Michael Pachla: Buffalo Sabres 2019-20 season preview

I guess one more year of the tank...

The article answers itself.

Why are people so mad????

Proceeds to predict they miss the playoffs for the ninth year in a row, third under current GM.

Gee, it's a puzzler.

Really, really sick of Botts defenders saying he doesn't rush prospects. Like Tage being here last year all year, despite everyone agreeing he needed to get sent down? Like Mittelstadt who was probably two years from being ready? Nooo, he is sooo patient, just like how he waited for Guhle to become a top 4 defenseman for the ducks.

He sticks to his plan, except when he doesn't.

Great article Pach!

Always like reading your opinions. The moves this morning (last night) are a little puzzling. It looks like Lazar is back up? Pilot too?

Saw it on the crawl on WGRZ this morning, but wasn't completely taking it in.

Are there any updates officially on what the lineup will be tomorrow yet?

The article answers itself.

Why are people so mad????

Proceeds to predict they miss the playoffs for the ninth year in a row, third under current GM.

Gee, it's a puzzler.

Really, really sick of Botts defenders saying he doesn't rush prospects. Like Tage being here last year all year, despite everyone agreeing he needed to get sent down? Like Mittelstadt who was probably two years from being ready? Nooo, he is sooo patient, just like how he waited for Guhle to become a top 4 defenseman for the ducks.

He sticks to his plan, except when he doesn't.
- matty12345

I can hear your argument with Tage and Mitts to certain extent, but because Guhle is PENCILED in for a top 4 role for the Ducks doesn't mean he'll stay there. So easy to forget he got a legit top 4 Dman for Guhle + a late first, who looked like absolute trash in Roch for a year +.

Let The negative energy flow through this place

Fire up the lottery simulator...
I'll be doing the same...
Good luck swords

I will wait to see where we are at around Christmas time. Who knows this team could win like 10 in a row and be in first place after Christmas, Crazier things have happened. I trust the process....

Michael Pachla: Buffalo Sabres 2019-20 season preview
- Michael Pachla

Sabres 4, Penguins 3.

Sobotka (2), Okposo (1), Scandella (1).

This season hinges on two, possibly three forwards:

Oloffsson, The Fat One, and Tage Thompson if he ends up here sometime in the fall.

If they all have big years, this team will be good. If not, they won't be anywhere near the playoffs, no matter where Sobotka, Okposo, and Lockport Things 1 & 2 play.

For the life of me I've never seen an uproar like what we're seeing with lower-end players on the Sabres roster. Nor do I understand it. In a way that vociferous group of Sabres fans have a point in that depth scoring is very important, all the way down to the fourth line, and competency on defense, which includes the third pairing being able to move the puck out of one's zone, is equally important.

It matters if we're doing the "three 3rd lines" approach again, and Larry and Okposo have 14 minutes per night. I wouldn't care if the twins and Sobotka played 10 minutes a night on a true 4th line. If the 2nd line is playing 18 minutes a night, Sobotka CANNOT be there.

while Okposo scored 14 goals and 29 points in mostly a fourth-line role. Worthless? Not really. In the case of Okposo, grossly overpaid, but not completely worthless.

Okposo had 18 points even strength. Is he still on the PP?

Having said that, continually female doging about Okposo, Scandella, Ristolainen, Girgensons, and Larsson ultimately has no bearing on what Botterill and Krueger will do with the lineup.

All Botterill had to do was literally anything different, and the fans would be happier.

As we head into the season, the overall consensus from the cynics is that this is generally the same team as last season, that coaching won't make a difference and we're looking at another bottom-area finish. The belief here is that coaching will make significant difference, to the tune of an 85-90 point season with a slim chance, if they can get hot for a stretch and stay away from prolonged slumps, of playing meaningful hockey deep into March.

I agree!

But if Botterill had made a few more, or even one more shrewd move, we'd be in a much better place.

They will not get there with the "three 3rd lines" approach. And they will not get there giving true 2nd line minutes to Sobotka.

Overall, I disagree with this article's tone of derision toward fans who dare question Botterill's approach

Having said that, continually female doging about Okposo, Scandella, Ristolainen, Girgensons, and Larsson ultimately has no bearing on what Botterill and Krueger will do with the lineup.

This should be posted on every page.

Updated predictions.

https://twitter.com/domlu.../1179397239791374336?s=21

Sabres with 4th worst record in the league.

This season hinges on two, possibly three forwards:

Oloffsson, The Fat One, and Tage Thompson if he ends up here sometime in the fall.

If they all have big years, this team will be good. If not, they won't be anywhere near the playoffs, no matter where Sobotka, Okposo, and Lockport Things 1 & 2 play.
- buffalofan19

I am still blindly optimistic that Krueger can get something out of this team.

Regardless of our complaining, and expertise, Krueger has to get the team to work.

I'm sure tomorrow night, I'll prove myself wrong and then tell myself to wait a few games. It's a vicious cycle.

It matters if we're doing the "three 3rd lines" approach again, and Larry and Okposo have 14 minutes per night. I wouldn't care if the twins and Sobotka played 10 minutes a night on a true 4th line. If the 2nd line is playing 18 minutes a night, Sobotka CANNOT be there.
- jcragcrumple

Larsson and Girgs played around 11 minutes a night even strength. They also played about 2 1/2 minutes on the PK. Starting approximately 85% of the time in the Dzone, how much even strength time would you be happy with them getting? 11 minutes doesn't seem like it's too much.

This should be posted on every page.
- adambuffalo

Yes we have no say.

You also have no say how things go at your company unless you are the CEO.

But you can damn sure question management decisions you do not like or you do not understand.

Updated predictions.

https://twitter.com/domlu.../1179397239791374336?s=21

Sabres with 4th worst record in the league.
- ImThatGuy

So which one of you is this guy?

https://twitter.com/BillyBringus

THE JASON BOTTERILL SUCKS ACCOUNT
@BillyBringus
extremely unlikeable.

Let The negative energy flow through this place
- gerbe75pts

You're the Palpatine of Hockeybuzz

Updated predictions.

https://twitter.com/domlu.../1179397239791374336?s=21

Sabres with 4th worst record in the league.
- ImThatGuy

From one person?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Didn't Buccigross have them as a wild card?

I'm excited to watch meaningful hockey again. Right now we are tied for a playoff spot!

Larsson and Girgs played around 11 minutes a night even strength. They also played about 2 1/2 minutes on the PK. Starting approximately 85% of the time in the Dzone, how much even strength time would you be happy with them getting? 11 minutes doesn't seem like it's too much.
- adambuffalo

You "4th line" should not get comparable 5-on-5 time to your "2nd line" if the roster is built properly. In this NHL, you need to score 5-on-5.

They need 2 scoring lines.

I'm not sure how Krueger will do it, but they can't play Skinner on line 2 the same - or a similar amount to - the "4th line."

You "4th line" should not get comparable 5-on-5 time to your "2nd line" if the roster is built properly. In this NHL, you need to score 5-on-5.

They need 2 scoring lines.

I'm not sure how Krueger will do it, but they can't play Skinner on line 2 the same - or a similar amount to - the "4th line."
- jcragcrumple

They don't number lines anymore. Krueger said that on WGR this morning.

This is only sort of tongue-in-cheek.

From one person?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Didn't Buccigross have them as a wild card?
- Powerslave

It’s not just one person. It’s most outlets, betting odds, bookies. Etc.

Very few have the Sabres finishing above 10th worst.

And you can question and you can move on.

I'm excited to watch meaningful hockey again. Right now we are tied for a playoff spot!
- Chris16

I'd prefer you said tied for first pick in the draft....
It's nice being the best at SOMETHING