Dude, these made me laugh, NOT at you, but at:
-The magnitude of assumptions,
-Every situation maximized
-Counting on win the lottery with a top 1, or top 3 pick.

So while you think I’m negative. I prefer to think of my self as a conservative realist (not that kind of conservative), pragmatic.

In return, I think you are seeing all rainbows, unicorns and juju bees, while wearing 12 pairs of rose colored glasses.

I guess, keep on keeping on.
Just don’t tell me we are closer than you make it seem...ho.y Christopher, lol.
- IonSabres

So when i said that if we had to trade Sam and would need ONE out of NINE to become a top6 quality winger...
that’s what u see as “every situation maximized” then?

I’d say 1/9 is actually being pessimistic

And the way we are going,
it’s pretty reasonable to think we will get a top3 pick

Only one team MIGHT have better odds than us to get one

So yeah...
rant on... beat your head against the wall...
Whatever u wanna do man

I’m over here chillin
Enjoy the ledge though
I hear the view on the way down is lovely

He doesn't put up nearly enough points in all situations to justify the defensive lapses and im not talking about the misplay from last game. He's always been labeled an offensive d-man but all his offense is generated on the power play.

So at best we're talking some Green/Phaneuf Hybrid. Thats not a guy you want on your top pair.
- Sabresfan-365

Who was on Pittsburgh’s Cup winning top pair with Letang hurt?

Who was on Pittsburgh’s Cup winning top pair with Letang hurt?
- jdfitz77

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...?thread_id=150640&page=36


seventh post from the top

I'd be willing to bet that if Risto plays on average 2 min. less per game you would see his mistakes go down and his point totals go up.

But he can't do that....because outside of Risto...House hasn't been able to trust the D-corps up to this point in the season with doing their jobs in important situations. So Risto ends up being on the ice for every crucial face off, every penalty kill, every power play.

If memory serves its always around this time in the season when we start to see the mental mistakes from Risto pop up...and that's because he has been overworked.

Where's the oft-injured, disc spinning Bogo on your top 7 list for the Sabres? Nobody will trade for that albatross contract or player. IF we were to get Dahlin, I am guessing that Antipin is not part of the future. With the way he has been handled this year by the Sabres, I don't think he'll come back, even if we want him.
- SabreWest

I guess i should’ve specified
That’s our projected defense for the next 5yrs or so

I could’ve included Borgen in there too,
but i didn’t bc he isn’t signed yet

I left off Bogo bc one way or another,
he will be gone as soon as they can trade/bury/buy out
Whatever option they choose

I think Dahlin Svechnikov Zadina will be the top 3 in some order.

Lottery loss would only hurt ego's of fans who actually tie there's to something there's literally no control over

Even if they fall back 3 spots, we're still talking a choice between Boqvist, Hughes, Tkachuk or one of Svechnikov/Zadina if someone goes off the board.
- Sabresfan-365

As opposed to everything else the team does?

Why are you so dismissive of Hughes and Boqvist? Just because they arent in the headlines doesnt mean they cant be difference makers too.

Far more likely to get a top pair guy out of that then whatever throw in we get for kane. Lets be honest, the ship has sailed (was never there imo) on getting a difference maker for him

Reinhart is such a wild card value wise its hard to know.
- Sabresfan-365

Bc I’m assuming we are picking in the top3
In which case,
we aren’t taking Hughes or Boqvist

Also,
I’ve said I’d probably take Boqvist #4 ahead of Tkachuk
So i really don’t think I’m dismissing him at all

7 of the top 10 teams in the league also happen to be top 10 in 5v5 goal differential.

STL and Anaheim are 11 and 13 respectively. Los angeles is the big outlier at 16th but they've conceded the third fewest amount of 5v5 goals in the nhl. They're relying on strong two way play for now although i imagine they'll make a play for a forward between now and the deadline.
- Sabresfan-365

Thank you, I'll give you a %70 on the exam.
Plus extra credit.

That's pretty telling though.
Good research

Even if we win the draft lottery does anyone think Dahlin is going to be a #1 X-men next year? I mean seriously he might never turn into a #1 guy, he could just be a better Brian Campbell. I think asking him to play on the #1 pair in the first year is a stretch.
- gordong

He probably plays 20+ min but doesn’t turn into a true #1 for a couple of years
Dahlin is legit though
Better offensive skills than Karlsson at that age
Defensively, he’s been compared to Lidstrom

So even if he just ends up as Hedman...
well, that’s quite alright by me

As opposed to everything else the team does?
- Wetbandit1

True, I just don't understand the emotional investment in the lottery. There's literally nothing anyone can do about it.


GM assembles a bad team, you're angry at the GM. I get that

Coach is making wack decisions in game you're angry at the coach. I get that


Team doesnt win a lottery where nobody has better than a 20% shot at winning and it's bridge jumping time?

Kane? He is fabulous at the 5v5 hockeying.
- IonSabres

Especially in 2017.
Remember back then, he was good.

What did I miss

Thank you, I'll give you a %70 on the exam.
Plus extra credit.

That's pretty telling though.
Good research
- Boss34

Thanks. Ion is right too. The whistles more often than not disappear in the playoffs especially in the later rounds.

You become to reliant on the man advantage and more balanced teams will grind you down, simply cause they can get away with more defensively and are capable of scoring at even strength.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/boards/thread.php?thread_id=150640&page=36


seventh post from the top
- Sabresfan-365

So u think Doumelin is a “top pair” guy?
Come on man

They had a defense corp made up of 3s & 4s at best

Only thing is that in the playoffs, the Refs swallow their whistles...so, if you heavily rely on the PP (I like to PP), then you are handcuffed. The odds say Gotta be good at the 5v5
- IonSabres

Another great point, i didn't consider.

You are spot on today.
Did you have tacos for lunch?

True, I just don't understand the emotional investment in the lottery. There's literally nothing anyone can do about it.


GM assembles a bad team, you're angry at the GM. I get that

Coach is making wack decisions in game you're angry at the coach. I get that


Team doesnt win a lottery where nobody has better than a 20% shot at winning and it's bridge jumping time?
- Sabresfan-365

As opposed to what any of us can do about development or player personnel decisions, etc etc etc?

I agree
That’s why i remain hopeful we are headed in the right direction instead of freaking out

Not sure what you mean there. He was only permitted to sign a 1 year ELC. He's RFA, but he could simply elect to go back to the KHL. It's been a miserable season for him. I don't know why people spin it any other way.
- Lunaion

Maybe antipin likes taco Tuesday at ziggys?
Maybe he likes buffalo and it's a warm get away from Russia?
Maybe his dream is to play in the greatest league in the world?

He's played decent, my expectations were low and he would need to adjust to everything, including north American culture, language, and hockey too

Not sure what has happened with Risto, but he ain’t a 2nd based on this year’s play, and it started last year.
- IonSabres

I don't think most people realize just how much he plays. Right now he's 3rd in ATOI at 26:30(and he takes really long shifts too,~55 seconds on average, because he's only 24th in shifts per game), if he was bumped down to 30th that would be 3 minutes less a night. And that's still bottom end number 1 minutes.

Maybe it's as simple as having shorter shifts, 45 second shifts would put him at ~22 minutes. It'd be interesting to see where in shifts the mistakes come.




Someone may want to check the math.

I'd be willing to bet that if Risto plays on average 2 min. less per game you would see his mistakes go down and his point totals go up.

But he can't do that....because outside of Risto...House hasn't been able to trust the D-corps up to this point in the season with doing their jobs in important situations. So Risto ends up being on the ice for every crucial face off, every penalty kill, every power play.

If memory serves its always around this time in the season when we start to see the mental mistakes from Risto pop up...and that's because he has been overworked.
- feetontheair22

Good points:

Imagine the sabres with out him. Think we have a problem now.

He's a beast. All game. That takes a toll.
No one is more physical on the sabres.
Losing that would be :

A whole team of Phil's on d

I’ve been wanting to believe Rist is a #2 for two 2 years.
It isn’t happening. His defense is lacking for that role, and he doesn’t carry the mail either. Perfect 3-4.
- IonSabres

I've said numerous times, he's reached his ceiling. Phaneuf 2.0

Can fill in at #2 but is best served as a #3.

Maybe antipin likes taco Tuesday at ziggys?
Maybe he likes buffalo and it's a warm get away from Russia?
Maybe his dream is to play in the greatest league in the world?

He's played decent, my expectations were low and he would need to adjust to everything, including north American culture, language, and hockey too
- Boss34

If he wants to come back, I'll respect his determination. I view it as 50/50.

I don't understand why you'd think he's played decent. He's been a little better lately, but the first half of the year, he didn't belong in the NHL. It was that bad.

Thanks. Ion is right too. The whistles more often than not disappear in the playoffs especially in the later rounds.

You become to reliant on the man advantage and more balanced teams will grind you down, simply cause they can get away with more defensively and are capable of scoring at even strength.
- Sabresfan-365

What you said about officiating in the playoffs is true, and a disgrace. As good as the playoffs are, they could be even better if that antiquated notion were completely tossed out the window.

Flyers are getting Kane

Start the countdown

True, I just don't understand the emotional investment in the lottery. There's literally nothing anyone can do about it.


GM assembles a bad team, you're angry at the GM. I get that

Coach is making wack decisions in game you're angry at the coach. I get that


Team doesnt win a lottery where nobody has better than a 20% shot at winning and it's bridge jumping time?
- Sabresfan-365

I see no difference in any of it, it's asinine to get that worked up over something you have no control over, whether it's balls in a lottery machine, or a GM and coach making questionable decisions.

Even if we win the draft lottery does anyone think Dahlin is going to be a #1 X-men next year? I mean seriously he might never turn into a #1 guy, he could just be a better Brian Campbell. I think asking him to play on the #1 pair in the first year is a stretch.
- gordong

Jesus Christ, stop being negative!
Haven’t you seen how he is absolutely killing it at the Olympics...he is a sure fire Norris winner in 2019.

Honestly, your pos5 is spot on.
No matter what, 2019 is going to be difficult...hopefully more enjoyable with multiple bright spots rather than this free-fall with no net.