The situation the Avalanche are in is rather enviable.
- kingcong39

Hey I was on the Sabres tank train for over a month. If Avs walk out of this draft with two top 5 picks they might as well start planning the parade.

Or maybe he'll get sat or moved to another line because he doesn't look like he belongs there?
- Michael Pachla

That’s my point though.

The exact moment someone like Olofsson or Nylander looks like they are struggling it will be game over. And that moment will come as it does to every young player who isn’t Eichel/McDavid etc

Hire Carlyle!

Hey I was on the Sabres tank train for over a month. If Avs walk out of this draft with two top 5 picks they might as well start planning the parade.
- Pegullaville

Poor, poor Ottawa.

That said about the Avalanche, they still won't had Dahlin.

Wait, what’s 6mil Okposo’s role?

I don’t have an issue criticizing Tage or saying he needs to be better.

Expecting goals and points with his linemates are just flat out unrealistic.
- sbroads24

We can all agree that Okposo never lived up to his contract. Don't let that failure tell you that Tage's performance is better than it is.

And, whether he's doing it well or not, Okposo is a powerforward whose game clears ice for his linemates and engages in board battles.

Tage is pure sniper. He's not about possession or defense at all.

Off for groceries before the game

That’s my point though.

The exact moment someone like Olofsson or Nylander looks like they are struggling it will be game over. And that moment will come as it does to every young player who isn’t Eichel/McDavid etc
- sbroads24

Tage doesn't look like top line material to me. Maybe not even top 6. Jury's still out on the latter

I see the Saint Evan effect is kicking up again. He's played some solid hockey, but that doesn't mean he should jump up to the top line on his off wing.

On a similar note, you don't call up Olofsson to play 4th line defensive minute on his off wing with Sobotka.

I see the Saint Evan effect is kicking up again. He's played some solid hockey, but that doesn't mean he should jump up to the top line on his off wing.

On a similar note, you don't call up Olofsson to play 4th line defensive minute on his off wing with Sobotka.
- Lunaion

Bring Olofsson up and have him play with Sobotka...that's fine with me. Housley plays Sobotka for like, 18 minutes a game.

Tage doesn't look like top line material to me. Maybe not even top 6. Jury's still out on the latter
- Michael Pachla

If I had to guess he’s a future 2nd/3rd liner who’s going to score 12-20 goals depending on who he’s playing with.

He’s on pace for 11 with below average 3rd line ice time and 4th line teammates

Bring Olofsson up and have him play with Sobotka...that's fine with me. Housley plays Sobotka for like, 18 minutes a game.
- kritter65

If I had to guess he’s a future 2nd/3rd liner who’s going to score 12-20 goals depending on who he’s playing with.

He’s on pace for 11 with below average 3rd line ice time and 4th line teammates
- sbroads24

right now he looks like tarzan, plays like jane

I would like to see him bang a bit more at least if not scoring

Tage doesn't look like top line material to me. Maybe not even top 6. Jury's still out on the latter
- Michael Pachla

Olofsson's production in the A tells me he'll carve out a role in the NHL. People were doubting that he'd get a shot off on the smaller ice, and he did that. Some thought he'd be a PP specialist and he has 14 even strength goals. I have no idea what he'll do in NHL level, but I'm ready to find out.

We have been patient for a decade! I understand the contracts etc.... but enough of the rebuild, tank and save the picks (see Vegas). They need to make the playoffs this year as the next step! No excuses, GMJB will make the right moves I believe. Just can’t wait to long (like last year with the ROR trade). Sometimes you have to give to get! 55 can go in the right deal!
- Irish 14

I don't think you can hold the last decade of lack of success at the feet of GMJB, Regier had a hand in creating the mess and Tim Murray certainly failed in his attempt to speed up the playoff process. GMJB needs to have the time to build the team in the image that he sees in his head. In his opening presser he said it was important to build the team from the bottom up. Meaning he wanted his minor league teams to experience success. this is something Murray had no interest in doing. As the team grows, the players who have had success at the Minor league level will carry that over to the big club and we should finally see the results we all yearn for. It sure won't happen this year and maybe not even next, but 2 years from today I fully expect the Sabres to have a firm hold on a playoff spot. 2 years being the end of Hutton's contract and the arrival of 6K.

Sunday factoid

Ullmark has the best save % (.914) through his first 50 career games than any other goaler in Sabre history.

Olofsson's production in the A tells me he'll carve out a role in the NHL. People were doubting that he'd get a shot off on the smaller ice, and he did that. Some thought he'd be a PP specialist and he has 14 even strength goals. I have no idea what he'll do in NHL level, but I'm ready to find out.
- jcragcrumple

We’re all ready to find out. Except it won’t go well.

I’d rather he be put in a position to succeed.

CJ Smith has 2 goals in 4-5 games. He was (frank)ing sat yesterday

who is worse, sobotka or okposo


and is girgens more valuable then sheary?
- homiedclown

Okposo is worse. Simply because of his contract.

Bring Olofsson up and have him play with Sobotka...that's fine with me. Housley plays Sobotka for like, 18 minutes a game.
- kritter65

Sobotka averages less than 15 mins per game.

And hell no to the Olofsson bit.

We’re all ready to find out. Except it won’t go well.

I’d rather he be put in a position to succeed.

CJ Smith has 2 goals in 4-5 games. He was (frank)ing sat yesterday
- sbroads24

He needs Sheary/Skinner to get hurt/traded.

He needs Sheary/Skinner to get hurt/traded.
- Lunaion

And then some. Maybe a Scott Wilson AHL injury

And then some. Maybe a Scott Wilson AHL injury
- sbroads24

Probably true. Imagine Olofsson or Nylander get a look in the final 5 games, but a playoff race would change that.

He needs Sheary/Skinner to get hurt/traded.
- Lunaion

Yeah

Probably true. Imagine Olofsson or Nylander get a look in the final 5 games, but a playoff race would change that.
- Lunaion

I mean I’m all for them being here for at least a small sample.

I just have 0 faith this coach will put them in a good spot to succeed

I mean I’m all for them being here for at least a small sample.

I just have 0 faith this coach will put them in a good spot to succeed
- sbroads24

What if they bring Phil some gum? Butter him up a bit ya know?

I mean I’m all for them being here for at least a small sample.

I just have 0 faith this coach will put them in a good spot to succeed
- sbroads24

I don't know. The fact that he's not here in the wrong role says something positive about the new regime.

Remember before the season we all laughed at Montreal and Bergevin and how we though the Isles were going to suck without Tavares.
Now each is 1 point from having 2nd best record in the East.
Good times.