I still think we need to break that top line up. We live and die with them. Eichel didn’t have his best game tonight and Skinner and Rhino weren’t able to pick up the slack. At least if Rhino is with Mitts maybe they get going. Throw Erod or Thompson on the right wing.
- Pegullaville

I've been wanting Thompson on Jack's wing for a while, he'd definitely get some looks and probably bury a few..

If we aren't going to try the Reinhart center experiment again, then at least try him on the wing with Mitts. It's apparent Mitts can't carry a line with the wingers he's been paired with.. give the kid some damn help.

This has been a rough stretch.
As quickly as you can gain confidence, it can be lost.

Before a very nice start to this season is lost, something needs to be done to find a viable pulse for the 2nd and 3rd lines.

I don't profess to know how you fix it but, I just know that something needs to be done sooner rather than later before a playoff spot begins to slip away.

The 2nd and 3rd lines are this teams achilles heel and if we know it, I am sure GM JB knows it as well.
Hopefully he doesn't wait too long to help this team.
- Over50

Yep seems that way . Lot of money invested and no room for more . The investments need to start paying dividends for this team . Too many games without points from them. . Been a tough stretch, but still. they lack depth scoring .
- cabin

I'm looking for some kind of shake up. Doesn't feel like we'll see it

I've been wanting Thompson on Jack's wing for a while, he'd definitely get some looks and probably bury a few..

If we aren't going to try the Reinhart center experiment again, then at least try him on the wing with Mitts. It's apparent Mitts can't carry a line with the wingers he's been paired with.. give the kid some damn help.
- BareMetal

Reinhart is the only consistently viable top 6 winger we have apart from Skinner. Eichel and Skinner have proven they can produce as a pair. I don’t know why people hate the idea of trying Sam with Casey.

I'm looking for some kind of shake up. Doesn't feel like we'll see it
- jcragcrumple

We haven't had to call up a forward all year, very strange. Usually injuries give someone else a chance. It's a lot harder to shake up a healthy roster when you're winning.

I'm looking for some kind of shake up. Doesn't feel like we'll see it
- jcragcrumple

The best we are going to get by the sounds of it is in the form of Smith, Bailey, Olofsson, Nylander being called up.

He’s also saved wins for us at least 4 or 5 games. His credit is good.
- Der Kaiser

Sorry don't feel the same, if he get beat for a goal yeah but that play is inexcusable his job is to stop the puck not wonder out of the goal and give them an empty net to shoot into. That twice it's happened and it been close to happening at least 4 other times, It's just dumb, play your position.....not someone else's.

It used to piss me off when Miller did it too.... Hutton is supposed to be a great puck handler.... questionable from 32 games of watching, and it gets him into trouble, tonight it cost us at least a point, and it was just plain dumb.

The best we are going to get by the sounds of it is in the form of Smith, Bailey, Olofsson, Nylander being called up.
- Pegullaville

none of these guys is fixing what is ailing the sabres right now, none of those guys are ready, if they were ready, one or more would be here by now.

We haven't had to call up a forward all year, very strange. Usually injuries give someone else a chance. It's a lot harder to shake up a healthy roster when you're winning.
- Lunaion

Agreed. Only peripheral players have been injured, and we've had the bodies to replace them at the NHL level. What I see from the lack of call-ups/waivers and the lack of trades is the willingness to let this play out. At this point, it looks like that's heading toward a backslide to a top-15 pick if nothing changes from within

Im drunk......hot take.

And the slide continues.....

Agreed. Only peripheral players have been injured, and we've had the bodies to replace them at the NHL level. What I see from the lack of call-ups/waivers and the lack of trades is the willingness to let this play out. At this point, it looks like that's heading toward a backslide to a top-15 pick if nothing changes from within
- jcragcrumple

I don't know. Maybe they regress a bit, maybe they improve. At some point, probably soon, someone will get their shot. I don't have much confidence that anyone in Rochester is going to give this team a big jolt, but you never know.

I imagine someone would have been up tonight, if we weren't in the holiday freeze, and we didn't have 9 healthy D.

Agreed. Only peripheral players have been injured, and we've had the bodies to replace them at the NHL level. What I see from the lack of call-ups/waivers and the lack of trades is the willingness to let this play out. At this point, it looks like that's heading toward a backslide to a top-15 pick if nothing changes from within
- jcragcrumple

I kinda thought either team could have won tonight?

1 goal game, should have got a point.

what if Middlestat is more Luke Adam or Marcus Foligno than Thomas Vanek

what if Middlestat is more Luke Adam or Marcus Foligno than Thomas Vanek
- BeadyEyedDouche

Thankfully we're not counting on Luke Adam (Mitts) to center our top line again

Not really . just need the ones we have to get it done . Can't take on another big contract .
- cabin

We can make room for Stone

Pommer & Berglund off the books best year will more than cover it
Cap raise covers Skinner raise
Beaulieu $$ can be replaced by Pilut & a young forward
We’ll be fine

Just an observation. I don't expect changes to be made. Botterill seems content to let the chips fall where they may.
- jcragcrumple

GMs generally don’t make trades till closer to the deadline
Take 2 to tango, so to speak
I just read the other day where a GM (CBj i think?) was complaining that other GMs aren’t really ready to make moves yet

Maybe if we weren't in a playoff spot?

That first line had chances
- Boss34

The first line always gets chances
I’m worried about lines 2&3
Don’t wanna wait till we are down 3-1 in the 1st round to get this figured out

What would you think about 37 with Skinner and Rhino? Eichel with Sheary and Thompson?
- The_Inkwell

Worth a try imo
I’m sure if it doesn’t work that Sam & Skinner will remember how to play well with Jack

Not a very good game tonight.

If it was sam from eichel- yes


*that goal by wilson was 1 more "game winner" then your buddy has had all year. - on a line with eichel.
- Boss34

I just find it astounding that you hate so much on a guy who puts up points, yes he struggles without elite talent, but love the dirtiest player in the league who can't score at all without elite talent. Wilson has literally 1 point away from elite players(Ovechkin, Backstrom/Kuznetsov). Sam has 7 away from Eichel BTW.

Sorry don't feel the same, if he get beat for a goal yeah but that play is inexcusable his job is to stop the puck not wonder out of the goal and give them an empty net to shoot into. That twice it's happened and it been close to happening at least 4 other times, It's just dumb, play your position.....not someone else's.

It used to piss me off when Miller did it too.... Hutton is supposed to be a great puck handler.... questionable from 32 games of watching, and it gets him into trouble, tonight it cost us at least a point, and it was just plain dumb.
- gordong

To be fair, Holtby did the same and got away with it, it very easily could've gone the other way with Holtby giving the game away.

I've been wanting Thompson on Jack's wing for a while, he'd definitely get some looks and probably bury a few..

If we aren't going to try the Reinhart center experiment again, then at least try him on the wing with Mitts. It's apparent Mitts can't carry a line with the wingers he's been paired with.. give the kid some damn help.
- BareMetal

Agreed
Idk that Tage has earned a spot on Jack’s wing?
But they really gotta start shaking things up
Even if that means Skinner with Mitts

Don’t wait for the playoffs
It’ll be too late at that point

(frank)ing christ.


And because they played hard in the 3rd period it will all be ok.

We played like poop

The refs (frank)ed us

Hutton with a (frank)ing STUPID play.
- feetontheair22

Agreed, however does kyle Okposo think he is not getting enough money that he couldn't try to block the shot after the Hutton give away. Refereeing are letting a lot go in all games.

The population of Lockport just went up..
- mhp