57 games left in the season. Im not worried about a mid-quarter season winning streak where we have to rely on bounces off the stanchion to win, or a clueless goaltending unknowingly making a save with his back to keep us in it. Or Steven Stamkos to be a quarter of a inch off with his shot.

If we were out possessing, out shooting, and out chancing other teams, i'd be severely worried.
- theblueandgold

I'd then actually be full-on rooting for them. As of right now, this is nice.

I'd then actually be full-on rooting for them. As of right now, this is nice.
- nfph

I can say with honesty, that I would be too. Problem is, reality tells me we arent a playoff team, in fact, we arent a very good team.

We still have the fewest goals in the NHL.
We still have the fewest regulation wins in the NHL.

If we didnt have the skills competition, and still had 1 pt for a tie, we'd be worst in the league.

Realistically, what does a package like this net:

Hodgson, Stafford/Stewart, 2nd?

Could that net a player like Evander Kane?

What about something like:

Foligno, Enroth/Neuvirth/Hackett (whomever we aren't keeping), late first?

EDIT:

What should this team be looking for? I am trying to figure out what this team needs moving forward. Bonafide scoring?
- thatsapickle

The team needs, IMO, are:

1. another high quality center to put them over the top in that position, which they won't get, likely, unless they draft top 2, hit on a later pick, or make a giant trade.

2. They could badly use a true gamebreaker at LW. I would call who they have in the pipeline and the NHL as solid at most. They would need to hit big on both Lemieux and Carrier, and have Possler be a diamond in the rough of a later round pick not to have a strong need at LW.

3. I think they still need another (top) quality D man, preferably a powerplay QB.

I can say with honesty, that I would be too. Problem is, reality tells me we arent a playoff team, in fact, we arent a very good team.

We still have the fewest goals in the NHL.
We still have the fewest regulation wins in the NHL.

If we didnt have the skills competition, and still had 1 pt for a tie, we'd be worst in the league.
- theblueandgold

BUT.... It's damn nice to see the team heading in the right direction we had hoped for. We won't be a cup contender over night. (some think we will with that 1st pick) Lets enjoy it while it lasts. We could be grumbling in a week and be back in 30th.

BUT.... It's damn nice to see the team heading in the right direction we had hoped for. We won't be a cup contender over night. (some think we will with that 1st pick) Lets enjoy it while it lasts. We could be grumbling in a week and be back in 30th.
- cabin

This is where we differ. I dont see the TEAM heading in the right direction. I see certain players heading in the right direction. I dont hope for squeaking out a 6 of 7 game stretch where we literally are beat up on the stat board in every category (shots, hits, faceoffs, penalties, etc). Okay, yes the scoreboard is the only thing that matters, but its going to be extra hard to win like that in the postseason when winning matters.

As a team, heading in the right direction would mean we dominate opponents night in and night out. Out possess them. Out shoot them. Have a deadly PP. Score 2x or 3x the rate we are right now.... I do agree that it will take a while to get there. At least 2 years from now is my timeframe of the beginning of a turn around, and if we dont land McEichel, it could be longer.

This is where we differ. I dont see the TEAM heading in the right direction. I see certain players heading in the right direction. I dont hope for squeaking out a 6 of 7 game stretch where we literally are beat up on the stat board in every category (shots, hits, faceoffs, penalties, etc). Okay, yes the scoreboard is the only thing that matters, but its going to be extra hard to win like that in the postseason when winning matters.

As a team, heading in the right direction would mean we dominate opponents night in and night out. Out possess them. Out shoot them. Have a deadly PP. Score 2x or 3x the rate we are right now.... I do agree that it will take a while to get there. At least 2 years from now is my timeframe of the beginning of a turn around, and if we dont land McEichel, it could be longer.
- theblueandgold

Girgenson, myers, ennis, ristolanen and zadorov are playing decently in this stretch. So how can't you see the team heading in the right direction?

Dare I say ennis is that driver of a right winger that we need? Armia seems like a big bodied passenger of a winger that would compliment nicely on our future roster.

Girgenson, myers, ennis, ristolanen and zadorov are playing decently in this stretch. So how can't you see the team heading in the right direction?
- joshs

They have been playing well the whole year. Unfortunately it takes an entire team

When Hodgson, Gionta, Stewart,Foligno, the other three defensemen start to play well, then it will be a much better team

Girgenson, myers, ennis, ristolanen and zadorov are playing decently in this stretch. So how can't you see the team heading in the right direction?
- joshs

I think you answered your own question - see the bolds

The team needs, IMO, are:

1. another high quality center to put them over the top in that position, which they won't get, likely, unless they draft top 2, hit on a later pick, or make a giant trade.

2. They could badly use a true gamebreaker at LW. I would call who they have in the pipeline and the NHL as solid at most. They would need to hit big on both Lemieux and Carrier, and have Possler be a diamond in the rough of a later round pick not to have a strong need at LW.

3. I think they still need another (top) quality D man, preferably a powerplay QB.
- kingcong39

Agreed. LW seems to be the most glaring need for them moving forward. Im not big on lemieux at least in a top 6 role same goes for Carrier. Possler is off my radar until he gets over to North America

http://www.store716.com/p...now-buffalo-sports-trivia

Agreed. LW seems to be the most glaring need for them moving forward. Im not big on lemieux at least in a top 6 role same goes for Carrier. Possler is off my radar until he gets over to North America
- MCGUIZZY

Nick Baptiste could be vey good

This is where we differ. I dont see the TEAM heading in the right direction. I see certain players heading in the right direction. I dont hope for squeaking out a 6 of 7 game stretch where we literally are beat up on the stat board in every category (shots, hits, faceoffs, penalties, etc). Okay, yes the scoreboard is the only thing that matters, but its going to be extra hard to win like that in the postseason when winning matters.

As a team, heading in the right direction would mean we dominate opponents night in and night out. Out possess them. Out shoot them. Have a deadly PP. Score 2x or 3x the rate we are right now.... I do agree that it will take a while to get there. At least 2 years from now is my timeframe of the beginning of a turn around, and if we dont land McEichel, it could be longer.
- theblueandgold

THey are not doing too bad for 19-21 yr olds going against vets /stars of the league. In 2 -3 years they hopefully will be our stars.

They have been playing well the whole year. Unfortunately it takes an entire team

When Hodgson, Gionta, Stewart,Foligno, the other three defensemen start to play well, then it will be a much better team
- sbroads24

i don't know who I'm more disappointed in, hodgson or Foligno. probably hodgson. I expected him to be a adequate scoring line player either at center or wing.

Girgenson, myers, ennis, ristolanen and zadorov are playing decently in this stretch. So how can't you see the team heading in the right direction?
- joshs

Its literally in the 2nd paragraph of that post, did you even read it all?

i don't know who I'm more disappointed in, hodgson or Foligno. probably hodgson. I expected him to be a adequate scoring line player either at center or wing.
- joshs

Hodgson by far. I'm not a Foligno fan but he does some good....Hodgson is sucking it up pretty fierce

Nick Baptiste could be vey good
- sbroads24

Hes a RW. And yes hes actually my favorite sabres prospect not in the pros

Hes a RW. And yes hes actually my favorite sabres prospect not in the pros
- MCGUIZZY

I didn't know you meant only left wing

I didn't know you meant only left wing
- sbroads24

Yea I meant LW. Its our weakest position in our pipeline imo. I would really like them to address that in this upcoming draft. Im sure they will

Yea I meant LW. Its our weakest position in our pipeline imo. I would really like them to address that in this upcoming draft. Im sure they will
- MCGUIZZY

Skinner, Kane could be good long term options.

Hodgson by far. I'm not a Foligno fan but he does some good....Hodgson is sucking it up pretty fierce
- sbroads24

i guess there were no winners in that Kassian hodgson trade lol

Skinner, Kane could be good long term options.
- Sabresfan-365

Sure. Although skinner with those concussions...

If we are looking at the draft though Lawson crouse could be a good option or Zacha


Edit: Part of the reason I really really wanted the ises pick last draft was because dal colle would have fit in perfectly from a positional standpoint. Really liked dal colle

Its literally in the 2nd paragraph of that post, did you even read it all?
- theblueandgold

I'm not seeing it.

Yea I meant LW. Its our weakest position in our pipeline imo. I would really like them to address that in this upcoming draft. Im sure they will
- MCGUIZZY

I think the best route for them is going to be to trade for a top line LW while also attempting to hit on one in the draft.

With that said, you have a pair of wildcards in Compher and Hurley who are listed at center but I am sure could slide to LW as it's a position of need and those two are strong prospects.

They are very deep at RW with Armia, Bailey, Fasching, Baptiste, and even Karabacek.

Sure. Although skinner with those concussions...

If we are looking at the draft though Lawson crouse could be a good option or Zacha
- MCGUIZZY

I'm hoping that's via trade and not overall draft position