https://buffalonews.com/s...eb-b6a0-83c3fa257469.html
Time for the fun to start

From the Lightning blog:

Thumbs Down: What Did the Lightning Get in David Savard?

It’s not unreasonable to expect some kind of adjustment period for a newly-acquired player, but it would be nice to see David Savard put things together consistently starting right about now. He was really quite ineffective in this game, as a result of being overwhelmed by Florida’s speed. Since being acquired from Columbus in exchange for a significant sum at the trade deadline, Savard has been a bit of a mixed bag for the Lightning. They’re going to need him to be a lot more than that as this regular season ends and the playoffs begin.

Of course, this sort of thing isn’t exactly new for the Lightning. Remember when people were concerned about Blake Coleman’s post-deadline silence last year? He turned out to be one of the team’s most valuable players in the playoffs. Perhaps history will repeat itself.

Points be damned he was still a 50 point player with positive offensive and defensive impacts.

Those sign for 2.2 mil?
- sbroads24

C'mon 24.

Combining this post with others from you on Skinner, and using that same argument with Okposo ; you are effectively saying
- Hall at $8m is a positive impact player
- Skinner at $9m is a positive impact player
- Okposo at $6m is a positive impact player
That is $23m of positive impacts, lol.

Games are won by goals...those 3 combined for 11 goals in 125 games. They each and collectively fell woefully short of doing what that were paid rather handsomely to do...score goals.

I get your argument, I do...but there are different results expected of different players. Saying Sheahan at $700k did his job by having a positive Corsi is great. Saying $23m is good to produce 51.2 CF is ludicrous at best.

Your top 6 is expected to control play...AND SCORE GOALS...lots of them. They didn't.

Yes, at 2 G in 37 games for a 82 pace of 5 goals...yup, that is short of even Girgenson territory...$2.2 would be an overpayment.

I want $8m to be a role player...I have heard it all now!

C'mon 24.

Combining this post with others from you on Skinner, and using that same argument with Okposo ; you are effectively saying
- Hall at $8m is a positive impact player
- Skinner at $9m is a positive impact player
- Okposo at $6m is a positive impact player
That is $23m of positive impacts, lol.

Games are won by goals...those 3 combined for 11 goals in 125 games. They each and collectively fell woefully short of doing what that were paid rather handsomely to do...score goals.

I get your argument, I do...but there are different results expected of different players. Saying Sheahan at $700k did his job by having a positive Corsi is great. Saying $23m is good to produce 51.2 CF is ludicrous at best.

Your top 6 is expected to control play...AND SCORE GOALS...lots of them. They didn't.

Yes, at 2 G in 37 games for a 82 pace of 5 goals...yup, that is short of even Girgenson territory...$2.2 would be an overpayment.

I want $8m to be a role player...I have heard it all now!
- IonSabres

buffalo puck luck

One if the myriad of ways Ralph was horrible was prematurely breaking up the Hall - Eichel - Reinhart line.

They were dominating as one of the top lines of the league but having terrible luck, consistently hitting posts.

Ralph saw that Staal was an empty uniform and tried to get him going with Hall.

That was a big, big mistake, among many others.

From the Lightning blog:

Thumbs Down: What Did the Lightning Get in David Savard?

It’s not unreasonable to expect some kind of adjustment period for a newly-acquired player, but it would be nice to see David Savard put things together consistently starting right about now. He was really quite ineffective in this game, as a result of being overwhelmed by Florida’s speed. Since being acquired from Columbus in exchange for a significant sum at the trade deadline, Savard has been a bit of a mixed bag for the Lightning. They’re going to need him to be a lot more than that as this regular season ends and the playoffs begin.

Of course, this sort of thing isn’t exactly new for the Lightning. Remember when people were concerned about Blake Coleman’s post-deadline silence last year? He turned out to be one of the team’s most valuable players in the playoffs. Perhaps history will repeat itself.
- kingcong39

I'll be very interested in watching him in the series...what a great way to evaluate the player.
The Bolts are my 2nd favorite team for a couple reasons, and I'd love to see him play a prominent role for the team ... sort of play his way out of Tampa from success equating to a higher payday in FA...from the Sabres.

The whole Lightning team looked very much out of place last night. Yet, last night and Monday's game again is a fine tune-up for them...they get a glimpse of what Florida brings while
resting Stammer, Kuch and Heddy and giving some young guys playing time to get ready for the real season.

Was a fun game to watch even though the Panthers took it to them.

Go Bolts!

buffalo puck luck
- homiedclown

It is very curious how many vets come to Buffalo to collect a paycheck.

One if the myriad of ways Ralph was horrible was prematurely breaking up the Hall - Eichel - Reinhart line.

They were dominating as one of the top lines of the league but having terrible luck, consistently hitting posts.

Ralph saw that Staal was an empty uniform and tried to get him going with Hall.

That was a big, big mistake, among many others.
- kingcong39

I didn't like Hall with Eichel at all as their styles were so similar that they cancelled each other out.
Their effectiveness, among many, is the ability to enter the zone with possession...which they both thrive on. It seemed to me each didn't know how to play when the other had the puck glued to their stick.

Torts rumored by several to be out in CBJ.
Doran of Rangers wants to go big game hunting.
Drury and Torts have long term relationship, including Drury being Captain when Torts was there last.

Torts to NYR ...dots connected.

Torts rumored by several to be out in CBJ.
Doran of Rangers wants to go big game hunting.
Drury and Torts have long term relationship, including Drury being Captain when Torts was there last.

Torts to NYR ...dots connected.
- IonSabres

Rangers have enough cap space to take Jack AND skinner. NYC prob close enough for skinner to waive NMC.

I’ll take Laf and their first this year for both.

Rebuild with a fresh cap. Build an actual team instead of plugging holes with overpaid FA.

Beniers
Sam (still young enough to keep for 6 years)
Mitts
Cozens as your 4 centers.

Tons of cap. Lot of prospect depth. Another bad year next year and your ready to roll with that guy and all our young guys

Torts rumored by several to be out in CBJ.
Doran of Rangers wants to go big game hunting.
Drury and Torts have long term relationship, including Drury being Captain when Torts was there last.

Torts to NYR ...dots connected.
- IonSabres

Probably a good thing. And hope it happens. I love the personality, no nonsense torts. But I’m not sure he’d be a fit in buffalo. Lord knows what he’d do to skinner...

I’d like to give Donny a shot with a stronger roster and a strong offensive assistant.

Game theory time:

Garbage organization, made up award, it’s a ploy to try to get him to like buffalo and resign.

Smiling shows he is buying into this ploy, not smiling says Terry can go (frank) his mother.


The Sabres organizations main flaw in the past 8 years is 55. The result of mismanaging him will result in the loss of 9 and 23.

The organization still has no goalie, no grit, no solidified direction. Thinking this will be a quick turnaround is foolish and will only compound the problem.
- washedup20

I think you are right about Sam. He’s probably saying now it’s his turn for a payday and he doesn’t want to be on a team where Skinner makes more for less. Not only that they brought his MVP replacement in and it was a huge bust. He’s done.
Risto is far from the biggest problem on this team. At least he has some balls compared to the rest. If they don’t add some grit they are done.
How many goalies can they blame before they realize it’s not the goalies or the coach or the system. It’s the powder puffs who dance around, watch their goalies get run over, their teammates get smashed and do nothing but dance away.
The only goalie on this team that lived up to some critics expectations gets hurt more making saves then any other goalie I’ve seen. Obviously goalies shouldn’t play hurt on this team anyway because critics will say you cost the team the season.
Unfortunately for me my favourite players on the team were the tough guys like McCabe, Bogo, Simmonds, Kane, and yes even ROR. Guys with grit and can play the game but if they rather spend money on ballet dancing non scorers then the curse will go on.
Seasons over and I hope to see a grittier, Tom Wilson face punching team with some true goal scorers sprinkled in next year. Give me Lucic and Chara.

Game theory time:

Garbage organization, made up award, it’s a ploy to try to get him to like buffalo and resign.

Smiling shows he is buying into this ploy, not smiling says Terry can go (frank) his mother.


The Sabres organizations main flaw in the past 8 years is 55. The result of mismanaging him will result in the loss of 9 and 23.

The organization still has no goalie, no grit, no solidified direction. Thinking this will be a quick turnaround is foolish and will only compound the problem.
- washedup20

Sabres main flaw the past years is 55
The organization has no grit.



All 55 provides is grit....


Very confusing post

I didn't like Hall with Eichel at all as their styles were so similar that they cancelled each other out.
Their effectiveness, among many, is the ability to enter the zone with possession...which they both thrive on. It seemed to me each didn't know how to play when the other had the puck glued to their stick.
- IonSabres

They were the top line in the league early by advanced statistics because Jack would do the zone entries and Hall was a puck retrieval monster. They actually played well together. I was surprised.

Rangers have enough cap space to take Jack AND skinner. NYC prob close enough for skinner to waive NMC.

I’ll take Laf and their first this year for both.

Rebuild with a fresh cap. Build an actual team instead of plugging holes with overpaid FA.

Beniers
Sam (still young enough to keep for 6 years)
Mitts
Cozens as your 4 centers.

Tons of cap. Lot of prospect depth. Another bad year next year and your ready to roll with that guy and all our young guys
- Fattony1187

That's assuming they're not bringing back either of Strome or Zibanejad after next season when they're both UFA's, or maybe one at best?

Fox is going to command a giant new contract after next season.

Go Bolts!
- IonSabres

I'm rooting for any team that plays against the Lightning.

Resting Kucherov is a good one! 😂😅

Rangers have enough cap space to take Jack AND skinner. NYC prob close enough for skinner to waive NMC.

I’ll take Laf and their first this year for both.

Rebuild with a fresh cap. Build an actual team instead of plugging holes with overpaid FA.

Beniers
Sam (still young enough to keep for 6 years)
Mitts
Cozens as your 4 centers.

Tons of cap. Lot of prospect depth. Another bad year next year and your ready to roll with that guy and all our young guys
- Fattony1187

Good post Tony:

Although jack has to bring back (4) pieces
Laferierre
1st
X
X

Skimmer will probably cost 1 of the x's to rid us of that irrelevant pile of dung.

So basically good trade, with 1 more "x" player involved.
Hopefully player x isnt a complete cap dump, but maybe a guy who has a year left before being a ufa?

Say #93? Who we then flip for the obligatory 2nd rounder that should be a 1st rounder at the deadline.
Only getting a 2nd at the deadline instead of a 1st = risto's fault.

There's a lot of chatter that Dolan has put out a mandate to the Rangers front office to do whatever it takes to get Eichel.

There's a lot of chatter that Dolan has put out a mandate to the Rangers front office to do whatever it takes to get Eichel.
- kingcong39

Fleece em!

Good post Tony:

Although jack has to bring back (4) pieces
Laferierre
1st
X
X

Skimmer will probably cost 1 of the x's to rid us of that irrelevant pile of dung.

So basically good trade, with 1 more "x" player involved.
Hopefully player x isnt a complete cap dump, but maybe a guy who has a year left before being a ufa?

Say #93? Who we then flip for the obligatory 2nd rounder that should be a 1st rounder at the deadline.
Only getting a 2nd at the deadline instead of a 1st = risto's fault.
- Boss34

It's going to be fascinating to see what Zibanejad gets on his next deal as he's had a monster past 3 seasons.

Fleece em!
- Powerslave

Generally players like eichel do not get traded.

Wonder though in his case , whether their have been talks and possibly the foundation of a Trade has been set?

These things take a few years 🙂

Now drury have to has to tweak the offer?


Example being : will carrier being unprotected if they didnt take ullmark in the expansion draft?
Gmtm got canned ,but gmjb made the same rumored move?

Buffalo Bill's win's = 15
Buffalo Sabres win's = 15

This is such an unbelievable stat.

15 out of 19
15 out of 56

Good post Tony:

Although jack has to bring back (4) pieces
Laferierre
1st
X
X

Skimmer will probably cost 1 of the x's to rid us of that irrelevant pile of dung.

So basically good trade, with 1 more "x" player involved.
Hopefully player x isnt a complete cap dump, but maybe a guy who has a year left before being a ufa?

Say #93? Who we then flip for the obligatory 2nd rounder that should be a 1st rounder at the deadline.
Only getting a 2nd at the deadline instead of a 1st = risto's fault.
- Boss34

Wonder if we could get Laffy, Miller and 2 1sts for Jack? Would that be enough.

Sabres main flaw the past years is 55
The organization has no grit.



All 55 provides is grit....


Very confusing post
- Boss34

Mismanaged- bottom pair defenseman used as top pair. Every GM ignores the fact that the team needed top pairing defense. Botts tried in a horrible way by just picking up whoever.

His grit doesn’t inspire or help move the needle.

I think you are right about Sam. He’s probably saying now it’s his turn for a payday and he doesn’t want to be on a team where Skinner makes more for less. Not only that they brought his MVP replacement in and it was a huge bust. He’s done.
Risto is far from the biggest problem on this team. At least he has some balls compared to the rest. If they don’t add some grit they are done.
How many goalies can they blame before they realize it’s not the goalies or the coach or the system. It’s the powder puffs who dance around, watch their goalies get run over, their teammates get smashed and do nothing but dance away.
The only goalie on this team that lived up to some critics expectations gets hurt more making saves then any other goalie I’ve seen. Obviously goalies shouldn’t play hurt on this team anyway because critics will say you cost the team the season.
Unfortunately for me my favourite players on the team were the tough guys like McCabe, Bogo, Simmonds, Kane, and yes even ROR. Guys with grit and can play the game but if they rather spend money on ballet dancing non scorers then the curse will go on.
Seasons over and I hope to see a grittier, Tom Wilson face punching team with some true goal scorers sprinkled in next year. Give me Lucic and Chara.
- Camel

Lots to unpack here. I won't attempt all of it.

Risto. The argument to keep him is his grit. He is a tougher player, especially when he plays big hit o. The boards completely taking him out of the play. He constantly misses his assignment infront of the net, trying to be too physical..and leaves the opponent with full control of his stick resulting 8n additional scoring opportunities. He blindly passes the puck up the boards, a nice pass to the opposing Dman, or gets his winger caved as a result. The transition game is not his friend. Finally, all that grit and Dahlin and others continuously get manhandled game in game out. What good is grit when used improperly and when combined with deficient D play. Sabres are completely better without him and his $5.4m contract. Bye bye Risto.

Grit. Yes they need more of it..not facepunchers per se, but guys who can play and are 1st into an altercation. That grit needs to be spread throughout the lineup...F's and Dmen. Borgen is a suitable replacement for Risto in that regard. Use Risyo's $5.4m to get 2 guys who can play tough in the F ranks.