This is what I worried about this team the most this year. The talent, while not ideal, is still there to at least hang with most teams in this league. The question is whether they're able to do it over 82 games. They need to find depth from somewhere.
- buffalofan19

I severely doubt the goaltending holds up through the year

But removing the worst player (worst who got a lot of ice time) on the team already showed positives in game 1

Here's why I hate measuring players by points

Coznes and Dahlin were excellent last night - 0 points

Skinner and Miller were two of the blah players - 4 points
- sbroads24

The Sabres are going to have so many chances from Dahlin breakouts.

But the points wont be there so he is going to get crucified.

No wonder those guys liked Krueger. They didn't have to practice and the only person who took poop from the coach for the team sucking was Jeff Skinner
- Hank Balling

Makes you kind of wonder if Skinner was calling Ralph out on the whole thing, saying that the team is going to suck if we don't do x,y, and z and Ralph told him to (frank) off to the doghouse that doesn't exist.

Here's why I hate measuring players by points

Coznes and Dahlin were excellent last night - 0 points

Skinner and Miller were two of the blah players - 4 points
- sbroads24

disagree on miller...he played well...skinner was blah but also drew a penalty that put buffalo on the ppl and, if i'm not mistaken, the goal they scored on that put them up 3-1

Fast & average/below talent >> Slow & average/below talent. Just being a buzz saw on the ice can give other teams fits, whether it's they have to make a faster decision that leads to a TO or whatnot. Fun times ahead. All aboard the Bjorkie train for me. Talk about a motor.
- SDSabre

I think this team will be fun to watch all year.

They have a system that allows for them to attack.

However guys like Girgensons, Bjork, Asplund, Cagguila, and Vinny have limited scoring ceilings.

So it’s the perfect storm, they will be competitive but when the sticks go cold they won’t be able to outscore the higher end teams, especially when their goaltending gives out.

They’ll be a very enjoyable bottom 5 team to watch though.

I would agree with this. I have been quite "away" from hockey but I did turn on the game last night when they were up 2-0 and was quite impressed with several factors.

I think the biggest one that I was happy with was when they were on the PP. I have never seen the amount of passing to get the right shot in years and years. I think on the one goal by Tage there was at least 7 passes before a shot even was taken.

I feel like they were playing "non-superstar hockey" meaning that they were better working together to get the best result as opposed to trying to give the puck to a superstar player and hope he finds the cookie jar.
- JVince11

welcome back, and...spot on with the "non-superstar hockey"...just like the ny islanders

Cozens had the least amount of TOI until Mitts got hurt.
- Pegullaville

i'm good with that...he played very well when called upon

Makes you kind of wonder if Skinner was calling Ralph out on the whole thing, saying that the team is going to suck if we don't do x,y, and z and Ralph told him to (frank) off to the doghouse that doesn't exist.
- SDSabre

Yep

Wasn't the narrative that Ralph was mad at Skinner for not taking practice seriously? And now we find out practice under Krueger was a joke.

Seems like Skinner knew it was a joke and treated it that way

I think this team will be fun to watch all year.

They have a system that allows for them to attack.

However guys like Girgensons, Bjork, Asplund, Cagguila, and Vinny have limited scoring ceilings.

So it’s the perfect storm, they will be competitive but when the sticks go cold they won’t be able to outscore the higher end teams, especially when their goaltending gives out.

They’ll be a very enjoyable bottom 5 team to watch though.
- Pegullaville

Saw another thing on the Sabers FB page thing, that each guy gets his own goal song. Thought that was kind of unique and fun. Definitely leading a new era in, with some pain along the way.

This is what I worried about this team the most this year. The talent, while not ideal, is still there to at least hang with most teams in this league. The question is whether they're able to do it over 82 games. They need to find depth from somewhere.
- buffalofan19

troof!

I severely doubt the goaltending holds up through the year

But removing the worst player (worst who got a lot of ice time) on the team already showed positives in game 1
- sbroads24

i thought eakin was the worst?

jk

Yep

Wasn't the narrative that Ralph was mad at Skinner for not taking practice seriously? And now we find out practice under Krueger was a joke.

Seems like Skinner knew it was a joke and treated it that way
- Hank Balling

It is kind of weird how none of the team actually alienated Skinner through the whole process, imo of course. Every video of team bonding stuff, Skinner was there with the boys joking or playing ping pong or whatever. If he was (frank)ing off and collecting his 9M, those things probably wouldn't have happened. Now, this isn't me saying he's blameless or doesn't need to step to his contract, he for sure does. But man, it does lead to the narrative that Ralph was so far in over his head or so far up his own ass, or, most likely, both.

gus (1+1), goalofsson (1+1), skimmer (0+2), miller (0+2) and pebo bryson (0+2)

lead the team in scoring
- Michael Pachla

wonder what a $2 parlay on that would have paid?


probably $1500

Cozens and Okposo had some of the strongest games last night analytically. This matches up with the eye test. Dahlin was pretty good (and positive), but I'd say his eye test was better than his analytics.

i thought eakin was the worst?

jk


- Michael Pachla

It pains me to say that Eakin had a good game last night. Hagg did too.

Yep

Wasn't the narrative that Ralph was mad at Skinner for not taking practice seriously? And now we find out practice under Krueger was a joke.

Seems like Skinner knew it was a joke and treated it that way
- Hank Balling

Saw another thing on the Sabers FB page thing, that each guy gets his own goal song. Thought that was kind of unique and fun. Definitely leading a new era in, with some pain along the way.
- SDSabre

donnie had a front row seat on how to not coach a team thanks to ralph

Eklund was right about BUF in his Atlantic predictions....?

lol CBJ looked like the 80's Oilers vs AZ.

imagine how salty and miserable Jack Eichel was watching the team win and the fans happy? Probably calling daddy to rant and blowing up Pat Brisson's cell w cry emojis

Cozens and Okposo had some of the strongest games last night analytically. This matches up with the eye test. Dahlin was pretty good (and positive), but I'd say his eye test was better than his analytics.
- TheSabresTaco

Joker had a rough night last night, I’m assuming that had something to do with it.

I still think Joker can be a second pairing guy, but it’s clear that Dahlin is not the right partner for him.

Power and Joker could be intriguing though

Fun game to watch for sure.
The Don is the best choice this organization has made in 10 years...what the hell took Adam's so long to decide...Welp, at least he made the right decision!

I think we are watching a culture change occurring right in front of our collective eyes. That is exciting for the long haul of this organization...finally! The pipeline has some solid prospects, and hopefully that continues to bear fruit over the next few years to flow up to the big club.

Now go get the Eichel deal done Adams!
- IonSabres

This may sound strange, but I heard the delay was on donnie's end. He Wanted the 3rd year, not just a 2 year deal.

Yep

Wasn't the narrative that Ralph was mad at Skinner for not taking practice seriously? And now we find out practice under Krueger was a joke.

Seems like Skinner knew it was a joke and treated it that way
- Hank Balling

it's hard to make a good argument on conjecture. But it sure is telling how the atmosphere from top to bottom has changed since the day Donnie walked in.

It still blows my mind that this team hasn't put an honest effort into practice since Teddy Nolan was here. I'm not sure why Skinner has begun to choose to practice hard, as this was seemingly a problem even in Carolina. So it remained under Bill Peters, Phil Housley and Ralph Krueger? Now all the sudden Donnie has him in a different mode? I mean, good for Jeff and good for the team. Just strikes me as a mutual problem.

This may sound strange, but I heard the delay was on donnie's end. He Wanted the 3rd year, not just a 2 year deal.
- Boss34

I believe it. Didn't want to just be the scape goat for the roster build, or if at least was get paid to be it.

Cozens and Okposo had some of the strongest games last night analytically. This matches up with the eye test. Dahlin was pretty good (and positive), but I'd say his eye test was better than his analytics.
- TheSabresTaco

dalhlin's advanced stats were pretty bad CF%rel -13.13 (second worst amongst d-men with joker being the worst)...xGF%rel -18.18 (4th lowest, joker worst)...HDSC%rel -50.00 (4th lowest, joker third-worst) with that d-pairing having 71.43% offensive zone shift chart...

yet...dahlin played his game and looked real good doing it

Between sending Peterka down despite possibly being NHL ready, and Cozens being heavily sheltered last night, we can see that the Sabres are trying to protect them as best they can.

I’d like to see them take the training wheels of Cozens eventually but I get the reasoning
- Pegullaville

Cozens looked fast last night.

Lot's of cozens jerseys in the crowd as well.
Gonna be a popular sabre....

Eklund was right about BUF in his Atlantic predictions....?

lol CBJ looked like the 80's Oilers vs AZ.

imagine how salty and miserable Jack Eichel was watching the team win and the fans happy? Probably calling daddy to rant and blowing up Pat Brisson's cell w cry emojis


- DanielEtvs

His problems go way beyond the on ice product. I hardly believe he's salty about a win.