If they are not going to play team defense, may as well hammer down and go full 4 line offense

I still think you need to send someone out to add to the defense or the net, the question is who?

I’ve liked both mitts and greenway recently

Is krebs the odd man out?
Does Adam’s bring back Kyle and grigs?

And how did we go from 3 goalies to 1 in 7 games? Does Commrie get the “can’t stay healthy” tag.

Upl / Levi is probably not going to be great, but I think everyone but Adam’s saw that.
- Gr8daygo

How is Krebs not the odd man out, as of today?

Even if you believe there is untapped potential long term, with their unending array of forward prospects, would anyone shed a tear if he was moved out?

You're not going to like this, but the role of all the forwards could be to run the opposing team out of the building, nightly.

Will it work when the physicality ramps up?

That is very much TBD.
- kingcong39

I commented on this on the previous post, last sentence

A winning team has roles, the coach should use the player that best fills the role.

1) What players on the Sabres fill what roles?

2) What roles are available?

3) Are any of the prospects an improvement to existing players in filled roles?

As for the bolded, I could see that becoming a regular season success but get destroyed come playoff time.
- Theguywiththething

To your point, they are going to need another talented ass kicker at forward and defense, to fill out the roster long term.

That likely means trading one of their forward prospects for a different kind of forward.

Someone who plays like Valeri Nichushkin.

Big, fast, physical, plays in all situations, and is still talented offensively.

Not easy to find, but the roster needs rounding out, and they have the assets to make those moves.

I commented on this on the previous post, last sentence
- Theguywiththething

Did it work for the post lockout Sabres?

They made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but didn't win the cup, in large part due to injuries and being ground down.

Mixed bag there.

To your point, they are going to need another talented ass kicker at forward and defense, to fill out the roster long term.

That likely means trading one of their forward prospects for a different kind of forward.

Someone who plays like Valeri Nichushkin.

Big, fast, physical, plays in all situations, and is still talented offensively.

Not easy to find, but the roster needs rounding out, and they have the assets to make those moves.
- kingcong39

- Theguywiththething

Agreed, but talented offensively can mean a 20 goal, 50 point player who also excels at defense.

- Theguywiththething

Here are two examples:

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/nicholas-paul

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/marcus-foligno

Here are two examples:

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/nicholas-paul

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/marcus-foligno
- kingcong39

Both great players, agreed.

I know he hasn't been good, but either is the team in front of him. How about we start the blame at the top for not doing better.
- Buff36

Following.

Minimally, you'd have to think Benson and Savoie will both be ready for full time NHL duty next season.

With Tage, Greenway, Cozens, Mittelstadt, Skinner and Tuch, you have 6 of your long term top 9.

Peterka and Quinn make up two more of your top 9, logically, right?

Where do Benson and Savoie fit in?

Do you move Greenway to the 4th line, do to the overall amount of forward talent, and to make room in the top 9, even if his play does not merit that demotion?

That's not even considering one or both of Kulich and Rosen will likely be ready by next season as well.

Do they create a very untraditional 4th line, and go with 4 lines of attacking, aggressive offensive skill?

Can't remember the last time an NHL did that.
- kingcong39

It is exactly what they should do.
36 and I have been saying it for some time, while others have scoffed at the idea of playing highly skilled players on L4.

It would be a distinct competive advantage. Likely having their opponent left to go goon style on that line to try to intimidate them...just draw the penalty and punish them on the PP.

Both great players, agreed.
- Theguywiththething

Neither player broke the bank re: their cap hit either.

I know Skinner will age out when his contract expires in 3 seasons, but they need to bridge themselves to that point.

It is exactly what they should do.
36 and I have been saying it for some time, while others have scoffed at the idea of playing highly skilled players on L4.

It would be a distinct competive advantage. Likely having their opponent left to go goon style on that line to try to intimidate them...just draw the penalty and punish them on the PP.
- IonSabres

I'm fine with it, while also believing they need another player at forward like Nick Paul or Marcus Foligno to round out the roster's skillset.

Remember this when he's picked up by TB or Colorado...you wanted him gone.
- QuinnFan

Should he have success elsewhere, then what a revelation that would be to Adams:
-Goalie Coach
-lack of adequate D play
-F commitment to 200 ft games

I really don't know how Adams is going to do it, with everyone he has locked up. They have to many to even run a non traditional 4th line. What about Kozak and Biro to. I have been saying for over a year Decisions will need to be made quicker, you can only slow play for so long until you back yourself into a corner and that looks like it could happen sooner than a lot expected.
- Buff36

Not directed at you 36, I know you know this.
Assets.
Remember that they must be viewed as only assets and no need to utilize them all here.
Create trade packages to acquire high skill/production players at positions of need.

As Korab stated earlier...it is OK to trade high value players and prospects to improve the team.

Four more targets in the mold of excellent all around forwards who also contribute offensively, while being actively engaged defensively and not shying away from physical play.

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/steven-stamkos

https://www.capfriendly.c...ayers/chandler-stephenson

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/mikko-rantanen

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/adrian-kempe

우리 아직 괜찮아?
- Hank Balling

we are


the sabres are not

I'm fine with it, while also believing they need another player at forward like Nick Paul or Marcus Foligno to round out the roster's skillset.
- kingcong39

Yup, agreed.
Crouse is another, although off to a very slow start this season after 2 solid 20G seasons. 36 has brought him up 2 seasons ago.

Did we get outshot in that final period 18-4?
- QuinnFan

yes


it's 6k's fault we got outshot

I would still try to move olofsson for labanac, mantha or garland

yes


it's 6k's fault we got outshot
- homiedclown

I mean he’s the one that shot the puck out of play, gave up the ensuing power play goal on a shot he needs to save, that allowed New Jersey to sit in a 1-3-1 the rest of the period and capitalize on the Sabres aggressiveness to push for a goal no ?

Having a 3rd nhl goalie on the roster looking like a pretty smart move right now


Top3gming

I mean he’s the one that shot the puck out of play, gave up the ensuing power play goal on a shot he needs to save, that allowed New Jersey to sit in a 1-3-1 the rest of the period and capitalize on the Sabres aggressiveness to push for a goal no ?
- Swedish_Jesus

yeah he is why they got 3 shots on goal in the 3rd period


nice crime solving skills

team gets killed in a 1-3-1 and at some point maybe its the head coach and gm holding this team back

Having a 3rd nhl goalie on the roster looking like a pretty smart move right now


Top3gming
- Boss34

egg on their face if comrie or 6k was claimed by tampa


side note comrie looks like our best goalie this year

Having a 3rd nhl goalie on the roster looking like a pretty smart move right now

Top3gming
- Boss34

Devin Cooley starting Wednesday or Friday vs. the Flyers this coming week...?

My thoughts before I go back into hibernation.

They had played 11 strong periods in a row before the 3rd period of last nights game. Tip of the cap to New Jersey as they are a Stanley Cup contender for a reason.

Frustrating part of this 4 game stretch is that the Sabres haven’t been able to muster a losers point out of the Montreal and New Jersey games. They probably deserved to win both, but the fact they don’t get at least a point, is the kicker there.

Continue to play the way they have the last 4 games the rest of the year and I see no reason to think they won’t be right there with the rest of the Atlantic come game 82.

Cheers 🍻