Ok, I am the eternal optimist when it comes to the Buffalo Sabres. It is my favorite sport and I just can’t help it. Turnarounds happen for other cities, why not us? It is all cyclical. Every year gives you a do over. Believe me, I have been livid with the results over the last decade or so, and have been embarrassed by the ineptitude and lack of urgency. I have also been perplexed by the fact that we have had no luck. With a stretch this long of not going to the post season, you have to point fingers and place blame. It is almost an impossibility to be outperformed for what it seems to be an eternity. For one reason or another, our players never seem to elevate their game as a unit. They come into the season unprepared and don’t wake up until January. I do believe however, that when the puck drops for the first time this year, that we just might have a killer mentality to seize the months of October and November. It is a crucial portion of the schedule, and I think that Lindy Ruff won’t accept anyone going through the motions. There will be competition and accountability. Change will be quickly addressed if success isn’t attained. They know we won’t accept failures, and the organization can’t wave us off anymore. Our franchise is on the precipice of a total disconnect with their fanbase if they are once again asleep at the wheel in the fall. It is time for us to witness some exciting and enthusiastic hockey. So once again I go to the proverbial statement of this is going to be our year because we are starving for it, and deserve it. Somewhere along the line our fortunes have to change, even if we have to punch our way out of the quagmire of despair that we have endured. So, let’s take a breath, soak up some sunshine before the flurries, and have some faith in our mustached bench boss. Let’s have some hope that he will have his guys finding their inner Taz out of the gate.
Why do I believe that it will be different this time? Why we should once again invest our hearts and minds into something that always seems to let us down?
First and foremost is the head coach, and the leverage that he has over Kevyn Adams. In a last-ditch effort to save his job, our general manager chose someone that he has to listen to. He picked a father figure that has far more experience in the league than him, and someone who won’t take any guff from the higher ups, or the guys lacing them up. He will utilize everything that is available to him and won’t be afraid to show someone what the press box looks like. Let’s also clarify a few things about Mr. Pegula’s selection of Adams to right the ship. I don’t care if he won the cup with Carolina. He played sparing minutes and he bounced around the league. In 67 playoff games, he had 2 goals and 2 assists. Has he done a good job with stockpiling Rochester with assets that might help us? Perhaps, it is yet to be seen. A lot of money has been thrown around, and I am constantly repeating myself when I say there is not enough room on the roster. Somewhere along the line we are going to have to give up a lot to add a legitimate piece. His calm demeanor and scripted rhetoric doesn’t fool us anymore and the time is now. It is Lindy’s team and we all know it. If we thrive it will be because of him.
Secondly, I am not so sure that Helenius is that far off from making an impact at the center position. With the addition of McLeod and Peyton Krebs’ future in doubt, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is somebody that takes the route of Zach Benson. I am not saying that he immediately makes the roster, but he is a more mature prospect and has a higher upside than most in our pipeline. Finally, we are making changes and altering the dynamics of our bottom six. It would be amazing, and not like Buffalo, to actually hit on picks in consecutive years. Let’s hope the gods are finally tired of us being bottom dwellers too.
Lastly, I would like to comment on our goaltending and defensive core. On paper, in my opinion, our blueline could be one of the strongest in the NHL. If Dahlin can build on what is already a successful career, then we will be watching something special. He has all of the physical traits, and is not afraid to mix it up either. We have one of the best. With Byrum, Samuelsson, Jokiharu, and Clifton, there is a lot to work with. Throw in Bryson, Johnson, Clague, Gilbert, and the potential of Komarov along with others, we definitely have options. The one mitigating factor will be Owen Power. It is hard not to like the kid, and it is obvious he could be great, but they paid him too soon and he has to live up to the contract this year. If he can add some sandpaper to his game, and chip in offensively a little more, then that would solidify everything. He has been around long enough and is no longer considered a rookie. We will know immediately if he is focused and ready to be a force. If UPL continues on his crescendo, and Levi is chomping at the bit to get some time in the crease, then we might be able to quench the drought.
I am betting that we will be able to watch our team play in the playoffs this year. Foil up everyone.
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