My concern is this everyone thought this team severely overachieved last year and was way ahead of schedule. What if this team regress back to their norm because they made zero changes to the actual roster outside of bringing in a 36 year old defenseman, who can barely play 50 games.

My concern is this everyone thought this team severely overachieved last year and was way ahead of schedule. What if this team regress back to their norm because they made zero changes to the actual roster outside of bringing in a 36 year old defenseman, who can barely play 50 games.
- ImThatGuy

Then it will be exactly what were used to

50% of the defense is locked up long term. how do you upgrade the other 50% while complementing what you already committed to?

Tough task.
- washedup20

I would change a number of things about our defensive strategy. First and foremost, I can't understand why, with the great skaters we have on our back line, why we give up the line so easy. It is as if we are overly concerned about getting beaten around the edge, so we give up the slot. Panarin's goal was a good example of this, he backed Power (I think it was) up right to the hash and ripped one. Have to take the man earlier.

Beyond that it's just personnel. Joker is useless. Can easily take him, Olo and our cap space and go buy a 2nd pairing guy. I'd do that post haste.

What would be your plan?

My concern is this everyone thought this team severely overachieved last year and was way ahead of schedule. What if this team regress back to their norm because they made zero changes to the actual roster outside of bringing in a 36 year old defenseman, who can barely play 50 games.
- ImThatGuy

not a roster problem

Did Thompson play last night?

Finished -2
- washedup20

I think some on here interpret that as he personally saved 2 GA's his-own-self.

I would change a number of things about our defensive strategy. First and foremost, I can't understand why, with the great skaters we have on our back line, why we give up the line so easy. It is as if we are overly concerned about getting beaten around the edge, so we give up the slot. Panarin's goal was a good example of this, he backed Power (I think it was) up right to the hash and ripped one. Have to take the man earlier.

Beyond that it's just personnel. Joker is useless. Can easily take him, Olo and our cap space and go buy a 2nd pairing guy. I'd do that post haste.

What would be your plan?
- QuinnFan

Joker and Olo aren't getting any deal done that matters. There are still players on this roster that by simply removing them, adds value. They are 2 of them.

There were quality defensemen available this offseason as well, at this point I would do nothing due to the fact they have publicly stated this is good enough and the available players weren't upgrades.

My plan would be to start sitting players and bringing up the youth, while shopping the league for help. I can't name a player or 2 that could be brought in to fix it quickly.

The team plays soft from top to bottom, always have.

How about! We came out flat and weren't ready for are 1st game. That's on me, "It Won't Happen Again". But No we get the same.
- Buff36

How about admitting that not teaching this team to play team defense is going to be his demise.
And, pointing out the complete lack of awareness defensively in front of their own net is a constant problem for some over the last couple years and continued last night.
Can't have either of those going forward.

I would change a number of things about our defensive strategy. First and foremost, I can't understand why, with the great skaters we have on our back line, why we give up the line so easy. It is as if we are overly concerned about getting beaten around the edge, so we give up the slot. Panarin's goal was a good example of this, he backed Power (I think it was) up right to the hash and ripped one. Have to take the man earlier.

Beyond that it's just personnel. Joker is useless. Can easily take him, Olo and our cap space and go buy a 2nd pairing guy. I'd do that post haste.

What would be your plan?
- QuinnFan

Donny meatballs is a developmental coach, not an NHL coach. He’s gotten way too much credit for a couple of position changes that worked out, which were all tied to the Eichel trade.
Besides the weak additions by GMKA, we also need a real coach for the first time since Lindy. We didn’t look prepared, at all, and that’s on the coach

I think some on here interpret that as he personally saved 2 GA's his-own-self.
- IonSabres

Maybe it's time to find a defensive minded coach to compliment Granato's offensive coaching.

Yeah, I almost wonder if we don't try to flip Peterka to RW since he's played it before and move Krebs to 2LW. Pull Olo and let Jost center the LOG line. Whatchu think about that?
- QuinnFan

Krebs looked horrible last season until he played consistently at center. He is not a winger.

Joker and Olo aren't getting any deal done that matters. There are still players on this roster that by simply removing them, adds value. They are 2 of them.

There were quality defensemen available this offseason as well, at this point I would do nothing due to the fact they have publicly stated this is good enough and the available players weren't upgrades.

My plan would be to start sitting players and bringing up the youth, while shopping the league for help. I can't name a player or 2 that could be brought in to fix it quickly.

The team plays soft from top to bottom, always have.
- washedup20

Yes and Yes.

And to point #2, Greenway was not the way to solve that problem. He was just the only guy available on trade day that reflected that problem. It's like calling a 2013 For Escape a Work 4x4 because it's all the dealer at the corner had at the time.

How about admitting that not teaching this team to play team defense is going to be his demise.
And, pointing out the complete lack of awareness defensively in front of their own net is a constant problem for some over the last couple years and continued last night.
Can't have either of those going forward.
- IonSabres

How long have we been talking about it lon ? Young team, that system should have been drilled into there heads by the time preseason started and then you practice it and grow with it. Not start 5 games into the season and hope it works. Preseason is huge for a Young team no matter what. And especially breaking in New Dpairs and a supposed system. Shame they didn't have to give a 100%

Most of the team sucked balls
- Buff36

Dump and chase

Dump and chase

dump and chase

over and over and over again the first half of the game.

Hard to find a rhythm playing this bs.

It is game 1 don't go all doom and gloom

Devils won 4-3 but we're completely outplayed by the wings in the 1st and didn't have their legs and without Hughes and vitek the game would have been over as the devil's didn't seem to have that energy you'd expect

I am sure that once the season gets in a flow the sabres will be better if there is any system put in place and teams don't just play the trap

From the highlights looked like there was little defensive structure and couldn't control the puck to create offense

Dump and chase

Dump and chase

dump and chase

over and over and over again the first half of the game.

Hard to find a rhythm playing this bs.
- DirtyDan

Well against teams that play that system you have to find away to do that and win the battles below the dot. If they want to take your speed away in the middle than adjust and use it by beating them to the puck in the Corner.

Joker and Olo aren't getting any deal done that matters. There are still players on this roster that by simply removing them, adds value. They are 2 of them.

There were quality defensemen available this offseason as well, at this point I would do nothing due to the fact they have publicly stated this is good enough and the available players weren't upgrades.

My plan would be to start sitting players and bringing up the youth, while shopping the league for help. I can't name a player or 2 that could be brought in to fix it quickly.

The team plays soft from top to bottom, always have.
- washedup20

Agreed, was more a take what you can get thing. Joker + Olo still get something.

Who was available though? Jeff Petry wasn't fixing this thing. Karlsson sounds like a pipe dream. Pesce said no. Sorry to do this exercise again, I just don't know that there was some game changing trade available.

Well against teams that play that system you have to find away to do that and win the battles below the dot. If they want to take your speed away in the middle than adjust and use it by beating them to the puck in the Corner.
- Buff36

Also looked a lot like 30 home games from last year.

Agreed, was more a take what you can get thing. Joker + Olo still get something.

Who was available though? Jeff Petry wasn't fixing this thing. Karlsson sounds like a pipe dream. Pesce said no. Sorry to do this exercise again, I just don't know that there was some game changing trade available.
- QuinnFan

I can't wait for the day when we no longer have to care about VO's trade value.

It is game 1 don't go all doom and gloom

Devils won 4-3 but we're completely outplayed by the wings in the 1st and didn't have their legs and without Hughes and vitek the game would have been over as the devil's didn't seem to have that energy you'd expect

I am sure that once the season gets in a flow the sabres will be better if there is any system put in place and teams don't just play the trap

From the highlights looked like there was little defensive structure and couldn't control the puck to create offense
- dmarsden2988

Wise words.

Boss and Ziggy sitting next to each other after this fabulous performance. Nachos just weren't enough.
- Buff36

All yesterday proved to me is we are not going 82-0.

Its one game. Try to control your excitement of them failing.

Well against teams that play that system you have to find away to do that and win the battles below the dot. If they want to take your speed away in the middle than adjust and use it by beating them to the puck in the Corner.
- Buff36

They weren't even trying to use their speed to beat anybody to begin with. You cant play that style if you arent going to skate. Coach has to adapt on the fly and hes shown he cannot do that even marginally.

Look at the PP. cycling on the blueline 20 effing times. Change it tf up. Atleast try to go down low. You arent beating Shesterkin shooting the puck into the defenders skates from 20ft out.

It is game 1 don't go all doom and gloom

Devils won 4-3 but we're completely outplayed by the wings in the 1st and didn't have their legs and without Hughes and vitek the game would have been over as the devil's didn't seem to have that energy you'd expect

I am sure that once the season gets in a flow the sabres will be better if there is any system put in place and teams don't just play the trap

From the highlights looked like there was little defensive structure and couldn't control the puck to create offense
- dmarsden2988

Yeah sure 1 game, but I've seen this show before. Incapable and unwilling. "Oh geez, they squeezed us out and we haven't gotten a shot in 8 minutes. Oh well, at least I get paid".

Yeah sure 1 game, but I've seen this show before. Incapable and unwilling. "Oh geez, they squeezed us out and we haven't gotten a shot in 8 minutes. Oh well, at least I get paid".
- Buffalo--Sabres

I didn't watch the game but in the game highlights I didn't hear tage, sure a player of his caliber can have a game off here and there but you expect him to do more and I am sure will pick up after 1 game, hard to keep top players down for long

Sometimes just needs to find that switch

The devil's weren't doing much and neither was jack and then he scored from behind the goal line by shooting it off goalies back and that brought life to the team, (also had a very silky 2nd goal) but sometimes that's all a team needs to elevate