I honestly don't get it.

Players who don't do anything shouldn't be expected to do more, but players who produce aren't doing enough

It's the blue collar Buffalo-brand Brian Burke truculence factor
- jcragcrumple

That is wonderful

secondary scoring, but i'm willing to see this whole thing out up to the trade deadline...it's not like their window has been open and will be closing soon...they're just beginning to open it...count me as really surprised the Sabres are where they are right now
- Michael Pachla

Completely fair.

10g win streak, 5 game losing streak...finding out where we really are first is probably due process.

Why is there so much negativity lol

Why are you guys worried about players that will most likely be gone after this year ?

I usually hate on Larry and Gus but they have been pretty good for the roles they play

Start worrying about the 2nd and 3rd lines 🤘
- gerbe75pts

We live in the now.

Next year we can still argue what position Steve Ott played, but for now, 4C is a point of contention that must be explored.

It's amazing to me that the 4th line center is talked about at all when the middle 6 is clearly the problem.
- Lunaion

Except the 4th line plays 3rd line minutes

It's amazing to me that the 4th line center is talked about at all when the middle 6 is clearly the problem.
- Lunaion

It's easier to female dog about either extreme because it fits the fan need for rationalization.

in times where the team is going through a rough patch, its easy to say "we should be getting more out of our 10 million dollar guy" or "why is our 900k guy not worth more than 900k?".

The much tougher pill to swallow is recognizing the combination of middle six (2nd pair) guys who own the biggest gap between cap value and actual on ice value.

Why is there so much negativity lol

Why are you guys worried about players that will most likely be gone after this year ?

I usually hate on Larry and Gus but they have been pretty good for the roles they play

Start worrying about the 2nd and 3rd lines 🤘
- gerbe75pts

Exactly

Except the 4th line plays 3rd line minutes
- jcragcrumple

so we've got employees who are being given a responsibility one step above what they're capable of versus employees who are being paid like top dogs but producing like the employees who you yourself consider replacement level.

Honestly, which do you think is more likely to hurt this team over an 82 game season?

We live in the now.

Next year we can still argue what position Steve Ott played, but for now, 4C is a point of contention that must be explored.
- RhinoFan

We should be talking about how bright the future is and what prospects are going to impact the top 6 and how much depth we’re going to have with the draft picks we have acquired

Players on the 4th line can be replaced and restocked easily lol

Usually I’m the negative one what the hell is going on here lol

We should be talking about how bright the future is and what prospects are going to impact the top 6 and how much depth we’re going to have with the draft picks we have acquired

Players on the 4th line can be replaced and restocked easily lol
- gerbe75pts

And the 4 first round picks the next two years, including the Blues being so terrible so far that a fire sale may actually be a real possibility.

We should be talking about how bright the future is and what prospects are going to impact the top 6 and how much depth we’re going to have with the draft picks we have acquired

Players on the 4th line can be replaced and restocked easily lol
- gerbe75pts

like 30 goal wingers???

Hole Sh!t you people are franking cynical.. Does everyone here realize that we were in LAST place last year and as of right now we are 6th place in the LEAGUE? Yes we are a flawed team, yes we need more scoring, yes Sam was a #2 overall pick and is only a 50-60 pt player, but damn you people make it sound like we are still in the basement. I would much rather watch close exciting hockey then the poop show I have been watching the last 10 years.
- hehateme

Gerbe called it special. This is not a special season. It’s an improvement, like I said.

There is still work to be done, unless you’re happy and don’t want any more improvement done.

Except the 4th line plays 3rd line minutes
- jcragcrumple

Again, that's a middle six problem.

Again, that's a middle six problem.
- Lunaion

Casey is a little overwhelmed and should probably be playing sheltered, 3C minutes, but neither Berglund or Sobotka could handle 2C, so here we are. Sheary needs to play with a top talent center, but Skinner got that job and rightfully so. Thompson is showing glimmers of brilliance, but not consistently. So, now we're stuck trying to re arrange these guys over and over with Pommenville and get a spark and it just isn't happening. No one is going to take Berglund or Sobotka in a trade, If Mitts and Thompson were in Rochester, the Amerks would be absolutely murdering the AHL this year, and that leaves Pommer and Sheary needing 2 centers and 2 wingers. So we're pretty much fvcked. These 6 guys need to figure it out.

We should be talking about how bright the future is and what prospects are going to impact the top 6 and how much depth we’re going to have with the draft picks we have acquired

Players on the 4th line can be replaced and restocked easily lol
- gerbe75pts

A lot has happened these last few months. You missed the egging of Eichel becuase he only had 5 goals over the first 25 games of the year. So in turn I started a Reinhart poopfest.

Casey is a little overwhelmed and should probably be playing sheltered, 3C minutes, but neither Berglund or Sobotka could handle 2C, so here we are. Sheary needs to play with a top talent center, but Skinner got that job and rightfully so. Thompson is showing glimmers of brilliance, but not consistently. So, now we're stuck trying to re arrange these guys over and over with Pommenville and get a spark and it just isn't happening. No one is going to take Berglund or Sobotka in a trade, If Mitts and Thompson were in Rochester, the Amerks would be absolutely murdering the AHL this year, and that leaves Pommer and Sheary needing 2 centers and 2 wingers. So we're pretty much fvcked. These 6 guys need to figure it out.
- seedy

IMO, they really need Sam to lead his own line.

Usually I’m the negative one what the hell is going on here lol
- gerbe75pts

We got pretty lucky and everything went well for us for 10 games.

People got excited, and thought immediately we are a contender.

People want to mortgage the future to try and make a playoff run.


This year is entirely a transitionary year where we take some steps forward and improve on our last place finish last year.

The best think botteril can do this season is nothing other than sign skinner. He will have all of this coming off season to make some moves.

like 30 goal wingers???
- gordong

We replaced our 30 goal winger....

For picks

IMO, they really need Sam to lead his own line.
- Lunaion

I agree this would fix many problems.

Usually I’m the negative one what the hell is going on here lol
- gerbe75pts

Welcome back Gerbil

IMO, they really need Sam to lead his own line.
- Lunaion

They tried it last year, and with subpar talent on his wings, the line actually drove posession...
But it never really produced off of that possession metric in terms of goals.
The Q is; do they have wingers who can bank the possession with him this year?
We don't know, seems Housley isn't excited to try it out.

Several posters have hit the nail on the head recently, the middle six is not poroducing and should be taken to task for it...Berglund, Sobotka, Okposo, Thompson, Mitts, Pommer (to some degree) ERod. Wtf...earn your paycheck...time for each to step up...talk about Sam doing more to improve...what aboug thgese guys?...all vets except Tage and Mitts...where is their leadership?

The problem isn't Eichel, Skinner, Sam, Girgs, nor Lockport Larry (love that nickname)

Jesus Christ, get a friggin grip peeps!
Year of Transition ... from 31 to ???...enjoy thd building of a team in front of your eyes!
Appreciate it for what it is worth.

We replaced our 30 goal winger....

For picks
- Shadman306

No, it was stated by someone.... that 30 goal wingers are easy to find.

Still waiting.

They tried it last year, and with subpar talent on his wings, the line actually drove posession...
But it never really produced off of that possession metric in terms of goals.
The Q is; do they have wingers who can bank the possession with him this year?
We don't know, seems Housley isn't excited to try it out.

Several posters have hit the nail on the head recently, the middle six is not poroducing and should be taken to task for it...Berglund, Sobotka, Okposo, Thompson, Mitts, Pommer (to some degree) ERod. Wtf...earn your paycheck...time for each to step up...talk about Sam doing more to improve...what aboug thgese guys?...all vets except Tage and Mitts...where is their leadership?

The problem isn't Eichel, Skinner, Sam, Girgs, nor Lockport Larry (love that nickname)

Jesus Christ, get a friggin grip peeps!
Year of Transition ... from 31 to ???...enjoy thd building of a team in front of your eyes!
Appreciate it for what it is worth.
- IonSabres

Doesn't have to be at center.

No, it was stated by someone.... that 30 goal wingers are easy to find.

Still waiting.
- gordong

Did we not trade peanuts for Jeff Skinner? or was that just in my dream?

Idk if it was me that said it or not but as a general rule, wingers are easier to add than centres, defensemen and goaltenders.

It's not really even a debate.

Probably just for a bit ..


- gerbe75pts

I watched the first half of aquaman today


typical dc movie, so far leaves me wanting more