I told people here R2D2 needed ahl time and that finish league success doesn’t translate to the nhl
- Sabretooth9

Yes, that is the typical model that is used for the vast majority, exceptions limited to star prospects.

It always goes well when a giraffe is asked to be a hippo.
- kingcong39

I get the issue now though. Krueger's system relies on everyone playing together. If Skinner is floating in the corner rather than engaging in the play, that's when you get breakdowns and odd man rushes. Krueger would essentially let Skinner nuke his system by playing however he wants

Ristolainen will be signing PTO’s and being traded every season when he’s 30 just like all the over rated scrub D men who are fan favorites of people who have no idea what they’re watching

He’s Dion Phanuef except always the bad Dion Phanuef.

And we’re just like those 2010-2017 Maple Leafs that miss the playoffs every year because they overplay bad players
- sbroads24

GTFO off this board comparing Sabres and leafs. be ashamed of yourself. Despicable.

The new hockeybuzz bad guy ....

20+ goal scorer each year Jeffery skinner


The old bad guy

Risto

The old old old bad guy

Lockport Larry


The really OG bad guy

Girgensons
- Sabretooth9

Jeffrey not Jeffery

I get the issue now though. Krueger's system relies on everyone playing together. If Skinner is floating in the corner rather than engaging in the play, that's when you get breakdowns and odd man rushes. Krueger would essentially let Skinner nuke his system by playing however he wants
- jcragcrumple

Is it fair to ask A. What system Ralph is actually employing and B. Is the system any good?

Peters and Biron pretty specifically broke down what they think Skinner is and isn't doing. Basically they said he's waiting for the game to come to him rather than attacking or back checking - he's below the puck in the offensive zone waiting for a pass rather than attacking or back checking. Floating and cherry picking basically. Biron likened it to playing with Gaborik under Torts which didn't go well. Rivet basically said he didn't come here to play with the Lazars and Sobotkas of the world.

It was informative to hear specifics rather than generic coach speak.

Skinner wants to play the game in the way that got him $9m and Krueger wants him to change. Who blinks first will be interesting
- jcragcrumple

Skinner is high risk, high reward.

Like playing the high rollers table at the Casino.

You are either winning big or losing big.

He doesn’t want defence being sacrificed for offence and I commend that.

We all know Skinner is elite at creating offensive chances, because he doesn’t have an elite shot that’s why he experiences so many up and down scoring seasons across his career.

However when he is not hot and not scoring he’s killing us in every other facet of the sport.

Is it fair to ask A. What system Ralph is actually employing and B. Is the system any good?
- kingcong39

A.) it's 5 guys with a green light to take offensive chances with an equal buy in from the remaining 4 to cover defensively by committing to be in the right spot. If Skinner is down in the corner waiting for a pass and Dahlin takes an offensive chance that doesn't score, now you have bad numbers going the other way

B.) Idk but one player on the team shouldn't decide what the system is when the other 22 guys are playing it.

A.) it's 5 guys with a green light to take offensive chances with an equal buy in from the remaining 4 to cover defensively by committing to be in the right spot. If Skinner is down in the corner waiting for a pass and Dahlin takes an offensive chance that doesn't score, now you have bad numbers going the other way

B.) Idk but one player on the team shouldn't decide what the system is when the other 22 guys are playing it.
- jcragcrumple

That system worked great last year, especially in the goal scoring department, but that makes sense considering it's one player taking an offensive chance while rest act like Sobotka.

That system worked great last year, especially in the goal scoring department, but that makes sense considering it's one player taking an offensive chance while rest act like Sobotka.
- kingcong39

It's not that only one person is allowed to play offense, it's that you have to commit to being in the right place as someone who isn't involved in that play. It has to be a commitment to covering defensively if you're not involved in the play or it falls apart

Skinner is high risk, high reward.

Like playing the high rollers table at the Casino.

You are either winning big or losing big.

He doesn’t want defence being sacrificed for offence and I commend that.

We all know Skinner is elite at creating offensive chances, because he doesn’t have an elite shot that’s why he experiences so many up and down scoring seasons across his career.

However when he is not hot and not scoring he’s killing us in every other facet of the sport.
- Pegullaville

Remember when we won in almost every ot period with skinner on the ice before the collapse? People have a short term memory smh

Remember when we won in almost every ot period with skinner on the ice before the collapse? People have a short term memory smh
- bonecrrusher

Hated housley with passion but i still think he is better than ralph for coaching

Is it fair to ask A. What system Ralph is actually employing and B. Is the system any good?
- kingcong39

If it were me, I would employ a system were my team puts the puck in the net more times then the other team does.

I think its a brilliant system

It is very on brand for the Sabres in terms of how they handled Skinner since trading for him.

Bring in a good player and let him do what he does best. Assist that by putting him in the best possible situation to succeed (Eichel). Sign him to a massive contract due to the prior sentence. Ask him to completely change his game right after signing the giant deal. See results become greatly reduced.

Player/asset mismanagement 101.

Yes, that is the typical model that is used for the vast majority, exceptions limited to star prospects.
- IonSabres

Tell that to sabres twitter / analytics gurus

Hutton might not be good, but at least he’s an
NHL quality goalie
If the Sabres have to give u a pick to take him,
then if he ok with that
- jdfitz77

Devil's claimed goalie Eric comrie off waivers

With Tyler Johnson clearing waivers are the bolts still in cap trouble?

I know they traded with ottowa for LTIR but are they cleared to go?I know they are like 18% over the cap if there was not LTIR relief

They would protect him and expose others.

Girgensons, Eakin, Mitts get exposed before Thompson if Tage is a bonafide top 9 winger never mind top 6.
- Pegullaville

Who do you have as protected?

Girgs now that hes injured.

I had them as a coin toss before the injury 🤔

With Tyler Johnson clearing waivers are the bolts still in cap trouble?

I know they traded with ottowa for LTIR but are they cleared to go?I know they are like 18% over the cap if there was not LTIR relief
- dmarsden2988

We currently have the #Lightning at $16,516,666 over the cap. In order to maximize their LTIR relief, they need to get as close to $16,975,000 as possible.

Waiving Schenn (-$800,000) and Johnson (-$1,075,000) today helps them get there.

Here's how:

https://twitter.com/CapFr.../1348740769029484550?s=19

$16,516,666 - ($800,000 + $1,075,000) = $14,641,666

$14,641,666 + Foote + 2 league min = $16,966,666

That would use all but $8,334 of their space AND it gets Cal Foote on the roster who has $500,000 in PB's which would give them flexibility with their LTI PB Pool.

https://twitter.com/CapFr.../1348740770736582661?s=19

It is very on brand for the Sabres in terms of how they handled Skinner since trading for him.

Bring in a good player and let him do what he does best. Assist that by putting him in the best possible situation to succeed (Eichel). Sign him to a massive contract due to the prior sentence. Ask him to completely change his game right after signing the giant deal. See results become greatly reduced.

Player/asset mismanagement 101.
- kingcong39

Good post

This pretty much sums it up.

power struggle?...skinner is what he is...ralph is instilling "the sabres way"...fact is, they need to start winning yesterday...

if ralph's intent upon plowing ahead, which it looks like he is, having cozens on that line would be making the best of a bad situation...if he throws sheahan there, because he plays the "right way" and is needed for defense and on the pk, it probably won't be a very productive situation...

imo, of course
- Michael Pachla

I agree with you that it’s a situation this team doesn’t need. How does Ralph get out of this one or end it without some type of controversy. I can imagine we all are watching this unfold and being somewhat nervous and so is the rest of the team.

Cutting through all the bullpoop, because there's a LOT of it, I think it boils down to this: Ralph knows Skinner can generate offense all by himself, and Skinner scoring 20 goals on a 3rd or 4th line is more valuable to him then having a 3rd and 4th line totally devoid of any goal scoring, especially with the top 2 lines now having quality scoring ability.

It is very on brand for the Sabres in terms of how they handled Skinner since trading for him.

Bring in a good player and let him do what he does best. Assist that by putting him in the best possible situation to succeed (Eichel). Sign him to a massive contract due to the prior sentence. Ask him to completely change his game right after signing the giant deal. See results become greatly reduced.

Player/asset mismanagement 101.
- kingcong39

It's incredible.

The solution is simple -

Through Skinner's career, he generates offense for himself and his linemates at a very good clip. So put him on a line that's job is to produce offense and let it be.

Cutting through all the bullpoop, because there's a LOT of it, I think it boils down to this: Ralph knows Skinner can generate offense all by himself, and Skinner scoring 20 goals on a 3rd or 4th line is more valuable to him then having a 3rd and 4th line totally devoid of any goal scoring, especially with the top 2 lines now having quality scoring ability.
- kingcong39

Skinner is not able to do that. He needs help

I agree with you that it’s a situation this team doesn’t need. How does Ralph get out of this one or end it without some type of controversy. I can imagine we all are watching this unfold and being somewhat nervous and so is the rest of the team.
- Camel

let's see how this lineup works and what happens in the first few games

It’s weird to think

Kenny stills and devonte freedman are currently buffalo bills