I agree. Only need the 4th line not to be worst than they have been. Team success will be driven by the top 9 F, top 4 D, and goalies (hope Coaching helps them improve).
- BuffaloHerd

That's the hope. I know Ruff will be better than Granato, it's just to what degree. We should have as good or a better PK. With some decent coaching, the PP should get back to at least the middle of the pack. Those two things will help drive us upwards, I just worry there's not enough scoring here to pick up Skinner's loss.

Funny how that can change in the Playoffs and 3rd and 4th lines contribute a bit more
- Buff36

Probably because the way teams play changes in the playoffs, switch to tight checking and physical which significantly limits the space for the pretty skilled goal scoring. Goals are more rebounds, deflections, and everyone hacking away at the puck when its in the crease. This style of play tends to align with the skill set of 3rd and 4th lines and not all of the 1st and 2nd line skill guys are willing to play that way.

I mean its literally impossible... I get its fiction but gawd damn did any of those women take a science class ?
- DirtyDan

Women didnt write it

AI did

Isn't he still in the Transfer portal
- Buff36

That's not a thing anymore. There is no limbo.

That's the hope. I know Ruff will be better than Granato, it's just to what degree. We should have as good or a better PK. With some decent coaching, the PP should get back to at least the middle of the pack. Those two things will help drive us upwards, I just worry there's not enough scoring here to pick up Skinner's loss.
- QuinnFan

Any worry that the PP is a talent issue and not a coaching issue? Teams know how to pressure Dahlin and stop them from feeding Tage.

Probably because the way teams play changes in the playoffs, switch to tight checking and physical which significantly limits the space for the pretty skilled goal scoring. Goals are more rebounds, deflections, and everyone hacking away at the puck when its in the crease. This style of play tends to align with the skill set of 3rd and 4th lines and not all of the 1st and 2nd line skill guys are willing to play that way.
- BuffaloHerd

While everyone should agree that playoffs become more chippy/physical, it's still the pretty, skilled scorers getting the job done. They're just less efficient usually.

https://www.quanthockey.c...layers-playoff-stats.html

This list is comprised almost entirely of top6 players.

Any worry that the PP is a talent issue and not a coaching issue? Teams know how to pressure Dahlin and stop them from feeding Tage.
- Lunaion

It's not a talent issue.

no one is going to convince me the (frank)ing red wings have a more pure talented unit than Buffalo.

The 4th line goal production is not all that relevant. Good teams are not relying on their 4th line scoring goals. I would just like the 4th line to be an energy line rather than what's it been in the past.
- BuffaloHerd

Agreed, but the 4th line as well as other lines is gonna have to make up skinner’s points/scoring

It’s great if the energize the crowd, but they need to not have a drop off from last season imo

not to mention the Sabres were 9th with lesser developed players in 22-23.

Any worry that the PP is a talent issue and not a coaching issue? Teams know how to pressure Dahlin and stop them from feeding Tage.
- Lunaion

Not much tbh. Dahlin has a shot, Quinn/Cozo can score from the other dot. We started being so predictable, allowing other teams to cheat a guy to Tage's side and a ton of blocks happened because of it.

While I don't think we have a top5 unit or anything like that, I would bet money there'll be a substantive improvement to conversion rate.

They need to feed that other side until teams have to play us honestly. Then Tage will start getting his again. I also though Tage was too low and wide last year. All those things are correctable and I'm hopeful Ruff can see that.

Any worry that the PP is a talent issue and not a coaching issue? Teams know how to pressure Dahlin and stop them from feeding Tage.
- Lunaion

I’m not worried about the pp, plenty of nhl shooters and talent

Dahlin being indecisive and passing it way too much bothers me. He needs to be more astute.

That's the hope. I know Ruff will be better than Granato, it's just to what degree. We should have as good or a better PK. With some decent coaching, the PP should get back to at least the middle of the pack. Those two things will help drive us upwards, I just worry there's not enough scoring here to pick up Skinner's loss.
- QuinnFan

Yeah, the Skinner buyout is a real head scratcher. Did they have a plan for a replacement and just failed at it or do they really think Zucker is a good replacement? Either way the buyout does not look good if nothing else is brought in.

All in the name of making white guys mad


$180millions in the garbage
- DirtyDan

I wouldn’t say straight white men mad. I would say just Star Wars fans in general mad.

The fans that like what George Lucas did and how they disrespected him and what he built.

That's not a thing anymore. There is no limbo.
- TheSabresTaco

Sure, but doesn't he have to get the green light before a certain time.

not to mention the Sabres were 9th with lesser developed players in 22-23.
- TheSabresTaco

As always though, the 2nd unit leaves a lot to be desired. This is probably it:

Zucker McLeod Quinn
Power Byram

Yeah, the Skinner buyout is a real head scratcher. Did they have a plan for a replacement and just failed at it or do they really think Zucker is a good replacement? Either way the buyout does not look good if nothing else is brought in.
- BuffaloHerd

100%. If we go into the year this far under the cap we'll know that it was done to save T-Pegs money. That's a horrible look for the franchise.

It's not a talent issue.

no one is going to convince me the (frank)ing red wings have a more pure talented unit than Buffalo.
- TheSabresTaco

PP isn't really about pure talent.

Any worry that the PP is a talent issue and not a coaching issue? Teams know how to pressure Dahlin and stop them from feeding Tage.
- Lunaion

Yup, you are correct. Stop tages one timer and you stop the PP.

It happens toward the 2nd half of 2 years ago season.

Granato forced the same PP all year. Matt Ellis didn’t have any control of that.


Hopefully it improves. Tage cozens and tuchs point totals were down due to mainly not playing great but also no pp points

Not much tbh. Dahlin has a shot, Quinn/Cozo can score from the other dot. We started being so predictable, allowing other teams to cheat a guy to Tage's side and a ton of blocks happened because of it.

While I don't think we have a top5 unit or anything like that, I would bet money there'll be a substantive improvement to conversion rate.

They need to feed that other side until teams have to play us honestly. Then Tage will start getting his again. I also though Tage was too low and wide last year. All those things are correctable and I'm hopeful Ruff can see that.
- QuinnFan

Motion, keep the feet moving, quick passing and someone has to set up in Front

Motion, keep the feet moving, quick passing and someone has to set up in Front
- Buff36

I am hoping Byram gets to teach the rest a class on this. When he first came here, both on the PP and 5v5, he was doing this. It stopped after a half dozen games. They're going to be a fast team, so you're spot on here...keep moving, gain separation and then make a mf play.

Sabres PK was pretty good last year, once Girgensons and Okposo started playing less. Think they were 13th in PK

Not much tbh. Dahlin has a shot, Quinn/Cozo can score from the other dot. We started being so predictable, allowing other teams to cheat a guy to Tage's side and a ton of blocks happened because of it.

While I don't think we have a top5 unit or anything like that, I would bet money there'll be a substantive improvement to conversion rate.

They need to feed that other side until teams have to play us honestly. Then Tage will start getting his again. I also though Tage was too low and wide last year. All those things are correctable and I'm hopeful Ruff can see that.
- QuinnFan

You keep mentioning perimeter stuff. I think the league as a whole has adjusted to that and higher pressure PK's are the standard. The trend is now beating that down low. Something I'm not sure they have the guys for.

Sabres PK was pretty good last year, once Girgensons and Okposo started playing less. Think they were 13th in PK
- Buff36

With all these defensive forwards, is it wishful thinking to expect a top8 PK?

PP isn't really about pure talent.
- Lunaion

Helps, but spot on

Sure, but doesn't he have to get the green light before a certain time.
- Buff36

No. It's like the same thing as free agency. Sign your deal with the school and that's that.