Or it was a good thing we popped a few quick ones and were able to build a cushion early ? I didn’t watch the game but common man. Those are ugly no matter how you slice it.
- Swedish_Jesus

Gerbe-ist non-Gerbe post ever.

Gerbe-ist non-Gerbe post ever.
- JetpackJesus

You dont need to watch games anymore

We have algorithms for that

Just to be clear, my wish to tinker with the lines is hardly bashing in my mind. I think there is a difference between critical analysis and being plain critical.

Look there are two types of fans. This is true of all sports. There is the Bills Backer who paints his face blue and red and screams and cheers the bills for 16 consecutive nonplayoff seasons. Josh Allen is a top five QB for that fan, because he's winning and he's a Bill! Enjoy the ride! Bills gonna be 12-4 and beat the Patriots! Sun is always shining in Orchard Park! Good on that guy.

And then there is the bills fan like me who likes to debate if Ed Oliver is making an impact or not, or gets really upset that it took them this long to get Duke Williams on the roster, and I would want to have those conversations whether they were 1-4 or 4-1.

If anything, the sabres winning has me more engaged to track advanced stats, identify weaknesses, and try my amateur hack coaching out alongside Krueger. If they were 2-5-1, I wouldn't even care who starts in goal tomorrow. But they're winning, so I'll come on here and waste my time arguing with someone I don't know about how hard to ride Hutton.

One day, maybe, this team will win the cup. And then, and only then, will I 'just relax'. Because it won't matter if Risto has bad possession numbers or the lines aren't scoring 5 on 5. You win and everything is made ok. But until then, I'll be the guy who stressed about our defensive depth in a post lockout cinderella run, only to have my crazy paranoia proven right, and I'll be the same guy who stressed about Ottawa all year during a presidents trophy run, only to be devastated again. I didn't 'just enjoy the ride' then either, because some of us aren't wired that way. A sabres playoff series is about two and a half hours of me holding my breath, followed by about 2-3 hours of pure joy after a win, or 2-3 hours of pure misery after a loss. Then it's a day or two of nervous anxiety untill the next game, and repeat.

If you want to just come on here and post that we are 6-1--1 and that this makes you happy, good for you! But it doesn't make any of us who want to have a more critical discussion less of fans. Some people are wired different.
- matty12345

It might be just a little reductive to say there’s only two types of fans; stupid, blind supporters and smart deep thinkers.

First rule when you find yourself in a hole: stop digging.
- Der Kaiser

What hole is that? He is Mr Insignificant a lot of the time in relation to his paycheck. From December of last year until now he kind of fell off the radar but he has to be much of the juice of the 2nd line. My opinion, he hasn't overly impressed me. I noticed over the last few games asking where is Skinner?

What hole is that? He is Mr Insignificant a lot of the time in relation to his paycheck. From December of last year until now he kind of fell off the radar but he has to be much of the juice of the 2nd line. My opinion, he hasn't overly impressed me. I noticed over the last few games asking where is Skinner?
- GilPerreault11

This is a hill we’ll both die on. I hated the term of the contract the second he signed.

Gerbe-ist non-Gerbe post ever.
- JetpackJesus

Why cause 80% of Sabres twitter and established writers that write for Die By The Blade and other Sabres related podcasts all mentioned their struggles last night but since I didn’t watch the game I can’t formulate an option many people share ?

What hole is that? He is Mr Insignificant a lot of the time in relation to his paycheck. From December of last year until now he kind of fell off the radar but he has to be much of the juice of the 2nd line. My opinion, he hasn't overly impressed me. I noticed over the last few games asking where is Skinner?
- GilPerreault11

People around here love to say, “in Botts we trust.” But I guess when a move is made that folks don’t agree with, you can always say, “Kim made him do it.”

Trade Montour for a big tough gritty 2nd line forward. Waive Bogosian if you can’t trade him when he returns from injury.

If they waive Gilmour he is as good as gone. Bogosian isn’t an upgrade to anyone currently on the roster.

I don’t want to trade Scandella for next to nothing. We have very little size and grit amongst our dmen, if we plan on doing anything in the postseason we will need players like Scandella.

If Scandella continues the season at the same level he has started it, would you want to sign him to an extension?
- Beethoven

I snicker a bit every time someone worries our players will be claimed off waivers. It's such a rare occurrence. He may never play a game in Buffalo, even if he stays with the organization all year.

I snicker a bit every time someone worries our players will be claimed off waivers. It's such a rare occurrence. He may never play a game in Buffalo, even if he stays with the organization all year.
- Lunaion

Not that rare at all, 10 times already this calendar year. There are teams needing defense with players on two way contracts called up where they could easily make room and are willing to try anything. Snicker away.

Why cause 80% of Sabres twitter and established writers that write for Die By The Blade and other Sabres related podcasts all mentioned their struggles last night but since I didn’t watch the game I can’t formulate an option many people share ?
- Swedish_Jesus

This sounds a lot like groupthink.

Watching the game is half the equation.

8 points 6 of them goals in 3 games for cole Caufield

Guy just keeps making history

8 points 6 of them goals in 3 games for cole Caufield

Guy just keeps making history
- gerbe75pts

Not to nitpick, but it's 7 points. It is impressive though because it's college and this isn't the OHL where all the good players have like 1.5 ppg or more.

Cozens has 13P (7G 6A) in 9 games in the WHL, which is usually the lowest scoring of the CHL leagues, so he's doing awesome as well. Puts him on pace to have more ppg than Reinhart in his last WHL season. And the sabres have zero big skilled forwards in their system other than Cozens (and maybe TT, though he's a real unknown at this point). So I think I'll stick with Cozens.

Not to nitpick, but it's 7 points. It is impressive though because it's college and this isn't the OHL where all the good players have like 1.5 ppg or more.

Cozens has 13P (7G 6A) in 9 games in the WHL, which is usually the lowest scoring of the CHL leagues, so he's doing awesome as well. Puts him on pace to have more ppg than Reinhart in his last WHL season. And the sabres have zero big skilled forwards in their system other than Cozens (and maybe TT, though he's a real unknown at this point). So I think I'll stick with Cozens.
- matty12345

I know it will be a little bit I am looking forward to when Borgen and Samuelsson are patrolling the Back end, Cause you better keep your head up, if you don't it's gonna get taken off

What hole is that? He is Mr Insignificant a lot of the time in relation to his paycheck. From December of last year until now he kind of fell off the radar but he has to be much of the juice of the 2nd line. My opinion, he hasn't overly impressed me. I noticed over the last few games asking where is Skinner?
- GilPerreault11

We all have a guy like that. For me, it’s Pysyk. Or Tage. For others, it’s Kane, or ROR, or ERod. Or Risto.

But check a game log, and you’ll see how poorly formed your opinion is. Skinner is active even when he isn’t scoring points, and he scores points at a high rate.

Don’t feel you’re being supported by the chirps about the length of skinnners contract, either, because that’s just a dumb comment when the issue is his production *now.*

8 points 6 of them goals in 3 games for cole Caufield

Guy just keeps making history
- gerbe75pts

Weissbach with a goal and two assists last night. Both assists on Cole goals. Wonder if Cole can score away from Linus?

Btw cole has 7 points in 3 games. Linus has 7 points also. Go Sabres!

Trade Montour for a big tough gritty 2nd line forward. Waive Bogosian if you can’t trade him when he returns from injury.

If they waive Gilmour he is as good as gone. Bogosian isn’t an upgrade to anyone currently on the roster.

I don’t want to trade Scandella for next to nothing. We have very little size and grit amongst our dmen, if we plan on doing anything in the postseason we will need players like Scandella.

If Scandella continues the season at the same level he has started it, would you want to sign him to an extension?
- Beethoven

I don't agree with all your suggestions, but your premise to secure a gritty productive F is spot on.
Let's wait to see what Montour brings to the table before dumping him. In most years, Montour has performed better than Risto. So let's just see if Ralph's system helps Montour as well.

Gilmour hasn't been able to crack the lineup yet, and Pilut has yet to put on the Sabres Jersey. So, he is the odd man out until an injury occurs. I believe you are right here in that Winnipeg or someone else will pick him up if/when waived. I would hate to lose him for nothing...Sabres may need to carry 8 Dmen when everyone is healthy.

Bogo played well last season, especially early on and bring a physical presence which would be in higher demand around TDL. Why waive him and lose him for nothing. They will need to make a trade upon his return.

Scandy has played much better, like the rest of the D has for the most part, and is mentoring the Joker. He adds value and could be another trade chip.

It is obvious tradeS will need to happen. The question is who and when. I could see them dealing 3 Dmen ...1 LhD and 2 RhD. I do agree that a gritty yet productive F would be a good target to go after

What hole is that? He is Mr Insignificant a lot of the time in relation to his paycheck. From December of last year until now he kind of fell off the radar but he has to be much of the juice of the 2nd line. My opinion, he hasn't overly impressed me. I noticed over the last few games asking where is Skinner?
- GilPerreault11

Pull your chair closer to the TV and clean your glasses. You might want to upgrade from that 13" B&W TV as well, lol.
Dude, c'mon, WTF!?
6 games, 4G-2A-6pts, 1.0 PPG. 63% Dz starts, 50% Corsi, +6 +/-, 18 ATOI

If that is invisible to you, holy poop man!
On what planet does someone complain about a guy on track for 55G-27A-82Pts on the 2nd line getting 63% Dzone starts with a center who can't win a face-off to save his life.

It may hurt the Sabres in year 6,7,8 of that contract, but that is way, way down the road.
Let's worry about something else now.

8 points 6 of them goals in 3 games for cole Caufield

Guy just keeps making history
- gerbe75pts

He'll likely be a good one, we shall see.
I am very, very happy the Sabres invested in a Center who plays a tough 2-way game and has a great shot himself. THAT sounds like an ideal 2C to me!!!

8 points 6 of them goals in 3 games for cole Caufield

Guy just keeps making history
- gerbe75pts

Weissbach has 7 points as well. He's setting up the shrimp to make him look good. Maybe give a little love to our own prospects.

I wonder what it would take to pry Alex Tuch out of LV.
I believe he would be a perfect fit at the 2RW spot.
He was playing pretty well on their 2nd line until Stone got there and pushed him down to 3rd.

Would Risto and Tage be good enough?
He is currently on IR and LV is up against the Cap so they would need to push another contract our way for money in money out type deal.

I wonder what it would take to pry Alex Tuch out of LV.
I believe he would be a perfect fit at the 2RW spot.
He was playing pretty well on their 2nd line until Stone got there and pushed him down to 3rd.

Would Risto and Tage be good enough?
He is currently on IR and LV is up against the Cap so they would need to push another contract our way for money in money out type deal.
- IonSabres

His cap hit is less than Ristolainen's alone, as you said, which means maybe Cody Eakin would also be one they'd want to offload. Also, they just signed Tuch to a 7 year deal. They're going to deal him already?

You said he's their 3rd line RW. Marchessault is ahead of him?

I don't agree with all your suggestions, but your premise to secure a gritty productive F is spot on.
Let's wait to see what Montour brings to the table before dumping him. In most years, Montour has performed better than Risto. So let's just see if Ralph's system helps Montour as well.

Gilmour hasn't been able to crack the lineup yet, and Pilut has yet to put on the Sabres Jersey. So, he is the odd man out until an injury occurs. I believe you are right here in that Winnipeg or someone else will pick him up if/when waived. I would hate to lose him for nothing...Sabres may need to carry 8 Dmen when everyone is healthy.

Bogo played well last season, especially early on and bring a physical presence which would be in higher demand around TDL. Why waive him and lose him for nothing. They will need to make a trade upon his return.

Scandy has played much better, like the rest of the D has for the most part, and is mentoring the Joker. He adds value and could be another trade chip.

It is obvious tradeS will need to happen. The question is who and when. I could see them dealing 3 Dmen ...1 LhD and 2 RhD. I do agree that a gritty yet productive F would be a good target to go after
- IonSabres

I am assuming that he will clear waivers because of his contract. But that may be a bad assumption you are right. But I don’t see us being able to get any value for him at the trade deadline, again because of his contract and injury history and having no NHL play time after his injury to prove he has rebounded for a team to take that risk, especially when there will be other options available. He walks at the end of the year.

My though was that he would clear waivers and we would be able to call him up for injuries/playoffs. But again, I could be very wrong.

His cap hit is less than Ristolainen's alone, as you said, which means maybe Cody Eakin would also be one they'd want to offload. Also, they just signed Tuch to a 7 year deal. They're going to deal him already?

You said he's their 3rd line RW. Marchessault is ahead of him?
- kingcong39

Yes, and
-they are t-3 without him in the lineup thus far
- they are unbalanced on the D...only 2 RhD
-Sabres could hold $900k for this year

Sticky part is the recent signing on a 7 year deal makes it harder to pry him loose as you mentioned.

Could you imagine him with Skins and MoJo!

His cap hit is less than Ristolainen's alone, as you said, which means maybe Cody Eakin would also be one they'd want to offload. Also, they just signed Tuch to a 7 year deal. They're going to deal him already?

You said he's their 3rd line RW. Marchessault is ahead of him?
- kingcong39

Marchessault plays LW, I think, maybe we could get Smith from them for Risto and a Prospect

Pull your chair closer to the TV and clean your glasses. You might want to upgrade from that 13" B&W TV as well, lol.
Dude, c'mon, WTF!?
6 games, 4G-2A-6pts, 1.0 PPG. 63% Dz starts, 50% Corsi, +6 +/-, 18 ATOI

If that is invisible to you, holy poop man!
On what planet does someone complain about a guy on track for 55G-27A-82Pts on the 2nd line getting 63% Dzone starts with a center who can't win a face-off to save his life.

It may hurt the Sabres in year 6,7,8 of that contract, but that is way, way down the road.
Let's worry about something else now.
- IonSabres

Well said, I think all of his goals have been scored 5v5 this year as well. I don't get the hate toward Skinner.