Casey 8.4 % showed last night
- gerbe75pts

We'll see what Mojo does to help that line. Might help as well have a full defense to see what's really happening.

I agree though, not a good game for him. Hopefully they're still working the phones to bring in some firepower for the top-6. Get word to Big Buff's team that we need him at RW! Less minutes, less of a role, and less taxing on the body.

Preseason pledge, friends.

I almost wonder if its time to move Mitts to 2 LW and play Johansson at 2C with Reinhart on the other wing.

I almost wonder if its time to move Mitts to 2 LW and play Johansson at 2C with Reinhart on the other wing.
- Shadman306

Ott is not a center

"As for other vets like Kyle Okposo, Vladimir Sobotka and Scott Wilson? Lets just say it looks as if they were rusty, like heavy-Chevys that have seen a lot of Buffalo winters."

Excellent car reference Pach but i disagree. They played more like a pair of rusty 1972 Lada's.

I almost wonder if its time to move Mitts to 2 LW and play Johansson at 2C with Reinhart on the other wing.
- Shadman306

I think this sentiment is inherently wrong for a multitude of reasons:

1) Casey admitted he felt out of shape at the end of the year and lost some confidence. What do you think happens to any confidence he gained back over the summer by supposedly doing the work?

2) It shows that one bad game = demotion to everyone. Guys who play center pride themselves on it, and some view playing wing as a demotion. Don't think that's a good look for a brand new coach. Remember Disco?

3) It's the second preseason game without the majority or our good players playing with him. Would it have been great if he looked good? Absolutely? Is chemistry with a thing. You bet it is.

This is still happening by mid Nov., sure maybe it's time to move him.

I think this sentiment is inherently wrong for a multitude of reasons:

1) Casey admitted he felt out of shape at the end of the year and lost some confidence. What do you think happens to any confidence he gained back over the summer by supposedly doing the work?

2) It shows that one bad game = demotion to everyone. Guys who play center pride themselves on it, and some view playing wing as a demotion. Don't think that's a good look for a brand new coach. Remember Disco?

3) It's the second preseason game without the majority or our good players playing with him. Would it have been great if he looked good? Absolutely? Is chemistry with a thing. You bet it is.

This is still happening by mid Nov., sure maybe it's time to move him.
- SDSabre

Don't forget to include the Mojo doesn't play center.

I almost wonder if its time to move Mitts to 2 LW and play Johansson at 2C with Reinhart on the other wing.
- Shadman306

He'll be given every opportunity to succeed as 2C. The alternative is Erod, and no one wants to see him in that role. If it's not working, put Skinner and Reinhart with Mittelstadt to buoy him.

One bad preseason game doesn't say much anyway. Sure it would have been nice if he came out guns blazing

Michael Pachla: Evaluation time as the Sabres players get a day off
Buffalo drops 4-1 decision at Columbus in their second preseason game and is now 1-1 under Ralph Krueger
- Michael Pachla

other then asplund, olofsson and ullmark

looks like they had tuesday off as well

He'll be given every opportunity to succeed as 2C. The alternative is Erod, and no one wants to see him in that role. If it's not working, put Skinner and Reinhart with Mittelstadt to buoy him.

One bad preseason game doesn't say much anyway. Sure it would have been nice if he came out guns blazing
- jcragcrumple

this is not a dig on e-rod as I feel e-rod can play LW fine

Asplund should get a serious look for the 3rd center

Soooo.... are we good yet?

this is not a dig on e-rod as I feel e-rod can play LW fine

Asplund should get a serious look for the 3rd center
- homiedclown

Ruotsalainen looked pretty good too. Had that nice rush for a partial breakaway.

I'm so curious as to what jobs are actually available. If they took the names off the jerseys and evaluated honestly, the roster would look different than last year.

Not sure where this all goes

Soooo.... are we good yet?
- Carubba-Kaleta

we have an 8.4% chance of making the playoffs

Ruotsalainen looked pretty good too. Had that nice rush for a partial breakaway.

I'm so curious as to what jobs are actually available. If they took the names off the jerseys and evaluated honestly, the roster would look different than last year.

Not sure where this all goes
- jcragcrumple

i feel like the only players who should be locks are the goalies (only because we have no other options), eichel, skinner, reinhart, dahlin, risto.. everything else should be a sliding scale as to where people land whether it be top line 4th line, rochester or the british elite leage

i feel like the only players who should be locks are the goalies (only because we have no other options), eichel, skinner, reinhart, dahlin, risto.. everything else should be a sliding scale as to where people land whether it be top line 4th line, rochester or the british elite leage
- SabresFaninIndiana

I wish that were the case, but even if Tage beats out Okposo in terms of performance, I don't believe theyd actually go through with it

Same with Asplund or Ruotsalainen over gus, etc.

I had the same thought after the Pens game. I heard a comment by Krueger that said that he liked how they played in the first two periods and then they all started doing their own thing in the 3rd and it lead to 3 goals by the Pens.

The thing that concerns me, is how he deals with it. I'm glad he addressed it as something he noticed and that it was a problem, but how do you fix it? We've now seen the core group of these players do that exact thing now for 4 seasons under 2 different coaches. It's now popping up already in preseason for the 5th season and under a 3rd coach....

Tis a bit worrisome, IMO.

Accountability is the answer IMO.
They finally have some sort of depth to make a real competition for roster spots.
Hopefully, their mantra of best players play irrespective of vet status is real and not just words.

Education is another answer. Teach the players the impact on the game from their actions.

Combining the two is very powerful.
If they continue to see the same players make the same mistakes after coaching them up...
Cut their minutes, demote them, release them outright.

We shall see.

Accountability is the answer IMO.
They finally have some sort of depth to make a real competition for roster spots.
Hopefully, their mantra of best players play irrespective of vet status is real and not just words.

Education is another answer. Teach the players the impact on the game from their actions.

Combining the two is very powerful.
If they continue to see the same players make the same mistakes after coaching them up...
Cut their minutes, demote them, release them outright.

We shall see.
- IonSabres

it is just words.. they say that crap all the time and no one ever follows through with it.. Okposo and Sobotka will be on this team regardless of their level of suck

i feel like the only players who should be locks are the goalies (only because we have no other options), eichel, skinner, reinhart, dahlin, risto.. everything else should be a sliding scale as to where people land whether it be top line 4th line, rochester or the british elite leage
- SabresFaninIndiana

Triggered.

If there is an Elite League, there has to be a Scrub League, no?

You think Okposo will embrace his 4th line role like Steen did in STL last year?

its not looking good that all the eggs were put in the casey basket.. i was and am still no happen we didn't get another 2/3 C for this season..
- SabresFaninIndiana

We didn’t last year and now we’re repeating it I would understand if it was his third season and he was ready it’s not like he was the first overall pick

Someone at capfriendly just posted a McDavid trade to Buffalo (I know, never would happen). But a few people at the end of the comments tend to agree that a decent package would be

Dahlin + Mittlestadt + 1st

for

McDavid

I love Dahlin, have high hopes for Mittlestadt, but I almost think I would do that. Is that wrong?

We didn’t last year and now we’re repeating it I would understand if it was his third season and he was ready it’s not like he was the first overall pick
- gerbe75pts

It is alarming the depth at C right now...or better, their lack thereof.
Yet, I believe you wanted to give A Nylander chance after chance even though he constantly underwhelmed in the lower American League.

So, he needs more development time to be sure...he doesn't look ready in the 1st game, BUT let's give him some more rope.

Someone at capfriendly just posted a McDavid trade to Buffalo (I know, never would happen). But a few people at the end of the comments tend to agree that a decent package would be

Dahlin + Mittlestadt + 1st

for

McDavid

I love Dahlin, have high hopes for Mittlestadt, but I almost think I would do that. Is that wrong?
- Lilroot9

Yes it is wrong for a few reasons:

Dahlin to defense what McDavid is to offense

Dahlin and Mittlestadt are on rookie deals and McDavid is not

Then there is another first which could be a top 10 pick again if not higher based on all the uncertainties around this team.

No way to fit him under the cap as well

But this would be the type of package it would be to get McDavid right now

Someone at capfriendly just posted a McDavid trade to Buffalo (I know, never would happen). But a few people at the end of the comments tend to agree that a decent package would be

Dahlin + Mittlestadt + 1st

for

McDavid

I love Dahlin, have high hopes for Mittlestadt, but I almost think I would do that. Is that wrong?
- Lilroot9

Let's wait a couple more years...then if you want McDavid so bad, hopefully THEY have to throw in their first for only Dahlin.

Yes it is wrong for a few reasons:

Dahlin to defense what McDavid is to offense

Dahlin and Mittlestadt are on rookie deals and McDavid is not

Then there is another first which could be a top 10 pick again if not higher based on all the uncertainties around this team.

No way to fit him under the cap as well

But this would be the type of package it would be to get McDavid right now
- Stripes77

What if we were somehow able to keep Dahlin.

Jack ECHL
MittelFAT
1ST + 2nd

for

McDavid