vicious cycle.

Defence leaves goalie hung out to dry, goalie can't come up with a big save even when defence plays well.

They really need a massive step forward at either position.
- Sabresfan-365

They can, but not 6 times a game. Lehner made a lot of huge saves, but it's a war of attrition. When you're giving up the highest of high danger chances you're going to get killed no matter who's in there.

If the team played a system, any system they'd be where they were under Bylsma, probably marginally better because they obviously didn't do that under him either. We've seen what they can do when they decide to play as a team, they can beat anyone.

Jeez, where the (frank) did everyone go?

I would rather trade Ror for prospects and picks. Let the "core" Eichel, Skunk, Mitts, E-rod, Nelson, Guhle, (Risto) find and fill their rolls.

We have talent but no continuity, lets go full nationalist and build our WALLS and become strong from within.



- washedup20

(frank) I can't wait to vote for that man again in 2020.

And Nikki Haley in 2024



EDIT:...my Trump support aside...I agree with your post. We have a solid core..amazing? no..but something we can definitely build on.

They can, but not 6 times a game. Lehner made a lot of huge saves, but it's a war of attrition. When you're giving up the highest of high danger chances you're going to get killed no matter who's in there.

If the team played a system, any system they'd be where they were under Bylsma, probably marginally better because they obviously didn't do that under him either. We've seen what they can do when they decide to play as a team, they can beat anyone.
- Wetbandit1

im just referring to the cycle itself. there were times where lehner/johnson literally dropped the ball (puck) way early on in the game and took the team right out of it.

I know it's primarily the d-core's fault, but it doesn't sound like they plan on changing much there so hopefully they find more stable goaltending for next year.

Gut feeling we'll pick 2/3 and get one there

Trade for a low risk/high reward top 9 fwd

That plus mittelstadt and this version of Rodrigues should** be enough to round out a competent forward group.
- Sabresfan-365

Good chance you're right. If that happens, they need a strong two-way forward to round that out....a younger Pomminville. I don't think they have that in the organization.

(frank) I can't wait to vote for that man again in 2020.

And Nikki Haley in 2024



EDIT:...my Trump support aside...I agree with your post. We have a solid core..amazing? no..but something we can definitely build on.
- feetontheair22

Lol

im just referring to the cycle itself. there were times where lehner/johnson literally dropped the ball (puck) way early on in the game and took the team right out of it.

I know it's primarily the d-core's fault, but it doesn't sound like they plan on changing much there so hopefully they find more stable goaltending for next year.
- Sabresfan-365

That's my point, I'm not sure it's out there. Not without paying a huge sum.

Great job Mike P.

im just referring to the cycle itself. there were times where lehner/johnson literally dropped the ball (puck) way early on in the game and took the team right out of it.

I know it's primarily the d-core's fault, but it doesn't sound like they plan on changing much there so hopefully they find more stable goaltending for next year.
- Sabresfan-365

It's not ideal, but if you allow an early goal and can't come back from it you've got way more serious problems.

That's my point, I'm not sure it's out there. Not without paying a huge sum.
- Wetbandit1

Maybe Hutton? or trade for Grubauer?


I can't believe he thinks Bogo is going to help this team next year. Like bruh c'mon with that bullpoop

Baptiste, Smith, Bailey, O'regan, Nylander????

They havent even tried man, girgs, pominville, pouliot, gross

Lets drop the act, the older vets in this room failed. management and coaching failed and got shown the door. Vets are next on the chopping block.
- washedup20

These are third line guys. Maybe Nylander will be top 6 eventually, but I haven't seen anything that makes me think he belongs with Jack any time soon.

Maybe Hutton? or trade for Grubauer?


I can't believe he thinks Bogo is going to help this team next year. Like bruh c'mon with that bullpoop
- Sabresfan-365

Yeah, that's like the Gorges is a calming influence thing. Yeesh.

Hutton and Grubauer are backups though, a lot of backups/platoon goalies have great numbers, but when put in a starting role aren't good, Scott Darling, Eddie Lack, Brian Elliot being the most recent.

Especially Darling, yikes, I just looked at his numbers for the year.

Maybe Hutton? or trade for Grubauer?


I can't believe he thinks Bogo is going to help this team next year. Like bruh c'mon with that bullpoop
- Sabresfan-365

And this is not me being snarky...i just havn't been around for a while..

did we give up on Ullmark already?

And this is not me being snarky...i just havn't been around for a while..

did we give up on Ullmark already?
- feetontheair22

Personally, no, but trusting him to just come in and be the full time starter is incredibly dangerous.

Man, how are teams successful when they don't routinely draft top 5? Unpossible!
- Wetbandit1

Pittsburgh and Chicago have proven you need multiple top 3 picks to build a dynasty. It's surrounding these players with free agents, trades, and drafting outside of the first round that Buffalo can't seem to figure out. Between Nylander, marner, matthews, reilly, kadri, JVR, and marleau the leafs have 7 guys who were selected in the first 8 picks of their respective drafts.

Personally, no, but trusting him to just come in and be the full time starter is incredibly dangerous.
- Wetbandit1

Ya I agree. I think he should get a shot to be that starter tho....even if that means we have to retain Johnny for another year.

Pittsburgh and Chicago have proven you need multiple top 3 picks to build a dynasty. It's surrounding these players with free agents, trades, and drafting outside of the first round that Buffalo can't seem to figure out. Between Nylander, marner, matthews, reilly, kadri, JVR, and marleau the leafs have 7 guys who were selected in the first 8 picks of their respective drafts.
- Pegullaville

Yep, and so far they have a first round exit to show for it.

How many do Vegas have? The Kings? Sharks? Ducks? Caps? Bruins?

Ya I agree. I think he should get a shot to be that starter tho....even if that means we have to retain Johnny for another year.
- feetontheair22

Oh absolutely.

I'm done with Johnson, he's awful. You can see the moment he gives up. It's gross. Even under Bylsma when Johnson had to start like 5 games in a row he sucked.

Edit: I was thinking about Nilsson last year when he had to start a bunch of games and couldn't handle it, my bad. But Johnson is still really bad and gives up way too easily.

Oh absolutely.

I'm done with Johnson, he's awful. You can see the moment he gives up. It's gross. Even under Bylsma when Johnson had to start like 5 games in a row he sucked.
- Wetbandit1

I'm 1000% open to signing a different backup

I'm 1000% open to signing a different backup
- feetontheair22

yeah that's what i meant with grubauer/lehtnonen. Someone who can come in and split duties with ullmark


gives linus an opportunity to earn the starter role and if it goes south, you've still got an above average backup

Yeah, that's like the Gorges is a calming influence thing. Yeesh.

Hutton and Grubauer are backups though, a lot of backups/platoon goalies have great numbers, but when put in a starting role aren't good, Scott Darling, Eddie Lack, Brian Elliot being the most recent.

Especially Darling, yikes, I just looked at his numbers for the year.
- Wetbandit1

poor pachla

yeah that's what i meant with grubauer/lehtnonen. Someone who can come in and split duties with ullmark


gives linus an opportunity to earn the starter role and if it goes south, you've still got an above average backup
- Sabresfan-365

I think we've got an agreement here...

Get it done JBotts!

poor pachla
- Sabresfan-365

I heard it from Hamilton way before that.

I get what they were getting at, and if we had guys who could handle minutes playing him 11 a night probably wouldn't be the end of the world, but that's not the team we have.

These are third line guys. Maybe Nylander will be top 6 eventually, but I haven't seen anything that makes me think he belongs with Jack any time soon.
- Lunaion

They are ahl guys not third line guys yet. lets see what they have

I heard it from Hamilton way before that.

I get what they were getting at, and if we had guys who could handle minutes playing him 11 a night probably wouldn't be the end of the world, but that's not the team we have.
- Wetbandit1

Maybe. Sticking with the bogo thing, there's got to be more to it. I refuse to believe that he thinks this d-core even healthy can compete for anything.