GDT: Buffalo Sabres @ Colorado Avalanche 01/02/25 9PM --MSG

[Archie Lee]

1 minute ago, JoeSchmoe said:

How many players capable of helping us don't have NMCs / NTCs AND are on teams that are looking to trade them.

 

Lots. 

[In The Buff]

a couple veterans would help in moments like that. They'd help settle the kids. Its not brain science but yet we treat it like it is

[7+6=13]

6 minutes ago, K012010 said:

I’m actually of the belief that this is almost entirely mental with this team. They’re incredibly fragile, and expecting young hockey players to turn this around is a bad game plan imo. There is also a collective negativity we’re all aware of that is absolutely in play here. 

imo we have to ship all the young talent out (except Benson). Use them to build a veteran team that can sneak into the 7/8 spot. Get that monkey off the back. 

Then start rebuilding (more efficiently and methodically) with young talent.

It’s a grim diagnosis obviously, but I think it’s the only way to ever turn this around. 

What happened in the OT was almost entirely, not mental. IMO they aren't fragile.  They played one of the best teams and had them.  To me they got overwhelmed physically at the end.

 

 

Edited Friday at 05:24 AM by 7+6=13

[HumanSlinky39]

9 minutes ago, Big Guava said:

Because Meatballs never taught this team any fundamentals so Lindy basically had to undo their bad habits before trying to even teach them the proper habits.

And is still struggling to do so because their default in tight situations is to go back to their old default still

 

I won't argue against Meatballs' flaws, in fact I agree. But that doesn't change the fact largely the same team ended with 91 pts two years ago, 84 last, and are now on pace to finish with 69 this season. Lindy isn't the right coach for this team. Never was. It was a nostalgia hire and is blowing up in their face.

Edited Friday at 05:23 AM by HumanSlinky39

[K012010]

4 minutes ago, JoeSchmoe said:

How many players capable of helping us don't have NMCs / NTCs AND are on teams that are looking to trade them.

 

Literally anyone of service without one. It’s not gonna be a cup contender. It’ll be a patchwork group of gritty vets and a couple key younger guys who can grab the 7 or 8. It’ll take good coaching to maximize them to achieve this. 

This is obviously a very unusual situation with this franchise, and unorthodox ideas need to be considered. Kevyn has a vision of building a dynasty through young guys and having them grow together. It’s not gonna happen here. There is an exorcism that needs to take place, and it’s gonna take a group of experienced men who have the grit to get it done. And a creative coach who can help them do it.

I’m not even trying to be funny or anything. I truly believe this is what needs to happen. We can absolutely put together a team capable of making the playoffs that is mostly veterans with the young talent that we have. It’ll be a brutal lopsided trade pretty much every time but these guys need to get shipped out. What’s required in the situation is going to be significant mental toughness and experience. 

Edited Friday at 05:24 AM by K012010

[Pimlach]

Just now, GoPuckYourself said:

I don't think they suck, I think we have many of the same types.... Many skilled players who don't play a solid defensive or along the boards type of game. Every game you can see it and they don't seem to be getting better at it as the season goes on. I think it's time we moved on from a couple of these guys but again i don't want Adams anywhere near these trades imo.

They suck as constructed.  They are not as skilled as they are sold to be.  Not nearly as skilled as Colorado.  Where was the skill?  Quinn and Peterka ***** were stapled to the bench.  Cozens?  Power?  

They have nothing at center. Nothing.  The top two centers have been moved to wing because they cannot play two way hockey against the opponents top two.   Did they win a faceoff in the final 3:52?  Kulich taking face-offs in crunch time?   He was a winger in Rochester.  

Why was Zucker not granted more ice at the end when our forwards were losing puck battles and could not break out.    Malenstyn and Tuch played too many ineffective late minutes.  

I can agree on not trusting Adams to make any moves.  

[Billznut]

3 minutes ago, In The Buff said:

a couple veterans would help in moments like that. They'd help settle the kids. Its not brain science but yet we treat it like it is

It’s certainly beyond Adams’ brain capacity to see this. 

[K012010]

3 minutes ago, 7+6=13 said:

What happened in the OT was almost entirely, not mental. IMO they aren't fragile.  They played one of the best teams and had them.  To me they got overwhelmed physically at the end.

 

 

Yeah, and I completely disagree with you. 

[Scottysabres]

None of it matters now, the season is lost. Has been for some time. Disappointing, yet again. My Sabres fandom has been on the decline the last 5 years, this season just further erodes it. I like watching several other teams when I can more than I do the Sabres. What a nightmare this organization has become.

[Broken Ankles]

11 minutes ago, 7+6=13 said:

Zucker is acting like a true professional right now in his interview.

Actually, Zucker IS the only professional hockey player in that room.  The others are acting.   If he doesn’t dress tonight this is a 8-1 laugher.  I’m tired of these weak forwards who are afraid to go to the net or are too small.  

[Flashsabre]

On the bright side they can’t blow anymore leads to Colorado this season.

[Pimlach]

25 minutes ago, Billznut said:

After Bensons controversial goal, the fans and Avs got mad. The Sabres got timid and changed what they were doing.  All downhill from there. 

The Sabres answered the Avs and scored with 3:52 left to build another two goal lead.  They were fighting.  As soon as they got the lead they changed to passive play. 

[HumanSlinky39]

4 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

They suck as constructed.  They are not as skilled as they are sold to be.  Not nearly as skilled as Colorado.  Where was the skill?  Quinn and Peterka ***** were stapled to the bench.  Cozens?  Power?  

They have nothing at center. Nothing.  The top two centers have been moved to wing because they cannot play two way hockey against the opponents top two.   Did they win a faceoff in the final 3:52?  Kulich taking face-offs in crunch time?   He was a winger in Rochester.  

Why was Zucker not granted more ice at the end when our forwards were losing puck battles and could not break out.    Malenstyn and Tuch played too many ineffective late minutes.  

I can agree on not trusting Adams to make any moves.  

This team is the living example of the whole being less than the sum of its parts. We have skilled players, but the roster was assembled with no consideration given to how these individual pieces fit as a functional unit. Adams is criminally incompetent as an NHL GM. 

This is what nepotism hires breed.

Edited Friday at 05:28 AM by HumanSlinky39

[Broken Ankles]

5 minutes ago, 7+6=13 said:

What happened in the OT was almost entirely, not mental. IMO they aren't fragile.  They played one of the best teams and had them.  To me they got overwhelmed physically at the end.

 

 

COL is 7th in the west.  Not one of the best teams.  They lost because they are mentally and physically weak. 

[Gatorman0519]

[Familykwi]

My issue with this team is when teams set up in the Sabres zone.  I don't see players aggressing the puck to force a turnover other than Tuch. 

They seem content to let the Avalanche pass for the perfect shot opportunity which they did on both of Makar's goals as well as the game tying goal.

Also, the Sabres ability to win a faceoff when they really need it is abysmal.

Not to mention, with an empty net for over three minutes and not one single moment of player control to take a legitimate shot on goal is ridiculous.  The Blues got control of the puck within seconds against Buffalo and put them out of their misery.

I'm planning on attending the Golden Knights game Saturday.  I hope the hosts put on a great show off the ice because I'm not optimistic about the play on the ice.

[SDS]

7 minutes ago, 7+6=13 said:

What happened in the OT was almost entirely, not mental. IMO they aren't fragile.  They played one of the best teams and had them.  To me they got overwhelmed physically at the end.

 

 

Tage had firm control the puck, held onto too long and got stripped for a breakaway. The defenseman, power, is below him and just watches him struggle along the boards. How was this being physically overwhelmed? Seemed like 2️⃣ poor decisions to me.

[7+6=13]

Painful loss. I hope this causes them to come together like no other time - because I think this kind of loss has the power to just as easily do the opposite.  They needed this win and if it's torture for us, it has to be unimaginable for them.

[ExWNYer]

Just now, HumanSlinky39 said:

This team is the living example of the whole being less than the sum of its parts. We have skilled players, but the roster was assembled with no consideration given to how these individual pieces fit as a functional unit. Adams is criminally incompetent as an NHL GM. 

Hired by a criminally incompetent NHL owner. I have no faith that Adams or anyone else will be fired or moved. I am clinging to the flickering hope that Pegula sells this team to someone who actually gives a sh*t about it and wants to see it succeed in Buffalo. He has destroyed a once proud franchise and disrespected its long-suffering fans. This has gone on for far too long. Do the right thing, Terry.

[7+6=13]

5 minutes ago, Broken Ankles said:

COL is 7th in the west.  Not one of the best teams.  They lost because they are mentally and physically weak. 

I agree it's mental and physical.  In the end there was definitely physical dominance happening.

[jad1]

Just now, 7+6=13 said:

Painful loss. I hope this causes them to come together like no other time - because I think this kind of loss has the power to just as easily do the opposite.  They needed this win and if it's torture for us, it has to be unimaginable for them.

So it will be different than the last game against the Avs when they blew the lead? Must not have learned much from that game.

Been waiting a long time for this group of players to figure out how to play the right way.  Maybe the answer is that they're just a bad mix.  

 

[Richard Noggin]

6 minutes ago, Broken Ankles said:

Actually, Zucker IS the only professional hockey player in that room.  The others are acting.   If he doesn’t dress tonight this is a 8-1 laugher.  I’m tired of these weak forwards who are afraid to go to the net or are too small.  

I actually think Benson is one of the grittiest players on the team already. He takes too many stupid penalties, but then again, teams get away with absolutely mauling him off the puck. With his grit and relentless in front of the net, imagine what he'd look like on a different team's top-six. He has the compete that so many Sabres lack. He just needs a better, tougher team to stick up for him and limit the cheap retaliations. 

[Familykwi]

6 minutes ago, K012010 said:

Literally anyone of service without one. It’s not gonna be a cup contender. It’ll be a patchwork group of gritty vets and a couple key younger guys who can grab the 7 or 8. It’ll take good coaching to maximize them to achieve this. 

This is obviously a very unusual situation with this franchise, and unorthodox ideas need to be considered. Kevyn has a vision of building a dynasty through young guys and having them grow together. It’s not gonna happen here. There is an exorcism that needs to take place, and it’s gonna take a group of experienced men who have the grit to get it done. And a creative coach who can help them do it.

I’m not even trying to be funny or anything. I truly believe this is what needs to happen. We can absolutely put together a team capable of making the playoffs that is mostly veterans with the young talent that we have. It’ll be a brutal lopsided trade pretty much every time but these guys need to get shipped out. What’s required in the situation is going to be significant mental toughness and experience. 

The problem with Kevyn's plan is that you want the young players to grow together through successful play on the ice.  Our kids need to start in Rochester, grow and have success there together and then come up with confidence and experience.

This organization keeps drafting young talent and throwing them to the big team which I'm sure is exciting for them.  Instead of working on their game, they come in over their heads being asked to be saviors one after the other.  Without the ability to learn lessons together and develop any confidence, they get schooled over and over by legitimate NHL rosters and they come to doubt their ability instead of improving upon the traits that made them excellent before coming to Buffalo.

The NHL is not the NBA, nor the NFL where rookies routinely come in and make big impacts.  Kids are usually drafted before they are NHL ready.  Unless you are a Sabres top draft pick.  Then you are probably one of the top 20 in the organization, so you're rushed to the big league before your ready to compete against other more competent teams.

Before Pegula bought this team, I wanted someone to buy it and move them out of Buffalo to end the embarrassment.  It's only gotten worse.

4 minutes ago, 7+6=13 said:

Painful loss. I hope this causes them to come together like no other time - because I think this kind of loss has the power to just as easily do the opposite.  They needed this win and if it's torture for us, it has to be unimaginable for them.

I don't believe this team has the heart to realize this outcome. 

[7+6=13]

6 minutes ago, SDS said:

Tage had firm control the puck, held onto too long and got stripped for a breakaway. The defenseman, power, is below him and just watches him struggle along the boards. How was this being physically overwhelmed? Seemed like 2️⃣ poor decisions to me.

For us, it had the feeling of, things are just happening too fast and caused the mishap.  I understand what you're saying, we just all felt bull rushed.  

[K012010]

1 minute ago, Familykwi said:

The problem with Kevyn's plan is that you want the young players to grow together through successful play on the ice.  Our kids need to start in Rochester, grow and have success there together and then come up with confidence and experience.

This organization keeps drafting young talent and throwing them to the big team which I'm sure is exciting for them.  Instead of working on their game, they come in over their heads being asked to be saviors one after the other.  Without the ability to learn lessons together and develop any confidence, they get schooled over and over by legitimate NHL rosters and they come to doubt their ability instead of improving upon the traits that made them excellent before coming to Buffalo.

The NHL is not the NBA, nor the NFL where rookies routinely come in and make big impacts.  Kids are usually drafted before they are NHL ready.  Unless you are a Sabres top draft pick.  Then you are probably one of the top 20 in the organization, so you're rushed to the big league before your ready to compete against other more competent teams.

Before Pegula bought this team, I wanted someone to buy it and move them out of Buffalo to end the embarrassment.  It's only gotten worse.

Agreed, and it’s only more difficult in Buffalo with the collective despair that has permeated the soul of this franchise. We need to go veteran heavy until we break the curse. Develop the kids in Rochester as you said.