Michael Pachla: Drought lessons for Buffalo from the Dead Wings-era and Jimmy Devellano

Glow Sticks first as always.

Glow Sticks first as always.
- Mentalorgasm5

nice

nice
- Michael Pachla

solid!!!!!!!!!!

solid!!!!!!!!!!
- Mentalorgasm5

not bad for a third-round pick, eh?

happy sharknado day everyone


stay safe

Nice write up Pach.

Hopefully both Murray and Whaley follow Devellano's path of success.

It would be great if even one of them had his success.

"...and you won't find me jumping off the Peace Bridge if it does."

If we hadn't completely tanked last year and didn't get one of McDavid or Eichel, there would have been many of us jumping off the Peace bridge.

Excellent column and spot on. However, as probably being one of the older posters on this blog at 51, I am getting really tired of the refrain "next year". Management/ ownership needs to do whatever it can to get both teams into the playoffs this year.

"...and you won't find me jumping off the Peace Bridge if it does."

If we hadn't completely tanked last year and didn't get one of McDavid or Eichel, there would have been many of us jumping off the Peace bridge.

Excellent column and spot on. However, as probably being one of the older posters on this blog at 51, I am getting really tired of the refrain "next year". Management/ ownership needs to do whatever it can to get both teams into the playoffs this year.
- SabreWest

Not that I don't understand, but this is the sort of thinking that has led to the X amount of years of misery/runs to 9th place/treading water etc. etc.

Nice read Mike P!

Not that I don't understand, but this is the sort of thinking that has led to the X amount of years of misery/runs to 9th place/treading water etc. etc.
- Sabresfan-365

I hear ya' and I fully supported the tank but how many more years of missing the playoffs do we have to put up with? BTW I like the fact that Murray said if we had won 1 more game per month during the past season we would have made the playoffs. To me, this suggests he is 100% committed to making the playoffs in as short a time period as possible.

I hear ya' and I fully supported the tank but how many more years of missing the playoffs do we have to put up with? BTW I like the fact that Murray said if we had won 1 more game per month during the past season we would have made the playoffs. To me, this suggests he is 100% committed to making the playoffs in as short a time period as possible.
- SabreWest

They should be committed to making the playoffs this year. One more win a month when you break it down doesn't sound that much at all on paper, but in reality does Kyle Opkoso and Kulikov over Pysyk equal 1 more win a month?

Obviously we are all hoping Eichel stays at the ppg pace like he was after Christmas and Reinhart keeps developing and hoping Lehner stays healthy.

I think we are a borderline playoff team at the moment.

I hear ya' and I fully supported the tank but how many more years of missing the playoffs do we have to put up with? BTW I like the fact that Murray said if we had won 1 more game per month during the past season we would have made the playoffs. To me, this suggests he is 100% committed to making the playoffs in as short a time period as possible.
- SabreWest

Yeah, they're talking playoffs this year. Bylsma said he wants 95 points. Detroit got in last year with 93. And some crazy how Minnesota got in with 87. Murray declined to put a number on it, but he agreed with Bylsma that the playoffs are the goal this year.

They should be committed to making the playoffs this year. One more win a month when you break it down doesn't sound that much at all on paper, but in reality does Kyle Opkoso and Kulikov over Pysyk equal 1 more win a month?

Obviously we are all hoping Eichel stays at the ppg pace like he was after Christmas and Reinhart keeps developing and hoping Lehner stays healthy.

I think we are a borderline playoff team at the moment.
- Stripes77

It really doesn't. None of the adds they made this off season will be the reason they make the playoffs. If they make it, It will be because Eichel, Reinhart and Risto take huge strides forward and Lehner stays healthy.


Fwiw, I honestly see a 9th place team right now.

I have higher degree of belief in the Sabres making the playoffs and staying there.
GMTM has aggressively made moves and I think his scouting dept is better than most and therefore he will hit on some gems outside the first round which is critical for long term success...the roster is young, older guys sans Moulson are still relatively productive to lead the youngins.
The Bills on the other hand have their hands tied having given huge contracts to older players and leaving few cap dollars to spend on retaining prime age players...so I foresee them in a perpetual state of plugging holes while remaing stuck in neutral.
I'll be very surprised if they make it to 8-8, and will be left with a decision on paying $15 - $20m on a QB and roughly that to Gilmore...with the cost being other complimentary players leaving.

It really doesn't. None of the adds they made this off season will be the reason they make the playoffs. If they make it, It will be because Eichel, Reinhart and Risto take huge strides forward and Lehner stays healthy.


Fwiw, I honestly see a 9th place team right now.
- Sabresfan-365

I am with you. I think those additions maybe add an extra win every other month.

That being said if they play like they did in March in 15 games winning 7 and where every loss but 2 were either in a shootout/OT or by 1 goal they will be pushing for the playoffs.

Not that I don't understand, but this is the sort of thinking that has led to the X amount of years of misery/runs to 9th place/treading water etc. etc.
- Sabresfan-365

Because the fans mentality directly leads to the on ice/field production...go it


What got each team in the run to 9th was very poor GM'ing, period.

Outside of the Super Bowl years, the Bills 50+ years of existence has been mostly in the bottom 50% of the league performance wise ... Sans the mid-60's and a couple of OJ "I did it" Simpson years.

Fans mentality derived from substandard performance is the RESULT, not CAUSE.

What the hell do they teach in these liberal colleges these days

The Sabers are going the right way and direction. Build from within, and find pieces to compliment be it a vet, grinder, skill etc as needed. GMTM has really been aggressive and taken some chances. Not all will pan out but he has the team going in the right direction and they will be competitive if not successful right away. The hardest part is patience, especially in a year or two more when the call to win ratchets right up.

Nice read Mike P!
- Irish 14

Dude, you're the highest regarded poster-FA out there...start playing like it!

Because the fans mentality directly leads to the on ice/field production...go it


What got each team in the run to 9th was very poor GM'ing, period.

Outside of the Super Bowl years, the Bills 50+ years of existence has been mostly in the bottom 50% of the league performance wise ... Sans the mid-60's and a couple of OJ "I did it" Simpson years.

Fans mentality derived from substandard performance is the RESULT, not CAUSE.

What the hell do they teach in these liberal colleges these days
- IonSabres

a) I never actually said them being a 9th place team right now is bad. because 1, it means they're getting significantly better which is a plus and 2) i said right now because off season isnt over and there's that whole trade deadline thing.

b) idgaf about american football so not touching that one

c) It's not a mentality just an observation about the current make up of this team, which you chose to interpret as negative because that is apparently your mentality.

d) I wouldn't know, i don't go to a liberal college

I am with you. I think those additions maybe add an extra win every other month.

That being said if they play like they did in March in 15 games winning 7 and where every loss but 2 were either in a shootout/OT or by 1 goal they will be pushing for the playoffs.
- Stripes77

The schedule was very kind to them late in the season though. I think they just have to be close enough by deadline day, enough so that the willingness to pull the trigger on a major deal is there (or maybe even earlier).

What got each team in the run to 9th was very poor GM'ing, period.

Outside of the Super Bowl years, the Bills 50+ years of existence has been mostly in the bottom 50% of the league performance wise ... Sans the mid-60's and a couple of OJ "I did it" Simpson years.

Fans mentality derived from substandard performance is the RESULT, not CAUSE.

What the hell do they teach in these liberal colleges these days

-IonSabres



Manners for one thing...
No need to be a d!ck

And btw...
He was totally correct

He didn't say "your" line of thinking,
As in what the fans want or don't want

He was clearly talking about whether mgmt should try to get us back to the playoffs ASAP, or build correctly for the long haul

The schedule was very kind to them late in the season though. I think they just have to be close enough by deadline day, enough so that the willingness to pull the trigger on a major deal is there (or maybe even earlier).
- Sabresfan-365

Idk if I'd want them to pull a major deal at the deadline

What got each team in the run to 9th was very poor GM'ing, period.

Outside of the Super Bowl years, the Bills 50+ years of existence has been mostly in the bottom 50% of the league performance wise ... Sans the mid-60's and a couple of OJ "I did it" Simpson years.

Fans mentality derived from substandard performance is the RESULT, not CAUSE.

What the hell do they teach in these liberal colleges these days

-IonSabres



Manners for one thing...
No need to be a d!ck

And btw...
He was totally correct

He didn't say "your" line of thinking,
As in what the fans want or don't want

He was clearly talking about whether mgmt should try to get us back to the playoffs ASAP, or build correctly for the long haul
- jdfitz77

For a team to jump from bottom feeder in back to back years to being a consistent playoff team 2 years later that's impressive.

The dramatic runs to 9th were results of the team making a few moves to try to make the playoffs short term but not make them better long term.

The Sabres did the right thing by bottoming out. However now is not the time to be trading away assets for players with one year left on their deal to just get them over the hump. I would rather a 9th place team this season without giving up any young players, let those players develop, and become a consistent playoff team that way.

Case in point. Do not rush Nylander. If he isn't ready send him to the AHL.

Also there was rumors of Fasching's name being in play. I wouldn't pull the trigger just yet unless it's for a player that fits into the long term plan.

There is a lot to like about the Sabre's lineup going into the season. There is also a lot of question marks.

I think Vesey could be an impact player, he would be a huge signing here, I just don't think it's going to happen.

Patience at this point is basically what I am saying.

For a team to jump from bottom feeder in back to back years to being a consistent playoff team 2 years later that's impressive.

The dramatic runs to 9th were results of the team making a few moves to try to make the playoffs short term but not make them better long term.

The Sabres did the right thing by bottoming out. However now is not the time to be trading away assets for players with one year left on their deal to just get them over the hump. I would rather a 9th place team this season without giving up any young players, let those players develop, and become a consistent playoff team that way.

Case in point. Do not rush Nylander. If he isn't ready send him to the AHL.

Also there was rumors of Fasching's name being in play. I wouldn't pull the trigger just yet unless it's for a player that fits into the long term plan.

There is a lot to like about the Sabre's lineup going into the season. There is also a lot of question marks.

I think Vesey could be an impact player, he would be a huge signing here, I just don't think it's going to happen.

Patience at this point is basically what I am saying.
- Stripes77

I basically agree with all that

Especially about trading assets

I've never been big on Fasching. The way the NHL is going, idk if he'll ever be a good enough skater to be a top6 guy...
In the right deal,
I wouldn't hesitate to trade him

IMO, Nylander should definitely start in the AHL
He needs more size & strength, much like Reinhart

I think Chicago & Pitt are the favs for Vesey,
But I do also think we're in the running
We'll know in a little over 2 weeks

I get what you're saying about patience...
But we can also do things now to "go for it" without mortgaging the long term plan.
Something at the deadline like Mid level prospects & picks to fill holes or help with depth
Or signing UFAs to short term deals and bringing guys like Bailey, Fasching, Guhle, Nylander, etc along slowly

I guess what I'm saying is that we can potentially have it both ways if done correctly