The Current Situation

[Sidc3000]

2 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

..and yet they only won 2 games last October

I disagree.   They're just young.

I’m so done with that excuse. Most of them are seasoned NHL players. 

[Thorner]

4 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

..and yet they only won 2 games last October

I disagree.   They're just young.

But, as @dudaceklikes to say: not altogether inexperienced 

6 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

..and yet they only won 2 games last October

I disagree.   They're just young.

As Sidc3000 always says: most of them are seasoned players 

[HILLsabre]

8 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

..and yet they only won 2 games last October

I disagree.   They're just young.

Ok, then there are too many "young" unskilled players on the team.  My point was they don't have enough skill players. Compare with top 10 rosters...it's a joke and been a joke for quite sometime. The franchise doesn't get it.

[HILLsabre]

And yes, some of them are not smart....and young!🙄

[mjd1001]

We can go back and forth on this for a very long time... And yes there are a lot of problems with the tea...but Most of the first three games comes down to one thing for me. Not converting on their chances. And yes, they've had some good chances. 

We can argue all day whether or not Tage is as good as his career year or not. Whether Cozens is a scorer or not. Weather Mitts should have been traded or not. Those are all valid medium to long-term discussion topics 

But the record the first three games and their performance to first three games comes down to this: They are not converting good chances into goals. 

They are not converting their chances into goals at the same rate they did last year 

They are not converting their chances into goals at the same rate they did 2 years ago. 

They are not converting their chances into goals at the same rate as their career averages say they should be 

For the most part, they have played pretty well in their own end with a couple of glaring mistakes, but overall good enough to win. Their goaltending has been overall good enough to win. 

If they simply would convert on their chances at the rate these players do normally, throughout their careers, they'd have one win, possibly 2.

The team may not be a cup winner because Ruff may not be good enough of a coach. The team may not be a playoff team because Adams hasn't made enough moves or the correct moves. 

But the coach who is here, the guys who are here, the reason they are 0-3 is simply because of their shooting in these particular three games being worse than it normally is.

Edited October 12 by mjd1001

[pi2000]

1 hour ago, Sidc3000 said:

I’m so done with that excuse. Most of them are seasoned NHL players. 

Youngest team in the league and it's not even close.... the 2nd youngest team (Utah) is effectively an entire 1 year older than Buffalo. 

They're also the 2nd tallest and 10th heaviest team. 

[Thorner]

2 hours ago, pi2000 said:

Youngest team in the league and it's not even close.... the 2nd youngest team (Utah) is effectively an entire 1 year older than Buffalo. 

They're also the 2nd tallest and 10th heaviest team. 

In a year where playoffs are the mandate, do you believe this presents a potential issue? Or is that potentially not the mandate? 

Edited October 12 by Thorner

[triumph_communes]

4 hours ago, Pimlach said:

I was at the game.  We played ok in the first and second periods but to say we outplayed them is a stretch, we had a 1-0 lead.   

The Sabres made a lot of errors and lacked, as usual, home ice killer instinct.  The 3rd period meltdown under pressure was typical and predictable.  

Should’ve had a greater lead the way it was playing even if it wasn’t mid season polished play. Kings were going many minutes without even a shot. The first 8 minutes of the third was a collapse, yes, and they had actually survived it and was turning it around with a long stretch of not even allowing a shot before the BS penalties. 
 

look I don’t like certain line combos and am hard on players but they were better than the Kings it’s not like whatever the hell epic collapse is going on with the Bills right now where absolutely nothing looks okay

Edited October 12 by triumph_communes

[pi2000]

16 minutes ago, Thorner said:

In a year where playoffs are the mandate, do you believe this presents a potential issue? Or is that potentially not the mandate? 

It will take a young group longer to adjust to a new system than it would a  veteran squad.  Do you agree?

[Thorner]

12 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

It will take a young group longer to adjust to a new system than it would a  veteran squad.  Do you agree?

Absolutely.

Do You believe icing a young group that takes longer to adjust to a new system presents a potential issue in a year the playoffs are the mandate? 

Or do you not believe playoffs are the mandate? 

[GASabresIUFAN]

It’s kind of sad that the Sabres are already playing out the string after just 3 games. An all time low.

[pi2000]

2 hours ago, Thorner said:

Absolutely.

Do You believe icing a young group that takes longer to adjust to a new system presents a potential issue in a year the playoffs are the mandate? 

Or do you not believe playoffs are the mandate? 

From a players perspective, playoffs are always the mandate.   Anything less is a failure.

[SwampD]

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

It’s kind of sad that the Sabres are already playing out the string after just 3 games. An all time low.

I just don’t see this as the case. They still look like they are playing preseason hockey. The timing and chemistry just aren’t there yet.

[SABRES 0311]

Cozens: Promising but gets a beating from Hathaway and hasn’t been the same since.

Thompson: Borderline garbage then pops off as an offensive juggernaut. Cools off and almost irrelevant to start the season.

Dahlin: Good then bad then awesome. Starts the season as the Thompson of defensemen.

Tuch: Good on PK. More of a groundhog player. Hibernates then does something then goes back to sleep.

Muel: Has a last name and that’s about all. 

Peterka: Steadily developed into an offensive asset.

Quinn: Very promising between injuries. See Thompson and Dahlin to start the season.

Power: Didn’t like him, can’t imagine not having him now. More reserved when joining the rush. Looks more structured in his game.

UPL/Levi: Great to have. Both developed into assets and the tandem inspires confidence at the position.

Overall: Some bright spots. Mostly inconsistent players. Two top six forwards and one top four dman are needed. All would be expensive. I think there is a misplaced confidence in some of the aforementioned players to do what would be necessary. 

[FrenchConnection44]

On 10/11/2024 at 5:33 AM, Night Train said:

During practice, place a soccer net on the ice and see if any of our forwards can actually hit it. 

If they keep struggling after a few more games, that might not be a bad idea as a slap in the face, lol. Anything that would get them a bit angry and play with more life and sharpness in their game. 

[FrenchConnection44]

Who is going to trade anything for these players? Who wants to come here as a free agent? 

Team needs a new owner and a new GM and then to finish last and win the draft lottery in a year there is a McDavid-level type talent coming out. That could be decades. 
 

Otherwise we have to hope we actually scratch and claw our way into the playoffs and get a hot goalie to win series - then a talented player or two might want to sign. But Pegula has to want to spend. 

It’s funny to me that the NFL and its media generally loves the Bills, but the NHL seems to have no respect for the Sabres. 

[SwampD]

3 minutes ago, FrenchConnection44 said:

Who is going to trade anything for these players? Who wants to come here as a free agent? 

Team needs a new owner and a new GM and then to finish last and win the draft lottery in a year there is a McDavid-level type talent coming out. That could be decades. 
 

Otherwise we have to hope we actually scratch and claw our way into the playoffs and get a hot goalie to win series - then a talented player or two might want to sign. But Pegula has to want to spend. 

It’s funny to me that the NFL and its media generally loves the Bills, but the NHL seems to have no respect for the Sabres. 

Respect is earned.

[Mango]

14 hours ago, pi2000 said:

Youngest team in the league and it's not even close.... the 2nd youngest team (Utah) is effectively an entire 1 year older than Buffalo. 

They're also the 2nd tallest and 10th heaviest team. 

The Sabres have been the youngest team in the league for 3-4 years now. And every year they make no effort to really change that.

It’s almost like it’s on purpose to keep the built in excuse for the masses. Apparently it’s working. 

Since this thread likes to cite Connor McDavid (Edmonton) as a reasonable bar. Wasn’t NJ something like the second youngest team in the league in 22-23?

At what point will the org either 1. Address age being an issue with this roster or 2. Stop using it as a fall back excuse?

 

[nfreeman]

23 hours ago, pi2000 said:

pump the brakes

it's 3 games in with a new head coach, enough of this "instant gratification" mentality... you're like little kids in the back seat "are we there yet? are ae there yet?" 30min into a 2hr drive

it's gonna take 20-25 games before we start to even scratch the surface of what this team is gonna look like under Lindy

"how to fix it?" they outplayed the Kings and deserved a better result but that's hockey... man the ***** up and move on to the next game

This is pretty much where I am as well.  I want them to make the playoffs as much as anyone does, and I fully recognize that they are digging a hole, but realistically it takes time for a new coach to get a team playing the way he wants them to.  In the meantime there was a lot to like about the way they played vs. the Kings other than the final result.

Of course, it's still possible that they get discouraged and quit.  We'll see.

 

22 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

Ok, well I don't now how to 'fix the PP', I am not good with analyzing NHL play in the offensive zone.

Cozens has quickly become my whipping boy but it is well deserved.  He has zero touch shooting the puck at all.

Maybe start by removing Cozens from the PP. (He has the 2nd most PP ice time on the team). Replace him with who?  Greenway?  Big guy with reach, just have him stand in front of the net, take a beating, provide a screen, make the opposing players collapse closer to the net because he is standing there, and give the rest of the unit more time to work on the perimeter (Greenway has only 17 seconds of PP time per game, to Cozens nearly 4 minutes per game). 

If there are any rebounds just have Greenway whack away at the puck in front of the net...he may not have the best hands but he can't do much worse than what they have now.

I want the likes of Peterka, Benson, Quinn, Thompson, and Tuch getting the shots on the PP from the wings and the slot, not Cozens.  I have more faith that those other guys are likely to come out of a shooting slump.

 

I think your criticisms of Cozens are overstated, but I agree with dropping him from the top PP unit -- they need to make a change there.  I'd nominate Kulich for that spot on the right half-wall (Olofsson's old spot).  I liked what I saw from him against the Kings.

 

14 hours ago, zow2 said:

Ruff was brought here to get them in the playoffs this year, Now.  He's not here to have a slow build up.  We have two of the best goalies in the league.  The forwards and their inability to finish has really sunk this club.  The Maple Leafs only had 22 shots on Markstrom last night and scored 4 goals.  You can't fall this far behind the playoff line this fast and have a realistic chance.  They need to beat Florida.

OTOH, it's hard to argue with any of this.

 

13 hours ago, Derrico said:

This sucks 

Or this!

[nfreeman]

17 hours ago, Pimlach said:

On WGR radio today they were talking about who Pegula hires as the next GM should they miss the playoffs again and Adams gets fired.  I was busy and listening in and out, but it was a sad state of affairs to hear this on local radio after only 3 games.  

Other interesting comments on the show were that Pegula is still an outsider in NHL circles and he feels the NHL wronged him by advising him on Murray and Boterill.  If this is true then Pegula needs to be reminded that no one stopped him from interviewing former NHL GM's with proven records first and foremost.  That is what the Knox's did after all.  

 

Abso-freakin'-lutely.

I am not as down on KA as many others here, but if they poop the bed again this season he needs to go and this time I would like a real GM brought in.

[JohnC]

12 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

It’s kind of sad that the Sabres are already playing out the string after just 3 games. An all time low.

I think you are prematurely becoming too despondent after only three games. Should we all be deeply disappointed about the start of this season? Of course. Before you get lost in the fog of depression about this team, at least give it a little more time. Sometimes exhibiting courtroom drama is tactically appropriate; and sometimes the timing is wrong where it gets you in trouble with an impatient an irascible judge. It's a long and grinding roller coaster season. How about giving it a little more time before jumping off the bridge? 

[Alaska John]

On 10/10/2024 at 10:15 PM, pi2000 said:

pump the brakes

it's 3 games in with a new head coach, enough of this "instant gratification" mentality... you're like little kids in the back seat "are we there yet? are ae there yet?" 30min into a 2hr drive

it's gonna take 20-25 games before we start to even scratch the surface of what this team is gonna look like under Lindy

"how to fix it?" they outplayed the Kings and deserved a better result but that's hockey... man the ***** up and move on to the next game

I said a week ago the main question for the Sabres is whether they'll win a game before Thanksgiving.  Looks like you and I think alike.

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

I think you are prematurely becoming too despondent after only three games. Should we all be deeply disappointed about the start of this season? Of course. Before you get lost in the fog of depression about this team, at least give it a little more time. Sometimes exhibiting courtroom drama is tactically appropriate; and sometimes the timing is wrong where it gets you in trouble with an impatient an irascible judge. It's a long and grinding roller coaster season. How about giving it a little more time before jumping off the bridge? 

Yeah, sure.  But it looks like the bridge is out already.

Pegula is simply not investing in the club to the extent it's obvious he's trying to win.  Not paying for players, not maintaining an effective front office.

[Archie Lee]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

I think you are prematurely becoming too despondent after only three games. Should we all be deeply disappointed about the start of this season? Of course. Before you get lost in the fog of depression about this team, at least give it a little more time. Sometimes exhibiting courtroom drama is tactically appropriate; and sometimes the timing is wrong where it gets you in trouble with an impatient an irascible judge. It's a long and grinding roller coaster season. How about giving it a little more time before jumping off the bridge? 

You are correct; it is objectively too early to abandon all hope for this season. But, the organization did itself no favours when they chose to act in ways that are contradictory to the norms of how successful NHL teams operate. 

It is interesting that Adams opted to ice the youngest team in the NHL and leave millions of cap space unused (again), while also laying down the marker that this is a “no excuses” season. Adams and Pegula might be bad at their roles of GMering* and Ownering, but they aren’t dumb. They know that success would be more likely, if not guaranteed, if they spent more and were willing to move future assets for better established players. Some have interpreted this “no excuses” season as meaning Adams is on thin ice. I’m the opposite. I interpret the incongruence between the “no excuses” statement and the “ lots of excuses” actions, as an indication that Adams is not a man afraid of losing his job. 
 

*I’m not sure Adams is bad at his job. I still think the evidence supports that he does not have the authority to spend what needs to be spent. I’m also aware that at some point it makes no difference whether he is bad at his job or whether he is in a job where there is no chance of success. 

Edited October 12 by Archie Lee

[Sidc3000]

17 hours ago, pi2000 said:

Youngest team in the league and it's not even close.... the 2nd youngest team (Utah) is effectively an entire 1 year older than Buffalo. 

They're also the 2nd tallest and 10th heaviest team. 

I don’t care. It’s still an excuse.  They want to keep that status for as long as possible to keep fans expectations fairly low and save as much money possible. It’s be several seasons they have been the one of the youngest teams in the league.  
 

It is completely a financial decision to ice the youngest team in the league. Plain and simple 

Edited October 12 by Sidc3000

[Stoner]

I'm not sure I recall having a more favorite thread title here.

It's curiously ominous and comical.