Michael Pachla: How difficult will it be for the Buffalo Sabres to make the playoffs?

I think we're going to be good.

How difficult will it be for the Buffalo Sabres to make the playoffs?
- Michael Pachla

...Very.

We either make the playoffs easily, or pick in the top 5

If the team plays with any sort of structure for an entire season, they may make some waves.

It may not be enough to overtake many of the top end teams in the division, but they should have a fighting chance.

Michael Pachla: How difficult will it be for the Buffalo Sabres to make the playoffs?
- Michael Pachla

1. incomplete roster
2. shaky goaltending
3. new coach
4. very tough division

it will be very difficult to make the playoffs.. but i hope they do

1. incomplete roster
2. shaky goaltending
3. new coach
4. very tough division
5. very tough conference

it will be very difficult to make the playoffs.. but i hope they do
- SabresFaninIndiana

added

Michael, outstanding Blog sir.

Right now I have them at around 85 pts +/-...outside looking in.
I'm ok with that finish IF the key players are taking a significant step forward, but the roster proves again not to be good enough even after the moves you cited.

Michael, outstanding Blog sir.

Right now I have them at around 85 pts +/-...outside looking in.
I'm ok with that finish IF the key players are taking a significant step forward, but the roster proves again not to be good enough even after the moves you cited.
- IonSabres

Agree with you, but always a chance they take a bigger step than you'd expect. It all starts with staying healthy. They don't have the depth to adsorb any significant injury.

They're going to catch lightning in a bottle, surprise everyone and take the 3rd Division spot over Boston and Florida.

I think this really can't be answered until opening night roster is set

up front they removed pommer
and to lesser extent berglund and nylander


and added johansson, vesey, cozens and olofsson

on the back end you remove beaulieu and added joker, montour and miller

IMO they still need to remove 2 or 3 scrubs up front and 2 scrubs on the blueline

They're going to catch lightning in a bottle, surprise everyone and take the 3rd Division spot over Boston and Florida.
- buffalofan19

you spelled Toronto wrong

I think this really can't be answered until opening night roster is set

up front they removed pommer
and to lesser extent berglund and nylander


and added johansson, vesey, cozens and olofsson

on the back end you remove beaulieu and added joker, montour and miller

IMO they still need to remove 2 or 3 scrubs up front and 2 scrubs on the blueline
- homiedclown

They had the worst middle 6 in hockey last year. Should improve this year, it almost has to, but by how much? Average doesn't make the playoffs.

Here's the 5th worst roster in the league, Ralph. We dumped pommer, added Vesey, Mojo and Miller. Good luck!

It's up to Mitts and Krueger how far they go

They had the worst middle 6 in hockey last year. Should improve this year, it almost has to, but by how much? Average doesn't make the playoffs.
- Lunaion

A better middle 6 should make for a better top 3, too

There Defense is better that is for sure, however secondary scoring is still iffy. may be a little better JV & MJ, but is it 24 points better, I say nope.. Outside looking in, we maybe 5 games better that puts us 85-88 point range.

with that said, Anything can happen, so who knows...

Here's the 5th worst roster in the league, Ralph. We dumped pommer, added Vesey, Mojo and Miller. Good luck!

It's up to Mitts and Krueger how far they go
- jcragcrumple

I think it’s almost impossible to have a bottom 5 roster with Eichel and Dahlin entering his prime on it.

I think we're going to be good.
- Der Kaiser

Agreed

I think it’s almost impossible to have a bottom 5 roster with Eichel and Dahlin entering his prime on it.
- sbroads24

They'll be better. How much so is almost entirely based on mitts's progression imo.

He needs to be a 50+ point guy for this team to be good

25-30 points and we suck again

It’s a pretty long article when really all that needs saying is...NO...the sabres will not make the playoffs this year.

Next.

They'll be better. How much so is almost entirely based on mitts's progression imo.

He needs to be a 50+ point guy for this team to be good

25-30 points and we suck again
- jcragcrumple

which is why i wanted to get a 2C or at least another 2/3C to help mitts out.. this roster is far from complete

Michael Pachla: How difficult will it be for the Buffalo Sabres to make the playoffs?
- Michael Pachla

Very

They'll be better. How much so is almost entirely based on mitts's progression imo.

He needs to be a 50+ point guy for this team to be good

25-30 points and we suck again
- jcragcrumple

The best players in the league are worth around 8-10 points in the standings.

A good Mitts vs Bad Mitts might be worth 3-5

It’s important, but I think being over stated.

The best players in the league are worth around 8-10 points in the standings.

A good Mitts vs Bad Mitts might be worth 3-5

It’s important, but I think being over stated.
- sbroads24

mitts being better, progression from Dahlin, better goaltending, better team defense, skinner not regressing.. all important to this team.. also is ollofsson ready is another big question

The best players in the league are worth around 8-10 points in the standings.

A good Mitts vs Bad Mitts might be worth 3-5

It’s important, but I think being over stated.
- sbroads24

Can Mitts + Sam + X be an average second line? It's an open question, despite people being certain Sam can carry a line.