Kevyn Adams Looking To “Do Something Big” per LeBrun

[DarthEbriate]

18 minutes ago, LTS said:

God no. There's only a handful of players in the league that I absolutely detest and he's one of them. He's a asshat.

He is. But this team kind of needs an asshat. Someone who will go to the net with a purpose and a recklessness and occasionally lose a goal with interference. (Like Benson, but with experience.) The reluctance from me would be, how quickly would Bunting stop going to the net on this team?

[Archie Lee]

I realize there are reasons for skepticism, but of the teams in the mediocre middle (of which, currently, two will make the playoffs in the East), I think we are well-positioned to take a run. My optimism is higher than it was at the start of the year, in part because there are so many teams also struggling to find consistency in their games. 

Drawing arbitrary lines in the schedule can be a fool’s game (so, indulge me), but since the 0-3 start the Sabres are 8-6-1, which is a .567 points %. That is hardly an amazing stretch, but a .567 points % the rest of the way actually gets us in the playoffs (based on current opposition records). 

After a slow start, Dahlin is on pace to match his 22-23 offensive production. Also offensively: Thompson and Tuch are having bounce back years, Peterka is continuing to progress, Power is on a 60 point pace, and Byram is on pace for a career high 50 points. The PP IS getting better. Cozens, Quinn, and Benson are not producing as needed, but McLeod and Zucker have lessened the blow by exceeding offensive expectations. 

UPL has shown signs of playing to last year’s form, and hopefully his injury is short-term and non-lingering.

The Sabres, I think, have more upside and room for improvement than most teams they are competing with for the final two spots in the East. They are still adapting to a new coach and system. They are young and have much room for multiple players to simply start to play better (including some who are not meeting current expectations). And, per the topic of this thread, they have the cap space and resources to make a significant add.  If Adams can pull off a deal, I do think they are a team positioned to improve as the year progresses. This year, slight in-season improvement may be all that is needed. 

[inkman]

At this point can we just consider this strategic info leaking to these rumor mill mouth pieces?  There is no evidence it’s anything but. 

[WhenWillItEnd66]

He will wait until we are well out of a playoff spot and make some token bs garbage trade to placate the fans.  Fire KA

[Freeezo]

6 hours ago, inkman said:

At this point can we just consider this strategic info leaking to these rumor mill mouth pieces?  There is no evidence it’s anything but. 

Inkman a bit off topic but any idea when this kozak guy that they talk so highly of will be nhl ready?

[DarthEbriate]

10 minutes ago, Freeezo said:

Inkman a bit off topic but any idea when this kozak guy that they talk so highly of will be nhl ready?

Kozak is a 12/13 at best, but there will be an opening on the 4th line next season. He could easily make a bottom 6 debut this year for 2-4 games and be a part-timer in 2025-26. If he maximizes his potential, he could then hash out some seasons in the NHL.

[inkman]

2 hours ago, Freeezo said:

Inkman a bit off topic but any idea when this kozak guy that they talk so highly of will be nhl ready?

 

2 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

Kozak is a 12/13 at best, but there will be an opening on the 4th line next season. He could easily make a bottom 6 debut this year for 2-4 games and be a part-timer in 2025-26. If he maximizes his potential, he could then hash out some seasons in the NHL.

Yeah he’s a low ceiling even lower floor type. Not gonna wow your socks off in any capacity.  He might claw his way to an NHL career but his talent level maxes out as 4th line at best.