I'd take Tampa's run.
- IonSabres

Ionlightning

I was thinking about this -

There are no "dynasty" teams in the NHL anymore.

No more 2000's Wings/Pens/Blackhawks etc.

Most teams get 1-2 realistic cracks at the cup.

We've been sold this total line of BS a sustainable window of contention for years that in reality doesnt exist
- sbroads24

Tampa Bay came close but modern sports in general doesn’t have one, and no, it isn’t GS Warriors, either.

JJP - Tage - Kane
Skinner - Duchane - Tuch
Benson - Cozens - Quinn
Joshua - Krebs - Greenway

Power - Dahlin
Bryan - Tanev
Sammy - Cliffy

UPL
Levi

That's a Playoff Team for sure.

- IonSabres[/img]

Just adding 4 guys and we’re in the playoffs?

An older 1st line guy
An older 2nd line guy
A 4th line plugger
And a 2nd pairing defender

Good post, hopefully Lindy makes up for some of the bad coaching as well

Just adding 4 guys and we’re in the playoffs?

An older 1st line guy
An older 2nd line guy
A 4th line plugger
And a 2nd pairing defender

Good post, hopefully Lindy makes up for some of the bad coaching as well
- Boss34

Out of curiosity:

I'm of the mind we would make the playoffs with a good coach. I'm not sure Lindy is great, but he is good. What do we think of this though? We all want additions to hedge bets, but would last year's or the year prior's team have made it with competent coaching?

Out of curiosity:

I'm of the mind we would make the playoffs with a good coach. I'm not sure Lindy is great, but he is good. What do we think of this though? We all want additions to hedge bets, but would last year's or the year prior's team have made it with competent coaching?
- QuinnFan

there isn't an objective answer, but the team has enough top end talent to get in. I've always maintained that. Problem is (one of) your bottom 6(ish) was useless, and that's on Kevyn. They either need to be potting points or preventing points, and they really didn't do enough of either. On top of that, they were soft as a group. Kevyn's identified that, and that's step 1 in The Program.

If you're going to pay people to build a house, make sure they're not landscapers.

there isn't an objective answer, but the team has enough top end talent to get in. I've always maintained that. Problem is (one of) your bottom 6(ish) was useless, and that's on Kevyn. They either need to be potting points or preventing points, and they really didn't do enough of either. On top of that, they were soft as a group. Kevyn's identified that, and that's step 1 in The Program.

If you're going to pay people to build a house, make sure they're not landscapers.
- TheSabresTaco

Adams 'identified' it halfway through 22-23 and brought in an ahl defender who got knocked out. Then he brought the band back in the offseason and called out his 22 year old center publicly for saying the same poop that adams said about the roster the previous season

He doesn't deserve to still have his job and if he (frank)s this offseason up who knows how they move forward

Out of curiosity:

I'm of the mind we would make the playoffs with a good coach. I'm not sure Lindy is great, but he is good. What do we think of this though? We all want additions to hedge bets, but would last year's or the year prior's team have made it with competent coaching?
- QuinnFan

I really like Lindy so I’m probably not impartial.

I’m just thinking he’s a top 10-20 nhl coach, not 30-32 like Donnie.

He’s a proven nhl guy that commands respect

Teams usually get a boost from a coaching change as well

Adams 'identified' it halfway through 22-23 and brought in an ahl defender who got knocked out. Then he brought the band back in the offseason and called out his 22 year old center publicly for saying the same poop that adams said about the roster the previous season

He doesn't deserve to still have his job and if he (frank)s this offseason up who knows how they move forward
- ieetbred

be that as it may, EF and Marek speculate that this is it. (frank) this up and it's another blood letting.

Lol no, I tend to get a little crazy...

Draisaitl and Duchene both on the team really balances the roster.
- QuinnFan

Lol.

I really would love for them to get Duchane myself!

Ionlightning
- Boss34

Ya, going to be a tough ride for the next 4-5 years for the Bolts.
Oh well, it was a fun ride... Hopefully BriseBois can work some magic.

Just adding 4 guys and we’re in the playoffs?

An older 1st line guy
An older 2nd line guy
A 4th line plugger
And a 2nd pairing defender

Good post, hopefully Lindy makes up for some of the bad coaching as well
- Boss34

They need for their Core to get their collective poop together... Tage, Tuch Cozens all need to bounce back and JJP, Quinn and Benson news to take their next steps.

be that as it may, EF and Marek speculate that this is it. (frank) this up and it's another blood letting.
- TheSabresTaco

Out of curiosity:

I'm of the mind we would make the playoffs with a good coach. I'm not sure Lindy is great, but he is good. What do we think of this though? We all want additions to hedge bets, but would last year's or the year prior's team have made it with competent coaching?
- QuinnFan

The roster is weak, even with the talent on it. Mentally and physically weak, rendering their talent practically useless.

A good coach might improve the mental barrier, the GM needs to address the physical deficiencies of the group. Solving only one is not enough for this group.

Out of curiosity:

I'm of the mind we would make the playoffs with a good coach. I'm not sure Lindy is great, but he is good. What do we think of this though? We all want additions to hedge bets, but would last year's or the year prior's team have made it with competent coaching?
- QuinnFan

They would no doubt be better. pO'? Maybe.
I'm more disappointed in the young core that apparently is pretty fragile mentally.
That just doesn't scream "Gamer" to me, rather a bunch of passengers mentally needing to be lead by the nose.
Very concerning to me.

I really like Lindy so I’m probably not impartial.

I’m just thinking he’s a top 10-20 nhl coach, not 30-32 like Donnie.

He’s a proven nhl guy that commands respect

Teams usually get a boost from a coaching change as well
- Boss34

Don Meatball was the second coming of Levi last summer, the prospect whisperer...

"Granato introduced an up-tempo attack and calmed his young players by insisting they play without fear of making mistakes."

https://www.nbcsports.com...anato-to-2-year-extension

In reality, the hope is Lindy continues the up-tempo (ideally for the full 60 minutes) while adding accountability. How does that impact this group that crumbles at the first sign of adversity...that's a big question, I don't know what to expect.

Krueger tried to hold Skinner accountable but was a bad coach.

In essence Adams is hoping Ruff is an experienced version of a Kreuger/Granato combo.

I think we underestimate how valuable these jobs are because we loathe this organization.

https://x.com/MatthewFair...g8SKdKK63fLrZD_a6oxQ&s=19

I think we underestimate how valuable these jobs are because we loathe this organization.

https://x.com/MatthewFair...g8SKdKK63fLrZD_a6oxQ&s=19
- TheSabresTaco

Seems like 3/4 of the players loathe the Sabres also.

I think we underestimate how valuable these jobs are because we loathe this organization.

https://x.com/MatthewFair...g8SKdKK63fLrZD_a6oxQ&s=19
- TheSabresTaco

Control f “NTDP” - send offer letter…mark all read.

Just adding 4 guys and we’re in the playoffs?

An older 1st line guy
An older 2nd line guy
A 4th line plugger
And a 2nd pairing defender

Good post, hopefully Lindy makes up for some of the bad coaching as well
- Boss34

Should have been a playoff team the last 2 years. Shouldn't take any significant change to make the playoffs. They should still try to improve this offseason and not just bank on development again.

there isn't an objective answer, but the team has enough top end talent to get in. I've always maintained that. Problem is (one of) your bottom 6(ish) was useless, and that's on Kevyn. They either need to be potting points or preventing points, and they really didn't do enough of either. On top of that, they were soft as a group. Kevyn's identified that, and that's step 1 in The Program.

If you're going to pay people to build a house, make sure they're not landscapers.
- TheSabresTaco

The top end talent let them down last season. Hard to look beyond that. First thing Lindy needs to do on the ice is figure out who his top line is.

The top end talent let them down last season. Hard to look beyond that. First thing Lindy needs to do on the ice is figure out who his top line is.
- Lunaion

Last 3 seasons for the top line:

Tage:

- 68
- 94
- 56

Skinner:

- 63
- 82
- 46

Tuch:

- 38 (55gp)
- 79
- 59

Skinner regressed the most, he was the only one taken off the top line though. IMO they played to their career averages last season...the career year the core had skewed expectations.

Last 3 seasons for the top line:

Tage:

- 68
- 94
- 56

Skinner:

- 63
- 82
- 46

Tuch:

- 38 (55gp)
- 79
- 59

Skinner regressed the most, he was the only one taken off the top line though. IMO they played to their career averages last season...the career year the core had skewed expectations.
- washedup20

Tage and Tuch are closer to ppg players without injury. Tage especially. Tuch should be a consistent 70pt player if healthy.

Skinners to inconsistent and to much of a liability to play first line anymore IMO.

Seems like 3/4 of the players loathe the Sabres also.
- Buff36

KA searching...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhESD3cU4GU

Should have been a playoff team the last 2 years. Shouldn't take any significant change to make the playoffs. They should still try to improve this offseason and not just bank on development again.
- Lunaion

What held the Sabres back from the playoffs if the roster was adequate?

Management/ ownership …….

Injuries as well to tage and tuch


I still hold out hope the Quinn and Samuelson will become key contributors moving forward

there isn't an objective answer, but the team has enough top end talent to get in. I've always maintained that. Problem is (one of) your bottom 6(ish) was useless, and that's on Kevyn. They either need to be potting points or preventing points, and they really didn't do enough of either. On top of that, they were soft as a group. Kevyn's identified that, and that's step 1 in The Program.

If you're going to pay people to build a house, make sure they're not landscapers.
- TheSabresTaco

Completely fair.