Around the NHL: PTO Season Becomes Waiver Season

[Dirty Dog]

sounds like you're the one taking it personally, I never said nor did I think you were attacking me. I was saying I understood what he meant but I was joking in my reply.

So how about we relax, k pal? thanks buddy.

You’re not his buddy, pal!

 

[joshjull]

Feels like they have a target on Foligno for any time he hits anyone. That one is 2 for sure, I don't see the five. Now the Makar hit? That was an easy five and they reduced it to 2.

Love the priority of protecting knees but ignoring / minimizing shots to the head.

 

[OkimLom]

We are NOT built for playoff hockey.

In terms of being built of the type of players they have, I think it would depend on the matchup and if they can catch one that is favorable.

We're a transition-based attack. That's when the team is at it's most dangerous. I think they could handle a series vs a team like the Islanders, Rangers, Florida, Devils, Hurricanes, and even the Leafs. That doesn't mean I think they can win a series against all of them, as I think the Hurricanes have an overall game that is diverse enough to be well balanced to handle the changes in tactics. We would struggle against them when the teams need to rely on possession and forechecking primarily. The Leafs, I think their top end skill would overwhelm them, and Toronto just has enough bite in their possession game to give us fits.

I think Tampa, Boston, are terrible matchups for us, just based on their flexibility to play any style, and are potent enough to capitalize on any tactics Buffalo would try to use. They would be able to slow the game or make it choppy enough where the Sabres would have a tough time getting into a rhythm and their ability to defend the middle of the ice would cancel out the one line on the team (the Okposo/Girgensons line) that is capable of trying to play a possession style in the offensive zone.

Buffalo is not built overall, nor play in a manner, that would lead to sustained success in the playoffs. The biggest weakness is the middle of the defensive zone and coverage of moving players. In the playoffs, that is what drives success and chances/momentum.

 

[Fezzy126]

Love the priority of protecting knees but ignoring / minimizing shots to the head.

Whether knees or heads, the lack of respect for the opposing team is just stupid. In almost every other sport there seems to be way more respect for other players than in hockey.

The parallels to football really are amazing. Coaches would bench safeties and linebackers if they didn't play a predatory style against the opposition like Ronnie Lott. In the movie The Program there was a famous quote by the LB (ironically he was injured at the time) "Kill 'em all, let the paramedics sort 'em out". It used to be an ingrained way of thinking in the sport of football.

Eventually, the league changed its stance and the fines, suspensions, and penalties got so severe that both coaches and players had to change. It was costing people money, games, and jobs. Once the NFL changed, you really saw change filter down into lower leagues, with more emphasis into better form tackling, injury prevention, and less predatory play.

It's no different in hockey, this shit is still perpetuated at lower levels and just gets worse the older the kids get. By the time they're men, it's an ingrained, archaic way of thinking. When my son graduated from non-contact to checking, the entire coaching emphasis was on how to take hit, becoming comfortable getting hit, etc. There was almost nothing about when to check, how to check, being in control of you body, etc. Until they make changes from the top (f*** off Bettman), I doubt we see any real progress.

 

[SundherDome]

In terms of being built of the type of players they have, I think it would depend on the matchup and if they can catch one that is favorable.

We're a transition-based attack. That's when the team is at it's most dangerous. I think they could handle a series vs a team like the Islanders, Rangers, Florida, Devils, Hurricanes, and even the Leafs. That doesn't mean I think they can win a series against all of them, as I think the Hurricanes have an overall game that is diverse enough to be well balanced to handle the changes in tactics. We would struggle against them when the teams need to rely on possession and forechecking primarily. The Leafs, I think their top end skill would overwhelm them, and Toronto just has enough bite in their possession game to give us fits.

I think Tampa, Boston, are terrible matchups for us, just based on their flexibility to play any style, and are potent enough to capitalize on any tactics Buffalo would try to use. They would be able to slow the game or make it choppy enough where the Sabres would have a tough time getting into a rhythm and their ability to defend the middle of the ice would cancel out the one line on the team (the Okposo/Girgensons line) that is capable of trying to play a possession style in the offensive zone.

Buffalo is not built overall, nor play in a manner, that would lead to sustained success in the playoffs. The biggest weakness is the middle of the defensive zone and coverage of moving players. In the playoffs, that is what drives success and chances/momentum.

I think it comes down to clearing the lanes and awareness around the net, two things this team is terrible at. If we could get two aware, physical top 4 dmen that can outlet, we could be scary.

 

[OkimLom]

I think it comes down to clearing the lanes and awareness around the net, two things this team is terrible at. If we could get two aware, physical top 4 dmen that can outlet, we could be scary.

Clearing Lanes and awareness around the net are fundamental aspects, and involve the most of the basic expectations of hockey. If they are looked at as being a part of the team's weaknesses, then just expecting 2 guys to change that aspect isn't going to move the needle much for this team. It's a team-oriented priority to fix. It's a part of the game where you need all hands on deck and commitment from everyone. It might be something that requires changing of what a Buffalo Sabre is.

 

[Zach716]

It’s difficult to say we’re not built for the playoffs unless you are speaking about next year alone. With all these young kids, they are going to get much stronger and able to impose more physically in a few years. Look at Mitts for a roadmap. But bottom pair/4th line should require solid gritty types when we are there.

 

[SundherDome]

Clearing Lanes and awareness around the net are fundamental aspects, and involve the most of the basic expectations of hockey. If they are looked at as being a part of the team's weaknesses, then just expecting 2 guys to change that aspect isn't going to move the needle much for this team. It's a team-oriented priority to fix. It's a part of the game where you need all hands on deck and commitment from everyone. It might be something that requires changing of what a Buffalo Sabre is.

I meant they team is weak as f*** and get out muscled quite often. Two bigger defensive bodies would help that. Go back and watch Bryson/Joki/Clauge never win a net front battle or clear a lane

 

[Dirty Dog]

You’re not his buddy, pal!

You’re not his pal, buddy!

 

[sabremike]

Clearing Lanes and awareness around the net are fundamental aspects, and involve the most of the basic expectations of hockey. If they are looked at as being a part of the team's weaknesses, then just expecting 2 guys to change that aspect isn't going to move the needle much for this team. It's a team-oriented priority to fix. It's a part of the game where you need all hands on deck and commitment from everyone. It might be something that requires changing of what a Buffalo Sabre is.

I have been told that it's something being worked on. Here is footage from the last practice of the season:

 

[joshjull]

I meant they team is weak as f*** and get out muscled quite often. Two bigger defensive bodies would help that. Go back and watch Bryson/Joki/Clauge never win a net front battle or clear a lane

This is quite melodramatic. Its also odd you’re bringing up two players who don’t matter (Bryson/Clague) to indict the entire team.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

I'm not sure what's uglier: the Panthers PP or Rod Brind'Amour.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Haven't watch much of this series but man Ekblad falls and get walked multiple times this game. Either he's battling through injury or is starting to lose it

 

[kirby11]

Reinhart scores from his office in front

 

[Chainshot]

Ex-Sabre on ex-Sabre violence as Montour gets hurt on a play that Hall scores on.

 

[Fezzy126]

Hall looking like the Devils Hart trophy version of Hall in this period.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

Brutal turnover by Ullmark keeps the Panthers alive.

 

[Chainshot]

Linus with a Sabre moment there.

 

[Fezzy126]

 

[Chainshot]

I imagine Dangle is already buying some lozenges to deal with it on his Dang Its video:

 

[Fezzy126]

I imagine Dangle is already buying some lozenges to deal with it on his Dang Its video:

 

[sabremike]

Live look at the City of Boston:

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Linus with a Sabre moment there.

If my memory serves me, he was generally awful handling the puck behind the net.

 

[Fezzy126]

A couple of years I ago I zoned in on Wennberg when he was with Columbus and then Florida, and he looked like a Sobotka-level of terrible. Now he's flying around the ice, hanging onto the puck, making pinpoint passes, and playing with a noticeable level of sand. I could never be a scout...

 

[SundherDome]

This is quite melodramatic. Its also odd you’re bringing up two players who don’t matter (Bryson/Clague) to indict the entire team.

Let me be melodramatic. I also didn't want to ruffle feathers of others but the whole d core was really bad at this. Power didn't have the strength and Sami and Dahlin were the only ones who could but sometimes didnt

I imagine Dangle is already buying some lozenges to deal with it on his Dang Its video:

Ullmark didn't need to play it but man, Zacha was in a blender from not being on the wall in the ozone to being absolutely lost in the d zone