To sum this up, the 3rd line last year of Mittelstadt, Greenway and Benson produced a total of 35 goals.

Sub in McLeod for Mittelstadt in that trio and you're looking at a goal loss of 2 whole goals.

The 4th line of Krebs, Kyle and Zemgus produced 24 goals.

The new 4th line of NAK, Lafferty and Malenstyn produced 25 goals.

The season once again hinges on the top 6 and Dahlin producing goals, but I'm not seeing this expected drop-off from the bottom 2 lines.
- kingcong39

It is actually sub in McLeod + Byram for Mitts (because if we kept Mitts we don't have Byram).

Ahh, makes sense.

Well then, since they traded a 2nd to acquire him, go with the 3 x$1.75m. Stop wasting valuable boat time.
- IonSabres

It makes sense, for the Sabres. If he doesn't want to be in Buffalo, that's his easy way out. That would suck after the gross overpay.

It is actually sub in McLeod + Byram for Mitts (because if we kept Mitts we don't have Byram).
- BuffaloHerd

Well after his 3rd game we didn't have Byram either basically till like the Las 2 games. Kinda disappeared

It makes sense, for the Sabres. If he doesn't want to be in Buffalo, that's his easy way out. That would suck after the gross overpay.
- Lunaion

We shall see.
I like his profile for the Sabres while in the state they are in.
A 26/27 YO 4th liner with 1 year and high salary demands, no matter the reasons may be deemed a problem child in the league. $1.75 - isn't chump change...take the money and run...$5.25m..that is what a decent Agent should tell him.

Well after his 3rd game we didn't have Byram either basically till like the Las 2 games. Kinda disappeared
- Buff36

Well it appears its would have been Mitts and Bryson playing if we did't trade Mitts. So those loss of goals associated with sub'ing McLeod for Mitts are replenished by sub'ing Byram for Bryson. Just saying its really nothing, the only real question is how many goals will the new 2LW have compared to Skinner. The 3rd and 4th lines will likely be similar to last season.

Well it appears its would have been Mitts and Bryson playing if we did't trade Mitts. So those loss of goals associated with sub'ing McLeod for Mitts are replenished by sub'ing Byram for Bryson. Just saying its really nothing, the only real question is how many goals will the new 2LW have compared to Skinner. The 3rd and 4th lines will likely be similar to last season.
- BuffaloHerd

We shall see, really depends on Ruff and his deployment and how the Team adapts.

Well it appears its would have been Mitts and Bryson playing if we did't trade Mitts. So those loss of goals associated with sub'ing McLeod for Mitts are replenished by sub'ing Byram for Bryson. Just saying its really nothing, the only real question is how many goals will the new 2LW have compared to Skinner. The 3rd and 4th lines will likely be similar to last season.
- BuffaloHerd

If, after all these moves, the team is the same as last season, then it has been a massive fail.

Fire Adams, move the team, then sell it.

We shall see, really depends on Ruff and his deployment and how the Team adapts.
- Buff36

- washedup20

You must first dial "1" then the area code and 7 digit phone number.

If they know a 1 was needed, why not program the GD thing to insert it as necessary.
Fvckin bumholes

You must first dial "1" then the area code and 7 digit phone number.

If they know a 1 was needed, why not program the GD thing to insert it as necessary.
Fvckin bumholes
- IonSabres

Really? The "1" is not required for local calls, it's was to designate that a different area code was being applied to the 7 digit phone number.

https://www.audacy.com/wg...playing-at-michigan-state
Hopefully he takes another step in his development in School this Year. We could use it

Really? The "1" is not required for local calls, it's was to designate that a different area code was being applied to the 7 digit phone number.
- BuffaloHerd

Lol.
Really!!? I had no idea.
Thanks for the explanation.

How Do The Sabres Matchup Against Detroit?

https://thehockeynews.com...s-matchup-against-detroit

Early Bold Predictions for Every NHL Team Next Season

https://bleacherreport.co...very-nhl-team-next-season

Early Bold Predictions for Every NHL Team Next Season

https://bleacherreport.co...very-nhl-team-next-season
- BuffaloHerd

Gotta have him earn top 4 minutes this season. Hopefully the staff can help elevate his game vs forcing him to play a neutered style.

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

Trying to keep it simple: The Sabres as a team scored 244 goals and allowed 243.

Essentially an even team, which is a non playoff team.

Took a look around the league, and generally, being plus 20 goals for compared to goals against gets you a playoff spot.

Can they reduce their goals against?

Maybe, but I would not count on that.

Can they get to around league average for goals scored, which would be the low 260's?

The current roster, as of today, produced 220 goals last season.

That's where the 40 more goals is coming from, and half of that is coming from Jeff Skinner being bought out.

Can the current roster find 40 more goals scored, factoring in the same goals allowed?

If they allow 15 less goals as Ion has suggested, that make them a near top 5 goals allowed team.

This roster does not look like a top 5 defensive team in the league.

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

Tage and Tuch had 18 and 19 at even strength.

They were all subpar, as you have pointed out multiple times.

Tage and Tuch had 18 and 19 at even strength.

They were all subpar, as you have pointed out multiple times.
- kingcong39

Healthy season from Quinn and some more growth from JJ would help. And hopefully one of the Kulich or Rosen can finally step up.

Healthy season from Quinn and some more growth from JJ would help. And hopefully one of the Kulich or Rosen can finally step up.
- Buff36

Healthy season from Quinn and some more growth from JJ would help. And hopefully one of the Kulich or Rosen can finally step up.
- Buff36

Peterka had 25 even strength goals last season, which was top 20 in the entire league.

30 goals overall gets you top 50 in the league.

It would be massive if Peterka and Quinn were consistent top 20 even strength goal scorers in the league, but is that a realistic expectation?

Probably not?

Trying to keep it simple: The Sabres as a team scored 244 goals and allowed 243.

Essentially an even team, which is a non playoff team.

Took a look around the league, and generally, being plus 20 goals for compared to goals against gets you a playoff spot.

Can they reduce their goals against?

Maybe, but I would not count on that.

Can they get to around league average for goals scored, which would be the low 260's?

The current roster, as of today, produced 220 goals last season.

That's where the 40 more goals is coming from, and half of that is coming from Jeff Skinner being bought out.

Can the current roster find 40 more goals scored, factoring in the same goals allowed?

If they allow 15 less goals as Ion has suggested, that make them a near top 5 goals allowed team.

This roster does not look like a top 5 defensive team in the league.
- kingcong39

Best path forward is to improve in both sides of the ledger is my position, rather than trying to improve GF only by 16% especially have traded away a top 5 Goal Scorer

Improve both ends by 8% seems far more reasonable to me.

Their Defensive improvement in the F ranks, a new system and hopefully improved positional play will contribute to improved GA.

Two seasons ago, when the big forwards had giant production, all of Tage, Tuch, Skinner and Cozens were in the top 30 of even strength goals scored.

Is that possible to happen again?

Adding Peterka too?

Maybe Quinn as well?

Seems like that's asking a lot.

Massive missed opportunity 2 seasons ago.

Unforgivable inaction by the GM.

Best path forward is to improve in both sides of the ledger is my position, rather than trying to improve GF only by 16% especially have traded away a top 5 Goal Scorer

Improve both ends by 8% seems far more reasonable to me.

Their Defensive improvement in the F ranks, a new system and hopefully improved positional play will contribute to improved GA.
- IonSabres

Shaving 8% off goals allowed is a goals allowed number that the Bruins had last season.

Think they can be like the Bruins defensively?

https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/sabres/max-strbak-excelling-by-playing-at-michigan-state
Hopefully he takes another step in his development in School this Year. We could use it
- Buff36

You must be referring to The Great Maxime Strbak, best defenseman in our system.

Two seasons ago, when the big forwards had giant production, all of Tage, Tuch, Skinner and Cozens were in the top 30 of even strength goals scored.

Is that possible to happen again?

Adding Peterka too?

Maybe Quinn as well?

Seems like that's asking a lot.

Massive missed opportunity 2 seasons ago.

Unforgivable inaction by the GM.
- kingcong39

He was busy...has anyone heard of any crime occurring in Bemus since 2020?