I too am not exactly thrilled with all the moves made after this pre-season. I hoped that there would be at least one surprise addition to the lineup and one underwhelming vet kicked to the curb to send a message. But, if the guys they sent down belong here over the vets they kept, it will work itself out over the next few months. I am still excited for tomorrow, we haven't seen this full lineup play together yet.
- Chris16

You're not allowed to be excited. You need to be miserable and you need to keep the tv off until the 2020 draft because SabresBuzz and SabresTwitter says there's no hope and everything just totally sux

You're not allowed to be excited. You need to be miserable and you need to keep the tv off until the 2020 draft because SabresBuzz and SabresTwitter says there's no hope and everything just totally sux
- TheSabresTaco

I'm just happy to be here.

I didn't back read.

Well I started to, then my brain melted.

Don't forget to set your HBSL lineups today.

At least it's hockey season.

I'm just happy to be here.
- Chris16

As it is always true with a new season, I have two conflicting feelings.

I am always blindly optimistic, while constantly waiting for the let down.

It's a new season, and we get meaningful games tomorrow.

Please no injuries at practice today.

Not to mention, the mess Botterill inherited from Murray is gone next year.

Every move with the exception of skinner and some prospects was done for short term contracts.

The plan is to slowly improve while erasing the poop show inherited from Murray and that’s been done.

Sure we may have lost the RoR and/or Kane trade but the argument can be made that they shouldn’t have been here yet in the first place and likely those orders came directly from the owners
- Shadman306

This is all correct.

However this doesn’t have to do with them not dressing the best lineup for today. And that’s inexcusable

As it is always true with a new season, I have two conflicting feelings.

I am always blindly optimistic, while constantly waiting for the let down.

It's a new season, and we get meaningful games tomorrow.

Please no injuries at practice today.
- thatsapickle[/quote]

Well, maybe just a few, not of the painful variety, just inability to play for like 82 games
Scandella
Sobotka
Okposo
Girgs
Larry

This is all correct.

However this doesn’t have to do with them not dressing the best lineup for today. And that’s inexcusable
- OneKaneOneCup

I want to believe that they are sacrificing potential offensive upside with known defensive responsibility. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself. Its not sexy but until we see how this lineup plays together, I guess it's the 'safe' approach.

Are ppl still all triggered if this is the forward lineup?

Olofsson-Jack-Sam
Skinner-MoJo-E Rod
Vesey-Mitts-Sheary
Girgs-Larsson-Okposo/Sobatka

Obviously still room for improvement
But i can live with that

Asplund, Smith & Tage pushing to be called up
Cozens & Routsalainen coming next year

Maybe we do miss the playoffs again this year
I just don’t see it as grimly as some of u guys

I think we are gonna win enough to make things interesting
And i think we’ll be more fun to watch
Go Sabres!
- jdfitz77

that lineup is no better than what we had 4 years ago....it shows how little improvement this team has actually made. Defense is better on paper lets see if it actually equates to wins, this is still a team picking in the top ten, as it sits now.

Stupid question.

Since the Sabres did those weird call ups for cap purposes.

Any chance lazar stays? Pilut goes on IR?

that lineup is no better than what we had 4 years ago....it shows how little improvement this team has actually made. Defense is better on paper lets see if it actually equates to wins, this is still a team picking in the top ten, as it sits now.
- gordong

If we just had another center of top 9 regular shift ability that line up would better.. but putting Mojo in at 2C really kills it.. get a real 2/3C move mojo to the wing and get erod in the bottom 6 and that line up is a lot better.. thats if Olaf can hack it on the top line

This does not sound like a quote that says we are going for it.

“Krueger on Buffalo fans - "This is a passionate, honest fanbase. If they feel this team is doing their best, they'll support us."”

No Ralph, no they will not.

If the teams comes out and sucks the arena will be empty.

I want to believe that they are sacrificing potential offensive upside with known defensive responsibility. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself. Its not sexy but until we see how this lineup plays together, I guess it's the 'safe' approach.
- Chris16

I 100% side with this opinion. It's crystal clear that they are doing this. You can find quotes from both Jason and Ralph relating to this line of thought.

“It’s a tough lineup to crack. We are, as you well know, looking for some balance in the lineup that we can defend as well as attack,” Krueger said. “Younger players like Tage and Casey (Mittelstadt) are learning here every day and they still have a lot to learn on the game without the puck, as do other individuals. The willingness is there – which is key. They’re really hungry to learn – they’re hungry for information. The offensive ability that Tage will bring when he’s a complete player is exciting, but it’s the complete game that we just need to continue to grind on with, especially with, our youngest players.”

The only reason Casey is here is because our offensive C depth is BAD and/or thin. He could very well be a satisfactory 2C this year. Hoping for the best.

that lineup is no better than what we had 4 years ago....it shows how little improvement this team has actually made. Defense is better on paper lets see if it actually equates to wins, this is still a team picking in the top ten, as it sits now.
- gordong

https://theathletic.com/1...compares-lineups-of-past/

"But when you compare this edition of the Sabres to the previous groups, you can see why the guys in the room feel better about things."

that lineup is no better than what we had 4 years ago....it shows how little improvement this team has actually made. Defense is better on paper lets see if it actually equates to wins, this is still a team picking in the top ten, as it sits now.
- gordong

The infuriating part is that it was so easy to see 3 months ago that there was an enormous hole at 2RW. Now Sobotka is there and people can't figure out why fans are upset?

Botterill should have addressed it. Point blank, full stop, he should have addressed it. It didn't have to be a perfect player, it just had to be someone roughly of Sheary's caliber, and better than Sobotka.

We'll see if the Mojo at 2C opening gambit works as well

This does not sound like a quote that says we are going for it.

“Krueger on Buffalo fans - "This is a passionate, honest fanbase. If they feel this team is doing their best, they'll support us."”

No Ralph, no they will not.

If the teams comes out and sucks the arena will be empty.
- ImThatGuy

Arena won't be empty. It just won't.

As for fielding the best team of current Sabres, who should be in the lineup within the Salary Cap?

Stupid question.

Since the Sabres did those weird call ups for cap purposes.

Any chance lazar stays? Pilut goes on IR?
- Sabretooth9

No, No.

Pilut will get put back because he's close to playing and they want him skating in Rochester. If they put him on IR here, he has to stay here. Not what they want atm.

Ralph announced that the guys on the ice yesterday is who's playing in Pittsburgh. Lazar was not with them. Lazar will undoubtedly start in Rochester.

The infuriating part is that it was so easy to see 3 months ago that there was an enormous hole at 2RW. Now Sobotka is there and people can't figure out why fans are upset?

Botterill should have addressed it. Point blank, full stop, he should have addressed it. It didn't have to be a perfect player, it just had to be someone roughly of Sheary's caliber, and better than Sobotka.

We'll see if the Mojo at 2C opening gambit works as well
- jcragcrumple

Lineups can change. The Russian Roulette games need to stop.

Arena won't be empty. It just won't.

As for fielding the best team of current Sabres, who should be in the lineup within the Salary Cap?
- TC4145

If this team comes out and goes 2-7-1 in their first 10 games, you can damn well bet the arena will be empty and it will be a morgue again.

People are done with losing.

Lineups can change. The Russian Roulette games need to stop.
- TheSabresTaco

-20

5 goals

13 points

2nd line

Arena won't be empty. It just won't.

As for fielding the best team of current Sabres, who should be in the lineup within the Salary Cap?
- TC4145

Botterill has all summer to move Scandella, Risto, Girgs and Larsson. Dump them for low picks, hold some cap, money is no object.

None of those guys were moved. The cap “mess” is now starting to fall on him.

There is no more, Well Tim Murray fvcked us. He no longer gets that. This is year 3. It’s his team now.

-20

5 goals

13 points

2nd line
- jcragcrumple

It’s not even that that truly bothers me. He was the worst forward in the entire league last year numbers wise.

Botterill has all summer to move Scandella, Risto, Girgs and Larsson. Dump them for low picks, hold some cap, money is no object.

None of those guys were moved. The cap “mess” is now starting to fall on him.

There is no more, Well Tim Murray fvcked us. He no longer gets that. This is year 3. It’s his team now.
- ImThatGuy

How is it that we don't want these players for the, comparatively, peanuts they're making, but other teams should be lining up to trade for these TERRIBLE 4TH LINERS?

I'll wait...

-20

5 goals

13 points

2nd line
- jcragcrumple

I challenge the people here to keep an open mind.

If this team comes out and goes 2-7-1 in their first 10 games, you can damn well bet the arena will be empty and it will be a morgue again.

People are done with losing.
- ImThatGuy

And were projected to be bottom 10 by almost every model.

You know what would’ve put us in the middle of the pack?

Removing 17,21,6,55.

Adding someone like Ehlers or Kase puts us around 90 points with the trash taken out.

This is just unacceptable to go into this year like this