The only way to do it in my opinion is to analyze all of the other successful rebuilds ( the ones that resulted in Cups are the only ones worth looking at). Take the broadest view possible and decide what is a realistic timeline, making allowances for mistakes/injuries/busts and other things that happen everwhere outside the city limits of fantasy land.

I'll say it again.7-10 years of drafting and developement coupled with well timed trades is the norm.
- Larsson_fan

A small handful of us try and do that, but we're more than drowned out by the others.

I still like where they're headed. Eichel, even at far less than 100% is a beast, sure he's gone a bit cold the last 5 games or so, but he's still pumping the SOG, he had 15 in 3 games last week, but even the cream of the crop go cold. Ovechkin just went 7 games without scoring a goal. Something he's never done, ever. Risto is elite, I don't care what people say, he plays half the game of course he's going to allow a lot of shots and goals. And this team can't (frank)ing score so his -4, is downright amazing considering the team is -20, he's 4th is assists, and 6th in points among defensemen.

And ROR, Reinhart, Okposo, Lehner are all good building blocks moving forward. Add in the young guys, Nylander looks like the real deal so far, Guhle didn't look out of place at all in his few games this year, and one of Baptiste, Bailey and Carrier is going to be a good 3rd liner, I think Baptiste can be even better.

The coach seems to have completely lost the team, so he has to go.

Twice!!
- Sabres1523

If you can out post that 72 year old guy who went crazy last week you'll be the best new poster in the last 4 months.

Thanks, sorry I hit the wrong button and flagged yr post by accident
- Sabres1523

Haha no worries....you're welcome here as long as you don't rant about how awesome your v-neck t-shirts are

We aren't the same as the other teams though. We chose, and boasted about speeding up the process.

Rebuilding started when we traded Paul Gaustad and had 2 1st rounders in 2012. Then 2 1sts in 2013, 2nd overall in 14, and 15, now 8th in 16.

People like to pretend we haven't been rebuilding for 5+ years already
- sbroads24

This is solid. People like to think the rebuild has just started since we just stopped selling old assets, it hasn't. It's been going on for five or more years now and still is going on to this day. We are still deconstructing and selling, you'll see it when we ship Gionta, Kuli, Franson etc. out of here at the deadline for picks.

Also, like someone said in the last blog, Philly has 9 prospects in the worlds. 9! that's freaking ridiculous, we need to do better. We have some nice guys but Pegula promised unlimited funding for draft and development back in 2011 and since then we have what... 3 invites to the worlds. We all like to think highly of "our guys" but this shows that the hockey world thinks otherwise of our guys.

A small handful of us try and do that, but we're more than drowned out by the others.

I still like where they're headed. Eichel, even at far less than 100% is a beast, sure he's gone a bit cold the last 5 games or so, but he's still pumping the SOG, he had 15 in 3 games last week, but even the cream of the crop go cold. Ovechkin just went 7 games without scoring a goal. Something he's never done, ever. Risto is elite, I don't care what people say, he plays half the game of course he's going to allow a lot of shots and goals. And this team can't (frank)ing score so his -4, is downright amazing considering the team is -20, he's 4th is assists, and 6th in points among defensemen.

And ROR, Reinhart, Okposo, Lehner are all good building blocks moving forward. Add in the young guys, Nylander looks like the real deal so far, Guhle didn't look out of place at all in his few games this year, and one of Baptiste, Bailey and Carrier is going to be a good 3rd liner, I think Baptiste can be even better.

The coach seems to have completely lost the team, so he has to go.
- Wetbandit1

The team has the talent to compete for a playoff spot, but there have been SO many setbacks to SO many pieces of the roster.

Guys who were clearly not intended to be a part of the future, but we're necessary bridges across the rebuild, get creamed here on a daily basis.

Established vets who can contribute going forward, but who aren't all stars, are labeled as worthless jokes.

The Kane thing was a great idea, but it has been parsed beyond objectivity and measured in hindsight.

Young talents who haven't erupted into sudden stardom are busts.

Welcome to Buffalo and years of misery.

For those of us who like the masochism of watching Sabres games, puck drop is 7:56 tonight. Some ceremony for the '97 Cup team in Detroit.

2012 was only 4 years ago, not only is it not 5+ years, it wasn't even 5 years ago.
- Wetbandit1

2011-2012.
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17


This is year 5. We aren't making the playoffs. 5 plus years

This is solid. People like to think the rebuild has just started since we just stopped selling old assets, it hasn't. It's been going on for five or more years now and still is going on to this day. We are still deconstructing and selling, you'll see it when we ship Gionta, Kuli, Franson etc. out of here at the deadline for picks.

Also, like someone said in the last blog, Philly has 9 prospects in the worlds. 9! that's freaking ridiculous, we need to do better. We have some nice guys but Pegula promised unlimited funding for draft and development back in 2011 and since then we have what... 3 invites to the worlds. We all like to think highly of "our guys" but this shows that the hockey world thinks otherwise of our guys.
- sskkoo1

Be quiet, we need to listen to the "smart ones", who change the expectations every 5 minutes.

Remember when a bunch of people were pissed off that talking heads projected close to last place?

Now, ehhhh, no biggie

The team has the talent to compete for a playoff spot, but there have been SO many setbacks to SO many pieces of the roster.

Guys who were clearly not intended to be a part of the future, but we're necessary bridges across the rebuild, get creamed here on a daily basis.

Established vets who can contribute going forward, but who aren't all stars, are labeled as worthless jokes.

The Kane thing was a great idea, but it has been parsed beyond objectivity and measured in hindsight.

Young talents who haven't erupted into sudden stardom are busts.

Welcome to Buffalo and years of misery.
- Der Kaiser

Do you really have the talent tho?

Maybe so if they were all fully developed, healthy and at achieving what they are a capable of. in other words, all your key guys need to have career years or close to it. That isnt realistic.

Yes, moving Myers for a player on LTIR was a smart move to get McEichel, and I agree, that appeared to be the plan . Perhaps the step back was a bit further back than you all thought? I dunno...I look at the roster right now and I see 1 good veteran ( RoR) 2 great youngsters (Eichel, Risto) and A smattering of decent young players sprinkled in with ageing veterans. What am I missing? I dont see a team that should be challenging for a playoff spot.
- Larsson_fan

This is another phony narrative. When the trade was made, Bogo was equal or better than Myers and Stafford was bringing this team down. Now all of the sudden they were so good, getting rid of them helped get Eichel.

2011-2012.
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17


This is year 5. We aren't making the playoffs. 5 plus years
- sbroads24

You have to skip all 4th years...new rule in the common core way of counting...so, really only going on 4

This is solid. People like to think the rebuild has just started since we just stopped selling old assets, it hasn't. It's been going on for five or more years now and still is going on to this day. We are still deconstructing and selling, you'll see it when we ship Gionta, Kuli, Franson etc. out of here at the deadline for picks.

Also, like someone said in the last blog, Philly has 9 prospects in the worlds. 9! that's freaking ridiculous, we need to do better. We have some nice guys but Pegula promised unlimited funding for draft and development back in 2011 and since then we have what... 3 invites to the worlds. We all like to think highly of "our guys" but this shows that the hockey world thinks otherwise of our guys.
- sskkoo1

in all fairness, how many of your top picks from the last few years are either in the NHL or traded away for current roster players?

This is another phony narrative. When the trade was made, Bogo was equal or better than Myers and Stafford was bringing this team down. Now all of the sudden they were so good, getting rid of them helped get Eichel.
- sbroads24

Bogo was older, already hit his ceiling and had a reputation for cocaine abuse and was an established injury riddled china doll. Nobody outside of Buffalo thought he had the trade value of Myers.

in all fairness, how many of your top picks from the last few years are either in the NHL or traded away for current roster players?
- Larsson_fan

That's the point though, some were traded to speed up the process.

Imagine if Darnell Nurse was moved for a random top 4 defender, yet the defense still sucked, would that be acceptable?

We've spent 3 years building the forward core, yet don't score goals.

Bogo was older, already hit his ceiling and had a reputation for cocaine abuse and was an established injury riddled china doll. Nobody outside of Buffalo thought he had the trade value of Myers.
- Larsson_fan

Best not to feed him..

You have to skip all 4th years...new rule in the common core way of counting...so, really only going on 4
- IonSabres

Ah, forgot.

We actually started rebuilding 45 minutes ago. Patience

Terry pegula is so blind he leaves both Russ Brandon and Doug Whaley employed smh

But hey people are going to tell me Doug really had no involvement in EJ Manuel yet he was the one pulling for him half the year to play ..

The pegulas seriously need help they have no idea what the fuk they're doing

Creepy Ralph?
- Larsson_fan

He went 19-22 there the 12-13 season, and was let go. What followed? Did amazing job with team Europe. I just believe he could be a top flight NHL coach.

Be quiet, we need to listen to the "smart ones", who change the expectations every 5 minutes.

Remember when a bunch of people were pissed off that talking heads projected close to last place?

Now, ehhhh, no biggie
- sbroads24

My expectations remain the same.

I have watched too many January February and March games to believe they are the same as Novembers and Decembers games. I know it has been a long time, and many of you haven't seen it. But it happens, and it happens in January February and March. (Save me the article you can't find, Professor.)

We left a lot of points on the table that we could have put in our bag, but with the exception of some 10 or so games, it's been more heartbreak than embarrassment. I think we're pretty close. If we can be within striking distance at the TDL we'll continue the process of fine tuning, and watch the heartbreak change.

I think we're going to be good this year.

He went 19-22 there the 12-13 season, and was let go. What followed? Did amazing job with team Europe. I just believe he could be a top flight NHL coach.
- Paulfromny

Kruger won't be here, Bylsma has already lost the room but if a change happens in the next few weeks it won't be him.

That's the point though, some were traded to speed up the process.

Imagine if Darnell Nurse was moved for a random top 4 defender, yet the defense still sucked, would that be acceptable?

We've spent 3 years building the forward core, yet don't score goals.
- sbroads24

I know your pain man, I know your pain. The Oilers are having a good season, but realistically its on the backs of McDavid and Cam Talbot ( yet idiot fans league wide still say hes just a back up or 1a at best).

F we didnt have McDavid and had say..Mitch Marner..we would probably be in the bottom 5 right now.

Do you really have the talent tho?

Maybe so if they were all fully developed, healthy and at achieving what they are a capable of. in other words, all your key guys need to have career years or close to it. That isnt realistic.
- Larsson_fan

The talent to win the Cup? Unlikely.

The talent to contend for the Cup? Probably not.

The talent to bring this city the taste of the postseason that will get rid of all the cynicism and schadenfreude? To eliminate a first instinct that expects something bad instead of hoping for something good? Absolutely.

Terry pegula is so blind he leaves both Russ Brandon and Doug Whaley employed smh

But hey people are going to tell me Doug really had no involvement in EJ Manuel yet he was the one pulling for him half the year to play ..

The pegulas seriously need help they have no idea what the fuk they're doing
- GERBE!!!75PTS

I'm waiting for after the Jets game and about a week later they name Lynn as head coach. Pegula is clueless as to how to run these teams, great business man but clueless owner. He showed that when he bought the Sabres and made that off the wall comments about Darcy and Lindy.

My expectations remain the same.

I have watched too many January February and March games to believe they are the same as Novembers and Decembers games. I know it has been a long time, and many of you haven't seen it. But it happens, and it happens in January February and March. (Save me the article you can't find, Professor.)

We left a lot of points on the table that we could have put in our bag, but with the exception of some 10 or so games, it's been more heartbreak than embarrassment. I think we're pretty close. If we can be within striking distance at the TDL we'll continue the process of fine tuning, and watch the heartbreak change.

I think we're going to be good this year.
- Der Kaiser

So now it's "New year, new me" Sabres? Thought we were good 12 games ago when Eichel came back?

I remember the excuses from Tim Murray himself. "One more win per month, and we would have made the playoffs"

Well, where are those extra wins?

His arrogance was refreshing, going to the podium and just saying "Jack Eichel" was great. But like Rex Ryan, you need to back it up with results. Show me

He went 19-22 there the 12-13 season, and was let go. What followed? Did amazing job with team Europe. I just believe he could be a top flight NHL coach.
- Paulfromny

I know what he did in Edmonton. He is an excellent special teams coach that had his team go on a hot month in the shortened season. Had the season been 82 games we would have drafted Seth Jones or Nate Mackinnon. Fancy stats showed we were still among the pooptiest puck possesion teams in the NHL.