They do need to start scoring 5v5 more.

Power play is not going to keep producing at a 70% success rate.
- ImThatGuy

8 of 18 goals on the pp in 4 games

so 2.5 goals even strength per game isnt good?

If the Sabres would have had Hasek in '75, they would have beaten the Flyers. The goaltending and coaching were the Sabres downfall.
- sabreadvocate1

a 10 yr old in net? Thats a bold move Cotton

8 of 18 goals on the pp in 4 games

so 2.5 goals even strength per game isnt good?
- hubie

I was about to say, as good as the powerplay has been, they are averaging 4.5 goals per game, and it definitely wasn't all on the powerplay.

On who is going to sit when Montour is healthy debate....

If you look at ice time right now. Risto/McCabe are eating the most minutes and then Scandella by a minor 6 seconds a game over Dahlin. Then Miller then Joker.

ES TOI then Joker actually jumps past Dahlin for 4th..
SH TOI then Joker is 4th there as well as Dahlin/Miller get literally none.
PP TOI Dahlin leads the pack and then Miller followed by Risto.

Joker is the only defensemen not to have a point this season either.

If I am a betting man... I'd say Montour takes Joker's minutes when he returns which then will cut into Scandella as well. I firmly see Risto/McCabe/Dahlin/Montour eating the top minutes across the board on ES/PP/PK and I am more than happy with that. Pilut/Joker could be a FANTASTIC top pairing in Rochester and then Gilmour sits in the press box most nights in Buffalo.

No surprises, Casey and KO have the least TOI and shifts of any players w/ nearly 20 less shifts than the next group of Vesey, Zemgus, & Larry.

Also weird stat worth noting.... our point leaders of VO and Jack are both and our only minus players in +/-

a 10 yr old in net? Thats a bold move Cotton
- hubie

10 year old Hasek >> Enroth, CJohnson, Neuvirth, and the rest of the tank goalies.

Instigators are saying the same this morning.
- ImThatGuy

Thank you for the heads up. I wasn’t sure.

That is pretty interesting stuff. Risto Besides his god awful pass to Armia yeasterday has played fine

On who is going to sit when Montour is healthy debate....

If you look at ice time right now. Risto/McCabe are eating the most minutes and then Scandella by a minor 6 seconds a game over Dahlin. Then Miller then Joker.

ES TOI then Joker actually jumps past Dahlin for 4th..
SH TOI then Joker is 4th there as well as Dahlin/Miller get literally none.
PP TOI Dahlin leads the pack and then Miller followed by Risto.

Joker is the only defensemen not to have a point this season either.

If I am a betting man... I'd say Montour takes Joker's minutes when he returns which then will cut into Scandella as well. I firmly see Risto/McCabe/Dahlin/Montour eating the top minutes across the board on ES/PP/PK and I am more than happy with that. Pilut/Joker could be a FANTASTIC top pairing in Rochester and then Gilmour sits in the press box most nights in Buffalo.

No surprises, Casey and KO have the least TOI and shifts of any players w/ nearly 20 less shifts than the next group of Vesey, Zemgus, & Larry.

Also weird stat worth noting.... our point leaders of VO and Jack are both and our only minus players in +/-
- JVince11

Joker caused the turnover on the Habs blue line with a great pinch on the Skinner goal

I think he should be in the lineup

Joker caused the turnover on the Habs blue line with a great pinch on the Skinner goal

I think he should be in the lineup
- Stripes77

The only way he stays in the lineup is if Kruger does not have qualms about benching "the veteran". Scandella is the only guy that could come out. You're not taking out Dahlin, Miller, McCabe, or Ristolainen. Even then, you're playing somebody on their off side.

They do need to start scoring 5v5 more.

Power play is not going to keep producing at a 70% success rate.
- ImThatGuy

I understand that it seems that we are relying on PP goals, and everyone would like to see more EV goals, however we are still 5th in the league in EV goals at 10. The only teams ahead of us are the Leafs and Jets at 12 and the Canes and Preds at 11. A big difference is the EV goals against. The teams ahead of us in scoring are 10, 12 ,7 and 7 respectively in GA at EV. We are at 6.
We are keeping pace EV with the top teams and the PP clicking only helps the overall production. What we really need to get better at is the PK. It is horrible at 69%.

Joker caused the turnover on the Habs blue line with a great pinch on the Skinner goal

I think he should be in the lineup
- Stripes77

Joker is making Scandella look good ...... that is saying a lot.

Joker also makes some really good break out passes.

Joker caused the turnover on the Habs blue line with a great pinch on the Skinner goal

I think he should be in the lineup
- Stripes77

100% saw that and yes I do agree. I WAS NOT by any means saying Joker is not playing well because he is. He just seems to be the lowest man on the totem poll who still has options in the A.

Bogo... yikes... idk what they do then.

100% saw that and yes I do agree. I WAS NOT by any means saying Joker is not playing well because he is. He just seems to be the lowest man on the totem poll who still has options in the A.

Bogo... yikes... idk what they do then.
- JVince11

Have him evaluated by the same doctor that evaluates Joffrey Lupul.

10 year old Hasek >> Enroth, CJohnson, Neuvirth, and the rest of the tank goalies.
- JVince11

R u telling me my auto puck wont put my kid though college?

Joker caused the turnover on the Habs blue line with a great pinch on the Skinner goal

I think he should be in the lineup
- Stripes77

When Montour comes back it definitely is going to create a log jam that I'm not sure how to fix. But, that's an issue that we don't have to figure out a solution to right this minute, so I'm not stressing about it.

Joker is making Scandella look good ...... that is saying a lot.

Joker also makes some really good break out passes.
- Sabretooth9

I don't know how you can correlate those things so...... "directly".

Scans is playing above his mean right now but I also think that Scans/Joker are operating as our 3rd pairing and not seeing a lot of teams very talented lines either. They are seeing a lot of 3rd and 4th lines.

I really hope they don’t just send Joker to Roch because it’s easiest.

He and Pilut are too good to be in Roch.

Sabres need to move two d-men

Pilut
Joker
Risto
Montour
Miller
Scandella
McCabe
Bogo
Dahlin
Gilmour

Maybe someone takes a stab at Bogo if Sabre’s hold celery

Same with Scandella.

Hold 35 % of each contract. May bet you something decent or at least a mid rd draft pick.

No, they’ll never meet that

But it’s actually a CLEAR example of the analytics matching the eye test
You couldn’t be more wrong here

It shows how much they play in the offensive end
And when they start more in the defensive end than ANY other line in the whole league,
it goes to show just how good that line really has played
AND
So MANY are just prejudiced against them for past performance when they were playing up much higher than they should’ve been
- jdfitz77

You're making the exact same point that I am, yet I couldn't be more wrong?

When all healthy, wonder if one of our UFA dmen could be used to acquire one of the disgruntled RWs currently not playing in the NHL. I'm thinking either Scandella or Bogo with 50% retained salary for Ho Sang or Puljujarvi.
Not really sure what their perceived value is, but I would take a shot at either one.

100% saw that and yes I do agree. I WAS NOT by any means saying Joker is not playing well because he is. He just seems to be the lowest man on the totem poll who still has options in the A.

Bogo... yikes... idk what they do then.
- JVince11

The big option then comes into play after they send Joker and Pilut down through the convenience of being exempt...trades at some point.

When all healthy, wonder if one of our UFA dmen could be used to acquire one of the disgruntled RWs currently not playing in the NHL. I'm thinking either Scandella or Bogo with 50% retained salary for Ho Sang or Puljujarvi.
Not really sure what their perceived value is, but I would take a shot at either one.
- adambuffalo

Why would we trade a guy for Ho Sang? We could have had him for free?

Why would we trade a guy for Ho Sang? We could have had him for free?
- HonkFortheGoose

Exactly. You’d want someone more proven or just put tage in for free....

Why would we trade a guy for Ho Sang? We could have had him for free?
- HonkFortheGoose

Well the salary cap situation was pretty cloudy at the time.

Moving a guy like Scandella even retaining some money for a guy like Ho-Sang (not my first option) who has a low salary would clear up some more cap space as well.

Well the salary cap situation was pretty cloudy at the time.

Moving a guy like Scandella even retaining some money for a guy like Ho-Sang (not my first option) who has a low salary would clear up some more cap space as well.
- Stripes77

I mean, I get that aspect of it, but if they really were interested in him when he could be had for free, they'd have figured it out IMO.

I mean, I get that aspect of it, but if they really were interested in him when he could be had for free, they'd have figured it out IMO.
- HonkFortheGoose

Ho-Sang wouldn't be my target so I get what you're saying there

Just the thought of being able to get someone semi useful and clear up some cap space sounds like a concept that Botts should be looking at when the time is right.

When all healthy, wonder if one of our UFA dmen could be used to acquire one of the disgruntled RWs currently not playing in the NHL. I'm thinking either Scandella or Bogo with 50% retained salary for Ho Sang or Puljujarvi.
Not really sure what their perceived value is, but I would take a shot at either one.
- adambuffalo

I get the buy low concept, I do.
For me, I'd rather offer up more value to try to secure 2 middle six players.

As much as I love the way Mojo is playing, I would rather try to secure a 2C and push Mojo to the RW. I'd also like to get another solid RW on the 3rd.

They have an abundance of LW and RhD's, package a couple and go get 'em.
I also realize they have Cozens and Tage in the wings...likely for next season...competition is a good thing.