The above often, maybe even usually, involves moving out a roster player or two who you the GM signed and likely still believe in quite a bit, in order to make the necessary incremental improvement.

Adams doesn't strike me as a GM willing to do that, meaning being open to trading both Joker and Samuelsson.
- kingcong39

The issue was Clifton and E Johnson not solving any issues and creating further problems.

Joker is a fine depth d-man, and he along with Dahlin have been playing fantastic hockey together.

Samuelsson’s durability is an issue, but he is not a stylistic fit with Dahlin. Nor should he have been playing one of the toughest roles of any d-men in the league. Donnie did him absolutely no favours this season with his usage/workload.

The bold only causes problems if you let it, like being married until death do you part to players you have signed.
- kingcong39

Is this where we pretend Adam's is adept at trading, or Terry is going to buy someone out?

Is this where we pretend Adam's is adept at trading, or Terry is going to buy someone out?
- Lunaion

Nope, neither.

Just further pointing out why the Sabres are an inept organization.

The issue was Clifton and E Johnson not solving any issues and creating further problems.

Joker is a fine depth d-man, and he along with Dahlin have been playing fantastic hockey together.

Samuelsson’s durability is an issue, but he is not a stylistic fit with Dahlin. Nor should he have been playing one of the toughest roles of any d-men in the league. Donnie did him absolutely no favours this season with his usage/workload.
- Swedish_Jesus

You also cannot pay everyone, so if it meant trading Samuelsson and Joker to truly improve the defense, I'd do it tonight.

The Sens are a good hockey team, their goaltending is the worst in the league and that’s why they are where they are.

The Sabres are sitting 12th in the entire league in Goals% at 5v5. Ahead of Colorado, Toronto, LA, NYR, Detroit, Tampa, Philly, and St.Louis.

Special teams are the killer
- Swedish_Jesus

hahaha (frank)......

You also cannot pay everyone, so if it meant trading Samuelsson and Joker to truly improve the defense, I'd do it tonight.
- kingcong39

Find a way to move Skinner’s contract and that will solve a lot of problems.

hahaha (frank)......
- TheSabresTaco

Maybe a tad bit hyperbole, but they are definitely better than their record.

Luckily for us Korpisalo has another 4 years to be as useful as a spaghetti strainer

The Sens are #3. Columbus is #9.

It's too simple. Half the league is 48%-52% GF%. The margins are small. When you score goals matters.

15 GF, 15 GA this month. 7 came in one game, so they are 2-4.
- Lunaion

Paired with almost last in PP, even a top 5 even strength is a wash

Paired with almost last in PP, even a top 5 even strength is a wash
- lulags

It's just not though. You play that much more 5v5.

If they don’t trade him, they need to sign him.

At that point he will become judged.

Kind of hard to hate on a legitimate top 6 forward making peanuts.
- Swedish_Jesus

I don’t think I’m hating on him at all.

I just don’t think he’s a franchise winger

I don’t think I’m hating on him at all.

I just don’t think he’s a franchise winger
- sbroads24

I like that half of the people that say pay tuch, hate skinner for his contract

I like that half of the people that say pay tuch, hate skinner for his contract
- homiedclown

I am almost 100% certain I’ll hate Tuch’s deal too.

The difference being that the first few years of Tuch’s deal we should be going for broke in the middle of a cup window and have to deal with the ramifications later.

If the last month is a sign of things to come for Skinner, he’s your new Okposo for the next 3 years making $9M in your win now window.

Not good Bob.

I am almost 100% certain I’ll hate Tuch’s deal too.

The difference being that the first few years of Tuch’s deal we should be going for broke in the middle of a cup window and have to deal with the ramifications later.

\
- Swedish_Jesus

we thought we would be in a cup run with skinner, eichel, reinhart and dahlin back in the day as well


still yet to see a playoff game

I like that half of the people that say pay tuch, hate skinner for his contract
- homiedclown

Paying Tuch is likely a trap.

Look at his numbers outside of his career year. Not a guy you should pay at 30.

Paying Tuch is likely a trap.

Look at his numbers outside of his career year. Not a guy you should pay at 30.
- Lunaion

There are very few players in the league I feel confident giving term and $$$$ too after the age of 28.

Very small list.

Paying Tuch is likely a trap.

Look at his numbers outside of his career year. Not a guy you should pay at 30.
- Lunaion

There are very few players in the league I feel confident giving term and $$$$ too after the age of 28.

Very small list.
- Swedish_Jesus

For the Buffalo Sabres that list should expand.

They seriously should not give a poop about 2-3 years from now and focus on ending this ridiculous drought

For the Buffalo Sabres that list should expand.

They seriously should not give a poop about 2-3 years from now and focus on ending this ridiculous drought
- sbroads24

Baby steps.
They should think about perhaps playing meaningfully games in January next season. Then go from there.
Baby steps.

Baby steps.
They should think about perhaps playing meaningfully games in January next season. Then go from there.
Baby steps.
- IonSabres

We're going to win the Stanley next year. I did the math last night.

Last year we could score, but had no goaltending to fall back on.
This year we have good goaltending but no goal scoring to fall back on.
Next year we will have both and be unstoppable.

Benson will win the Conn Smythe.

It's going to be glorious.

I am almost 100% certain I’ll hate Tuch’s deal too.

The difference being that the first few years of Tuch’s deal we should be going for broke in the middle of a cup window and have to deal with the ramifications later.

If the last month is a sign of things to come for Skinner, he’s your new Okposo for the next 3 years making $9M in your win now window.

Not good Bob.
- Swedish_Jesus

He's one I could see taking a lesser deal to stay around. If he wants a big contract he'll undoubtedly have to move back out of NY. I was told he actually wants to retire here, so we do have some pull for once.

The issue was Clifton and E Johnson not solving any issues and creating further problems.

Joker is a fine depth d-man, and he along with Dahlin have been playing fantastic hockey together.

Samuelsson’s durability is an issue, but he is not a stylistic fit with Dahlin. Nor should he have been playing one of the toughest roles of any d-men in the league. Donnie did him absolutely no favours this season with his usage/workload.
- Swedish_Jesus

What happened to Clifton? We can complain as much as we want, but he was a lot better for the Bruins. Is it our structure? Did he regress? Is Boston so good they just covered for his shortcomings?

I really don't get it. He's a shadow of the player he was even last year.

Lyubushkin is on the market and is a UFA again at the end of the season.
Maybe Kevy should trade Clifton for him.
Add a B prospect like Big Murr or a 4th rounder.
That sheds $3.3m for the next two seasons.

We're going to win the Stanley next year. I did the math last night.

Last year we could score, but had no goaltending to fall back on.
This year we have good goaltending but no goal scoring to fall back on.
Next year we will have both and be unstoppable.

Benson will win the Conn Smythe.

It's going to be glorious.
- QuinnFan

I was expecting Quinn's name here!

What happened to Clifton? We can complain as much as we want, but he was a lot better for the Bruins. Is it our structure? Did he regress? Is Boston so good they just covered for his shortcomings?

I really don't get it. He's a shadow of the player he was even last year.
- QuinnFan

Yes to all your points. Boston runs a very sound defensive system and they have total buy in from their defense and forwards. Buffalo essentially has no defined defensive scheme or structure. He played sheltered minutes in Boston that could diminish his shortcomings, but eventually his mistakes were so glaring that he was a healthy scratch in the playoffs. Should have been the red flag to warn the Sabres that this guy can’t be counted on to be dependable. He was a hitting machine in Boston, a player that loved playing the physical, gritty game that Buffalo so desperately needed. He has shown his true potential and it’s nothing more than the reason why Boston made no effort to resign him. Another horrible signing by GMKA

I was expecting Quinn's name here!
- IonSabres

He's already sauntering home with the Rocket and the Hart, I didn't want to get carried away.