what I meant was, Eichel misses on a penalty shot in ot at Chicago and Kane missed on a few overtime opportunities as well...winning two or three of those games makes their record for the month much better
- Michael Pachla

I know and what i meant was those aren't random bounces that are 50/50. Eichel's not a good penalty shot/shootout guy and despite popular belief kane's not a sniper.

If I were MCDermott, I’d start Casey Mittelstadt at QB today!
- IonSabres

"Starting today the Buffalo Sabres reason for existence will be Casey Mittelstadt."

--Terry Pegula

"Starting today the Buffalo Sabres reason for existence will be Casey Mittelstadt."

--Terry Pegula
- sskkoo1

That is sooo last draft .

My thought? They are just trying to get a flow as a team. slow process . but it seems to be getting there. Not caring about the end result in the standings .imo
- cabin

Appreciate your thoughts Cabby...

I must have missed the Quote button in my haste...but I was asking Patch to go about his statement that they aren’t going for a top pick...
At first I thought he meant 5hey might deal their 1st this year, but I seem to gather now that he meant they aren’t in a stealth tanks, but rather tryin* to learn to win.

That is sooo last draft .
- cabin

Say what?!!! You have my full attention...go on!
- IonSabres

i don't think they went into this season with the intention of losing and i don't think that because of their poor start through 25-30 games they're in stealth-tank mode...

i could be wrong, but that's the way i see it

I know and what i meant was those aren't random bounces that are 50/50. Eichel's not a good penalty shot/shootout guy and despite popular belief kane's not a sniper.
- Sabresfan-365

1,000,000 times this.

Kane is having his 2010-2011 Lucic season

throw in the shorties allowed


- homiedclown

i did that, but i'm missing something...ain't gonna attack that today...ask me in the middle of the week

I know and what i meant was those aren't random bounces that are 50/50. Eichel's not a good penalty shot/shootout guy and despite popular belief kane's not a sniper.
- Sabresfan-365

i hear ya

Appreciate your thoughts Cabby...

I must have missed the Quote button in my haste...but I was asking Patch to go about his statement that they aren’t going for a top pick...
At first I thought he meant 5hey might deal their 1st this year, but I seem to gather now that he meant they aren’t in a stealth tanks, but rather tryin* to learn to win.
- IonSabres

yuppers

1,000,000 times this.

Kane is having his 2010-2011 Lucic season
- jcragcrumple

Which wasn't even that good of a season. 62 points and he's only scored under 50 one time since then.

He got 7 years for 6 million from Edmonton. Kane is worth that, especially if Lucic and Okposo are.

He isn't worth 7 per, IMO.

i don't think they went into this season with the intention of losing and i don't think that because of their poor start through 25-30 games they're in stealth-tank mode...

i could be wrong, but that's the way i see it
- Michael Pachla

Thanks Michael....my alarm was I thought you were saying they might deal their 1st.

I’d say you’re right. And I don’t think they are in any hurry to bring in short-term help to improve...leaving i5 up to the players to buy in/figure it out.

Which wasn't even that good of a season. 62 points and he's only scored under 50 one time since then.

He got 7 years for 6 million from Edmonton. Kane is worth that, especially if Lucic and Okposo are.

He isn't worth 7 per, IMO.
- BeadyEyedDouche

And everyone anointed him the next great sniper/power forward. I know no one on here likes this argument, but name one sniper in this league who doesn't have at least 1 hat trick.

Evander Kane.

I'm not saying he isn't good, but he will regress, especially without Eichel (I know they haven't played together lately, but look at kanes goals since then)

Buyer beware. Some GM is gonna get a hard-nosed 50 point guy, which is fine, but he's gonna get hurt, and he's gonna disappear for stretches

Thanks Michael....my alarm was I thought you were saying they might deal their 1st.

I’d say you’re right. And I don’t think they are in any hurry to bring in short-term help to improve...leaving i5 up to the players to buy in/figure it out.
- IonSabres

yeah...i think that's what botts and Housley did...when they were in that terrible November slump, botts didn't bring in any outside help and even when he did, it was only scott Wilson...

i was left with the impression that they needed to figure it out for themselves...if that's the case, i'm all for that kind of tough-love

And everyone anointed him the next great sniper/power forward. I know no one on here likes this argument, but name one sniper in this league who doesn't have at least 1 hat trick.

Evander Kane.

I'm not saying he isn't good, but he will regress, especially without Eichel (I know they haven't played together lately, but look at kanes goals since then)

Buyer beware. Some GM is gonna get a hard-nosed 50 point guy, which is fine, but he's gonna get hurt, and he's gonna disappear for stretches
- jcragcrumple

i'd ink him immediately to a four-year, $26 million deal because for me, it's more about term than $$$

Thanks Michael....my alarm was I thought you were saying they might deal their 1st.

I’d say you’re right. And I don’t think they are in any hurry to bring in short-term help to improve...leaving i5 up to the players to buy in/figure it out.
- IonSabres

That's my thought too. Team has a bunch of talent . or as they were picked to have. Now just the learning to play together. I look at Vegas and think WTF!! But they are NHL players that understand the concept of a team game . Our guys don't . Could it be the coaching . or just to young to get it .

Another BS call in favor of the Pats!
JC!

Thanks Boss, we do have very similar thoughts

My reference to McDermott starting Peterman was purely in jest. It turned out to be a horrible, absolutely horrible performance, but that doesn’t mean the Bills win that game with Tyrod starting...especially since he had what 55 yards passing the previous week...which was the root cause for Our OC giving McDermott an ultimatum to start Peterman or else.
There is absolutely no argument anyone could put forth to convince me they win that game.

As for McDermott, he does show ultra-conservative tendencies with in-game decisions.
Hopefully he can be open to learn and take advantage of certain situations, like going for it on 4 &1 in the Pats game, as well as going for it rather than punting when inside the opponents 40.
I love the new management group at One Bills Drive .. doesn’t make them perfect, but I have far more faith.

I am hoping for the same to be demonstrated by Botts and Housley.
Housley has a lot to learn it is quite obvious.
If Botts can unload some of these overpaid underachiever contracts..I might vote for him for President!
- IonSabres

I really like both mcdermott and beane
Both good hires from tpegs and kpegs
Both teams have lacked guidance and good drafting for years. I think we hit big.

Best draft in 20 years.
Hoping the bills flip kcs 20th pick again for more picks. Keep it rolling. The gift that just keeps giving.

I like jbotts, he is super intelligent, not just a scout that moved up thru the ranks.

Not sure about housley.
Good tank move? New guys leave points on the table
Similar to nolan, familiar faces sell /appeal to buffalo fans. I think Housley is in on the Fallin for dahlin or 1 of the other top guys. Unlike nolan.

I also think there is something to keeping eichel happy and getting him signed. Housley isn't going to hurt eichels feeling by raising his voice.

Less impressed after watching the road to the classic. He just seams to be missing the motivation thing that mcdermott has.

That's my thought too. Team has a bunch of talent . or as they were picked to have. Now just the learning to play together. I look at Vegas and think WTF!! But they are NHL players that understand the concept of a team game . Our guys don't . Could it be the coaching . or just to young to get it .
- cabin

I think Botts is a sly fox.
He knew the transition to Housleys system from Dancin Disco Dumbo’s was
A) going to take awhile longer than we all thought
B) not well suited for some players
He needed time to figure out the B part.

He must know that now as it does stand out for certain players
-Reino
-Pommer
-Okposo (although playing better, but not 1st line $6m worthy)
and more without going through the effort to list them all.

So now, me thinks it is all about shaping the roster with an emphasis on getting rid of the heavy weight contracts that don’t fit the style.

That's my thought too. Team has a bunch of talent . or as they were picked to have. Now just the learning to play together. I look at Vegas and think WTF!! But they are NHL players that understand the concept of a team game . Our guys don't . Could it be the coaching . or just to young to get it .
- cabin

Who knows, if Moulson Criscuolo and griffith didn't spend time on the team, if Bogo had started the year, if Fedun and Falk didn't get hurt when we needed them, if Okposo and Scandella weren't coming off injuries.

Not saying the Sabres would be world beaters, but it would have been better.

The year is shot, but the team isn't as bad as the record indicates

I think Botts is a sly fox.
He new the transition to Housleys system from Dancin Disco Dumbo’s was
A) going to take awhile longer than we all thought
B) not well suited for some players
He needed time to figure out the B part.

He must know that now as it does stand out for certain players
-Reino
-Pommer
-Okposo (although playing better, but not 1st line $6m worthy)
and more without going through the effort to list them all.

So no, me thinks it is all about shaping the roster with an emphasis on getting rid of the heavy weight contracts that don’t fit the style.
- IonSabres

i'm giving Okposo a mulligan this year because of what he went through in the off season

Who knows, if Moulson Criscuolo and griffith didn't spend time on the team, if Bogo had started the year, if Fedun and Falk didn't get hurt when we needed them, if Okposo and Scandella weren't coming off injuries.

Not saying the Sabres would be world beaters, but it would have been better.

The year is shot, but the team isn't as bad as the record indicates
- jcragcrumple

They'd be where vancouver is right now imo or maybe florida

i'm giving Okposo a mulligan this year because of what he went through in the off season
- Michael Pachla

Mulligan implies he'll bounce back, im not sure id make that bet on someone turning 30 next year

somehow I get the impression that they're really not shooting for a top pick
- Michael Pachla

I think the sabres have put enough of a "lead" in the bottom pick to actually try to win for a bit
Tennyson= tank
Griffen=tank
Nolan=tank
Belevue = tank
Antipin = tank and develop
Gorges = original tanker
Moulson and his 0 points in 14 games = tank
Wilson= tank
Convinalo= tank
Chad johnson = tank
Lehner = playing better, but tanky too

The more I watch the juniors the more you could see why jbotts would want a high pick

You have to imagine tpegs is on board too
Especially with silent sam and nylander not looking like core guys


Love the blogs, just an opinion.

i'm giving Okposo a mulligan this year because of what he went through in the off season
- Michael Pachla

His feed to Eichel was vintage Okposo. Making himself wide and looking off the goalie. Maybe he's turning a corner.

He was getting pushed around to start the year, and still is, that didn't happen last year. He probably still needs to bulk back up