Where's the coaching staff? Olofsson has been the same player his entire cateer. If they can't see when he's hot or cold and play him accordingly that's on Granato and Ellis.
- lacaprup

So are they supposed to keep charts on Olofsson. Well let's see over the last 3yrs from October to November 9th he scores, and then from November 10th to January he doesn't so we can sit him. They pray every game they get the scoring Olofsson.

Isn't it for the next 3 seasons as that'll be the point when Tuch's current highly valuable deal will end?
- kingcong39

Yes he's the 6th going into year 4

Since last season the book came out - whether it is always successful or not - you hit Dahlin when you play Buffalo. He may take a penalty; he may get hurt. Finally something is done about it. Long overdue, but better late than never.
- lacaprup

You must've loved hearing this from Adams...

Kevyn Adams: what I noticed wasn't that we were getting pushed around, but teams were certainly trying to bully us #Sabres @WKBW

https://twitter.com/Matt_...a7KT8JX3S82nB9DoL0Rw&s=19

Yes he's the 6th going into year 4
- Buff36

Who are the other 5 then...?

Who are the other 5 then...?
- kingcong39

Skinner, Tage, Cozens, Quinn, Kulich

It's not like Dahlin is a shrinking violet either. He's a tough SOB that doesn't take sh¡t from anyone.

That's the gameplan in the NHL, beat the sh¡t out of the star players.
- Wetbandit1

The bold has always been hidden under the guise of the 'finishing your check' talking point, which is really bullpoop masquerading as what it really means, which is hammering the great players until they're hopefully injured and can't play at a high level or at all anymore.

The NFL knows how to overly protect their stars (quarterbacks).

The NHL hasn't a (frank)ing clue how to do that.

So are they supposed to keep charts on Olofsson. Well let's see over the last 3yrs from October to November 9th he scores, and then from November 10th to January he doesn't so we can sit him. They pray every game they get the scoring Olofsson.
- Buff36

Really? That's your response.

So, in your opinion, Victor Olofsson's coaches shouldn't have a read on when he is playing well or not. Wow. I got nothin.

You must've loved hearing this from Adams...

Kevyn Adams: what I noticed wasn't that we were getting pushed around, but teams were certainly trying to bully us #Sabres @WKBW

https://twitter.com/Matt_...a7KT8JX3S82nB9DoL0Rw&s=19
- kingcong39

I specifically mentioned it in a post.

Skinner, Tage, Cozens, Quinn, Kulich
- Buff36

Brother, it is waaaaaayyyy early to claim Kulich as locked in for the top 6.

It could easily be Savoie over Kulich, but more importantly, it sure as poop is Tuch for the next 3 seasons when they should be, in theory, attempting to be a real team.

Next Year
Skinner Tage Tuch
Kulich Cozens Quinn
JJ Krebs Greenway
Girgensons Yost Rousek
If Kulich isn't ready then Mitts is kept

Really? That's your response.

So, in your opinion, Victor Olofsson's coaches shouldn't have a read on when he is playing well or not. Wow. I got nothin.
- lacaprup

No, my response is. Yes they see him playing bad, but you never know when Good Olofsson will show up and unfortunately we will take the Sh!t with the good.

Brother, it is waaaaaayyyy early to claim Kulich as locked in for the top 6.

It could easily be Savoie over Kulich, but more importantly, it sure as poop is Tuch for the next 3 seasons when they should be, in theory, attempting to be a real team.
- kingcong39

Hey, you are probably right. But I would much rather see him given that shot on a developing team then them evaluating Olofsson for a couple more years. If your preaching internal growth.

No, my response is. Yes they see him playing bad, but you never know when Good Olofsson will show up and unfortunately we will take the Sh!t with the good.
- Buff36

They have to have a better read on him than that. Christ, I'll go out on a limb and say I expect a goal from him today because I saw him get a few nice chances last game. Before last game...all puke worthy for the last 5.

They have to see something in practice. There has to be some tell. If you can't tell who the mark is within 30 minutes, it's you.

I think the 7th round pick in return backed every shot I took at asplund.

He's a tweener.

Somehow your gonna go down fighting on Elmer island .

I find it hard to give asplund the nod over olofsson for who's slightly less soft.
- Boss34

Asplund is willing to battle along the boards, and does.

Olofsson runs away from those situations screaming like he saw a monster out of a horror movie.

Hey, you are probably right. But I would much rather see him given that shot on a developing team then them evaluating Olofsson for a couple more years. If your preaching internal growth.
- Buff36

I'd much rather see management have Kulich in the bottom 6 because they've made a move to add a true impact forward to the top 6 this coming offseason.

I'd much rather see management have Kulich in the bottom 6 because they've made a move to add a true impact forward to the top 6 this coming offseason.
- kingcong39

39 I very much agree, I just would be very surprised if they did it.

Asplund is willing to battle along the boards, and does.

Olofsson runs away from those situations screaming like he saw a monster out of a horror movie.
- kingcong39

Asplund doesn't have that shot

I'd much rather see management have Kulich in the bottom 6 because they've made a move to add a true impact forward to the top 6 this coming offseason.
- kingcong39

This is right. The fact we have not had to have 22 or 77 on a top line until the 89 injury was a great thing. No normal rookie should be expected to thrive top 6 in the NHL. Some can, no doubt, but even Bernies has had several cold streaks this season. We've used the "4th line" sometimes as much or more than the "2nd line" this year and that has been the proper move.

Whichever kid or kids come into the forward group next season should be sheltered because we have elite and good scorers all over the top 9.

Yes. But, even I said earlier in the year, when he hits 5 games without a goal you have to think about benching him a game or two. At 12.... well it tells you what "one of the best analytics teams in hockey" thought of Asplund.

I'd think of reuniting Jost and Mitts with Vic if he's immune to the press box. And, why is he? Don is a soft coach. I don't think anyone can deny that. He always let's guys play through mistakes. It does work. We all got pissed at Vic when he went 8 games without a goal earlier in the year, and then he carried us through January. Yet, he wasn't dealt. Ek, at least (probably very least) claimed about 100 times in his pod the Sabres were trying to get Tom Wilson. Who knows?

If Greenway comes in balls to the wall, he makes all of our soft forwards better. He gives Peyton Krebs and Dylan Cozens bigger sacks. But, that's only if he comes in raging. Don has got to get that out of him, and if he really pounded the table for him then he at least believes he can.

So, something like:
53 - 72 - 22
18 - 24 - 29/77
71 - 17 - 37
28 - 19 - 21

Dahlin eligible to play today. Will the shark be on the prowl?
26 - 10/23
25 - 10/23
61 - 46

No Dahlin, it looks a lot worse
25 - 10/23
61 - 46/23
78 - 10/46 Anyway you shake it without Dahlin it's rough. That right side.
- lacaprup

The deficiency on defense is why it didn't make sense for the Sabres to trade for either Klingberg or Gostisbehere, with how little it took to get either of those two.

Yes, they are rentals, but who cares about a 3rd or 4th round pick 2 to 3 years from now?

Which forward sits when Tuch returns, assuming he does at some point this season?

Peterka? Jost? Olofsson?

D. Passing but timid and uninspiring. A guy Donnie fought for and an ex-teammates kid raises some questions. Are those the best moves, or just guys you are comfortable with?
- Lunaion

D. Passing but timid and uninspiring. A guy Donnie fought for and an ex-teammates kid raises some questions. Are those the best moves, or just guys you are comfortable with?
- Lunaion

What you've outlined is a valid concern.

Until they stop being so insular and isolationist with their approach, we're going to be wondering.

Great Dylan Cozens thought from yesterday's ATW. Many have called this a career year for Cozey, which it obviously is. He's on pace for 32 goals and 72 points. What if he scores 25 goals and 60 points, but get closer to Kopitar and Bergeron defense next season? And, that's a real high bar from me. Let's say 60 points and Sebation Aho (Carolina) defense. Which is the better year?

Which forward sits when Tuch returns, assuming he does at some point this season?

Peterka? Jost? Olofsson?
- kingcong39

Vinnie Hinnie.

Great Dylan Cozens thought from yesterday's ATW. Many have called this a career year for Cozey, which it obviously is. He's on pace for 32 goals and 72 points. What if he scores 25 goals and 60 points, but get closer to Kopitar and Bergeron defense next season? And, that's a real high bar from me. Let's say 60 points and Sebation Aho (Carolina) defense. Which is the better year?
- lacaprup

The year in which the team makes the team playoffs.

Defensive Cozens vs. offensive Cozens doesn’t matter if the team is giving up 4-6 a night because the d and goalie aren’t up to nhl standards