The reality is neither team is that good of a match up for the Bills. However, Tennessee is inclined to put up a stinker every once in a while. Not that I would want to bank on that.
- buffalofan19

Contrarian: Is either team's (Titans or Ravens) defense really any good?

ralph mentioned him and pk in the same breath...the issue i have is that skinner needs someone to create a little space offensively...if he's on a line with lazar and sheahan, the opposition will key their coverage heavily his way, which is what happened last year...at least with cozens there's a very real offensive threat even if he's just a rookie
- Michael Pachla

Jeffery skimmer the $9 million decoy

I would be interested to hear what the Sabres principles are from the coach, in non-corporate baloney speak.
- kingcong39

https://youtu.be/gjHOtxCRhnw

Mattingly, I thought I told you to shave those sideburns

“Play like a Sabre”-Kevyn Adams

What the hell does that even mean

You could play like a damn manatee for all I care as long as you win games.
- Stripes77

Is "manatee" criptic for casey mittlefat?

Contrarian: Is either team's (Titans or Ravens) defense really any good?
- kingcong39

Titans are terrible against the Pass but that isn’t Baltimore’s MO.

Baltimore’s is the better pass defence of the two but because of the formations the Titans present, and the ability to run and pass out of 2 TE and 3TE sets, it presents a unique challenge to any defence

Contrarian: Is either team's (Titans or Ravens) defense really any good?
- kingcong39

Titans, no. Ravens defense can still show up and play a good game.

The sad part is, this organization is one trade away from being really dangerous hockey club.

Dubois wants out of Columbus. I don’t know if we are the “bigger market” he is looking for but that is a guy you move multiple firsts and prospects for.

Hall-Eichel-Thompson
Olofsson-Staal-Reinhart
Skinner-Dubois-Cozens
Who cares.

That is a not only a playoff caliber forward corps but one that could push for much more.
- Pegullaville

Agreed, however IMO that trade starts with Cozens, a 1st and a roster player...to which the Sabres will need to include a player with a Cap hit around $3m - $4m...
So, Cozens, 2021 - 1st, Olofsson?

Eichel is an elite player. I have a very difficult time attributing almost any of his success last season to Olofsson.

The even strength numbers indicated Eichel was slightly less productive last season compared to the prior season with Skinner. He just played more minutes.
- kingcong39

If Jack, your best player, wanted to play with Skinner, he would be playing with Skinner. There is a reason Skinner is not playing on Jack's line. I guess there is a reason he is not scheduled to play on Staal's line now too. I guess there is a reason why Carolina and its coaches wanted him out of there and took basically garbage for them to do it. But there is also a reason why he is the forgiven one with some Sabres' fans and excuse everything for him. I guess we have to rational these reasons.

The coach is really bad

Skinner will be playing against other team's 4th liners if he actually stays there. If he can't score against 4th liners then is he really all that?
- GilPerreault11

Two words: Lazar, Sheahan

Titans, no. Ravens defense can still show up and play a good game.
- buffalofan19

Is that for sure with the Ravens? I'm not sure after looking at their regular season schedule.

Agreed, however IMO that trade starts with Cozens, a 1st and a roster player...to which the Sabres will need to include a player with a Cap hit around $3m - $4m...
So, Cozens, 2021 - 1st, Olofsson?
- IonSabres

Mitts, Quinn, 2021 First, 2022 2nd.

Agreed, however IMO that trade starts with Cozens, a 1st and a roster player...to which the Sabres will need to include a player with a Cap hit around $3m - $4m...
So, Cozens, 2021 - 1st, Olofsson?
- IonSabres

If the Blue Jackets said they would trade the Sabres Dubois for Cozens, Olofsson, and a 2021 1st, I'd answer yes immediately.

Don’t worry, when Eichel demands a trade because we’re bad again, we can go get some guys that play within the team principals

Skinner will be playing against other team's 4th liners if he actually stays there. If he can't score against 4th liners then is he really all that?
- GilPerreault11

We will know that answer If Olofsson or Tage put up 30-40 (Goal pace) playing with Jack this season

Good stuff ion 👍

When everyone considers ralph a players coach , maybe it's on the player.

Although, erod, bogo and a few others asked for trades last year. So maybe it's both guys.

For 9 million, you should get a %1000skinner effort out of skimmer.

I was part of the pay him whatever to keep him, doesnt look to smart currently
- Boss34

Because the friggin Coach has virtually sidelined a $9m, 40G player. To do what exactly? Become a Cf 55%, +7 player with 15G's...it is truly mind boggling

If Jack, your best player, wanted to play with Skinner, he would be playing with Skinner. There is a reason Skinner is not playing on Jack's line. I guess there is a reason he is not scheduled to play on Staal's line now too. I guess there is a reason why Carolina and its coaches wanted him out of there and took basically garbage for them to do it. But there is also a reason why he is the forgiven one with some Sabres' fans and excuse everything for him. I guess we have to rational these reasons.
- GilPerreault11

Ralph just laid it out, he needs to play more defense...but that's not skinner's m.o...so instead of trying ro maximize his roster in a shortened season within the toughest realigned division in the nhl, ralph is busy proving he's in charge....

Memo to ralph, this isn't international hockey...it's the nhl where there are contracts and cap-hits involved and skinner is here for another seven years at a $9M cap-hit on a team that's up against the ceiling...a team, by the way, that hasn't made the playoffs in nine seasons

Don’t worry, when Eichel demands a trade because we’re bad again, we can go get some guys that play within the team principals
- sbroads24

The ones defending this on here is no shock to me.

What is weird is there are so many people seeing it this early. That never happens here.

Maybe I will get nhl.tv. It will be my last chance to see Eichel in a Sabres uniform. The tank for nothing.

https://twitter.com/buffalovogl/status/1348323084869259268?s=21

There’s a huge disconnect

Ralph is going to strong arm a $9 million player and former 40 goal scorer.

It’s officially a problem.

A big one at that.

Players are who they are especially a 10 year veteran. You don’t try to develop him at this point. You put him in the best position to succeed.

That is poor coaching.
- Stripes77

This^^

Because the friggin Coach has virtually sidelined a $9m, 40G player. To do what exactly? Become a Cf 55%, +7 player with 15G's...it is truly mind boggling
- IonSabres

Very true. The big BUT is, if he is not putting in the work like others are to make this team better, and he won’t buy into the culture and system trying to be created, then isn’t he part of the problem? $9mil problem unfortunately but part of the problem still?
One of my biggest criticisms of this team over the past 5 years is the complete lack of effort or consistent effort by almost all players not named Jack or ROR (primary driver to his departure IMo)

Ralph just laid it out, he needs to play more defense...but that's not skinner's m.o...so instead of trying ro maximize his roster in a shortened season within the toughest realigned division in the nhl, ralph is busy proving he's in charge....

Memo to ralph, this isn't international hockey...it's the nhl where there are contracts and cap-hits involved and skinner is here for another seven years at a $9M cap-hit on a team that's up against the ceiling...a team, by the way, that hasn't made the playoffs in nine seasons
- Michael Pachla

Very rarely does getting in a p!ssing contest with a high paid player does a coach win. It’s so weird seeing this unfold.

Ralph just laid it out, he needs to play more defense...but that's not skinner's m.o...so instead of trying ro maximize his roster in a shortened season within the toughest realigned division in the nhl, ralph is busy proving he's in charge....

Memo to ralph, this isn't international hockey...it's the nhl where there are contracts and cap-hits involved and skinner is here for another seven years at a $9M cap-hit on a team that's up against the ceiling...a team, by the way, that hasn't made the playoffs in nine seasons
- Michael Pachla

Agreed on the above.

There's maximizing the skills of your players and there's trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

Often, the best coaches know the greatest skill they can have is getting out of their own way.

Don’t worry, when Eichel demands a trade because we’re bad again, we can go get some guys that play within the team principals
- sbroads24

It has worked for the Bills pretty well in "following the process" instead of everyone doing their own thing and playing haphazardly. But, Skinner is a figure skater so let him do his thing.

It has worked for the Bills pretty well in "following the process" instead of everyone doing their own thing and playing haphazardly. But, Skinner is a figure skater so let him do his thing.
- GilPerreault11

NFL where contracts aren’t really a thing and there’s 53 guys

NHL where contracts just don’t go away.

Big difference.

Very rarely does getting in a p!ssing contest with a high paid player does a coach win. It’s so weird seeing this unfold.
- Stripes77

Yuppers