GDT: Buffalo Sabres @ SJ Sharks 8:00 PM EST MSG-B, NBCSCA, WGR550

[JohnC]

1 minute ago, Pimlach said:

Be careful with hope.  We have enough assets to not have to rely on hope.  If we are to acquire a top 6 forward then it’s likely some players and prospects will go.    

Look at the play of Peterka, Benson, Cozens and Quinn.   Who is the one you move on from?  

Look at the promise of prospects Kulich, Rosen, Helenius, Östlund, Wahlberg. -   Kulich is breaking out.  Helenius is probably untouchable right now.  Wahlberg has the size and strength that makes him a compelling player.  
 

 

Right now, I'm not moving any of the highlighted players. I realize a lot of people are impatient with Quinn's play. It's too soon for me to give up on him. I can foresee Kulich on a line with Quinn. 

I agree with you that our system is rich with prospects. Clearly, we won't be able to keep them all. It's just too soon to decide which ones will be parlayed for established players. As they marinate their market value increases. Being patient on this issue will be more beneficial than detrimental. 

[JustOneParade]

I, too, get agitated (to put it mildly) when the Sabres lose to teams like the Habs, Flyers and Isles. Teams I feel like they should beat. Until they don’t. But I’m coming to the realization that this is a common occurrence across the NHL. Quite likely the way fans of FLA, Stars and the NYR felt after losing to the Sabres earlier. 
So I’ve tried to take these more in stride when the Sabres play these clunkers. (My wife tells me it’s not working BTW).

[JohnC]

2 minutes ago, JustOneParade said:

I, too, get agitated (to put it mildly) when the Sabres lose to teams like the Habs, Flyers and Isles. Teams I feel like they should beat. Until they don’t. But I’m coming to the realization that this is a common occurrence across the NHL. Quite likely the way fans of FLA, Stars and the NYR felt after losing to the Sabres earlier. 
So I’ve tried to take these more in stride when the Sabres play these clunkers. (My wife tells me it’s not working BTW).

Try this: https://bttnusa.com/pepto-bismol/?setCurrencyId=1&sku=V1001_000208_149032040_CS&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI99uX8Kj1iQMVxlhHAR2sYSbLEAYYASABEgL03fD_BwE

 

 

[Pimlach]

1 minute ago, JohnC said:

Right now, I'm not moving any of the highlighted players. I realize a lot of people are impatient with Quinn's play. It's too soon for me to give up on him. I can foresee Kulich on a line with Quinn. 

I agree with you that our system is rich with prospects. Clearly, we won't be able to keep them all. It's just too soon to decide which ones will be parlayed for established players. As they marinate their market value increases. Being patient on this issue will be more beneficial than detrimental. 

Peterka and Benson are probably not going anywhere.  Hard to say about the rest. 

[PromoTheRobot]

11 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Great comeback on the road with the backup goalie on the back end of a back to back.  Well done!

Seeing Reimer play well eases my concerns some, as his two starts in Anaheim he allowed 9 goals. 

Speaking of, I would bet there was an unspoken "loan" between Adams and the Ducks to borrow Reimer until Gibson got back.

[JustOneParade]

I certainly wouldn’t give up on Quinn either. He hasn’t suddenly forgotten how to play hockey.

I would be inclined to give the McLeod Zucker Greenway line - one that showed very nice chemistry - ‘2nd line’ minutes and give the Cozens Benson Quinn a bit lighter load with maybe better matchups to get that line going. (Although not keen about reducing Benson’s minutes). 

[JohnC]

24 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Peterka and Benson are probably not going anywhere.  Hard to say about the rest. 

Cozens is coming around. I thought last night he was one of our best players. He played with renewed confidence. With respect to Cozens, would he be better playing center or forward? I'm not sure? It seems that in the international tournaments he plays well as a wing. I said this in another post so I apologize for the redundancy. The Sabres have a number of young players that haven't reached their potential. So in the near future there is an expectation in improved play. The hope is that this is an upswing team while some of the mature teams might be on the downswing, most notably Boston, maybe Tampa. And Washington without Ovie for an extended period of time might struggle. So there is space to move up. I need to keep my hope in check!

 

[bg17]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

And Islanders. The Montreal and Islander losses got my stomach in a state of agitation. On the other hand, sometimes tough losses can result in the team refocusing their efforts and bringing more attention to what the coach is espousing. As the saying goes: You learn more from your failures than from your successes. 

Had they beaten Montreal, Philly, and Columbus and lost to the Rangers and Dallas, the talk would be that “they haven’t beaten anyone”. Just win more than lose please. 

[Thorner]

It’s insane not only how good Rasmus Dahlin is, but how underrated he is, not just league wide, which I get, but around Sabres quarters as well. Once again finds himself at the top of our scoring list, as a defenceman, in second right now.

But he does that WHILE being the best defender on our team, and playing the most minutes. While wearing the C. He gets piled on re: that C when we lose, what about when we are stringing some wins together?  Does he get credit for leadership? 

MVP far and away 

Averaging a whopping 24:45 per game. Next closest Sabre is over 2 minutes less 

Edited November 24 by Thorner

[Flashsabre]

23 minutes ago, Thorner said:

It’s insane not only how good Rasmus Dahlin is, but how underrated he is, not just league wide, which I get, but around Sabres quarters as well. Once again finds himself at the top of our scoring list, as a defenceman, in second right now.

But he does that WHILE being the best defender on our team, and playing the most minutes. While wearing the C. He gets piled on re: that C when we lose, what about when we are stringing some wins together?  Does he get credit for leadership? 

MVP far and away 

Averaging a whopping 24:45 per game. Next closest Sabre is over 2 minutes less 

I’m not going to compare the players to each other but in the 70s the Habs built a dynasty around a big 3 on D with Robinson, Savard and LaPointe and filled the D corps around them. They would have one or 2 of those guys on the ice at any time.

Buffalo is setting up to have a similar model with Dahlin, Byram and Power. A big 3 that can play a ton of minutes. Fill the rest of the D corps in with Clifton types that can play physical and have a defensive consciousness.

Im seeing growth with Power not just offensively but blocking shots, being more aggressive in his defensive play. These guys are still very young but the future is very bright for the big 3 lead by Dahlin.

[Thorner]

2 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

I’m not going to compare the players to each other but in the 70s the Habs built a dynasty around a big 3 on D with Robinson, Savard and LaPointe and filled the D corps around them. They would have one or 2 of those guys on the ice at any time.

Buffalo is setting up to have a similar model with Dahlin, Byram and Power. A big 3 that can play a ton of minutes. Fill the rest of the D corps in with Clifton types that can play physical and have a defensive consciousness.

Im seeing growth with Power not just offensively but blocking shots, being more aggressive in his defensive play. These guys are still very young but the future is very bright for the big 3 lead by Dahlin.

And it’s something I think potentially serves us even better in the playoffs. I get that many are concerned with how, say, our physicality holds up in a playoffs environment and that’s certainly fair: personally I’m super excited to see how much ice time we can monopolize with 2 or 3 of our D men 

[Pimlach]

47 minutes ago, Thorner said:

It’s insane not only how good Rasmus Dahlin is, but how underrated he is, not just league wide, which I get, but around Sabres quarters as well. Once again finds himself at the top of our scoring list, as a defenceman, in second right now.

But he does that WHILE being the best defender on our team, and playing the most minutes. While wearing the C. He gets piled on re: that C when we lose, what about when we are stringing some wins together?  Does he get credit for leadership? 

MVP far and away 

Averaging a whopping 24:45 per game. Next closest Sabre is over 2 minutes less 

True.  He really controls the flow of the game. 

I think he may be more respected around the league than among casual Sabres fans.  He plays so many hard minutes, and in so many of the higher pressure situations, that when he makes mistakes everyone sees it and when he doesn't he is simply meeting expectations.  

[Doohicksie]

6 hours ago, gilbert11 said:

The Sabres won 66% of the faceoffs?  Haven’t seen that very often.

They've done it the last two games.

[Doohicksie]

4 hours ago, SwampD said:

Man, the Sabres were much better than the impression I got from reading this thread. I watched a much different team than was described here. I never saw a team that looked “like ass”, or gassed or terrible along the boards. Of course there were times they got hemmed in, but that happens every game to every team.

As someone who watched the game live, I think it came from the first two period shots on goal.  It was respectably close if you look at the period stats (11 for the Sabres, 16 for the Sharks in the first, 11-12 in the second) but in both periods the Sharks got early shots and the Sabres didn't get their shots until later in the period.  It felt very lopsided early in the first two periods.

4 hours ago, JustOneParade said:

Who decided to name an award in such a macho sport the Lady Byng Trophy??

Why, Lord Byng of course.

[Pimlach]

25 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

I’m not going to compare the players to each other but in the 70s the Habs built a dynasty around a big 3 on D with Robinson, Savard and LaPointe and filled the D corps around them. They would have one or 2 of those guys on the ice at any time.

Buffalo is setting up to have a similar model with Dahlin, Byram and Power. A big 3 that can play a ton of minutes. Fill the rest of the D corps in with Clifton types that can play physical and have a defensive consciousness.

Im seeing growth with Power not just offensively but blocking shots, being more aggressive in his defensive play. These guys are still very young but the future is very bright for the big 3 lead by Dahlin.

True.  Remember that when these guys came around the Montreal Canadians had already established a very high level with veterans like Jacques Laperiere, JC Tremblay, Terry Harper and Jimmy Roberts on their defense.  LaPointe and Savard did not have to carry the load, they inherited the load.   Robinson came a little bit later, once LaPointe and Savard were established.  The Canadians pipeline was the envy of every team in the league.  

It's a much different league now, and the Sabres have been the opposite of 1970's Montreal.  Dahlin has been on his own since he got here, he never played with a mentor or even a mindful match for a partner.  Power at least has Dahlin to carry the bigger load.   

[Jorcus]

17 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

True.  He really controls the flow of the game. 

I think he may be more respected around the league than among casual Sabres fans.  He plays so many hard minutes, and in so many of the higher pressure situations, that when he makes mistakes everyone sees it and when he doesn't he is simply meeting expectations.  

 

Yes it's the mistakes that hold him back from greatness and further attention. So many unforced errors that just make it so frustrating. This trip alone it was useless cross check, unforced delay of game, and a number of unforced icings. He skates, shoots, and hits as well anyone. At times his passing is great but sometimes it is erratic. It does not seem like any coach can get him to play within himself so that the end result is better. Now it's Lindy's turn. I hope so because if Dahlin is not + 20 at the end of the year we are probably not in the play offs.  

[Pimlach]

1 minute ago, Jorcus said:

 

Yes it's the mistakes that hold him back from greatness and further attention. So many unforced errors that just make it so frustrating. This trip alone it was useless cross check, unforced delay of game, and a number of unforced icings. He skates, shoots, and hits as well anyone. At times his passing is great but sometimes it is erratic. It does not seem like any coach can get him to play within himself so that the end result is better. Now it's Lindy's turn. I hope so because if Dahlin is not + 20 at the end of the year we are probably not in the play offs.  

I don't think I would call his mistakes unforced though, if anything they are the result of high minutes and high pressure.  He absolutely does take a few bad penalties that he needs to avoid doing, he has to correct that and not try to be superman.    

The cross check versus SJ was unnecessary but came out of his own duress to get to the puck when he didn't have to.  He was in good position, the opponent was skating away from the net and not a threat.   He was trying to get to the puck by going thru him.  It was a mistake, he was already in perfect position to defend.  He tries to do too much at times.  

The delay of game happens to everyone.  The best players in the league have the occasional delay of game.  When you play the hard minutes, and the PK,  and take a lot of defensive zone starts you will eventually get this penalty.   He will clear the next 999 pucks cleanly, in the air and over everybody, and then get another one for a penalty.  And most of us will remember the one that gets a penalty.  

Unforced icings?  I don't see a problem with this.  He is very reliable and only getting better.  

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, bg17 said:

Had they beaten Montreal, Philly, and Columbus and lost to the Rangers and Dallas, the talk would be that “they haven’t beaten anyone”. Just win more than lose please. 

The difference between upper echelon teams such as the Rangers, Dallas, Florida etc. compared to Buffalo is that because of their abundance of talent they have a greater margin of error in the playoff rankings. When we have a mistake riddled or lackluster effort game against a lesser team, those irretrievable lost points can come back to haunt us. For us, the issue is will we make the playoffs? For those more talented teams the issue where are they slotted in the playoffs. 

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, Thorner said:

It’s insane not only how good Rasmus Dahlin is, but how underrated he is, not just league wide, which I get, but around Sabres quarters as well. Once again finds himself at the top of our scoring list, as a defenceman, in second right now.

But he does that WHILE being the best defender on our team, and playing the most minutes. While wearing the C. He gets piled on re: that C when we lose, what about when we are stringing some wins together?  Does he get credit for leadership? 

MVP far and away 

Averaging a whopping 24:45 per game. Next closest Sabre is over 2 minutes less 

I think it is the opposite of how he is valued as a player. I think both in the league and even locally, he is considered to be not only the best players on the team but also  in the league. It wouldn't surprise me that if a league wide survey was taken of GMs where they were asked if they could pluck one player off of the Sabres, there would be near unanimity that it would be Dahlin. 

If there is an over-accentuated local criticism of Dahlin it is because so much is expected of him.  Based on the large amount of playing time it is obvious that the HC has the same high evaluation of him as you do. I'm with you in believing that he is a gem of a hockey player. 

[Thorner]

5 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I think it is the opposite of how he is valued as a player. I think both in the league and even locally, he is considered to be not only the best players on the team but also  in the league. It wouldn't surprise me that if a league wide survey was taken of GMs where they were asked if they could pluck one player off of the Sabres, there would be near unanimity that it would be Dahlin. 

If there is an over-accentuated local criticism of Dahlin it is because so much is expected of him.  Based on the large amount of playing time it is obvious that the HC has the same high evaluation of him as you do. I'm with you in believing that he is a gem of a hockey player. 

I’ll believe it when I see him get his deserved Norris nom 

[ska-T Palmtown]

2 hours ago, Thorner said:

It’s insane not only how good Rasmus Dahlin is, but how underrated he is, not just league wide, which I get, but around Sabres quarters as well. Once again finds himself at the top of our scoring list, as a defenceman, in second right now.

But he does that WHILE being the best defender on our team, and playing the most minutes. While wearing the C. He gets piled on re: that C when we lose, what about when we are stringing some wins together?  Does he get credit for leadership? 

MVP far and away 

Averaging a whopping 24:45 per game. Next closest Sabre is over 2 minutes less 

The highlight package I watched, the Sharks broadcasters were drooling over Dahls. Something to the effect of "one of THE elite players at his position in the league."

But, I guess compared to what the Sharks have been watching the last few years?

[JohnC]

29 minutes ago, Thorner said:

I’ll believe it when I see him get his deserved Norris nom 

What's hurt him with public recognition is that he has played for a forlorn franchise since he's come into the league. If the Sabres become a serious franchise in the league (which they are not currently), I'm confident that the recognition will follow. 

[Doohicksie]

4 hours ago, JustOneParade said:

I certainly wouldn’t give up on Quinn either. He hasn’t suddenly forgotten how to play hockey.

I would be inclined to give the McLeod Zucker Greenway line - one that showed very nice chemistry - ‘2nd line’ minutes and give the Cozens Benson Quinn a bit lighter load with maybe better matchups to get that line going. (Although not keen about reducing Benson’s minutes). 

Then switch Zucker with Benson.

[PerreaultForever]

8 hours ago, North Buffalo said:

D wasnt what Id call soft, more a step slow and tired at times... but then they'd suck it up the next shift when I was expecting them to fold.

Even Kulich was doing a good job along with Cozens... McCleod teaching them something?

Soft in front. Kunin's goal should have never happened (for example). 

Kulich does look more determined, like he doesn't want to go back down. Have to like that. 

Face offs are better (and so we see that they DO matter :)) . idk who is teaching them but I do know that Ruff has stated their value in the past so I assume he has put focus on that. Overall they are doing a lot of the little details better and playing better as a team/unit. It is the coaching. This is undeniable. 

[Doohicksie]

2 hours ago, Flashsabre said:

Im seeing growth with Power not just offensively but blocking shots, being more aggressive in his defensive play.

The big knock against Power is that he doesn't use his size in a physical way.  But he uses the wingspan defensively and is getting better positionally.  Nick Lidstrom was never very physical; he was always just in the right spot.  He didn't make the big hits or the amazing plays because he didn't have to.  I kind of see Power's game evolving that way.  He doesn't make the highlight reel play, he just makes the good play.  When he misses the play, a lot of the time it's because he got caught out of position, and he's getting better in that respect.