I really liked Cozens with the puck on his stick. He looked really good carrying the puck which is good to see, but he also doesn't look like he HAS to carry the puck.

Okposo played like he was 8 years younger last night and I loved to see it.

Anderson's first shot on goal was on a shorthanded breakaway, the goalies of last year would have let that in and deflated the entire team. Like it was said by another poster, I don't know if he can keep that up the entire season but he looked very calm and under control, exactly what a young team needs out of their 40 year old goaltender.

This Sabres team is fast, like really fast. Granato has these guys ready to play (at least for the 1st game). Obviously I don't expect this continue but they have a relative easier schedule the first 15 games or so. I don't have any crazy fantasies about this team being good or anything, but they were fun to watch last night. If they give this effort throughout the entire season they will at least be watchable.

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

What you are saying is Skinner outsmarted Ralphie. Ok I hope Donnie is listening to him

I really liked Cozens with the puck on his stick. He looked really good carrying the puck which is good to see, but he also doesn't look like he HAS to carry the puck.

Okposo played like he was 8 years younger last night and I loved to see it.

Anderson's first shot on goal was on a shorthanded breakaway, the goalies of last year would have let that in and deflated the entire team. Like it was said by another poster, I don't know if he can keep that up the entire season but he looked very calm and under control, exactly what a young team needs out of their 40 year old goaltender.

This Sabres team is fast, like really fast. Granato has these guys ready to play (at least for the 1st game). Obviously I don't expect this continue but they have a relative easier schedule the first 15 games or so. I don't have any crazy fantasies about this team being good or anything, but they were fun to watch last night. If they give this effort throughout the entire season they will at least be watchable.
- Stripes77

I'd go with Tokarski in net against the yotes and keep the mileage down on Anderson against what should be a brutal AZ team. No need to overdo it early

sounds like gus and kyle earned the respect of the kids in the locker room

that alone makes it a less toxic locker room then when the spoiled brat had the keys to the franchise
- homiedclown

That's what I like about both guy's.

Genuine guys and respected leaders.

Girgs was on the pp in front. Clearly some limitations.

Am I up 2-0?

Great28A and 71sniper have 2 goals.

Sammy yet to score....

I think he also had leverage, the fan's all really like him.

Strange, only a few people disliked the move and wanted a retread dinosaur.

Donnie's working relationship with Adams is very respectful, 2 good humans working for 1 goal.


Mcbeane 2
- Boss34

I like whatever works haha. The last 20 or so games worked with Donnie. You can just see a different energy. The talent is not there for this team to be good, but the energy is something you can live with, as others have stated. Fun times ahead.

I was glad they were named the 'captains'. I think they have lead this team for a long time. We all bash their play, but it shouldn't really be about their offensive acumen, as we've seen with our previous captain. The Bills employed this methodology in 2017. I keep telling you guys, Adams slept in Beane's office all spring.
- TheSabresTaco

I will say, for as slow as Adams has moved in this process, he is holding to a process. The players seem to have bought in (for now) while fans have been on this merry go round for a decade so will be slower to buy in.

With Botts and Murray there were huge identity issues and both failed to endure adversity…still too early to know how Adams and this roster will react but so far it’s interesting.

it's the sabres under the pegulas

nothing surprises me
- homiedclown

I believe Ralph made the choice to keep Steve Smith and chose Mike Bales. This would make Granato the Sabres' (Botterill's) choice. So. Thanks, Jason.

guys have roles...am of the opinion that if they play said roles as well as they can, it's up to the coaching staff to maximize their effectiveness...eakin has his role, and played pretty well last night
- Michael Pachla

won't argue that. when they start failing in their roles is when the problems arise.

As he should be. He may not end up being the face of this team when all is said and done, but I'd have no problem with him, and almost expect him, becoming the heart of the team on the ice.
- TheSabresTaco

Very likeable aside from his on ice play.

Intangibles galore...

I really liked the "play the veterans " last night.

Kyle okposo had the best game of his career.

Cody. Eakin. Not. terrible. Yesterday.

Dare I say he played better than a typical johan Larsson game.....

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

Interesting.

The public narrative from insiders was they were hoping for Brind'Amore.

What you are saying is Skinner outsmarted Ralphie. Ok I hope Donnie is listening to him
- Camel

No I'm saying that it certainly is possible for someone that is seeing it day to day to call a spade a spade much sooner then most of us on a message board who get 2nd, 3rd, 4th or no information (me, not plugged at all, unless it's from you muppets). If Skinner's play on the ice is any indication of his personality off of it, there's no doubt in my mind that it only took a couple weeks for him to start calling Ralph a joke, and probably right to his face.

98-99 is a lot more fair than 05-06. Not the winning pedigree of course, but the determination.
- TheSabresTaco

That's the only way this team is going to exceed expectations. Whether they claim to listen or not, those guys know that everyone and their ex-girlfriend believe this team is an absolute dumpster fire and are going to get rolled night in and night out. Every once in a while, you get a team like that to give the bird to everyone else and start winning a whole lot of games they shouldn't. It doesn't happen often, but the Sabres' only hope is to be one of those teams.

I really liked Cozens with the puck on his stick. He looked really good carrying the puck which is good to see, but he also doesn't look like he HAS to carry the puck.

Okposo played like he was 8 years younger last night and I loved to see it.

Anderson's first shot on goal was on a shorthanded breakaway, the goalies of last year would have let that in and deflated the entire team. Like it was said by another poster, I don't know if he can keep that up the entire season but he looked very calm and under control, exactly what a young team needs out of their 40 year old goaltender.

This Sabres team is fast, like really fast. Granato has these guys ready to play (at least for the 1st game). Obviously I don't expect this continue but they have a relative easier schedule the first 15 games or so. I don't have any crazy fantasies about this team being good or anything, but they were fun to watch last night. If they give this effort throughout the entire season they will at least be watchable.
- Stripes77

Tall timber tage looked like an nhl hockey player.

His shot on the power play (zhitnik style of the glass) made a very unique sound. He can really shoot the puck.

Looks like he's gonna be set up on the left circle pp1 with olofsson on the right.

Couple rockets last night....

won't argue that. when they start failing in their roles is when the problems arise.
- TheSabresTaco

love the excitement over a rather surprising win...am optimistic that they can make the rest of the month equally exciting with some very winnable games...come late november through january, the slog that is a long season has swallowed up previous editions of the sabres

I like whatever works haha. The last 20 or so games worked with Donnie. You can just see a different energy. The talent is not there for this team to be good, but the energy is something you can live with, as others have stated. Fun times ahead.
- SDSabre

Big difference

Synergy < energy

I will say, for as slow as Adams has moved in this process, he is holding to a process. The players seem to have bought in (for now) while fans have been on this merry go round for a decade so will be slower to buy in.

With Botts and Murray there were huge identity issues and both failed to endure adversity…still too early to know how Adams and this roster will react but so far it’s interesting.
- washedup20

The structure *seems* stronger than it has been since the drought. It's simply been a hodge podge of whatever the (frank) for years now. This season is going to suck, but I believe in Adams' core ideas here. It mirrors what the Bills did in their process, and that set a foundation for a team who loves and plays for each other each and every day. And that couldn't be more important for a team without a guy who can conceivably score more than 50 points in a season.

gerbe said he was in the press box last night...

ok, jr...time for an appearance...

right?

Big difference

Synergy < energy
- Boss34

I only see one letter difference, that's not so big

Interesting.

The public narrative from insiders was they were hoping for Brind'Amore.
- IonSabres

Yes, I'm sure they were trying to get brind'amore, but he made it really clear, he was staying in Carolina.

Couldn't. Buy him.....

Very likeable aside from his on ice play.

Intangibles galore...

I really liked the "play the veterans " last night.

Kyle okposo had the best game of his career.

Cody. Eakin. Not. terrible. Yesterday.

Dare I say he played better than a typical johan Larsson game.....
- Boss34

let's circle back in 20 games.

That's the only way this team is going to exceed expectations. Whether they claim to listen or not, those guys know that everyone and their ex-girlfriend believe this team is an absolute dumpster fire and are going to get rolled night in and night out. Every once in a while, you get a team like that to give the bird to everyone else and start winning a whole lot of games they shouldn't. It doesn't happen often, but the Sabres' only hope is to be one of those teams.
- buffalofan19

Are you saying they don't have enough talent to win on talent alone?

I only see one letter difference, that's not so big
- SDSabre

H Baller will need to step in and write an extended bogo on synergy vs. Energy.

Its so.much more than 1 letter ☝️

The structure *seems* stronger than it has been since the drought. It's simply been a hodge podge of whatever the (frank) for years now. This season is going to suck, but I believe in Adams' core ideas here. It mirrors what the Bills did in their process, and that set a foundation for a team who loves and plays for each other each and every day. And that couldn't be more important for a team without a guy who can conceivably score more than 50 points in a season.
- TheSabresTaco

What do you mean?

H Baller will need to step in and write an extended bogo on synergy vs. Energy.

Its so.much more than 1 letter ☝️
- Boss34

or even two!

love the excitement over a rather surprising win...am optimistic that they can make the rest of the month equally exciting with some very winnable games...come late november through january, the slog that is a long season has swallowed up previous editions of the sabres
- Michael Pachla

they did a lot of this last year with Donnie. Taking out the positive Reinhart and the negative Ristolainen and walking away with a 500 W-L record (OT not included) for the first month of the season should not be a ridiculous expectation