTUCHINGO]

8 hours ago, OverPowerYou said:

Would be nice to see a few more fans show up to KBC

I’ll be there! Time to rock the barn!