Personally, I'd love to see Wayne Simmonds here. He checks all the boxes, except for perhaps his age.

But, you're right, they need to get tougher. A pack mentality would help, too. Players who want to play for each other and stick up for one another, which is where a "tight" dressing room comes in.
- Powerslave

I would love Simmonds next to jack or casey.

Part of last years tank was to void the Sabres of anyone with a backbone. Make us easy to play against and beat.

Kane
Foligno
De-low
Carrier

I think botts is being smart by adding character guys.

After watching development camp, mekar type guys are gonna push Casey's buttons

We need to continue to add grit and toughness.

I wouldn't be surprised to see another tough winger or 2 brought in. We cant let the stars get pushed around.
- Boss34

AGREED 100%.

We all saw the difference Wilson made on DC.
Don't need a goon, but a guy who can handle himself as needed.

That said, the talent is going to need to learn to be team-tough and participate to the absolute best of their cability...not expecting them to become Dave The Hammer Schultz ... but take a page from Tampa and play tough when it gets going tough...they beat Boston at their own game and tried against The Caps (came up short there).

AGREED 100%.

We all saw the difference Wilson made on DC.
Don't need a goon, but a guy who can handle himself as needed.

That said, the talent is going to need to learn to be team-tough and participate to the absolute best of their cability...not expecting them to become Dave The Hammer Schultz ... but take a page from Tampa and play tough when it gets going tough...they beat Boston at their own game and tried against The Caps (came up short there).
- IonSabres

I agree , but I cant see sam being "self tough"
Or Casey, dahlin, guhle
I think jack can at least handle himself without protection

Your right about not needing a goon, but we need more guys that can take care of themselves

The blues protected 7 forwards in the expansion draft.

Both bergland and saobotka were protected
Perron was exposed
Now perron is signed for 4 at 16 million.

Being protected shows that the blues valued these guys regardless of how the fans feel.

Ror is overrated. I like him, but seriously, he could no longer be a buffalo sabre. Maybe we could have gotten something better?

Berglund is going to mentor our young swedes.
He is way better then:
Larson
Joshephson
Nolan
Pouliot
Girgs

We got better with this trade
- Boss34

Read my posts above, no need to preach to this guy already on the pulpit

The mogilny signing/defection was exciting. I still remember taping and re watching his Russian highlights on my parents vcr.

* a VCR was like a DVR, but actually recorded television onto what they called VHS tapes

I think the fact that he was a 5th round 89th pick took away some if the initial luster.

Comparing the feeling from 28 years ago to now, I still think I'm more pumped about casey.
Maybe because I've seen him play in person?
He looks like a big time prospect.




People keep forgetting about guhle.
Hes gonna score some goals for the Sabres this year
- Boss34

Love that you had to explain what a VCR was (probably for gerbe !). Hey, remember laserdiscs ? Still have our family laserdisc player with The Empire Strikes Back disc. Ah, the good old days ... I miss the 80s !

Love that you had to explain what a VCR was (probably for gerbe !). Hey, remember laserdiscs ? Still have our family laserdisc player with The Empire Strikes Back disc. Ah, the good old days ... I miss the 80s !
- kritter65

Oh crap....new blog...

Personally, I'd love to see Wayne Simmonds here. He checks all the boxes, except for perhaps his age.

But, you're right, they need to get tougher. A pack mentality would help, too. Players who want to play for each other and stick up for one another, which is where a "tight" dressing room comes in.
- Powerslave

A CULTURE of winning
Leadership
Accountability
Single, common goal
Everyone buys in

I would love Simmonds next to jack or casey.

Part of last years tank was to void the Sabres of anyone with a backbone. Make us easy to play against and beat.

Kane
Foligno
De-low
Carrier

I think botts is being smart by adding character guys.

After watching development camp, mekar type guys are gonna push Casey's buttons
- Boss34

Love his style of play, there will be a spot for him in the future.

I agree , but I cant see sam being "self tough"
Or Casey, dahlin, guhle
I think jack can at least handle himself without protection

Your right about not needing a goon, but we need more guys that can take care of themselves
- Boss34

So this is where the definition of what we are talking about is required.

I don't expect Sam, Dahlin, or the other high skill guys to "drop 'em",
But I would expect for them to hit them on the boards, an occasional after the play jab,
A cross check, an open ice hit...
Then the "Tom Wilsons" can clean up the mess.
Best examplecever was Bobby Clark...started everything, dirty nasty player, Schultzie took care of the fisticuffs. Marchand is another.
Just push back, don't back down.

BTW - I think the Blues were hoping Thompson could plat that tough intimidating style ...at 6'5 and getting into 220 lbs...he should have some heavy play in him