The problem was never that they didn't immediately produce at veteran levels. The problem was that they felt that couldn't upgrade the forward group and give these guys ice time, which was completely erroneous. They suffered that 8 game losing streak and likely fall short of the playoffs because of it. That bottom six is still atrocious. For every game Okposo had last night, there will be 4 or 5 that will be at the opposite end of the spectrum.
- buffalofan19

You mean the 8 game losing streak when the D was entirely of the AHL variety? That didn't have anything to do with those players I mentioned.
And most certainly there were many posters taking shot after shot at those players, the coaches and the FO...let's not revise history here, lol.

Edit: Debrincat is not a Bottom 6 player, glad they didn't trade the farm for him...highest scoring per game team in the NHL doesn't need a $10m player (QO). If not claiming a D off waivers is his biggest offense, I'm ok with it.

I am ok with Girgs and Okposo on this team this season, but only for this season. Bringing either back and not finding 2 high character guys for the Bottom 6 and a 2RhD will be a very big mistake going forward.

Difference is the Sabres are at the point that they have younger players that should be taking there next steps and taking spots in the lineup. Been awhile since you could say that.
- Buff36

15.5m on bottom 6 wingers
15.4m on top 6 wingers

You mean the 8 game losing streak when the D was entirely of the AHL variety? That didn't have anything to do with those players I mentioned.
And most certainly there were many posters taking shot after shot at those players, the coaches and the FO...let's not revise h e story here, lol.

I am ok with Girgs and Okposo on this team this season, but only for this season. Bringing either back and not finding 2 high character guys for the Bottom 6 and a 2RhD will be a very big mistake going forward.
- IonSabres

Didn't they have both Dahlin and Power for the bulk of the 8 game losing streak?

Felt like the defensive issues also included playing Dahlin and Power together during that streak instead of separating them, so they didn't have 2 full pairings of below replacement level players.

Difference is the Sabres are at the point that they have younger players that should be taking there next steps and taking spots in the lineup. Been awhile since you could say that.
- Buff36

This is a really good post and I agree.

Tuch tage skins
Peterka cozens quinn
Gurgs krebs okposo

I'm fine with replacing a few of jost, mitts , olofsson, and asplund.

That's a couple open spots .

Sabres slow roll these guys from Rochester anyways.

Who do you see making this team and playing a regular spot in the lineup? Guys that actually play, From Rochester?

Kulich ? Murray?

You mean the 8 game losing streak when the D was entirely of the AHL variety? That didn't have anything to do with those players I mentioned.
And most certainly there were many posters taking shot after shot at those players, the coaches and the FO...let's not revise h e story here, lol.

I am ok with Girgs and Okposo on this team this season, but only for this season. Bringing either back and not finding 2 high character guys for the Bottom 6 and a 2RhD will be a very big mistake going forward.
- IonSabres

The entire forward group, including that top line, is sub-par defensively. The only difference between Thompson's line and the rest of the roster is that they're so elite offensively right now that you can more than live with it. As a whole, though, this forward group is just about as responsible as the d-corps is. They're still not great defensively. They're just dropping 4-5 a night. They're due for another dry spell. It happens to every team, and nobody should feel comfortable in their ability to win that 2-1 or 3-2 game.

This is a really good post and I agree.

Tuch tage skins
Peterka cozens quinn
Gurgs krebs okposo

I'm fine with replacing a few of jost, mitts , olofsson, and asplund.

That's a couple open spots .

Sabres slow roll these guys from Rochester anyways.

Who do you see making this team and playing a regular spot in the lineup? Guys that actually play, From Rochester?

Kulich ? Murray?
- Boss34

For next year, as far as young forwards making the Sabres next year, none of them...?

The 2024-2025 season is where things will really become interesting.

Didn't they have both Dahlin and Power for the bulk of the 8 game losing streak?

Felt like the defensive issues also included playing Dahlin and Power together during that streak instead of separating them, so they didn't have 2 full pairings of below replacement level players.
- kingcong39

You always bring facts into these discussions.
That's gonna make someone's uncle very upset.

Teams winning, let's replace 6 of the 12 forwards 😀

The entire forward group, including that top line, is sub-par defensively. The only difference between Thompson's line and the rest of the roster is that they're so elite offensively right now that you can more than live with it. As a whole, though, this forward group is just about as responsible as the d-corps is. They're still not great defensively. They're just dropping 4-5 a night. They're due for another dry spell. It happens to every team, and nobody should feel comfortable in their ability to win that 2-1 or 3-2 game.
- buffalofan19

5-0 wasn't comfortable last night.

For next year, as far as young forwards making the Sabres next year, none of them...?

The 2024-2025 season is where things will really become interesting.
- kingcong39

Appreciate the post.

Why not keep girgs and okposo vs. Replace them externally?

I understand eventually guys move up for cheaper .....
That's gonna be the blueprint moving forward with all three high end picks

5-0 wasn't comfortable last night.
- Lunaion

Seeing them run out of steam a bit in the 3rd after the long break and the emotion in the building after what took place in Buffalo was not surprising.

Seeing them run out of steam a bit in the 3rd after the long break and the emotion in the building after what took place in Buffalo was not surprising.
- kingcong39

There are plenty of reasons to think a team might struggle coming off a week and a half break. "Running out of steam" should not be one of them.

Appreciate the post.

Why not keep girgs and okposo vs. Replace them externally?

I understand eventually guys move up for cheaper .....
That's gonna be the blueprint moving forward with all three high end picks
- Boss34

Unless it's a long term forward solution, they're going to be looking at forwards who are ok with accepting a one year deal again, that way they're not tied to anybody beyond next season when the next wave of forwards are ready in 2024.

Zemgus and Kyle fit that criteria.

There are plenty of reasons to think a team might struggle coming off a week and a half break. "Running out of steam" should not be one of them.
- buffalofan19

It wasn't like they had 10 days of consistent team practices to prepare.

5-0 wasn't comfortable last night.
- Lunaion

I blame Ventura for the lapse...

For next year, as far as young forwards making the Sabres next year, none of them...?

The 2024-2025 season is where things will really become interesting.
- kingcong39

I'll play the role of 36 for a minute....

Rousek will be 24 and seems ready to step in on the 4th line.

Savoie will likely be in the NHL.

Kulich and Rosen are close and probably don't need another full year in the AHL.

I'll play the role of 36 for a minute....

Rousek will be 24 and seems ready to step in on the 4th line.

Savoie will likely be in the NHL.

Kulich and Rosen are close and probably don't need another full year in the AHL.
- Lunaion

I'll play the role of you.

Rousek might be the only one.

They'll slow play Savoie into another year of Juniors.

They'll slow play Rosen and Kulich as well.

We both know that's what they do.

There's a reason Casey and Olofsson's deals end after next season.

It wasn't like they had 10 days of consistent team practices to prepare.
- kingcong39

Right. And for that reason, things like rust and not being on the same page, which you could argue was a factor in the defensive breakdowns in the 3rd period, absolutely could be applicable here. However, they were also the fresher team, and the opponent had played the night before. If they ran out of steam, there's a conditioning problem.

Unless it's a long term forward solution, they're going to be looking at forwards who are ok with accepting a one year deal again, that way they're not tied to anybody beyond next season when the next wave of forwards are ready in 2024.

Zemgus and Kyle fit that criteria.
- kingcong39

I think we all underestimate zem's market value.

He got paid well last time and for 3 years.....
Some were a bit surprised.

Guys a former all-star, definitely a buffalo vibes guy, but his chronological age of 28 , makes a multi year deal inevitable. His agent isnt gonna settle for a 1 year deal IMO.

Kyle the buffaloian, year to year deals for sure.

I'll play the role of you.

Rousek might be the only one.

They'll slow play Savoie into another year of Juniors.

They'll slow play Rosen and Kulich as well.

We both know that's what they do.

There's a reason Casey and Olofsson's deals end after next season.
- kingcong39

Big shoes to fill, playing lun's role ☝️

I have an asplund question, I'd like to to answer as lunaion.

Why cant asplund beat out anyone for playing time?
Does he flat out suck?

I'll play the role of you.

Rousek might be the only one.

They'll slow play Savoie into another year of Juniors.

They'll slow play Rosen and Kulich as well.

We both know that's what they do.

There's a reason Casey and Olofsson's deals end after next season.
- kingcong39

I'll play the role of me for a minute.

Savoie is an awkward decision for them, 50/50.

Rosen can't slide, so likely to see NHL time next year.

Kulich is forcing his way into the picture to the point where forcing him to slide might not be possible.

Mitts + VO's play is forcing them to make changes.

Interesting

Prospects are progressing quicker than anyone could have dreamed of. Unfortunately that leads to quicker decisions needing to be made. Good and bad in that!!

They won 6-3.

What in the actual (frank) is the problem?

They won 6-3.

What in the actual (frank) is the problem?
- ImThatGuy

meth

meth
- jochfr

Damn drug addicts in this blog.