And if they brought back the 3 stooges next year, we'd still be sitting here talking about how the team is in the bottom third in scoring after Ralph plays them 15 minutes a night...again. cut the cord
- jcragcrumple

If we're really going to cut the cord, they need to trade Ristolainen and Montour as well.

His over reliance on those 5 players will always be the case unless they're no longer on the team.

For Ralph's talk of being progressive, he plays it safe like most other coaches.

Agreed.

Eff the 4th line. A true 4th line should play about 8-10 minutes a night.

Fix the SECOND LINE!
- Powerslave

That’s because they were the 2nd line last year...:

Find a 2C that can hold his water to get the most out of Skinner and either Cozens/Kahun on the right side and give them the o-zone sheltered starts.

Then the Log lines minutes can be reduced to 10 minutes.

Everyone wants to let one of the best lines in hockey walk for free.

The Sabres fan base might very well be the most passionate and loyal fan bases in hockey while being up there amongst the most brain dead.

All of our defenders really had average to below average individual statistics this year yet we were a top 7 team in the league for 90% of the year in reducing high danger chances.

The Girgs-Larsson-Okposo line was one of the best analytical lines in all of hockey last year.

We were a strong defensive team due to them eating up those tough minutes against other teams top players, and were a huge reason why we had such a good record on home ice.

Our record on the road was putrid when we couldn’t match them up defensively against other teams top players.

The “Larry’s” May not have hit anybody but ask the opinion of the players that skated 15 minutes a night against them and had zeros across the scoresheet if they were a pain to play against.

The Bills defence may not have forced a turnover or scored on every defensive possession they had but they suffocated opponents and forced three and outs. The “Larry’s” forced three and outs.
- Pegullaville

Fun fact - Larsson was one of the most successful forwards against Connor McDavid over the past two seasons

All of our defenders really had average to below average individual statistics this year yet we were a top 7 team in the league for 90% of the year in reducing high danger chances.

The Girgs-Larsson-Okposo line was one of the best analytical lines in all of hockey last year.

We were a strong defensive team due to them eating up those tough minutes against other teams top players, and were a huge reason why we had such a good record on home ice.

Our record on the road was putrid when we couldn’t match them up defensively against other teams top players.

The “Larry’s” May not have hit anybody but ask the opinion of the players that skated 15 minutes a night against them and had zeros across the scoresheet if they were a pain to play against.

The Bills defence may not have forced a turnover or scored on every defensive possession they had but they suffocated opponents and forced three and outs. The “Larry’s” forced three and outs.
- Pegullaville

Fun fact - Larsson was one of the most successful forwards against Connor McDavid over the past two seasons

Agreed.

Eff the 4th line. A true 4th line should play about 8-10 minutes a night.

Fix the SECOND LINE!
- Powerslave

olofsson-eichel-reinhart
skinner-cozens-johansson
kahun/casey-kahun/casey-tage
smith-asplund-okposo
lazar/ruotsalainen or if Kym gets her way biro


time to get lean

That’s because they were the 2nd line last year...:

Find a 2C that can hold his water to get the most out of Skinner and either Cozens/Kahun on the right side and give them the o-zone sheltered starts.

Then the Log lines minutes can be reduced to 10 minutes.

Everyone wants to let one of the best lines in hockey walk for free.

The Sabres fan base might very well be the most passionate and loyal fan bases in hockey while being up there amongst the most brain dead.
- Pegullaville

And how much do you want to pay our all star 4th line?

Worrying about the 4th line on a team that hasn't made the playoffs in 9 years sounds like a bigger brain dead move.

Fix your 2nd line, get another D or two, and then we'll see what's left for the "greatest 4th line in hockey"

Everyone wants to let one of the best lines in hockey walk for free.


- Pegullaville

And how much do you want to pay our all star 4th line?

Worrying about the 4th line on a team that hasn't made the playoffs in 9 years sounds like a bigger brain dead move.

Fix your 2nd line, get another D or two, and then we'll see what's left for the "greatest 4th line in hockey"
- Powerslave

IMO they are gone.

But don't be surprised when we have no forwards to take on tough matchups going forward

And how much do you want to pay our all star 4th line?

Worrying about the 4th line on a team that hasn't made the playoffs in 9 years sounds like a bigger brain dead move.

Fix your 2nd line, get another D or two, and then we'll see what's left for the "greatest 4th line in hockey"
- Powerslave

We already need to score an additional 50 more goals.

Let Larry walk and we’ll have to score another 50 to make up for the loss of defence.

Goal differential is what matters not how many goals scored.

How many times do we have to watch Boston punch Toronto in the mouth to realize that ?

Toronto has the most offensive talent in the NHL and have the same amount of playoff series wins as Buffalo the last few years. Yet they can’t defend worth a poop. This year Toronto finally defends in the top half of the league and Anderson can’t figure out how to stop a beach ball.

I never said to bring back Girgs, I believe the defensive impacts of Larry and Okposo (whom is immovable) can raise the tides of either an Asplund or CJ Smith.

IMO they are gone.

But don't be surprised when we have no forwards to take on tough matchups going forward
- sbroads24

Unless the 2C they bring in can handle the defensive zone reponsibiltiies. However why would we want a line with Jeff Skinner potentially on it to play the majority of defensive zone starts ?

I’ll hang up and listen.

IMO they are gone.

But don't be surprised when we have no forwards to take on tough matchups going forward
- sbroads24

The years Larsson was here the team was 179-239-61.

How much of a difference is that guy making?

And the only reason we have "tough matchups" is because we have no second line to match up with other team's second lines.

Fix the 2nd line, and things even out dramatically.

Unless the 2C they bring in can handle the defensive zone reponsibiltiies. However why would we want a line with Jeff Skinner potentially on it to play the majority of defensive zone starts ?

I’ll hang up and listen.
- Pegullaville

You guys should forget about him and think of a replacement I dont see him coming back

The years Larsson was here the team was 179-239-61.

How much of a difference is that guy making?

And the only reason we have "tough matchups" is because we have no second line to match up with other team's second lines.

Fix the 2nd line, and things even out dramatically.
- Powerslave

Last two years, a substantial one.

I hated Larsson with a passion a few years ago

The years Larsson was here the team was 179-239-61.

How much of a difference is that guy making?

And the only reason we have "tough matchups" is because we have no second line to match up with other team's second lines.

Fix the 2nd line, and things even out dramatically.
- Powerslave

I think there are two questions here:

1. How much of a difference is Larsson making?

2. How much of a difference does the role Larsson plays make?

Last two years, a substantial one.

I hated Larsson with a passion a few years ago
- sbroads24

Again, Ice a legit 2nd line and it takes care of itself

I think there are two questions here:

1. How much of a difference is Larsson making?

2. How much of a difference does the role Larsson plays make?
- buffalofan19

I'll answer question 2.

If that guy is getting 2nd line minutes, we're (frank)ed again.

Last two years, a substantial one.

I hated Larsson with a passion a few years ago
- sbroads24

if you bring him back and play him 13 or so minutes a night plus pk time with kahun and johansson I am fine with that


a true third line

The years Larsson was here the team was 179-239-61.

How much of a difference is that guy making?

And the only reason we have "tough matchups" is because we have no second line to match up with other team's second lines.

Fix the 2nd line, and things even out dramatically.
- Powerslave

Although I agree completely, wait for someone to post eichel's team record.

We have a hand full of salvageable pieces.
Larsson is one of them

if you bring him back and play him 13 or so minutes a night plus pk time with kahun and johansson I am fine with that


a true third line
- homiedclown

A third liner who can't hit 20 points in 8 NHL seasons

Side note: his 28th birthday is tomorrow. He ain't getting any better offensively

if you bring him back and play him 13 or so minutes a night plus pk time with kahun and johansson I am fine with that

a true third line
- homiedclown

As long as they get a quality Center for the 2nd line, the above could work.

It would shelter Cozens for his rookie year, and if Cozens is ready for prime time his 2nd season, Larsson could bump back down to the 4th line.

All that said, I don't think he's coming back because he thinks he should be a true 3rd line Center playing with more talented players.

A third liner who can't hit 20 points in 8 NHL seasons

Side note: his 28th birthday is tomorrow. He ain't getting any better offensively
- jcragcrumple

But
But
But
But 😉

Although I agree completely, wait for someone to post eichel's team record.

We have a hand full of salvageable pieces.
Larsson is one of them
- Boss34

As long as they get a quality Center for the 2nd line, the above could work.

It would shelter Cozens for his rookie year, and if Cozens is ready for prime time his 2nd season, Larsson could bump back down to the 4th line.

All that said, I don't think he's coming back because he thinks he should be a true 3rd line Center playing with more talented players.
- kingcong39

The last sentence is true and he’s probably right

we only had 1 sabre with over 50% wins on faceoffs shorthanded, min 20 face offs

A third liner who can't hit 20 points in 8 NHL seasons

Side note: his 28th birthday is tomorrow. He ain't getting any better offensively
- jcragcrumple

If he prevents other teams from getting “points”, that’s not worth anything? Especially when that’s his entire role?

He had the same amount on primary assists as Victor Olofsson, and one less than Eichel at 5 on 5.

He isn’t a goal scorer. He is adequate as a passer.

Literally ALL the evidence points to him being a capable third line center if put with guys who aren’t AHL caliber scorers.