I would give anything to be able to sit down and watch one of those classic Sabre Canadiens games... The play was so fast the camera guys could hardly keep up.... That was talent and that was hockey...
- rapperray

Oh man no question. Remember the 74-75 playoffs when we neat the mighty Canadiens in 6 games. Awesome stuff.

The Sabres "rebuild" is kind of like building a cabin out of Pixy Sticks. They just keep falling down and you just get nowhere...
- rapperray

Depends on the day and what team decides to show up.

There's a lot more talent on this team than they like to make it look like at times. That's not to say that there's plenty of work that needs to be done, but they shouldn't be this bad either, IMO.
- HonkFortheGoose

They have the talent up front, it's just the D that's a mess. And with this D group it's difficult to win games.

Lehner may not have had the best outing the other day, but overall, he's not the issue. That game easily could have been out of control by the end of the 1st, but instead it was tied 1-1.

Are there areas I'd like him to be better? Yes. But overall is he the problem? Definitely not.
- HonkFortheGoose

for me he falls into the not part of the problem but not part of the solution. I really, really liked our odds in that 2015 draft

Oh man no question. Remember the 74-75 playoffs when we neat the mighty Canadiens in 6 games. Awesome stuff.
- mhp

I remember it well

I think it's more to keep the peace in the locker room.

I would love to see the lists as would every fan but I think it's more for the players and team protection.

It's bad enough when the trade deadline comes around but an expansion draft where you basically tell another team you don't want this guy but if they aren't picked by the new team the players current team and him could have bad blood.
- Stripes77

Seems fairly likely that the information will come out regarding which players are protected by each team.

Seems fairly likely that the information will come out regarding which players are protected by each team.
- kingcong39

i think it just helps make the insiders feel important

Seems fairly likely that the information will come out regarding which players are protected by each team.
- kingcong39

Makes you wonder if the players know already . Maybe the meeting TM had with them was a wake up call to prove themselves. It worked for a few periods .

for me he falls into the not part of the problem but not part of the solution. I really, really liked our odds in that 2015 draft
- Sabresfan-365

well, it is what it is at this point. Plus, the rumor was that IF they had that pick, they were going goalie anyway, so it's possible that any of those players everyone is so enamored with that were picked around where our pick was supposed to be still wouldn't be here anyway.

I think Lehner has the ability. The problem is that the D in front of him is so brutal most nights that it shadows what he can do a lot of the time and makes it hard to really fully evaluate him accurately.

Today's HB forecast

i think it just helps make the insiders feel important
- Sabresfan-365

I get the thought process around protecting teams and players, but this kind of information always gets out.

On top of that, the NHL is in the entertainment business, and this would have been very entertaining for their fans.

Bad idea to keep it a secret.

well, it is what it is at this point. Plus, the rumor was that IF they had that pick, they were going goalie anyway, so it's possible that any of those players everyone is so enamored with that were picked around where our pick was supposed to be still wouldn't be here anyway.

I think Lehner has the ability. The problem is that the D in front of him is so brutal most nights that it shadows what he can do a lot of the time and makes it hard to really fully evaluate him accurately.
- HonkFortheGoose

Ive seen too many clear shots that he has been beat on. Too many for me .

Today's HB forecast


- TheSabresTaco

I get the thought process around protecting teams and players, but this kind of information always gets out.

On top of that, the NHL is in the entertainment business, and this would have been very entertaining for their fans.

Bad idea to keep it a secret.
- kingcong39

You know Bettman is going to poop all over some microphone saying "fans aren't interested in that kinda stuff"

Stephon Gilmore is going to sign with the Pats.

Because, of course.

Just can't help but shake my head in disbelief about the Sabres...A team mired in sub mediocrity with it's tires spinning uncontrollably in 3 feet of mud.....
- rapperray

the bills look brighter right now

the bills look brighter right now
- homiedclown

until the bills get an eichel that will never be true

I think Risto was on the ice for all 6 Flyers goals or at least 5 for sure. My biggest concern is we can move the puck cleanly out of our own end. Most of our D just rip it off the boards and cant make a clean pass to get it going. Then we are not super clean in the neutral zone either so we have to have Jack or Kane skate from our end to theirs.

Solutions?

I think every Sabres fan agrees we need better D but 1 has to be a veteran who can cleanly get the puck moving north to south and is a lefty. One very solid stay at home type

A creative play maker is also needed preferably LW.

One more goal scorer. Someone who can put 20+ in for us next year.

This is a lofty ask but I think we can get er done with between the draft and free agency market this summer.

the bills look brighter right now
- homiedclown

In reality... The Bills are Ions closer to the playoffs and fielding a competitive team than the Sabres.....

[quote=rapperray] Just can't help but shake my head in disbelief about the Sabres...A team mired in sub mediocrity with it's tires spinning uncontrollably in 3 feet of mud..... :no


It is becoming very alarming.
Coach
-deploys such a complicated system that he has many of his players so confused, still nearly 2 years in...begs the question of should you deploy a system that fits your players skill, or force the players to fit into said system.
- makes very questionable line combinations
- plays lower skilled players Obote their talent level
- plays young promising players on 4 line, stifling their development

Players
- apparently revolting, to the point one wonders if they are playing crappy to get the coach fired
Seem incapable of playing well under pressure, seem to wilt when money games are on the line

GM
Seriously misjudged the skill, hockey IQ of several Dmen he brought in
May have jeopardized the rebuild by rushing it...debatable to be sure
Either misjudged his coach if he selected him, or wasn't able to pushback on Ownersip if he was directed to land said coach.

I seriously question if this team will get to the promised land...many challenges to overcome.
Some bright spots as well...need a lot more.
- IonSabres

you have to have chemistry


many nights 3 of our lines lack it

none of our d pairings have it


they grip their sticks tight on the pk


and we have the smallest 6 foot 4 inch goalie ever

Stephon Gilmore is going to sign with the Pats.

Because, of course.
- TheSabresTaco

Chris Hogan torched him...

Imagine what a healthy Watkins can do to him

I think Risto was on the ice for all 6 Flyers goals or at least 5 for sure. My biggest concern is we can move the puck cleanly out of our own end. Most of our D just rip it off the boards and cant make a clean pass to get it going. Then we are not super clean in the neutral zone either so we have to have Jack or Kane skate from our end to theirs.

Solutions?

I think every Sabres fan agrees we need better D but 1 has to be a veteran who can cleanly get the puck moving north to south and is a lefty. One very solid stay at home type

A creative play maker is also needed preferably LW.

One more goal scorer. Someone who can put 20+ in for us next year.

This is a lofty ask but I think we can get er done with between the draft and free agency market this summer.
- lulags

You probably don't remember him but the Sabres need a couple of Bill Hajt type defensmen......

In reality... The Bills are Ions closer to the playoffs and fielding a competitive team than the Sabres.....
- rapperray

bills had a great day

got a decent fb

got a short yardage back who is a great 3rd down blocker for pass protection (and worked with our new coach)

got a back up guard/tackle that can fill in if needed

got taylors cap hit down to 10 mil, and a 5 mil buyout if he regresses


still have money to get a db or 2
a wr or 2
dabble at bennet


what I have been hearing and reading
there are a lot of really good secondary help in the draft and te's in the draft


let's grab one or 2 wr's today

I think Risto was on the ice for all 6 Flyers goals or at least 5 for sure. My biggest concern is we can move the puck cleanly out of our own end. Most of our D just rip it off the boards and cant make a clean pass to get it going. Then we are not super clean in the neutral zone either so we have to have Jack or Kane skate from our end to theirs.

Solutions?

I think every Sabres fan agrees we need better D but 1 has to be a veteran who can cleanly get the puck moving north to south and is a lefty. One very solid stay at home type

A creative play maker is also needed preferably LW.

One more goal scorer. Someone who can put 20+ in for us next year.

This is a lofty ask but I think we can get er done with between the draft and free agency market this summer.
- lulags

This is why I'm still really mad about the Pysyk/Kulikov trade.

Not saying Pysyk is perfect but he has a great outlet pass. I would have to think that after watching this team all season that having a guy that could do that would have been helpful.

Chris Hogan torched him...

Imagine what a healthy Watkins can do to him
- Stripes77

He's a strange player. Like, he's good, then he's not good. I look forward to him being torched. I wonder who we sign on for receivers. Kendall Wright could be cool and inexpensive.