Michael Pachla: On Kucherov's dirty hit and what it might mean for the Sabres

Sounds like the Sabres have an opening for NHL All-Star John Scott!

I dont care about not fighting, but obviously I would have like to see them beat the lightning where it counts. On a scale of 1 to "Lucic/Miller Incident," this barely registers. It was also such a weird play, I have a hard time blaming his linemates. Idk, I'm way more concerned that Botterill hasn't assembled anywhere near enough forward talent than perceived softness

The Sabres are a very highly skilled and fast skating team however my concern from the start of the season has been lack of physical players and with no one to "answer the bell" when situations like yesterday occur. Tampa is a larger team with a physical presence. Let's see how today's game goes.

The Sabres are a very highly skilled and fast skating team however my concern from the start of the season has been lack of physical players and with no one to "answer the bell" when situations like yesterday occur. Tampa is a larger team with a physical presence. Let's see how today's game goes.
- fliphockey

Highly debatable

I dont care about not fighting, but obviously I would have like to see them beat the lightning where it counts. On a scale of 1 to "Lucic/Miller Incident," this barely registers. It was also such a weird play, I have a hard time blaming his linemates. Idk, I'm way more concerned that Botterill hasn't assembled anywhere near enough forward talent than perceived softness
- jcragcrumple

your dudeness, that was a very dirty hit...sure, there's a difference between miller and Sobotka and their value to the team but that hit was up there with the lucic hit

your dudeness, that was a very dirty hit...sure, there's a difference between miller and Sobotka and their value to the team but that hit was up there with the lucic hit
- Michael Pachla

Idk, I just dont think the two are near the same. One is smoking a goalie, and this is a low, slightly late hit on a forward. Nowhere near as severe imo

I do think Kuch deserved 2 for interference. Hell, risto got 2 for doing less

I have something to say

It reminded me of the Miller hit.. When the Sabre's all looked around while RM got run..

You don't have to have a team of goons... but there is a reason Haley still has a job in this league.

It was a nasty hit..

It reminded me of the Miller hit.. When the Sabre's all looked around while RM got run..

You don't have to have a team of goons... but there is a reason Haley still has a job in this league.

It was a nasty hit..
- dozerD10

Once you start chasing truculence, you doing stupid things like signing Lucic to a 7 year deal, or you trade James Neal for Milan Lucic

I love krueger but enough with the dump and chase already the sabres are always 2nd on the puck or if they are 1st theyre scared along the board which result in a breakout passe we did good at the beginning because no1 had a memo on the coach playing style he has to change it up because we will pick top 5 this year too.

I wouldn’t expect Kuch to be disciplined in any way for his hit on Sobotts. Kuch is a star, Vlad a scrub, and the refs didn’t even find anything wrong with the hit.

It’s not just the failure to respond to the Kuch hit, it’s the (lack of) response they’ve shown all season to HEAVY play and opponents coming in physically - in violation of the rules or cleanly. If you want to get this team off their game and out of the style they play well, hit them hard a few times and rather than stadi g up to it and imposing their will on the other team, the Sabres will try to adjust away from it, leaving their own best gameplay in the process.

Team toughness.

I want to see it today. Every time that dirty Russkie touches it today, there better be someone hitting him or leaning on him today.

It’s not just the failure to respond to the Kuch hit, it’s the (lack of) response they’ve shown all season to HEAVY play and opponents coming in physically - in violation of the rules or cleanly. If you want to get this team off their game and out of the style they play well, hit them hard a few times and rather than stadi g up to it and imposing their will on the other team, the Sabres will try to adjust away from it, leaving their own best gameplay in the process.
- Der Kaiser

This right here is the reason Ducks were able to beat Sabre's -

Team toughness.

I want to see it today. Every time that dirty Russkie touches it today, there better be someone hitting him or leaning on him today.
- Powerslave

I just can’t picture that happening.

Once you start chasing truculence, you doing stupid things like signing Lucic to a 7 year deal, or you trade James Neal for Milan Lucic
- jcragcrumple

Easy there tiger... Having a guy that can play and protect is a big difference than signing or trading for numb skulls like Lucic.

I bet Krueger will get a much better effort out of the team today than yesterday. Sabres get their mojo back and Dahlin will have a monster game imo.

Sabres 4
Bolts 3

Dahlin the ot winner.

I just can’t picture that happening.
- PrinceChill

I can't either, unfortunately. 😞

Team toughness.

I want to see it today. Every time that dirty Russkie touches it today, there better be someone hitting him or leaning on him today.
- Powerslave

Last year during the streak, that's exactly what the Sabres did and it worked.

(Also our goalie played lights-out that game).

I bet Krueger will get a much better effort out of the team today than yesterday. Sabres get their mojo back and Dahlin will have a monster game imo.

Sabres 4
Bolts 3

Dahlin the ot winner.
- LandlordTom

Been waiting all month for that “better effort”. Although in a week, they play the Sens. That might be when the effort improvement makes an appearance.

Easy there tiger... Having a guy that can play and protect is a big difference than signing or trading for numb skulls like Lucic.
- dozerD10

I'm just saying, this isn't 1982 anymore, or even 2011. I'd rather see them go out there and try to score than chase Kuch around because of a questionable hit. It's a waste of energy

I wouldn’t expect Kuch to be disciplined in any way for his hit on Sobotts. Kuch is a star, Vlad a scrub, and the refs didn’t even find anything wrong with the hit.
- PrinceChill

He won't be because it's the NHL

Same reason Crosby wasn't suspended from almost taking Methot's finger off a few years ago.

But the hit itself was extremely late, dirty, and low.

Again we are questioning the lack of response from the Sabres here, it's nothing new

You don't need a guy like John Scott to stand up for his teammates, give me a Drew Stafford response to when Neil took out Drury.

That's a team that had tightness and willingness to do battle with the guy sitting next to them.

I'm just saying, this isn't 1982 anymore, or even 2011. I'd rather see them go out there and try to score than chase Kuch around because of a questionable hit. It's a waste of energy
- jcragcrumple

You don't chase him around, you handle it right then and there.

He won't be because it's the NHL

Same reason Crosby wasn't suspended from almost taking Methot's finger off a few years ago.

But the hit itself was extremely late, dirty, and low.

Again we are questioning the lack of response from the Sabres here, it's nothing new

You don't need a guy like John Scott to stand up for his teammates, give me a Drew Stafford response to when Neil took out Drury.

That's a team that had tightness and willingness to do battle with the guy sitting next to them.
- Stripes77

This hit wasn't on that level. Sabres fans are just fixated on truculence imo