It's not, but do you not think Murray sped up the time table considerably this offseason?

If we aren't a playoff team by next season something is wrong.
- sbroads24

Yet so many people like to declare so many of his trades overpayments....this team will be building chemistry this year to probably be a bubble team next year. Nothing wrong with that except for people who are impatient.

Sure I guess? But next year has not even crossed my mind yet.
- ImThatGuy

Hasn't really crossed mine.

Point is that Murray made moves to be competitive now. We are looking at an NHL roster that he constructed. He's making it as close to an overnight thing as possible

Very happy to see Ullmark come up. I'm a little sad thinking about how the fan base will rip him to shreds after his first bad game.

if we are a bottom 4 team this year, IMO Murray is on the hot seat
- homiedclown

we won't be and he won't be

Hasn't really crossed mine.

Point is that Murray made moves to be competitive now. We are looking at an NHL roster that he constructed. He's making it as close to an overnight thing as possible
- sbroads24

Right on. This roster has been built to compete, just not right this second. The last two years, we were removing every single piece that didn't belong here. Now we have a ton of pieces that will be long term parts. There's still some work to be done, but a bulk of the heavy lifting has been done. Now it's truly about developing what we have and adding to it in the appropriate places. Whether that be young developing talent, trades or in the rare case, a long term FA acquisition.

Yet so many people like to declare so many of his trades overpayments....this team will be building chemistry this year to probably be a bubble team next year. Nothing wrong with that except for people who are impatient.
- stashu

Because most are.

When was the last time you have seen a GM trade 2 2nd round picks plus a prospect (McNabb) for a guy drafted in the 4th round less than a year prior and an AHL'er (at the time) in Delauriers.

Murray is making it abundantly clear, these are the players he likes and wants on our NHL roster. If it doesn't work, and soon, he should probably be held accountable.

With the way he's moved out so many picks/prospects, he's left himself little room for error

Linus is the new Jhonas (2010-2011). Whenever they plan on giving Johnson the night off, they're going to call him up, and he will play. And then Lieuwen will come back and Ullmark will go back down.

Yet so many people like to declare so many of his trades overpayments....this team will be building chemistry this year to probably be a bubble team next year. Nothing wrong with that except for people who are impatient.
- stashu

Bingo, This is why I was concerned with all the playoff talk this year. It was way to early for that. Look at the roster turnover this year. it is going to take time for it to come together.

I will say I expect to see a huge improvement after 10-15 games. It may not be noticeable at first, but all of the sudden we will look back and think when it all started to click.

Linus is the new Jhonas (2010-2011). Whenever they plan on giving Johnson the night off, they're going to call him up, and he will play. And then Lieuwen will come back and Ullmark will go back down.
- buffalofan19

Fine. It's a smart play.

Bingo, This is why I was concerned with all the playoff talk this year. It was way to early for that. Look at the roster turnover this year. it is going to take time for it to come together.

I will say I expect to see a huge improvement after 10-15 games. It may not be noticeable at first, but all of the sudden we will look back and think when it all started to click.
- ImThatGuy

Offensively yeah. You know how good this team would be if we could score 3 goals a game? We could be 5-1. Our possession numbers are actually pretty good, our corsi is massively improved and we're almost leading the league in EV scoring chances.

Offensively yeah. You know how good this team would be if we could score 3 goals a game? We could be 5-1. Our possession numbers are actually pretty good, our corsi is massively improved and we're almost leading the league in EV scoring chances.
- TheSabresTaco

It'll all come together, but I don't know that we see it consistently until around December. I had said before, that with the way the roster was constructed we could probably squeak into the playoffs, but it all depended on how quickly the team developed chemistry with one another. I've said all summer that it could end up finishing anywhere between 5th last in league to 8th place in the conference.

All I know for sure right now, is the games are a hell of a lot more enjoyable to watch.

Fine. It's a smart play.
- TheSabresTaco

I agree. I'm just saying expect to see it play out this way.

It'll all come together, but I don't know that we see it consistently until around December. I had said before, that with the way the roster was constructed we could probably squeak into the playoffs, but it all depended on how quickly the team developed chemistry with one another. I've said all summer that it could end up finishing anywhere between 5th last in league to 8th place in the conference.

All I know for sure right now, is the games are a hell of a lot more enjoyable to watch.
- HonkFortheGoose

You sound like a fan, not a critic.

You sound like a fan, not a critic.


- Der Kaiser

I'm going to the game tonight. It's an awesome feeling to not feel like it's a chore. Last year was rough.

I'm going to the game tonight. It's an awesome feeling to not feel like it's a chore. Last year was rough.
- HonkFortheGoose

I have a 10-pack and blow in all the way from Rochester. I love the idea of being excited about the game, not just the atmosphere, and my kid does too.

I have a 10-pack and blow in all the way from Rochester. I love the idea of being excited about the game, not just the atmosphere, and my kid does too.
- Der Kaiser

I miss being able to go to the arena. Especially now that the team is worth watching. The atmosphere in that building is usually electric, save the last few years, and it's hard to get anywhere else. Especially when I've gone to Anaheim. I'm terrified to go to the Coyotes Arena this year. I guess I'll be able to hear everything going on.

Offensively yeah. You know how good this team would be if we could score 3 goals a game? We could be 5-1. Our possession numbers are actually pretty good, our corsi is massively improved and we're almost leading the league in EV scoring chances.
- TheSabresTaco

We have too many Busty McBustersons on this team.

Ebuster Kane
Ryan O'Bustly
Sam BustHardt
Robin Bustner

Even if it took three years for them to make the playoffs it would still be way shorter than what it would've been without the trades. This team is just starting to get rolling. if anything Marie is open for criticism for tanking, not the trades. But since the tank worked (Eichel) there aren't many people still angry about it.

We have to remember that players like Compher and Lemieux are still three years away from even having a legit shot in the NHL. It would be asking too much of this Fanbase to tank two seasons and then wait another five just to get a decent product.

I miss being able to go to the arena. Especially now that the team is worth watching. The atmosphere in that building is usually electric, save the last few years, and it's hard to get anywhere else. Especially when I've gone to Anaheim. I'm terrified to go to the Coyotes Arena this year. I guess I'll be able to hear everything going on.
- thatsapickle

I'm with you...I wish I still lived in Rochester like I did after meeting my (then-future) wife. Being able to go to Amerks games would be awesome, and then occasional Sabres games just an hour drive away....gah...

It'll all come together, but I don't know that we see it consistently until around December. I had said before, that with the way the roster was constructed we could probably squeak into the playoffs, but it all depended on how quickly the team developed chemistry with one another. I've said all summer that it could end up finishing anywhere between 5th last in league to 8th place in the conference.

All I know for sure right now, is the games are a hell of a lot more enjoyable to watch.
- HonkFortheGoose

Agreed. There was some nastiness on the board last night because one member pooped on GMTM because we didn't start the season 6 - 0 (being facetious). As you and many others have pointed out, the games are actually enjoyable to watch now and at least we have a fighting chance to win. This is due to Murray's moves - end of story. We can all speculate about who won what trade but let's at least wait for 40 or 50 games before we cast any sort of judgement on this team. From my perspective, if they get somewhere between 70 and 80 points and improve on the special teams, 5 on 5 etc and appear to have a system in place, I will be pleased at year's end. Somebody once said Rome wasn't built in a day. These things take time.

Even if it took three years for them to make the playoffs it would still be way shorter than what it would've been without the trades. This team is just starting to get rolling. if anything Marie is open for criticism for tanking, not the trades. But since the tank worked (Eichel) there aren't many people still angry about it.

We have to remember that players like Compher and Lemieux are still three years away from even having a legit shot in the NHL. It would be asking too much of this Fanbase to tank two seasons and then wait another five just to get a decent product.
- Khymlev13

Plus players like Deslauries have really added a lot in their roles. I don't think McNabb would be making a difference, and we haven't seen what Fasching can do yet.

I'm with you...I wish I still lived in Rochester like I did after meeting my (then-future) wife. Being able to go to Amerks games would be awesome, and then occasional Sabres games just an hour drive away....gah...
- stashu

Now I have to go to arenas where the few "shoot" birds in the 300s at FNC are trumped by the arena full of people who have little clue of what's happening. If they are even in their seats and not in the concourse.

Last season, I was talking to a kings fan. I told him I was a Sabres fan, which he gave a blank stare. Then I said that Nolan's dad was my coach. He thought I meant my personal coach. I have to remember that hockey is not a way of life everywhere.

I'm going to the game tonight. It's an awesome feeling to not feel like it's a chore. Last year was rough.
- HonkFortheGoose

With me picking up the extra Toronto game, it's a Sabres-filled week. Got back to backs tonight and tomorrow. Wifey and I are hitting up canalside and Pearl St for nostalgia before tomorrow's game.

Even if it took three years for them to make the playoffs it would still be way shorter than what it would've been without the trades. This team is just starting to get rolling. if anything Marie is open for criticism for tanking, not the trades. But since the tank worked (Eichel) there aren't many people still angry about it.

We have to remember that players like Compher and Lemieux are still three years away from even having a legit shot in the NHL. It would be asking too much of this Fanbase to tank two seasons and then wait another five just to get a decent product.
- Khymlev13

No they aren't.

If it takes 3 years with this roster, something is wrong.

I'm going to the game tonight. It's an awesome feeling to not feel like it's a chore. Last year was rough.
- HonkFortheGoose

Have fun. Very jealous. I was at the Columbus game when Eichel scored "the goal" of the year. The roof almost came off the building.

By the way, I might one of the dissenters on this board but that new Sabres goal song actually was really fun to hear after they scored - at least in person.