Buffalo's top players haven't been remotely good enough of late in a 1-5 stretch that has included three straight losses this week. Leading goal scorer Tage Thompson ranks at the top of the list, with only one goal and just nine shots on goal over the last five games. Thompson had two grievous turnovers that directly led to Dallas goals and has a minus-5 rating this month.

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- lacaprup

tage has 6 points in the last 6 games
skinner has 6 points in his last 6 games



if the new bar is to expect these guys to get more than a ppg production then something is wrong with them

tage has 6 points in the last 6 games
skinner has 6 points in his last 6 games



if the new bar is to expect these guys to get more than a ppg production then something is wrong with them
- homiedclown

They have given that back defensively though.

It’s pretty clear Tuch is the heart of that engine.

In fact, as good as Skinner and Tage are offensively as a pair, I think long term you need to have both those players on separate lines even if it means sacrificing a little bit of offence.

They have given that back defensively though.

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- Swedish_Jesus

that usually happens to your top scoring line when you drop 5/6 as they get more ice time when trailing

until your down by 6 of course

They probably get there by losing the 3 of Girgs, Okie and Andy...that what?, 104 years of age taken away.
- IonSabres

Come on!! It's a 102

tage has 6 points in the last 6 games
skinner has 6 points in his last 6 games



if the new bar is to expect these guys to get more than a ppg production then something is wrong with them
- homiedclown

Tage does need to be better, but not necessarily in points. He's been brutal defensively against Toronto and Dallas.

And, of course, the above quotes is Mike's column and not me.

tage has 6 points in the last 6 games
skinner has 6 points in his last 6 games



if the new bar is to expect these guys to get more than a ppg production then something is wrong with them
- homiedclown

How about we ask Olofsson to chip in, I know he's streaky!! Atleast he scored last game, maybe he goes on a 10gm bender

They have given that back defensively though.

It’s pretty clear Tuch is the heart of that engine.

In fact, as good as Skinner and Tage are offensively as a pair, I think long term you need to have both those players on separate lines even if it means sacrificing a little bit of offence.
- Swedish_Jesus

They gave it back defensively when Tuch was here.

I said a week ago when this team looked dead, Alex Tuch, while being excellent is going to get over rated like Samuelsson because the team collapsed for a period of time around when they got hurt

They have given that back defensively though.

It’s pretty clear Tuch is the heart of that engine.

In fact, as good as Skinner and Tage are offensively as a pair, I think long term you need to have both those players on separate lines even if it means sacrificing a little bit of offence.
- Swedish_Jesus

Are players not allowed to have slumps or periods of adjustments. Geez it's been 5 games, we let Olofsson get away with it for 50 games a year. And atleast Tage is still producing.

Are players not allowed to have slumps or periods of adjustments. Geez it's been 5 games, we let Olofsson get away with it for 50 games a year. And atleast Tage is still producing.
- Buff36

don't blame the d or the goalies or the secondary scoring when you drop 5 of 6

blame the 2 guys putting up ppg numbers during that time and the refs

A sure thing and comparing him to Quinn and Peterka who both played a full season in the AHL before joining the Sabres is a confusing comment.

It's a big leap from college hockey to the NHL, and a large assumption that he's on the team next year.
- kingcong39

I'm comparing the players via draft age and their nhl start in the Sabres organization.

So quinn and peterka were drafted a year after Johnson and both found full time roles this year.

Power picked 2 years after, 0 time in Rochester

There's definitely a good chance when Johnson signs, he gets games in buffalo. Next year he should be here IMO

We have a couple easy spots open to take....

don't blame the d or the goalies or the secondary scoring when you drop 5 of 6

blame the 2 guys putting up ppg numbers during that time and the refs
- homiedclown

Pretty much

There's definitely a good chance when Johnson signs, he gets games in buffalo. Next year he should be here IMO

We have a couple easy spots open to take....
- Boss34

that is the one leverage the sabres have with johnson

sign now and burn your first year with the big club this spring

that is the one leverage the sabres have with johnson

sign now and burn your first year with the big club this spring
- homiedclown

Couple posters think Johnson needs next year in Rochester.

He may, he may not....

Couple posters think Johnson needs next year in Rochester.

He may, he may not....
- Boss34

23-24 season
perhaps


that can burn that first year with the big club though for 22-23 like they did with power

23-24 season
perhaps


that can burn that first year with the big club though for 22-23 like they did with power
- homiedclown

I agree, I see Johnson's career in buffalo trend exactly the same way as power.

Play 6 -10 this year and be ready at camp next year for a top 6/7 position.

Give him the krebs/ peterka rotation treatment, when needed. Power probably could have used a break, but too many important defenseman got injured this year

I think homie said this the other day.

But holy hell would we be better if we kept Ullmark and Montour.

But hey we got a 3rd round pick back and cap savings that we won’t use

Interesting backreading...should be some very interesting discussions over the remaing 19 games as the boys continue to yield ground in the standing and what was a playoff chase.

Sabres likely to finish with the 10th pick in the draft as Detroit moves past them while dealing with a ton of tough games against PO teams. I am predicting going 8-11, maybe 7-12 ...finishing with ~85 points.

Since the AS break, the roster and coaching staff have revealed themselves to be a bottom 1/3 team, not PO contender.

I think Boss is more correct than not with his high level assessment that this roster to be worthy PO contender is far more than a 2 -3 player away. I figure it as follows:
- 2RhD
- 2 3rd pairing D
Hopefully, by this time next season, Johnson processes into one of those, likely the 3rd pair to begin.

- Solid starting Goalie
They need to get Levi signed 1st so he doesnt walk. This hopefully isn't a problem and he signs by early/mid April.

- 1 addition bottom 6 F
- upgrades to Girgs and Okie
Again, hopefully, Greenway is one of them..I'll reserve judgment for seasons' end.

- maybe an upgrade to Mitts, if available. He has played himself into 2LW this season, would like to still see better.
On the other hand, I'm interested to see how competition from JJP, Savoie, Kulich payout in Training Camp. If those guys show to need more baking, Mitts is good to at least hold the fort, maybe even continue his improvement path.

Olo and Joker needed to be traded out, along with Bryson. Upgrading those three with Girgs and Okie removes -48 in the +/- category.

I think homie said this the other day.

But holy hell would we be better if we kept Ullmark and Montour.

But hey we got a 3rd round pick back and cap savings that we won’t use
- sbroads24

If there is any one single player on an NHL team you overpay for it is the starting goalie. And, in fact, in this case it turns out any number would have been an underpayment for Linus. End of story.

23-24 season
perhaps


that can burn that first year with the big club though for 22-23 like they did with power
- homiedclown

Only way Johnson signs is if he gets to burn a year. I think he could start the season with Buffalo if need be, he's good enough. But I believe Johnson will get a month or 2 in Rochester and then get called up. I concur with lon on a Top 2 D but I would prefer a RD it really doesn't matter with Buffalo, all there D can flip flop.

Come on!! It's a 102
- Buff36

Not bad for off the cuff.

How's the shoulder been doing?

I don’t want to trigger a certain poster here

But Reinhart had a beautiful deflection goal last night and it got me thinking that we don’t have anything resembling a net front presence that will get those types of goals

I know people will say Greenway..but the dude has 3 goals….3

They gave it back defensively when Tuch was here.

I said a week ago when this team looked dead, Alex Tuch, while being excellent is going to get over rated like Samuelsson because the team collapsed for a period of time around when they got hurt
- sbroads24

Next steps for that line is to improve upon their +30 ytd when they are scoring 212-ish points so far.
Should be alot more proportional.

Not bad for off the cuff.

How's the shoulder been doing?
- IonSabres

It's there, still attached. Really haven't had time to worry about it. Last month or so has been tough with my Mom. Smoke a little more Chibba and Deal!!

- kingcong39

Not in the Bahamas losing his legs.