I just don’t understand how a guy that big plays so small. If he can clean up some of the issues, if he can get Irbe’d, he could be solid.

I like UPL, I think he can be coached up and be a solid goalie.

I also think rolling with 2 very very young goalies is just dumb!

I also question Bales as a coach, not that I know anything. But did you see growth in Comrie or UPL this past season?

It is just such a big gamble for a team that just needs solid play from the net out.

It’s the ultimate boom or bust….
- Gr8daygo

UPLs issues are pretty noticeable.

- his angles are consistently off
- weak glove hand
- not great at reading the play -> he can’t even read a simple pass across.
- and yes plays small.
- He sucks absolutely sucks at shootouts.

He has consistently struggled at the NHL and AHL level and has never shown any signs that he found his groove.

The only thing he has going for him is that he’s big. He’s not even very athletic.

Go back and watch Levi. Everything for him comes so much smoother.

both arguments make sense in certain context.

some people want adams to try and take swings. if it flops, oh well, get what you can back.

.
- TheSabresTaco

at some point all these forward prospects will no longer be waiver exempt

plus you have 4 locks in cozens, tage, skinner, tuch


so you have

quinn
peterka
krebs
casey
kulich
ostlund
savoie
rosen
neuchev
kisakov
kozak
nadeau
all under contract

poltapov
sardarian
benson
wahlberg

yet to get under contract

that's
thats 16 guys for 5 spots in the top 9

I am not counting murray, rousek, weissbach, biro or murray


at some point it's time for adams to stop sitting on his hands and make decisions

What I don't get is why is it assumed that trades / moves are the best way to get better? We just had 2 seasons of massive point increases, This was accomplished by letting the kids grow into very good NHL players. More growth is coming and another point jump is expected. Sure, always look to get better, but making a trade isn't always the best way to get better.

I know, I know - this all comes down to the fascination (obsession) with the playoff drought.
- Slump Buster

It's a matter of fact that this team will rise or fall based on the development of the young core.

They've ridden the past few years trying to figure out who they were and what they had. After last season, you have a strong idea as to what they are and what they can become.

They are ready for the playoffs.

There are a couple short and long term holes to fill to make it easier for this roster to accomplish this goal. Unfortunately that doesn't come without an outside acquisition, this year.

There's room for forward with or without Quinn. Based on all the prospects in this system, you wouldn't aim for a guy for more than a year. Depending on who that guy is, if he's worth keeping, you make adjustments.

It was made clear that Adams found the defense as unacceptable as we did, hence the moves (like them or not). He pushed down the bottom of the D roster, something that was necessary.

He trusts that improving the defensive structure will improve the goaltending. Guess we're stuck here hoping that's true for UPL. But he is correct, the Sabres defensively were literally the worst statistically.

He has consistently struggled at the NHL and AHL level and has never shown any signs that he found his groove.

The only thing he has going for him is that he’s big. He’s not even very athletic.

Go back and watch Levi. Everything for him comes so much smoother.
- Sabretooth9

you ever play in net with a bum hip?


rumor has it the hip will finally be fully healed for the fall

at some point all these forward prospects will no longer be waiver exempt

plus you have 4 locks in cozens, tage, skinner, tuch


so you have

quinn
peterka
krebs
casey
kulich
ostlund
savoie
rosen
neuchev
kisakov
kozak
nadeau
all under contract

poltapov
sardarian
benson
wahlberg

yet to get under contract

that's
thats 16 guys for 5 spots in the top 9

I am not counting murray, rousek, weissbach, biro or murray


at some point it's time for adams to stop sitting on his hands and make decisions
- homiedclown

In an effort not to let the wrong one walk, like Hagel again, shouldn't he hold as long as he can? I mean no decision needs to happen this year, so he should basically just be shopping for a great deal right now, no?

you ever play in net with a bum hip?


rumor has it the hip will finally be fully healed for the fall
- homiedclown

I don't trust UPL's hockey IQ. I'd have tried a lot harder to use an asset on a veteran goalie, but that's just me.

His consistency is poor as well. That's been a mark on him his entire professional career. even his play for Finland.

In an effort not to let the wrong one walk, like Hagel again, shouldn't he hold as long as he can? I mean no decision needs to happen this year, so he should basically just be shopping for a great deal right now, no?
- QuinnFan

Sure it doesn't need to be said but those timelines vary from 1-4 years. Who knows what you have when each one of them is ready to go. Plus your 2024 1st and 2nd, who knows.

Like you said, when they're ready, you make a move. Whether that be the prospect or a current player. It's a non-problem.

Prospects are going to become way more important in the next 2 years when we're close to the cap. All those guys listed will be in a tough battle for a few spots.

Only makes the Sabres better if the kids can bump out the vets.

What I don't get is why is it assumed that trades / moves are the best way to get better? We just had 2 seasons of massive point increases, This was accomplished by letting the kids grow into very good NHL players. More growth is coming and another point jump is expected. Sure, always look to get better, but making a trade isn't always the best way to get better.

I know, I know - this all comes down to the fascination (obsession) with the playoff drought.
- Slump Buster

Post of the year so far. Some folks can't even construct a whole paragraph, let alone a sentence, without bringing the drought up. Being reminded day in and day out about it is why I rarely pop in on HB any more. I am very happy KA is not swinging for trades that do not make sense right now, and I also realize there is lots of time to address needs before October comes. Growing from within should still be our main focus.

you ever play in net with a bum hip?


rumor has it the hip will finally be fully healed for the fall
- homiedclown

No I have not played with a bum hip.

But simple angles and reading the play has nothing to do with a bum hip.

Biron during intermissions has mentioned the same thing.

When they show the replay from behind the net. It’s very noticeable

I don't trust UPL's hockey IQ. I'd have tried a lot harder to use an asset on a veteran goalie, but that's just me.

His consistency is poor as well. That's been a mark on him his entire professional career. even his play for Finland.
- TheSabresTaco

Yup UPL reads the play like he’s trying to land on mars. Completely clueless. Which is sad to say

In an effort not to let the wrong one walk, like Hagel again, shouldn't he hold as long as he can? I mean no decision needs to happen this year, so he should basically just be shopping for a great deal right now, no?
- QuinnFan

I mean …. If every gm in the nhl and professional sports had a crystal ball for that. It would make life easier.

Every team has misses. It happens.

Yup UPL reads the play like he’s trying to land on mars. Completely clueless. Which is sad to say
- Sabretooth9

he really went out of his way to defend UPL. I don't get it.

In an effort not to let the wrong one walk, like Hagel again, shouldn't he hold as long as he can? I mean no decision needs to happen this year, so he should basically just be shopping for a great deal right now, no?
- QuinnFan

What is the value of a prospect that can't crack the NHL roster (of a non playoff team) after X years but is deemed ready?

What is the value of a prospect that can't crack the NHL roster (of a non playoff team) after X years but is deemed ready?
- washedup20

ready for what

ready for what
- TheSabresTaco

For the NHL

For the NHL
- washedup20

you said couldn't crack the NHL though

https://sabrenoise.com/2023/07/10/buffalo-sabres-adams-unwise-debrincat/
I know this is written by a fan, But this is hilarious to me. Respond, damn I have been waiting 3 years for him to respond to his goaltending.
- Buff36

That's the guy who runs the site. No idea why you read it.

That's the guy who runs the site. No idea why you read it.
- Lunaion

that guy is a super homer

you said couldn't crack the NHL though
- TheSabresTaco

Yes on a team that has that players role already filled, aka the Sabres.

Yes on a team that has that players role already filled, aka the Sabres.
- washedup20

so what's a value of a guy who can't crack their current team, to some other team?

Way too generic of a question. But my guess is, somewhere between a 2nd and a 7th round pick.

Erik Portillo for example was worth a 3rd round pick. He was ready for pro, but wasn't getting in front of UPL and Levi. Didn't see the opportunity here.

Thanks for giving us a guy that 12/10 PWWTBH

so what's a value of a guy who can't crack their current team, to some other team?

Way too generic of a question. But my guess is, somewhere between a 2nd and a 7th round pick.
- TheSabresTaco

Use Homies list then for specifics.

An unbalanced prospect pool dilutes the value of the players to potential teams as they know they will not pan out in the Sabres organization.

Years of losing and drafting top of the draft to hold those prospects for years and maybe see an impact for the organization 5 or more years down the line.

In an effort not to let the wrong one walk, like Hagel again, shouldn't he hold as long as he can? I mean no decision needs to happen this year, so he should basically just be shopping for a great deal right now, no?
- QuinnFan

This is what got Darcy in trouble….

Was so afraid to lose a trade because you might trade away a good prospect.

No I have not played with a bum hip.

But simple angles and reading the play has nothing to do with a bum hip.

Biron during intermissions has mentioned the same thing.

When they show the replay from behind the net. It’s very noticeable
- Sabretooth9

I very much remember a screen shot of a player coming down the wing and UPL made himself so small that you couldn’t see him and all you saw was net. I’ll try and find it again.

What is the value of a prospect that can't crack the NHL roster (of a non playoff team) after X years but is deemed ready?
- washedup20

Think it's an excellent question. Rosen might be first. If he can't crack the lineup a year from now, his value would take a big hit.

May already be running into it with UPL.