It's an opinion.

You are the only credible poster blaming the secondary scoring issue on the scrubs. 22 and 28

Its partially there fault. Like 10%
- Boss34

It's an opinion.

You are the only credible poster blaming the secondary scoring issue on the scrubs. 22 and 28

Its partially there fault. Like 10%
- Boss34

It's obviously been hard to build a middle 6 with these pieces. Very few create chances....most are supporting players and most are bad defensively.

If something doesn't click soon with ERod back, it's time to look to Roch.

Mittlestadt- looks ready to breakout, but hasn't, stronger than expected defensively
Sobotka- below average so far, one of their better defenders

ERod- they really need him to spark something
Sheary- hasn't done much without Jack, one of the worst defensive players on the team
Elie- could help, maybe, but probably won't get that chance.

Sam- hasn't done anything without Jack, normally good defensively
Okposo- pretty average and boring across the board
Thomspon- probably headed to Roch soon

Bills signed QB Matt Barkley, formerly of the Bengals.

Barkley spent the summer with Cincinnati but sprained his MCL in the preseason and didn't make the team. He'll back up Nathan Peterman in Week 9.


God help us
- SABRES 89

Stealth tank !

R-E-L-A-X

So apparently Barry Alvarez is sitting across from me at a Detroit Airport Delta Sky Club. Only found out who he was when a person came up to him and said "Huge Fan". Had to Google him.

Apparently, he's a big deal.

I can't believe that in the year of the Lord 2018, anyone believes it is reasonable and acceptable that Johan "4 goals" Larsson plays 17 minutes.

I just refuse to accept that as a rational opinion
- jcragcrumple

Don’t think anyone is “defending” this.

The ridiculousness is you blaming him over guys who are expected to actually make a difference and are complete no-shows

Don’t think anyone is “defending” this.

The ridiculousness is you blaming him over guys who are expected to actually make a difference and are complete no-shows
- sbroads24

We're just going in circles.

I'm not gonna play the "what about x" game. Girgs and Larsson play a lot of minutes, continue to not score, pilot a mediocre penalty kill and can't be counted on to close out games. It's been going on for years, and at this point it's an actual choice. There are alternatives to playing them 17 mins a night. Good ones, too

Don’t think anyone is “defending” this.

The ridiculousness is you blaming him over guys who are expected to actually make a difference and are complete no-shows
- sbroads24

Really wish the topic would evolve. Larsson is up to 85% dzone starts, which is simply astounding.

Dzone draw vs the other team's top line, Phil's going to Larsson every time. Is anyone really prepared to make a passionate argument that they want Sobotka instead?

If anyone wants to bump Girgs up and change the makeup of these lines, that's a much more interesting conversation to have.

When you take even strength minutes away from 37 and 23 to give to 22 and 28, you are essentially guaranteeing that those minutes will not result in a Sabres goal.

It has to be more than 10% their fault because they're playing more than Reinhart and Mittelstadt

Mittelstadt played 4 mins even strength against CBJ - whether you think that's the right call is apart from the point that those minutes are then allocated to the Larsson line, which does not score. It is a direct correlation between giving that line minutes, and not scoring.
- jcragcrumple

The first defense in the history of the nhl 2017-18 to finish 31st place.

We added an 18 year old.

Think there might be some concern about the other team scoring?

Why cant the "good" players 23 and 37 force more ice time by using their offensive talent to score more?

22 and 28 never get pp1 or pp2 time.

They are out their shorthanded not on the pp
Maybe that factors in the lack of scoring?

Probably not

* this is a dumb argument, I'm done.

28 and 22 are playing better then "put them on waivers" you have been preaching since 2016.

Other guys aren't.
Erod
Sam
Mitts

3 goals total? It's on them to score, not scrubs that average 7 goals a year

Peterman is ready
- Boss34

He sure is......ready to throw a boatload more interceptions.

The first defense in the history of the nhl 2017-18 to finish 31st place.

We added an 18 year old.

Think there might be some concern about the other team scoring?

Why cant the "good" players 23 and 37 force more ice time by using their offensive talent to score more?

22 and 28 never get pp1 or pp2 time.

They are out their shorthanded not on the pp
Maybe that factors in the lack of scoring?

Probably not
- Boss34

I've been saying for 2 pages that 22 and 28 are playing as much, or in some cases significantly more than, 37 and 23 at even strength. That's a choice that Housley is making, and that choice is a major contributing factor to not scoring 5-on-5.

He sure is......ready to throw a boatload more interceptions.
- HonkFortheGoose

😊

No way peterman puts up less then 5 1/2 points.
The average of the last 2 games with Anderson at qb.

Plus his pick 6

I've been saying for 2 pages that 22 and 28 are playing as much, or in some cases significantly more than, 37 and 23 at even strength. That's a choice that Housley is making, and that choice is a major contributing factor to not scoring 5-on-5.
- jcragcrumple

Probably against the other teams top scorers

So what?

Probably against the other teams top scorers

So what?
- Boss34

So we're going to lose a lot of 2-1 or 3-2 games unless Eichel and Skinner do all of the work if we continue on this path

Probably against the other teams top scorers

So what?
- Boss34

dzone draw against Gaudreau's line, I'd say 43/37/23 is not an option Phil even considers

I've been saying for 2 pages that 22 and 28 are playing as much, or in some cases significantly more than, 37 and 23 at even strength. That's a choice that Housley is making, and that choice is a major contributing factor to not scoring 5-on-5.
- jcragcrumple

I agree with half of this statement.

Look I get it, Mittelstadt has nice hands and is entertaining to watch. He may ooh and aah some fans, but his expected goals for is below what it should be and his individual shot attempts per game is less than most of our blueline.

If he didn't have nice hands, the fan base would be all over him. Mitts will never be a defensive guy so his got to generate offensive chances at a good rate. He's not doing that right now.

I agree with half of this statement.

Look I get it, Mittelstadt has nice hands and is entertaining to watch. He may ooh and aah some fans, but his expected goals for is below what it should be and his individual shot attempts per game is less than most of our blueline.

If he didn't have nice hands, the fan base would be all over him. Mitts will never be a defensive guy so his got to generate offensive chances at a good rate. He's not doing that right now.
- Sabresfan-365

I could go in circles on this for hours. For the sanity of everyone including myself, I'm just gonna drop it

I could go in circles on this for hours. For the sanity of everyone including myself, I'm just gonna drop it
- jcragcrumple

if it makes you feel better, we all lack this being here and all so I wouldn't worry

So we're going to lose a lot of 2-1 or 3-2 games unless Eichel and Skinner do all of the work if we continue on this path
- jcragcrumple

Yes, where are the other guys?

Not the 4th line guys?

dzone draw against Gaudreau's line, I'd say 43/37/23 is not an option Phil even considers
- Lunaion

I agree

I sat behind the net, phil brought eichel out a few times for defensive face offs. Immediately went to the bench.

How is tage and erod also not responsible for not scoring.

I get erod missed 2 games.

Erod
Mitts
Sam
Sobotka
Tage

4 total goals in 56 games..

Its definitely girgensons fault

I agree with half of this statement.

Look I get it, Mittelstadt has nice hands and is entertaining to watch. He may ooh and aah some fans, but his expected goals for is below what it should be and his individual shot attempts per game is less than most of our blueline.

If he didn't have nice hands, the fan base would be all over him. Mitts will never be a defensive guy so his got to generate offensive chances at a good rate. He's not doing that right now.
- Sabresfan-365

Yeah but 28 and 22 aren't scoring

I agree with half of this statement.

Look I get it, Mittelstadt has nice hands and is entertaining to watch. He may ooh and aah some fans, but his expected goals for is below what it should be and his individual shot attempts per game is less than most of our blueline.

If he didn't have nice hands, the fan base would be all over him. Mitts will never be a defensive guy so his got to generate offensive chances at a good rate. He's not doing that right now.
- Sabresfan-365

Send out the mob with pitchforks, go get that 19 year old rookie for not scoring 5 or 6 goals so far in the 12 games that we have played... Good Grief....

Send out the mob with pitchforks, go get that 19 year old rookie for not scoring 5 or 6 goals so far in the 12 games that we have played... Good Grief....

- hehateme

Totally agree. What's with dahlin too? 1 goal.

Dahlin couldn't even force his way on to the ice 3 x 3 in ot

He sucks

I agree

I sat behind the net, phil brought eichel out a few times for defensive face offs. Immediately went to the bench.

How is tage and erod also not responsible for not scoring.

I get erod missed 2 games.

Erod
Mitts
Sam
Sobotka
Tage

4 total goals in 56 games..

Its definitely girgensons fault
- Boss34

We pretty much agree on this. I want to talk about the middle 6, not Larsson.

Totally agree. What's with dahlin too? 1 goal.

Dahlin couldn't even force his way on to the ice 3 x 3 in ot

He sucks
- Boss34

BUST, trade him now, We would not get a bag of practice pucks for him, 1 goal..... he was the #1 overall pick shoul have 40 points by now, franking slacker...