- buffalofan19

He's not a really emotional guy. So grading on that scale, he looks a little disappointed.

fairytale land is right.

As long as Ralph is here, it's VO-JE-SR, and everyone else.
- TheSabresTaco

I mean everyone digs at Ralph for Skinner as 2LW but the easily identified problem with Buffalo last season is that we were a 1 line trick pony. We had no depth scoring. The thought was to put a 40 goal scorer on the 2nd line and it should help the others around him by either a defense paying more attention or by being a good finisher for some setups.

It's the exact same end game that any coach would have about trying to help fix scoring depth problems. Plus... look at how f'n good VO has been as 1LW. It's not like he's some huge liability... kid could easily win the Calder.

I mean everyone digs at Ralph for Skinner as 2LW but the easily identified problem with Buffalo last season is that we were a 1 line trick pony. We had no depth scoring. The thought was to put a 40 goal scorer on the 2nd line and it should help the others around him by either a defense paying more attention or by being a good finisher for some setups.

It's the exact same end game that any coach would have about trying to help fix scoring depth problems. Plus... look at how f'n good VO has been as 1LW. It's not like he's some huge liability... kid could easily win the Calder.
- JVince11

If he didn't get hurt he would have easily won ..

I mean everyone digs at Ralph for Skinner as 2LW but the easily identified problem with Buffalo last season is that we were a 1 line trick pony. We had no depth scoring. The thought was to put a 40 goal scorer on the 2nd line and it should help the others around him by either a defense paying more attention or by being a good finisher for some setups.

It's the exact same end game that any coach would have about trying to help fix scoring depth problems. Plus... look at how f'n good VO has been as 1LW. It's not like he's some huge liability... kid could easily win the Calder.
- JVince11

I don't think the initial premise was bad of having Skinner drive 2nd line, while having Olo benefit from playing with Jack AND Sam (for Boss). And there is no issue with Olo.

It became an issue when Mojo poop the bed as a C after his injury / stick issue..
then further exacerbated when Olo went down and Skinner returned...why not try to get the guy going with Jack again during that time. Instead he has been playing with 4c and 5c players

Depending on two rookies to come in and play 2nd line minutes is a really terrible idea. Have we not learned from this already?
- ImThatGuy

You consistently say everything has been or is a bad idea. From your perspective, what would you do? It has to be reality - i.e. something that is attainable.

- buffalofan19

I still can't believe Ottawa makes the opposing team staff watch from an actual maintenance closet.

I mean everyone digs at Ralph for Skinner as 2LW but the easily identified problem with Buffalo last season is that we were a 1 line trick pony. We had no depth scoring. The thought was to put a 40 goal scorer on the 2nd line and it should help the others around him by either a defense paying more attention or by being a good finisher for some setups.

It's the exact same end game that any coach would have about trying to help fix scoring depth problems. Plus... look at how f'n good VO has been as 1LW. It's not like he's some huge liability... kid could easily win the Calder.
- JVince11

The Sabres need an established 2nd line center. That should be the only goal for next offseason.

I know I'm hard on Skinner, but this team needs him to produce, and that should go a long way to helping him.

I wonder if a trade back at the draft could be something to look at.

Look at Tampa, Trade involving assets Sabres first for their first and Johnson/Gourde

Tampa gets a top 10 pick out of it, Buffalo still gets a first, tampa dumps cap.

He's not a really emotional guy. So grading on that scale, he looks a little disappointed.
- PrinceChill

The funny part is ...... it’s his own fault for creating this mess.

He can fix it.

- buffalofan19

Where's the one where he slams down the papers? That is the best one. Love it. After he does it, he has this mannerism that is reminiscent to when Patrick Bateman splits Paul Allen's head open with an axe. LOL!

The Sabres need an established 2nd line center. That should be the only goal for next offseason.

I know I'm hard on Skinner, but this team needs him to produce, and that should go a long way to helping him.

I wonder if a trade back at the draft could be something to look at.

Look at Tampa, Trade involving assets Sabres first for their first and Johnson/Gourde

Tampa gets a top 10 pick out of it, Buffalo still gets a first, tampa dumps cap.
- ImThatGuy

Average goaltending and were already a playoff caliber team. Including last night, Hutton has easily costed us 8 points this year.

Average goaltending and were already a playoff caliber team. Including last night, Hutton has easily costed us 8 points this year.
- Pegullaville

Agreed - if Hutton's save percentage is 15 points higher and this team is sniffing around the playoffs.

I still can't believe Ottawa makes the opposing team staff watch from an actual maintenance closet.
- BINGO!

Some fun details:
unfinished wood
lonely, empty coat hanger
more loose wires than a college dorm with one outlet
sheet of paper taped to the wall
coat hook to JB's left that is there to hang go-knows-what

off camera:
slop sink with missing hot water knob
crusted mop in aluminum pail with wooden rollers
water damaged tube of Comet

Average goaltending and were already a playoff caliber team. Including last night, Hutton has easily costed us 8 points this year.
- Pegullaville

Understood, but there was an article in the past and I believe Marty Biron and Ryan miller talked about it, that when you know your team cant score, you play goalie different.


Our goalies stood on their heads earlier this year, and the team was garbage. Since November the Sabres are the 28 or 29th best team in terms of points gained. Thats not all on the goalies.


But you are right. its a position that the team needs to improve on, and hopefully they can bounc back.

Its not a position i would put a high priority on at the monet.

The Sabres need an established 2nd line center. That should be the only goal for next offseason.

I know I'm hard on Skinner, but this team needs him to produce, and that should go a long way to helping him.

I wonder if a trade back at the draft could be something to look at.

Look at Tampa, Trade involving assets Sabres first for their first and Johnson/Gourde

Tampa gets a top 10 pick out of it, Buffalo still gets a first, tampa dumps cap.
- ImThatGuy

I appreciate the effort and all but man.... Gourde and Johnson are not the 2C answer... like literally at all.


I really liked Pageau last night.. he's a UFA w/ a 3.1M cap hit right now. Maybe... just maybe...

Agreed - if Hutton's save percentage is 15 points higher and this team is sniffing around the playoffs.
- TC4145

Robin Lehner has the 2nd best save % in the league since we gave him away for free. Probably would help this team

Some fun details:
unfinished wood
lonely, empty coat hanger
more loose wires than a college dorm with one outlet
sheet of paper taped to the wall
coat hook to JB's left that is there to hang go-knows-what

off camera:
slop sink with missing hot water knob
crusted mop in aluminum pail with wooden rollers
water damaged tube of Comet
- PrinceChill

Incredible stuff. Eugene Melnyk sure knows how to show off his vast wealth.

The funny part is ...... it’s his own fault for creating this mess.

He can fix it.
- Sabretooth9

It'd be really nice if he did. He could try and make some moves at the TDL and summer or he might choose the route of passivity and wait for help from the AHL and overseas.

I appreciate the effort and all but man.... Gourde and Johnson are not the 2C answer... like literally at all.


I really liked Pageau last night.. he's a UFA w/ a 3.1M cap hit right now. Maybe... just maybe...
- JVince11

Pageua is going to cost a first + to acquire.
If he is traded at all.

Pageua is going to cost a first + to acquire.
If he is traded at all.
- ImThatGuy

I get that... but he's also a UFA this summer is what I meant. I'm not hoping we are buyers at this deadline like that by ANY means.

Incredible stuff. Eugene Melnyk sure knows how to show off his vast wealth.
- BINGO!

Melnyk was wining and dining Mel Gibson last night at the game. True story

I get that... but he's also a UFA this summer is what I meant. I'm not hoping we are buyers at this deadline like that by ANY means.
- JVince11

I don't think they will be at all. I dont think there will be a lot of activity for the Sabres


Girgensons/Larsson will go to Pitt for a mid pick, IMO.

I get that... but he's also a UFA this summer is what I meant. I'm not hoping we are buyers at this deadline like that by ANY means.
- JVince11

Another fantastic year of no playoffs

- buffalofan19

"Gosh Dang it Berglund!! If only you would have just come and played freaking hockey like you were supposed to. Would have been a PERFECT 2C to alleviate all of this stress. Would have been fine right now with VO and Skinner as LWs. Casey would have been just fine as a 3C learning the game or getting ready for a big jump from Rochester... Tage would have been coming along as our next PWF in a 3RW maybe 2RW... It's all because of you Patty Berglund!"

2 2nds for Martinez

Botts is a clown

Incredible stuff. Eugene Melnyk sure knows how to show off his vast wealth.
- BINGO!

Joke's on us. His cheapskate approach might have his team way ahead of the Sabres in a few years.