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Forums :: Blog World :: Brad Lohr: Witching Hour, or Month, is Here. The Crucible is in Full Effect.
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QuinnFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Formerly Visionville, Now Purgatory
Joined: 07.29.2021

Jun 10 @ 12:56 PM ET
The roster is weak, even with the talent on it. Mentally and physically weak, rendering their talent practically useless.

A good coach might improve the mental barrier, the GM needs to address the physical deficiencies of the group. Solving only one is not enough for this group.

- washedup20


Can see that too. It's weird, but a little torn. I do think better coaching was worth more than 1 point two years ago, but that may be wishful thinking seeing as the roster did have some holes.
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Jun 10 @ 12:56 PM ET
They need for their Core to get their collective poop together... Tage, Tuch Cozens all need to bounce back and JJP, Quinn and Benson news to take their next steps.
- IonSabres


Agreed, I really like our core moving forward.

Just need to add a couple power forwards types.

I keep hearing pk88’s name mentioned, but he seems like a stretch . Maybe he would like to play for Lindy vs Donnie?
QuinnFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Formerly Visionville, Now Purgatory
Joined: 07.29.2021

Jun 10 @ 12:57 PM ET
They would no doubt be better. pO'? Maybe.
I'm more disappointed in the young core that apparently is pretty fragile mentally.
That just doesn't scream "Gamer" to me, rather a bunch of passengers mentally needing to be lead by the nose.
Very concerning to me.

- IonSabres


Indeed. The idea they're so easily frazzled is disconcerting for sure. Confidence is tough though, would better coaching also help with this? I'd assume so, it's just how much that's the question.
IonSabres
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL
Joined: 03.10.2013

Jun 10 @ 12:59 PM ET
Don Meatball was the second coming of Levi last summer, the prospect whisperer...

"Granato introduced an up-tempo attack and calmed his young players by insisting they play without fear of making mistakes."

https://www.nbcsports.com...anato-to-2-year-extension

In reality, the hope is Lindy continues the up-tempo (ideally for the full 60 minutes) while adding accountability. How does that impact this group that crumbles at the first sign of adversity...that's a big question, I don't know what to expect.

Krueger tried to hold Skinner accountable but was a bad coach.

In essence Adams is hoping Ruff is an experienced version of a Kreuger/Granato combo.

- washedup20


Excellent post
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Jun 10 @ 1:01 PM ET
Indeed. The idea they're so easily frazzled is disconcerting for sure. Confidence is tough though, would better coaching also help with this? I'd assume so, it's just how much that's the question.
- QuinnFan


Teams take on the personality of the coach

Donnie was mild mannered , same for the push over Sabres

When Lindy was coach, the team had some tougher guys through the line up , although it’s almost 2 different eras ……
DirtyDan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Why aren't more people interrigent? Rike Me? , ON
Joined: 02.03.2021

Jun 10 @ 1:04 PM ET
What held the Sabres back from the playoffs if the roster was adequate?

Management/ ownership …….

Injuries as well to tage and tuch


I still hold out hope the Quinn and Samuelson will become key contributors moving forward

- Boss34


Quinn will be IMO. Showed it last year(yes small sample). Just needs to stay healthy.
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Jun 10 @ 1:16 PM ET
What held the Sabres back from the playoffs if the roster was adequate?

Management/ ownership …….

Injuries as well to tage and tuch


I still hold out hope the Quinn and Samuelson will become key contributors moving forward

- Boss34


Long list of things that went wrong last season. I hate blaming injuries. Every team had them and they really weren't that bad relatively.

Can argue whether the GM or coach were worse, both were bad. Buyout VO, add a decent F, sign anyone other than Johnson, start Levi in Roch...lot of points in the obvious.

This team could never put a win streak together and can't play at home. Blame the leadership, blame the coach...something was wrong that had nothing to do with talent.
kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

Jun 10 @ 1:24 PM ET
The following is from one of the 3 greatest tennis players to walk the earth, and he's often thought of as the most talented tennis player ever.

>>> Most of the time, it's not about having a gift, it's about having grit.

Check the 9 minute mark in the speech.

https://x.com/BastienFach...3WYAND_ioLMAv3uXVwxQ&s=19
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Jun 10 @ 1:25 PM ET
Quinn will be IMO. Showed it last year(yes small sample). Just needs to stay healthy.
- DirtyDan


I like Quinn’s game quite a bit , too many freak injuries.

I think Savoie makes the squad out of camp, he’s another guy snake bitten by injuries
IonSabres
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL
Joined: 03.10.2013

Jun 10 @ 1:26 PM ET
Long list of things that went wrong last season. I hate blaming injuries. Every team had them and they really weren't that bad relatively.

Can argue whether the GM or coach were worse, both were bad. Buyout VO, add a decent F, sign anyone other than Johnson, start Levi in Roch...lot of points in the obvious.

This team could never put a win streak together and can't play at home. Blame the leadership, blame the coach...something was wrong that had nothing to do with talent.

- Lunaion


They folded under pressure.
Sounds crazy, but one could tell they felt it during the 1st game, opening ceremony with player introductions... They all looked stressed, not 1 guy came out smiling, relaxed and looking like they were enjoying themselves. They had the classic look of a deer in the headlights, nervous Nelly's.

Donnie's identity changes between seasons... Like the weight of the world was on his shoulders, and he coached like it. The players read it too, IMO
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Jun 10 @ 1:28 PM ET
Long list of things that went wrong last season. I hate blaming injuries. Every team had them and they really weren't that bad relatively.

Can argue whether the GM or coach were worse, both were bad. Buyout VO, add a decent F, sign anyone other than Johnson, start Levi in Roch...lot of points in the obvious.

This team could never put a win streak together and can't play at home. Blame the leadership, blame the coach...something was wrong that had nothing to do with talent.

- Lunaion


This is a really good post

I tend to agree the core isn’t the problem.

Jost, olo, Robinson should not have had any role last year and should have been replaced.

I think Lindy grabs this team, gets a hot start and fades come march . Something different, but hopefully they hang on for a playoff spot
ImThatGuy
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I AM MY OWN DAMN SOURCE!, NY
Joined: 11.04.2010

Jun 10 @ 1:35 PM ET
Tage and Tuch are closer to ppg players without injury. Tage especially. Tuch should be a consistent 70pt player if healthy.

Skinners to inconsistent and to much of a liability to play first line anymore IMO.

- DirtyDan

I’m calling out a severe overvaluation of Tuch.

(I like Tuch I do)

But outside of two years ago year he’s been about a 50 point per year player.

He’s a 2nd line winger. Which is fine that’s what his pay grade is at.
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Jun 10 @ 1:38 PM ET
Quinn will be IMO. Showed it last year(yes small sample). Just needs to stay healthy.
- DirtyDan

big if

the guy played 164 games in the last 4 seasons

bubble wrap samuelsson played 195 games during that stretch
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Jun 10 @ 1:39 PM ET
I’m calling out a severe overvaluation of Tuch.

(I like Tuch I do)

But outside of two years ago year he’s been about a 50 point per year player.

He’s a 2nd line winger. Which is fine that’s what his pay grade is at.

- ImThatGuy

176 points in 199 games for sabres

QuinnFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Formerly Visionville, Now Purgatory
Joined: 07.29.2021

Jun 10 @ 1:46 PM ET
Teams take on the personality of the coach

Donnie was mild mannered , same for the push over Sabres

When Lindy was coach, the team had some tougher guys through the line up , although it’s almost 2 different eras ……

- Boss34


Weird, I'm with you but also have some reticence to say this will be that different under Ruff. While I think you're right, the coach can dictate the team's level of tenacity, I also don't see any Jay McKees or Rob Rays on this team. Some is the team, some is the building blocks (players) they're given to work with...fair?
QuinnFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Formerly Visionville, Now Purgatory
Joined: 07.29.2021

Jun 10 @ 1:48 PM ET
176 points in 199 games for sabres
- homiedclown


Exactly.

^^that's not 2RW production

He just isn't an elite 1RW. He'll never be Pasta or Kuch.
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Jun 10 @ 1:52 PM ET
Exactly.

^^that's not 2RW production

He just isn't an elite 1RW. He'll never be Pasta or Kuch.

- QuinnFan

he is a good enough first line winger to win a cup though IMO
QuinnFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Formerly Visionville, Now Purgatory
Joined: 07.29.2021

Jun 10 @ 1:59 PM ET
he is a good enough first line winger to win a cup though IMO
- homiedclown


Seems true to me. He has very similar production to guys like Hyman and RNH (outside one season where he freaked out). And that's without having McDavid distributing those tap ins. I'd argue he and Verhague/Reinhart are on pretty similar footing, just with a better center in Barkov.
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Jun 10 @ 2:01 PM ET
This is a really good post

I tend to agree the core isn’t the problem.

Jost, olo, Robinson should not have had any role last year and should have been replaced.

I think Lindy grabs this team, gets a hot start and fades come march . Something different, but hopefully they hang on for a playoff spot

- Boss34


Jost was a waiver claim. Robinson cleared waivers before they traded for him. When you're adding this quality of player to your team in November, something is very wrong. They both filled needs they failed to address in the offseason. That's on the GM. The fact that they stepped into the lineup and looked better than a few of the regulars is insulting.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jun 10 @ 2:06 PM ET
Jost was a waiver claim. Robinson cleared waivers before they traded for him. When you' adding this quality of player to your team in November, something is very wrong. They both filled needs they failed to address in the offseason. That's on the GM. The fact that they stepped into the lineup and looked better than a few of the regulars is insulting.
- Lunaion

Good Post
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Jun 10 @ 2:07 PM ET
Jost was a waiver claim. Robinson cleared waivers before they traded for him. When you' adding this quality of player to your team in November, something is very wrong. They both filled needs they failed to address in the offseason. That's on the GM. The fact that they stepped into the lineup and looked better than a few of the regulars is insulting.
- Lunaion

QuinnFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Formerly Visionville, Now Purgatory
Joined: 07.29.2021

Jun 10 @ 2:39 PM ET
Jost was a waiver claim. Robinson cleared waivers before they traded for him. When you're adding this quality of player to your team in November, something is very wrong. They both filled needs they failed to address in the offseason. That's on the GM. The fact that they stepped into the lineup and looked better than a few of the regulars is insulting.
- Lunaion


It's why Adams saying he isn't looking for vets is encouraging. If this was last year, we would've already gotten a Laughton trade ( ) and would be talking about Girgs new extension. He knows this is his last shot at it, so I do expect him to make some changes here.
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Jun 10 @ 2:51 PM ET
@LLysowski
·
1h
Former Miami (Ohio) and Bowling Green men's hockey coach Chris Bergeron has joined the Sabres as a scout.

He'll evaluate NCAA players and college free agents
DirtyDan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Why aren't more people interrigent? Rike Me? , ON
Joined: 02.03.2021

Jun 10 @ 3:04 PM ET
big if

the guy played 164 games in the last 4 seasons

bubble wrap samuelsson played 195 games during that stretch

- homiedclown


When he plays he a difference maker though. Just needs to stay healthy. I beg of him.
DirtyDan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Why aren't more people interrigent? Rike Me? , ON
Joined: 02.03.2021

Jun 10 @ 3:05 PM ET
@LLysowski
·
1h
Former Miami (Ohio) and Bowling Green men's hockey coach Chris Bergeron has joined the Sabres as a scout.

He'll evaluate NCAA players and college free agents

- Lunaion


Do we have more scouts than security yet?
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