See my response in the other post. I think they are right there with those other teams and I see Tampa continuing to regress due to age/player loss/playing a ton of games over the last 3 years. While they have become a punchline because of the losses I still think that is a damn good team.
- Slump Buster

our scrubs had a winning record vs them last year

one of those two.
- Michael Ghofrani

I think krebs will be a 60 point player next year

While their goaltending was never the problem it was also never something to write home about. I think their bigger issue is defense and secondary scoring. They'll get another guy that will be on par with what Campbell was. I suspect they will flip Nylander for a D and maybe even a goalie.
- Slump Buster

So just following the logic, Nylander is bordering on secondary scoring territory and primary. Robbing Peter to pay Paul isn't a good strategy (can work, I'm just saying it can also go sideways for a team that hasn't left the 1st round in how many years)

I think krebs will be a 60 point player next year
- homiedclown

My greater concern is he'll give the other team double that.

So just following the logic, Nylander is bordering on secondary scoring territory and primary. Robbing Peter to pay Paul isn't a good strategy (can work, I'm just saying it can also go sideways for a team that hasn't left the 1st round in how many years)
- SDSabre

nylander was a ppg player last year in the regular season and playoffs


the need for secondary scoring will be huge if they move him and in essence they will become a 1 line team that just chocked in the first round

I think you have to. Even if they don't start the year there it won't be more than a few weeks until they are. Nothing more to prove in the minors.
- Slump Buster

And if/when they struggle mightily what happens?

Are we really forgetting that rookies struggle all the time? They end up in the press box for games at a time

My greater concern is he'll give the other team double that.
- Michael Ghofrani

did he refuse to sign something for you?

And if/when they struggle mightily what happens?

Are we really forgetting that rookies struggle all the time? They end up in the press box for games at a time
- sbroads24

Then they struggle.... How else do you learn ?

I think krebs will be a 60 point player next year
- homiedclown

He needs to make a mountain type leap at 5 on 5 to get the ice time

Then they struggle.... How else do you learn ?
- DirtyDan

Injuries, rookies that might go up and down from Rochester

The idea that there’s no room at forward is a farse

our scrubs had a winning record vs them last year
- homiedclown

right - so in a vacuum does that mean they aren't a good team? Or that we are better than them? Our scrubs beat a lot of teams down the stretch. We also got better goaltending than they did in those games.

Winning a championship matters. Ending the drought does not.
- Slump Buster

Wrong. Seeing as how winning a championship is a crap shoot even after you're good - kind of why we're pushing half a century with zero - let's focus on something that is far, far less random first. The Buffalo Sabres will need to be in the playoffs several years BEFORE winning a championship is a remote possibility. In the mean time, not dragging your fans through garbage 82 times a year would be a nice change after a decade. Ending the drought matters. Winning a championship, if it happens, will not until the 3rd or 4th time this team makes the playoffs.

All of the goodwill they built with fans last year will be pissed down the drain if theyre buired by December again while Ottawa and Detroit pass us by.

nylander was a ppg player last year in the regular season and playoffs


the need for secondary scoring will be huge if they move him and in essence they will become a 1 line team that just chocked in the first round
- homiedclown

The loss of Nylander will absolutely hurt them in some ways. This is why it is important to have your contracts slotted correctly when you are building. They shouldn't have given the contract to Tavares and it is hurting them now in the same way that Skinner will hurt us in 2 - 3 years.

On the plus side they might get a quality D in return and get cap relief.

right - so in a vacuum does that mean they aren't a good team? Or that we are better than them? Our scrubs beat a lot of teams down the stretch. We also got better goaltending than they did in those games.
- Slump Buster

good teams find ways to shut down that top line in the playoffs

unless the leafs spread the offense around, w/o a strong pp series, 1 and done

Unfortunately I think that - after the make a move or two this offseason - they will be the favorites to come out of our conference. That's a good team they have there and I suspect that Tampa is going to come down another half-notch.
- Slump Buster

Not with the hot mess they serve up in net every year.

Injuries, rookies that might go up and down from Rochester

The idea that there’s no room at forward is a farse
- sbroads24

Vey limited room. And id rather give the spot to JJ or Quinn over signing Heinan to 2+ year contract

I’m not penciling in JJ or Quinn to bonafide top 9 minutes yet
- sbroads24

We all know their #3 offensive line is going to get 4th line minutes.

who is in net

how can they compete with the depth from the canes, panthers, bolts, rangers


I think at best they are the 5th best team in the east
- homiedclown

Rangers, Canes, Tampa, Cats, then Leafs. Yep

Wrong. Seeing as how winning a championship is a crap shoot even after you're good - kind of why we're pushing half a century with zero - let's focus on something that is far, far less random first. The Buffalo Sabres will need to be in the playoffs several years BEFORE winning a championship is a remote possibility. In the mean time, not dragging your fans through garbage 82 times a year would be a nice change after a decade. Ending the drought matters. Winning a championship, if it happens, will not until the 3rd or 4th time this team makes the playoffs.

All of the goodwill they built with fans last year will be pissed down the drain if theyre buired by December again while Ottawa and Detroit pass us by.
- lacaprup

I don't disagree with much of what you said. But by that logic we could just Krueger this by getting a bunch of vets as that will get us closer to the playoffs. And then what? You've still got to see what your kids can do. I agree that you need to make the playoffs for a while as your window opens. I just don't see how putting placeholders in key spots helps the bigger effort. If me not signing a Malkin and Letang puts my playoffs a year further into the future, so bet it. Also, it might not. For all we know this thing about the take off next year. The Bills tore it down and still made the playoffs when they weren't trying.

And I really think we need to stop obsessing over the last x years. It shouldn't change what we do next.

Vey limited room. And id rather give the spot to JJ or Quinn over signing Heinan to 2+ year contract
- DirtyDan

If Quinn and JJ prove worthy of ice time they will get it. End of story.

Until that happens I’m icing the best 12 I can

Again, there will be constant injuries as every team has.

Tuch has constantly missed games throughout his career. Okposo has too.

good teams find ways to shut down that top line in the playoffs

unless the leafs spread the offense around, w/o a strong pp series, 1 and done
- homiedclown

Agreed. Their contract situation is what is killing them. Way too top-heavy. Someone has to go and it isn't going to be Johnny T.

If Quinn and JJ prove worthy of ice time they will get it. End of story.

Until that happens I’m icing the best 12 I can

Again, there will be constant injuries as every team has.

Tuch has constantly missed games throughout his career. Okposo has too.
- sbroads24

Adams is said he aint blocking the kids.

You think Heinin will sign to be the 13th forward?

I think they're content with Bjork being the 13th guy

original 6 is over rated
- homiedclown

Apparently Murray is ok with being traded to the Leafs.

I’m told there’s some solid framework elements between the @Senators and @MapleLeafs however the potential completion of this deal is largely dependent on the comprehensive up to the minute medical due diligence by TML on Matt Murray’s health . @espn @NHL #HockeyTwitter

https://twitter.com/Kevin...5muhvWzoc8gpTtKqNQKw&s=19

Apparently Murray is ok with being traded to the Leafs.

I’m told there’s some solid framework elements between the @Senators and @MapleLeafs however the potential completion of this deal is largely dependent on the comprehensive up to the minute medical due diligence by TML on Matt Murray’s health . @espn @NHL #HockeyTwitter

https://twitter.com/Kevin...5muhvWzoc8gpTtKqNQKw&s=19
- kingcong39

The loss of Nylander will absolutely hurt them in some ways. This is why it is important to have your contracts slotted correctly when you are building. They shouldn't have given the contract to Tavares and it is hurting them now in the same way that Skinner will hurt us in 2 - 3 years.

On the plus side they might get a quality D in return and get cap relief.
- Slump Buster

Looking at what Debrincat got, I doubt any team would give up a quality option that wasn't at least priced similarly. And it's not just cat. It's every winger trade of recent memory. They'll take less of a return, or they'll keep him. Best case would be like a Dumba, decent dman, but the cap is essentially the same.