I would love to know what people watch when they watch the Sabres games
- Pegullaville

I will go as far as this: Ralph's system catered to defense-first players. On most teams, I don't think McCabe is as good as he was here, under that coach. However, even career average Jake McCabe is leagues better than the other guy.

are you trolling rn
- TheSabresTaco

mccabe never passed the eye test for me

floated a lot in his own end and many times did not commit to a player, just stood there in front of the goalie, screening him

mccabe never passed the eye test for me

floated a lot in his own end and many times did not commit to a player, just stood there in front of the goalie, screening him
- homiedclown

I don't agree on the eye test, but that's an opinion, so be it.

Analytically, it was the inverse. Risto rode McCabe's coat tails to look respectable. McCabe's effectiveness without Risto shot dramatically up. Risto's effectiveness with McCabe shot dramatically up. Risto needed McCabe to look good. Risto was a literal boat anchor on McCabe's back when they were on the ice together.

Putting every analytic aside, people watching the tv saw Risto's performance go down the tubes when we lost McCabe.

Putting every analytic aside, people watching the tv saw Risto's performance go down the tubes when we lost McCabe.
- TheSabresTaco

Analytics back in. As Ristos ice time decreased, his metrics got much much worse.

Putting every analytic aside, people watching the tv saw Risto's performance go down the tubes when we lost McCabe.
- TheSabresTaco

had nothing to do because of pressing due to echl goalies back there

I will go as far as this: Ralph's system catered to defense-first players. On most teams, I don't think McCabe is as good as he was here, under that coach. However, even career average Jake McCabe is leagues better than the other guy.
- TheSabresTaco

McCabe will be injured in game 5

had nothing to do because of pressing due to echl goalies back there
- homiedclown

Risto allowing more chances to the net has absolutely nothing to do with the goalies performance.

I don't bash Girgensons (he does fall often) like I do other guys because while he doesn't exactly score points, he does serve a positive purpose on the ice that I respect and actually helps his team, unlike others. He had a positive defensive impact with Ralph. He was *ok* with Phil. Results were mixed with Disco. (These are statistics based observations)

To summarize, even though he's maintained the same role since Ted left, his results have been varied per coach. As I'm of the optimistic type, I am hoping Donnie puts him in a position to succeed. But it definitely remains to be seen how effective he is on this version of the Sabres. He was good (at defense) in 19-20. But so was most of the roster, because of how Ralph ran the team.
- TheSabresTaco

Good post,

The girgs contract seemed a tad bit high, but he was coming off a good even strength goal season.

Baller eleduded to the "who was making the decisions"

I think it was 95% ralph. He was sliding into the upper management role. The losing streak saved this franchise.

McCabe will be injured in game 5
- jochfr

I can't argue this. I have been defeated.

Good post,

The girgs contract seemed a tad bit high, but he was coming off a good even strength goal season.

Baller eleduded to the "who was making the decisions"

I think it was 95% ralph. He was sliding into the upper management role. The losing streak saved this franchise.
- Boss34

That's for sure. He either bamboozled the Pegulas into how his vision was the opposite of what the actual product was, or the Pegulas were too charmed to say no to him.

Risto allowing more chances to the net has absolutely nothing to do with the goalies performance.
- TheSabresTaco

you are looking at fancy stats

not the fact that a player presses because there is crap behind him


really no need to continue this

you hate him

you really like mccabe

they gone

I'm not defending his vax takes. I'm defending the fact that people make judgements about his person simply because of a singular opinion. People, like you and I, who do not actually know him as a human being.
- TheSabresTaco

Fair enough

Can you imagine the conversation between Dawkins and Beasley. This is not good for team continuity.

Anti vax people generally are selfish....
Football is a team sport

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz



if tage is your biggest worry, get a freaking hobby



- homiedclown

It’s LITERALLY a blog about TAGE
This is absolutely the right time to post about how he’s a BUST so far

I'm saying he pots 20 next year if we play a full 82. It's a stretch, but I think it could come together. He looked significantly better under Donny.
- QuinnFan

Hope your right
Pretty small sample size of FINALLY looking somewhat useful
I’ve gotta see more from him before I’ll believe it though

I don't agree on the eye test, but that's an opinion, so be it.

Analytically, it was the inverse. Risto rode McCabe's coat tails to look respectable. McCabe's effectiveness without Risto shot dramatically up. Risto's effectiveness with McCabe shot dramatically up. Risto needed McCabe to look good. Risto was a literal boat anchor on McCabe's back when they were on the ice together.
- TheSabresTaco

Risto was/is an offensive defenseman

Offensive defenseman need stay at home partners to cover for them to be effective.

Risto trusted mccabe

Have we actually had a good stay at home defenseman since jay McKee?

It’s LITERALLY a blog about TAGE
This is absolutely the right time to post about how he’s a BUST so far
- jdfitz77

7 goals and 5 assists over the last 23 games which translates to 20-25 goals and 40-45 points in a full season

he is trending up

That's for sure. He either bamboozled the Pegulas into how his vision was the opposite of what the actual product was, or the Pegulas were too charmed to say no to him.
- TheSabresTaco

Absolutely, Krieger had a way of making people believe him.

Hey fans, I'm out at bars asking questions about how you would like to see this Sabres team built.

Hook, line and sinker I fell for that bs.

Guy was a con artist, probably why Edmonton fired him by email..... or something along those lines

Risto was/is an offensive defenseman

Offensive defenseman need stay at home partners to cover for them to be effective.

Risto trusted mccabe

Have we actually had a good stay at home defenseman since jay McKee?
- Boss34

have not had decent ones since Jay, Rhett and for a brief time Pratt



maybe Teppo

7 goals and 5 assists over the last 23 games which translates to 20-25 goals and 40-45 points in a full season

he is trending up
- homiedclown

We’ll see if it continues
That small sample size doesn’t convince me

Also…. you lost the bet we made that he’d play at a 20goal pace this past season

Absolutely, Krieger had a way of making people believe him.

Hey fans, I'm out at bars asking questions about how you would like to see this Sabres team built.

Hook, line and sinker I fell for that bs.

Guy was a con artist, probably why Edmonton fired him by email..... or something along those lines
- Boss34

I never liked the hire

We’ll see if it continues
That small sample size doesn’t convince me

- jdfitz77

you thoughvt Josh Allen was inaccurate in a preseason game though and then later admitted you never saw the game


one day I will be back home and things are normal and you can collect your winnings

you thoughvt Josh Allen was inaccurate in a preseason game though and then later admitted you never saw the game


one day I will be back home and things are normal and you can collect your winnings
- homiedclown

That’s 100% incorrect
I said i was at a bar & “didn’t watch it closely”

And if u wanna talk about past things like that,
let’s keep it relevant….
Like how u liked the terrible ROR trade that brought us Tage in the first place 🤮🤮🤮

players were busy on phone with their agents


- homiedclown

Hanrahan’s wife is also the mom from A Christmas Story…….

have not had decent ones since Jay, Rhett and for a brief time Pratt



maybe Teppo
- homiedclown

Spach and Lydman had good seasons too. But I would say we didn't have anyone like prime Vlasic since McKee.

Ehrhoff was good too, even here. Not a McKee type obviously.