This has been brought up before and while I don't dispute his skill set, I don't see why he wouldn't be able to use that skill at wing.

My reasons for not wanting Krebs at centre is that for the moment, he looks totally lost without the puck. Every line he's played on gets caved in defensively. He's 21, so this could change as soon as this year, but for now I need him to put together 10 games of not getting crushed at 5v5 before I could entertain the idea that he's a full time centre.
- Michael Ghofrani

If you are concerned about Krebs being lost at the age of 20 into 21 years old this season

Then you should be very worried about Tage. I get he had almost 40 goals. But some games I’ve watch in person thinking he sucks at center and then he pots 2 goals. Most people and the media will think he had a good game.

We are about to pay tage 7x7 to suck at playing center

If you are concerned about Krebs being lost at the age of 20 into 21 years old this season

Then you should be very worried about Tage. I get he had almost 40 goals. But some games I’ve watch in person thinking he sucks at center and then he pots 2 goals. Most people and the media will think he had a good game.

We are about to pay tage 7x7 to suck at playing center
- Sabretooth9

Im worried about tage's off puck play too, but if he maintains the shooting talent and plays with someone like Asplund or Tuch, the line as a whole should be able to excel at 5v5.

Tage's case is different in that the move to centre allowed him the space to utilize his shot. Im not sure that's the case with Krebs, but I don't know.

In fairness, that describes at least half their forwards last year. It's a real problem.
- Lunaion

It does, and it is, but he was the worst of that bunch. If his talent is legit though he really only needs to elevate his defensive game just enough that it's not horrible and let his playmaking drive his value.

https://youtu.be/pzG4BJrt00E

If you are concerned about Krebs being lost at the age of 20 into 21 years old this season

Then you should be very worried about Tage. I get he had almost 40 goals. But some games I’ve watch in person thinking he sucks at center and then he pots 2 goals. Most people and the media will think he had a good game.

We are about to pay tage 7x7 to suck at playing center
- Sabretooth9

What's your solution to Tage then?

Are you not signing him long term?

Are you not signing him at all?

Trading him?

As far as Buffalo Sabres property in net, You can’t hang your hat on anyone not signed. Comries it and I wouldn’t be surprised that he makes things hard for the Sabres brass.
You all talk like Levi & Portillo are the final pieces in net to take us to the promised land (I’ll call it the double Dom effect) along with the gods of defense, Owen Powers & Rasmussen Dahlin, on offense the tower of Buffalo, Tage Thompson, “get rid of him” goaloffson, along with the holy resurrections of Jeff Skinner and Kyle Okposo (someone should be up for sainthood, who is it?).

This teams gonna be the dark buffalo of the league.

Chips Savoie!

Ostlund and Kulich with big games.

Im worried about tage's off puck play too, but if he maintains the shooting talent and plays with someone like Asplund or Tuch, the line as a whole should be able to excel at 5v5.

Tage's case is different in that the move to centre allowed him the space to utilize his shot. Im not sure that's the case with Krebs, but I don't know.
- Michael Ghofrani

Even with Tuch on RW that top line got outplayed at 5v5 more often then not,

Ideally they are a second line that gets heavy o-zone usage and favourable lineups as Skinner and Tage are only effective in 1/3 of the ice.

Unless Tage improves defensively this year which he undoubtedly has to for that line to work

Im worried about tage's off puck play too, but if he maintains the shooting talent and plays with someone like Asplund or Tuch, the line as a whole should be able to excel at 5v5.

Tage's case is different in that the move to centre allowed him the space to utilize his shot. Im not sure that's the case with Krebs, but I don't know.
- Michael Ghofrani

Even with Tuch on RW that top line got outplayed at 5v5 more often then not,

Ideally they are a second line that gets heavy o-zone usage and favourable lineups as Skinner and Tage are only effective in 1/3 of the ice.

Unless Tage improves defensively this year which he undoubtedly has to for that line to work

Even with Tuch on RW that top line got outplayed at 5v5 more often then not,

Ideally they are a second line that gets heavy o-zone usage and favourable lineups as Skinner and Tage are only effective in 1/3 of the ice.

Unless Tage improves defensively this year which he undoubtedly has to for that line to work
- Pegullaville

I actually thought Skinner did a decent job of back checking last year. That line was already getting almost 70% Ozone starts, can't get much more.

I actually thought Skinner did a decent job of back checking last year. That line was already getting almost 70% Ozone starts, can't get much more.
- Buff36

Overplaying LOG feels like it's been a 10 year problem for them, with no sign of anything changing.

Overplaying LOG feels like it's been a 10 year problem for them, with no sign of anything changing.
- Lunaion

Good Post, Donnie wants to play a uptempo game, let that line do what they do. I am a big D proponent, that's why I wanted a few of those guys in the draft. Sabres are gonna score some goals, can there D play sound enough D to prevent enough.

I actually thought Skinner did a decent job of back checking last year. That line was already getting almost 70% Ozone starts, can't get much more.
- Buff36

Skinner's problem has always been the brain cramps on defense. The one thing Kruger got right was nailing him to the bench in overtime.

Skinner's problem has always been the brain cramps on defense. The one thing Kruger got right was nailing him to the bench in overtime.
- Slump Buster

He wasn't all bad. He knew to pull VO off the top line in close games too.

At some point, they have to find another capable two-way line. Probably starts with Cozens.

Overplaying LOG feels like it's been a 10 year problem for them, with no sign of anything changing.
- Lunaion

Correct statement, but I bet we feel differently about the loG's playing time.

Still a very young inexperienced group of players.

Having a solid 4th line helps this team stay fresh

Overplaying LOG feels like it's been a 10 year problem for them, with no sign of anything changing.
- Lunaion

If Asplund is on one of the top 3 lines again, the hope is he helps his line at least be neutral defensively, which would then give you a solid line defensively along with the LOG line doing what they do.

Correct statement, but I bet we feel differently about the loG's playing time.

Still a very young inexperienced group of players.

Having a solid 4th line helps this team stay fresh
- Boss34

Having a strong 4th line is a great help to the team, but you need at least one other line to be good defensively, if not two, to try and help your team not get caved in on the road when the opposing team can set the matchups in their favor.

When you add Krebs and somewhat Olofsson into the equation there are a lot of Defensive liabilities throughout the top 9. And Mitts ain't exactly top notch. Are D will need to hold up and I don't think we have the depth there yet for that.

Even with Tuch on RW that top line got outplayed at 5v5 more often then not,

Ideally they are a second line that gets heavy o-zone usage and favourable lineups as Skinner and Tage are only effective in 1/3 of the ice.

Unless Tage improves defensively this year which he undoubtedly has to for that line to work
- Pegullaville

The line's XG% for the year was 52.5% which is pretty good even before factoring in the shooting talent.

They had their weaknesses for sure, but as long as it hovers around 50 and Tage still brings the shot it should be fine as one of the top 6 lines.

That being said, he looked much better at 5v5 with Asplund on his wing so it wouldn't surprise me if that's how it starts this season.

When you add Krebs and somewhat Olofsson into the equation there are a lot of Defensive liabilities throughout the top 9. And Mitts ain't exactly top notch. Are D will need to hold up and I don't think we have the depth there yet for that.
- Buff36

Im really surprised they didn't add a defensive C. Gives you a lot of flexibility and prevents any one line from getting crushed. Hopefully something they look at next summer.

Im really surprised they didn't add a defensive C. Gives you a lot of flexibility and prevents any one line from getting crushed. Hopefully something they look at next summer.
- Michael Ghofrani

Adams is really playing out the development card and hopefully some of these guys taking that next step. Hopefully it works, but not bringing in help can also hurt and sometimes destroy development.

Im really surprised they didn't add a defensive C. Gives you a lot of flexibility and prevents any one line from getting crushed. Hopefully something they look at next summer.
- Michael Ghofrani

They knew they needed one, but prioritized bringing Vinny back. Makes you question the decision making process.

When LOG struggles on faceoffs, it's not going to be as effective.

The line's XG% for the year was 52.5% which is pretty good even before factoring in the shooting talent.

They had their weaknesses for sure, but as long as it hovers around 50 and Tage still brings the shot it should be fine as one of the top 6 lines.

That being said, he looked much better at 5v5 with Asplund on his wing so it wouldn't surprise me if that's how it starts this season.
- Michael Ghofrani

Tuch fixes a line and Asplund fixes a line. One is SOL.

Having a strong 4th line is a great help to the team, but you need at least one other line to be good defensively, if not two, to try and help your team not get caved in on the road when the opposing team can set the matchups in their favor.
- kingcong39

I think this is a very reasonable statement, especially road matchups.

Cozens should help, asplund is a selke guy 😉

They knew they needed one, but prioritized bringing Vinny back. Makes you question the decision making process.

When LOG struggles on faceoffs, it's not going to be as effective.
- Lunaion

The decision that worries me more is their refusal to move Mittelstadt to the wing to make room for a centre.

But yeah they seem to be betting a lot on the collective faceoff numbers improving enough to offset the loss.

Even under a tight budget it's fair to ask why they dropped 6+ million on olofsson and VH with the winger depth they have instead of a centre.