Its his 10th game in over a year after neck surgery...his skating was better than anyone on the Sabres...it wasn't close...his timing and aggressiveness was way off but he didn't shy form the physical game...he was for sure emotional and the old Jack played at a higher gear when he was like that.

Fun game and I don't want to take anything away form the Sabres or the fans, I want him to continue to improve and really want to see how he plays in the playoffs. He needs to be stronger mentally or this trade was a steal.
- Theguywiththething

Dahlin is an easier skater than Jack. Tuch is a harder skater than Jack. Jack is pure line faster than both, but that's it. He was entirely unimpressive last night. 17:30 and a -1. Also, if Tuch didn't shoot two wide,he'd have been a -3.

I watched the highlights again this morning and what struck me is that you almost never hear the boos for him in the entire 9 minute highlight package because he was so irrelevant in creating offense overall.

Hopefully that game lets people in Buffalo move on. Jack got what Jack wanted and he took his skill and attitude to Vegas.
- Hank Balling

Well said

Dahlin is an easier skater than Jack. Tuch is a harder skater than Jack. Jack is pure line faster than both, but that's it. He was entirely unimpressive last night. 17:30 and a -1. Also, if Tuch didn't shoot two wide,he'd have been a -3.
- lacaprup

Easier skater than Jack? Jack just opens his legs and glides past everyone...even with the puck. I don't know what hard skating looks like, if someone is faster what does it matter what word you use to describe the 2nd man to the puck.

Dahlin is a silky puck handler with average skating, Tuch is a power forward. Eichel is a possession speedster with more skill than both.

It's over, Jack is gone so no use for comparisons. It's still very early in this trade, hopefully the Sabres continue off that W and fans continue to enjoy the games.

I am done with Eichel, he was not a leader. I think we will be a better overall team when everything is done with this trade. Tuch might not have the overall skills Eichel has, but he's a better piece for this team. His leadership skills bring more to this young team than Eichel's skills ever did. Tuch gravitate's to his teammates, Eichel wanted nothing to do with half of them.

Turn back the clock and Jack was a generational talent that would be the cornerstone of a Stanley Cup winning team in Buffalo.
It's actually laughable how so many now have painted him with new colours.
Let's face it, he was, he is and always will be a great hockey player who like many others didn't pan out in Sabreland. Time to turn the attention to the newest whipping boy or maybe just stick with how bad the goaltending has been over the last several years.

If it were anyone other than Eichel, there'd be no mention of it. Since it was Jack and Tuch, it's almost irresistible.
- Lunaion

That "bigger" bjork guy might be a keeper?

Maybe even captain

Turn back the clock and Jack was a generational talent that would be the cornerstone of a Stanley Cup winning team in Buffalo.
It's actually laughable how so many now have painted him with new colours.
Let's face it, he was, he is and always will be a great hockey player who like many others didn't pan out in Sabreland. Time to turn the attention to the newest whipping boy or maybe just stick with how bad the goaltending has been over the last several years.
- Camel

And then some of us have called him slightly better than Derek Roy for years and years and years. I think I've actually been insulting Derek Roy.

I am done with Eichel, he was not a leader. I think we will be a better overall team when everything is done with this trade. Tuch might not have the overall skills Eichel has, but he's a better piece for this team. His leadership skills bring more to this young team than Eichel's skills ever did. Tuch gravitate to his teammates, Eichel wanted nothing to do with half of them.
- Buff36

I think this is where it gets disingenuous. This team may very well end up better without Eichel on it in the future. If it does, though, it will be because they get a player or players closer to the skill level of Eichel than that of Alex Tuch. In short, if we go the next however many years and Alex Tuch is the team's best player, we are going to go that same amount of time without playoffs. I don't think that will happen, and I think the Sabres roster will have better players on it, whether its Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin putting it all together, someone else acquired in the draft or free agency, or even a blockbuster trade that somehow falls into Kevyn Adams's lap. If this team becomes good again, the Eichel trade won't be the reason. It will be a small part of it, despite the big name and drama it caused.

I am done with Eichel, he was not a leader. I think we will be a better overall team when everything is done with this trade. Tuch might not have the overall skills Eichel has, but he's a better piece for this team. His leadership skills bring more to this young team than Eichel's skills ever did. Tuch gravitate's to his teammates, Eichel wanted nothing to do with half of them.
- Buff36

This is a good take, the Sabres have to redefine BPA, hockey teams have roles, Adams shrunk a strength and filled voids in the line up that hopefully allow the team to begin to consistently compete.

The drama has been quiet this season within that locker room and there is real value to that. It's boring but its Fattony's wet dream...just be patient and let Adams do his thing (I hate saying that).


If the team keeps playing like last night this becomes a lot easier.

https://theathletic.com/3...ichel-and-golden-knights/
Nice!!

I've been meaning to ask this question for a while. I invariably see statements about Meatballs and Adams that go something like this: "they are fine for now, but when we get good we might want to upgrade". I don't get it - Meatballs is easily the best coach we've had since Lindy and Adams is doing a fine job. I can't imagine wandering back out into the wilderness and getting another retread. It isn't like Meatballs is Nolan and his strategy is "go out there and skate harder". The guy always seems to be pressing the right buttons.

I've been meaning to ask this question for a while. I invariably see statements about Meatballs and Adams that go something like this: "they are fine for now, but when we get good we might want to upgrade". I don't get it - Meatballs is easily the best coach we've had since Lindy and Adams is doing a fine job. I can't imagine wandering back out into the wilderness and getting another retread. It isn't like Meatballs is Nolan and his strategy is "go out there and skate harder". The guy always seems to be pressing the right buttons.
- Slump Buster

They're doing a "good job" because expectations are lower than they've ever been. I mean, the bar isn't even six inches off the ground. Now, you can argue that they deserve a chance to see this through, and I would agree with that, but neither guy has done anything when expectations are any level above nonexistent.

This fan base is disgusting.

They're doing a "good job" because expectations are lower than they've ever been. I mean, the bar isn't even six inches off the ground. Now, you can argue that they deserve a chance to see this through, and I would agree with that, but neither guy has done anything when expectations are any level above nonexistent.
- buffalofan19

ive said this for awhile.

The expectation right now is "just not Ralph"

The expectation for next year is "be a good team" and that's growing and a game like last night adds more fuel to that fire.

If they are not good next year, teh criticism gets very loud, IMO.

This fan base is disgusting.
- feetontheair22

Oh yeah?!? How so?

Easier skater than Jack? Jack just opens his legs and glides past everyone...even with the puck. I don't know what hard skating looks like, if someone is faster what does it matter what word you use to describe the 2nd man to the puck.

Dahlin is a silky puck handler with average skating, Tuch is a power forward. Eichel is a possession speedster with more skill than both.

It's over, Jack is gone so no use for comparisons. It's still very early in this trade, hopefully the Sabres continue off that W and fans continue to enjoy the games.
- Theguywiththething

Speed and edgework are two different thing. Just because Dahlin doesn't have straight ahead speed (like Jack) doesn't mean he's not an exceptional skater. The things he does in tight spaces and the ease with which he does them are really quite remarkable.

Embrace subtlety.

ive said this for awhile.

The expectation right now is "just not Ralph"

The expectation for next year is "be a good team" and that's growing and a game like last night adds more fuel to that fire.

If they are not good next year, teh criticism gets very loud, IMO.
- ImThatGuy

I don't even know if the expectation next year is even to be a "good" team. In a league where 50% of teams make the playoffs, if you're just in contention, which I think is the expectation next year, you're not necessarily "good". You're still close to mediocre than not.

Turn back the clock and Jack was a generational talent that would be the cornerstone of a Stanley Cup winning team in Buffalo.
It's actually laughable how so many now have painted him with new colours.
Let's face it, he was, he is and always will be a great hockey player who like many others didn't pan out in Sabreland. Time to turn the attention to the newest whipping boy or maybe just stick with how bad the goaltending has been over the last several years.
- Camel

Go back to that same time and you'll hear the Leafs are about to become a dynasty with JT and AM will surpass McDavid. Now that the first round outs have stacked up and AM is a couple years away from walking like JT did, the narrative is changing a bit. Seems fairly natural tbh.

We all get excited for potential and I'm not ashamed to say I think Jack had that potential. He was one of the best nhl ready draft prospects in the past 20 years.

Speed and edgework are two different thing. Just because Dahlin doesn't have straight ahead speed (like Jack) doesn't mean he's not an exceptional skater. The things he does in tight spaces and the ease with which he does them are really quite remarkable.

Embrace subtlety.
- Michael Pachla

Good point, he is elite silkiness.

This fan base is disgusting.
- feetontheair22

Please elaborate

so this was just posted in another Thread that may have had an issue recently.

"Lastly I wanted to address what I saw some of last night which was people angry that some posters can post what they feel are insincere comments as a way to anger others. We can't delete posts and ban people for making comments that are not inappropriate or in breach of the C of C because there is a feeling or belief that it's sarcastic or insincere so I'd suggest if that's what you feel has happened you just scroll past it and don't engage/respond."

This fan base is disgusting.
- feetontheair22

I like this fan base much much more than the group that cheered the Yotes for the assured McEichel pick. That group was truly disgusting and when Mike Weber spoke out he was derided.

F the thought process behind a tank loving fan base that turned traitorous that game

I don't even know if the expectation next year is even to be a "good" team. In a league where 50% of teams make the playoffs, if you're just in contention, which I think is the expectation next year, you're not necessarily "good". You're still close to mediocre than not.
- buffalofan19

This is every league except MLB lol and baseball ain't even A real sport

I think this is where it gets disingenuous. This team may very well end up better without Eichel on it in the future. If it does, though, it will be because they get a player or players closer to the skill level of Eichel than that of Alex Tuch. In short, if we go the next however many years and Alex Tuch is the team's best player, we are going to go that same amount of time without playoffs. I don't think that will happen, and I think the Sabres roster will have better players on it, whether its Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin putting it all together, someone else acquired in the draft or free agency, or even a blockbuster trade that somehow falls into Kevyn Adams's lap. If this team becomes good again, the Eichel trade won't be the reason. It will be a small part of it, despite the big name and drama it caused.
- buffalofan19

I generally agree, but as the retired pros continue to say, you can't underestimate a strong culture. Sorry to use the C word. And Tuch is the face of it. He will be a big cog in the potential turnaround here because these kids will be looking up to a personality like him instead of Jack.

Oh yeah?!? How so?
- joshs

don't bother.