From article on The Athletic, Scott Burnside.
Buffalo Sabres: C-minus

The Sabres ran the gamut from A-plus play to D or worse of late, which sees them settle in here with a C-minus. The problem for the Sabres is that, having won 10 straight games early in the season, the expectations went through the roof. They hit the break four points back of the second wild card and now the pressure is on head coach Phil Housley to get the team back in its earlier groove. There is also no small amount of pressure on GM Jason Botterill to take advantage of the team’s surprising start to make some adds at the trade deadline to give this squad it’s best opportunity to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

A simple calculation of remaining points based on their record projects a finish of 92sh points.
However, I feel a better projection is to use their record of 38 games without the win streak to project out the remaining 34 games and add that to their 54 points earned with the 10 game win streak...that projects to a finish of 85 points. (so I consider the 10 game win streak an anomoly based on thecresults of a larger 34 game sample).
Some will argue against that, I'll simply say that they are projected to finish between 85 and 92 points, both of which are outside the mid-to-upper 90s to qualify for the playoffs.

The point is, IF Botts becomes a Buyer -- he better use a decent asset (future picks, NHL-ready prospects ) to acquire a player that makes this roster better for the long haul, not some rental to run to the 2nd wild card slot. I would however be ok if he trades one of our rentals for another rental in an area of need...that's much different.
- IonSabres

I haven’t seen anyone advocating that the Sabres should be acquiring rentals.

I may be the one to post most regularly about wanting to upgrade now, rather than waiting to draft and develop, and I have consistently said I’d rather have a known NHLer w term than a mid-late first rounder that will make contributions (maybe) in 3 or 4 years.

I haven’t seen anyone advocating that the Sabres should be acquiring rentals.

I may be the one to post most regularly about wanting to upgrade now, rather than waiting to draft and develop, and you’ll I have consistently said I’d rather have a known NHLer w term than a mid-late first rounder that will make contributions (maybe) in 3 or 4 years.
- Der Kaiser

I do find it interesting that there are a boat load of US players in the top 15 or so
And that GMTM and Botts have both stayed away from the Russian factor.
They have invested heavily into European Scouts so I love the potential for them to uncover another gem like Laaksonen! That will pay huge dividends in the futurexwhen they need to rotate in lower cost players on ECL to replace aging, high cost Vets.

They are on a good path, don't short circuit now in some dumb GMTM-esq like fashion!
- IonSabres

In 3 drafts Murray selected 14 players from CHL, 5 from USA and 5 Europeans.

In 2 drafts, Botts selected 0 from CHL, 2 from USA and 9 Europeans. Bryson is a Canadian playing for Providence College and Pekar and 6K are now in CHL.

In 3 drafts Murray selected 14 players from CHL, 5 from USA and 5 Europeans.

In 2 drafts, Botts selected 0 from CHL, 2 from USA and 9 Europeans. Bryson is a Canadian playing for Providence College and Pekar and 6K are now in CHL.
- mhp

2 drafts, botts drafted 7 d men out of 12 picks

3 drafts, murray drafted 9 d men out of 25 picks

2 drafts, botts drafted 7 d men out of 12 picks

3 drafts, murray drafted 9 d men out of 25 picks
- homiedclown

Especially last year's draft, 5 d men and Pekar.

Especially last year's draft, 5 d men and Pekar.
- mhp

and signed pilut, and traded for hickey and dougherty

- homiedclown

https://youtu.be/U79o7qwul48

and signed pilut, and traded for hickey and dougherty
- homiedclown

https://youtu.be/U79o7qwul48
- Der Kaiser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-OkA3QL8hs

I haven’t seen anyone advocating that the Sabres should be acquiring rentals.

I may be the one to post most regularly about wanting to upgrade now, rather than waiting to draft and develop, and I have consistently said I’d rather have a known NHLer w term than a mid-late first rounder that will make contributions (maybe) in 3 or 4 years.
- Der Kaiser

Surely.
I'm good with making a hockey trade to improve now for the lo g term by acquiring a player or players with term...the longer view.
I didn't call anyone out, cause I cant remeber who said what and I'm too lazy to look it up.
There have been posts on here literally yelling and screaming for Botts to do somethi g to get into the playoffs....that seems very short term focused, like 34 games versus 3 or 4 years of femaining term.
That is who I was addressing in my post.
It isn't all about you, lol!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-OkA3QL8hs
- homiedclown

I’ll tell you I’m doing all right now but last week I was in pretty rough shape.

I went to a hotel and asked the bellhop if he could take care of my bag. Son of a female dog started humping my wife.

I said “Hey, man, who told you that you could treat my wife like that!??” He answered “Everybody.”

Surely.
I'm good with making a hockey trade to improve now for the lo g term by acquiring a player or players with term...the longer view.
I didn't call anyone out, cause I cant remeber who said what and I'm too lazy to look it up.
There have been posts on here literally yelling and screaming for Botts to do somethi g to get into the playoffs....that seems very short term focused, like 34 games versus 3 or 4 years of femaining term.
That is who I was addressing in my post.
It isn't all about you, lol!
- IonSabres

Nobody was ever nice to me as a kid, even my mother.
My mother never breast fed me: She told me she liked me as a friend.

From article on The Athletic, Scott Burnside.
Buffalo Sabres: C-minus

The Sabres ran the gamut from A-plus play to D or worse of late, which sees them settle in here with a C-minus. The problem for the Sabres is that, having won 10 straight games early in the season, the expectations went through the roof. They hit the break four points back of the second wild card and now the pressure is on head coach Phil Housley to get the team back in its earlier groove. There is also no small amount of pressure on GM Jason Botterill to take advantage of the team’s surprising start to make some adds at the trade deadline to give this squad it’s best opportunity to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

A simple calculation of remaining points based on their record projects a finish of 92sh points.
However, I feel a better projection is to use their record of 38 games without the win streak to project out the remaining 34 games and add that to their 54 points earned with the 10 game win streak...that projects to a finish of 85 points. (so I consider the 10 game win streak an anomoly based on thecresults of a larger 34 game sample).
Some will argue against that, I'll simply say that they are projected to finish between 85 and 92 points, both of which are outside the mid-to-upper 90s to qualify for the playoffs.

The point is, IF Botts becomes a Buyer -- he better use a decent asset (future picks, NHL-ready prospects ) to acquire a player that makes this roster better for the long haul, not some rental to run to the 2nd wild card slot. I would however be ok if he trades one of our rentals for another rental in an area of need...that's much different.
- IonSabres

You are considering the entire 10 game win streak an anomaly and throwing out all 10 games to come up with your prediction? Are you also tossing out anomalous results like the Carolina game where they outplayed them but lost due to 3 goals going in off their own defenders skates?

and signed pilut, and traded for hickey and dougherty
- homiedclown

And AHL MVP candidate Redmond.

You are considering the entire 10 game win streak an anomaly and throwing out all 10 games to come up with your prediction? Are you also tossing out anomalous results like the Carolina game where they outplayed them but lost due to 3 goals going in off their own defenders skates?
- kingcong39

do you think the sabres are better then the
bolts
leafs
habs
bruins
islanders
pens
blue jackets
caps?


they are all ahead of us


throw in the panthers, canes and rangers


we are more likely to finish 12th in the east right now then 8th


and I had high hopes

do you think the sabres are better then the
bolts
leafs
habs
bruins
islanders
pens
blue jackets
caps?


they are all ahead of us


throw in the panthers, canes and rangers


we are more likely to finish 12th in the east right now then 8th


and I had high hopes
- homiedclown

I think the Hurricanes end up ahead of the Sabres too unfortunately.

Montreal is probably a close finish

do you think the sabres are better then the
bolts - no
leafs - not yet
habs - yes
bruins - close
islanders - no
pens - close
blue jackets - close
caps? - no


they are all ahead of us


throw in the panthers, canes and rangers


we are more likely to finish 12th in the east right now then 8th


and I had high hopes
- homiedclown

It’s a league with a few dominant teams, a few crappy teams, and a lot of parity in the middle. So many games are essentially 1 goal contests. This team is young and inexperienced. Their success or failure isn’t driven by physical skill or system as much as it is by confidence.. When they’re confident everyone cashes and they find a way to win. When they’re not confident they’re careful or timid and find a way to lose.

I believe the team could be sparked by another win streak or by a valuable acquisition and leap frog a number of these teams because of the parity.

I think the Hurricanes end up ahead of the Sabres too unfortunately.

Montreal is probably a close finish
- Boss34

pilut has a better point per 60 minutes even strength then hamilton, yandle and ekblad


we have that going for us

It’s a league with a few dominant teams, a few crappy teams, and a lot of parity in the middle. So many games are essentially 1 goal contests. This team is young and inexperienced. Their success or failure isn’t driven by physical skill or system as much as it is by confidence.. When they’re confident everyone cashes and they find a way to win. When they’re not confident they’re careful or timid and find a way to lose.

I believe the team could be sparked by another win streak or by a valuable acquisition and leap frog a number of these teams because of the parity.
- Der Kaiser

I believe this team could get a spark by waiving Remi Elie

I believe this team could get a spark by waiving Remi Elie
- homiedclown

Who?

pilut has a better point per 60 minutes even strength then hamilton, yandle and ekblad


we have that going for us
- homiedclown

Sabres finally have a very young likeable team. Win or lose.

Guys like pilut will make us competitive game in game out.

We tanked for the stars, now we need to surround these guys with competent secondary players.

- homiedclown

pilut has a better point per 60 minutes even strength then hamilton, yandle and ekblad

we have that going for us
- homiedclown

He also may lead that group in brain farts that end up in the back of the net.

He also may lead that group in brain farts that end up in the back of the net.
- kingcong39

Pilut +4
Hamilton +1
Yandle -15
Ekblad -2

I haven’t seen anyone advocating that the Sabres should be acquiring rentals.

I may be the one to post most regularly about wanting to upgrade now, rather than waiting to draft and develop, and I have consistently said I’d rather have a known NHLer w term than a mid-late first rounder that will make contributions (maybe) in 3 or 4 years.
- Der Kaiser

How many younger top 6 forwards with term will be dealt between now and the deadline?