Sure, I get that you weren't being literal, but the guys being better locker room buddies > adding Puljujarvi to the line up next year. Nah, tank on.
- sskkoo1

I will have a hard time with Puljujarvi . Saying and spelling it .

Sure, I get that you weren't being literal, but the guys being better locker room buddies > adding Puljujarvi to the line up next year. Nah, tank on.
- sskkoo1

While I don't necessarily disagree, we've seen teams with tons of top end talent struggle to win. It's subjective. Either situation can be viewed as a positive.

And so much for how good we thought last season goalies were.
- cabin

I added a lot to my original post but as good as the goalies were last year save percentage wise they were getting hammered with almost 50 shots per game at some point. That helps the save percentage if you can stop 47 out of 50 and lose 3-2 as opposed to stopping 27 out of 30.

While I don't necessarily disagree, we've seen teams with tons of top end talent struggle to win. It's subjective. Either situation can be viewed as a positive.
- chilliard77

Yeah, I understand what you're saying, it would be nice to see this team tighten up and kick some tail. But, I just can't stand to see yet another race to mediocracy in this city. The Bills winning those last two games was yet another prime example.

Lehner has been awesome! I love when risto shoots and or looks for a tip on the pp, it seems to go in half the time and always has me on the edge of my seat. Hopefully foligno and larrson can keep up the game they've been playing, regardless if they make the stat sheet. Girgensons is getting his touch back. McCabe is really turning into a solid NHL defenseman.

I know how some of you feel about kane around here, but i love his game for the most part. I mean it would be better if he wasnt labeled as a star but he has incredible speed and the hits he delivers and the moves he makes on the walls are what everyone looks for in a power forward. He gives it damn near everything all game, i would say one of the most trying sabres out there.

Lehner has been awesome! I love when risto shoots and or looks for a tip on the pp, it seems to go in half the time and always has me on the edge of my seat. Hopefully foligno and larrson can keep up the game they've been playing, regardless if they make the stat sheet. Girgensons is getting his touch back. McCabe is really turning into a solid NHL defenseman.

I know how some of you feel about kane around here, but i love his game for the most part. I mean it would be better if he wasnt labeled as a star but he has incredible speed and the hits he delivers and the moves he makes on the walls are what everyone looks for in a power forward. He gives it damn near everything all game, i would say one of the most trying sabres out there.
- gerbe42

Kane definitely has all the tools to be a darn good player, just somebody please get the guy a shooting coach already.

It was nice to get the win tonight, and I hope you all have a good night. I'm off to watch some Game of Thrones.

Kane definitely has all the tools to be a darn good player, just somebody please get the guy a shooting coach already.
- sskkoo1

i agree, its frustrating sometimes when he hits the post or shoots it wide. Even tonight, he created 2 breakaway chances i believe. Its a shame neither went in.

I believe that we a majority of the pieces in place we need to be a top team. Would I love a Puljujärvi, Chychrun, or Laine? You bet your ass, but I don't think they are absolutely crucial to our future success.
- chilliard77

Really? Who will play top pair with risto? And what of the vacant top 6 spot? I think this season has shown they really lack that extra piece or two and unfortunately i don't expect them to be major players in FA.

Really? Who will play top pair with risto? And what of the vacant top 6 spot? I think this season has shown they really lack that extra piece or two and unfortunately i don't expect them to be major players in FA.
- Sabresfan-365

Don't put it past Murray to grab an impact FA this summer. There's not a ton out there that make total sense, but maybe a few guys out there would fit our mould.

Don't put it past Murray to grab an impact FA this summer. There's not a ton out there that make total sense, but maybe a few guys out there would fit our mould.
- TheSabresTaco

My fear is Ehrhoff/Leino 2.0. You'd love to grab an impact FA but at what cost?

Then why don't Lundquist or Price have any cups??

Edmonton's issue was they neglected the blue line for so long.
- Stripes77

That's kind of my point. It takes a team to win. Not any one guy. The Rangers were/are not very good offensively. They have a "throw it at the wall and see what sticks approach" Also their coaches didn't help. And the Canadiens? The same. Pacioretty is elite. Gallagher is trending that way. Plekanec was borderline elite, but they never came together, or they ran into a hot team. That last bit goes for the Rangers as well as any team in the history of the NHL.

Don't put it past Murray to grab an impact FA this summer. There's not a ton out there that make total sense, but maybe a few guys out there would fit our mould.
- TheSabresTaco

Yeah, here's what I think. While it's unlikely any of us has a clue about what's inside Darcy's head, and things like the salary cap, NTCs/NMCs, and the declining economy's impact on future revenues make it nearly impossible to trade anyone of any significance, it's not inconceivable that the Sabres could make a mid-season move.

Vanek, Roy, Miller, Pommer are probably not on the block since they represent the young core of this team and are all locked up long-term. We all know Vanek's contract is insane, but given the length and amount of the others, it seems unlikely to me there's a better deal out there. Remember Larry Quinn is a numbers guy, and 5 mil 6 years from now will be looking pretty good. Roy's deal is an especially favorable one for the club. You might even be able to throw Goose into this category b/c his value to the Sabres is high given his hustle and toughness.

Max, Kotalik, and Connolly are popular choices for a change of venue, but their UFA status would mean they'd need to go to a contender for the receiving team to be willing to assume the risk. That said, what's the likelihood of a contender sending the Sabres something worthy of a blockbuster? That's not even taking into account Max sucking for the last 2 years, Kotalik getting a reputation of being lazy, and (Tin) Connolly being more fragile than the leg lamp in A Christmas Story. This, coming from the guy who actually owns a Connolly jersey.

As far as young talent at forward goes, Stafford, MacArthur, Paille are the only roster players in that category. They're all tradable, but not enough to bring in an impact player. To me, the Sabres would need to include one of Mancari, Gerbe, or Kennedy to get another team interested. Possible, though Gerbe seems like he's got a future here.

Lastly, if they're really trying to fix the recent injury problem at defense, they're not going to trade any defensemen. Even still, it's more likely they'll do what they did last year and bring in a veteran like Nolan Pratt to temporarily fill the gap until Weber and Sekera are healthy again (a few weeks?). I haven't looked to see who like that is available, but they found someone last year and could probably do it again.

We Sabres fans have gotten used to the fact that Darcy rarely makes any moves. In fact, who really does anymore? I'd love to be wrong, but not at the expense of 26 / 9 / 30 / 29. You can have Peters. Twice.

I will have a hard time with Puljujarvi . Saying and spelling it .
- cabin

Poo-you'll-yar-vee. Spelling it? I've got nothing.

That's kind of my point. It takes a team to win. Not any one guy. The Rangers were/are not very good offensively. They have a "throw it at the wall and see what sticks approach" Also their coaches didn't help. And the Canadiens? The same. Pacioretty is elite. Gallagher is trending that way. Plekanec was borderline elite, but they never came together, or they ran into a hot team. That last bit goes for the Rangers as well as any team in the history of the NHL.
- Wetbandit1

So why would you take a goalie???

Elite scorers and Norris defenseman are the players you go after first. Not a goaltender.

Yeah, here's what I think. While it's unlikely any of us has a clue about what's inside Darcy's head, and things like the salary cap, NTCs/NMCs, and the declining economy's impact on future revenues make it nearly impossible to trade anyone of any significance, it's not inconceivable that the Sabres could make a mid-season move.

Vanek, Roy, Miller, Pommer are probably not on the block since they represent the young core of this team and are all locked up long-term. We all know Vanek's contract is insane, but given the length and amount of the others, it seems unlikely to me there's a better deal out there. Remember Larry Quinn is a numbers guy, and 5 mil 6 years from now will be looking pretty good. Roy's deal is an especially favorable one for the club. You might even be able to throw Goose into this category b/c his value to the Sabres is high given his hustle and toughness.

Max, Kotalik, and Connolly are popular choices for a change of venue, but their UFA status would mean they'd need to go to a contender for the receiving team to be willing to assume the risk. That said, what's the likelihood of a contender sending the Sabres something worthy of a blockbuster? That's not even taking into account Max sucking for the last 2 years, Kotalik getting a reputation of being lazy, and (Tin) Connolly being more fragile than the leg lamp in A Christmas Story. This, coming from the guy who actually owns a Connolly jersey.

As far as young talent at forward goes, Stafford, MacArthur, Paille are the only roster players in that category. They're all tradable, but not enough to bring in an impact player. To me, the Sabres would need to include one of Mancari, Gerbe, or Kennedy to get another team interested. Possible, though Gerbe seems like he's got a future here.

Lastly, if they're really trying to fix the recent injury problem at defense, they're not going to trade any defensemen. Even still, it's more likely they'll do what they did last year and bring in a veteran like Nolan Pratt to temporarily fill the gap until Weber and Sekera are healthy again (a few weeks?). I haven't looked to see who like that is available, but they found someone last year and could probably do it again.

We Sabres fans have gotten used to the fact that Darcy rarely makes any moves. In fact, who really does anymore? I'd love to be wrong, but not at the expense of 26 / 9 / 30 / 29. You can have Peters. Twice.
- CaptainRivet

Post more!

That's a huge drop in goals against. Too bad they had trouble scoring they could really be a playoff team IMO.

In all seriousness I don't think anyone predicted Moulson to be this bad. He should be around 11 goals by now so that's 7 more and Kane could seriously have 10 more but give me 3 more and there's 10 goals right there. Then there is Tyler Ennis...ill take 3 more from him and that's 13 and our differential is 8. I think that's 6 more points conservatively. Still out of the playoffs but within real striking distance.

Get me a top 6 forward at the draft please and make a push for Yandle.
- Stripes77

Yeah, it's a huge drop, but it's still bad(20th). Just goes to show just how truly, historically bad we were the last two years.

I was fading in and out of the game tonight, but what I saw were two not great teams playing and the Sabres doing enough to win. The first goal was something though, even if it doesn't work 8 out of 10 times. From what I saw there really didn't seem to be much flow to the game.

That's a huge drop in goals against. Too bad they had trouble scoring they could really be a playoff team IMO.

In all seriousness I don't think anyone predicted Moulson to be this bad. He should be around 11 goals by now so that's 7 more and Kane could seriously have 10 more but give me 3 more and there's 10 goals right there. Then there is Tyler Ennis...ill take 3 more from him and that's 13 and our differential is 8. I think that's 6 more points conservatively. Still out of the playoffs but within real striking distance.

Get me a top 6 forward at the draft please and make a push for Yandle.
- Stripes77

I've posted the breakdown a few times, especially since December after all the constant pissing and moaning about the team being no better than last year.

Sabres are on pace for 74 points this season - a 20 point increase over last year. Pretty sure I remember people posting how a 20 point gain would be very tough, yet that's the current pace - and that's with some horrible play by Moulson and Ennis as you mention

So why would you take a goalie???

Elite scorers and Norris defenseman are the players you go after first. Not a goaltender.
- Stripes77

It depends on where I'm picking too. If it's number 1 I'd probably say Karlsson. But Price would still be right there. Teams that win the Cup either have very good goalies, or their goalie gets hot. I'd rather not have to rely on a guy getting hot. like I said before a team is more than just one guy, you have to factor in age, potential, salary cap, "chemistry". You could pick from a pool of 10 guys and not really be wrong. The Caps tried outscoring everyone for a few years and failed quite spectacularly at it too don't forget, because when their scorers went cold their goalies just plan weren't good enough to bail them out.

I've posted the breakdown a few times, especially since December after all the constant pissing and moaning about the team being no better than last year.

Sabres are on pace for 74 points this season - a 20 point increase over last year. Pretty sure I remember people posting how a 20 point gain would be very tough, yet that's the current pace - and that's with some horrible play by Moulson and Ennis as you mention
- stashu

There's just no pleasing some people. I guarantee if they end up on their pace some won't be happy with it.

I've posted the breakdown a few times, especially since December after all the constant pissing and moaning about the team being no better than last year.

Sabres are on pace for 74 points this season - a 20 point increase over last year. Pretty sure I remember people posting how a 20 point gain would be very tough, yet that's the current pace - and that's with some horrible play by Moulson and Ennis as you mention
- stashu

If I remember correctly there was a point in early to mid December where points wise they were only 5 or 6 points better than last year.

Just goes to show how they are starting to jell.

If I remember correctly there was a point in early to mid December where points wise they were only 5 or 6 points better than last year.

Just goes to show how they are starting to jell.
- Stripes77

I think late December it was just like 2-3 points, and that's where all "The Sky Is Falling!!" stuff started, and there were people saying how they figured it'd be another 0-fer January.

Really? Who will play top pair with risto? And what of the vacant top 6 spot? I think this season has shown they really lack that extra piece or two and unfortunately i don't expect them to be major players in FA.
- Sabresfan-365

The best teams generally have an elite center, and an elite defenseman, with an above average supporting cast. If Eichel and Ristolainen end up as advertised, we have the two most important pieces, and that isn't even taking into account the other strong/above average pieces we have beyond Eichel and Risto. We don't have to fill every hole with elite talent to become an elite team. We have the main pieces in place, it's just a matter of our main pieces maturing and the supporting cast coming together.

The best teams generally have an elite center, and an elite defenseman, with an above average supporting cast. If Eichel and Ristolainen end up as advertised, we have the two most important pieces, and that isn't even taking into account the other strong/above average pieces we have beyond Eichel and Risto. We don't have to fill every hole with elite talent to become an elite team. We have the main pieces in place, it's just a matter of our main pieces maturing and the supporting cast coming together.
- chilliard77

I (respectfully) disagree. I think the best teams have an elite core. A group of 5 or 6 players that you can always rely upon. Eichel, Reinhart, Ristolainen, O'Reilly make up most of that. I think they still need at least 1 more but probably 2.

I know they are constantly used as an example but over the 3 cups they've the hawks have 6 guys who have been there for all of them and are still there despite the cap crunch. Hossa, Hjalmarsson, Kane, Toews, Seabrook and Keith.

Similarly the kings have hung onto Kopitar, Doughty, Muzzin, Carter,Quick(though i don't necessarily agree with his value but w.e)

The best teams generally have an elite center, and an elite defenseman, with an above average supporting cast. If Eichel and Ristolainen end up as advertised, we have the two most important pieces, and that isn't even taking into account the other strong/above average pieces we have beyond Eichel and Risto. We don't have to fill every hole with elite talent to become an elite team. We have the main pieces in place, it's just a matter of our main pieces maturing and the supporting cast coming together.
- chilliard77

This. There is such a thing as too much talent. Whether it causes cap problems, ice time disputes or whatever. It becomes a drain on the team. Look at Chicago and LA. Like you said. They have an elite center, an elite defenseman and a good supporting cast including above average goalies, and then you have the Washingtons(prior to this year since they've gotten better in other aspects) that try and outscore everyone and let the other guy worry about defense. I'd also add you need not only an elite center, but an elite two-way center. look at the last handful of cup winners. Toews, Kopitar and Bergeron. That takes us back to what? 2010?