Michael Pachla: It's time to ride Linus Ullmark, more. Plus...

First.

2econd

3rd

Forth

Jeff Skinner: 10 goals
Sam Reinhart: 9 goals
Joel Armia: 9 goals

Jeff Skinner: 10 goals
Sam Reinhart: 9 goals
Joel Armia: 9 goals
- Pegullaville

good to see that armia decided to play the game he's capable of

Jeff Skinner: 10 goals
Sam Reinhart: 9 goals
Joel Armia: 9 goals
- Pegullaville

Would have been nice to have him on are 3rd or 4th lines right now.

Would have been nice to have him on are 3rd or 4th lines right now.
- Buff36

armia and Nylander were very similar players in that they each had a ton of skill but were invisible most of the time...that was in their scouting report and that was their m.o. in the sabres organization

armia and Nylander were very similar players in that they each had a ton of skill but were invisible most of the time...that was in their scouting report and that was their m.o. in the sabres organization
- Michael Pachla

Oh I now Pach's, just would be nice to have him right know, he started playing better a couple years ago and has improved from there on.

Sounds like the Devil's are taking calls on Hall, what would it take to get him.

Sounds like the Devil's are taking calls on Hall, what would it take to get him.
- Buff36

No matter what it takes, there better be an extension with it

No matter what it takes, there better be an extension with it
- Powerslave

Well of course, sorry should have put that in my post

Well of course, sorry should have put that in my post
- Buff36

I wasn't attacking you or your post. I'm just saying.

I'm sure it would take a lot.

Mittelstadt, a 1st, and roughly $9M per annually.

Sounds like the Devil's are taking calls on Hall, what would it take to get him.
- Buff36

Can be play 2C ?

Mittelstadt, a 1st, and roughly $11M per annually.
- kingcong39

Fixed it for you.

I wasn't attacking you or your post. I'm just saying.

I'm sure it would take a lot.
- Powerslave

No was thinking that at all Power, just did forget to put that in. It would take a lot.

I love reading your articles it always gives me something to laugh at during the day. It's amusing to say the least as I think of obtuse fans and media thinking that keeping the same lineup that last season ended up with yet another lottery chance is going to somehow magically change. Only two players - Nylander and Pominville - where changed out from that forward group by our mystical wonder genius Botterill. Yes yes Johannson and Oloffsson were added but to think that Jason had to keep all bottom 6 players is ridiculous.

Only a cuckoo for cocoa puffs person would think doing the same dam thing over and over will result in a changed result.

Example A : Mittlestadt. Yeehaw he got a goal last game. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then.

Example B: Girgensons/Larssons. These two nitwits have stunk up the ice for 7 years now and somehow like manna from heaven they will magically contribute to a winning "culture" (atmosphere) is laughable. You have to be the most naive idiot to think otherwise.

Example C: Anyone who thinks Ullmark is somehow the "one" who is in the net when (if?) the Stanley Cup is raised by Eichel is just plain ludicrous.

No matter what it takes, there better be an extension with it
- Powerslave

I would not make this deal unless there are contingencies built into the deal based on him signing in Buffalo

I love reading your articles it always gives me something to laugh at during the day. It's amusing to say the least as I think of obtuse fans and media thinking that keeping the same lineup that last season ended up with yet another lottery chance is going to somehow magically change. Only two players - Nylander and Pominville - where changed out from that forward group by our mystical wonder genius Botterill. Yes yes Johannson and Oloffsson were added but to think that Jason had to keep all bottom 6 players is ridiculous.

Only a cuckoo for cocoa puffs person would think doing the same dam thing over and over will result in a changed result.

Example A : Mittlestadt. Yeehaw he got a goal last game. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then.

Example B: Girgensons/Larssons. These two nitwits have stunk up the ice for 7 years now and somehow like manna from heaven they will magically contribute to a winning "culture" (atmosphere) is laughable. You have to be the most naive idiot to think otherwise.

Example C: Anyone who thinks Ullmark is somehow the "one" who is in the net when (if?) the Stanley Cup is raised by Eichel is just plain ludicrous.
- Goalieguy43

The crown has been passed. New king of bitter beer face has been awarded

Pach,

Agree with Ullmark taking over the #1 position. Since Hutton has always been a back-up - and excelled at it - hopefully this new reality helps turn his game around.

Interesting comments by Krueger that you mentioned. It sounds like this is really just a "development year", meaning they don't really intend to push for a playoff spot. This is disappointing because I think they are only a 2C and/or a 2RW from being a bubble team. Botts really does need to address his over abundance of D-man and lack of forward depth. I think they should be trading Bogo and/or McCabe tomorrow (if they can) because they will both get hurt again soon - with season ending injuries. And they should be trading Scandella now while he is playing well.

Jack has been a beast. He needs somebody else to take the heat off of him. Cozens is a year away and only 18 years old. We can't expect him to step into that role in year 1. Wonder what it would cost to get ROR back?

Jeff Skinner: 10 goals
Sam Reinhart: 9 goals
Joel Armia: 9 goals
- Pegullaville

Have you learned nothing from the Denver Broncos only playing 1 good half per game?

Let's see where they finish at season's end

Going back a little further, from 2007-2012 under head coach Lindy Ruff, Buffalo ranked 6th in the league over that span scoring 408 of their 1175 goal total (35%) in the second period. In fact Ruff had some pretty balanced scoring through each frame with 352 in the first period (7th in the league) and 387 in the third period (13th.)

We were all sick of Darcy and to a lesser extent Lindy, but there's a reason he lasted 15 years. That's a good coach over there

The good for the future
Eichel is currently exceeding all expectations.
I would keep Vesey for a couple more years. Very serviceable player with some skill.
Dahlin sophomore slump at 19. No big deal. Still will be a Housley type for us.
Joho, once he gets his legs back is a good player.
Oloffson is proving to be valuable. He will be a good top 9 on the cheap.
Our D core is pretty solid overall.

The bad
Mitts is not panning out, he will need to go.
Reinhart would be better traded than locked down for 6 or 7 years at 7mil plus.
Our goalie situation is not Stanley cup or even playoff worthy. Ullmark will be a serviceable backup to a real starter.
Risto and McCabe need to go. It’s hard to get the new guys into a rhythm when they watch from the press box.
The Lockport line (not Asplund) are unwatchable. Please god let them walk