I don't think there is hate for Eichel


just reality, he is a distant 3rd compared to the other 2 young guns
- homiedclown

And last April Matthews was a "floating, disappearing bum" in the playoffs. These 6 games don't define him any more than those 7 games defined him. Narratives shift

I'm still not mad

I'm still not mad
- jochfr

I am but it isn't hockey.

I have to call bullpoop on this, ok, the first year they snuck up on you, you don't really know what to do when you get into a new hockey town, but everyone should know better now, and the management has to have a plan, have a curfew if you have to. That should be the last excuse. I've heard Montreal is a huge party town, I know Miami is, so why don't teams struggle so badly when they go into those places?
- Wetbandit1

I don't have the stats to back this up, nor am I going to look them up, but I always feel like the Sabres suck when they make that trip through Florida in the middle of the winter. All that sun, all those girls...

Vegas only being in the league one year means that most teams have only been out there one time so far. I doubt the novelty has quite worn off yet, particularly for a team of young guys like ours.

I will agree that management should take special precautions but I can't honestly pretend to know what the team rules are when they travel. I'd be interested to hear any knowledgeable input on that.

aside from dahlin

and the goalies


I don't see much difference
- homiedclown

2 fully tanked seasons. Reinhart's 5th as a pro and Eichel's 4th. Where's the magic? Where's the anything? Yeah they won't finish dead last and that's good. But what are the Sabres?

2 fully tanked seasons. Reinhart's 5th as a pro and Eichel's 4th. Where's the magic? Where's the anything? Yeah they won't finish dead last and that's good. But what are the Sabres?
- Buffalo--Sabres

There are just what we are seeing, a .500 hockey club. Some will be good some will be bad...

We have at least 2 more years of this.

There are just what we are seeing, a .500 hockey club. Some will be good some will be bad...

We have at least 2 more years of this.
- gordong

They might be a .500 hockey club. What makes you so sure it's 2 years? I've was told 2 years 2 years ago and 2 years 2 years before that.

2 fully tanked seasons. Reinhart's 5th as a pro and Eichel's 4th. Where's the magic? Where's the anything? Yeah they won't finish dead last and that's good. But what are the Sabres?
- Buffalo--Sabres

They're a down-low cycle team that likes to get their D into the play, and they like to stand the opposing forwards up at the blue line. They aren't a fast enough team yet to be a transition team. I think they'll settle into this identity within 25 games and be pretty solid tho

There are just what we are seeing, a .500 hockey club. Some will be good some will be bad...

We have at least 2 more years of this.
- gordong

Agreed. If they play close to .500 for the first half, their young players improve, and some Rochester players force their way into the lineup, then it's a solid season.

They're a down-low cycle team that likes to get their D into the play, and they like to stand the opposing forwards up at the blue line. They aren't a fast enough team yet to be a transition team. I think they'll settle into this identity within 25 games and be pretty solid tho
- jcragcrumple

Ok there we go

There are just what we are seeing, a .500 hockey club. Some will be good some will be bad...

We have at least 2 more years of this.
- gordong

assuming Botterill has another good off season, they'll contend for a spot next year. They've got assets to work with and money coming off the books.

assuming Botterill has another good off season, they'll contend for a spot next year. They've got assets to work with and money coming off the books.
- Sabresfan-365

They need a couple prospects to turn into legit top half of the lineup guys. It certainly looks promising, but it's far from a given. I'm very curious to see who's in the lineup around trade deadline time.

They need a couple prospects to turn into legit top half of the lineup guys. It certainly looks promising, but it's far from a given. I'm very curious to see who's in the lineup around trade deadline time.
- Lunaion

Agreed, but there's a decent amount of upside there. Olofsson, Pilut, Asplund, maybe nylander or someone who isn't swedish (as i just noticed typing that).

Dahlin and Mittelstadt will both likely take a step forward. They'll need those prospects to turn out to contend for a championship but to be a playoff contender next year they just have to not do anything dumb this summer.

They might be a .500 hockey club. What makes you so sure it's 2 years? I've was told 2 years 2 years ago and 2 years 2 years before that.
- Buffalo--Sabres

lack of talent, they still need a couple more impact players.... and even then they will need time to adjust to the NHL...

Nylander still hasn't figure out the AHL... he has 5 points in 5 games, but only 1 goal.
Olofsson has 7 points in 5 games 3 goals. Hopefully one or both of these kids pan out. but we still need scoring in the worst way.

I 'm also starting to get the feeling that Housley is not the right guy for this job..

I don't have the stats to back this up, nor am I going to look them up, but I always feel like the Sabres suck when they make that trip through Florida in the middle of the winter. All that sun, all those girls...

Vegas only being in the league one year means that most teams have only been out there one time so far. I doubt the novelty has quite worn off yet, particularly for a team of young guys like ours.

I will agree that management should take special precautions but I can't honestly pretend to know what the team rules are when they travel. I'd be interested to hear any knowledgeable input on that.
- Angler

It's not necessarily the novelty as much as it's management now knowing what to expect, it's the whole:

and while im on it, Jack should not be qb-ing the power play anymore now that we have Dahlin. let the kid run the PP from the back end.. set jack up to shoot more, he is our best goal scorer and he is passing way to much.

Agreed, but there's a decent amount of upside there. Olofsson, Pilut, Asplund, maybe nylander or someone who isn't swedish (as i just noticed typing that).

Dahlin and Mittelstadt will both likely take a step forward. They'll need those prospects to turn out to contend for a championship but to be a playoff contender next year they just have to not do anything dumb this summer.
- Sabresfan-365

Sure, like I said, it looks promising. It still remains to be seen if they are top half of the lineup guys and how long that takes. If one forward and one defenseman make that jump, this team looks a lot different next season. If they don't, then we really need to hit on one of the first rounders this year. The big difference now is that there are a lot guys who could make that jump, instead of GMTM giving up all his chips for a few players.

I like what JB's done, and I know there's going to be some rough nights this year before they get there.

and while im on it, Jack should not be qb-ing the power play anymore now that we have Dahlin. let the kid run the PP from the back end.. set jack up to shoot more, he is our best goal scorer and he is passing way to much.
- gordong

I'm with you there, but Okposo really has to go. He's absolutely no threat at all on the right side, and it's far too easy for teams to focus on Jack.

Last night, the second PP looked much stronger. In part because I have no idea what they are looking to do and everyone is looking to shoot with far more urgency.

I'm with you there, but Okposo really has to go. He's absolutely no threat at all on the right side, and it's far too easy for teams to focus on Jack.

Last night, the second PP looked much stronger. In part because I have no idea what they are looking to do and everyone is looking to shoot with far more urgency.
- Lunaion

He sure gets his wrister off quick though.......

I'm with you there, but Okposo really has to go. He's absolutely no threat at all on the right side, and it's far too easy for teams to focus on Jack.

Last night, the second PP looked much stronger. In part because I have no idea what they are looking to do and everyone is looking to shoot with far more urgency.
- Lunaion

Before the season I wanted Dahlin, eichel, Oloffsson, stats, Reinhart.

Yes, Matthews and McDavid are doing great, but they are scoring goals with a shooting percent of 45.5% and 36% respectively, neither which is sustainable. Eichel at 12.5% would be more reasonable, and with more chemistry with new linemates hopefully his production will pick up (zero assists on the 49 power plays.)

And, McDavid obviously is a great player, but what is really a game changer? Shouldn't a game changer actually change the results of the game?
- adambuffalo

Matthews and McDavid are not comparable for Eichel. He is nowhere near their league. He is a highly skilled perimeter player. They are always at the net front, he almost never is. And as the captain, he IS the chemistry. Or should be.

Before the season I wanted Dahlin, eichel, Oloffsson, stats, Reinhart.
- TheHank

I still question Olofsson, but his ability on the PP might be enough to offset everything else. He would really balance things out and change the dynamic of the entire PP.

I still question Olofsson, but his ability on the PP might be enough to offset everything else. He would really balance things out and change the dynamic of the entire PP.
- Lunaion

Dude is a goal scorer. Lord knows we need that. Even if he only got a couple 5v5 shifts to start out and is just a pp specialist I wouldn’t have a problem with it.

Who will replace Housley when he gets fired?

I still question Olofsson, but his ability on the PP might be enough to offset everything else. He would really balance things out and change the dynamic of the entire PP.
- Lunaion

What do you question?