Locker clean out day

[triumph_communes]

They were abysmal while Greenway and Zucker were out injured. The leadership there was the thin string holding it all together. Not surprising when everyone else is a kid 

[Taro T]

7 minutes ago, triumph_communes said:

They were abysmal while Greenway and Zucker were out injured. The leadership there was the thin string holding it all together. Not surprising when everyone else is a kid 

No.  They were abysmal when Dahlin was out.  Leading 4-1 over the Avs; blew that game in less than a period and lost 9 more waiting for him to come back.

They were bad when Zucker was out and were up and down when Greenway was out.

[LGR4GM]

Norris said he tore his oblique. 

 

 

[Taro T]

5 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Norris said he tore his oblique. 

 

 

Seems like something that shouldn't be chronic.  Was hoping that his injury was something that rest would allow to heal.  With no details about it, would expect it fits that bill.

Hoping they're smart enough to plan the roster as if he isn't available, so that when he is available they're that much better that what they'd planned.  Doubt they are, but at this point of the off-season, hope springs eternal.

[Brawndo]

Owen Power does not require surgery 

[LTS]

2 hours ago, ska-T Palmtown said:

It is all well and good - and I think there was a ton of sincerity in his answers, but we'll see next year. I am a Sabres fan, so I am conditioned to react this way; but if he has all this clarity the day after the season ends about what he could have done better as a "older guy", where was this clarity after game 5 or 6 or 10 of The Streak? I want to believe him, I really really do - having a player like the one he sounds like in that interview is crucial for this team, I just hope (which is a sh1tty thing) that he can put it into action next year.

I think there's something to be said that when you are "in the ****" it's not always easy to step out of it, break it down, and derive a strategy.  He could have had the clarity the day after the losing streak ended. As it stands once the team broke the streak they could have all looked at what they finally did to win and have a light bulb go off. It still equates to looking back and figuring out why they didn't realize it sooner, etc.  Naturally if he had the clarity after game 5 or 6 or 10 then it would not have been a 13 game losing streak.

Zucker didn't back away from anything and that is to be respected. He genuinely came across as a guy who realizes his career is winding down and wants to improve his skills at helping other players develop. It sounds like a coach mindset. The Sabres need it and I think he's making an impact.

[Brawndo]

4 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Owen Power does not require surgery 

Will require a few months of rehab.

This is promising as the initial rumors were an ACL Tear 

[dudacek]

 

[Ogelthorpe]

41 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Seems like something that shouldn't be chronic.  Was hoping that his injury was something that rest would allow to heal.  With no details about it, would expect it fits that bill.

Hoping they're smart enough to plan the roster as if he isn't available, so that when he is available they're that much better that what they'd planned.  Doubt they are, but at this point of the off-season, hope springs eternal.

"oblique muscle tear has a significant risk of becoming a chronic injury if not properly treated and rehabilitated. Ignoring the injury or returning to activity too soon can lead to persistent pain, recurring tears, and long-term functional limitations. "  AI

"Grade 1 strain (mild) may resolve in a few weeks, while a Grade 2 strain (moderate) can take 5-8 weeks. More severe tears or injuries requiring surgery can lead to a 6-12 week recovery period. " AI

Sounds kind of serious to me for a hockey player. But I'm just a fan and never played a Dr on TV. Lol

[Taro T]

15 minutes ago, Ogelthorpe said:

"oblique muscle tear has a significant risk of becoming a chronic injury if not properly treated and rehabilitated. Ignoring the injury or returning to activity too soon can lead to persistent pain, recurring tears, and long-term functional limitations. "  AI

"Grade 1 strain (mild) may resolve in a few weeks, while a Grade 2 strain (moderate) can take 5-8 weeks. More severe tears or injuries requiring surgery can lead to a 6-12 week recovery period. " AI

Sounds kind of serious to me for a hockey player. But I'm just a fan and never played a Dr on TV. Lol

Danke.

And he's already into/through that 5-8 week of being shut down.  Were they going to go the surgery route would hope they'd've already done it by now.  So give him the typical month or so beyond that which players typically take off to get over the ordinary aches and pains of 7 months and 82 (or 50ish) games and come back fully healthy.  At least until the next injury keeps him out for 15-30.

Regardless of whether he actually can play a full 82, it'd be foolhardy for the Sabres to assume he'll play at least 75.  He's not Mark Stone (doesn't seem to be nearly the player Stone is, though Norris is good), but the Sabres should be treating him like their very own Mark Stone.

[Ogelthorpe]

1 minute ago, Taro T said:

Danke.

And he's already into/through that 5-8 week of being shut down.  Were they going to go the surgery route would hope they'd've already done it by now.  So give him the typical month or so beyond that which players typically take off to get over the ordinary aches and pains of 7 months and 82 (or 50ish) games and come back fully healthy.  At least until the next injury keeps him out for 15-30.

Regardless of whether he actually can play a full 82, it'd be foolhardy for the Sabres to assume he'll play at least 75.  He's not Mark Stone (doesn't seem to be nearly the player Stone is, though Norris is good), but the Sabres should be treating him like their very own Mark Stone.

Is there a Doctor in the house that can give us an expert analysis? 

[DarthEbriate]

1 minute ago, Taro T said:

Regardless of whether he actually can play a full 82, it'd be foolhardy for the Sabres to assume he'll play at least 75.  He's not Mark Stone (doesn't seem to be nearly the player Stone is, though Norris is good), but the Sabres should be treating him like their very own Mark Stone.

If the owner were willing to spend, you get him for 40 games, put him on LTIR, bulk up the roster with his cap space. He starts skating "with the team" in March. And just like that, he's ready to go on 4/19/2026.

The problem with that is the owner and GM who has all the means he needs.

[Taro T]

Just now, DarthEbriate said:

If the owner were willing to spend, you get him for 40 games, put him on LTIR, bulk up the roster with his cap space. He starts skating "with the team" in March. And just like that, he's ready to go on 4/19/2026.

The problem with that is the owner and GM who has all the means he needs.

The same reason why they aren't sitting on at a minimum 4 extra 2nd round picks for being the intermediary in some Cap complying deadline day trades and off-season (other team) Cap dump trades.

Likely they'd had better capital returned out of those moves were the owner and GM willing; and wouldn't it be great to have had an extra Savoie or 2 to convert into another McLeod or an extra 2nd rounder or 2 to land an extra Malenstyn without affecting their existing pipeline in any way shape or form.  Oh well, what might've been.

[DarthEbriate]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

Heck, Ruff hadn't done anything to warrant being a HC back nearly 30 years ago other than having been a Sabre Captain with a pretty relentless drive and a short stint as an AC in the NHL.

It's possible that Peca would stink; but doubt it.  He was an undersized guy for his role as a player and was one of the best defensive players in the game in his time who could still contribute reasonable scoring in the dead puck era.  He both understands the game and is a leader.  He also wasn't afraid to stand up for what he though was right, which is why he was dealt out of Buffalo as a player way back when too.  

Given that we seem to be locked into having Ruff back as coach, and all the baggage that SEEMS to come with the 14 years in the desert, and having seen the current staff's results in action; expect they could do a lot worse than Peca if they make changes.

Ruff at least was an assistant on a Stanley Cup (losing) team with Florida. But Ruff had something that none of the current/future coaches for the Sabres have or will have: Hasek.

They could definitely do worse. Peca could be great, but his coaching track record isn't anything that says he knows how to get it done.

I'm also wary of just anyone who is hired simply because they were once a Sabre or were in Pittsburgh with prime Crosby/Malkin/Letang, or were involved with the USNTDP.

[dudacek]

 

[Night Train]

Right now, they like Bernard-Docker to pair with Power but will try to add a right handed D-men. Good luck with that. 

[jad1]

18 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

But what players were 21 or 22 finesse players?

Really?

[Night Train]

Quinn (-18) and Muel should be moved . Hopefully. 

[LGR4GM]

23 minutes ago, jad1 said:

Really?

Yea, really. I don't see anyone that age playing a finesse game. Quinn was a finesse guy. I suppose Power counts. 

[jad1]

29 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Yea, really. I don't see anyone that age playing a finesse game. Quinn was a finesse guy. I suppose Power counts. 

Quinn, Power, Samuelsson, Byram was 23 this year. Kulich spent a lot of time at 1C, he's not a heavy player.

And this isn't new, it's been the case the last 5 years.  Cozens tries to play a heavy game, but he wasn't good at it.  He was 24 this year. 

The Sabres are built to play an open ice game.  When the opposing team plays a 'road game' and takes away space, they struggle.  They need more guys who can play in a tight-checking game.

Doesn't mean you trade all the 'finesse' guys for grinders.  You also need finesse guys to win.  It just means the GM needs to do a better job with roster construction.

 

[LGR4GM]

3 minutes ago, jad1 said:

Quinn, Power, Samuelsson, Byram was 23 this year. Kulich spent a lot of time at 1C, he's not a heavy player.

And this isn't new, it's been the case the last 5 years.  Cozens tries to play a heavy game, but he wasn't good at it.  He was 24 this year. 

The Sabres are built to play an open ice game.  When the opposing team plays a 'road game' and takes away space, they struggle.  They need more guys who can play in a tight-checking game.

Doesn't mean you trade all the 'finesse' guys for grinders.  You also need finesse guys to win.  It just means the GM needs to do a better job with roster construction.

 

Quinn is 23. Samuelsson is 25. Byram is 23. 

I agree about needing more grit, I just disagree they ran a team of 21yr old finesse guys. 

[jad1]

5 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Quinn is 23. Samuelsson is 25. Byram is 23. 

I agree about needing more grit, I just disagree they ran a team of 21yr old finesse guys. 

I should have used the word 'young.'

[ska-T Palmtown]

7 hours ago, LTS said:

I think there's something to be said that when you are "in the ****" it's not always easy to step out of it, break it down, and derive a strategy.  He could have had the clarity the day after the losing streak ended. As it stands once the team broke the streak they could have all looked at what they finally did to win and have a light bulb go off. It still equates to looking back and figuring out why they didn't realize it sooner, etc.  Naturally if he had the clarity after game 5 or 6 or 10 then it would not have been a 13 game losing streak.

Zucker didn't back away from anything and that is to be respected. He genuinely came across as a guy who realizes his career is winding down and wants to improve his skills at helping other players develop. It sounds like a coach mindset. The Sabres need it and I think he's making an impact.

Understandable, for sure. And I stressed that I sensed sincerity in his words. Being a Buffalo sports fan has just taught me to be wary. I really liked Zucker's answers and liked the way he handled himself and he appears to have some sick ink. You could 100% see his enthusiasm on the bench when a teammate succeeded. And he always looks like he just scored his first NHL goal when he scores, so excited. 10/10 - totally glad they re-signed him. 

I would hope everyone in that lockerroom is/was disappointed they were not the one that broke The Streak sooner. Anyone who doesn't think "man, if i had just ..." does not care about winning and should probably leave.

[LGR4GM]

13 minutes ago, jad1 said:

I should have used the word 'young.'

We really only have 2 good checking players in the top 6. Benson and Tuch. Tage and McLeod are serviceable. Greenway and Zucker get it. We really need another guy that gritty and good at forward. We need 2-3 on defense. 

[LGR4GM]

Also, not trying to crap on Peterka he just plays and is successful in a different way.