GARTH'S CORNER: Low Bridge

Clean hut

The team lost all of its steam once the reports came out that Botterill told Olofsson and Jokiharju that they were in Buffalo to stay after only 10 games. I understand Olofsson brings scoring that they needed, but Jokiharju hasn't done much in his own end. Regardless of my opinion about the way they play, what message did that send to the "fringe" veterans who have been told they need to go out and earn their spot and ice time this season? It sends a clear message to them, if Botterill acquires you then you have a home... if not, then it ultimately won't make a difference if you are not one of his guys. The culture inside of this organization stinks. Same reason ROR was so disheartened... the guy worked his ass off in the offseason and tried taking Reinhart under his wing staying on the ice after practice with him and others. What did ROR get for his effort, he got to see the organization hand everything to Captain Jack before he did anything to earn it. The rest of the young guys saw that and they buddied up with Eichel, they aren't stupid. This team has no grit, no heart, no soul.

10-4

Late hit though clean

Sabre’s still trying to acquire couturier?

The hit wasnt late by any means like some are complaining about. But it was certainly low and completely unnecessary.

Definitely worth a game suspension but for whatever reason I have my doubts.

Kuch was worried about payback - bad low hit, unnecessary. He manned up by skating directly to his bench, so no Sabre could deliver justice. Swarmy, cheap shot. Sabres need to win today and then check Kuch into the ice, again and again. Admire his skill, but he is spineless

The hit wasnt late by any means like some are complaining about. But it was certainly low and completely unnecessary.

Definitely worth a game suspension but for whatever reason I have my doubts.
- LeafGuy89

Kucherov hit "not late"? Watch the play again. Late, low, deliberate and dumb. Kucherov is a repeat offender and deserves a game in the gulag

Clean hut
- Just5

Thanks, Gritty

The team lost all of its steam once the reports came out that Botterill told Olofsson and Jokiharju that they were in Buffalo to stay after only 10 games. I understand Olofsson brings scoring that they needed, but Jokiharju hasn't done much in his own end. Regardless of my opinion about the way they play, what message did that send to the "fringe" veterans who have been told they need to go out and earn their spot and ice time this season? It sends a clear message to them, if Botterill acquires you then you have a home... if not, then it ultimately won't make a difference if you are not one of his guys. The culture inside of this organization stinks. Same reason ROR was so disheartened... the guy worked his ass off in the offseason and tried taking Reinhart under his wing staying on the ice after practice with him and others. What did ROR get for his effort, he got to see the organization hand everything to Captain Jack before he did anything to earn it. The rest of the young guys saw that and they buddied up with Eichel, they aren't stupid. This team has no grit, no heart, no soul.
- djc1877

Trust me when I tell you Botterill is in acquisition mode. He has been patient. In the past week, he has had teams approach him about trading a T4 D for a T6F. Devils, Habs, Kings, Oilers, Jets, others are in contact with Sabres.

Kucherov hit "not late"? Watch the play again. Late, low, deliberate and dumb. Kucherov is a repeat offender and deserves a game in the gulag
- garth

He just got rid of the puck. It was the furthest thing from being late.

He just got rid of the puck. It was the furthest thing from being late.
- LeafGuy89

Got rid of the puck and to 3 strides before he got hit. He deserved a penalty, if Risto got a penalty for his, Kucherov deserved one. He should not be playing today, repeat offender, but nothing will come off it.

And 420 is legal up north....maybe lay off a bit. The hit was late, low, and dangerous.

Got rid of the puck and to 3 strides before he got hit. He deserved a penalty, if Risto got a penalty for his, Kucherov deserved one. He should not be playing today, repeat offender, but nothing will come off it.
- Buff36

3 strides? He gets rid of the puck and barely glides into Kucherov. It's not late whatsoever. Low hit and dangerous yea I'll agree to that as ive already stated that.

And 420 is legal up north....maybe lay off a bit. The hit was late, low, and dangerous.
- LandlordTom

Low and dangerous yeah. Not late.

You guys watching the same hit?

I'd like to see how it's late or where these 3 strides are.

The team lost all of its steam once the reports came out that Botterill told Olofsson and Jokiharju that they were in Buffalo to stay after only 10 games. I understand Olofsson brings scoring that they needed, but Jokiharju hasn't done much in his own end. Regardless of my opinion about the way they play, what message did that send to the "fringe" veterans who have been told they need to go out and earn their spot and ice time this season? It sends a clear message to them, if Botterill acquires you then you have a home... if not, then it ultimately won't make a difference if you are not one of his guys. The culture inside of this organization stinks. Same reason ROR was so disheartened... the guy worked his ass off in the offseason and tried taking Reinhart under his wing staying on the ice after practice with him and others. What did ROR get for his effort, he got to see the organization hand everything to Captain Jack before he did anything to earn it. The rest of the young guys saw that and they buddied up with Eichel, they aren't stupid. This team has no grit, no heart, no soul.
- djc1877

Might be something to what you say but I' m not sure the culture thing has much to do with being a soft team. We have some skill, some grit, and some heart...just not enough of either to stake out an idendity...at least yet.

And ror had done his same polly prissy-pants act to cry his way oit of Colorado before coming here. I do not pout at work to get what I want, even if my boss is unfair, and I make a fraction of 6 mil per year.

Low and dangerous yeah. Not late.

You guys watching the same hit?

I'd like to see how it's late or where these 3 strides are.
- LeafGuy89

Sorry 2 steps and funny how even the announcer says that puck was long gone, Kucherov had plenty of time to pull up on that

We knew adversity would arrive. We didn't know what form the advesrity would take on.
-Garf

Really? You didn't?

I think from the games so far into the season for the Sabres it can be divided into 3 sections.

1st bunch of games- They played absolutely great hockey to start the year and deserved to win games.

2nd bunch- While still winning games, they didn't deserve to win them. They relied heavily on goaltending and power play goals.

3rd (most recent games)- Not playing well at all and their goaltending isn't bailing them out anymore.

Hutton started last season playing well above his head, too. Then he came down to Earth.

Got rid of the puck and to 3 strides before he got hit. He deserved a penalty, if Risto got a penalty for his, Kucherov deserved one. He should not be playing today, repeat offender, but nothing will come off it.
- Buff36

Kucherov does dirty poop and he never gets punished for them.

And if he actually does, the sentence is too light.

Sorry 2 steps and funny how even the announcer says that puck was long gone, Kucherov had plenty of time to pull up on that
- Buff36

He (Sobotka) actually takes no strides. Glides a little and actually slightly leaps into the air before the contact with Kucherov.

Not worth arguing over anyways. As I've agreed to it being worthy of a suspension. Just wasn't late.

The Sabres lost Sobotka on Friday on a scummy, low-bridge check by Bolts sniper Nikita Kucherov, ho destroyed the Sabres winger's knee with a greasy, dangerous low bridge hit that was delivered well after Sobotka had released a shot attempt at the Tampa net.

Jesus. Dramatic much? It was borderline. I'd be pissed if I was a Sabres fan, but it was an ill-timed hip-check. It wasn't blatantly late and both players were already committed as the shot was released. The line between a well-executed hip check and a "scummy" low-bridge is a fine one, but this was not some filthy hit with an intent to injure. It's unfortunate that he was hurt. That sucks. Nobody wants to see that. But dial back the outrage a little - it wasn't predatory.

Kucherov hit "not late"? Watch the play again. Late, low, deliberate and dumb. Kucherov is a repeat offender and deserves a game in the gulag
- garth

I watched it plenty of times and have been watching hockey since you were a twinkle in your daddy's eye. Grow up. It's a physical game and the hit was ill-timed but not dirty. Kucherov isn't Lucic or Marchand.