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.
- washedup20

Can see that too. It's weird, but a little torn. I do think better coaching was worth more than 1 point two years ago, but that may be wishful thinking seeing as the roster did have some holes.

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.
- IonSabres

Agreed, I really like our core moving forward.

Just need to add a couple power forwards types.

I keep hearing pk88’s name mentioned, but he seems like a stretch . Maybe he would like to play for Lindy vs Donnie?

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.
- IonSabres

Indeed. The idea they're so easily frazzled is disconcerting for sure. Confidence is tough though, would better coaching also help with this? I'd assume so, it's just how much that's the question.

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.
- washedup20

Excellent post

Indeed. The idea they're so easily frazzled is disconcerting for sure. Confidence is tough though, would better coaching also help with this? I'd assume so, it's just how much that's the question.
- QuinnFan

Teams take on the personality of the coach

Donnie was mild mannered , same for the push over Sabres

When Lindy was coach, the team had some tougher guys through the line up , although it’s almost 2 different eras ……

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
- Boss34

Quinn will be IMO. Showed it last year(yes small sample). Just needs to stay healthy.

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
- Boss34

Long list of things that went wrong last season. I hate blaming injuries. Every team had them and they really weren't that bad relatively.

Can argue whether the GM or coach were worse, both were bad. Buyout VO, add a decent F, sign anyone other than Johnson, start Levi in Roch...lot of points in the obvious.

This team could never put a win streak together and can't play at home. Blame the leadership, blame the coach...something was wrong that had nothing to do with talent.

The following is from one of the 3 greatest tennis players to walk the earth, and he's often thought of as the most talented tennis player ever.

>>> Most of the time, it's not about having a gift, it's about having grit.

Check the 9 minute mark in the speech.

https://x.com/BastienFach...3WYAND_ioLMAv3uXVwxQ&s=19

Quinn will be IMO. Showed it last year(yes small sample). Just needs to stay healthy.
- DirtyDan

I like Quinn’s game quite a bit , too many freak injuries.

I think Savoie makes the squad out of camp, he’s another guy snake bitten by injuries

Long list of things that went wrong last season. I hate blaming injuries. Every team had them and they really weren't that bad relatively.

Can argue whether the GM or coach were worse, both were bad. Buyout VO, add a decent F, sign anyone other than Johnson, start Levi in Roch...lot of points in the obvious.

This team could never put a win streak together and can't play at home. Blame the leadership, blame the coach...something was wrong that had nothing to do with talent.
- Lunaion

They folded under pressure.
Sounds crazy, but one could tell they felt it during the 1st game, opening ceremony with player introductions... They all looked stressed, not 1 guy came out smiling, relaxed and looking like they were enjoying themselves. They had the classic look of a deer in the headlights, nervous Nelly's.

Donnie's identity changes between seasons... Like the weight of the world was on his shoulders, and he coached like it. The players read it too, IMO

Long list of things that went wrong last season. I hate blaming injuries. Every team had them and they really weren't that bad relatively.

Can argue whether the GM or coach were worse, both were bad. Buyout VO, add a decent F, sign anyone other than Johnson, start Levi in Roch...lot of points in the obvious.

This team could never put a win streak together and can't play at home. Blame the leadership, blame the coach...something was wrong that had nothing to do with talent.
- Lunaion

This is a really good post

I tend to agree the core isn’t the problem.

Jost, olo, Robinson should not have had any role last year and should have been replaced.

I think Lindy grabs this team, gets a hot start and fades come march . Something different, but hopefully they hang on for a playoff spot

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.
- DirtyDan

I’m calling out a severe overvaluation of Tuch.

(I like Tuch I do)

But outside of two years ago year he’s been about a 50 point per year player.

He’s a 2nd line winger. Which is fine that’s what his pay grade is at.

Quinn will be IMO. Showed it last year(yes small sample). Just needs to stay healthy.
- DirtyDan

big if

the guy played 164 games in the last 4 seasons

bubble wrap samuelsson played 195 games during that stretch

I’m calling out a severe overvaluation of Tuch.

(I like Tuch I do)

But outside of two years ago year he’s been about a 50 point per year player.

He’s a 2nd line winger. Which is fine that’s what his pay grade is at.
- ImThatGuy

176 points in 199 games for sabres

Teams take on the personality of the coach

Donnie was mild mannered , same for the push over Sabres

When Lindy was coach, the team had some tougher guys through the line up , although it’s almost 2 different eras ……
- Boss34

Weird, I'm with you but also have some reticence to say this will be that different under Ruff. While I think you're right, the coach can dictate the team's level of tenacity, I also don't see any Jay McKees or Rob Rays on this team. Some is the team, some is the building blocks (players) they're given to work with...fair?

176 points in 199 games for sabres
- homiedclown

Exactly.

^^that's not 2RW production

He just isn't an elite 1RW. He'll never be Pasta or Kuch.

Exactly.

^^that's not 2RW production

He just isn't an elite 1RW. He'll never be Pasta or Kuch.
- QuinnFan

he is a good enough first line winger to win a cup though IMO

he is a good enough first line winger to win a cup though IMO
- homiedclown

Seems true to me. He has very similar production to guys like Hyman and RNH (outside one season where he freaked out). And that's without having McDavid distributing those tap ins. I'd argue he and Verhague/Reinhart are on pretty similar footing, just with a better center in Barkov.

This is a really good post

I tend to agree the core isn’t the problem.

Jost, olo, Robinson should not have had any role last year and should have been replaced.

I think Lindy grabs this team, gets a hot start and fades come march . Something different, but hopefully they hang on for a playoff spot
- Boss34

Jost was a waiver claim. Robinson cleared waivers before they traded for him. When you're adding this quality of player to your team in November, something is very wrong. They both filled needs they failed to address in the offseason. That's on the GM. The fact that they stepped into the lineup and looked better than a few of the regulars is insulting.

Jost was a waiver claim. Robinson cleared waivers before they traded for him. When you' adding this quality of player to your team in November, something is very wrong. They both filled needs they failed to address in the offseason. That's on the GM. The fact that they stepped into the lineup and looked better than a few of the regulars is insulting.
- Lunaion

Good Post

Jost was a waiver claim. Robinson cleared waivers before they traded for him. When you' adding this quality of player to your team in November, something is very wrong. They both filled needs they failed to address in the offseason. That's on the GM. The fact that they stepped into the lineup and looked better than a few of the regulars is insulting.
- Lunaion

Jost was a waiver claim. Robinson cleared waivers before they traded for him. When you're adding this quality of player to your team in November, something is very wrong. They both filled needs they failed to address in the offseason. That's on the GM. The fact that they stepped into the lineup and looked better than a few of the regulars is insulting.
- Lunaion

It's why Adams saying he isn't looking for vets is encouraging. If this was last year, we would've already gotten a Laughton trade ( ) and would be talking about Girgs new extension. He knows this is his last shot at it, so I do expect him to make some changes here.

@LLysowski
·
1h
Former Miami (Ohio) and Bowling Green men's hockey coach Chris Bergeron has joined the Sabres as a scout.

He'll evaluate NCAA players and college free agents

big if

the guy played 164 games in the last 4 seasons

bubble wrap samuelsson played 195 games during that stretch
- homiedclown

When he plays he a difference maker though. Just needs to stay healthy. I beg of him.

@LLysowski
·
1h
Former Miami (Ohio) and Bowling Green men's hockey coach Chris Bergeron has joined the Sabres as a scout.

He'll evaluate NCAA players and college free agents
- Lunaion

Do we have more scouts than security yet?