GdT Sabres in Vanc: Jan 21/25. Like 10 tn; you figure it out

[Pimlach]

2 hours ago, pi2000 said:

They won, but didn't think they played all that well.... still no sense of urgency on defense, lost battles, puck watching and lack of awareness in their own zone.     Looked sloppy and unorganized most of the game, poor decisions with the puck, etc.   Same old same old.

You mean its not the start of the next Buffalo Sabres Renaissance?  So many of your posts were proclaiming it was upon us.  

[Pimlach]

7 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

I think as general statements, all that you say here is fair and accurate. But, I also think it is a touch (just a touch) dismissive of how bad our environment is for goalies. Just take the end of last night’s game and the save that UPL had to make with 2 seconds left (on a scoring chance that never should have occurred). It’s fair to say that #1 goalies do make saves like that. Game to game though, you really can’t expect a goalie to continually bail you out. UPL, and Levi and Reimer, play in an NHL environment where the onslaught is coming at some point, or at multiple points, almost every game. That’s tough. And if you have a stretch where for any reason you aren’t at your best, the results are going to be bad. 

UPL's numbers would be much better on a good team.   Sure, every goalie can say that, but I see a better goalie than his current year stats.  

So many times this season he was totally left on his own for final ~30 minutes of the game.  He gets terrible support.  Last night they must have given up 6 high danger chances to the Canucks in the 3rd period alone.    

I can't think of a game were Sabres cruised to a win with a comfortable lead, at least not since US Thanksgiving.  

[SabreFinn]

19 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

Not sure what you mean. How does his next contract affect his waiver status? He hasn't earned any sort of one way big money deal. 

My comment sure was a bit dizzy. Lol. He has not in any way deserved a good contract but this is Sabres and my feeling is he will get one.

[PerreaultForever]

4 hours ago, SabreFinn said:

My comment sure was a bit dizzy. Lol. He has not in any way deserved a good contract but this is Sabres and my feeling is he will get one.

Probably true, which is why Adams needs to go before these decisions come up. He has firm belief in his own guys and will likely reward them for projected ceilings and we will be stuck with these guys either elevating or more bottom league finishes. I want a guy in there who just looks at their performance so far and doesn't give a crap if he hurts their feelings. 

[Porous Five Hole]

On 1/22/2025 at 4:42 AM, SabreFinn said:

Agree. I think the thing is that Levi is on his last contract year and his next contract might not allow them to send him down without being on waivers first. They are hoping he could be their back-up, but that is not going to be a succesful solution. And then, if his numbers says he should be sent down, is he still a young goalie that teams take a chance on, and hope their (probably) better D can make him more reliable? But with UPL and a good veteran back-up, we don't have to think of that. 

I’m a little rusty with waiver rules today, but I think this correct:

Devon signed his ELC as a 20 year old. For goalies, they need four years or 80 NHL goalie starts to not be waiver exempt.  This is currently year three and he has 39 starts.
 

So it is possible he could end up in Rochester next year.

I personally think it’s most likely he’s an NHL backup next year because he will need NHL competition to continue to develop. Just one man’s opinion.
He’s already an AHL all-star. And the eye test matches the great AHL numbers.
I get wanting him to play everyday so ROC is the best place for him for now. But it is inevitable he will outgrow AHL competition. His AHL career save percentage is above .920. 

[FrenchConnection44]

Funny how we are talking face offs. That certainly was a key to the win for this game. I forget who it was trying to argue that face offs wins do not matter. Well yes they do. They can be crucial if they are won at the right time. Not all face offs are created equal. 
 

 Kulich had been over 50% earlier in the season. Even though he was at 45% in the game, the nine he won were instrumental. Several of our best opportunities came on his face off wins in their zone. And with Tage on the wing,  that makes his wins a huge danger. I think there is some promise there and like the idea of Kulich centering Tage or other scorers. He does have to improve his D - but then so does the entire team. But I do like his clutch ability to win. He will get better as he continues to get stronger and more experienced.