Nice to see the coaching staff going back to the system that had the Sabres finish 1 point out last season

Despite the same idiot calling for a defensive system upgrade all summer.
- Boss34

Sabres on December 22, 2022...one year ago after 32 games, held a record of 16-14-2 for 34 points. 127 GF, 109 GA

This season after 32 games on 12-16-2023 they stand at 13-16-3 for 29 pts... 5 points behind last seasons results. 90 GF, 105 GA. As we stand today, 12-23-2023 they are 15th in GF and 29th in GA

Sabres remind me of the Lightning Team that lost 4-0 in PO's by playing wide-open pond hockey before winning 2 straight SC's and playing in a 3rd the next season after having committed to, learning about, and solidly implementing a defensively sound system.
Same can be said for the team that wrestled the final PO spot last season and playing the the SC Finals after committing to, learning about and implementing a sound defensive system needing months of struggle in doing so.

The Sabres could do well with continued focus on implementing a sound defensive system like those two teams did. Moving up from 29th to say 10th in GA while also remembering what got them to be the 3rd highest scoring team last season like: using their team speed, getting pucks on net, going into the dirty areas and stop over passing - - - that is what is needed.

He is not in the top 50:

https://www.quanthockey.c...nts-per-game-leaders.html
- washedup20

Do you know how to read? Thats all time since the league started. I said 15 years.

sheesh

Bedard and Benson probably had the two best WHL draft age season this decade.

I still have no idea how Benson wasn’t a slam dunk top 5 pick in this last draft.

Hilarious he landed to our pick and it took 10 minutes for several GM’s to have egg on their face

He is not in the top 50:

https://www.quanthockey.c...nts-per-game-leaders.html
- washedup20

Actually his PPG average this year puts him at 5th overall in the WHL

If you averaged it out over a full WHL season the only person to outscore at this pace is?

Connor Bedard.
- sabresfan69

Yep, and like I have been saying for a bit. Sabres need to decide who fits and who doesn't pretty soon with some of these prospects before they lose they luster and I am not just talking Savoie. Sabres have a plethora of assets and a lot of long term contracts signed already. They need to use some to get the other pieces they don't have in the system to finish there team. They have way more decent prospects than room and they will ever touch the ice as a Sabre.

Doesn't that make the idiot Donnie? That seems a little harsh for you. It's Christmas.
- Lunaion

Merry Christmas 🎁

Do you know how to read? Thats all time since the league started. I said 15 years.

sheesh
- sabresfan69

Sweet bro, sick stat

Especially in the WHL. Kong is wrong on this one.

Savoie's PPG average is probably top 5-10 in the last 15 years.
- sabresfan69

Where would this guy be on the list?

https://www.eliteprospect...layer/571034/conor-geekie

Sweet bro, sick stat
- washedup20

Its not really about the stat and more about your inability to read.

He has the best PPG in the league this year and the only player in the last 3 years to outscore at that pace is Connor Bedard.

Sorry for your loss.

What would that trade look like? They have a lot of long term money committed and are apparently still on a budget. That doesn't leave much room to manuver next summer.
- Lunaion

They won't do it, at least based on all evidence to date, but something like Kulich for Andersson.

Its not really about the stat and more about your inability to read.

He has the best PPG in the league this year and the only player in the last 3 years to outscore at that pace is Connor Bedard.

Sorry for your loss.
- sabresfan69

That’s sick, so much potential.

Where would this guy be on the list?

https://www.eliteprospect...layer/571034/conor-geekie
- kingcong39

Savoie 2.18 PPG
Geekie 1.88 PPG

Geekie is probably exceeding expectations since he wasn't drafted as a high end scorer like Savoie but its not really up there with Savoie.

That’s sick, so much potential.
- washedup20

Is that you Fitz?

Is that you Fitz?
- sabresfan69

Yes, man you’re so smart.

They won't do it, at least based on all evidence to date, but something like Kulich for Andersson.
- kingcong39

Even if they could pull that off. Real question if they can add that money, without moving some out. Maybe if Mitts + Joker were also part of it.

Where would this guy be on the list?

https://www.eliteprospect...layer/571034/conor-geekie
- kingcong39

https://www.quanthockey.c...eason-by-whl-players.html

If you used the points in a season instead of a career, seeing how that's what people are talking about. Geekie would be in the top 20 since 2000-01 season, Savoie would be #2. But there's a lot of games left in the season.

Speak of the devil.

“ Matt Savoie is a Buffalo Sabre first rounder (9th overall in 2022)..turns 20 on January 1.
Sabres have so much high end offensive talent in their system.

https://x.com/buccigross/...&t=6ozfhCixhusrXmBzHaC8-Q “

Speak of the devil.

“ Matt Savoie is a Buffalo Sabre first rounder (9th overall in 2022)..turns 20 on January 1.
Sabres have so much high end offensive talent in their system.

https://x.com/buccigross/...&t=6ozfhCixhusrXmBzHaC8-Q “
- Swedish_Jesus

Who is team Captain at the Juniors? Did they announce it?

Speak of the devil.

“ Matt Savoie is a Buffalo Sabre first rounder (9th overall in 2022)..turns 20 on January 1.
Sabres have so much high end offensive talent in their system.

https://x.com/buccigross/...&t=6ozfhCixhusrXmBzHaC8-Q “
- Swedish_Jesus

I'd still trade him, especially if he tears up the World Jrs. Benson has made him expendable. Samuelsson would be on the trade board too, not for his play but for his Bogosian like injury problems.

Where would this guy be on the list?

https://www.eliteprospect...layer/571034/conor-geekie
- kingcong39

Well, he would be 7 points behind Savoie if both played 26 games at their current ppg pace.

Actually no he isn't. Savoie is producing at a higher rate in a low scoring WHL.

Savoie scoring 2 points a game in the WHL his very rare. his point per game average is best in 15 years.

This isn't the QMJHL.
- sabresfan69

Appreciate the clarification 🙏

I'd still trade him, especially if he tears up the World Jrs. Benson has made him expendable. Samuelsson would be on the trade board too, not for his play but for his Bogosian like injury problems.
- Wanchuk

Best reason to trade Samuelsson is so Donnie can't partner him with Dalhin every night. A Moneyball move.

Appreciate the clarification 🙏
- kingcong39

If it interests you here is this site. If Savoie played a full season he would be leading the league.

Its impressive at 2.18 and would be the league's leading scorer but I actually think Geekie's stats are more impressive than Savoie's. Geekie has made huge strides.
https://www.quanthockey.c...y-active-whl-players.html

https://theahl.com/stats/...er/9930/81/nikita-novikov
Having a nice year

If I told you Dalton Kincaid has 61 receptions would you think it was true ?