I'm not saying they were good, I'm saying they held their own. Let's not pretend the defense was the crux of the team last year because it wasn't. If the offense improves and the defense stays the same then sure we can start to say that, but it's not like they were losing games 5-4 and the offense was doing so much and the defense couldn't hold water. Sabres scored 1 or less goals in a good number of games (I had the number a while ago but I believe it was around 15-20)

Edit: The number was 24. Scored 1 or less goals 24 times including being shutout 6 times.
- Zschalberg

I wonder how many games we lost by 1 goal as well. There were a lot of times last year where we were all pissing and moaning about how the secondary scoring wasn't doing their job. Yes, we had 4 guys score 20+, but the dropoff after those 4 is pretty significant.

They were bottom 10 in shots allowed, and had a bad scoring chance differential. They weren't good
- sbroads24

"Things that didn't happen suggest we should ignore the things that did."

I'm not saying they were good, I'm saying they held their own. Let's not pretend the defense was the crux of the team last year because it wasn't. If the offense improves and the defense stays the same then sure we can start to say that, but it's not like they were losing games 5-4 and the offense was doing so much and the defense couldn't hold water. Sabres scored 1 or less goals in a good number of games (I had the number a while ago but I believe it was around 15-20)

Edit: The number was 24. Scored 1 or less goals 24 times including being shutout 6 times.
- Zschalberg

1. The defense was the problem. DEFENSE.

2. We have more guys on offense, so the offense is not a problem.

3. Shot suppression and possession numbers are more important than the score.

1. The defense was the problem. DEFENSE.

2. We have more guys on offense, so the offense is not a problem.

3. Shot suppression and possession numbers are more important than the score.
- SomeoneGerman

Nevermind the fact that the shootout was god awful last year as well. Must be the defense's fault....

I wonder how many games we lost by 1 goal as well. There were a lot of times last year where we were all pissing and moaning about how the secondary scoring wasn't doing their job. Yes, we had 4 guys score 20+, but the dropoff after those 4 is pretty significant.
- HonkFortheGoose

13 in the first 42, 12 in the 2nd half, 25 altogether. Includes 7 SOL and 4 OTL so 14 regulation 1 goal losses. On the other hand we had 7 1 goal wins in the first half and 9 in the 2nd half. 2 SOW and 4 OTW. So 16 total and 10 regulation.

1. The defense was the problem. DEFENSE.

2. We have more guys on offense, so the offense is not a problem.

3. Shot suppression and possession numbers are more important than the score.
- SomeoneGerman

Our goalie let in more goals than the other team's goalie did.

1. The defense was the problem. DEFENSE.

2. We have more guys on offense, so the offense is not a problem.

3. Shot suppression and possession numbers are more important than the score.
- SomeoneGerman

I'm not saying the defense deserves no blame, all I want to point out is it was a full team effort for us last year. Plenty of blame to go around. It can change this year but if the GA stay the same at 16th and the offense bumps up to the same level you're closer to a playoff spot. Both need to improve to make it.

1. The defense was the problem. DEFENSE.

2. We have more guys on offense, so the offense is not a problem.

3. Shot suppression and possession numbers are more important than the score.
- SomeoneGerman

They aren't more important than the score. They are just indicators.

We do not have a good defense corp. You don't have to take my word for it, you can just read any analysis that is covering this team or the NHL. They all say the same. Defense is a huge weakness here.

Our goalie let in more goals than the other team's goalie did.
- cabin

No no no, you don't understand. That simple thinking is what they call "the score."

If you look deeper than that you'll see that everything is pessimism and misery.

No no no, you don't understand. That simple thinking is what they call "the score."

If you look deeper than that you'll see that everything is pessimism and misery.
- SomeoneGerman

They aren't more important than the score. They are just indicators.

We do not have a good defense corp. You don't have to take my word for it, you can just read any analysis that is covering this team or the NHL. They all say the same. Defense is a huge weakness here.
- sbroads24

That's fine, the offense is too. You can't be that close to the bottom and have it not be. The offense got some help this year in Okposo but that doesn't automatically fix all of our woes. The Sabres #2 defender last year is now their #5.

It's bad, it's not as bad as some make it out to be.

No no no, you don't understand. That simple thinking is what they call "the score."

If you look deeper than that you'll see that everything is pessimism and misery.
- SomeoneGerman

Wait, why do you need to look past it?

I think you live in this bizarro world where we made the playoffs or something. Nothing you say makes any sense relative to where this team is and was in the real world.

Yes, we might be good. Our forwards are pretty damn good. Everything else is lipstick

Just so it's know, only 2 teams with a lower ranked GA than the Sabres made it last year: Dallas and Detroit. Dallas had the #1 GF, Detroit had the 23rd best (10 more goals than Buffalo). Like I said, I do agree the defense needs to be better to make it.

Wait, why do you need to look past it?

I think you live in this bizarro world where we made the playoffs or something. Nothing you say makes any sense relative to where this team is and was in the real world.

Yes, we might be good. Our forwards are pretty damn good. Everything else is lipstick
- sbroads24

Allegedly. 3 of the Sabres forwards have proven themselves to be good on this team. The rest are either unproven or under performed.

Just so it's know, only 2 teams with a lower ranked GA than the Sabres made it last year: Dallas and Detroit. Dallas had the #1 GF, Detroit had the 23rd best (10 more goals than Buffalo). Like I said, I do agree the defense needs to be better to make it.
- Zschalberg

And it should be . Our offense got better on paper, so the defense should also.

And it should be . Our offense got better on paper, so the defense should also.
- cabin

Defense at least didn't get worse on paper. I'd say Kulikov is better suited for the #2 spot than Gorges. I still think they need a better 3rd pairing and a better top pairing player next to Risto, but it's not easy to get. I'd like to get Fowler but I don't think he's the answer.

I don't know what we should do. Trading for a guy like Shattinkirk will cost an arm and a leg. Drafting one will need to wait until next season and then could take time to develop. There is no real answer waiting in the wings of Rochester.

It's a concern, I feel like the plan of action is to roll with it for now

Btw, According to Kris Baker a few players were called up: Bailey, Catenacci, Schneider, Austin. Cat and Schneider will both need to go through waivers again to go back to the AHL.

So 89's boy Kaleta is doing the same thing Cody Hodgson did yesterday, retiring and taking the same position Cody took only with the Sabres, announcement today or tomorrow.

So 89's boy Kaleta is doing the same thing Cody Hodgson did yesterday, retiring and taking the same position Cody took only with the Sabres, announcement today or tomorrow.
- Stripes77

So 89's boy Kaleta is doing the same thing Cody Hodgson did yesterday, retiring and taking the same position Cody took only with the Sabres, announcement today or tomorrow.
- Stripes77

I always liked Kaleta. Guy would throw his body and it did get people out of their seats. He couldn't keep the hits clean and couldn't stay healthy but I liked him when he played.

That said he was never coming back to the NHL. Watched him in Rochester and against kids he tried to play the same game and got thrown around a bit.

Also was very nice when I met him. Was walking in Tampa towards the arena and saw his goatee and realized it was him. Shook his hand and said hello. It wasn't until after they left that I realized he was walking with Vanek. I was wearing my Vanek jersey that day, too.

Btw, According to Kris Baker a few players were called up: Bailey, Catenacci, Schneider, Austin. Cat and Schneider will both need to go through waivers again to go back to the AHL.
- Zschalberg

NHL .com


The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has recalled forwards Justin Bailey, Daniel Catenacci, Jean Dupuy and Cole Schneider, and defenseman Brady Austin from the Rochester Americans (AHL).

The team has also returned Giorgio Estephan to the Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL).

The Sabres now have 37 players (21 forwards, 13 defensemen and three goaltenders) on their training camp roster.

So 89's boy Kaleta is doing the same thing Cody Hodgson did yesterday, retiring and taking the same position Cody took only with the Sabres, announcement today or tomorrow.
- Stripes77

Great can't wait to see the headbutt, Board Torpedo and Turtle drills.

Just so it's know, only 2 teams with a lower ranked GA than the Sabres made it last year: Dallas and Detroit. Dallas had the #1 GF, Detroit had the 23rd best (10 more goals than Buffalo). Like I said, I do agree the defense needs to be better to make it.
- Zschalberg

I'm actually doing some work today so I'll just jump in here and won't be back for a while.

Yes, the Defense does need to be better to make the playoffs. But to me, that's like saying "The sun needs to come up tomorrow for it to get light." Risto will be signed: that's just gonna happen. Gorges goes from our 2 to a 5-6. We may have a real 2, and even if we don't he's better than Gorges. Bogo remains at 3. McCabe (with a year more experience) remains at 4. No matter who you pair with Gorges, they will be better than PissBoy and Weber, or PissBoy and Franson, or any other combination we ran back there last year. SUMMARY: We're going to remain steady or improve at every single position in the defense.

Our goaltender's stats were top 10 in the league when he played. "But he's never played a full season before, Kaiser." First, based upon the reports of his sustained and dedicated off season conditioning, I don't believe he's going to suffer the catastrophic injury he has in the last two years. But even if he does, I don't see a reason to sweat it, because every other flea bitten backup bum who stood in our net over the last several years has done well - so much so that they have been run out of town for effing up the tank.

If I need to explain the forwards, I'll explain the forwards, but it should suffice to say that even Mr. Misery and Professor Pessimism have acknowledged that the forwards should be good.

So, its not some (frank)ing bizzaro world that I live in, its an extrapolation of what I have seen in historical performances of the individuals on this team, and why they are better suited - AS A GROUP - for even better performances this year.

Yes, the data from the last two years suggest we will suck if we do the same as we have in the last two years. But nothing about developments in the franchise suggests that we are going to do the same as we did. There are SO MANY improvements at SO MANY positions. ROOT NOW, we're going to be good NOW. I don't need to be shown it, I already believe it.

Very well done Kaiser

Mr. Misery and Professor Pessimism