Buffalo Sabres and NHL 2023-2024

[PromoTheRobot]

On 7/3/2023 at 3:52 PM, BillsFan4 said:

that’s the hope right? lol

 

I think it’s a gamble is all. What if Levi isn’t ready? What if he struggles? I just don’t like the idea of relying on an unproven rookie goalie to be the starter before he’s actually shown he can do it.

 

I want(ed) a backup plan in case he’s not ready to start and I don’t think UPL or Comrie are good enough to be it. Ideally they would add someone who can split the starts with Levi and carry the load if he’s not ready. But I’m not sure if there’s even anyone available that would fit that mold.

 

Hopefully if they play better team defense it will improve the play of the goaltenders too.

 

Had you ever hear of the goalie who won the cup with Vegas?

[BillsFan4]

12 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Had you ever hear of the goalie who won the cup with Vegas?

Yes. I actually mentioned him last offseason as someone I would be ok with the Sabres trading for. He had shown a lot of promise in spot starts for Arizona and San Jose. His save % was in the .915 range. But Vegas is also the deepest team in the NHL and play excellent team defense. They’ve been able to plug goalies in and keep winning. Buffalo has not been able to do the same.

 

 

 

We’ve already seen UPL and Comrie play for Buffalo and we know they sucked.

I keep hearing how it’s the Sabres defense but why was the 42yr old corpse of Craig Andersen able to put up better numbers than either of them behind the same crap defense?

 

 

I am trying to cut UPL some slack because he is still young and it was his first full year in the NHL. But he also struggled in Rochester, so it’s not like we even have a good AHL career to base our hope for him on. He hasn’t put up a good season since Juniors. I defended UPL last offseason saying he looked good in the few NHL games he had played and it was too early to give up on him. I hoped he would establish himself as a competent starter but it didn’t happen. He looked like he did for Rochester. It’s hard to have the same faith in him again this offseason.

 

I also gave Adams credit for the Comrie signing last offseason. I hoped he would show he could be our starter, because as you implied goalies can sometimes come out of nowhere and be good. But again, it didn’t happen.

Edited July 5, 2023 by BillsFan4

[Jauronimo]

The kid is relentless. The whole thread is a good watch.

[BillsFan4]

1 hour ago, Jauronimo said:

The kid is relentless. The whole thread is a good watch.

 

Love this kid’s game! I’m still hyped up that we drafted him.

[K-9]

Benson has edge work like Skinner. 

[BillsFan4]

 

The Sabres have a crazy amount of talent in their pipeline!

 

Rochester is going to be a fun watch over the next few+ years. Even this year with Neuchev and Novikov being added to the Amerks roster. Plus thr young guys already there like Rosen, Kulich etc. Too bad Savoie can’t play in Rochester this year.

[Gregg]

 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Benson reminds me of Pat Kane.  He might be the best prospect in the system right now. 😬😮

[BillsFan4]

Debrincat traded from ottawa to Detroit.

 

Im surprised Ottawa would trade him within division, and especially for that price.

Ottawa just gave up the #7 overall pick and the #37 overall pick for Debrincat 1 year ago. He wasn’t willing to extend in Ottawa so I guess they must have been getting desperate to move him. I feel like they could have got a similar package at the deadline though.

[Gregg]

If this is true, then the Sabres should be all over this. I know they have Levi, but he is a rookie. The Sabres may not want him to carry a heavy workload yet. At the very least they should look into this.

 

Kevin Weekes on Twitter: "Next up ; @NHLJets All-Star, Ace Franchise Goalie Helleybucyk on the move ? @espn @NHL @NHLNetwork @DKSportsbook #HockeyTwitter https://t.co/Gjt0Qx8lrl" / Twitter

 

[The Jokeman]

30 minutes ago, Gregg said:

If this is true, then the Sabres should be all over this. I know they have Levi, but he is a rookie. The Sabres may not want him to carry a heavy workload yet. At the very least they should look into this.

 

Kevin Weekes on Twitter: "Next up ; @NHLJets All-Star, Ace Franchise Goalie Helleybucyk on the move ? @espn @NHL @NHLNetwork @DKSportsbook #HockeyTwitter https://t.co/Gjt0Qx8lrl" / Twitter

 

The problem is Helleybucyk looking for an extension that go longer than we want him since Levi probably a year or two away. Trading for Carter Hart seems to me the most logical goalie to bring in. I just don't want to give up two firsts for him. 

[BillsFan4]

 

Weber and Peca replacements.

 

Paetsch was already a development coach so that makes sense.

Very intrigued by the Prospal hire. 
 

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-rochester-americans-updates-hockey-operations-staff-promotions-nathan-paetsch-vinny-prospal-amerks-assistant-coaches/c-345283470?tid=281469158

 

Quote

Prospal led the team to back-to-back league championships at the second-tier level (Czech Republic Hockey League, Chance Liga) in 2018-19 and 2019-20, going 63-18-5 during the regular season, and was named the league's Coach of the Year following the 2020-21 campaign.

There was also this buried in the press release:

 

Quote

The coaching staffs in Buffalo and Rochester have received contract extensions as well.

I guess Granato isn’t considering an assistant coach change after all.

Edited July 10, 2023 by BillsFan4

[Gregg]

Look who is #1.

 

1 minute ago, Gregg said:

Look who is #1.

 

 

 

[May Day 10]

31 minutes ago, Gregg said:

Look who is #1.

 

 

 

 

8 teams in the East of the worst 10.  5 Of those in the Atlantic Division or whatever its called.  Only Detroit, the Sabres, and Montreal don't appear in the worst 10 (all 3 are top 10).

 

Not that it is a true indicator of future results, but it is a good omen that the guard will be changing.  Especially since Tampa and Boston are a few of the older teams in the league (as are the Islanders).  Pittsburgh and Washington are older and have already hit the pavement a bit... and Toronto seems to have a possible major transition on their hands if they do not succeed this season.  

[Gregg]

3 minutes ago, May Day 10 said:

 

8 teams in the East of the worst 10.  5 Of those in the Atlantic Division or whatever its called.  Only Detroit, the Sabres, and Montreal don't appear in the worst 10 (all 3 are top 10).

 

Not that it is a true indicator of future results, but it is a good omen that the guard will be changing.  Especially since Tampa and Boston are a few of the older teams in the league (as are the Islanders).  Pittsburgh and Washington are older and have already hit the pavement a bit... and Toronto seems to have a possible major transition on their hands if they do not succeed this season.  

 

Just a hunch but I have a feeling that the Devils and Sabres are going to develop a nice rivalry over the next 5-10 years. Both teams are young, fast and look poised to be some of the top teams in the EC/league. I could see a few playoff series between them over the next couple of years.

Edited July 21, 2023 by Gregg

[SinceThe70s]

Not Sabres related but I figured this was a better spot to post than the Quick Laugh thread. 

 

 

 

https://nypost.com/2023/07/21/handshake-line-hockey-brawl-includes-player-fighting-invisible-opponent/

[Nextmanup]

On 7/10/2023 at 3:23 PM, BillsFan4 said:

 

Weber and Peca replacements.

 

Paetsch was already a development coach so that makes sense.

Very intrigued by the Prospal hire. 
 

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-rochester-americans-updates-hockey-operations-staff-promotions-nathan-paetsch-vinny-prospal-amerks-assistant-coaches/c-345283470?tid=281469158

 

There was also this buried in the press release:

 

I guess Granato isn’t considering an assistant coach change after all.

Can't believe this organization allowed Mike Peca to walk out the door.

 

Biggest mistake they've made so far IMO.

 

 

[Fleezoid]

3 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

Not Sabres related but I figured this was a better spot to post than the Quick Laugh thread. 

 

 

 

https://nypost.com/2023/07/21/handshake-line-hockey-brawl-includes-player-fighting-invisible-opponent/

 

Holy crap! #24. Did someone spray mace in his eyes? 

 

 

[PromoTheRobot]

On 7/21/2023 at 12:10 PM, Nextmanup said:

Can't believe this organization allowed Mike Peca to walk out the door.

 

Biggest mistake they've made so far IMO.

 

 

 

What would you suggest? A hostage?

[Dr. Who]

On 7/21/2023 at 12:10 PM, Nextmanup said:

Can't believe this organization allowed Mike Peca to walk out the door.

 

Biggest mistake they've made so far IMO.

 

 

Bigger than hiring Ralph Kreuger? No, I don't think so.