Were they not in first place in the league at Thanksgiving?
- Wetbandit1

How about Christmas?

This team needs to start hot. Disagree if you want.

How about Christmas?

This team needs to start hot. Disagree if you want.
- Boss34

They started hot, they had a 10 game win streak. How much hotter of a start do you want? Halfway through the season is no longer "the start". The start is 15-20 games max.

Plus, this isn't about the team, it's about individual players.

Edit: They were on a 104 point pace at Christmas and had played 37 games.

Let me know when this team is in a place where I care about the bottom 4 players on this team.
- dadeadhead

What are you talking about he’s our 2nd line center

They started hot, they had a 10 game win streak. How much hotter of a start do you want? Halfway through the season is no longer "the start". The start is 15-20 games max.

Plus, this isn't about the team, it's about individual players.

Edit: They were on a 104 point pace at Christmas and had played 37 games.
- Wetbandit1

Sabres started 7-8 last season.
Within your "15-20" game parameter

Finished with 2 wins in a row.

Is it really how you finish?

Sam and erod started slow, not sure what you're arguing?

Hope both players start out on fire. That would be better right?

https://twitter.com/nypos.../1152297275244339200?s=21

https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1152297275244339200?s=21
- sbroads24

Lock












Port

https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1152297275244339200?s=21
- sbroads24

Beauty and the beast 4 real

Now I’m seeing fans put Rodrigues on the first line again

Now I’m seeing fans put Rodrigues on the first line again




- gerbe75pts

Remember when they tried that last year? Erod and Thompson just looked dreadful with Eichel.

Sabres started 7-8 last season.
Within your "15-20" game parameter

Finished with 2 wins in a row.

Is it really how you finish?

Sam and erod started slow, not sure what you're arguing?

Hope both players start out on fire. That would be better right?
- Boss34

Sure, but starting out "on fire" and then going cold to end the season is worse than starting cold and ending "on fire" if you're making the playoffs.

I'm not the one arguing that they(the team) need to "start fast" They were in 1st place at Thanksgiving. If they finish in the playoffs I don't give a good God damn how they got there. I don't care if they went full opening scene in "The Last Boy Scout".

Remember when they tried that last year? Erod and Thompson just looked dreadful with Eichel.
- Lunaion

He’s a 4th line player that gets a lot of love for some odd reason

Some think he can be Jack’s “ Kunitz“

He’s a 4th line player that gets a lot of love for some odd reason

Some think he can be Jack’s “ Kunitz“
- gerbe75pts

It's worse than that. They think he already has been.

He’s a 4th line player that gets a lot of love for some odd reason

Some think he can be Jack’s “ Kunitz“
- gerbe75pts

No one thinks that, at least no one here. Even JCrag doesn't think that.

E-rod at 2AAV x 3 would be a great deal

E-rod at 2AAV x 3 would be a great deal
- Sabre_Tooth

It would be an even better deal at 2 x $1.75.
By the end of the 2nd year, hopefully E-rod is positioned where a utility knife should be...
as the 13th forward.
Ok, ok. 4C would be acceptable as well.

It would be an even better deal at 2 x $1.75.
By the end of the 2nd year, hopefully E-rod is positioned where a utility knife should be...
as the 13th forward.
Ok, ok. 4C would be acceptable as well.
- IonSabres

It would be an even better deal at 2 x $1.5

It would be an even better deal at 2 x $1.5
- washedup20

Even better if it was 5 x 1.345

Even better if it was 5 x 1.345
- ImThatGuy

And the beat goes on...

If you had to guess, how many points would you think the Ralphie-boy Coaching Staff will add for the Sabres this year. I'm not sure how that could be measured objectively in isolation, especially with the expected turnover on the roster...probably can't, but subjectively we hopefully see it through the eye test.

My guess is about 10+ points, largely attributable to a better D-zone system and commitment via buy-in from the players to execute better.

Buffalo point projections for the season are 83.5.

That would result in being the 5th worst team in the NHL.

If that happens, does Botts survive?

Buffalo point projections for the season are 83.5.

That would result in being the 5th worst team in the NHL.

If that happens, does Botts survive?
- ImThatGuy

Not sure. (Depends on how ugly it gets) I think he gets 2 years with a new coach that he wanted.

E-rod at 2AAV x 3 would be a great deal
- Sabre_Tooth

Based on the current market .... it will be slightly above 2 mill a year.

Do I think he’s worth that? Not really. 1.75 seems fair.

Buffalo point projections for the season are 83.5.

That would result in being the 5th worst team in the NHL.

If that happens, does Botts survive?
- ImThatGuy

He doesn't deserve to, if that happens.

Not sure. (Depends on how ugly it gets) I think he gets 2 years with a new coach that he wanted.
- Sabretooth9

Krueger has a background in management. Don't sleep on him being GM/Interim GM once he gets to know his players if the team sucks

Buffalo point projections for the season are 83.5.

That would result in being the 5th worst team in the NHL.

If that happens, does Botts survive?
- ImThatGuy

Yes, think so but it depends on how they look and how the new players perform.
If Vesey, Johansson, Miller and Montour all poop the bed, then no.
If they play reasonably "well" but the known remaining holes in the roster are the primary cause, i.e. 2C, 1RW, 1st RhD, then the expectations for this season will have been met, especially in view of the number of scabs leaving next season.