GDT: Buffalo Sabres @ Tampa Bay Lightning, Sunday 4/13, 6pm- MSG and ESPN+

[Crusader1969]

With Bryson in the lineup they are

13-23-5   31 points out of a possible 82 

A .378 winning percentage 

 

[Thorny]

 

[HumanSlinky39]

I've felt a lot of animosity towards some of these Sabres teams the last 14 years, but I think I loathe this team more than any of the others. I guess more accurately, I loathe Kevyn Adams more than I have any other GM during any other season. After all, it's his ineptitude that is resulting in fatally flawed teams getting thrown out there every season as he tries to gaslight us into believing things are moving in the right direction.

  On 4/14/2025 at 12:48 AM, Crusader1969 said:

With Bryson in the lineup they are

13-23-5   31 points out of a possible 82 

A .378 winning percentage 

 

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Good think we extended him. You gotta lock that down.

[HILLsabre]

  On 4/14/2025 at 12:19 AM, DarthEbriate said:

If Ruff is coach (and why wouldn't he be, he's under contract) I feel strongly it's Norris-Kulich-McLeod-Krebs down the middle.

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.......and another year missing the playoffs!!!!

[Crusader1969]

  On 4/14/2025 at 1:10 AM, HILLsabre said:

.......and another year missing the playoffs!!!!

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I would have no issue with that Center Spine.  Could it be better.... yes but it's still more than good enough to make the playoffs. 
 

The main issues are D and Goaltending 

[HumanSlinky39]

  On 4/14/2025 at 1:13 AM, Crusader1969 said:

I would have no issue with that Center Spine.  Could it be better.... yes but it's still more than good enough to make the playoffs. 
 

The main issues are D and Goaltending 

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Skill/ability-wise I suppose it's fine. My concern is Norris's availability. What are the chances you get more than 60 games out of him? I'd wager not high.

[Crusader1969]

  On 4/14/2025 at 1:19 AM, HumanSlinky39 said:

Skill/ability-wise I suppose it's fine. My concern is Norris's availability. What are the chances you get more than 60 games out of him? I'd wager not high.

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I agree there. 

[Thorny]

They need a lot.

im not sure I’m comfortable betting on Kulich as a top 6 C NOR Norris’s availability to consistently play such OR McLeod’s ability to necessarily replicate his 50+ points (at a bare minimum) - never mind betting on all 3 at the same time - never mind at the risk of a 15th straight miss

need significant help on D

need help in net but that has to come internally or not at all 

It will take a skilled navigator or a lot of luck 

[PerreaultForever]

Oh my that was a waste of time. Glad I watched it in replay at least. Shorten the time of suffering. 

So basically here we see most of the playoffs is the same teams, and we can see it's not easy to crack that list, but Montreal and Ottawa did it. Montreal, clearly a better rebuild plan. Lucky or better drafting. A more balanced roster. They could pull a playoff upset. 

Ottawa? Offensively not better than us. Defensively much better than us. So one would think, in the off season, the GM will try to address that lack of defense. Ya right. Sure they will. 

 

[LGR4GM]

  On 4/14/2025 at 12:48 AM, Crusader1969 said:

With Bryson in the lineup they are

13-23-5   31 points out of a possible 82 

A .378 winning percentage 

 

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Adams already re- signed him... because he's the status quo manager. He's Barney Fife.

[HumanSlinky39]

  On 4/14/2025 at 2:04 AM, LGR4GM said:

Adams already re- signed him... because he's the status quo manager. He's Barney Fife.

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There aren't many NHL teams where Bryson would be getting anymore playing time than as an occasional injury call up. He's averaged 50 games per season over the last 5 years here. And I suspect that won't change next year. Adams doesn't know how to identify and upgrade weaknesses, he doesn't know how to construct a complimentary/cohesive forward group, and he definitely doesn't know how to put together a capable group of defensemen where a guy like Bryson isn't needed for more than 10-15 games at most. And that's why they will miss the playoffs AGAIN next year.

Edited April 14 by HumanSlinky39

[apuszczalowski]

If theres a silver lining, the Tampa win I believe kept the Leafs from clinching the top spot in the Atlantic at the moment

[Crusader1969]

  On 4/14/2025 at 2:09 AM, HumanSlinky39 said:

There aren't many NHL teams where Bryson would be getting anymore playing time than as an occasional injury call up. He's averaged 50 games per season over the last 5 years here. And I suspect that won't change next year. Adams doesn't know how to identify and upgrade weaknesses, he doesn't know how to construct a complimentary/cohesive forward group, and he definitely doesn't know how to put together a capable group of defensemen where a guy like Bryson isn't needed for more than 10-15 games at most. And that's why they will miss the playoffs AGAIN next year.

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10-15?  That's 10-15 too many in my book 

[Believer]

Watching Ruff’s postgame interview, he provides good analysis of why the Sabres succeed or fail in a game.

He very rarely expresses any delight or displeasure. Ability to motivate not audible to me anyway.

He distances himself from his work product.

It didn’t work this season.

I wouldn’t bring him back.

 

 

[HumanSlinky39]

  On 4/14/2025 at 2:53 AM, Crusader1969 said:

10-15?  That's 10-15 too many in my book 

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I agree. But I could maybe stomach him if was only up for a game or two on occasion as a short-term injury plug. He should never be more than that.

 

  On 4/14/2025 at 3:07 AM, Believer said:

Watching Ruff’s postgame interview, he provides good analysis of why the Sabres succeed or fail in a game.

He very rarely expresses any delight or displeasure. Ability to motivate not audible to me anyway.

He distances himself from his work product.

It didn’t work this season.

I wouldn’t bring him back.

 

 

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I wouldn't either. I honestly never would have brought him back, but this is the Sabres. Always looking for the short/easy play. This was very clearly them bringing Lindy back with the hopes of a nostalgia bump as a bridge to Appert - another lazy/easy hire.

Edited April 14 by HumanSlinky39

[spndnchz]

Disagree 

[JohnC]

  On 4/14/2025 at 2:04 AM, LGR4GM said:

Adams already re- signed him... because he's the status quo manager. He's Barney Fife.

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You are being unfair to Barney Fife. Mr. Fife had accomplishments in his chosen profession. In KA’s current job he is known to be a classic example of ineptitude. He’s gained longevity on the job through sycophancy. 

[LGR4GM]

  On 4/14/2025 at 11:37 AM, JohnC said:

You are being unfair to Barney Fife. Mr. Fife had accomplishments in his chosen profession. In KA’s current job he is known to be a classic example of ineptitude. He’s gained longevity on the job through sycophancy. 

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Peter principle 

[JohnC]

  On 4/14/2025 at 12:33 PM, LGR4GM said:

Peter principle 

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As you note, KA is a good example of the Peter principle. But let's not forget that he was hired by the non-talking owner because of that feature. He wasn't hired because he had independent and strong views on how to change the course of this meandering franchise. He was hired because he provided a cheaper rebuild plan that fit within the new stringent financial structure that the owner wanted to install. The owner desired a sycophantic weakling who would go along with what his new course for this franchise. 

We can talk about players and what is needed to improve the roster. It's meaningless until the owner either sells or comes to his senses on securing competent people to run the hockey operation. It wasn't until the owner did that with the Bills that they became a successful franchise in the NFL. The owner can be the stumbling block or the person who can change the fortunes of this plagued franchise. Until he decides to do that, there will be no hope. 

Jack wanted out, Reinhart wanted out, ROR wanted out, Ullmark wanted out, Montour wanted out etc. What happens when Dahlin says that he has had it. There's no hope playing with this unserious franchise! That's the course that this inept owner is on. He's crushing this franchise and driving it into hockey oblivion.  

[JP51]

  On 4/14/2025 at 1:10 PM, JohnC said:

As you note, KA is a good example of the Peter principle. But let's not forget that he was hired by the non-talking owner because of that feature. He wasn't hired because he had independent and strong views on how to change the course of this meandering franchise. He was hired because he provided a cheaper rebuild plan that fit within the new stringent financial structure that the owner wanted to install. The owner desired a sycophantic weakling who would go along with what his new course for this franchise. 

We can talk about players and what is needed to improve the roster. It's meaningless until the owner either sells or comes to his senses on securing competent people to run the hockey operation. It wasn't until the owner did that with the Bills that they became a successful franchise in the NFL. The owner can be the stumbling block or the person who can change the fortunes of this plagued franchise. Until he decides to do that, there will be no hope. 

Jack wanted out, Reinhart wanted out, ROR wanted out, Ullmark wanted out, Montour wanted out etc. What happens when Dahlin says that he has had it. There's no hope playing with this unserious franchise! That's the course that this inept owner is on. He's crushing this franchise and driving it into hockey oblivion.  

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I fear it is crushed and resides in oblivion with very little chance of finding its  way out... To me nothing less than a complete change of heart and the hiring of a serious accredited and respected POHO that is allowed to hire GM staff etc... and a full funding of Hockey operations including Scouting, AI, tech etc... will bring this back... and even then it will take years... and years to establish this group as an acceptable destination for trades and FA etc...  what I believe will happen is that he will look at the last 10 games and say well we are rounding in to shape the plan is working and he will run back Adams who will run back the same crap and on to year 15... when attendance hits 5k per game maybe the league does something... I dont know.. but to me the beat goes on...  depressing. 

[JP51]

  On 4/14/2025 at 1:10 PM, JohnC said:

As you note, KA is a good example of the Peter principle. But let's not forget that he was hired by the non-talking owner because of that feature. He wasn't hired because he had independent and strong views on how to change the course of this meandering franchise. He was hired because he provided a cheaper rebuild plan that fit within the new stringent financial structure that the owner wanted to install. The owner desired a sycophantic weakling who would go along with what his new course for this franchise. 

We can talk about players and what is needed to improve the roster. It's meaningless until the owner either sells or comes to his senses on securing competent people to run the hockey operation. It wasn't until the owner did that with the Bills that they became a successful franchise in the NFL. The owner can be the stumbling block or the person who can change the fortunes of this plagued franchise. Until he decides to do that, there will be no hope. 

Jack wanted out, Reinhart wanted out, ROR wanted out, Ullmark wanted out, Montour wanted out etc. What happens when Dahlin says that he has had it. There's no hope playing with this unserious franchise! That's the course that this inept owner is on. He's crushing this franchise and driving it into hockey oblivion.  

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To add to this... Pegula is Peter. 

[CallawaySabres]

Absolutely have to lose the last 2 and get in top 5. I also want them to enter offseason on a low to show how terrible they still are.

[Pimlach]

  On 4/14/2025 at 12:19 AM, DarthEbriate said:

If Ruff is coach (and why wouldn't he be, he's under contract) I feel strongly it's Norris-Kulich-McLeod-Krebs down the middle.

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If that is our center spline next season that will mean Adams is still there. 

Norris- Kulich-McLeod-Krebs, with a fully healthy Norris, is better than what we started with in 2024-25.  

[Pimlach]

  On 4/14/2025 at 1:18 PM, JP51 said:

I fear it is crushed and resides in oblivion with very little chance of finding its  way out... To me nothing less than a complete change of heart and the hiring of a serious accredited and respected POHO that is allowed to hire GM staff etc... and a full funding of Hockey operations including Scouting, AI, tech etc... will bring this back... and even then it will take years... and years to establish this group as an acceptable destination for trades and FA etc...  what I believe will happen is that he will look at the last 10 games and say well we are rounding in to shape the plan is working and he will run back Adams who will run back the same crap and on to year 15... when attendance hits 5k per game maybe the league does something... I dont know.. but to me the beat goes on...  depressing. 

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The Sabres are 3 to 4 players away from a playoff team, plus a coaching staff.  

[Pimlach]

  On 4/14/2025 at 2:01 AM, PerreaultForever said:

Oh my that was a waste of time. Glad I watched it in replay at least. Shorten the time of suffering. 

So basically here we see most of the playoffs is the same teams, and we can see it's not easy to crack that list, but Montreal and Ottawa did it. Montreal, clearly a better rebuild plan. Lucky or better drafting. A more balanced roster. They could pull a playoff upset. 

Ottawa? Offensively not better than us. Defensively much better than us. So one would think, in the off season, the GM will try to address that lack of defense. Ya right. Sure they will. 

 

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Dahlin you keep. 

Adams loves Power and Byram.  One of them should be moved though.  

Muel can go, but he is probably not going to be moved because of his salary, and if he does we will have to take a someone else's bad salary (see Norris for Cozens). 

Clifton has a year left and then he will run, not walk, to free agency.  

Joker was moved for JDB.   That is a Adams kind of deal, it doesn't move the needle. 

Bryson re-signed.  Ugh.