Buffalo Sabres and NHL 2023-2024

[Dr. Who]

13 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

The odds of UPL being a reasonable #2 and Marc Andre Fleury coming back from a year off and being good are about the same.

I'm not terribly sanguine about the situation. I guess you could take that coin flip and hope UPL works out (he might.) Hellebuyck is the play if you could stomach the price for a one-year rental. I don't see how we fit an extension in given what Hellebuyck would want and the cap going forward with core players needing to be accomodated. And I wouldn't want to give the kind of term a goalie on the wrong side of thirty is probably seeking.

[Doc]

Forget the older, high-priced goalie.  The Sabres missed the playoffs by just 1 point last season with a deficient defense and UPL, Anderson and Comrie in net.  They've added some decent defensive pieces and Levi replaces Anderson.

Edited July 3, 2023 by Doc

[plenzmd1]

1 hour ago, Dr. Who said:

I'm not terribly sanguine about the situation. I guess you could take that coin flip and hope UPL works out (he might.) Hellebuyck is the play if you could stomach the price for a one-year rental. I don't see how we fit an extension in given what Hellebuyck would want and the cap going forward with core players needing to be accomodated. And I wouldn't want to give the kind of term a goalie on the wrong side of thirty is probably seeking.

One way for Helly to work. Trade them Levi and sign Helly to a 5 year deal. Only way it works. Not saying I would do it mind ylu. 

[BillsFan4]

2 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

The odds of UPL being a reasonable #2 and Marc Andre Fleury coming back from a year off and being good are about the same.

When did fleury take a year off? He played 46 regular season games for the wild last year, and 2 playoff games.

 

I don’t think the wild trade him though. He said this is likely his last year before retirement. I just don’t see the wild trading him to a new team. The only way I see him being traded is if he asked for a trade (and he won’t).

 

[BillsFan4]

1 hour ago, Doc said:

Forget the older, high-priced goalie.  The Sabres missed the playoffs by just 1 point last season with a deficient defense and UPL, Anderson and Comrie in net.  They've added some decent defensive pieces and Levi replaces Anderson.

The problem is Anderson was their only decent goalie last year (.908%). UPL (.892%)and Comrie (.886%) put up terrible numbers.

 

Levi looked decent to end the year (.905%) but it’s a big gamble betting that he’s ready to carry a big load, and neither UPL nor Comrie can be relied on to help carry the load. They both sucked. They needed to replace UPL/Comrie with someone who can start. But unless they make a trade it’s not happening.

 

Had they had even league average goaltending last year (outside of Anderson’s starts) they easily make the playoffs, even with their poor defense.

 

[Doc]

48 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

The problem is Anderson was their only decent goalie last year (.908%). UPL (.892%)and Comrie (.886%) put up terrible numbers.

 

Levi looked decent to end the year (.905%) but it’s a big gamble betting that he’s ready to carry a big load, and neither UPL nor Comrie can be relied on to help carry the load. They both sucked. They needed to replace UPL/Comrie with someone who can start. But unless they make a trade it’s not happening.

 

Had they had even league average goaltending last year (outside of Anderson’s starts) they easily make the playoffs, even with their poor defense.

 

Anderson played in 26 games.  You figure Levi is good for around twice that and the other 2 split the remainder.  That and better defense should be enough to get them into the playoffs.

[BillsFan4]

3 hours ago, Doc said:

 

Anderson played in 26 games.  You figure Levi is good for around twice that and the other 2 split the remainder.  That and better defense should be enough to get them into the playoffs.

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.

[Doc]

1 hour ago, 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.

 

Better defense will help everyone. 

[Nextmanup]

26 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

Better defense will help everyone. 

This team plays among the worst TEAM defense in the league, and it did not improve even 5% over the course of the entire season.  I would have replaced the entire assistant coaching staff for that reason, especially when you consider our  PK was ATROCIOUS and there is no reason for that, ever, to be the case.  That's all on the assistants.

 

Let's hope this is emphasized in training camp.

 

I just don't think Levi (who I love) is ready to be the man in net.  6K is a bust, or close to it, and the other 2 guys should not be on the team next year.

 

We need a bridge goalie better than what we have now but who won't get in the way, long term, of Levi.

 

Or we can just go out and get Hellebuyck (if these rumors are true) and move on from Levi.  I'm OK with that too.

 

This team with better team defense and Helle. in net may well even get out of the first round next year.

 

Still need to acquire a defensive top-4 D-man to play with Power, too.  That's priority #1 for me, along with addressing the goalie situation.

 

 

 

 

[Doc]

3 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

This team plays among the worst TEAM defense in the league, and it did not improve even 5% over the course of the entire season.  I would have replaced the entire assistant coaching staff for that reason, especially when you consider our  PK was ATROCIOUS and there is no reason for that, ever, to be the case.  That's all on the assistants.

 

Let's hope this is emphasized in training camp.

 

I just don't think Levi (who I love) is ready to be the man in net.  6K is a bust, or close to it, and the other 2 guys should not be on the team next year.

 

We need a bridge goalie better than what we have now but who won't get in the way, long term, of Levi.

 

Or we can just go out and get Hellebuyck (if these rumors are true) and move on from Levi.  I'm OK with that too.

 

This team with better team defense and Helle. in net may well even get out of the first round next year.

 

Still need to acquire a defensive top-4 D-man to play with Power, too.  That's priority #1 for me, along with addressing the goalie situation.

 

Huh?

[BillsFan4]

I’m hoping that having a respected, cup winning veteran like Erik Johnson in the locker room will help get the young guys to buy in to team defense more.

 

EJ went through it with the Avs from a young up and coming team to cup winner.

 

Team defense is definitely an area that needs to improve for Buffalo to take the next step.

[BillsFan4]

14 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

This team plays among the worst TEAM defense in the league, and it did not improve even 5% over the course of the entire season.  I would have replaced the entire assistant coaching staff for that reason, especially when you consider our  PK was ATROCIOUS and there is no reason for that, ever, to be the case.  That's all on the assistants.

 

Let's hope this is emphasized in training camp.

 

I just don't think Levi (who I love) is ready to be the man in net.  6K is a bust, or close to it, and the other 2 guys should not be on the team next year.

 

We need a bridge goalie better than what we have now but who won't get in the way, long term, of Levi.

 

Or we can just go out and get Hellebuyck (if these rumors are true) and move on from Levi.  I'm OK with that too.

 

This team with better team defense and Helle. in net may well even get out of the first round next year.

 

Still need to acquire a defensive top-4 D-man to play with Power, too.  That's priority #1 for me, along with addressing the goalie situation.

 

I think Clifton will get a chance to be Power’s d partner. He’s still young enough that he could be a longer term partner too. I’m sure Johnson will get a chance to play with Power too but even if he’s a good fit for Power I think as the season goes on they’ll need to cut back EJ’s minutes. Plus it would obviously only be a short term solution anyway. I’m hopeful that maybe Clifton/Power will be a good fit. Clifton wasn’t the established top 4 defenseman I wanted but I do really like the signing and I’m hopeful he will be a good match for Power.
 

I agree on the assistant coaches. I at least wanted Marty Wilford replaced. He runs the defense and I believe the PK as well (or at least he did in Anaheim before coming to Buffalo). It seemed like an area to make improvements seeing as both areas were big weaknesses. 

It seems clear the assistants are getting at least one more season though. Maybe Granato felt it was more on the players than the coach? Hopefully No more excuses after this season…

[Dr. Who]

18 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

I think Clifton will get a chance to be Power’s d partner. He’s still young enough that he could be a longer term partner too. I’m sure Johnson will get a chance to play with Power too but even if he’s a good fit for Power I think as the season goes on they’ll need to cut back EJ’s minutes. Plus it would obviously only be a short term solution anyway. I’m hopeful that maybe Clifton/Power will be a good fit. Clifton wasn’t the established top 4 defenseman I wanted but I do really like the signing and I’m hopeful he will be a good match for Power.
 

I agree on the assistant coaches. I at least wanted Marty Wilford replaced. He runs the defense and I believe the PK as well (or at least he did in Anaheim before coming to Buffalo). It seemed like an area to make improvements seeing as both areas were big weaknesses. 

It seems clear the assistants are getting at least one more season though. Maybe Granato felt it was more on the players than the coach? Hopefully No more excuses after this season…

I think Clifton is a 4-5 tweener, though unless there are more moves coming, it seems evident they've penciled him in as Power's partner. Johnson will probably have some situational minutes with Power, but overall they can't be counting on huge minutes from him. 

[BillsPride12]

I agree Buffalo's overall team Defense is sorely lacking at the moment...and this includes both the Defense corps themselves and the Defensive game of our forwards but this is just an assumption on my part...I wonder if that is something up to this point Granato just hasn't emphasized yet.  It's clear to me he first and foremost wanted to get an up-tempo style of play going which is letting our young talent maximize their Offensive skills.  I wonder if this offseason he is going to put a stronger emphasis on adding a more Defensive structure to our style of play(while still keeping an aggressive Offensive style).  So far I trust Donny knows what he's doing.

[Pete]

34 minutes ago, BillsPride12 said:

I agree Buffalo's overall team Defense is sorely lacking at the moment...and this includes both the Defense corps themselves and the Defensive game of our forwards but this is just an assumption on my part...I wonder if that is something up to this point Granato just hasn't emphasized yet.  It's clear to me he first and foremost wanted to get an up-tempo style of play going which is letting our young talent maximize their Offensive skills.  I wonder if this offseason he is going to put a stronger emphasis on adding a more Defensive structure to our style of play(while still keeping an aggressive Offensive style).  So far I trust Donny knows what he's doing.

We have 9 defensemen, and we have a very nice top 5 at the very least.  D is most definitely on the up and up 

[Dr. Who]

8 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

One way for Helly to work. Trade them Levi and sign Helly to a 5 year deal. Only way it works. Not saying I would do it mind ylu. 

Any plan that starts with trading Levi is a non-starter. I understand what you mean, though.

[BillsFan4]

It’s being reported that John Gibson demanded a trade and said he’s not playing another game for Anaheim.

[Dr. Who]

4 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

It’s being reported that John Gibson demanded a trade and said he’s not playing another game for Anaheim.

Aren't there reports out there that Hellebuyck also refuses to suit up for the Jets again? Two disgruntled goalies and not many landing spots. How many teams have both need and cap space? Somehow KA needs to turn that to his advantage.

[QCity]

7 hours ago, 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.

 

 

This is where I'm at. I think a lot of fans are tired of going into season after season of wishful thinking and hope at the most important position on the ice. Unfortunately the time window to make a move that would fit our plans appears to have closed. Gibson has too much term and money for what he's worth and Hellebuyck is a pipe-dream.

 

And it's not the defense. We watched a 41-year old goalie on his last legs put up decent numbers behind the same defense that UPL and Comrie floundered with. Nobody was complaining about the defense during those late season Levi starts.

 

Speaking of which, a lot of people have Levi already penciled in for 50-55 starts with his stats being a direct projection of his 7-game sample size. If that happens, well sure everything is all good -- but that's a lot to ask from a rookie. If he falters or god-forbid gets hurt, this season will wind up ranking very high on the Sabres Disappointment List.

[BillsFan4]

12 hours ago, Dr. Who said:

Aren't there reports out there that Hellebuyck also refuses to suit up for the Jets again? Two disgruntled goalies and not many landing spots. How many teams have both need and cap space? Somehow KA needs to turn that to his advantage.

The reports are that Hellebuyck told the Jets that he won’t sign an extension with them.

 

https://illegalcurve.com/the-athletic-report-connor-hellebuycks-next-contract-likely-not-with-the-winnipeg-jets/

 

he only has 1 year left on his deal so everyone is just assuming the jets will trade him instead of losing him for nothing in a year.

 

 

[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.