- Hank Balling

They finished dead last a couple seasons ago. Thus the power pick.

Now within 1 point of the playoffs in 2 seasons.....

You gotta compartmentalize the losing and different gms ect.

The future looks so incredibly bright.

I dont think there's any debate over whether they need to upgrade over whats already there, mostly just the fear that they won't.
- Michael Ghofrani

Oh you’d be surprised…..

There is very much a contingent of people in the “we have Levi we don’t need a goalie” camp.

They finished dead last a couple seasons ago. Thus the power pick.

Now within 1 point of the playoffs in 2 seasons.....

You gotta compartmentalize the losing and different gms ect.

The future looks so incredibly bright.
- Boss34

How is it not a must make it year if they just finished 1 point out?

You think taking a step back is acceptable?

Agree to disagree.

6 game winning streak , winning record. Young guy still in upl. He had some rough starts , as to be expected.

The team and offensively minded skill set didnt help much. I wouldnt say they "bailed" him out, aside from scoring more goals then he let in.

If they needed a last look for upl last season and he flopped, so be it. Move on.
I'm not there just yet
- Boss34

He was bad even when they were winning. They won in spite of him. His "hot run", let's say 11/1 to 2/1.. placed him 55th in goals saved above expected. A stat that tries to remove the impact of the team in front of you.

For goalies with 18 games played in that span.. he was 25th out of 35. And that was his hot streak.

- TheSabresTaco

Marcus Johansson.

But no I hear you. There's going to be a time (soon) that they will need to move guys out that they supposedly like in order to get better.

He knows the best way this team gets better is to develop en masse. That's his approach and he's not shy about it. Fine. He's right, too. This team was better because of the advancements from Krebs, Cozens, Thompson, Tuch, Skinner, Mittelstadt, Dahlin and the quality and expected development from JQ, JJ and Power.

There are also guys who probably are what they are, like Joker, Bryson, Olofsson and Comrie who if they were taking next season seriously, would be looking to swap out to make room for either ready-prospects, or improvements. Any added improvement is likely complimentary and doesn't move the needle as much as the development of most of the guys on this team.

It's high time to churn the roster and get some better complimentary pieces.
- TheSabresTaco

Good post, agreed on all

this is not true.
- TheSabresTaco

I don't mean they don't want to win but they manage around development not winning as the primary measuring tool.

Marcus Johansson.

But no I hear you. There's going to be a time (soon) that they will need to move guys out that they supposedly like in order to get better.

He knows the best way this team gets better is to develop en masse. That's his approach and he's not shy about it. Fine. He's right, too. This team was better because of the advancements from Krebs, Cozens, Thompson, Tuch, Skinner, Mittelstadt, Dahlin and the quality and expected development from JQ, JJ and Power.

There are also guys who probably are what they are, like Joker, Bryson, Olofsson and Comrie who if they were taking next season seriously, would be looking to swap out to make room for either ready-prospects, or improvements. Any added improvement is likely complimentary and doesn't move the needle as much as the development of most of the guys on this team.

It's high time to sell the team and get a real owner.
- TheSabresTaco

FIFY

I don't mean they don't want to win but they manage around development not winning as the primary measuring tool.
- washedup20

It's just a misleading argument. They know, as inferred in the post above, that their team in largely, majorly centered on developing players. That's the path they chose, and really that's usually how you win in this league. Of course Vegas started with a veteran roster and mortgaged their entire future to win now, which turned out to be a good move for them.

But if you're going to go this way with all these high picks, this is the way to do it. You can't have all these picks and start also bringing in a bunch of free agents. Nor do I think anyone on this board finds to be necessary either. We're 'stuck' developing. We have to wait that out.

I personally believe the team as a whole has reached a development point to where you can attempt to start actually making the playoffs year after year and grab a few pieces for that long term success, like a real partner for Levi and that top 4 defenseman that can slide into the first pair with injuries. You'll become more reliable on the back end with a stronger goalie tandem, a stronger defense core and a more developed roster.

15 players on this roster are 25 and under. Half of those barely are allowed to drink in the United States.

Their priority is absolutely winning, it's just that the only path to it is to get that core up to a playoff level of development. Which in my opinion is there, with some tweaks.

FIFY
- RichardRoma

The Terry bashing has really died down since the team decided it didn't want to be a (frank)ing dumpster fire anymore. Oh, and he stayed out of the (frank)ing way.

The Terry bashing has really died down since the team decided it didn't want to be a (frank)ing dumpster fire anymore. Oh, and he stayed out of the (frank)ing way.
- TheSabresTaco

It never really died down. If Vegas wins the Cup, the Terry bashing will be back in full force.

8 for 80 for Dahlin.

Will be official 7/1
- ImThatGuy

So does that mean we have to wait for 7/1 to get the "Here to stay" social media posts?

It's just a misleading argument. They know, as inferred in the post above, that their team in largely, majorly centered on developing players. That's the path they chose, and really that's usually how you win in this league. Of course Vegas started with a veteran roster and mortgaged their entire future to win now, which turned out to be a good move for them.

But if you're going to go this way with all these high picks, this is the way to do it. You can't have all these picks and start also bringing in a bunch of free agents. Nor do I think anyone on this board finds to be necessary either. We're 'stuck' developing. We have to wait that out.

I personally believe the team as a whole has reached a development point to where you can attempt to start actually making the playoffs year after year and grab a few pieces for that long term success, like a real partner for Levi and that top 4 defenseman that can slide into the first pair with injuries. You'll become more reliable on the back end with a stronger goalie tandem, a stronger defense core and a more developed roster.

15 players on this roster are 25 and under. Half of those barely are allowed to drink in the United States.

Their priority is absolutely winning, it's just that the only path to it is to get that core up to a playoff level of development. Which in my opinion is there, with some tweaks.
- TheSabresTaco

You're on fire today, great post.

I agree with majority with your last 2 posts, my gut says Adams has planned another season of marinating the youth and will be cautious to move prospects until at the earliest the TDL of 23/24.

Resigning Okposo along with the rumor they offered Girgs the same contract is all I need to assess Adams plans this offseason.

The surprise of this offseason was seeing Johnson sign, unless a diamond falls into Adams lap he'll be on his jet ski and boozing at Village Casino all summer.

How is it not a must make it year if they just finished 1 point out?

You think taking a step back is acceptable?
- sbroads24

Obviously I'm hoping for the playoffs like everyone else.
I be disappointed if we're out.
I like what we have currently and think our interal growth will get us in the playoffs.

I'm not mortgaging the future and an actual Stanley cup run , for next season.

The panthers are a vet team coming off the presidents trophy last season. So the 1 point thing is accurate, but not defining.

https://twitter.com/Watch.../1666531414408327174?s=20

MLS is totally passing NHL and the league didn't exist when Bettan became commish...

Thoughts? I tend to agree here

So does that mean we have to wait for 7/1 to get the "Here to stay" social media posts?
- buffalofan19

he never wanted to be here, as per his bridge

It's just a misleading argument. They know, as inferred in the post above, that their team in largely, majorly centered on developing players. That's the path they chose, and really that's usually how you win in this league. Of course Vegas started with a veteran roster and mortgaged their entire future to win now, which turned out to be a good move for them.

But if you're going to go this way with all these high picks, this is the way to do it. You can't have all these picks and start also bringing in a bunch of free agents. Nor do I think anyone on this board finds to be necessary either. We're 'stuck' developing. We have to wait that out.

I personally believe the team as a whole has reached a development point to where you can attempt to start actually making the playoffs year after year and grab a few pieces for that long term success, like a real partner for Levi and that top 4 defenseman that can slide into the first pair with injuries. You'll become more reliable on the back end with a stronger goalie tandem, a stronger defense core and a more developed roster.

15 players on this roster are 25 and under. Half of those barely are allowed to drink in the United States.

Their priority is absolutely winning, it's just that the only path to it is to get that core up to a playoff level of development. Which in my opinion is there, with some tweaks.
- TheSabresTaco

Florida only has 3 players on their roster that they drafted. I agree in substantial part with what you're saying but the draft and develop model is also a convenient way to employ cheap labor

You're on fire today, great post.

I agree with majority with your last 2 posts, my gut says Adams has planned another season of marinating the youth and will be cautious to move prospects until at the earliest the TDL of 23/24.

Resigning Okposo along with the rumor they offered Girgs the same contract is all I need to assess Adams plans this offseason.

The surprise of this offseason was seeing Johnson sign, unless a diamond falls into Adams lap he'll be on his jet ski and boozing at Village Casino all summer.
- washedup20

Also a very good post , 🌮 too.

Marinating is the perfect term for the 2023 Sabres.
KA loves these guys like his kids. He's not parting with anyone anytime soon IMO.
Maybe the trade deadline? If were really showing signs of more then a frindge team.....

https://twitter.com/Watch.../1666531414408327174?s=20

MLS is totally passing NHL and the league didn't exist when Bettan became commish...

Thoughts? I tend to agree here
- washedup20

I see the argument, and if you want to make the argument that guys like Messi and Beckham are higher profile athletes than anyone in the NHL will ever be, then sure, but that's a testament to the sport itself rather than the league.

At the same time, the NHL will always be the league of choice for the best at its game, something the MLS will never be. These big names sign in the MLS in the sunset of their careers.

https://twitter.com/Watch.../1666531414408327174?s=20

MLS is totally passing NHL and the league didn't exist when Bettan became commish...

Thoughts? I tend to agree here
- washedup20

Soccer will never be a top tier sport in NA.

Its the National League of soccer. Nobody knew Inter Miami was a team till yesterday

You're on fire today, great post.

I agree with majority with your last 2 posts, my gut says Adams has planned another season of marinating the youth and will be cautious to move prospects until at the earliest the TDL of 23/24.

Resigning Okposo along with the rumor they offered Girgs the same contract is all I need to assess Adams plans this offseason.

The surprise of this offseason was seeing Johnson sign, unless a diamond falls into Adams lap he'll be on his jet ski and boozing at Village Casino all summer.
- washedup20

Based on his aggressiveness on trying to get Chychrun and the overwhelming amount of rumors that he wants a top 4D, I would honestly be shocked if he didn't pick one up.

There's a lot of smoke about getting a goalie too. And both of those moves aren't made without cycling out guys like Joker, Bryson, UPL and Comrie. Some or all. Keeping Olofsson is doing a disservice to the roster, as he proved time and again to be a pure liability 90% of the time.

How you replace him, to me, is a tough question. Do you trade for a 1 or 2 year rental? Do you let Kulich try to make the roster? Do you sign someone for 3-4 years and let Kulich and Savoie try to beat out the likes of Mittelstadt or Krebs in a couple years? They're going to have a serious log jam in the next two years. Real decisions are going to need to be made.

Based on his aggressiveness on trying to get Chychrun and the overwhelming amount of rumors that he wants a top 4D, I would honestly be shocked if he didn't pick one up.

There's a lot of smoke about getting a goalie too. And both of those moves aren't made without cycling out guys like Joker, Bryson, UPL and Comrie. Some or all. Keeping Olofsson is doing a disservice to the roster, as he proved time and again to be a pure liability 90% of the time.

How you replace him, to me, is a tough question. Do you trade for a 1 or 2 year rental? Do you let Kulich try to make the roster? Do you sign someone for 3-4 years and let Kulich and Savoie try to beat out the likes of Mittelstadt or Krebs in a couple years? They're going to have a serious log jam in the next two years. Real decisions are going to need to be made.
- TheSabresTaco

There was more smoke than what covered the east coast with Buffalo and Anahiem discussing Gibson last season...it's a Beane move that Adams uses to make it look like he's trying.

Same with Murray at the beginning of this past season.

I have been preaching this logjam of prospects who all play similar styles is going to catch up to Adams, who moves at a snails pace.

The draft positions will hold no value in trade negotiations for these players as it will be obvious to the league that the Sabres have a surplus and need to move guys out.

I want him to make moves yesterday but there are no real indicators showing that to be the case....I would love to be wrong about this.

Florida only has 3 players on their roster that they drafted. I agree in substantial part with what you're saying but the draft and develop model is also a convenient way to employ cheap labor
- Hank Balling

Florida had gotten to the point of their development that all of their best players were veterans as of last year and won the President's Trophy because of the core they built AND the additions they complimented with. They turned core draft pieces Huberdeau and Weeger into Tkachuk. Barkov and Ekblad are core draft pieces. They made a large series of fantastic signings and trades, but most importantly, they're mostly all late 20's.

Their future was heavily mortgaged using a ton of picks in trades, and a lot of those guys have been worth it. Who knows what this team looks like in 3-4 years when our ages match what the Panthers have now. Zito has been very aggressive and he dragged them all the way to the final.

kevo will probably need to be more aggressive especially in about 2 years when a majority of this team at least starts their prime.

There's more than one way to skin a whale, but the constant for the cup has always been a talented, diverse veteran lineup.

Also a very good post , 🌮 too.

Marinating is the perfect term for the 2023 Sabres.
KA loves these guys like his kids. He's not parting with anyone anytime soon IMO.
Maybe the trade deadline? If were really showing signs of more then a frindge team.....
- Boss34

He will because he needs to. There's only so much room on the roster and you can't walk into next season status quo and say "we want to win, too".