Now What?

[Flashsabre]

What is the plan here moving forward after today?

I see no plan and no identity for this franchise. I talked to my dad tonight who for years has tried to be a voice of reason when I was frustrated with this team. Tonight he called me and said he is no longer cheering for them. He’s been a fan since Roger Crozier. I was speechless.

I stand by what I said last night. Keep Dahlin and trade the rest of the D corps. Bring in some bigger, more defensively responsible Dmen. You will need another offensive Dman but the entire mix if the corps needs to change.

UPL IDK about. Hope Levi has a great playoffs and reevaluate in the off season.

We all know the biggest problem is ownership and in turn front office. 
I don’t see it changing unfortunately. The coaching staff has been bad. Lindy should have brought in his own guys but wasn’t allowed.

Going into year 15 what is really going to move the needle to move this team any closer to respectability. What is going to make us care again? It blows my mind that this fanbase has always appreciated hard work and heart and toughness and this FO just seems to despise those traits and doesn’t “read the room”

I mean if Pegula keeps the status quo then they might as well fold because it’s never going to get better.

[dudacek]

[pi2000]

What's next?!

[Gatorman0519]

Hopefully draft at 3 or 4 and get a good center prospect. Probably finish last again next year and get another one. Maybe by 2030 we make the playoffs. 

[JoeSchmoe]

All told, today was a good day. While there's a ton of work left to do, we are better now than we were. I get the frustration of 14 years... But if you and your dad picked today to abandon the team, you're doing it wrong.

[Indabuff]

[PonyBoy2]

 

Here's an idea:

Why don't you give me half the money you were gonna bet, then we'll go out back, I'll kick you in the nuts, and we'll call it a day!”

[thewookie1]

Effectively continue some more roster surgery as well as an extension for Tuch and Peterka whereas bridges for Levi, Quinn, JBD and other RFAs. McLeod gets whatever the 3C rate is

We have some core players I’m not interested in moving: Dahlin, Thompson, and Tuch

We just got Norris so I can’t judge him yet.

One of Byram or Power need to be moved; I’d keep Power personally due to his elite puck movement abilities but his physicality will always be a knock on him. Byram depends heavily on his contract ask as well as being hindered by his seeming inability to play apart from Dahlin. 
 

Find a team for Muel

 

Edited Saturday at 11:45 AM by thewookie1

[Believer]

7 hours ago, Gatorman0519 said:

Hopefully draft at 3 or 4 and get a good center prospect. Probably finish last again next year and get another one. Maybe by 2030 we make the playoffs. 

Trade this year’s #1 pick with a prospect or two to get a big, nasty RHD vet with attitude who can show our kids how to win and protect our Captain.

 

[LGR4GM]

38 minutes ago, Believer said:

Trade this year’s #1 pick with a prospect or two to get a big, nasty RHD vet with attitude who can show our kids how to win and protect our Captain.

 

That's an awful idea for a team that's gonna draft top 5. 

[HOUSE]

You tell your dad it's time to shape up

I been around longer than him and I refuse to suffer alone

[Believer]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

That's an awful idea for a team that's gonna draft top 5. 

Hahaha. Tell me how you really feel, LGR4GM.

Appreciate your opinion. Have a different perspective on the draft.

From what I gather, this upcoming draft class is considered average with no player considered transformative. 

While there are a couple elite centers and a power forward in the mix, likely all are a few years away from having the kind of impact the Sabres require now if we are to end our playoff skid.

We need a couple veterans with attitude from winning programs who have deep playoff experience to show our kids what it takes to win over the regular and into postseason.

An All-Pro playmaker C with a 200 ft game and a big physical RHD who can complement and protect Dahlin. Late 20’s.

We have the assets to make it happen. Will mean trading a few of our better players and prospects and freeing up some cap space. In my view, only Dahlin, Thompson, and Tuch are untouchable.

Frankly, doubt Adams is capable of this kind of major trade. See no evidence of deal making or sales skills.

Don’t follow other teams or have the insight into NHL players you and others do.

Now that the trade deadline has passed, what ideas do you and others have?

 

Edited Saturday at 01:31 PM by Believer

[Jorcus]

The Sabres still need another solid right winger to replace Quinn. They need at least 2 shut down D men to replace the bottom of the line up. They need to fix that 4th line. They also need another reliable goaltender who can play 40% of the games instead of a guy we just use on back to backs.     

[Pimlach]

11 hours ago, Flashsabre said:

What is the plan here moving forward after today?

I see no plan and no identity for this franchise. I talked to my dad tonight who for years has tried to be a voice of reason when I was frustrated with this team. Tonight he called me and said he is no longer cheering for them. He’s been a fan since Roger Crozier. I was speechless.

I stand by what I said last night. Keep Dahlin and trade the rest of the D corps. Bring in some bigger, more defensively responsible Dmen. You will need another offensive Dman but the entire mix if the corps needs to change.

UPL IDK about. Hope Levi has a great playoffs and reevaluate in the off season.

We all know the biggest problem is ownership and in turn front office. 
I don’t see it changing unfortunately. The coaching staff has been bad. Lindy should have brought in his own guys but wasn’t allowed.

Going into year 15 what is really going to move the needle to move this team any closer to respectability. What is going to make us care again? It blows my mind that this fanbase has always appreciated hard work and heart and toughness and this FO just seems to despise those traits and doesn’t “read the room”

I mean if Pegula keeps the status quo then they might as well fold because it’s never going to get better.

Tell Dad that Norris for Cozens is a pretty fair trade.  The rest is immaterial.  They kept Greenway and Zucker so hopefully they are more of a vet team next season.   Off season trades and signings are more impactful.  

As for the plan moving forward, that’s up to Terry, Adams and Lindy.  No one else knows what their plan is, they probably don’t have one.  
 

 

 

[PromoTheRobot]

12 hours ago, Flashsabre said:

What is the plan here moving forward after today?

I see no plan and no identity for this franchise. I talked to my dad tonight who for years has tried to be a voice of reason when I was frustrated with this team. Tonight he called me and said he is no longer cheering for them. He’s been a fan since Roger Crozier. I was speechless.

I stand by what I said last night. Keep Dahlin and trade the rest of the D corps. Bring in some bigger, more defensively responsible Dmen. You will need another offensive Dman but the entire mix if the corps needs to change.

UPL IDK about. Hope Levi has a great playoffs and reevaluate in the off season.

We all know the biggest problem is ownership and in turn front office. 
I don’t see it changing unfortunately. The coaching staff has been bad. Lindy should have brought in his own guys but wasn’t allowed.

Going into year 15 what is really going to move the needle to move this team any closer to respectability. What is going to make us care again? It blows my mind that this fanbase has always appreciated hard work and heart and toughness and this FO just seems to despise those traits and doesn’t “read the room”

I mean if Pegula keeps the status quo then they might as well fold because it’s never going to get better.

You have a team that has plenty of talent but no idea how to apply it. But to say they have no identity is not accurate.  Right now they are a speed team on offense, hold your breath on defense.

Edited Saturday at 02:00 PM by PromoTheRobot

[LGR4GM]

49 minutes ago, Believer said:

Hahaha. Tell me how you really feel, LGR4GM.

Appreciate your opinion. Have a different perspective on the draft.

From what I gather, this upcoming draft class is considered average with no player considered transformative. 

While there are a couple elite centers and a power forward in the mix, likely all are a few years away from having the kind of impact the Sabres require now if we are to end our playoff skid.

We need a couple veterans with attitude from winning programs who have deep playoff experience to show our kids what it takes to win over the regular and into postseason.

An All-Pro playmaker C with a 200 ft game and a big physical RHD who can complement and protect Dahlin. Late 20’s.

We have the assets to make it happen. Will mean trading a few of our better players and prospects and freeing up some cap space. In my view, only Dahlin, Thompson, and Tuch are untouchable.

Frankly, doubt Adams is capable of this kind of major trade. See no evidence of deal making or sales skills.

Don’t follow other teams or have the insight into NHL players you and others do.

Now that the trade deadline has passed, what ideas do you and others have?

 

No. This is so false it hurts. This draft isn't deep, the talent at the top is better than 2024 and 2021 for sure. It's top 4 would fight nicely with Fantilli and Carlsson from 2023 for that 2-4 spot.

Michael Misa has 57g in 57 games and has exceptional status. Schaefer won't be 18 until September. Hagens is a little underwhelmed in the ncaa but better than Beniers or similar. Martone is a big winger with excellent skills. Trading off one of them so we can add Peterka and 3rd overall to get some mythical rhd that no one can name or some lesser version of Tkachuk isn't fixing this team. 

Also, I'm sorry but it's a ***** myth that we need a playmaker at center. We're in the top 10 for 5v5 offense and our pp will improve without Cozens being useless on it. 

[Believer]

2 hours ago, Believer said:

Trade this year’s #1 pick with a prospect or two to get a big, nasty RHD vet with attitude who can show our kids how to win and protect our Captain.

 

Birds of a feather?

Here’s the given reality, fellas. What Adams has been doing with our roster for his tenure has been an abject failure by the only measure that matters. 

Drafting and developing has failed to deliver so far. Will it deliver in a couple years as Levi and some of the Amerks arrive? Maybe.

Just down the road from my home, the Lightning took a vastly different approach to building a roster.

From 2021-2025, they traded away their #1 draft pick to add proven players to their team to help win now.

How have they done in our Atlantic Division?

They lost in the SC finals in 20-21, made the playoffs in 22-23 and 23-24, eliminated both years in the first round, and stand in 3rd place this year.

Compare this to Adams results over the same period.

Why not trade our #1 over the next couple years to bring in the pieces we need to win now when Dahlin, Thompson, and Tuch are in their prime?

 

[LGR4GM]

12 minutes ago, Believer said:

Birds of a feather?

Here’s the given reality, fellas. What Adams has been doing with our roster for his tenure has been an abject failure by the only measure that matters. 

Drafting and developing has failed to deliver so far. Will it deliver in a couple years as Levi and some of the Amerks arrive? Maybe.

Just down the road from my home, the Lightning took a vastly different approach to building a roster.

From 2021-2025, they traded away their #1 draft pick to add proven players to their team to help win now.

How have they done in our Atlantic Division?

They lost in the SC finals in 20-21, made the playoffs in 22-23 and 23-24, eliminated both years in the first round, and stand in 3rd place this year.

Compare this to Adams results over the same period.

Why not trade our #1 over the next couple years to bring in the pieces we need to win now when Dahlin, Thompson, and Tuch are in their prime?

 

I want you to go back and list every 1st rounder on that Tampa Stanley Cup team they did draft. 

Also can someone look up the last time a top 5 1st rounder was traded, after the trade deadline. 

[LGR4GM]

Also someone list every top 5 1st round forward on the Sabres currently. 

Edited Saturday at 03:12 PM by LGR4GM

[Jorcus]

58 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

No. This is so false it hurts. This draft isn't deep, the talent at the top is better than 2024 and 2021 for sure. It's top 4 would fight nicely with Fantilli and Carlsson from 2023 for that 2-4 spot.

Michael Misa has 57g in 57 games and has exceptional status. Schaefer won't be 18 until September. Hagens is a little underwhelmed in the ncaa but better than Beniers or similar. Martone is a big winger with excellent skills. Trading off one of them so we can add Peterka and 3rd overall to get some mythical rhd that no one can name or some lesser version of Tkachuk isn't fixing this team. 

Also, I'm sorry but it's a ***** myth that we need a playmaker at center. We're in the top 10 for 5v5 offense and our pp will improve without Cozens being useless on it. 

Cozens has not been on the 1st power play unit for 15 or 20 games and it is not any better now. It's kind of like watching a Space X launch with all the breakaways they give up. So replacing Quinn with Norris might be the answer. He is not known as a playmaker so maybe it's not Quinn that comes off. Zucker coming back would help. 

[Night Train]

[Flashsabre]

3 hours ago, HOUSE said:

You tell your dad it's time to shape up

I been around longer than him and I refuse to suffer alone

LOL he’s not really gone just like the rest of us. It’s the first time he’s ever mentioned it though which shocked me.

Terry needs to realize how dire this situation is unless as some others have mentioned the real plan is to sell when the lease is up. Sounds crazy but what else would explain this level of incompetence for this long a period. 
 

Adams isn’t the answer. This summer might be the biggest in a long long time. If the status quo is kept then I don’t see much hope moving forward.

[Flashsabre]

2 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Tell Dad that Norris for Cozens is a pretty fair trade.  The rest is immaterial.  They kept Greenway and Zucker so hopefully they are more of a vet team next season.   Off season trades and signings are more impactful.  

As for the plan moving forward, that’s up to Terry, Adams and Lindy.  No one else knows what their plan is, they probably don’t have one.  
 

 

 

It wasn’t about yesterday in particular. Just years of incompetence piling up. His biggest point is the lack of compete top to bottom and they did nothing yesterday to address it as a team.

Edited Saturday at 03:52 PM by Flashsabre

[Archie Lee]

22 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

I want you to go back and list every 1st rounder on that Tampa Stanley Cup team they did draft. 

Also can someone look up the last time a top 5 1st rounder was traded, after the trade deadline. 

I wouldn't trade our 1st rd pick this year, for all the reasons you have expressed.  I guess I should qualify that by saying if a team was willing to trade us a legit 1st line all-star level player who is under 28 and signed long-term, then I would consider it, but we know that isn't happening.

My view is that we are in the position we are in because Adams has not moved quickly enough to trade the assets he has already drafted.  I'm not sure why this is.  He has to know that there is no room for all of them and, of course, that not all will meet the level of promise that they held on draft day.  He has failed, for lack of a better term, to properly "layer" our young players.  I don't want to quibble over the specifics of which of our young players, starting with Adams's first draft, should or should not be traded; what I think is true is that he should have traded more than just Savoie (I'm not counting Josh Bloom).  In my view, at least two of Quinn, Peterka, Rosen, Kulich, Benson, should have been dealt in the last two off-seasons, for veteran players. There is no guarantee that the trades would have been good with the desired outcome, but not making such moves has made it nearly impossible for us to take the step that was needed to be a playoff team. And, it has had the additional negative impact of causing diminished asset value.

Barring an unrealistic trade offer for our 1st rd pick, we need to keep the pick as it gives us a rare opportunity to get a star level forward.  And it affords us yet another opportunity to move 2-3 of the young players I mentioned, without gutting our prospect pool.  If we trade Peterka, Quinn, and Rosen, as examples only, we would still have Benson, Kulich, the prospects in Rochester, and the forward we draft with the top 5 pick.  If managed properly, we are in no immediate danger of draining the good young forwards from our pipeline.  

    

 

[Flashsabre]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

No. This is so false it hurts. This draft isn't deep, the talent at the top is better than 2024 and 2021 for sure. It's top 4 would fight nicely with Fantilli and Carlsson from 2023 for that 2-4 spot.

Michael Misa has 57g in 57 games and has exceptional status. Schaefer won't be 18 until September. Hagens is a little underwhelmed in the ncaa but better than Beniers or similar. Martone is a big winger with excellent skills. Trading off one of them so we can add Peterka and 3rd overall to get some mythical rhd that no one can name or some lesser version of Tkachuk isn't fixing this team. 

Also, I'm sorry but it's a ***** myth that we need a playmaker at center. We're in the top 10 for 5v5 offense and our pp will improve without Cozens being useless on it. 

Let’s put a name to the big vet RHD. Let’s say Colton Parayko. He checks all the boxes people want.

Does  trading a top 4 pick for Parayko help the franchise more than a Schaefer, Misa, Hagens or Martone? 
 

No the value short term and long term does not equate.

Now if the first round pick was 15-25th sure I would throw that in for Colton with a couple other pieces.

And one guy coming in doesn’t fix anything here.

There is a bigger issue. This team doesn’t listen to the coaches and they don’t compete hard enough. They don’t stick up for each other. The mix is bad.

I see a Captain that competes like crazy and no one else that matches him.

One or two small adds will do nothing. This team needs an overhaul.

Edited Saturday at 04:00 PM by Flashsabre