There were certainly a couple of low points but hear me out on this. If Jack doesn't get injured does he single handledly win a couple of those 21 games? I think 4 pts difference is actually reasonable. If you change that, put us 4 pts ahead, get some saves in the shootout and pick up 4-6pts there...then add in a little more effort in those final 6 games...we're on the doorstep.

Again, I think that we were going to be on the outside looking in last year, but only a few tweaks could have changed the course of the year. AKA we were better than the 8th worst team last year.
- RhinoFan

you gotta think chemistry, fatigue and maybe slightly mental were an issue in the first 10 or so games when jack came back for him..

Montreal is definitely overrated. Price is the best goalie in the world but his team can't cut it. Bergevin traded all the defensemen but he got Karl Alzner so score! I guess. Price is going to get left out to dry and there's no way the offense can compensate.

Buffalo looks good. Tampa will be first but like everybody else is saying, every other spot is a dog fight. I wouldn't be surprised if anybody made it in besides Detroit. That would be a surprise.

d lo to roch..
- IndianaSabresFan

This

you gotta think chemistry, fatigue and maybe slightly mental were an issue in the first 10 or so games when jack came back for him..
- IndianaSabresFan

I think that really burst the bubble. Then we lose Kane first game, which him being injured is to be expected, but also compounded the goal scoring issues. I could just see things going a different way this year if we can stay healthy and get a little bit more help from the back end.

The playoffs aren't necessary.

What is necessary is that there are meaningful games in March. That would be enough for me. Be within 3 - 5 points of a playoffs spot in mid-March.

Otherwise, I expect a far more exciting brand of hockey with Housely at the helm AND much better defensemen on the roster.

Currently see the East shaking out like:

Pittsburgh
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Washington
Rangers
Hurricanes
Flyers
Bruins
Canadiens
Columbus
Sens
Isles
Sabres
Panthers
Devils
Detroit

Sabres will fall somewhere around 84-85 points. Toronto and Tampa feasts on the significantly weakened Habs, Panthers and Wings. Columbus falls back to reality and Torts resorts to his old ways again.

I know, I'm biased.

Currently see the East shaking out like:

Pittsburgh
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Washington
Rangers
Hurricanes
Flyers
Bruins
Canadiens
Columbus
Sens
Isles
Sabres
Panthers
Devils
Detroit

Sabres will fall somewhere around 84-85 points. Toronto and Tampa feasts on the significantly weakened Habs, Panthers and Wings. Columbus falls back to reality and Torts resorts to his old ways again.

I know, I'm biased.
- BINGO!

BIASED

BIASED
- chilliard77

Yes.

Do think the Sabres are going to be better... but they still have forward depth issues.
Barring a huge move, they're Playoff bubble team in 2018-2019. They're in 2019-2020.

Currently see the East shaking out like:

Pittsburgh
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Washington
Rangers
Hurricanes
Flyers
Bruins
Canadiens
Columbus
Sens
Isles
Sabres
Panthers
Devils
Detroit

Sabres will fall somewhere around 84-85 points. Toronto and Tampa feasts on the significantly weakened Habs, Panthers and Wings. Columbus falls back to reality and Torts resorts to his old ways again.

I know, I'm biased.
- BINGO!

We are all biased. Sabres will win the East with 124 points. Leafs finish dead last. Book it!

Currently see the East shaking out like:

Pittsburgh
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Washington
Rangers
Hurricanes
Flyers
Bruins
Canadiens
Columbus
Sens
Isles
Sabres
Panthers
Devils
Detroit

Sabres will fall somewhere around 84-85 points. Toronto and Tampa feasts on the significantly weakened Habs, Panthers and Wings. Columbus falls back to reality and Torts resorts to his old ways again.

I know, I'm biased.
- BINGO!

Please explain how you think the flyers are in the top 8?

DAMMIT
- chilliard77

Went with the gold classic plated

Yes.

Do think the Sabres are going to be better... but they still have forward depth issues.
Barring a huge move, they're Playoff bubble team in 2018-2019. They're in 2019-2020.
- BINGO!

The Hurricanes made some improvements but I don't think they are that good

Please explain how you think the flyers are in the top 8?
- washedup20

Defense and a slight rebound year for Claude.

Last year there was a bunch of drama around Mason.

Elliott probably isn't better, but the team as a whole will be.

Jordan Weal is significantly underrated. Konecny and Provorov will continue to improve.

I don't like their 4th line situation or their coach, but they've got some really good young players that are going to fill in spots.

And a full year of Filppula

Went with the gold classic plated



- GERBE!!!75PTS

That's like the total opposite of classic but okay

Can't believe I have to watch Pomminville again. If he rides shotgun to jack, I'm out.

Good blog. It's natural for fans of a team to both overrate some players and be too hard on others. Sabres have some good talent, only not enough of it.

I think too much emphasis is being placed on the Sabres injuries in 2016/17. The lack of depth did not allow them to sustain success. Not to mention the fact they had a worse record with #15 in the lineup than without

The Hurricanes made some improvements but I don't think they are that good
- chilliard77

That's fair. I'm banking a bit on Aho, Teravainen and Lindholm continuing to progress.

Biggest advantage for the Canes in my mind is the defensive side of the game. They allowed 230 goals against with some of the worst goaltending in the league last season and a constantly rotating 3rd D pair.

With a (probable) actual goaltender and a solidified bottom pair (Fleury and van Reimsdyk) I think they can make some waves.

That and they lost nothing on offense, but gained Justin Williams.

Jesus


- chilliard77

Free candy (?)

Defense and a slight rebound year for Claude.

Last year there was a bunch of drama around Mason.

Elliott probably isn't better, but the team as a whole will be.

Jordan Weal is significantly underrated. Konecny and Provorov will continue to improve.

I don't like their 4th line situation or their coach, but they've got some really good young players that are going to fill in spots.

And a full year of Filppula
- BINGO!

I like their defense as well, but I think Voarcek is cooked, and Giroux has lost the fire. Youth will have to make a strong push to rejuvenate them. Nolan Patrick will get hurt walking up the tunnel to warm ups.
Elliot is over the hill and goalies go to philly to die, sorry I just don't see them having a strong year. Swap them with the Sens. Confidence will carry them back to playoffs.

That's like the total opposite of classic but okay
- chilliard77

Classic with the brand

Defense and a slight rebound year for Claude.

Last year there was a bunch of drama around Mason.

Elliott probably isn't better, but the team as a whole will be.

Jordan Weal is significantly underrated. Konecny and Provorov will continue to improve.

I don't like their 4th line situation or their coach, but they've got some really good young players that are going to fill in spots.

And a full year of Filppula
- BINGO!

Forgot to mention Nolan Patrick too as 4C if they want.

I like their defense as well, but I think Voarcek is cooked, and Giroux has lost the fire. Youth will have to make a strong push to rejuvenate them. Nolan Patrick will get hurt walking up the tunnel to warm ups.
Elliot is over the hill and goalies go to philly to die, sorry I just don't see them having a strong year. Swap them with the Sens. Confidence will carry them back to playoffs.
- washedup20

Sens are a garbage hockey team that had absolutely no business being where they were.

Eventually Anderson will fall off a cliff and they'll give up even more goals.

They've got one of the best defensemen of all-time and.... that's basically it. The rest of the team is a mixed bag of supporting cast players and AHLers.

That's fair. I'm banking a bit on Aho, Teravainen and Lindholm continuing to progress.

Biggest advantage for the Canes in my mind is the defensive side of the game. They allowed 230 goals against with some of the worst goaltending in the league last season and a constantly rotating 3rd D pair.

With a (probable) actual goaltender and a solidified bottom pair (Fleury and van Reimsdyk) I think they can make some waves.

That and they lost nothing on offense, but gained Justin Williams.
- BINGO!

I think it's up in the air for a lot of teams including Buffalo and Carolina

I think it's up in the air for a lot of teams including Buffalo and Carolina
- chilliard77

I don't think Buffalo has the same level of depth.

Mind you I also think Ristolainen (frank)ing blows so...

EDIT: I mean he's a #4 guy being asked to be something way bigger than he can be. There's still time but he's gotta use his damn head because he gets killed out there.

That's fair. I'm banking a bit on Aho, Teravainen and Lindholm continuing to progress.

Biggest advantage for the Canes in my mind is the defensive side of the game. They allowed 230 goals against with some of the worst goaltending in the league last season and a constantly rotating 3rd D pair.

With a (probable) actual goaltender and a solidified bottom pair (Fleury and van Reimsdyk) I think they can make some waves.

That and they lost nothing on offense, but gained Justin Williams.
- BINGO!

do you expect darling to be able to play the lions share of the games as the true starter?