Beerball Posted December 17, 2021 Posted December 17, 2021 20 minutes ago, Doc said: Just need more offensive firepower. Stay the course. No Doug Whaleyesque desperation moves to try to appease the fans. Add help that makes sense. 1 1
Bob in Mich Posted December 17, 2021 Posted December 17, 2021 They could certainly use some more offensive creativity. That plan where our forwards cross the offensive blue line and then skate into the defenseman and give the puck away ... that plan ain't producing much. Frustrating to watch too. I agree though that there is no sense throwing future assets away to improve on that this season. This team is going nowhere anyway. Get some returns from injury and let the young guys move up and gain experience this year. Dahlin is a marvelous skater. He is a good power play quarterback and he is improving in that role. He is good offensively but still a defensive liability 5 on 5. His skating covers for many mistakes but he makes way too many to be a top tier defenseman. I would try the guy at wing late in some game to see if he can add anything to our offensive game. No worries about ruining his defensive mindset because he doesn't now have one I guess I haven't followed the guy for long but is there some reason the Sabres announcers can't call our young goalie 'Luukkonen'? You know, his last name, like every other player the announcers name? Three syllables doesn't seem too difficult - 'Lew - KO - Nen'. Does the guy insist on 'UPL' or something? 1
Doc Posted December 17, 2021 Posted December 17, 2021 38 minutes ago, Bob in Mich said: They could certainly use some more offensive creativity. That plan where our forwards cross the offensive blue line and then skate into the defenseman and give the puck away ... that plan ain't producing much. Frustrating to watch too. I agree though that there is no sense throwing future assets away to improve on that this season. This team is going nowhere anyway. Get some returns from injury and let the young guys move up and gain experience this year. Dahlin is a marvelous skater. He is a good power play quarterback and he is improving in that role. He is good offensively but still a defensive liability 5 on 5. His skating covers for many mistakes but he makes way too many to be a top tier defenseman. I would try the guy at wing late in some game to see if he can add anything to our offensive game. No worries about ruining his defensive mindset because he doesn't now have one I guess I haven't followed the guy for long but is there some reason the Sabres announcers can't call our young goalie 'Luukkonen'? You know, his last name, like every other player the announcers name? Three syllables doesn't seem too difficult - 'Lew - KO - Nen'. Does the guy insist on 'UPL' or something? Prior to UPL () starting, you could definitely say that they're going nowhere. Now...I'd hold off until we see how they do over the next 3 months, before the trade deadline on March 21st.
PromoTheRobot Posted December 17, 2021 Posted December 17, 2021 1 hour ago, Doc said: Prior to UPL () starting, you could definitely say that they're going nowhere. Now...I'd hold off until we see how they do over the next 3 months, before the trade deadline on March 21st. Don't expect any playoff push trades. The playoffs are still a tough climb. With 53 games left, we need a 1.35 ppg pace to hit 95 points, the likely needed amount to grab a wild card. The Sabres are more likely to be moving pieces for draft capital. But we could see more talent coming up from Rochester, even if for a few games. 1
Doc Posted December 17, 2021 Posted December 17, 2021 1 hour ago, PromoTheRobot said: Don't expect any playoff push trades. The playoffs are still a tough climb. With 53 games left, we need a 1.35 ppg pace to hit 95 points, the likely needed amount to grab a wild card. The Sabres are more likely to be moving pieces for draft capital. But we could see more talent coming up from Rochester, even if for a few games. I'm not expecting anything right now. There's still over 3 months before any trade talk happens and a lot can happen with the team in that timeframe. I'm just saying don't rule anything out.
Tiberius Posted December 17, 2021 Posted December 17, 2021 6 hours ago, Doc said: Just need more offensive firepower. They are doing "ok" on offense. Middle of the pack now. Those days of shut out after shut out are over. And it really looks like help is on the way from Rochester with several really good players set for nest season, plus Tuch is about ready. Best days are ahead of us! 2
T&C Posted December 18, 2021 Posted December 18, 2021 Non call in the 1st was like a kick in the 5 hours ago, Tiberius said: They are doing "ok" on offense. Middle of the pack now. Those days of shut out after shut out are over. And it really looks like help is on the way from Rochester with several really good players set for nest season, plus Tuch is about ready. Best days are ahead of us! Hope you are right... hitting this road trip 3-0 would be a great motivator.
T&C Posted December 18, 2021 Posted December 18, 2021 (edited) Heading into OT with almost 2 mins of 4 on 3.... what can go right. Edit: 5 out of 6 points on a road trip, I'll take it. Edited December 18, 2021 by T&C
PromoTheRobot Posted December 18, 2021 Posted December 18, 2021 58 minutes ago, T&C said: Heading into OT with almost 2 mins of 4 on 3.... what can go right. Edit: 5 out of 6 points on a road trip, I'll take it. They came back from 2 down against a very good team to earn they point. It's all good. 2
Turf Toejam 34 Posted December 18, 2021 Posted December 18, 2021 Goaltending w/ Subban is almost beer-league quality. 1
Draconator Posted December 18, 2021 Posted December 18, 2021 2 hours ago, Turf Toejam 34 said: Goaltending w/ Subban is almost beer-league quality. So what you're saying is that it's still better than Dell 2
Bob in Mich Posted December 18, 2021 Posted December 18, 2021 Lots of Sabres games where the goaltending let us down. Last night was not one of those. If I recall, Subban stopped 45 of 48 shots. 2
billsfanmiamioh Posted December 18, 2021 Posted December 18, 2021 3 hours ago, Turf Toejam 34 said: Goaltending w/ Subban is almost beer-league quality. I can honestly say my beer league goalie has better positioning.
Bob in Mich Posted December 18, 2021 Posted December 18, 2021 And speaking of Dahlin.... Highlight video of last night's game from youtube. Go to the 4:00 minute mark and watch Dahlin play defense on the Pens 2nd goal. I played forward generally when I played but even I see several things Dahlin does wrong on this one rush. Imo, he is chiefly responsible for the minus. At about the 6 minute mark, his offensive skills on display. Very nice goal. Offense from the D is terrific and appreciated. He can play offensive hockey but I really question his desire and heart on defense. When he first began I was impressed that he never seemed to panic when he made a mistake. I mistook it for poise. If there is ever a time to show urgency, aka panic, it is when you yourself have screwed up and caused the scoring chance. What I first thought of as poise now appears to me to be quitting on the play - a lack of caring. Simply put, when he screws up, he gives up on the play way too early and way too often, imo. https://youtu.be/Isu-VIfcpEI
Nextmanup Posted December 18, 2021 Posted December 18, 2021 25 minutes ago, billsfanmiamioh said: I can honestly say my beer league goalie has better positioning. Suban straight up stole us a point last night in Pittsburgh; he was superb. We had no business with any points last night, but goaltending can do that for you. His behind the back miracle save was one of the greatest I have ever seen. We got great goaltending the last 4 games and have 6 of 8 points to show for it. If UPL sticks around and can remain at this level of play, we could be a dark horse for making a playoff run. Unlikely, but possible with much better goaltending. 2 1
PromoTheRobot Posted December 19, 2021 Posted December 19, 2021 14 hours ago, Turf Toejam 34 said: Goaltending w/ Subban is almost beer-league quality. First game yes. Not this last game. In fact Subban made the likely save of the year. Let me find a video. Check this out. Backhanded. 1 1
ChevyVanMiller Posted December 19, 2021 Posted December 19, 2021 (edited) Here’s an amazing quote about Owen Power by John Vogl from his Sabres Mailbag column in the Athletic. https://theathletic.com/3018447/2021/12/17/sabres-mailbag-whats-owen-powers-upside-how-much-impact-will-alex-tuch-have-is-ukko-pekka-luukkonen-up-for-good/ Hey John. Thank you for doing this. So, if Owen Power becomes a legit top-pair defenseman, does that allow the Sabres to maybe slide Rasmus Dahlin down to the second pair? In my opinion, it may help Dahlin’s performance. — Jim P. I spent a weekend in Michigan this month watching Power. I’ve purposely been guarding my words. I’ve written so many stories during the past two decades about prospects who never panned out that I didn’t want to overhype another kid who might not reach stardom. But it’s time to let loose. Power will be the Sabres’ top defenseman — in a hurry. While I didn’t see Dahlin play live in Sweden as a prospect, I can’t imagine he dominated his peers in every phase of the game like Power does. The 6-foot-6 blueliner simply exudes skill, size, control, calm and hockey IQ. He’s continuously noticeable at both ends of the ice, even when he’s not having his best game. The wise play will be to ease Power into the NHL at the end of this season with second- or third-pair minutes, but it won’t take long before everyone realizes the 19-year-old can handle the toughest jobs. And, yes, that will allow Dahlin to excel in easier matchups. Edited December 19, 2021 by ChevyVanMiller 2
Tiberius Posted December 20, 2021 Posted December 20, 2021 Looks like tonights game is going to be postponed
Nextmanup Posted December 20, 2021 Posted December 20, 2021 1 hour ago, Tiberius said: Looks like tonights game is going to be postponed And Thursday too.
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