Michael Pachla: No 2018 playoffs for Sabres? It might be a pretty safe bet right now.

Like you said, anything can happen.

Good write up. I doubt we will make the playoffs as well, but this is at least the best chance we've had in a long time.

Montreal may be a little over-rated methinks

We have 5/6ths of a good top 6
third line is fine
Fourth line is bad, like really bad. Moulson, Girgs, Josefsson and Dlo

Risto, McCabe and Scandella are top 4, but there's still one missing there

Goaltending is above average


In short, in order for us to make the playoffs, i think we need one of the young guys to be an actual point-producing second liner, and we need either Beaulieu or Antipin to be an acutal top-4 D.

Jack's gonna go off this year if he stays healthy. He will lead us to the playoffs this year if the above happens IMO

Good write up. I doubt we will make the playoffs as well, but this is at least the best chance we've had in a long time.
- RhinoFan

am of the opinion that they should have done a lot better last season...however injuries and Bylsma killed them

We have 5/6ths of a good top 6
third line is fine
Fourth line is bad, like really bad. Moulson, Girgs, Josefsson and Dlo

Risto, McCabe and Scandella are top 4, but there's still one missing there

Goaltending is above average


In short, in order for us to make the playoffs, i think we need one of the young guys to be an actual point-producing second liner, and we need either Beaulieu or Antipin to be an acutal top-4 D.

Jack's gonna go off this year if he stays healthy. He will lead us to the playoffs this year if the above happens IMO
- jcragcrumple

good points...but the fourth line is what it is, a 6-7 minute/game checking line...they have the players to play that role

A fair assessment of where we are. With the new coach, new GM, stronger D and a motivated Jack, i see them achieving 90 points this year. Unfortunately close to the playoffs but no cigar. But trending in the right direction with a bright future ahead.

am of the opinion that they should have done a lot better last season...however injuries and Bylsma killed them
- Michael Pachla

100% agree. Also think we're better than last year. IF those two things are true we have a shot in a league with so much parity.

There are a lot of IF's that need to happen for this team to make the playoffs

First and foremost:

IF the changes on the blue line are good enough

Next:

If the players pick up the coaches system

Followed by:

If Lehner can put up similar stats to last season in a more open system

Lastly:

If one of Bailey/Baptiste can be that top 6 winger

If the first 3 happen they should be a playoff team. If all 4 happen they should win a round in the playoffs.

This is assuming Jack stays healthy (He is at least a 70 point player next season)

There are a lot of IF's that need to happen for this team to make the playoffs

First and foremost:

IF the changes on the blue line are good enough

Next:

If the players pick up the coaches system

Followed by:

If Lehner can put up similar stats to last season in a more open system

Lastly:

If one of Bailey/Baptiste can be that top 6 winger

If the first 3 happen they should be a playoff team. If all 4 happen they should win a round in the playoffs.

This is assuming Jack stays healthy (He is at least a 70 point player next season)
- Stripes77

very true...although i'm not sure baptiste or bailey make the top-six on a full-time basis this year

Oooh I love brownies! Dash of pessimism, hint of disappointment and substitute the hope for analytics-based bashing.

Oooh I love brownies! Dash of pessimism, hint of disappointment and substitute the hope for analytics-based bashing.
- TheSabresTaco

you might be eating the wrong brownies

I'm realistic enough to know where this team is. But I still don't see a reason why we can't fight for a playoff spot and actually grab one.

Jack Eichel finishes in top 1 in scoring, with 58 goals and 207 points

I'm realistic enough to know where this team is. But I still don't see a reason why we can't fight for a playoff spot and actually grab one.
- TheSabresTaco

there are questions with every team in the division save for TBL and MTL...of the rest, Ott looks to be the best followed by TO...and I think the Leafs are very beatable, even when fully healthy like they were all last season

Jack Eichel finishes in top 1 in scoring, with 58 goals and 207 points
- ChonDerry

but he's not canadian

good points...but the fourth line is what it is, a 6-7 minute/game checking line...they have the players to play that role
- Michael Pachla

Peters made a similar point yesterday. I just don't see how you can be a playoff team if your 4th line can only handle 6 mins of play

but he's not canadian
- Michael Pachla

canada's game god damnit!!

Michael Pachla: No 2018 playoffs for Sabres? It might be a pretty safe bet right now.
- Michael Pachla

fake news

spots 2-7 are all up in the air


revamped D
coach and gm with a pulse
up tempo north south game plan


fix the pk
keep the pp rolling
make a few saves in the shoot out

anything can and will happen

Jack Eichel finishes in top 1 in scoring, with 58 goals and 207 points
- ChonDerry

Yeah once he gets demoted to the ECHL where he belongs

fake news

spots 2-7 are all up in the air


revamped D
coach and gm with a pulse
up tempo north south game plan


fix the pk
keep the pp rolling
make a few saves in the shoot out

anything can and will happen
- homiedclown

Pommer and a healthy larsson will help that. I'd also like to see kane get a little more time out there. I think Beaulieu is a PK guy

Fourth line is bad, like really bad. Moulson, Girgs, Josefsson and Dlo


- jcragcrumple

I disagree

I think girgens and larsson will be on the 3rd line so your looking at

moulson, e rod???- josefsson for the 4th line


e-rod and josefsson play an up tempo game
moulson is fine defensively , perhaps our most under rated forward

moulson can play second team pp

e rod and josefesson can play pk

it's not the islander good, but probably all in all a top 8 4th line in the league

Peters made a similar point yesterday. I just don't see how you can be a playoff team if your 4th line can only handle 6 mins of play
- jcragcrumple

I hear ya, and agree...but I also think that their fourth line will be fine...a big turnaround in points might hinge on how they do in the shootout...buffalo was 2-6 in the skills competition last season

Pommer and a healthy larsson will help that. I'd also like to see kane get a little more time out there. I think Beaulieu is a PK guy
- jcragcrumple

wait til you see antipin

there are questions with every team in the division save for TBL and MTL...of the rest, Ott looks to be the best followed by TO...and I think the Leafs are very beatable, even when fully healthy like they were all last season
- Michael Pachla

I would even debate MTL's capabilities. Their center situation is dreadful and they lost their 2nd best scorer. If Price falters, that team is screwed. Again.