I didn't watch the game but in the game highlights I didn't hear tage, sure a player of his caliber can have a game off here and there but you expect him to do more and I am sure will pick up after 1 game, hard to keep top players down for long

Sometimes just needs to find that switch

The devil's weren't doing much and neither was jack and then he scored from behind the goal line by shooting it off goalies back and that brought life to the team, (also had a very silky 2nd goal) but sometimes that's all a team needs to elevate
- dmarsden2988

Once they got their first they were better for a stretch, just the incompetence of coaching I feel it was killed them. They had chances on the PP to get within 1 but they wont get down low and play behind the dots. Everything is from the point and that just wont cut it against a team like the Rangers. They already were anticipating the one timers. You've got the personnel to play low, just try it out.

How long have we been talking about it lon ? Young team, that system should have been drilled into there heads by the time preseason started and then you practice it and grow with it. Not start 5 games into the season and hope it works. Preseason is huge for a Young team no matter what. And especially breaking in New Dpairs and a supposed system. Shame they didn't have to give a 100%
- Buff36

I LOVE the development side to Donnie...one of the best I have seen in watching Sabres hockey for 52 seasons.
That said, it is time to take the gloves off for players who have been in the league for several seasons. They should be better by now at implementing the learnings.
Young guys, I have tome for them to learn and make mistakes...it is going to happen.

Another thing, the team has shown last season, and last night that they collectively are mentally weak ... they let things bother them too much..the pressure causes them to turtle, grip their sticks to tight...etc.
Too much coddling I think. It is time for the Vets to lead the friggin way...but when all they have known is losing, how much experience to they have to pull from and help others..not only themselves.

It was 1 stinking game some will say...and it was, but like you said, it also looked like the last 82.

P

Well against teams that play that system you have to find away to do that and win the battles below the dot. If they want to take your speed away in the middle than adjust and use it by beating them to the puck in the Corner.
- Buff36

Well said.

I can't wait for the day when we no longer have to care about VO's trade value.
- Lunaion

At least it's the final year of this either way.

I LOVE the development side to Donnie...one of the best I have seen in watching Sabres hockey for 52 seasons.
That said, it is time to take the gloves off for players who have been in the league for several seasons. They should be better by now at implementing the learnings.
Young guys, I have tome for them to learn and make mistakes...it is going to happen.

Another thing, the team has shown last season, and last night that they collectively are mentally weak ... they let things bother them too much..the pressure causes them to turtle, grip their sticks to tight...etc.
Too much coddling I think. It is time for the Vets to lead the friggin way...but when all they have known is losing, how much experience to they have to pull from and help others..not only themselves.

It was 1 stinking game some will say...and it was, but like you said, it also looked like the last 82.

P
- IonSabres

Yeah they have time to adjust, can't let it get out of October though. You do have young goalie's, not hard to lose confidence.

Agreed, was more a take what you can get thing. Joker + Olo still get something.

Who was available though? Jeff Petry wasn't fixing this thing. Karlsson sounds like a pipe dream. Pesce said no. Sorry to do this exercise again, I just don't know that there was some game changing trade available.
- QuinnFan

Provorov
Severson
Graves
Gudas

Just to name a few, the Sabres drafted game changers and have them in the lineup, where Adams has failed every season is to properly support them with complimentary role players.

Krebs looked horrible last season until he played consistently at center. He is not a winger.
- IonSabres

Krebs looked bad a C and W last year at the start. Given that he turned it around at one position, I would think he might be able at the other. If not, isn't the end of the world, just something I'd try if scoring dries up. We're certainly not going to get much from him betwee Girgs and Slowpokey.

I LOVE the development side to Donnie...one of the best I have seen in watching Sabres hockey for 52 seasons.
That said, it is time to take the gloves off for players who have been in the league for several seasons. They should be better by now at implementing the learnings.
Young guys, I have tome for them to learn and make mistakes...it is going to happen.

Another thing, the team has shown last season, and last night that they collectively are mentally weak ... they let things bother them too much..the pressure causes them to turtle, grip their sticks to tight...etc.
Too much coddling I think. It is time for the Vets to lead the friggin way...but when all they have known is losing, how much experience to they have to pull from and help others..not only themselves.

It was 1 stinking game some will say...and it was, but like you said, it also looked like the last 82.

P
- IonSabres

Solid assessment

Provorov
Severson
Graves
Gudas

Just to name a few, the Sabres drafted game changers and have them in the lineup, where Adams has failed every season is to properly support them with complimentary role players.
- washedup20

Severson resigned, so don't really think he applies. Gudas, would you want to match that contract? Provorov, would you have traded Benson? He cost 22OA, we'd have had to beat that.

Graves is one that I agree on, but is that enough or even close? He seems like he's a step up from Clifton, but not by too much.

Fwiw, I think we have so many prospects we should be shooting even higher. I'd like a guy who can come in and compliment Dahlin/Power, rather than just not get in their way.

Yeah they have time to adjust, can't let it get out of October though. You do have young goalie's, not hard to lose confidence.
- Buff36

Agreed.

Severson resigned, so don't really think he applies. Gudas, would you want to match that contract? Provorov, would you have traded Benson? He cost 22OA, we'd have had to beat that.

Graves is one that I agree on, but is that enough or even close? He seems like he's a step up from Clifton, but not by too much.

Fwiw, I think we have so many prospects we should be shooting even higher. I'd like a guy who can come in and compliment Dahlin/Power, rather than just not get in their way.
- QuinnFan

Severson was a sign and trade, what a 3rd rnd pick

Severson resigned, so don't really think he applies. Gudas, would you want to match that contract? Provorov, would you have traded Benson? He cost 22OA, we'd have had to beat that.

Graves is one that I agree on, but is that enough or even close? He seems like he's a step up from Clifton, but not by too much.

Fwiw, I think we have so many prospects we should be shooting even higher. I'd like a guy who can come in and compliment Dahlin/Power, rather than just not get in their way.
- QuinnFan

https://www.capfriendly.c...es/players/damon-severson

With Gudas deal only being 3 years and $4M per, yes to matching that.

Not so much re: the deal Severson got.

Overall, the question about the current management team comes down to: Are they going to take a swing, or are they going to remain insular permanently?

I'm not sure they can get where they want to go by continuing to be insular.

Severson resigned, so don't really think he applies. Gudas, would you want to match that contract? Provorov, would you have traded Benson? He cost 22OA, we'd have had to beat that.

Graves is one that I agree on, but is that enough or even close? He seems like he's a step up from Clifton, but not by too much.

Fwiw, I think we have so many prospects we should be shooting even higher. I'd like a guy who can come in and compliment Dahlin/Power, rather than just not get in their way.
- QuinnFan

Severson was traded and signed with the blue jackets.

Gudas and Provorov, quality has price, would I think they provide more to the roster, yes. Gudas over Johnson, yes. Then reduce Clifton's term to 1 year and its palatable, if you even sign him at all.

Why is it when a player gets named, the push back is that they will cost Benson? Does that imply that Rosen, Kulich, Ostlund, Savoie, Johnson, all the others prospects in the # 1 prospect system have no value? What about futures or fringe players that some want to extend? Why is Adams limited to only moving Benson?

I agree, I would've made a hard push for Andersson out of Calgary, then leveraged his defensive play against Dahlin/Power to reduce their $.

From the Rangers blog:

Good call on the torts reference Jan, and very reminiscent of that group, but this group can score a lot more than they could. So that’s a leg up and a good sign down the road

Nicky Bones too was blocking pucks like crazy, he’s gonna be a fan favorite imo. The PK looked awesome in general

Annnnnd faceoffs! My god what a feeling to be able to win draws, collectively 63% last night Peca contribution already showing

Severson was traded and signed with the blue jackets.

Gudas and Provorov, quality has price, would I think they provide more to the roster, yes. Gudas over Johnson, yes. Then reduce Clifton's term to 1 year and its palatable, if you even sign him at all.

Why is it when a player gets named, the push back is that they will cost Benson? Does that imply that Rosen, Kulich, Ostlund, Savoie, Johnson, all the others prospects in the # 1 prospect system have no value? What about futures or fringe players that some want to extend? Why is Adams limited to only moving Benson?

I agree, I would've made a hard push for Andersson out of Calgary, then leveraged his defensive play against Dahlin/Power to reduce their $.
- washedup20

Would love Andersson, but not sure there's a deal that Calgary would take, as he's on one of the best contracts in the league on defense.

https://www.capfriendly.com/trades/players/damon-severson

With Gudas deal only being 3 years and $4M per, yes to matching that.

Not so much re: the deal Severson got.

Overall, the question about the current management team comes down to: Are they going to take a swing, or are they going to remain insular permanently?

I'm not sure they can get where they want to go by continuing to be insular.
- kingcong39

Donnie flipping pairs midstream

Strike another potential name off the list of available defensemen.

>>> I’m about to hop onto a four-hour flight with no internet, but hearing there has been progress between Devon Toews and the Avalanche on an extension. Toews would have been a highly-coveted UFA next summer. We will see what today brings.

https://twitter.com/Fried...EwreG9fK-Ke_y8gYDqRw&s=19

have not back red...

here is my take on last night.

first and foremost any kind of left wing lock or 1-3-1 defense should be outlawed. if played right (and the Ranger played it 100% perfectly) it will effectively make a fast team look like we have looked for the last 12 years.. Totally ineffective.

2, Benson is literally always open and I predict it gets 20 goals this year.

3, OP looked like poop. joker the same. I know its not in OP's game to play physical but my goodness use that big ass body for something....

4, its just one game, however we can't make the playoffs on October but you can sure not make it if you have a poopity start.

https://twitter.com/witty...amp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Maybe not Weissbach, but agree

Would love Andersson, but not sure there's a deal that Calgary would take, as he's on one of the best contracts in the league on defense.
- kingcong39

He would be the #1 target then go down the list from there.

With the core signed long term, along with Adams slow/low risk approach to roster building, he won't pay up to bring in anyone this season, famous words from 89:

What you see is what you get.

https://twitter.com/wittysports716/status/1712846665227333706?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Maybe not Weissbach, but agree
- Buff36

could not agree more. OKIE should of been waived or bought out 4 years ago and we should of traded Z years ago also. We have kids that can play 4th line minutes that will produce the same and be cheaper.

He would be the #1 target then go down the list from there.

With the core signed long term, along with Adams slow/low risk approach to roster building, he won't pay up to bring in anyone this season, famous words from 89:

What you see is what you get.
- washedup20

Doesn't seem like he will ever pay up.

Even if they brought in Andersson, the solution to the defensive issues will not be solved by the addition of one player.

It's a systemic issue.

Doesn't seem like he will ever pay up.

Even if they brought in Andersson, the solution to the defensive issues will not be solved by the addition of one player.

It's a systemic issue.
- kingcong39

Good Post

Doesn't seem like he will ever pay up.

Even if they brought in Andersson, the solution to the defensive issues will not be solved by the addition of one player.

It's a systemic issue.
- kingcong39

sure is. I know we had a lot of hits last night but I still watched too many forwards not finishing checks and being to easy to play against. our defense does not scare anyone, I am not looking to thug it up, just play the game the right way. Finish every check and make people pay the price in battles.

sure is. I know we had a lot of hits last night but I still watched too many forwards not finishing checks and being to easy to play against. our defense does not scare anyone, I am not looking to thug it up, just play the game the right way. Finish every check and make people pay the price in battles.
- hehateme

Can Read the newspaper in front of Levi