Sure, when they stop being bang on correct about the Sabres I will.

How many years in a row are we going to ignore the models that project us as a bottom tier team, when we always finish as a bottom tier team?

P.S - were projected to be a bottom tier team again.

But hey man, Eric Staal is a fun name and maybe 37 year old Ristolainen finally figures out how to play defense this year
- sbroads24

They aren’t always bang on. So please stop.

The Sabres have asplund. Boom. Already found Larry 2.0.

Wow that was hard!

Let me guess. You are crying about Eakins right??

Irwin too. Who’s depth / heathy scratch. Reider too. Who is depth and a healthy scratch

Crying about that too?

Toronto, Florida, and NYR finished 2nd, 5th and 6th respectively this year in goals for.

None of them made the playoffs.

Dallas, Isles, Blue Jackets all finished bottom 5 in goals scored but tops in goals against and all made the playoffs.

Tampa was elite at scoring and defending. As deep a roster as one can have even with Stamkos in the lineup.

Goal differential is what matters.

Scoring goals is a lot of fun, very entertaining to watch. I hope the Sabres lead the league in scoring.

I do see the value in having the LOG line suppress shots against though and make us tougher to score on.

Hopefully Lazar/Sheahan/Asplund et al can fill that role.

We need to be able to score and defend.

The regular season and the playoffs are two different seasons.

They aren’t always bang on. So please stop.

The Sabres have asplund. Boom. Already found Larry 2.0.

Wow that was hard!
- Sabretooth9

The reputable ones were absolutely bang on. They projected us anywhere from a 76-82 point team.

We paced at a 78 point pace I believe.

And I couldn’t give two (frank)s that Larsson is gone.

What I give two (frank)s about is this team ever being competent.

Again...good teams do not need shut down lines. They don't need Larrys. They don't need a player like Larsson to play 14 minutes a night, because they are good. They need high octane 4th liners who can play 7-8 minutes a night, hopefully tilt the ice, play physical and chip in and Larsson is not that. Bad teams need shut down lines to try to slow down good team's top lines. "Rope-a-dope" hockey if you will. If we are ever going to be good we do not need Larsson. He's a perfect fit for Arizona though. I can't believe this is even an argument.
- Bufsaints8

Watch how teams match up against Eichel on ozone draws on the road. Every team has their go-to defensive line. Call it whatever you want. It's better when it's not the 4th line, but everyone has a line. We need better two way players. Larsson filled a void, and the 4th line probably continues to fill a similar void this year.

Watch how teams match up against Eichel on ozone draws on the road. Every team has their go-to defensive line. Call it whatever you want. It's better when it's not the 4th line, but everyone has a line. We need better two way players. Larsson filled a void, and the 4th line probably continues to fill a similar void this year.
- Lunaion

Sabres look like they are aiming for a " everybody needs to score approach " from " we need to stop them from scoring approach " evolution Hopefully.
Maybe not winning hockey , but more exciting at least.

Sure, you need a great center man at important times, but that's gonna be eichel or Stahl.

Toronto, Florida, and NYR finished 2nd, 5th and 6th respectively this year in goals for.

None of them made the playoffs.

Dallas, Isles, Blue Jackets all finished bottom 5 in goals scored but tops in goals against and all made the playoffs.

Tampa was elite at scoring and defending. As deep a roster as one can have even with Stamkos in the lineup.

Goal differential is what matters.

Scoring goals is a lot of fun, very entertaining to watch. I hope the Sabres lead the league in scoring.

I do see the value in having the LOG line suppress shots against though and make us tougher to score on.

Hopefully Lazar/Sheahan/Asplund et al can fill that role.

We need to be able to score and defend.

The regular season and the playoffs are two different seasons.
- Pegullaville

Again...good teams do not need shut down lines. They don't need Larrys. They don't need a player like Larsson to play 14 minutes a night, because they are good. They need high octane 4th liners who can play 7-8 minutes a night, hopefully tilt the ice, play physical and chip in and Larsson is not that. Bad teams need shut down lines to try to slow down good team's top lines. "Rope-a-dope" hockey if you will. If we are ever going to be good we do not need Larsson. He's a perfect fit for Arizona though. I can't believe this is even an argument.
- Bufsaints8

We don’t have the talent yet to be a Tampa/Boston
We can’t use Eichel like Point/Bergeron bc we haven’t had any secondary scoring
Maybe now we finally will?
But that remains to be seen
And even if Line2 is scoring well, i still don’t think i wanna distract Eichel’s line with more defensive responsibilities right now
If we get a 3rd line scoring also, then fine
But I’ll have to see that before I’ll believe it

They aren’t always bang on. So please stop.

The Sabres have asplund. Boom. Already found Larry 2.0.

Wow that was hard!

Let me guess. You are crying about Eakins right??

Irwin too. Who’s depth / heathy scratch. Reider too. Who is depth and a healthy scratch

Crying about that too?
- Sabretooth9

Asplund might not even make the roster

This is an excellent post 🛎
(Crags alternate account)
- Boss34

Serenity now

Serenity now
- jcragcrumple

“Defense doesn’t matter”
Ok, got it

“Defense doesn’t matter”
Ok, got it
- jdfitz77

It’s just his name. That’s all.

Jcrags likes to be excited by new names. Nothing wrong with it

Curtis Lazar excited Jcrag and he’s good at absolutely nothing

We don’t have the talent yet to be a Tampa/Boston
- jdfitz77

“Defense doesn’t matter”
Ok, got it
- jdfitz77

A valiant effort

It’s just his name. That’s all.

Jcrags likes to be excited by new names. Nothing wrong with it

Curtis Lazar excited Jcrag and he’s good at absolutely nothing
- sbroads24

That's definitely true

Sure, when they stop being bang on correct about the Sabres I will.

How many years in a row are we going to ignore the models that project us as a bottom tier team, when we always finish as a bottom tier team?

P.S - were projected to be a bottom tier team again.

But hey man, Eric Staal is a fun name and maybe 37 year old Ristolainen finally figures out how to play defense this year
- sbroads24

With Larsson. And a bunch of underachieving, bottom 6 forwards who are thankfully gone.

Good riddance.

That's definitely true
- jcragcrumple

Oh for sure. I get it

With Larsson. And a bunch of underachieving, bottom 6 forwards who are thankfully gone.

Good riddance.
- Powerslave

Since everyone does football/hockey analogies let me try one.

Adding Taylor Hall was like the Bills signing Mario Williams.

It was unexpected and surprising and awesome

But the core problems with the Bills and management still existed and we never won poop.

When they figure out the little things that will allow us to be successful I’ll be optimistic

Since everyone does football/hockey analogies let me try one.

Adding Taylor Hall was like the Bills signing Mario Williams.

It was unexpected and surprising and awesome

But the core problems with the Bills and management still existed and we never won poop.

When they figure out the little things that will allow us to be successful I’ll be optimistic
- sbroads24

So basically the Sabres are going to finish 6-10 for the next 4 years and Hall is going to sign with Florida?

Since everyone does football/hockey analogies let me try one.

Adding Taylor Hall was like the Bills signing Mario Williams.

It was unexpected and surprising and awesome

But the core problems with the Bills and management still existed and we never won poop.

When they figure out the little things that will allow us to be successful I’ll be optimistic
- sbroads24

I think Hall is equivalent to Deandre Hopkins

Eichel is Deshaun Watson.

Dahlin is J.J Watt.

Skinner is Will Fuller

We are the Houston Texans of 2017-2019 unless Ullmark becomes Hasek over night.

Since everyone does football/hockey analogies let me try one.

Adding Taylor Hall was like the Bills signing Mario Williams.

It was unexpected and surprising and awesome

But the core problems with the Bills and management still existed and we never won poop.

When they figure out the little things that will allow us to be successful I’ll be optimistic
- sbroads24

Good analogy

Bill's should bring in a top pass rusher under this management.

Maybe risto and a 2nd to Washington for chase young?

Should we accept that hall is going to be terrible because we've been badly mismanaged by former employees?

We don’t have the talent yet to be a Tampa/Boston

- jdfitz77

strongly disagree


you got eichel
hall
skinner

the best d prospect in over 20 years in dahlin

olofsson was in the calder mix

cozen, mitts and quinn are top 10 picks


skunk is skunk


staal will be in the hall of fame a few years down the road

all those blue chip d prospects

deep in goalie prospects


puck moving d men in risto, joker and montour


all star girgens



the roster will be talented enough if ralph can get average goaltending and special teams


IMO this year we will know what the future lies for ralph

That's definitely true
- jcragcrumple

New doesn’t equal better
Might wanna pick up a thesaurus or dictionary

With Larsson. And a bunch of underachieving, bottom 6 forwards who are thankfully gone.

Good riddance.
- Powerslave

AND EICHEL
AND SAM

We’ve sucked bc of goaltending & lack of secondary scoring....
NOT bc Larson had 18pts instead of 25

Goof grief guys
The misplaced hate is just nuts

Cozens with a really nice goal vs Finland

strongly disagree


you got eichel
hall
skinner

the best d prospect in over 20 years in dahlin

olofsson was in the calder mix

cozen, mitts and quinn are top 10 picks


skunk is skunk


staal will be in the hall of fame a few years down the road

all those blue chip d prospects

deep in goalie prospects


puck moving d men in risto, joker and montour


all star girgens



the roster will be talented enough if ralph can get average goaltending and special teams


IMO this year we will know what the future lies for ralph
- homiedclown

Goaltending is not close to Boston or Tampa
Secondary scoring is unproven, even though we are hopeful
Defense is “ok” but not as good as Boston or Tampa
And our special teams are absolute dogsh!t

Just bc we got better,
doesn’t mean we are on their level yet

Yes, we improved
But there’s still plenty of work needed to be done