I think both are achievable, perhaps mine is more of a stretch goal... It is aggressive.

I believe in setting high, but attainable goals and getting off to a fast start to build momentum and a cushion to absorb the downturn in tougher stretches of the season.

Success is contagious, and so is failure. They lived through failure last year, it cost guys their jobs/positions.

If anything, the boys need to come out of the shoot starting game 1. While the Top 6 and Top 4 are the meat and potato's... I sense the bottom 6 is going to provide that energy game in and game out that helps charge the Top line/pairing guys.

Sure would love to see a viable 2LW emerge ... Either via trade or from within.
- IonSabres

Asking them to be top 5 in goals against in the league does not seem achievable to be based on their roster.

Excellent post , appreciate the information

I had skinner playing the 3rd line, although he played mostly top 6 minutes

One of the lines is gonna miss his scoring imo
- Boss34

The last sentence is the ultimate point.

Without Skinner's season long production last year, they're short roughly 40 goals to get to 260 as a team.

If they allow the same as last season (240), scoring 260 would make them plus 20 and a likely playoff team.

I'm not sure they can find the 40 goals they need, and I'm not sure how many less they'll allow.

They could be an even differential team again, which would likely mean no playoffs, again.

The fact that his contract is 1/3 of what we were due to pay him, backs the decision imo

If he signed again for big $, it would have reflexed losing a strong player. I’m over skinner. Big non winner
- Boss34

2/3.

Asking them to be top 5 in goals against in the league does not seem achievable to be based on their roster.
- kingcong39

They were 3rd in 22-23

Skinner-Thompson-Tuch
Peterka-Cozens-Quinn
Mitts-Jost-Olofsson
Girgensons-Krebs-Okposo

Dahlin-Samuelsson
Power-Joker
Dumper-Fire
Sludge






Edit: They were 3rd in GF. My reading is ass.

Asking them to be top 5 in goals against in the league does not seem achievable to be based on their roster.
- kingcong39

Try this again. How good is our goalie trio, and how good is the support we just purchased in front of them? That's how good our GA will be.

Puckpedia needs comments so (frank)ing bad. There are some drug addled offers being made and no one is getting a tongue lashing for them.

They said they're working on accounts and comments.

Try this again. How good is our goalie trio, and how good is the support we just purchased in front of them? That's how good our GA will be.
- TheSabresTaco

despite what many think and say, I do not think our d core is very good in their own end, probably our weakest part of the team

The last sentence is the ultimate point.

Without Skinner's season long production last year, they're short roughly 40 goals to get to 260 as a team.

If they allow the same as last season (240), scoring 260 would make them plus 20 and a likely playoff team.

I'm not sure they can find the 40 goals they need, and I'm not sure how many less they'll allow.

They could be an even differential team again, which would likely mean no playoffs, again.
- kingcong39

Is the top line less productive without him this year? Some of that production is just going to picked up who whoever gets the 1st line + 1st PP opportunity. Let's face it, the 1st line + 1st PP were bad last year.

Try this again. How good is our goalie trio, and how good is the support we just purchased in front of them? That's how good our GA will be.
- TheSabresTaco

Jeez, we should be better by not having Levi and Comrie be our starters for the first 7 games of the year again.

despite what many think and say, I do not think our d core is very good in their own end, probably our weakest part of the team
- homiedclown

i dont actually think many people disagree with you.

https://www.audacy.com/wg...g-injuries-are-behind-him


"Topias Leinonen was the top goaltender taken in that draft class. I remember after the draft, the Sabres said he really was the best player available, because he was the highest player on their board."

https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/sabres/leinonen-hoping-injuries-are-behind-him


"Topias Leinonen was the top goaltender taken in that draft class. I remember after the draft, the Sabres said he really was the best player available, because he was the highest player on their board."
- homiedclown

https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/sabres/leinonen-hoping-injuries-are-behind-him


"Topias Leinonen was the top goaltender taken in that draft class. I remember after the draft, the Sabres said he really was the best player available, because he was the highest player on their board."
- homiedclown

I would love to hear them go into that. I think it was the talent projection based on the physical attributes, but, man... I dunno.

Is the top line less productive without him this year? Some of that production is just going to picked up who whoever gets the 1st line + 1st PP opportunity. Let's face it, the 1st line + 1st PP were bad last year.
- Lunaion

They need 40 goals based on subtracting Skinner, and based on the production last season from the 13 forwards on the roster as of today.

The 40 goals would get them to 260 scored as a team.

Where are those added 40 goals coming from based on last year's per player production?

I think they can find 20, and maybe even 30, but without a top 6 addition, 40 feels like a stretch.

despite what many think and say, I do not think our d core is very good in their own end, probably our weakest part of the team
- homiedclown

They completely sucked in front of, next to and behind their own net. For sure... And they allowed far to many HDCA's.

Learning and executing on the defensive basics would go a long way toward cleaning it up.
-Tie-up opposition sticks,
- stop chasing the puck and leaving the front uncovered,
-be positionally sound and cut off passing lanes,
-force shots from outside.

JC, is it that friggin hard guys?

August 3rd. I know the future.
- TheSabresTaco

Better.

They need 40 goals based on subtracting Skinner, and based on the production last season from the 13 forwards on the roster as of today.

The 40 goals would get them to 260 scored as a team.

Where are those added 40 goals coming from based on last year's per player production?

I think they can find 20, and maybe even 30, but without a top 6 addition, 40 feels like a stretch.
- kingcong39

Play sound D in front of their net, apply puck pressure quickly to cause turnovers, focus on elimination of HDCA's.... Cut GA by 15 - 20% seems very achievable to me rather than solely trying to find 40Gs

I would love to hear them go into that. I think it was the talent projection based on the physical attributes, but, man... I dunno.
- TheSabresTaco

I mean the sabres brass never lies

right?

They need 40 goals based on subtracting Skinner, and based on the production last season from the 13 forwards on the roster as of today.

The 40 goals would get them to 260 scored as a team.

Where are those added 40 goals coming from based on last year's per player production?

I think they can find 20, and maybe even 30, but without a top 6 addition, 40 feels like a stretch.
- kingcong39

Where are you getting 40 from? Skinner had 16 at even strength.

What does a replacement level player put up, with a 1st line opportunity?

Better.
- QuinnFan

Yes, but ...
What Time Taco??

I'd give it a C+ so far. Improved significantly from the previous D-, but certainly room for improvement.

I have faith you can get there.

Where are you getting 40 from? Skinner had 16 at even strength.

What does a replacement level player put up, with a 1st line opportunity?
- Lunaion

he never said even strength

"They need 40 goals based on subtracting Skinner, and based on the production last season from the 13 forwards on the roster as of today."

Yes, but ...
What Time Taco??

I'd give it a C+ so far. Improved significantly from the previous D-, but certainly room for improvement.

I have faith you can get there.
- IonSabres

*Better, not best

I mean the sabres brass never lies

right?



- homiedclown

welp, they always take BPA until they're in the later rounds. them saying he was bpa in a weak goalie class is probably true. they clearly value restocking the goalie pipeline. so not sure if he was actually the bpa or just highest on their board. my guess is the latter.