All this female dogging about Eichel. Really what has e ever done in the league? he is often hurt, is not that great stat wise, his best year was 82 pts in 77 games for us,

Hell Skinner had 82 last year in 79 games.

Buffalo had a lot of good players around Eichel, ROR, Kane, Hall, Stall, BOGO, Rhino... it just did not work. I for one think we are finally in a way better place without Eichel then with him.

We have our goalie of the future (praying hard) in Levi. Now if we can sign Tyler Bertuzzi, trade for a top 4 RHD and sign a vet goalie like MAF, Varlamov or Freddie A, I see no reason why this team cant be in the playoffs next year. Hell we were 1 pt short with crappy goaltending all year long.

as it stands right now and I am not just saying this because I am a buffalo fan, If I had a choice of starting a team with Jack Eichel or Tage Thompson as my #1 Center I would take Tage all day long.

since 2018-2019, jack has played 267 games and has 107 goals, Tage has played 260 games and has 100 goals and frankly has a better shot and can skate just as well.

i truly believe that we are entering a 5-7 year long period that we will see the Sabres being one of the top teams in the league and I can't wait for October.

buckle up, its going to be a fun year.
- hehateme

Because at the end of the day the "want to be here" factor is predicated on results. If the Bills didn't start winning games in 2019 (a lot of which were close and could have gone either way), we're probably seeing a much different, and likely less likeable team today. At the end of the day, guys want to come to a place to win. Yes, culture plays a role, but if you don't see results it sours real fast. LeSean McCoy was every bit the diva that Eichel et. al. ever were, but the Bills were able figure out how to work with it, and he was pretty pivotal in getting to the playoffs in 2017, whether it was by accident or not. And that was huge in the Bills becoming what they are today. The Sabres as an organization, on the other hand, act like Mike Singletary when he was the coach of the 49ers and throw their hands up whenever a guy walked anywhere but in a straight line. It was great for making a fanbase feel good about itself for a short period of time, but ultimately it led to colossal failure.
- buffalofan19

The results matter and so does wanting to be here. Maybe we're saying two different things, but before the winning started (91 point season I'd consider "winning") it was important to find and retain guys that believed in themselves, each other and wanted to work hard for one another. It's important, whether folks want to believe it or not.

[quote=hehateme]All this female dogging about Eichel. Really what has e ever done in the league? he is often hurt, is not that great stat wise, his best year was 82 pts in 77 games for us,

Hell Skinner had 82 last year in 79 games.

Buffalo had a lot of good players around Eichel, ROR, Kane, Hall, Stall, BOGO, Rhino... it just did not work. I for one think we are finally in a way better place without Eichel then with him.

We have our goalie of the future (praying hard) in Levi. Now if we can sign Tyler Bertuzzi, trade for a top 4 RHD and sign a vet goalie like MAF, Varlamov or Freddie A, I see no reason why this team cant be in the playoffs next year.

Of all the guys mentioned above, I would like to have that #62 from the Florida team back.
He has stepped up his game more so than anyone else in the playoffs.

Anyone hear anything on Okposo and a possible extension.
- Buff36

if i see him tomorrow night ill ask.

It can be a thing when you're building a team up from nothing. Do you have an issue with how the Sabres approached their post Eichel era in terms of their team building?
- TheSabresTaco

The ground up work Adams and co built deserves all the praise, they have done a great job.

There is a lot left to be desired on pretty much everything else in the organization. Free Agents, trades, roster, fan experience.

Is anyone praising Adams if Dahlin, Tage, Tuch, Skinner, Cozens don't have career years last season? He built and planned to fail and called it development.

[quote=hehateme]All this female dogging about Eichel. Really what has e ever done in the league? he is often hurt, is not that great stat wise, his best year was 82 pts in 77 games for us,

Hell Skinner had 82 last year in 79 games.

Buffalo had a lot of good players around Eichel, ROR, Kane, Hall, Stall, BOGO, Rhino... it just did not work. I for one think we are finally in a way better place without Eichel then with him.

We have our goalie of the future (praying hard) in Levi. Now if we can sign Tyler Bertuzzi, trade for a top 4 RHD and sign a vet goalie like MAF, Varlamov or Freddie A, I see no reason why this team cant be in the playoffs next year.

Of all the guys mentioned above, I would like to have that #62 from the Florida team back.
He has stepped up his game more so than anyone else in the playoffs.
- THENINELINE

Bertuzzi had a tough year but otherwise is a pretty solid player. I wouldn't be mad at all but with the contract that someone's about to give him, I hope this past season was an aberration.

[quote=hehateme]All this female dogging about Eichel. Really what has e ever done in the league? he is often hurt, is not that great stat wise, his best year was 82 pts in 77 games for us,

Hell Skinner had 82 last year in 79 games.

Buffalo had a lot of good players around Eichel, ROR, Kane, Hall, Stall, BOGO, Rhino... it just did not work. I for one think we are finally in a way better place without Eichel then with him.

We have our goalie of the future (praying hard) in Levi. Now if we can sign Tyler Bertuzzi, trade for a top 4 RHD and sign a vet goalie like MAF, Varlamov or Freddie A, I see no reason why this team cant be in the playoffs next year.

Of all the guys mentioned above, I would like to have that #62 from the Florida team back.
He has stepped up his game more so than anyone else in the playoffs.
- THENINELINE

The stanley cup final will have former Sabres:

Eichel, Carrier, Mcnabb, Reinhart, Montour, Staal

Eichel, Skunk and Montour are all in the running for the Conn Smyth...

It is astounding that the Sabres failed so horribly with the rosters they had. Another year with more evidence revealing how poorly the Sabres were run (might even still be running that way in many departments).

if i see him tomorrow night ill ask.
- TheSabresTaco

Well I hope you hear something different if you talk with him.

The ground up work Adams and co built deserves all the praise, they have done a great job.

There is a lot left to be desired on pretty much everything else in the organization. Free Agents, trades, roster, fan experience.

Is anyone praising Adams if Dahlin, Tage, Tuch, Skinner, Cozens don't have career years last season? He built and planned to fail and called it development.
- washedup20

Adams isn't above criticism. My discussion here today is just focused on his approach to team building ideology. I agree with it, others don't. It's worked for the Bills and it's clearly working for the Sabres.

I don't really agree with the bold, this team was not set to fail. But we need to recognize that they were employing no less than 5 rookies in significant positions and those types of teams usually don't do a lot of winning. Like it or not those kids need to develop. If anything, they are treated just like the Amerks. Development is more important than winning-at-all-costs. With the personnel we have here, it's the right choice.

Maybe a free agent or two last season gets us over that playoff hump. Or maybe not. That's on Kevo. He added vets to the clear holes. There are no clear holes outside of the forecheckers now. He needs to start swapping guys who have really been here, out. This offseason. I'll be the first, and definitely not the only, to bang that drum hard.

The stanley cup final will have former Sabres:

Eichel, Carrier, Mcnabb, Reinhart, Montour, Staal

Eichel, Skunk and Montour are all in the running for the Conn Smyth...

It is astounding that the Sabres failed so horribly with the rosters they had. Another year with more evidence revealing how poorly the Sabres were run (might even still be running that way in many departments).
- washedup20

Traded McNabb and 2 2nds for Hudson Fasching and Delo. Guys had a real solid Career.

Well I hope you hear something different if you talk with him.
- Buff36

I gotta say, the mutual respect there is high, to say the least. I would probably put money on a return.

The stanley cup final will have former Sabres:

Eichel, Carrier, Mcnabb, Reinhart, Montour, Staal

Eichel, Skunk and Montour are all in the running for the Conn Smyth...

It is astounding that the Sabres failed so horribly with the rosters they had. Another year with more evidence revealing how poorly the Sabres were run (might even still be running that way in many departments).
- washedup20

First sentence yes, second sentence no. That bare bones staff clearing was the result of those exact failures.

Traded McNabb and 2 2nds for Hudson Fasching and Delo. Guys had a real solid Career.
- Buff36

You should mention who was drafted with one of those 2nd round picks

It can be a thing when you're building a team up from nothing. Do you have an issue with how the Sabres approached their post Eichel era in terms of their team building?
- TheSabresTaco

It’s just a talking point.

If the Sabres had the chance to get a superstar but he “didn’t wanna be here” do you really want them to not acquire the guy?

All this female dogging about Eichel. Really what has e ever done in the league? he is often hurt, is not that great stat wise, his best year was 82 pts in 77 games for us,

Hell Skinner had 82 last year in 79 games.

Buffalo had a lot of good players around Eichel, ROR, Kane, Hall, Stall, BOGO, Rhino... it just did not work. I for one think we are finally in a way better place without Eichel then with him.

We have our goalie of the future (praying hard) in Levi. Now if we can sign Tyler Bertuzzi, trade for a top 4 RHD and sign a vet goalie like MAF, Varlamov or Freddie A, I see no reason why this team cant be in the playoffs next year. Hell we were 1 pt short with crappy goaltending all year long.

as it stands right now and I am not just saying this because I am a buffalo fan, If I had a choice of starting a team with Jack Eichel or Tage Thompson as my #1 Center I would take Tage all day long.

since 2018-2019, jack has played 267 games and has 107 goals, Tage has played 260 games and has 100 goals and frankly has a better shot and can skate just as well.

i truly believe that we are entering a 5-7 year long period that we will see the Sabres being one of the top teams in the league and I can't wait for October.

buckle up, its going to be a fun year.
- hehateme

Freddie Andersen: +2.6 GAR, + .5 WAR
MAF +12.6, +2.1
Varlamov +9, +1.5
Hellebuyck +38.8, +6.5

You should mention who was drafted with one of those 2nd round picks
- TheSabresTaco

Be funny if we actually traded to get him this year like lon had brought up.

It’s just a talking point.

If the Sabres had the chance to get a superstar but he “didn’t wanna be here” do you really want them to not acquire the guy?
- sbroads24

I think you need a lot more context with the presented scenario, but at face value, I want them to get the guy.

I gotta say, the mutual respect there is high, to say the least. I would probably put money on a return.
- TheSabresTaco

Yeah

Be funny if we actually traded to get him this year like lon had brought up.
- Buff36

He'd be one of the last guys I think they trade. I'd be somewhere between shocked and surprised.

Adams isn't above criticism. My discussion here today is just focused on his approach to team building ideology. I agree with it, others don't. It's worked for the Bills and it's clearly working for the Sabres.

I don't really agree with the bold, this team was not set to fail. But we need to recognize that they were employing no less than 5 rookies in significant positions and those types of teams usually don't do a lot of winning. Like it or not those kids need to develop. If anything, they are treated just like the Amerks. Development is more important than winning-at-all-costs. With the personnel we have here, it's the right choice.

Maybe a free agent or two last season gets us over that playoff hump. Or maybe not. That's on Kevo. He added vets to the clear holes. There are no clear holes outside of the forecheckers now. He needs to start swapping guys who have really been here, out. This offseason. I'll be the first, and definitely not the only, to bang that drum hard.
- TheSabresTaco

Well said, the intention of burning a year of an NHL team to develop rookies was a high risk move. It was planned and even when the "vets" shined Adams held true to the idea of a development year.

If you don't want to call it failure because players improved than so be it. Management fumbled during the season, and the leaks that have been shared for this upcoming offseason show a continued commitment to the development approach.

If he stands pat and the Sabres regress next season while coaching still focus's on development, what steps would need to be taken? Its playoffs or bust for me next season.

Freddie Andersen: +2.6 GAR, + .5 WAR
MAF +12.6, +2.1
Varlamov +9, +1.5
Hellebuyck +38.8, +6.5
- Hank Balling

As a rental I bet he's traded for the equivalent of an early 2nd and a prospect/young goalie like, I dunno, UPL.

Every. (frank)ing. Time. "Holy poop, ______ just got absolutely hosed in that deal for {star player}!!!!"

Timo got a handful of (frank)ing marbles and he's 26 and RFA

my dad has a stall there
- TheSabresTaco

Word, what’s he got? Furniture or?

As a rental I bet he's traded for the equivalent of an early 2nd and a prospect/young goalie like, I dunno, UPL.

Every. (frank)ing. Time. "Holy poop, ______ just got absolutely hosed in that deal for {star player}!!!!"
- TheSabresTaco

I dont want to see them sign/trade for a guy that's only slightly better than Comrie/UPL and then call it a day. We've been doing that nonsense for years with Hutton, Dell, Comrie, Subban.

They always go for an older guy in a good system with a limited sample size and say "Whelp, this'll do." And then it doesn't.

Spend for one good thing instead of throwing money and term at hopefuls. Hellebuyck is legitimately, undeniably good and the Sabres would be legitimately good if they had him.

Well said, the intention of burning a year of an NHL team to develop rookies was a high risk move. It was planned and even when the "vets" shined Adams held true to the idea of a development year.

If you don't want to call it failure because players improved than so be it. Management fumbled during the season, and the leaks that have been shared for this upcoming offseason show a continued commitment to the development approach.

If he stands pat and the Sabres regress next season while coaching still focus's on development, what steps would need to be taken? Its playoffs or bust for me next season.
- washedup20

I don't think he stands pat, evidenced by his public attempt to acquire chiqorino. Don and Kevo won't say playoff or bust for PR reasons, but I'm with you. Their team is what it is, and the only swapping will come with complimentary players like the Olofssons and the Brysons. Most of these guys aren't going anywhere and everyone knows it. A lot of these guys need to continue to develop, but the approach needs to be, imo, make the small moves necessary to push us into the playoffs. Stablize the defense, stabilize the goalie. Drop the GAx, raise the GSAx, playoffs. We see it, they see it, everyone sees it.

And make sure the new guys want to be here.