Post of the SEASON, right here.

Everything that *could have* gone our way, didn't.

As yet, the genius who was supposed to extract the underlying skill from all our underperforming stars, hasn't. The game plan leaves us OUTCLASSED.

As yet, the genius who was supposed to surgically remove the diseased tissue and pump in all new health has Scandella, Beulieau, Pomminville, Tennyson, Griffith, Pouliot, Jordan Nolan, Jacob Josefson, and Scott Wilson as his doorbusters. Call them "low risk," if that's how you want to try to make them sound smart. I'll call them UNDERWHELMING. The talent leaves us OUTCLASSED.

There are a few really good players on this team. But there are too many nags. I'll continue to wait. I know the trade deadline is still coming. And maybe there is a plan to let the floodgates open and to completely overhaul this roster somehow.

But for all the criticism GMTM got for blockbuster trades that brought back controversial returns, you gotta give him credit that you could at least argue there were returns. Botterill has at least 10 players he imported up there, there are probably more I am not thinking about. Maybe Scandella has done OK. Maybe Poulliot has been alright. Pomminville is certainly a nice guy. But other than that, can anybody argue that any of those players is more than just an interchangeable plug and play that you, me, gerbe, or beady could have brought in?

I am still hoping for the best, but so far I have seen nothing. So far all I see is OUTCLASSED.
- Der Kaiser

Why would we give him credit. GMTM had four years and all the assets in the world to deal with, and his returns on the blueline were kulikov, gorges and bogosian.


Botts had basically nothing to work with his first off season. Yeah he brought in low risk guys but they're irrelevant. you're not going to get much value out of them if they have to play over their heads (like scandella right now).

There are current players on this roster that GMTM paid major assets to be integral parts of the team that are barely secondary players.

That's why we're getting outclassed, not because in the 15 mins he plays Beaulieu sucks.

Edit: I like that there was no mention of Lehner and CJ in the original post.

If their not trying to mess with Rochacha, then who is going to fill the spots for the rest of the season?

I don't see a lot of changes other than maybe Kane and Lehner, coming until this summer
- washedup20

thats probably why they are asking for a roster player in return for kane. It's not an increase in ask so much as ensuring the young talent isnt forced to leave Rochester

I thought so.

I was wrong.

Too much suck for the few talented players to carry.
- Der Kaiser

Not pointing at you Kaiser, as I thought they were on the trending up curve.
On paper, this roster should not be a last place team.
Production wise, they are way under expectations.

Now the coach has thrown them under the bus for the 2nd, maybe 3rd time in 1/2 season. Last night’s post game press conference, his statements about the players were very pointed...calling them out as a bunch of stubborn under achievers.

The irony is, with comments like that, while very justified, certainly don’t help with the little trade value most of them have.

Because he should be in a league where the emphasis isn't grinding..

Give him a shot in the NHL...if he flunks out...move on
- feetontheair22

He also shouldn't be on a team where the emphasis is on floating.

Let him learn how to fight through some checks and win some battles in the 'A'. Otherwise, we've got the next Grigorenko on our hands.

the top 4 d sucks

whoever is on jack's line, sucks


second line production is blah

third and 4th line sucks

special teams suck

goaltending sucks


we are further away then most will admit

the top 4 d sucks

whoever is on jack's line, sucks


second line production is blah

third and 4th line sucks

special teams suck

goaltending sucks


we are further away then most will admit
- homiedclown

we're good now


Root now!

we're good now


Root now!
- Sabresfan-365

rush is done touring and recording

https://progressivemusicp...cially-calls-it-a-career/

the top 4 d sucks

whoever is on jack's line, sucks


second line production is blah

third and 4th line sucks

special teams suck

goaltending sucks


we are further away then most will admit
- homiedclown

I'm sure most thought that about the avs last year.

- homiedclown

it's hard to know whether this was the actual plan but in the summer a bunch of us mentioned there really is no way to fix the mess without drafting high and waiting it out.

It appears he came to a similar conclusion.

I'm sure most thought that about the avs last year.
- jcragcrumple

Mikko Rantanen stepped up


Kerfoot, the ncaa guy who a bunch of people here scoffed at cause of his size, is quietly having a good year.

And they cut out Duchene. May need to follow a similar blueprint (mittelstadt, trade, ditch someone that doesnt belong)

edit: computer doing weird things lol

Mikko Rantanen stepped up


Kerfoot, the ncaa guy who a bunch of people here scoffed at cause of his size, is quietly having a good year.

And they cut out Duchene. May need to follow a similar blueprint (mittelstadt, trade, ditch someone that doesnt belong)

edit: computer doing weird things lol
- Sabresfan-365

Yeah, there's a fine line between bad and competitive. The Sabres need a couple more high end pieces. Mittelstadt plus Dahlin next year and a bit of a culture change by losing Reinhart and Kane will do wonders imo.

And just swap out Nolan, 22 and 28 for some veteran guys to shake that 4th line out of the stagnation

I am an optimist

Yeah, there's a fine line between bad and competitive. The Sabres need a couple more high end pieces. Mittelstadt plus Dahlin next year and a bit of a culture change by losing Reinhart and Kane will do wonders imo.

And just swap out Nolan, 22 and 28 for some veteran guys to shake that 4th line out of the stagnation

I am an optimist
- jcragcrumple

i think it's realistic, just not easy. Its more likely they miss on Dahlin then get him. Even then, they could add Guhle and one guy through trade for the blueline and ditch bogosian and gorges.

The big bet is hoping Mittelstadt can step up right away. Not unreasonable to think nolan, girgs, larsson can be replaced with competent guys. Maybe Smith takes a spot there too, adds scoring depth.


Edit: stable goaltending would be ideal

How much better is Pat Kane compared to Eichel?

How much better is Pat Kane compared to Eichel?
- washedup20

Slightly? The gap has shrunk and thanks to father time it'll likely be the other way around soon.

Possible 2018-2019 opening top 6 forwards if buffalo selects 2nd or 3rd overall.

Zadina-Eichel-Okposo
Mittlestadt-ROR-Reinhart

Or

CJ Smith-Eichel-Svechnikov
Mittlestadt-ROR-Okposo

Yeah, there's a fine line between bad and competitive. The Sabres need a couple more high end pieces. Mittelstadt plus Dahlin next year and a bit of a culture change by losing Reinhart and Kane will do wonders imo.

And just swap out Nolan, 22 and 28 for some veteran guys to shake that 4th line out of the stagnation

I am an optimist
- jcragcrumple

I always have hope. Our 2nd Best forward is in college, our 2nd best dman is in Rochester And our best goalie is in Rochester. Too bad we didn't draft sergachev instead of nylander.

How much better is Pat Kane compared to Eichel?
- washedup20

Hard to say. The Sabres still haven't found Eichel's go-to winger yet.

Smith?
Mittelstadt? Maybe a center
Nylander?
Baptiste? (Great job by Housley to not use him so that Nolan, Wilson and Larsson can play btw. Really forward looking on that one)

Hopefully one of those guys click

Possible 2018-2019 opening top 6 forwards if buffalo selects 2nd or 3rd overall.

Zadina-Eichel-Okposo
Mittlestadt-ROR-Reinhart

Or

CJ Smith-Eichel-Svechnikov
Mittlestadt-ROR-Okposo
- Pegullaville

what if they draft 4th/5th *hides*

what if they draft 4th/5th *hides*
- Sabresfan-365

4th, and we still get Tkachuk...
Hopefully he will be a scorer at the NHL level

5th, and i think we should take a defenseman
He won’t be ready for NHL though

4th, and we still get Tkachuk...
Hopefully he will be a scorer at the NHL level

5th, and i think we should take a defenseman
He won’t be ready for NHL though
- jdfitz77

i was mostly just joking around. Im fine with all of them really.


They'll all need time, even if some are more nhl ready.

what if they draft 4th/5th *hides*
- Sabresfan-365

what if they draft 4th/5th *hides*
- Sabresfan-365

Then you enter Tkachuk, Hughes, Boqvist territory. Boqvist is another Swedish d-man that could go off the board early. Offensive game reminiscent of a Karlsson according to some scouts there. But obviously not making the WJC team its tough to find any meaningful clips of him. But that’s another guy who might even be the 2nd or 3rd player off the board in this draft.

what if they draft 4th/5th *hides*
- Sabresfan-365

Speaking of that, I've never heard Dahlin's name pronounced.

Is it Doll-een

Or Doll-in

Or something else?