FIFY

Leadership, accountability, determination, discipline, commitment to the 200' game, consistency, passion, grit, fighting skills, net front presence, cohesion, right players accepting and embracing their roles, etc.
- washedup20

All that and a box of hammers

Consistency and cohesion should grow with experience. Can't really knock the rest. If this is the case though, how many guys do you need to swap out? I mean no one we have can fight or really has known leadership qualities (beyond junior/minor leagues). Do you think it's 1-2 players being swapped out or you're hoping for a larger, sweeping change?
- QuinnFan

It starts with new leadership and a new culture.

Needs to go: Skinner ($9mm), Olofsson ($4.75mm) Girgs ($2.5), Okposo ($2.5mm), Jost ($2mm)

That's $20.75mm, $12mm should get you leadership from 2/3 new veteran supporting players that will help implement a culture that requires the rest of the missing qualities. Use one of the kids in the mile long line of potential to replace Skinner, and the rest to pay some of the RFA's.

The talent isn't the issue, the GM/coach play a large part in this, ultimately a talent heavy group results in the product we see year after year. This long drawn out plan has too many holes in it to endure the span of seasons required to reach success.

It starts with new leadership and a new culture.

Needs to go: Skinner ($9mm), Olofsson ($4.75mm) Girgs ($2.5), Okposo ($2.5mm), Jost ($2mm)

That's $20.75mm, $12mm should get you leadership from 2/3 new veteran supporting players that will help implement a culture that requires the rest of the missing qualities. Use one of the kids in the mile long line of potential to replace Skinner, and the rest to pay some of the RFA's.

The talent isn't the issue, the GM/coach play a large part in this, ultimately a talent heavy group results in the product we see year after year. This long drawn out plan has too many holes in it to endure the span of seasons required to reach success.
- washedup20

Good Post! Think if you find the right Leadership, the Culture will also change.

It starts with new leadership and a new culture.

Needs to go: Skinner ($9mm), Olofsson ($4.75mm) Girgs ($2.5), Okposo ($2.5mm), Jost ($2mm)

That's $20.75mm, $12mm should get you leadership from 2/3 new veteran supporting players that will help implement a culture that requires the rest of the missing qualities. Use one of the kids in the mile long line of potential to replace Skinner, and the rest to pay some of the RFA's.

The talent isn't the issue, the GM/coach play a large part in this, ultimately a talent heavy group results in the product we see year after year. This long drawn out plan has too many holes in it to endure the span of seasons required to reach success.
- washedup20

I like the premise, especially jetisoning Girgs, Okposo and Olo into the sun. I doubt Skinner waives to go anywhere though.

Last question I promise lol.

We constantly roll through three stages:
First it's about the players
Then it's about the coaches
Then it's about the culture and ownership

Then we circle back on the players

Don't we eventually need to say, we're a small, skilled team, that's our identity and roll with it? I just worry we're always playing musical chairs so much there's no chance for a real culture to sink in...extra hard with the carousel of coaches that's ever spinning.

I like the premise, especially jetisoning Girgs, Okposo and Olo into the sun. I doubt Skinner waives to go anywhere though.

Last question I promise lol.

We constantly roll through three stages:
First it's about the players
Then it's about the coaches
Then it's about the culture and ownership

Then we circle back on the players

Don't we eventually need to say, we're a small, skilled team, that's our identity and roll with it? I just worry we're always playing musical chairs so much there's no chance for a real culture to sink in...extra hard with the carousel of coaches that's ever spinning.
- QuinnFan

Agreed on the stages that's a good observation (thanks historic drought) and Skinner not waiving. He is and will forever remain an anchor, regardless of offensive production.

As for the bolded, yes, with the youth on the team though, it needs a few players who put fear into opponents to allow the small players to play their game. That's how a successful team of small skilled players succeed in a physical contact sport. There is no way around that, the best example is the Maple Leafs.

Good Post! Think if you find the right Leadership, the Culture will also change.
- Buff36

Touche

Agreed on the stages that's a good observation (thanks historic drought) and Skinner not waiving. He is and will forever remain an anchor, regardless of offensive production.

As for the bolded, yes, with the youth on the team though, it needs a few players who put fear into opponents to allow the small players to play their game. That's how a successful team of small skilled players succeed in a physical contact sport. There is no way around that, the best example is the Maple Leafs.
- washedup20

Hard to argue. The formula may simply ensure playoffs and no actual success beyond that, like the Loafers. Time will tell, but good points.

Good Post! Think if you find the right Leadership, the Culture will also change.
- Buff36

Who is the "right Leadership?" The AGM of the Golden Knights?

Who is the "right Leadership?" The AGM of the Seattle Kraken?
- RichardRoma

no (frank)ing doubt about it

- washedup20

- washedup20

Donnie would drive a Ferrari like a Prius

- washedup20

https://twitter.com/Sabre...amp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
That's ugly and No consistency!

Skinner Tage Tuch
Peterka Cozens Quinn
Savoie Mitts Benson
Greenway Krebs UFA

Is this a good enough forward unit to make the playoffs?
- QuinnFan

Nope. It’s good as in “Buffalo Good,” meaning we think it’s good until we watch a real team play and then we can see that we suck.

Edit- there were a few on here recently who would not include cozens or some other prospects in a deal for mc Jesus or draistatl.

Like seriously.

Skinner Tage Tuch
Peterka Cozens Quinn
Savoie Mitts Benson
Greenway Krebs UFA

Is this a good enough forward unit to make the playoffs?
- QuinnFan

You'd really love someone in that middle 6 to turn into a legit 1st liner in the next couple years. If it's just a good middle 6, then you probably have a playoff team, but nothing special.

Listing that without Kulich, Rosen, or Ostlund is the topic that won't go away for the next 18 months.

https://twitter.com/Sabremetrix/status/1730589328491823223?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
That's ugly and No consistency!
- Buff36

Hell of a stat.

https://twitter.com/Sabremetrix/status/1730589328491823223?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
That's ugly and No consistency!
- Buff36

9-3-0 after a loss. ZERO consistency

Nope. It’s good as in “Buffalo Good,” meaning we think it’s good until we watch a real team play and then we can see that we suck.

Edit- there were a few on here recently who would not include cozens or some other prospects in a deal for mc Jesus or draistatl.

Like seriously.
- Da_Cashman

I think the discussion was 1 of Cozens/Mitts with Power to start.

But Edmonton aint moving either in-season... If at alll.

Cozens, Power have good contract and still very young if they plan to trade them though. Would be a nice start IMO

Nope. It’s good as in “Buffalo Good,” meaning we think it’s good until we watch a real team play and then we can see that we suck.

Edit- there were a few on here recently who would not include cozens or some other prospects in a deal for mc Jesus or draistatl.

Like seriously.
- Da_Cashman

If the defense started playing up to the caliber of a real NHL team...what place does that forward group get us to in your mind? Fringe playoff team? Picking 8th again? Worse?

You'd really love someone in that middle 6 to turn into a legit 1st liner in the next couple years. If it's just a good middle 6, then you probably have a playoff team, but nothing special.

Listing that without Kulich, Rosen, or Ostlund is the topic that won't go away for the next 18 months.
- Lunaion

Well, Jack Quinn will be our 1RW soon... (sorry I had to)

But the last part is the issue. Logjam city, here we are. It's why I wanted to sell Mitts high, I think he is expendable with all the kids coming up. Might set us back again though, so we're between a rock and a hard place.

You'd really love someone in that middle 6 to turn into a legit 1st liner in the next couple years. If it's just a good middle 6, then you probably have a playoff team, but nothing special.

Listing that without Kulich, Rosen, or Ostlund is the topic that won't go away for the next 18 months.
- Lunaion

He's gonna have to make a trade, there's really no way around it.

Skinner Tage Tuch
Peterka Cozens Quinn
Savoie Mitts Benson
Greenway Krebs UFA

Is this a good enough forward unit to make the playoffs?
- QuinnFan

It is-if everyone is firing on all cylinders… Savoie still an unknown quality at this stage, still think we need much more physicality in the forward position as well as defensive

26. Buffalo Sabres, 10-11-2

Last week: 23
Sean’s ranking: 25
Dom’s ranking: 26
Sean’s grade: D
Dom’s grade: D+

A Young Atlantic Division Team We Expected More From, Part II. A lot of people had high hopes for the Sabres, which breaks the first rule of the decade-long rebuild: Do not, under any circumstances, believe. This franchise loves to pull the rug out from under anyone who dares to think they’ve turned a corner. It happens almost every year.

“Wow, this team looks good!”

Five minutes later.

“Oh.”

Hook, line, sinker. Every time.

To be fair to the Sabres, they’ve played a lot of games without superstar center Tage Thompson. Also, Thompson alone isn’t putting this team back in the playoff race.

We’d like to say we’re disappointed — and our grades reflect that. But it also feels like we should’ve expected this considering it’s this franchise’s M.O. to fall flat on its face the minute it experiences any sort of on-ice success. There’s still a lot of season left, and the Sabres have played well of late, but we’re going to have to see it to believe it.

https://theathletic.com/5...ource=user_shared_article

It is-if everyone is firing on all cylinders… Savoie still an unknown quality at this stage, still think we need much more physicality in the forward position as well as defensive
- Cory1

Probably good enough to get you there, once in the show is a different story. Still think they need a few players that have gone through it, but that can still play some Hockey.