Seems an odd team to use as proof of your point.

https://thehockeywriters....aking-defense-a-priority/
- Der Kaiser

im not sure i see your point here?


Edit: my point was less emphasis on toughness more on speed/skill on the blueline. If anything the "from 30th to playoffs in one year" leafs are the perfect example.

Like I said, not going to argue.


It is unfortunate we're likely going to have to play catch up with Toronto. They zoomed right by everybody.
- Buffalo--Sabres

You may be on the wrong site then

speed, skill, proper breakouts and transition game that'll get us more wins. And less of Bogosian flat out missing hits

im not sure i see your point here?
- Sabresfan-365

I interpreted your reference to the Leafs as an example of an excellent modern defensive corps, or perhaps as contributing to the team's surprising success last year.

But I don't think anybody else would call them excellent, and in fact most people say they are badly in need of improvement.

I interpreted your reference to the Leafs as an example of an excellent modern defensive corps, or perhaps as contributing to the team's surprising success last year.

But I don't think anybody else would call them excellent, and in fact most people say they are badly in need of improvement.
- Der Kaiser

no they're by no means the gold standard, but they made that shift and it helped them make the playoffs. Its hardly perfect though they're missing a few pieces and hainsey is a blah move.


Rielly, Zaitsev, Gardiner, Rosen, Dermott etc.. none of these guys are even remotely physical. Thats the point i was trying to make. you obviously dont want to get pushed around but the days of bruising your way to a championship are gone.

no they're by no means the gold standard, but they made that shift and it helped them make the playoffs. Its hardly perfect though they're missing a few pieces and hainsey is a blah move.
- Sabresfan-365

I'm not challenging your overall theory, but I do challenge the causal relationship in this statement.

More specifically, I think the Leafs made the playoffs because of spectacular offensive success, and DESPITE defensive woes (not because of the defensive shift).

I'm not challenging your overall theory, but I do challenge the causal relationship in this statement.
- Der Kaiser

Thats fair. Its not the core reason but it definitely played an important role. The change in philosphy saw Gardiner go from outcast to irreplaceable. Zaitsev played an important role, Rielly was Rielly.

The D did well to get the puck up to the forwards effectively...or rather effectively enough to give them enough wins/pts to make the playoffs.

Edit: just saw the edit, thats exactly what im getting at though

You may be on the wrong site then

speed, skill, proper breakouts and transition game that'll get us more wins. And less of Bogosian flat out missing hits
- Sabresfan-365

I think I threw you for a loop with my refusal to argue.

Thats fair. Its not the core reason but it definitely played an important role. The change in philosphy saw Gardiner go from outcast to irreplaceable. Zaitsev played an important role, Rielly was Rielly.

The D did well to get the puck up to the forwards effectively...or rather effectively enough to give them enough wins/pts to make the playoffs.

Edit: just saw the edit, thats exactly what im getting at though
- Sabresfan-365

Well ......

EFF the Leafs.

Well ......

EFF the Leafs.
- Der Kaiser

Agreed, just saying the physicality of the D is the least of my concerns and probably the least of JB and Housley.

I think I threw you for a loop with my refusal to argue.
- Buffalo--Sabres

100%

#Sabres lines:
Kane-Eichel-Pominville
Girgensons-ROR-Okposo
Moulson-Reinhart-Griffith
Larsson-Josefson-Nolan

DLo-Pouliot-Bailey


Antipin-Ristolainen
Beaulieu-Bogosian
Gorges-Falk

Goloubef-Fedun
Scandella-Tennyson
- Sabresfan-365

That could be interesting..

Thats fair. Its not the core reason but it definitely played an important role. The change in philosphy saw Gardiner go from outcast to irreplaceable. Zaitsev played an important role, Rielly was Rielly.

The D did well to get the puck up to the forwards effectively...or rather effectively enough to give them enough wins/pts to make the playoffs.

Edit: just saw the edit, thats exactly what im getting at though
- Sabresfan-365

It did get them in the playoffs, but as we know from our squabble Wednesday night, its the defensively effective teams that run deep toward Lord Stanley.

That could be interesting..
- feetontheair22

I bet Lehner disagrees

no they're by no means the gold standard, but they made that shift and it helped them make the playoffs. Its hardly perfect though they're missing a few pieces and hainsey is a blah move.


Rielly, Zaitsev, Gardiner, Rosen, Dermott etc.. none of these guys are even remotely physical. Thats the point i was trying to make. you obviously dont want to get pushed around but the days of bruising your way to a championship are gone.
- Sabresfan-365

Who was the last to do I it? Kings 13-14?

It did get them in the playoffs, but as we know from our squabble Wednesday night, its the defensively effective teams that run deep toward Lord Stanley.
- Der Kaiser

yea they've got a ways to go on that front as well. I wish we had Jake Gardiner though.

Who was the last to do I it? Kings 13-14?
- Buffalo--Sabres

yeah, just before the big shift when mcjesus and eichel entered

I bet Lehner disagrees
- Sabresfan-365

Ya it was sarcasm. We need a partner for Risto who will be a tiny (or a lot) more defensive minded then Antipin. Both Risto and Antipin are guys with huge offensive upside and like to join the rush.....so who stays back on defense?? lol

Ya it was sarcasm. We need a partner for Risto who will be a tiny (or a lot) more defensive minded then Antipin. Both Risto and Antipin are guys with huge offensive upside and like to join the rush.....so who stays back on defense?? lol
- feetontheair22

Or a winger with amazing defensive sense like Jochen Hecht had. But those don't come around very often.

Ya it was sarcasm. We need a partner for Risto who will be a tiny (or a lot) more defensive minded then Antipin. Both Risto and Antipin are guys with huge offensive upside and like to join the rush.....so who stays back on defense?? lol
- feetontheair22

Or a separate shut down pairing so guys like risto don't have to take on those assignments

Ya it was sarcasm. We need a partner for Risto who will be a tiny (or a lot) more defensive minded then Antipin. Both Risto and Antipin are guys with huge offensive upside and like to join the rush.....so who stays back on defense?? lol
- feetontheair22

antipin is not afraid to stay back and clear the front of the net

Or a separate shut down pairing so guys like risto don't have to take on those assignments
- Sabresfan-365

That would work too....Maybe that is what Falk and Gorges are supposed to be?

which.....

That would work too....Maybe that is what Falk and Gorges are supposed to be?

which.....
- feetontheair22

i think they're just there cause scandella and mccabe arent.

What VPN service do you use?

I am trying to decide between IPVanish and and ExpressVPN.
- buffalofan19

I use Private Internet Access, just make sure to disable any location services on your Mac or PC, if you use chromecast that will give away you're location and if you use a phone you have to root/jailbreak it and install a fake GPS app to match your VPN location region you have chosen.


......I've heard.

Thats fair. Its not the core reason but it definitely played an important role. The change in philosphy saw Gardiner go from outcast to irreplaceable. Zaitsev played an important role, Rielly was Rielly.

The D did well to get the puck up to the forwards effectively...or rather effectively enough to give them enough wins/pts to make the playoffs.

Edit: just saw the edit, thats exactly what im getting at though
- Sabresfan-365

This is the main point.

Would Matthews have scored 40 goals with Mike Weber and Josh Gorges chipping the puck off the boards? Absolutely not.

Yes, they have flaws in the D zone, or in front of there own net specifically, but the ability to pass outweights the flaws

1300

it's a nice round number