Michael Pachla: Does the trade for Skinner help turn Buffalo into a playoff team?

Good piece. It all starts with their goaltending, and a big improvement is not a given.

I dont think they are a playoff team just yet. Carter Hutton is not the answer in net imo and they need a few more pieces on D

playoffs...…….

Michael Pachla: Does the trade for Skinner help turn Buffalo into a playoff team?
- Michael Pachla

I think they can be great if:

Bogo can stay semi-healthy for once
Eichle's ankle is 100%
Dahlin is NHL top pairing ready this season
Middlestat continues to develope his two way game.
Hutton continues as he was

Their #2 Centre is a big question mark but a ton of young talent that could suprise alot of teams

I think they can be great if:

Bogo can stay semi-healthy for once
Eichle's ankle is 100%
Dahlin is NHL top pairing ready this season
Middlestat continues to develope his two way game.
Hutton continues as he was

Their #2 Centre is a big question mark but a ton of young talent that could suprise alot of teams
- bikeguy99

yup...still a lot of if's...but moving in the right direction

what a solid trade for the sabres. well done. sabres fans needed something like this.

I think the Sabres will be good next year and might be the "surprise" team. Seems like they have the depth up front and on the back end to stay competitive. The only question mark would be in goal, but that's more of a situation where the goalies are unproven rather than not good enough. I can totally see them grabbing a wild card position with the Atlantic div being so weak, at the very least they should be in the mix until the very end.

Nice write up Mike.

If their team D can finally follow Housleys blue print and the goaltending can hold the rest will fall into place.

I really liked ROR but I have a feeling there were issues there we may never hear about. Could be better he’s gone.

30 point jump is asking a lot but at least all games will be really fun to watch again.

I have never paid close enough attention to anything Carolina has done to understand what exactly is Skinner's defensive liabilities. What I would expect from him in Housley's system is to be point responsible, meaning, making sure he has the area from the faceoff circle to the point covered and not breaking out of the zone before being sure they have a clean exit. also, winning battles for pucks along the wall and getting the puck over the blue line if he faces adversity. He also needs to be aware when a Defenseman joins the rush, that he covers the open area of the ice until the D recovers. With his speed, none of these responsibilities should be too difficult. If he wants to earn a new, lucrative deal, he will embrace the role in which he is asked to play.

what a solid trade for the sabres. well done. sabres fans needed something like this.
- systemtool

am hoping an even more intense sabres/leafs rivalry is in the offing

I think the Sabres will be good next year and might be the "surprise" team. Seems like they have the depth up front and on the back end to stay competitive. The only question mark would be in goal, but that's more of a situation where the goalies are unproven rather than not good enough. I can totally see them grabbing a wild card position with the Atlantic div being so weak, at the very least they should be in the mix until the very end.
- 13sundin13

yeah, but the metropolitan is tough

Michael Pachla: Does the trade for Skinner help turn Buffalo into a playoff team?
- Michael Pachla

Even if it doesnt, I cannot recall the last time I've been this excited for an upcoming season.

Skinner
Dahlin
and Middlestadt

Good write up Pach. You are correct, lots of "ifs". While I am very happy with the way the off-season has progressed, i don't see them making the playoffs this year. I think they'll improve immensely, somewhere in the 86 - 90 point range. We should be playing fun, exciting hockey and meaningful games into March which will be a plus for a long-suffering fan-base. Next year is the year they make the push for the playoffs IMO.

No, but ironically, now that they are somewhat "invested" in Skinner (ie: they gave up assets to acquire him, there will be some kind of internal pressure to sign him to a contract

ie: The ball is now in Skinner's court, and Buffalo will likely "overpay" somewhat should they end up keeping him, This could be too much term, or too much AAV, time will tell

Carolina did well, as the usual pieces they'd get for Skinner would be a 1st from a contender at the TDL, after paying him for 3/4 of the season.... A 2nd from a dumpster team like the Sabres is likely to be a very high 2nd *almost a 1st), so the addition of Pu can be seen as a bonus for them

what if pilet outperforms guhle big time at training camp?



asking for a friend
- homiedclown

Dahlin
Risto
Scandella
McCabe
Bogosian
Nelson
Hunwick

Beaulieu wavied

Guhle and Pilut in the AHL, and Guhle called up when they trade Bogosian during the first 25 games.

I have never paid close enough attention to anything Carolina has done to understand what exactly is Skinner's defensive liabilities. What I would expect from him in Housley's system is to be point responsible, meaning, making sure he has the area from the faceoff circle to the point covered and not breaking out of the zone before being sure they have a clean exit. also, winning battles for pucks along the wall and getting the puck over the blue line if he faces adversity. He also needs to be aware when a Defenseman joins the rush, that he covers the open area of the ice until the D recovers. With his speed, none of these responsibilities should be too difficult. If he wants to earn a new, lucrative deal, he will embrace the role in which he is asked to play.
- macman9

Jacks Defense + Skinners Defense + (gasp) Sheary's Defense = No Defense

Even if it doesnt, I cannot the last time I've been this excited for an upcoming season.

Skinner
Dahlin
and Middlestadt
- Mentalorgasm5

sabreland should be excited...

and they're looking at three first rounders next year (or four over the next two years)

No, but ironically, now that they are somewhat "invested" in Skinner (ie: they gave up assets to acquire him, there will be some kind of internal pressure to sign him to a contract

ie: The ball is now in Skinner's court, and Buffalo will likely "overpay" somewhat should they end up keeping him, This could be too much term, or too much AAV, time will tell

Carolina did well, as the usual pieces they'd get for Skinner would be a 1st from a contender at the TDL, after paying him for 3/4 of the season.... A 2nd from a dumpster team like the Sabres is likely to be a very high 2nd *almost a 1st), so the addition of Pu can be seen as a bonus for them
- RoloTahmasee

as of now I think we might find a finish somewhere in and around the No. 20 spot, which isn't super high

Calling all buffalo fans we need your help

https://hfboards.mandator...91/page-23#post-148653713

Bubble team

as of now I think we might find a finish somewhere in and around the No. 20 spot, which isn't super high
- Michael Pachla

Not seeing it. The Sabres are NOT a team with depth. This move is at least a year too soon, maybe 2 years

They'd have been better off keeping their young controllable assets, had another top 5 draft finish (bottom 5 league) and overpaying a FA (maybe Skinner) in next years FA class

There has been too much turnover in this years offseason to really know what they have. Giving up assets for a guy in the last year of his deal was a contenders move, not a rebuilders move

No, but ironically, now that they are somewhat "invested" in Skinner (ie: they gave up assets to acquire him, there will be some kind of internal pressure to sign him to a contract

ie: The ball is now in Skinner's court, and Buffalo will likely "overpay" somewhat should they end up keeping him, This could be too much term, or too much AAV, time will tell

Carolina did well, as the usual pieces they'd get for Skinner would be a 1st from a contender at the TDL, after paying him for 3/4 of the season.... A 2nd from a dumpster team like the Sabres is likely to be a very high 2nd *almost a 1st), so the addition of Pu can be seen as a bonus for them
- RoloTahmasee

So a 2nd is basically a 1st

Not seeing it. The Sabres are NOT a team with depth. This move is at least a year too soon, maybe 2 years

They'd have been better off keeping their young controllable assets, had another top 5 draft finish (bottom 5 league) and overpaying a FA (maybe Skinner) in next years FA class

There has been too much turnover in this years offseason to really know what they have. Giving up assets for a guy in the last year of his deal was a contenders move, not a rebuilders move
- RoloTahmasee

They’ll get a deal together on an extension.

Jacks Defense + Skinners Defense + (gasp) Sheary's Defense = No Defense
- RoloTahmasee

If you really watched Sabres games last year Jack's defense improved dramatically from the previous 2 years and I think it will continue to do so moving forward. With the veteran additions that GMJB has made, the Sabres are a way stronger team going into this year than the team that finished last year and the organizational depth is way stronger by leaps and bounds then it has been in nearly 5 years. they are going to have some talented young prospects learning their trade in Rochester, working towards the time they get called up to Buffalo. By the way Jack, skinner and Sheary will not be on a line together, seeing as 2 of those players are left wingers. But thanks for trolling your negativity.