How many of the players on the Golden Knights would be in the NHL right now or pushed in to a top 6 role if there wasn't an expansion draft?

Karlsson? Third line center in Columbus?
Haula? - Bottom six player
Perron? - Bottom six player
Tuch? probably still in the AHL
Carpenter?
Lindberg?
Theodore? - maybe with the Ducks, but he was constantly up and down.
Hunt?

There is something to be said for a room that is cohesive.

There is something to be said for a team that is capable of playing for each other.

If you have a leadership group that understands how to get the team to actually play together, then maybe the will start to figure it out.
- thatsapickle

Those players are just better than the ones i named though.

Is it even debatable that we have far and away the worst bottom 6 in hockey, and some of those bad players are in the top 6 now.

General Patton isn't gonna motivate these guys into being good. The Sabres need better players and then all of a sudden no one will talk about leadership

Wgr bring up the ROR , jack fight lol

They get stuff from here

I understand that you love this team like when a mother says her child is beautiful when he's ugly

I just can't understand why you can't see the same thing half of us are seeing yeah they lost by one goal but in those games they could have easily lost 3-0 -2-0 they get out played mostly every game
- GERBE!!!75PTS

We might be far from the best teams in the league, but I do not think we are that far from being good.

Teams go from the bottom to good every year.
Toronto, Colorado, Edmonton, Winnipeg.

In my opinion
:this season has been a complete tank from the beginning

Jbotts, brought in ahl players to play in the nhl
Has made 1 trade to better us - Scott Wilson
Kept guys in rochester

This time Phil is in on it, unlike Ted a few years ago.
Phil is helping by mixing up lines, starting the wrong goalie, playing scrubs too many minutes.


Next year there coiuld be between 8-10 new faces

No longer
Nolan
Girgs
Larson
Kane
Pouilet
Josephson
Wilson?
Moulson

Bowl u
Faulk
Gorges
Bogo

Both goaltenders

Sabres should be able to upgrade at every one of those positions - easily

That should equal a goal or 2 in 1/4 of our games
Adding 20 Points

Just an opinion

We might be far from the best teams in the league, but I do not think we are that far from being good.

Teams go from the bottom to good every year.
Toronto, Colorado, Edmonton, Winnipeg.

In my opinion
:this season has been a complete tank from the beginning

Jbotts, brought in ahl players to play in the nhl
Has made 1 trade to better us - Scott Wilson
Kept guys in rochester

This time Phil is in on it, unlike Ted a few years ago.
Phil is helping by mixing up lines, starting the wrong goalie, playing scrubs too many minutes.


Next year there coiuld be between 8-10 new faces

No longer
Nolan
Girgs
Larson
Kane
Pouilet
Josephson
Wilson?
Moulson

Bowl u
Faulk
Gorges
Bogo

Both goaltenders

Sabres should be able to upgrade at every one of those positions - easily

That should equal a goal or 2 in 1/4 of our games
Adding 20 Points

Just an opinion
- Boss34

I agree we should be better next year with Casey , 2018 pick, and other pieces we get at the trade deadline but as it stands right now it's pretty much Darkness until something happens

I agree we should be better next year with Casey , 2018 pick, and other pieces we get at the trade deadline but as it stands right now it's pretty much Darkness until something happens
- GERBE!!!75PTS

It's gonna happen, the sabres and tpegs know the formula:

High end talent comes from the draft
Draft early to chose your high end talent
Groom said talent

Why would they mix up this mess of a team, when the goal is too lose and acquire a high end talent

I went to the game last night.

This isn’t a team. They have 0 chemistry, it’s Jack Eichel driving everything and a few good individual plays here and there from others.

The arena is dead. No one cares. The players don’t.

It was the worst game I’ve ever personally witnessed, and we tied it up last minute
- sbroads24

The Ducks must be truly horrible, or they had an incredible case of bad luck last night to not win by 5.

I agree we should be better next year with Casey , 2018 pick, and other pieces we get at the trade deadline but as it stands right now it's pretty much Darkness until something happens
- GERBE!!!75PTS

For arguments sake, if the combination added next year is either MittleStadt + Guhle + Zadina or Mittlestadt + Guhle + Dahlin, how does that not make a difference?

Not sure how much of a difference, but it gets the ship certainly moving in the right direction.

Lies, damn lies, statistics.

Yes we lose. The more important question is HOW do we lose.
- Der Kaiser

If we opened it up and played more offensively geared hockey we'd be losing games (and occasionally winning) like we did early in the season, 7-4, 6-1, 5-3 those kinds of score lines.


It only looks closer because they've gone all disco dan on this mf'er to try and soften the blowback from ,well, everyone.

Strictly using the eye test there is absolutely nothing you could say to suggest this team is close.

Not a single d-man is good in his own end and they all have a terribly tough time moving the puck, especially with passes.

For arguments sake, if the combination added next year is either MittleStadt + Guhle + Zadina or Mittlestadt + Guhle + Dahlin, how does that not make a difference?

Not sure how much of a difference, but it gets the ship certainly moving in the right direction.
- kingcong39

Edit: nvm misread


It changes everything (for the better) long term. But short term were still talking about a bunch of kids here. Some growing pains to be expected.

The Ducks must be truly horrible, or they had an incredible case of bad luck last night to not win by 5.
- kingcong39

They did have the case of the bad luck did you see how many open nets they missed ?

Edit: nvm misread

It changes everything (for the better) long term. But short term were still talking about a bunch of kids here. Some growing pains to be expected.
- Sabresfan-365

That's the overall idea and best thing going forward for next year though, agreed?

If we opened it up and played more offensively geared hockey we'd be losing games (and occasionally winning) like we did early in the season, 7-4, 6-1, 5-3 those kinds of score lines.

It only looks closer because they've gone all disco dan on this mf'er to try and soften the blowback from ,well, everyone.

Strictly using the eye test there is absolutely nothing you could say to suggest this team is close.

Not a single d-man is good in his own end and they all have a terribly tough time moving the puck, especially with passes.
- Sabresfan-365

The interesting thing is they are playing that more defensive style, yet they still have games where they actually score more than 1, which is a bit different.

Adding the talent they need will improve the 5v5 play and the good news is the PP is not an issue most of the time anymore like it was earlier in the season.

There is, gulp, hope.

For arguments sake, if the combination added next year is either MittleStadt + Guhle + Zadina or Mittlestadt + Guhle + Dahlin, how does that not make a difference?

Not sure how much of a difference, but it gets the ship certainly moving in the right direction.
- kingcong39

Totally agree:

Eichel, risto and Sam should be better with more experience and weight training.

Hopefully
Antipin, Nelson, Nylander, ullmark too

Don't let the tank discourage you.

We have some pieces in place.
Everyone is going to play better when we have a chance of winning

That's the overall idea and best thing going forward for next year though, agreed?
- kingcong39

Absolutely

I understand that you love this team like when a mother says her child is beautiful when he's ugly

I just can't understand why you can't see the same thing half of us are seeing yeah they lost by one goal but in those games they could have easily lost 3-0 -2-0 they get out played mostly every game
- GERBE!!!75PTS

I'll try and be the voice of reason here, as if you think he 'loves this team', you are as high as a kite.

Even if you think they are a chasm away (many players) and he thinks they are closer (a few players), both of you agree that the most important needs are a top end D man, a high end scoring forward, and a high end goal scoring forward. On top of that, you both know those three things are difficult to add, however, they may already have one of those three from the draft this year, and if they can pick top 3 this year, they will have another one of those three, so there is some hope.

So really, why go nuclear with a response like the above when you both are basically on the same page? Is it reading comprehension? Lack of reading the entire post?

They did have the case of the bad luck did you see how many open nets they missed ?
- GERBE!!!75PTS

You are not wrong, but I also don't care about how many open nets and easy chances the Sabres miss either as all that matters, ultimately, is what goes in the net, and yes, I understand they need to be much better 5v5, which is something adding high end talent will greatly help, and help is coming.

The interesting thing is they are playing that more defensive style, yet they still have games where they actually score more than 1, which is a bit different.

Adding the talent they need will improve the 5v5 play and the good news is the PP is not an issue most of the time anymore like it was earlier in the season.

There is, gulp, hope.
- kingcong39

Those extra goals lately seem to be coming from the power play. Can't have a game plan where you turtle 5v5 and hope your powerplay goes 2/3 or 3/5 every night. If they want to be a playoff team they've gotta learn to be a threat at 5v5 as well.

That's never going to happen with this blueline though. Adding Guhle and potentially 2018 1st rounder certainly helps, but it's more about who's already here. There's a lot of money tied up in guys who can neither defend effectively nor move the puck with any sort of consistency.

So while adding those two would help, you'd still have four d-men who can't make much happen at 5v5. Frightening.

Totally agree:

Eichel, risto and Sam should be better with more experience and weight training.

Hopefully
Antipin, Nelson, Nylander, ullmark too

Don't let the tank discourage you.

We have some pieces in place.
Everyone is going to play better when we have a chance of winning
- Boss34

Most importantly, when you lessen the load needed on supporting players like ROR, Risto, and Okposo, you will see them likely play at their best, as they are clearly overburdened with role and responsibility.

Yes to the comments I can already hear being typed: I understand that some of those are overpaid for the time in the building this team is at, but that is the reality for now.

I'll try and be the voice of reason here, as if you think he 'loves this team', you are as high as a kite.

Even if you think they are a chasm away (many players) and he thinks they are closer (a few players), both of you agree that the most important needs are a top end D man, a high end scoring forward, and a high end goal scoring forward. On top of that, you both know those three things are difficult to add, however, they may already have one of those three from the draft this year, and if they can pick top 3 this year, they will have another one of those three, so there is some hope.

So really, why go nuclear with a response like the above when you both are basically on the same page? Is it reading comprehension? Lack of reading the entire post?
- kingcong39

High end scoring forward - Casey

High end forward - Nylander or Kane (extention to be announced at the trade deadline)
So many gms are impressed with his recent play, it convinces jbotts his value has never been higher

High end d - top 5 pick this year

Should add 20 points

Those extra goals lately seem to be coming from the power play. Can't have a game plan where you turtle 5v5 and hope your powerplay goes 2/3 or 3/5 every night. If they want to be a playoff team they've gotta learn to be a threat at 5v5 as well.

That's never going to happen with this blueline though. Adding Guhle and potentially 2018 1st rounder certainly helps, but it's more about who's already here. There's a lot of money tied up in guys who can neither defend effectively nor move the puck with any sort of consistency.

So while adding those two would help, you'd still have four d-men who can't make much happen at 5v5. Frightening.
- Sabresfan-365

Not sure why the 5v5 paragraph was needed as we all know that already, but I remember fears when Housley were hired, including I believe your fear, was that the Nashville PP was bad, and he would ruin the PP for the Sabres, which is the only thing that worked last year. I pointed out the PP because he has corrected it from earlier in the season, so it seems to no longer be a concern, which is important.

I disagree slightly on what you said about the defense.

If they get lucky and get to draft Dahlin, the combination of adding Guhle and Dahlin to what is there will help greatly lift the load off of others, especially the overburdened like Risto. I fail to believe Risto is A. trash and B. won't be better with less minutes then the heavy amount he continues to play currently.

If you believe that, then you have to trade Risto yesterday, and maybe for a depressed return. I am just not on board with that line of thinking.

High end scoring forward - Casey

High end forward - Nylander or Kane (extention to be announced at the trade deadline)
So many gms are impressed with his recent play, it convinces jbotts his value has never been higher

High end d - top 5 pick this year

Should add 20 points
- Boss34

Everything hinges on lottery luck this year.

If they can get a top 3 pick, they may have 2 of the 3 things the team badly needs, perhaps as early as next season.

The third is going to be difficult to find.

Not sure why the 5v5 paragraph was needed as we all know that already, but I remember fears when Housley were hired, including I believe your fear, was that the Nashville PP was bad, and he would ruin the PP for the Sabres, which is the only thing that worked last year. I pointed out the PP because he has corrected it from earlier in the season, so it seems to no longer be a concern, which is important.

I disagree slightly on what you said about the defense.

If they get lucky and get to draft Dahlin, the combination of adding Guhle and Dahlin to what is there will help greatly lift the load off of others, especially the overburdened like Risto. I fail to believe Risto is A. trash and B. won't be better with less minutes then the heavy amount he continues to play currently.

If you believe that, then you have to trade Risto yesterday, and maybe for a depressed return. I am just not on board with that line of thinking.
- kingcong39

He's not trash, but when you think about what kind of team Housley and Botts want to build does he really fit that?

His build and style is probably better for a team like the kings. Reducing his ice time may relieve some pressure, but its not like it'll suddenly turn him into a puck mover or make his first pass incredible.

I'll try and be the voice of reason here, as if you think he 'loves this team', you are as high as a kite.

Even if you think they are a chasm away (many players) and he thinks they are closer (a few players), both of you agree that the most important needs are a top end D man, a high end scoring forward, and a high end goal scoring forward. On top of that, you both know those three things are difficult to add, however, they may already have one of those three from the draft this year, and if they can pick top 3 this year, they will have another one of those three, so there is some hope.

So really, why go nuclear with a response like the above when you both are basically on the same page? Is it reading comprehension? Lack of reading the entire post?
- kingcong39

I don’t drink Kool-Aid

He's not trash, but when you think about what kind of team Housley and Botts want to build does he really fit that?

His build and style is probably better for a team like the kings. Reducing his ice time may relieve some pressure, but its not like it'll suddenly turn him into a puck mover or make his first pass incredible.
- Sabresfan-365

Because a team plays a specific style means every single player has to fit that exact style to be effective?

I'm not sure on that.

I don’t drink Kool-Aid
- GERBE!!!75PTS

That is about the best I could have expected from someone who clearly cannot read and has minimal reading comprehension.