Buffalophil1948 Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 UPL was pretty solid. Didn't look like he was overwhelmed and was in good position all night. Hard to win when you don't score. Puck handling was the worst that I've seen outta this group. Passing was terrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 That first goal was hit with a high stick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 19 minutes ago, Doc said: That first goal was hit with a high stick. Not sure about that, and besides, it was one of the greatest goals I've ever seen. I don't hold it against UPL; I thought he played a pretty solid game overall and looked comfortable in the crease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan4 Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 UPL played a pretty strong game. Figures, Buffalo finally gets good goaltending and they can’t score a goal. lol 5 hours ago, Buffalophil1948 said: UPL was pretty solid. Didn't look like he was overwhelmed and was in good position all night. Hard to win when you don't score. Puck handling was the worst that I've seen outta this group. Passing was terrible. yeah his positioning and ability to track pucks looked light years better than Dell. Better than Tokarski too IMO. If he continues to play like that the Sabres may be forced to keep him up. But it was only 1 game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 And now Mittelstadt is going on IR and "seeing a specialist." Another Eichel situation developing?! LOL He's out at least 7 days, but I bet it will be weeks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted December 10, 2021 Share Posted December 10, 2021 On 12/9/2021 at 3:00 PM, Nextmanup said: And now Mittelstadt is going on IR and "seeing a specialist." Another Eichel situation developing?! LOL He's out at least 7 days, but I bet it will be weeks. https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/sabres-casey-mittelstadt-undergoes-surgery-expected-to-return-this-season/article_e24c852c-59d2-11ec-9de3-932ca2f8b63a.html Quote Casey Mittelstadt's trip to a specialist Thursday included some bad news. Mittelstadt, a 23-year-old center, underwent "successful" surgery on an undisclosed, upper-body injury Friday morning and faces an uncertain timeline to return, coach Don Granato told reporters. Granato added that he expects Mittelstadt will play again sometime this season. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/mittelstadt-undergoes-successful-surgery-december-10-2021/c-328861000 Shoulder surgery per NHL.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 Nice to hear RJ's voice regardless of the outcome... his last year calling games so I heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan4 Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 (edited) Ugh Dahlin you’re killing me man. What in the **** was he thinking/doing?! Edited December 11, 2021 by BillsFan4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 3 hours ago, BillsFan4 said: Ugh Dahlin you’re killing me man. What in the **** was he thinking/doing?! Watching Fox all night was a grim reminder of how much of a bust Dahlin is. UPL continues to impress, however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan4 Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 From Wednesday: Recently he was putting in extra time at practice working on that shot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan4 Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Haven't checked out a Sabres game in a bit so will do so tonight. That girl did the anthems beautifully. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Well sweet... nice to watch a win for once. Dahlin played well tonight... lets keep it going. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Solid road win in Winnipeg. UPL continues to impress. 2 goals from Dahlin; Skinner scores; solid night all the way around. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALF Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Looks like UPL is a starting goalie, that should raise the confidence of the whole team. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Am I the only one who thinks Dahlin should be moved to offense? Kind of like how Edmunds is out of position at MLB? 6 hours ago, ALF said: Looks like UPL is a starting goalie, that should raise the confidence of the whole team. He's looked the best of them since Anderson's fast start. However he's just a placeholder for Devon Levi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 4 hours ago, Doc said: Am I the only one who thinks Dahlin should be moved to offense? Kind of like how Edmunds is out of position at MLB? He's looked the best of them since Anderson's fast start. However he's just a placeholder for Devon Levi. No, you're not the only one who has suggested converting Dahlin. He had a good offensive night last night, but his defensive hockey IQ remains pathetically low. He's been around long enough now, too. He has zero chance to ever be anything close to a Norris Trophy candidate. Not that kind of player at all. He's a bust, considering he was the No. 1 overall pick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Hope you guys have been watching the last couple of games. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeLLy1278 Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 21 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said: Hope you guys have been watching the last couple of games. As you can obviously tell from my pic.. HELL YES! All of a sudden the Sabres are beginning to show some chemistry. Jankowski played a good game and setup the second goal perfectly. Cozens is a scoring threat and Luuk is showing that he has potential in net. The team is fun to watch right now! 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spun Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 I love winning! Nice burst out of the blocks tonight vs the Wild! TT with the winner and UPL standing tall! Solid team win! Keep it going! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Just need more offensive firepower. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted December 17, 2021 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in Mich Posted December 17, 2021 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 17, 2021 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted December 17, 2021 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 17, 2021 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberius Posted December 17, 2021 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted December 18, 2021 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T&C Posted December 18, 2021 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted December 18, 2021 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turf Toejam 34 Posted December 18, 2021 Share Posted December 18, 2021 Goaltending w/ Subban is almost beer-league quality. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconator Posted December 18, 2021 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in Mich Posted December 18, 2021 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfanmiamioh Posted December 18, 2021 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in Mich Posted December 18, 2021 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted December 18, 2021 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted December 19, 2021 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChevyVanMiller Posted December 19, 2021 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberius Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 Looks like tonights game is going to be postponed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 1 hour ago, Tiberius said: Looks like tonights game is going to be postponed And Thursday too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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