I don't dismiss not trying harder last year or this year so easily.
- Lunaion

Taking a step back this year is inexcusable no doubt.

If wasting two players prime years provides a window of opportunity of being a legitimate cup contender for the remainder of the decade.

It’s the price of doing business
- Swedish_Jesus

This is an opinion. There are lots of folks who have contrary opinions, some of whom will take it very personally that you have this opinion and do not agree with their opinion. Make that many, not some.

I agree with your opinion. The "wasted years" narrative, to me, means nothing. Every team, every year, that does not finish with the Cup in their locker room just had a wasted year...it IS a part of doing business for almost everyone, every year. The trick lies in the "building" part if rebuilding, and I definitely am not 100% happy with whst has been done the last few years...but I am glad that at least it's a different approach than what has been tried for years and not succeeded.

This is an opinion. There are lots of folks who have contrary opinions, some of whom will take it very personally that you have this opinion and do not agree with their opinion. Make that many, not some.

I agree with your opinion. The "wasted years" narrative, to me, means nothing. Every team, every year, that does not finish with the Cup in their locker room just had a wasted year...it IS a part of doing business for almost everyone, every year. The trick lies in the "building" part if rebuilding, and I definitely am not 100% happy with whst has been done the last few years...but I am glad that at least it's a different approach than what has been tried for years and not succeeded.
- LandlordTom

The Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win in all of sports for a reason. Even the teams that build it up incredibly well really only have a small window to strike while it’s hot.

With that being said, there were/are definitely ways for the Sabres to take the step this year to breaking the drought while maintaining the youth talent and cap flexibility to push the buttons at the right time.

This is an opinion. There are lots of folks who have contrary opinions, some of whom will take it very personally that you have this opinion and do not agree with their opinion. Make that many, not some.

I agree with your opinion. The "wasted years" narrative, to me, means nothing. Every team, every year, that does not finish with the Cup in their locker room just had a wasted year...it IS a part of doing business for almost everyone, every year. The trick lies in the "building" part if rebuilding, and I definitely am not 100% happy with whst has been done the last few years...but I am glad that at least it's a different approach than what has been tried for years and not succeeded.
- LandlordTom

Opinions are what make this place fun. Remember they had to trade for Bishop to hit the cap floor last year. That was the extent of their effort.

Opinions are what make this place fun. Remember they had to trade for Bishop to hit the cap floor last year. That was the extent of their effort.
- Lunaion

Now the discussions are can we afford to extend Mittelstadt? Do we need to bridge Peterka/Quinn to make the salary cap work over the course of the next few seasons?

Also factors into the decisions as to why Kulich, Rosen, Savoie, and potentially Benson here at this juncture are on the ELC slide (Benson is definitely an NHL’er at this point though and will be the litmus test for them).

There was a reason why Olofsson only got a 2 year deal. Reasons why they chose to fill the bottom 6 with one year deals this offseason (albeit the wrong players at this juncture which I don’t think anyone will disagree with).

It all plays into why I think the front office has played the long game well and that they are smarter than given credit for.

They should still be able to win in the present though, and I am in full agreement with the majority on here.

Now the discussions are can we afford to extend Mittelstadt? Do we need to bridge Peterka/Quinn to make the salary cap work over the course of the next few seasons?

Also factors into the decisions as to why Kulich, Rosen, Savoie, and potentially Benson here at this juncture are on the ELC slide (Benson is definitely an NHL’er at this point though and will be the litmus test for them).

There was a reason why Olofsson only got a 2 year deal. Reasons why they chose to fill the bottom 6 with one year deals this offseason (albeit the wrong players at this juncture which I don’t think anyone will disagree with).

It all plays into why I think the front office has played the long game well and that they are smarter than given credit for.

They should still be able to win in the present though, and I am in full agreement with the majority on here.
- Swedish_Jesus

The next step is fascinating.

How many rookies can you add and say you're taking the next step toward competing next year?

You have cap issues before you even get started. Can you commit your full payroll before making the playoffs?

The next step is fascinating.

How many rookies can you add and say you're taking the next step toward competing next year?

You have cap issues before you even get started. Can you commit your full payroll before making the playoffs?
- Lunaion

My guess, Savoie starts in Rochester and potentially plays the whole year there as they have tipped their hand that they are not afraid of the slow development curve.

Benson is a lock, given that they don’t burn the first year right now.

Kulich and Rosen feel like locks but I can also see a scenario where Rosen is moved in a trade for a d-man.

In terms of the payroll question, I think the probabilities of success in paying for upside are better than paying for past performance (think of all of those great Sabres UFA signings over the years). It doesn’t bother me that they got paid now as their talent suggests they should be huge parts of eventual success

My guess, Savoie starts in Rochester and potentially plays the whole year there as they have tipped their hand that they are not afraid of the slow development curve.

Benson is a lock, given that they don’t burn the first year right now.

Kulich and Rosen feel like locks but I can also see a scenario where Rosen is moved in a trade for a d-man.

In terms of the payroll question, I think the probabilities of success in paying for upside are better than paying for past performance (think of all of those great Sabres UFA signings over the years). It doesn’t bother me that they got paid now as their talent suggests they should be huge parts of eventual success
- Swedish_Jesus

If any of these recent 1st's need a full year in Roch, something's wrong.

If any of these recent 1st's need a full year in Roch, something's wrong.
- Lunaion

It’s a numbers game, but we all know that already.

Detroit used to have guys cook in Grand Rapids forever, although nobody gave it a second thought as they were on a 20 year+ playoff run.

The Sabres obviously don’t have that crutch to fall back on, but unless they move someone, there is only room for 3 I would think.

Novikov may also be knocking on the door as well on the back end, he’s been sneaky good this year already and not many people are talking about it

It’s a numbers game, but we all know that already.

Detroit used to have guys cook in Grand Rapids forever, although nobody gave it a second thought as they were on a 20 year+ playoff run.

The Sabres obviously don’t have that crutch to fall back on, but unless they move someone, there is only room for 3 I would think.

Novikov may also be knocking on the door as well on the back end, he’s been sneaky good this year already and not many people are talking about it
- Swedish_Jesus

If a 1st takes that long, odds are low he'll ever be an impact player. Anyone not in the top 9 by the end of next season is going to have a really tough time cracking it.

If a 1st takes that long, odds are low he'll ever be an impact player. Anyone not in the top 9 by the end of next season is going to have a really tough time cracking it.
- Lunaion

I don't know about that.

It seems like they are planning on keeping all the forward prospects so they have in house replacements for Skinner and Tuch when their contracts are up.

I don't know about that.

It seems like they are planning on keeping all the forward prospects so they have in house replacements for Skinner and Tuch when their contracts are up.
- kingcong39

I'll stand by it. Anyone left in the AHL at the end of next season is at the bottom of the pecking order....and it's almost impossible to go 5/5 on them anyways. By that time, I'll think they'll have sorted themselves out.

If a 1st takes that long, odds are low he'll ever be an impact player. Anyone not in the top 9 by the end of next season is going to have a really tough time cracking it.
- Lunaion

Won’t argue that, evidence surely points that way.

I will say though, in my hypothetical scenario, that in any other organization a player like Savoie would absolutely be in an NHL lineup if it weren’t for the numbers game.

On an ending note, we also have two players in the organization in Tage and Casey that took several years to live up to their potential but the fact of the matter is that they got there.

Krebs is currently at the crossroad right now, and as much as there is skepticism, I think there is still optimism he grows into his potential despite it possibly being with another organization.

I don't know about that.

It seems like they are planning on keeping all the forward prospects so they have in house replacements for Skinner and Tuch when their contracts are up.
- kingcong39

That’s exactly that they are doing, and it’s part of the long term vision.

Adams is failing though in the present of making the moves necessary to have everything fall into place while winning now

Won’t argue that, evidence surely points that way.

I will say though, in my hypothetical scenario, that in any other organization a player like Savoie would absolutely be in an NHL lineup if it weren’t for the numbers game.

On an ending note, we also have two players in the organization in Tage and Casey that took several years to live up to their potential but the fact of the matter is that they got there.

Krebs is currently at the crossroad right now, and as much as there is skepticism, I think there is still optimism he grows into his potential despite it possibly being with another organization.
- Swedish_Jesus

Alright, let's see what moves they have for us tomorrow.

Alright, let's see what moves they have for us tomorrow.
- Lunaion

The biggest question that needs to be answered is when or if they will be willing to trade or sign a player that has zero ties to the org. or Donnie, and how good that player or players perform.

I'm not sure they can win by continuing to be isolationist, and cautious.

The biggest question that needs to be answered is when or if they will be willing to trade or sign a player that has zero ties to the org. or Donnie, and how good that player or players perform.

I'm not sure they can win by continuing to be isolationist, and cautious.
- kingcong39

Think we all know that this group of players + prospects is lacking in some areas. They keep bringing back the same players with the same issues, so maybe they don't...or it's just how Donnie likes to play.

Remember that when you’re watching Tage, Dahlin, Power, Peterka, Quinn, Benson, Kulich, Savoie, and Rosen for the next decade.

Hear me now, believe me later.
- Swedish_Jesus

Most organizations don’t enable their front offices the ability to build the roster the way Adams has the last few years and it will pay dividends.

I agree completely though that there is no excuse to not make the playoffs this year. The future is now, and if Adams doesn’t realize that, then he’s set the next guy up with a tomahawk steak dinner to work with
- Swedish_Jesus

It’s almost as if you have forgotten the last 3 GM’s and the higher prospect pool rankings than the current one in the last decade.

Your entire argument is 2D based. There is 0 evidence to suggest Adams can build a winning roster.

You continue to severely over value draft position and potential while ignoring critical roles that Adams fails to fill and these prospects won’t fill.

Now it’s a 10 year plan from a 5 year plan in 2020. This plan of yours that Adams is doing well, continues to move the goal posts. This is year 4 and there is no real improvement just added potential.

I haven’t seen a good argument as to why this route taken by Adams is correct, reading that it’s justified now by a 10 year plan for a 2/3 year window is an interesting one.

I would just point out that Florida did more with less in 3 years.

Vegas hasn’t event existed for 10 years and they already have a cup.

Seattle already made the playoffs.

NJ is built to contend in less time.



No other ownership or GM plans like this because it’s unnecessarily slow with huge risk of failure.

How can you say this slow approach gives you the best chance at a cup window while also saying it’s failing in the short term. It’s just failing, the rest is nonsense.

The biggest question that needs to be answered is when or if they will be willing to trade or sign a player that has zero ties to the org. or Donnie, and how good that player or players perform.

I'm not sure they can win by continuing to be isolationist, and cautious.
- kingcong39

This is a big thing, breaking that Blockade Adams has built. They don't have a few pieces needed within there Organization to finish the puzzle. They need another Power Forward that's not afraid to throw the Body or drop the gloves when needed. And depending on how they want to build L4 we need someone who is good on the Dot. Defense is a work in progress, they seem to have the capability to roll 5 out 6 Decent D if Granato would set his pairs right and trust a younger player. Still need someone who can drop the Hammer though.

I haven’t seen a good argument as to why this route taken by Adams is the correct, reading that it’s justified now by a 10 year plan for a 2/3 year window is an interesting one.

I would just point out that Florida did more with less in 1/5 of that 10 year plan.

Vegas hasn’t event existed for 10 years and they already have a cup.

Seattle already made the playoffs.

NJ is built to contend in less time.



No other ownership or GM plans like this because it’s unnecessarily slow with huge risk of failure.

How can you say this slow approach gives you the best chance at a cup window while also saying it’s failing in the short term. It’s just failing, the rest is nonsense.
- washedup20

Someone needs a Tissue

This is a big thing, breaking that Blockade Adams has built. They don't have a few pieces needed within there Organization to finish the puzzle. They need another Power Forward that's not afraid to throw the Body or drop the gloves when needed. And depending on how they want to build L4 we need someone who is good on the Dot. Defense is a work in progress, they seem to have the capability to roll 5 out 6 Decent D if Granato would set his pairs right and trust a younger player. Still need someone who can drop the Hammer though.
- Buff36

If next year all the players that had career years last season don’t regain form this long term plan will already be busted.

Will any of the players even match their careers years in any metric this season, looking to be a no.

No need for concern, plug in more rookies with potential and chances increase….that doesn’t add up to winning.

If next year all the players that had career years last season don’t regain form this long term plan will already be busted.

Will any of the players even match their careers years in any metric this season, looking to be a no.

No need for concern, plug in more rookies with potential and chances increase….that doesn’t add up to winning.
- washedup20

They went with HOPE instead of actually going out and trying to help this young team find success. I don't care how good of People they are or there great in the locker. They have horrible Leadership, SirFallsAlot and Retired Man have taken this group as far as they can. How can you lead by example when you yourself haven't been through the Battles and Wars. Granato is supposed to be a teacher, so teach and trust your Younger players because until they blow up the Blockade that's what you have to lean on.

Botts was in the same position as Adams, both failed to:

- hire a good coaching staff
- install quality leadership
- properly support the core

The 23/24 Sabres are in a similar situation to the 18/19 Sabres.