IMO, this is a .500 club. any stretch of games should be looked at as .500 with some good and some ugly.

Playoffs are a stretch IMO. They won 25 games last year. About 35-38 Wins is where I put them which is a massive improvement.

38-34-10.
- ImThatGuy

I'm still not sure what kind of club this is yet

They have had some bad games and then they have played very well.

I am hoping these next 10 games will help decide what kind of team they really are.

Going into the season I expected them to be a .500 club.

But an early road trip out west, that saw them coming back with a winning record can do wonders to a young team.

Let's see how they play tomorrow after a few days off from playing.

If they stink up the joint then yes back to reality but if they come out guns blazing and put together a 4-5 game win streak then we might be talking about a team that is going to push for the playoffs.

I'm still not sure what kind of club this is yet

They have had some bad games and then they have played very well.

I am hoping these next 10 games will help decide what kind of team they really are.

Going into the season I expected them to be a .500 club.

But an early road trip out west, that saw them coming back with a winning record can do wonders to a young team.

Let's see how they play tomorrow after a few days off from playing.

If they stink up the joint then yes back to reality but if they come out guns blazing and put together a 4-5 game win streak then we might be talking about a team that is going to push for the playoffs.
- Stripes77

Next few games should tell us that tale

The club IMO is kinda back to the Darcy days. They could be 6th 10th etc, they are far from being a complete team. But one thing for sure is the goal tending has improved, just hope the secondary scoring would improve.
Feel like this could have been written about any team in the last decade.

IMO, this is a .500 club. any stretch of games should be looked at as .500 with some good and some ugly.

Playoffs are a stretch IMO. They won 25 games last year. About 35-38 Wins is where I put them which is a massive improvement.

38-34-10.
- ImThatGuy

The Sabres had 10 one goal regulation losses, 9 two goal losses and 10 three goal losses (only including the latter two groups of losses because we gave up 22 empty net goals last season. ) We also went 6-12 in overtime/shootouts. I think with this team (especially with better goalies) we should expect 40-45 wins.

I'd say 41-30-11. Much better than last season, but still a .500 team. Just missing the playoffs.

As a side note, last year teams pulled their goalie against the Sabres 20 times and scored on 9 of the tries (Sabres scored 10 times)

The club IMO is kinda back to the Darcy days. They could be 6th 10th etc, they are far from being a complete team. But one thing for sure is the goal tending has improved, just hope the secondary scoring would improve.
Feel like this could have been written about any team in the last decade.
- hubie

I see a lot of people bringing up the secondary scoring. I too want to see more from the other lines, however are goals from defensemen not considered secondary scoring? We did not get a goal from our defense until the 28th game last season. This year in 9 games we have six d-men with goals. I think that should count for something.

IMO, this is a .500 club. any stretch of games should be looked at as .500 with some good and some ugly.

Playoffs are a stretch IMO. They won 25 games last year. About 35-38 Wins is where I put them which is a massive improvement.

38-34-10.
- ImThatGuy

I see a lot of people bringing up the secondary scoring. I too want to see more from the other lines, however are goals from defensemen not considered secondary scoring? We did not get a goal from our defense until the 28th game last season. This year in 9 games we have six d-men with goals. I think that should count for something.
- adambuffalo

5on5 or PP?
PP I would say no

I honestly think the team is too slow.

5on5 or PP?
PP I would say no

I honestly think the team is too slow.
- hubie

To be a transition team, yes. But when they standing the opposing team up at the offensive zone blue line, and play their possession/cycle game, they're good enough to hang with any team in the league. Their strategy also forces the opposing team into a lull and brings them to a more manageable pace for the sabres.

When they are on their game, they can beat any team in the league.

Personal opinion: Those quotes are insane for 3 years from now.

Dahlin isn't going to make 10m on his first contract most likely and Casey, at this rate, will be taking a bridge deal. If Skinner wants 8 we should trade him at the TDL for sure. Samson isn't breaking 4M if he doesn't pick it up.

Not every good player we have is going to need an 8M+ contract. If we do, it's because we've already ended the Stanley Cup drought IMO.
- RhinoFan

In my forecast, there's an 8x11 next to Dahlin in 3 years, and a little extra reserve in my budget just in case. He's not a guy you bridge. He's already their best defenseman and may be their best player by mid-season. Seattle is going to continue to push the cap up and the next wave of contracts is going to continue to put upward pressure on high end contracts. If Laine, Matthews, and Marner all sign cheaper than expected, I'll lower that number.

In my book, Skinner is worth more than Kane. 7x7.5m is an easy yes from me. Is 8 where you draw the line? Maybe, but I'm not sure I slam that door.

To be a transition team, yes. But when they standing the opposing team up at the offensive zone blue line, and play their possession/cycle game, they're good enough to hang with any team in the league. Their strategy also forces the opposing team into a lull and brings them to a more manageable pace for the sabres.

When they are on their game, they can beat any team in the league.
- jcragcrumple

How often does this occur? not very