The team's record has a little bit to do with it, but the general concensus was that this team was supposed to be offensively gifted with struggles on defense and in net. They were also supposed to play a more exciting brand of hockey. It has turned out to be the opposite. They have shown flashes off offensive ability, but they are fewer and farther between than most of us would like them to be. They're a little better defensively than I thought they would be, and thanks to a guy who most likely won't be here for too long in Chad Johnson, the same can be said in goal too. In other words, the area of the team that Tim Murray tried to bolster and emptied the cupboards in doing so is by far the weakest part of this team, and it's because of the veteran acquisitions, not the young ones. To me, that's very concerning, even this early (which it's really not) in the season. It's not to say it can't improve, but like I said earlier, there should be more signs of it than there have been.
- buffalofan19

This early in the season and this early in the team's overall upward trajectory regarding being a cup contender are two entirely different things, and I only care about the latter and not the former.

They're a group that doesn't know how to win yet. They need to figure out a way to get a reliable sniper. Neither Ennis nor Kane is it.
- buffalofan19

The draft is when that'll happen, IMO.

Starting with the first game against Washington, the schedule was ten games with nine of them against teams currently in playoff position.

I was hoping for a total of 12 out of 20 points to see if this team can stay out of the basement.

It is going to be a long three weeks on this board...

They're a group that doesn't know how to win yet. They need to figure out a way to get a reliable sniper. Neither Ennis nor Kane is it.
- buffalofan19

IMO not knowing how to win is losing 5-4 or failing to close out third periods. These guys flat out can't score. I find it unacceptable with the amount of shots and chances they have. The 3-4 previous seasons, there were many games where we got brutally outshot, in that scenario you obviously aren't going to win much. I guess all I can say about expectations is, if your are going to lead every statistical category, I expect you to be at least a little proficient in the most important category. Scoring.

The team's record has a little bit to do with it, but the general concensus was that this team was supposed to be offensively gifted with struggles on defense and in net. They were also supposed to play a more exciting brand of hockey. It has turned out to be the opposite. They have shown flashes off offensive ability, but they are fewer and farther between than most of us would like them to be. They're a little better defensively than I thought they would be, and thanks to a guy who most likely won't be here for too long in Chad Johnson, the same can be said in goal too. In other words, the area of the team that Tim Murray tried to bolster and emptied the cupboards in doing so is by far the weakest part of this team, and it's because of the veteran acquisitions, not the young ones. To me, that's very concerning, even this early (which it's really not) in the season. It's not to say it can't improve, but like I said earlier, there should be more signs of it than there have been.
- buffalofan19

This is kind of what im talking about. Did the sabres roll out an ad campaign....."come for the overpriced beer, stay for the 10 goals?"
No one ever made the claim (at least from a team stanpoint) that we should lock up our daughters and wives because the Sabres will score so much, they'll leave the game pregnant.
This is a false expectation that no one but other hockeybuzzers made.
People here make up their own expectations and then complain when they're not met.

This is kind of what im talking about. Did the sabres roll out an ad campaign....."come for the overpriced beer, stay for the 10 goals?"
No one ever made the claim (at least from a team stanpoint) that we should lock up our daughters and wives because the Sabres will score so much, they'll leave the game pregnant.
This is a false expectation that no one but other hockeybuzzers made.
People here make up their own expectations and then complain when they're not met.
- seedy

No this was pretty much the general thought. That we would open it up and score some goals. Not be bottom 5

Concerned about two Veterans and our coach seeming to think he has to use the captain as much as he does. Lower him to twelve minutes a game and find a use for Moulson and we will meet your expectations. Moulsons game fell off much quicker than anticipated.
- Maximum Signal

More than two. Moulson, Ennis, Gionta, Kane, and Foligno all need to be improved upon.

And there were many folks, both here and elsewhere that said Moulson wouldn't come anywhere near living up to that contract. His game had been falling off before the Sabres had acquired him in the Vanek trade.

Concerned about two Veterans and our coach seeming to think he has to use the captain as much as he does. Lower him to twelve minutes a game and find a use for Moulson and we will meet your expectations. Moulsons game fell off much quicker than anticipated.
- Maximum Signal

Yah, this is going to evolve eventually into What is wrong with Bylsma. He is showing some signs raised by his critics from the Pen ... Relying too much on certain Vets, not being flexible enough in his game day rosters.

No this was pretty much the general thought. That we would open it up and score some goals. Not be bottom 5
- sbroads24

I think that expectation came from the fact that our GM ditched much of our stock of picks and prospects to win now. And at the moment the results are
Pretty poor. Had he stayed the course and built through the draft like he said he would, the criticism wouldn't be so loud.

More than two. Moulson, Ennis, Gionta, Kane, and Foligno all need to be improved upon.

And there were many folks, both here and elsewhere that said Moulson wouldn't come anywhere near living up to that contract. His game had been falling off before the Sabres had acquired him in the Vanek trade.
- buffalofan19

And that contract will become even worse and more of a hindrance with McGinn, Foligino, Zemgus, Larsson, McCabe, and Risto all coming up this season.

This early in the season and this early in the team's overall upward trajectory regarding being a cup contender are two entirely different things, and I only care about the latter and not the former.
- kingcong39

And when the weakest part of your game is the part you spent an arm and a leg to improve, it calls to question how "upward" that trajectory is now. Compared to last season, sure it is, but again, that bar was barely six inches off the ground. That doesn't tell you much in the big picture.

No this was pretty much the general thought. That we would open it up and score some goals. Not be bottom 5
- sbroads24

I dont exactly know who "the general" is, but unless the sabres tell me they made a trade that is going to guarantee goals, i dont expect an 18 year old, evander kane and ROR to lift a 2 year last place team in to the middle of the pack.

And that contract will become even worse and more of a hindrance with McGinn, Foligino, Zemgus, Larsson, McCabe, and Risto all coming up this season.
- rmiethaner

No player had any business getting a contract longer than three years going into last season. There was nobody on that roster or attainable on the FA market worth committing to. His contract is the worst one on the Sabres' books and it isn't even close.

And when the weakest part of your game is the part you spent an arm and a leg to improve, it calls to question how "upward" that trajectory is now. Compared to last season, sure it is, but again, that bar was barely six inches off the ground. That doesn't tell you much in the big picture.
- buffalofan19

You're on fire

I dont exactly know who "the general" is, but unless the sabres tell me they made a trade that is going to guarantee goals, i dont expect an 18 year old, evander kane and ROR to lift a 2 year last place team in to the middle of the pack.
- seedy

The heavy price they paid to get them sure did to me.

I dont exactly know who "the general" is, but unless the sabres tell me they made a trade that is going to guarantee goals, i dont expect an 18 year old, evander kane and ROR to lift a 2 year last place team in to the middle of the pack.
- seedy

Come on. This is just backtracking now.

You expected them to be bottom 3 in goals after getting two top 6 forwards and adding McGinn, and two 2nd overall picks to the forward group?

The heavy price they paid to get them sure did to me.
- buffalofan19

Versus drafting and waiting another 3 years.

Versus drafting and waiting another 3 years.
- seedy

It seems we are waiting the 3 years anyways. This is our point

More than two. Moulson, Ennis, Gionta, Kane, and Foligno all need to be improved upon.

And there were many folks, both here and elsewhere that said Moulson wouldn't come anywhere near living up to that contract. His game had been falling off before the Sabres had acquired him in the Vanek trade.
- buffalofan19

Foligno is suited fine for his fourth line roll and does it well at this point . Perhaps your expectations were too high for a third round pick.

Kane has only had 28 games under a new coach . new system , new town , coming off a pretty major surgery.. I see the tools just needs coaching and maybe a little more maturity on and off the ice . While in Atlanta with Craig
Ramsey I saw what he could be.

Ennis is a little confused with role in new system and injury plagued this season . Again more coaching. He has the tools. Maybe back with Moulson and we can see some of that chemistry they used to have

Gionta . I explained a solution

Moulson I am at a loss what to do. No trade clause , buyout really does not do anything for us. Hoping a line with him Larsson and Ennis might give us something to smile about.

Folks are too quick to be negative and not look for solutions or the positives. This still is the second youngest team in league and would be the youngest by a mile without Gionta or Moulson . It takes time and patience to be a real winner . Look at Chicago. It did not happen overnight there

Come on. This is just backtracking now.

You expected them to be bottom 3 in goals after getting two top 6 forwards and adding McGinn, and two 2nd overall picks to the forward group?
- sbroads24

At one point, they were 23rd and a few points away from 8th.....and then they totally dropped the ball with the typical inconsistencies i expected from a new team with a new coach.
Again, the sabres made no claim to plan the parade.
People who had high expectations and are now disappointed by them are generating their own strife.
When GMTM steps up to the podium and guarantees a playoff team, i'll hold him to the fire if he doesnt make it. Until then, im not gonna crap my pants over trades, "wasted picks," loser goalies, etc.

Come on. This is just backtracking now.

You expected them to be bottom 3 in goals after getting two top 6 forwards and adding McGinn, and two 2nd overall picks to the forward group?
- sbroads24

I did not , but they are not as bad as you two want everyone to believe. The chemistry is going to come and so are the goals. No Stanley cup champ recently did not happen without years of building.

It seems we are waiting the 3 years anyways. This is our point
- sbroads24

3 years ago, we had Leino, Thomas Vanek who didnt want to talk to the media about re signing here and Drew "the hammer" Stafford.
Remember those days?

Foligno is suited fine for his fourth line roll and does it well at this point . Perhaps your expectations were too high for a third round pick.

Kane has only had 28 games under a new coach . new system , new town , coming off a pretty major surgery.. I see the tools just needs coaching and maybe a little more maturity on and off the ice . While in Atlanta with Craig Ramsey I saw what he could be.

Gionta . I explained a solution

Moulson I am at a loss what to do. No trade clause , buyout really does not do anything for us. Hoping a line with him Larsson and Ennis might give us something to smile about.

Folks are too quick to be negative and not look for solutions or the positives. This still is the second youngest team in league and would be the youngest by a mile without Gionta or Moulson . It takes time and patience to be a real winner . Look at Chicago. It did not happen overnight there

Ennis little confused with role in new system and injury plagued this season . Again more coaching. He has the tools. Maybe back with Moulson and we can see some of that chemistry they used to have
- Maximum Signal

I looked at that tonight. If this team is like Chicago, they will be in the Conference Finals next season and win the cup the year after that.

I looked at that tonight. If this team is like Chicago, they will be in the Conference Finals next season and win the cup the year after that.
- rmiethaner

Wow, can't wait