Rochester cruising 7-3 tonight

lockport larry gets his first goal for the yotes

You would be crazy not to add watt he Could be the missing piece for your Super Bowl run.
- MGK

He's injury prone and is showing signs of breaking down (32 games missed in last 5 years) and only had a pedestrian 5 sacks last year.

If it's for the right price, I've said earlier I'm on board.

lockport larry gets his first goal for the yotes
- homiedclown

Lackawanna Larry you mean?

The Big Lebowski is not funny. I gave it a shot...it's just OK. I don't get the fandom. I really don't. Is it an era thing ? For instance, I LOVED Caddyshack when it came out and I'm guessing someone watching it today for the first time might not "get it" or enjoy it. Could that be the case with me and TBL ?

Maybe the clouds and rain are affecting my outlook this morning, but holy crap a review of the NHL Standings today causes me to wonder what the Sabres future is, especially as current constructed and their existing prospect pipeline.

If we were to reconstruct our traditional Division based on the current performance of those teams, it would look like the following:

(Ordered by Win% , Games Played in "[ ]")
TOR. 11 2 1 23 .786 [14]
TBL. 9 2 1 19 .750 [12]
FLA. 8 1 2 18 .682 [11]
BOS. 10 1 2 22 .654 [13]
MTL. 8 4 2 18 .643 [14]
CAR. 8 3 0 16 .591 [11]
BUF. 4 4 2 10 .400 [10]
DET. 3 10 2 8 .233 [15]
OTT. 2 12 1 5 .167 [15]

So, while the Sabres have played the fewest games, keep in mind that FLA & TBL have only played 1 and 2 more games respectively.

Now, also give some consideration to the the following teams have a Prospect Pipeline of higher quality than where the Sabres were ranked...
-Detroit
-Ottawa
-Carolina
-Toronto
-Montreal
-Florida

With long-term commitments to Skinner and Okposo tying up nearly 20% of the CAP, it certainly limits the organization's flexibility.

Personally, for this season I think it is imperative for Kevyn Krueger to accomplish the following as a priority:
- determine if Skinner can find the magic with Jack and Sam again
- find a way to get Dahlin's play back to that which warranted a 1-OA pick
- determine if Mitts is a viable NHL player, including possessing the needed drive to become the best he can be...and what does that look like?
- get Joker's game back on track to a Top 4 Dman
- continue to develop Cozens into a stud 2C
- get more production 5v5 from Olofsson

There are more to add to the list I'm sure.
But I believe this season they must focus on those goals, rather than a singular focus on finishing 4th...if they don't, I don't believe the future is not as bright as we thought.

Maybe the clouds and rain are affecting my outlook this morning, but holy crap a review of the NHL Standings today causes me to wonder what the Sabres future is, especially as current constructed and their existing prospect pipeline.

If we were to reconstruct our traditional Division based on the current performance of those teams, it would look like the following:

(Ordered by Win% , Games Played in "
- IonSabres[ ]")
TOR. 11 2 1 23 .786 [14]
TBL. 9 2 1 19 .750 [12]
FLA. 8 1 2 18 .682 [11]
BOS. 10 1 2 22 .654 [13]
MTL. 8 4 2 18 .643 [14]
CAR. 8 3 0 16 .591 [11]
BUF. 4 4 2 10 .400 [10]
DET. 3 10 2 8 .233 [15]
OTT. 2 12 1 5 .167 [15]

.

when did carolina move to our division?

The Big Lebowski is not funny. I gave it a shot...it's just OK. I don't get the fandom. I really don't. Is it an era thing ? For instance, I LOVED Caddyshack when it came out and I'm guessing someone watching it today for the first time might not "get it" or enjoy it. Could that be the case with me and TBL ?
- kritter65

Yeah well that's just like your opinion man.

Yeah well that's just like your opinion man.
- 3rd GM's the charm

I knew that was coming. In my original post, I typed "and please, no movie quotes, gifs, pics, or memes in your response" but I erased it.

when did carolina move to our division?
- homiedclown

Lol, good catch...I like Carolina so I look for how they are doing.

Move along, nothing to see here!

Lol, good catch...I like Carolina so I look for how they are doing.

Move along, nothing to see here!
- IonSabres

it's a slippery slope IMO comparing what the leafs and habs are doing to the bad defensive teams compared to what the sabres are doing vs the caps and flyers

the canadian division is much softer then playing teams like the bolts, or bruins in our normal division or the caps etc in our current division

after saying that, the leaf named guys are still scoring
and the habs are taking that big step forward that many of us predicted



the sabres on the other hand are scoring less 5 on 5 then last season which is a surprise


in the shortened season, the sabres needed to start running and they didn't
hopefully it will change but right now I would lean toward no as the islanders and pens seem to be playing better lately and there is lots of 3 point games so far this season

The Big Lebowski is not funny. I gave it a shot...it's just OK. I don't get the fandom. I really don't. Is it an era thing ? For instance, I LOVED Caddyshack when it came out and I'm guessing someone watching it today for the first time might not "get it" or enjoy it. Could that be the case with me and TBL ?
- kritter65

Guess you’re not into bowling...or F-bombs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaBBxSLZEic

Maybe the clouds and rain are affecting my outlook this morning, but holy crap a review of the NHL Standings today causes me to wonder what the Sabres future is, especially as current constructed and their existing prospect pipeline.

If we were to reconstruct our traditional Division based on the current performance of those teams, it would look like the following:

(Ordered by Win% , Games Played in "
- IonSabres[ ]")
TOR. 11 2 1 23 .786 [14]
TBL. 9 2 1 19 .750 [12]
FLA. 8 1 2 18 .682 [11]
BOS. 10 1 2 22 .654 [13]
MTL. 8 4 2 18 .643 [14]
CAR. 8 3 0 16 .591 [11]
BUF. 4 4 2 10 .400 [10]
DET. 3 10 2 8 .233 [15]
OTT. 2 12 1 5 .167 [15]

So, while the Sabres have played the fewest games, keep in mind that FLA & TBL have only played 1 and 2 more games respectively.

Now, also give some consideration to the the following teams have a Prospect Pipeline of higher quality than where the Sabres were ranked...
-Detroit
-Ottawa
-Carolina
-Toronto
-Montreal
-Florida

With long-term commitments to Skinner and Okposo tying up nearly 20% of the CAP, it certainly limits the organization's flexibility.

Personally, for this season I think it is imperative for Kevyn Krueger to accomplish the following as a priority:
- determine if Skinner can find the magic with Jack and Sam again
- find a way to get Dahlin's play back to that which warranted a 1-OA pick
- determine if Mitts is a viable NHL player, including possessing the needed drive to become the best he can be...and what does that look like?
- get Joker's game back on track to a Top 4 Dman
- continue to develop Cozens into a stud 2C
- get more production 5v5 from Olofsson

There are more to add to the list I'm sure.
But I believe this season they must focus on those goals, rather than a singular focus on finishing 4th...if they don't, I don't believe the future is not as bright as we thought.

It's difficult to compare when teams are in entirely different divisions, like the hot poop North division, for example.

it's a slippery slope IMO comparing what the leafs and habs are doing to the bad defensive teams compared to what the sabres are doing vs the caps and flyers

the canadian division is much softer then playing teams like the bolts, or bruins in our normal division or the caps etc in our current division

after saying that, the leaf named guys are still scoring
and the habs are taking that big step forward that many of us predicted



the sabres on the other hand are scoring less 5 on 5 then last season which is a surprise


in the shortened season, the sabres needed to start running and they didn't
hopefully it will change but right now I would lean toward no as the islanders and pens seem to be playing better lately and there is lots of 3 point games so far this season
- homiedclown

Yes, I agree that comparing across Divisions this season is more challenging. If we were comparing minusia then I thi k that comes into play, but the point I'm trying to make is bigger picture...
The Bolts, Leafs, Bruins, Panthers and Canadiens are looking solid as presently constructed, and other lesser teams like Detroit and Ottawa are building rather significantly...add in cross-conference competitors like NYR, NJD, Car all in the mix fighting for Wild Card positions...
The Sabres have an uphill battle on their hands now and continuing for the future..even when the Bruins begin their decent in 2 or 3 years.

Who is looking at the future in this organization? Who is the brain trust that is giving this adequate consideration...to me, the answer is It needs to be better than what Kevyn Krueger has shown us so far in very limited time thus far.

It's difficult to compare when teams are in entirely different divisions, like the hot poop North division, for example.
- kingcong39

More difficult, sure. But it needs to be considered none the less.

My post above this points to why, IMO.

I.e. whether the Leafs are 13 or 9 points ahead...they are significantly ahead.
The Panthers in a tight Division are looking significantly better
Etc, etc.

I knew that was coming. In my original post, I typed "and please, no movie quotes, gifs, pics, or memes in your response" but I erased it.
- kritter65

I still would have. Idk. TBL was a very nuanced comedy. It was more entertaining than funny and I think its overhyped for sure but it's a good movie.

Buffalo Sabres in 29th place. Too small a sample size to know if this is the same old team.

More difficult, sure. But it needs to be considered none the less.

My post above this points to why, IMO.

I.e. whether the Leafs are 13 or 9 points ahead...they are significantly ahead.
The PANTHERS in a tight Division are looking significantly better
Etc, etc.
- IonSabres

There really is something to being tougher, grittier, and harder to play against. I think they may have found what’s been missing the last few years.

There really is something to being tougher, grittier, and harder to play against. I think they may have found what’s been missing the last few years.
- Ratsreign

The Leafs are playing a bunch of minor league teams.

Apart from Montreal that entire division is terrible.

Heck we don’t even know if Montreal is good because that division stinks. They have cooled off considerably since their hot start

The Leafs are playing a bunch of minor league teams.

Apart from Montreal that entire division is terrible.

Heck we don’t even know if Montreal is good because that division stinks. They have cooled off considerably since their hot start
- Pegullaville

It's been shocking how bad Vancouver has been.

It's been shocking how bad Vancouver has been.
- kingcong39

bad goaltending


errrrrrrrrrrr bad D

Steve Smith is already a better coach...?

Sabres' lines/pairings at practice in Hall's return:

Skinner-Eichel-Olofsson
Hall-Staal-Reinhart
Smith-Eakin-Okposo
Thompson-Sheahan-Fogarty

Davidson-Miller
Irwin-Jokiharju
Bryson-Borgen

Hutton, Ullmark, Johansson are the goalies.

https://twitter.com/LLyso.../1360621984246341638?s=19

bad goaltending


errrrrrrrrrrr bad D
- homiedclown

The same bad D they have had for 3 years.

Markstrom left, that’s the big difference

Steve Smith is already a better coach...?

Sabres' lines/pairings at practice in Hall's return:

Skinner-Eichel-Olofsson
Hall-Staal-Reinhart
Smith-Eakin-Okposo
Thompson-Sheahan-Fogarty

Davidson-Miller
Irwin-Jokiharju
Bryson-Borgen

Hutton, Ullmark, Johansson are the goalies.

https://twitter.com/LLyso.../1360621984246341638?s=19
- kingcong39

Ralph is at home plotting Steve Smith's demise

Taylor Hall confirms he tested positive for Covid-19 and was asymptomatic.

https://twitter.com/LLyso.../1360639830074527744?s=19