Buffalo Sabres and NHL 2024-2025

[Jauronimo]

 

https://www.eliteprospects.com/news/fantasy-hockey/fantasy-hockey-feature-zach-benson-growing-in-a-dark-space

 

 

 

Some really encouraging stats showing Benson's development that would be easily missed.  I will admit, neither his defensive or offensive prowess really jumps out at me as a casual observer.  I know he's a gifted playmaker and has incredible hockey sense but I thought his physical development mitigated much of his talent and did not at all appreciate how impactful his play has been.  Especially as he has played mostly with 3rd line talent. 

[Mike in Horseheads]

6 hours ago, Jauronimo said:

 

https://www.eliteprospects.com/news/fantasy-hockey/fantasy-hockey-feature-zach-benson-growing-in-a-dark-space

 

 

 

Some really encouraging stats showing Benson's development that would be easily missed.  I will admit, neither his defensive or offensive prowess really jumps out at me as a casual observer.  I know he's a gifted playmaker and has incredible hockey sense but I thought his physical development mitigated much of his talent and did not at all appreciate how impactful his play has been.  Especially as he has played mostly with 3rd line talent. 

If ya had one of them charts for Bryson it would pry be solid red

[PromoTheRobot]

20 hours ago, QCity said:

Harrington pointing out that the late-season Sabres' runs are fools gold.

 

Mike Harrington: What impact does this run of good hockey have on the Sabres next season?

 

"In 2021-22, the first full year under coach Don Granato, the Sabres were 18-32-8 before finishing the season 14-7-3. The ’22-23 team endured that ugly eight-game losing streak in November and missed out by a point after going 10-5-2 in the last 17 games.

 

Last year’s team was on the playoff periphery and never really got close thanks to two losses in Detroit in the late going. But they still finished 10-7-1 before moving on from Granato and hiring Lindy Ruff. And this year’s club, of course, had that 13-game winless streak in December and went on an 0-5-1 slide around the trade deadline before finally showing what everyone had hoped for over the last 12 games. Too bad it took 60-plus games for the full package to finally be on display."

 

Okay, so are they supposed to lose?

[QCity]

1 hour ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Okay, so are they supposed to lose?

 

No, I think his point is that the Sabres have historically been unable to carry over late-season success into the next year. I think the majority of fans understand this, but does the front office?

[PromoTheRobot]

28 minutes ago, QCity said:

 

No, I think his point is that the Sabres have historically been unable to carry over late-season success into the next year. I think the majority of fans understand this, but does the front office?

 

 Here's how I look at it. The Bills went 17 years without a playoff game. And no one thought they were making the playoffs when they finally did. 

[Mike in Horseheads]

If this team had a number 1 goalie they could count on they might make the playoffs next year.  UPL is not that person.

[BillsFan4]

Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky’s all time goal record last night (with #894).

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/nhl/s/uroUTkbGLG

 

One more goal and he owns the record!

 

The capitals play next on Sunday at 12:30pm EST. The game is on TNT. 

[Jauronimo]

On 4/5/2025 at 8:18 AM, BillsFan4 said:

Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky’s all time goal record last night (with #894).

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/nhl/s/uroUTkbGLG

 

One more goal and he owns the record!

 

The capitals play next on Sunday at 12:30pm EST. The game is on TNT. 

Mercifully, Ovi scored on the first PP opportunity, broke the record, and spared me from having to watch 60 minutes of the Islanders. I did not think that record would ever all in this era of hockey.  Its an incredible achievement.  He's not the same player he once was but there has been minimal decline in his production over the past 10 years whereas Gretzky's numbers fell off a cliff late in his career.  Remarkable durability.

 

Ovi could realistically net 1,000 career goals but I believe he finishes his career in Russia after this contract is up.

[The Jokeman]

49 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

Mercifully, Ovi scored on the first PP opportunity, broke the record, and spared me from having to watch 60 minutes of the Islanders. I did not think that record would ever all in this era of hockey.  Its an incredible achievement.  He's not the same player he once was but there has been minimal decline in his production over the past 10 years whereas Gretzky's numbers fell off a cliff late in his career.  Remarkable durability.

 

Ovi could realistically net 1,000 career goals but I believe he finishes his career in Russia after this contract is up.

Or does he not play this season's finale and playout the playoffs and retire after the season? Then he earns the career goal record with 1 less game than the guy he beat. You honestly couldn't have scripted it better. 

[Gregg]

7 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

Or does he not play this season's finale and playout the playoffs and retire after the season? Then he earns the career goal record with 1 less game than the guy he beat. You honestly couldn't have scripted it better. 

 

Assuming he can fend off "Father Time" and still play at a high level for a few more seasons he could have a shot at 1000. The biggest thing is will he be able to continue to skate at the NHL level as his skating legs will be one of the first things to go as he gets into his 40's.

[Jauronimo]

43 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

Assuming he can fend off "Father Time" and still play at a high level for a few more seasons he could have a shot at 1000. The biggest thing is will he be able to continue to skate at the NHL level as his skating legs will be one of the first things to go as he gets into his 40's.

As long as he can get from the bench to the top of the left circle in the offensive zone, he will still have a spot on the first PP unit.

[The Jokeman]

20 hours ago, Gregg said:

 

Assuming he can fend off "Father Time" and still play at a high level for a few more seasons he could have a shot at 1000. The biggest thing is will he be able to continue to skate at the NHL level as his skating legs will be one of the first things to go as he gets into his 40's.

I mean Jaromir Jagr played 23 years in the NHL, think Ovi can play a few more if he wants to extend the goal record. 

Edited April 8 by The Jokeman

[Gregg]

26 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

I mean Jaromir Jagr played 23 years in the NHL, think Ovy can play a few more if he wants to extend the goal record. 

 

I think if he can score around 40 next season and finish the year with around 940 goals depending on many more goals, he gets this year then I could see him continuing to play to try for 1000. 

[Jauronimo]

Probably meaningless but this is the most exciting time of the year for Sabres fans.  All aboard the 2026 Hopium Express.

 

 

[Mike in Horseheads]

Sabres beat Carolina (46-27-6) 4-0 ! Now 35-36-6.   If only they had played Reimer more, even 5 more wins might have got them in the playoffs

[eball]

The annual late season push to mediocrity is under full swing.  Geesh.  That 13-game losing streak looms so freaking large.

 

[UConn James]

24 minutes ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

Sabres beat Carolina (46-27-6) 4-0 ! Now 35-36-6.   If only they had played Reimer more, even 5 more wins might have got them in the playoffs

It’s showing just how bad UPL was at times. Wasted 4-5 years on him? Power not looking very good either. Couldn’t clear the zone for 💩.

 

Frustrating that every year we only play well when it’s too late. And we’ve been beating (soundly beating them, too!) really good teams in this streak.

[Mike in Horseheads]

4 minutes ago, eball said:

The annual late season push to mediocrity is under full swing.  Geesh.  That 13-game losing streak looms so freaking large.

 

They are like a team that the light bulb came on, maybe its because they have no pressure anymore.  But everything has gotten better and I'd like to think that maybe they got sick of LIndy yelling at them and started listening

[Dr. Who]

24 minutes ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

They are like a team that the light bulb came on, maybe its because they have no pressure anymore.  But everything has gotten better and I'd like to think that maybe they got sick of LIndy yelling at them and started listening

Maybe, but they do this seemingly every year. It's that mad rush to .500 and the eighth pick in the draft.

 

I'm still happy to see them play well, and I'll still hope it might finally presage a difference in the new season, but the worst result would be complacency and TP and, god help us, KA thinking this time the maturation will happen and all they have to do is have patience and tweek the roster.

 

Personally, I don't trust UPL, but goalies are mercurial. They need to add a top 4 RD defensive D to pair with Power. And hire a proven, exceptional PP specialist coach (pay a premium, Terry); I'd like to see a lot of coaching turnover at the assistant level, but that is highly unlikely.

Edited Wednesday at 02:39 AM by Dr. Who

[Mike in Horseheads]

2 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

Maybe, but they do this seemingly every year. It's that mad rush to .500 and the eighth pick in the draft.

 

I'm still happy to see them play well, and I'll still hope it might finally presage a difference in the new season, but the worst result would be complacency and TP and, god help us, KA thinking this time the maturation will happen and all they have to do is have patience and tweek the roster.

 

Personally, I don't trust UPL, but goalies are mercurial. They need to add a top 4 RD defensive D to pair with Power. And hire a PP specialist coach; I'd like to see a lot of coaching turnover at the assistant level, but that is highly unlikely.

Agree with most of what ya said. I'd shitcan the goalie coach on locker clean out day and I still think KA should get sent packing.