Olofsson will be good, I think.

Skinner will have some regression on the 2nd line. Tough to see him scoring 40 without Eichel
- jcragcrumple

Look at our 2nd lines over the last 8 years

I don’t get why sending olofsson and pilut down ... and calling up dea lazar etc.

How does that save cap space?

Anyways. They can’t practice today due to what ever rule bending we are trying to pull off
- Sabretooth9

Saves cap.

Very carefully.

No they can't.

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

Why bother, the season ended as soon as Slob was put on the 2nd line. If anyone has any 9 mil ammo I could borrow, I only need one bullet. Thanks.

Updated predictions.

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

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

Everyone's got an opinion. We should ignore all the teams that have broken predictions in years past.

I'm surprised the Sabres aren't automatically 31st regardless of the amount of wins we get this year.

Here comes more crying.
- jochfr

To some, the season ended before it began.

I don’t get why sending olofsson and pilut down ... and calling up dea lazar etc.

How does that save cap space?

Anyways. They can’t practice today due to what ever rule bending we are trying to pull off
- Sabretooth9

It's simply cap maneuvering. Gilmour and Erod are the extras for Game #1

Look at our 2nd lines over the last 8 years



- adambuffalo

Better than some, worse than maybe 2 or 3

Mojo is a huge storyline

It's simply cap maneuvering. Gilmour and Erod are the extras for Game #1
- TheSabresTaco

Ahh gotcha. I know it’s just paper moves where the players don’t even actually go down.

Really great write up Pach. Thanks for all your high quality content.

I am glad the roster is improving. I am glad it looks like we'll be more competitive this year. I am glad my favorite team is about to start playing real games again.

I hope we surprise people.
- Der Kaiser

x2

Excellent evaluation of the Sabres.

I think we're gonna be good!

To some, the season ended before it began.
- TheSabresTaco

You think there's any way this roster competes for a playoff spot?

All other points aside, I'm just curious.

Show me the ones who say great things about Housley
- Powerslave

"Howie was always a guy who was one step ahead as a player. He had great instincts and such a feel for the game. And he's been able to translate that as a coach. I know, talking to a lot of guys in Nashville, when he was an assistant there, they said he could deliver the message in a way that players could relate to. When he played, his offensive level was on another level. Sometimes when players are that skilled and great, they can't, in layman's terms, express themselves." - Eddie Olczyk

"He was a great coach for all the D and what he did for our games inside our locker room. We'll always forever be grateful to him." - Ryan Ellis, Pred's D

"He was the first coach I had that treated me like an adult. I was 19 and he treated me like an adult. As you grow up, you have coaches that treat you more like a younger kid, but he was the first one, for me, who was different that way." - Jacob Trouba

“He gets the most out of his players, and I think that trait resonated in the interview process. His approach to the game aligns with the way we envision our hockey team playing, and we’re excited to see where his leadership will take us.” - JB, sabres GM

I like Krueger too, but the praise is always there for every hire. Don't get swpt up in hype.

You think there's any way this roster competes for a playoff spot?

All other points aside, I'm just curious.
- RhinoFan

If you look on the bright side its a better roster (slightly) for a team that won 10 games in a row last year.

Olofsson will be good, I think.

Skinner will have some regression on the 2nd line. Tough to see him scoring 40 without Eichel
- jcragcrumple

but putting skinner on the second line also makes that line more of a weapon. its about trying to spread out the scoring so other teams don't just have to shut one line down to stop us. If mitts can do something and we have a viable 3rd line with him vesey and sheary we have a more balanced offense and a better defense

Better than some, worse than maybe 2 or 3

Mojo is a huge storyline
- jcragcrumple

the O'reilly and eichel centered lines are probably better.... but that was a young inconsistent eichel and O'reilly has some rough wingers. If Johannson makes or breaks that line

but putting skinner on the second line also makes that line more of a weapon. its about trying to spread out the scoring so other teams don't just have to shut one line down to stop us. If mitts can do something and we have a viable 3rd line with him vesey and sheary we have a more balanced offense and a better defense
- SabresFaninIndiana

Putting Skinner on the second line was definitely necessary. If we get 20 from Olofsson on L1 and 30 from Skinner on L2, we're overall in a better place (I believe both are definitely possible). I just don't expect 40 from Skinner considering the circumstances

If you look on the bright side its a better roster (slightly) for a team that won 10 games in a row last year.
- Sabre_Tooth

Nobody here looks at any bright side.

You think there's any way this roster competes for a playoff spot?

All other points aside, I'm just curious.
- RhinoFan

If this isn't a loaded question, I think this lineup can compete for a playoff spot. This organization, with the depth it has today, can compete.

Putting Skinner on the second line was definitely necessary. If we get 20 from Olofsson on L1 and 30 from Skinner on L2, we're overall in a better place (I believe both are definitely possible). I just don't expect 40 from Skinner considering the circumstances
- jcragcrumple

i too agree we most likely wont see 40.. i Olaf lights it up but who knows.

Putting Skinner on the second line was definitely necessary. If we get 20 from Olofsson on L1 and 30 from Skinner on L2, we're overall in a better place (I believe both are definitely possible). I just don't expect 40 from Skinner considering the circumstances
- jcragcrumple

Anything less than 30 goals from Skinner is a major disappointment and the Sabres are in trouble , IMO. Especially now that he is paid to be elite.

If you look on the bright side its a better roster (slightly) for a team that won 10 games in a row last year.
- Sabre_Tooth

Can't argue with that. Slight improvements with Mojo and Vesey. We'll see if Joker is impactful yet.

Doesn't change the fact that they should have been replacing guys like Gus, Okposo and Sobotka, not Tage, Lazar and E-Rod.

He made some additions then screwed the pooch in putting the roster together in the end.
- RhinoFan

So, the season's over? Cool.

Where did we finish?

"Howie was always a guy who was one step ahead as a player. He had great instincts and such a feel for the game. And he's been able to translate that as a coach. I know, talking to a lot of guys in Nashville, when he was an assistant there, they said he could deliver the message in a way that players could relate to. When he played, his offensive level was on another level. Sometimes when players are that skilled and great, they can't, in layman's terms, express themselves." - Eddie Olczyk

"He was a great coach for all the D and what he did for our games inside our locker room. We'll always forever be grateful to him." - Ryan Ellis, Pred's D

"He was the first coach I had that treated me like an adult. I was 19 and he treated me like an adult. As you grow up, you have coaches that treat you more like a younger kid, but he was the first one, for me, who was different that way." - Jacob Trouba

“He gets the most out of his players, and I think that trait resonated in the interview process. His approach to the game aligns with the way we envision our hockey team playing, and we’re excited to see where his leadership will take us.” - JB, sabres GM

I like Krueger too, but the praise is always there for every hire. Don't get swpt up in hype.
- matty12345

Why not?

If the players buy in, why can't I?

Bettman's comments from the BN
"Struggle isn't the word I would use. Teams simply get in different cycles of development and we've seen there are really no shortcuts. The Sabres have some great young prospects on the team, there's some seasoned veterans, there's a new coach and it's about getting all the pieces to fit. I know fans in all markets can get impatient because they want it fixed immediately, but it doesn't happen like that. A team that's going to be good for the long run has got to be built and developed the right way. What's good about Terry and Kim is they have the resources and they are committed to getting this team to be a winner, to be competitive year in and year out. And once they get to that plateau, I think they'll be there for a long time."

i too agree we most likely wont see 40.. i Olaf lights it up but who knows.
- SabresFaninIndiana

A RoY candidate season where he gets 30+35 is realistically what we need. If you want to dream big on any player, it's him.

If this isn't a loaded question, I think this lineup can compete for a playoff spot. This organization, with the depth it has today, can compete.
- TheSabresTaco

Makes more sense then. I just can't see it, but maybe that's just the decade of losing talking.

I get it though. If we can win with this lineup, it's valid point that the bottom6 shouldn't effect that drastically and to complain so much is probably nauseating.

I suppose it's better than arguing about Risto's value around the league though.