Michael Pachla: Sabres are finding their stride, but they still need that piece Buffalo extends points-streak to five in 3-2 OT loss on Long Island and Jack Eichel extends his point-streak to 16 games

#1!

Officiating was horrible in yesterday's game, hate to complain but it was bad.

I was at the game yesterday. Very defensive play on both sides. And neither team shot the puck enough, everyone trying to make the perfect play, one too many passes. Nassau is so easy to get in/out of, ample parking right next to the arena, most Isles fans must hate having to go to Barclays.

18 points. Skinner is supposed to be that missing piece. At 9+ million a year he should have at least a point a game. He will soon take Okposos place with the fans if his output doesn't change soon

18 points. Skinner is supposed to be that missing piece. At 9+ million a year he should have at least a point a game. He will soon take Okposos place with the fans if his output doesn't change soon
- pwasil7

when skinner was signed they needed a lot of pieces making him just a piece and not "the missing piece" which would have indicated that the Sabres were just one piece away from playoff contention.

I was at the game yesterday. Very defensive play on both sides. And neither team shot the puck enough, everyone trying to make the perfect play, one too many passes. Nassau is so easy to get in/out of, ample parking right next to the arena, most Isles fans must hate having to go to Barclays.
- Chris16

Is the Marriott hotel still next door?

What RW is On our wishlist to help johannson and Skinner on line #2? The guys mentioned recently, Toffoli, that Galy (pit) and the winger from Calgary are hardly needle changers

What RW is On our wishlist to help johannson and Skinner on line #2? The guys mentioned recently, Toffoli, that Galy (pit) and the winger from Calgary are hardly needle changers
- turbo044

I'd see what njd want for kyle palmeri...he's got a modified ntc clause (8 no-trade teams) and was picked up for a 2nd and 5th...oglivie and a second rounder?

edit: oops, need to send celery...add in Scandella (or better yet, bogo)

I know LW is not a particular need for the team, but Sven Baertschi would be a good pick up. Looks like Vancouver is not looking for a lot in return for him. Would have to be a money in money out deal. If we could send them someone like ERod or Sheary I think it could be an upgrade at the position. Perhaps part of a bigger deal to include a center like Sutter?

Is the Marriott hotel still next door?
- mhp

Yes

VO-Eichel-Sam/Tuch
Skinner-Spezza-Sam/Tuch
Mojo-Asplund-Sheary/Vesey
3 Larry's

That gets you to PO's and partially solves the log jam at D.

Spezza, former Captain, tons of PO experience, producing at 0.50 rate (41 per 82), set-up man for Skinner and Tuch...at $700k cost this season, then..bye-bye..or re-up if he provides value.
Low cost, low risk.

But, let's wait to get that 4th/5th rounder at the TDL for Scandella!
- IonSabres

There's just as much a chance that Spezza cannot handle 2nd line minutes after 10-15 games and his production falls off a cliff or he gets injured as he continues to produce at a 41 point pace.

I know LW is not a particular need for the team, but Sven Baertschi would be a good pick up. Looks like Vancouver is not looking for a lot in return for him. Would have to be a money in money out deal. If we could send them someone like ERod or Sheary I think it could be an upgrade at the position. Perhaps part of a bigger deal to include a center like Sutter?
- adambuffalo

Thing is we shouldn’t even be looking at LWers as it’s the least of our needs behind another dman I suppose. Hall not being on our radar at all makes this pretty clear

for those of you who wanted buffalo to trade for Vancouver's sven Baertschi, he's now on waivers...

What RW is On our wishlist to help johannson and Skinner on line #2? The guys mentioned recently, Toffoli, that Galy (pit) and the winger from Calgary are hardly needle changers
- turbo044

Florida has two upcoming UFAs that can play RW in Hoffman and Dadanov. They are likely not sellers though. Simmonds could fit in nicely there. Perhaps Jesper Fast from the Rangers. Ryan Reeves would be a good pick up, but I doubt Vegas trades him.

Thing is we shouldn’t even be looking at LWers as it’s the least of our needs behind another dman I suppose. Hall not being on our radar at all makes this pretty clear
- turbo044

Can't really compare trading for someone like Baertschi and someone like Hall. The cost to acquire Hall and to resign him would be the reason we're not in on him. No position should be avoided if it can be upgraded at a fair cost. If you could get Sven for someone like ERod you should make the trade.

The 23 yr. old captain has put this team on his back and it's already amazing that he's done so this long but he can't do it all season. With the way the forward group is constructed right now, Eichel might need to if Buffalo wants to snap an NHL-long eight-year playoff drought.

Eichel has been at a 2p/game pace and recently Larsson had 7 points in 5 games. Definitely not sustainable

for those of you who wanted buffalo to trade for Vancouver's sven Baertschi, he's now on waivers...
- Michael Pachla

He's been playing in Utica since October. 4g 19a in 16 games.

Eichel has been at a 2p/game pace and recently Larsson had 7 points in 5 games. Definitely not sustainable
- jcragcrumple

Definitely not ..... winning teams need their 2nd and 3rd lines to score. I can’t remember the last time a 2nd or 3rd liner even scored.

Palms is from jersey doubt you are prying him away for peanuts...

Lets be honest he is a 30 goal guy on a good team its going to cost you a first for certain he has term left.

Definitely not ..... winning teams need their 2nd and 3rd lines to score. I can’t remember the last time a 2nd or 3rd liner even scored.
- Sabretooth9

Thursday night Vesey opened the scoring. Johansson scored in Vancouver Saturday. Agreed we need more scoring, but adding goals from the LOG line helps (6 goals in the last week).

Thursday night Vesey opened the scoring. Johansson scored in Vancouver Saturday. Agreed we need more scoring, but adding goals from the LOG line helps (6 goals in the last week).
- adambuffalo

We went 3-0-2 with Eichel scoring at a 145 point pace and Larsson at an 82 point pace over the same time period. Johansson and Vesey both chipped in 3 points.

Skinner will surely bounce back, but we're essentially playing without another line. It's nothing new. I guess we'll need to get to the TDL and still be in contention and maybe Botterill will do something then, maybe we're out of it and he won't

We have 2 lines headed for regression and one guy who's going to heat up

18 points. Skinner is supposed to be that missing piece. At 9+ million a year he should have at least a point a game. He will soon take Okposos place with the fans if his output doesn't change soon
- pwasil7

Every time he touches the puck he gets swarmed by 3 other guys and he constantly plays with useless linemates who have no skill, finesse or finish.

Jack is a large enough guy to body people off long enough to set a play up. Skinner isn't. They need a big center, that's what we are missing. Should have really addressed that position in the offseason.

What RW is On our wishlist to help johannson and Skinner on line #2? The guys mentioned recently, Toffoli, that Galy (pit) and the winger from Calgary are hardly needle changers
- turbo044

Toffoli is a LW, Galy LW/C and Frolic is a RW. He's looking for a Center and a RW.

Every time he touches the puck he gets swarmed by 3 other guys and he constantly plays with useless linemates who have no skill, finesse or finish.

Jack is a large enough guy to body people off long enough to set a play up. Skinner isn't. They need a big center, that's what we are missing. Should have really addressed that position in the offseason.
- BeadyEyedDouche

Hmm. Skinner's has 11 goals and only 3 since Sobotka went out. Maybe he wasn't useless on that line.